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Were you planning to be around town for the Lepre-Con and related events on Saturday, March 3? Send your photos to editorial@hudsonreporter.com and watch hudsonreporter.com for updates!
Hoboken releases prerecorded message to residents regarding Saturday, March 3 and Lepre-Con
A prerecorded message from Hoboken Police Chief Anthony Falco was sent to Hoboken residents Wednesday in regards to this weekend’s “Lepre-Con” bar crawl (Saturday, March 3).
Although Falco never spoke directly of “Lepre-Con” in the message, that event had over 17,000 attendees RSVP’ing on Facebook.
“This day we’re expecting thousands of visitors to our beautiful city,” said Falco in the message. “The cooperation of our community is essential for making this a safe and enjoyable day for everyone.”
Falco added that police will be enforcing all rules strictly, related to possession of alcohol, unruly house parties, and public urination. Fines for violations may be as high as $2,000.
“If you are hosting or attending a private house party, please be respectful and considerate,” Falco continued in the message.
The Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled this year by its organizers after Mayor Dawn Zimmer requested it be held on a Wednesday instead of a Saturday. The organizers refused. As a result, a group of residents promoted an event in its place for Saturday, March 3.
For updates, see hudsonreporter.com.
Ex-Mayor Cammarano may be released from prison system next weekend
Former Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, who became an infamous symbol of New Jersey political corruption in 2009 when the FBI arrested him less than a month into his term on an extortion charge, is set to be released from prison on March 11, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Right now, the 34-year-old former Democratic rising star is in a community-based corrections program.
The release date is seven months ahead of his original October 2012 release date, causing some to speculate that he may have given information to prosecutors about other potential violators.
On July 23, 2009, Cammarano was one of numerous political officials and candidates in the tri-state area arrested for allegedly taking campaign money from an FBI informant posing as a real estate developer, in exchange for future help with development projects. After public protests, he stepped down in August 2009 and was replaced by then-City Council President Dawn Zimmer, who eventually was elected mayor outright.
In April of 2010, Cammarano entered a guilty plea to one count of “conspiracy to obstruct commerce by extortion under the color of right,” a felony.
Cammarano was sentenced to 24 months in prison, and he reported in early October 2010, meaning his original release date was scheduled for October 2012.
Cammarano’s defense attorney, Joseph Hayden of Roseland, did not return a phone call by press time.
Hoboken dual language charter school (HOLA) hosts ‘Sabor de Hola’ fundraiser
The Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) will host its second annual flagship fundraising event on Tuesday, March 13 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Chart House in Weehawken.
The Sabor de HoLa will bring both HoLa families and the extended local community together to enjoy the area’s finest Spanish and Latin American flavors. The evening will consist of local restaurants showcasing sample portions of their famous dishes and desserts. It features foods donated by 1 Republik, Anthony David’s, The Cuban, East LA, Green Rock Tap & Grill, Havana Cafe & Lounge, La Isla, The Little Grocery, Madison Bar and Grill, Mikie Squared, Sammy’s Roadhouse, Sol Caribe, The Taco Truck, Texas Arizona, and Village Pourhouse; desserts donated by Christopher Street Cookies, Edible Arrangements, The Melting Pot, Sweet, Las Chicas Bakery & Cafe; Wine & Spirits donated by Bin 14, Pernod-Richard, Buy-Rite Wine & Liquors and Turtle Club; floral design donated by MAB Floral Studio. Enjoy live entertainment by MAX POWER and DJ Q.
In addition to the food tastings, attendees are invited to participate in the silent and live auction and “Loco 50 Cincuenta Raffle. Prizes include Disney Park Hopper Passes, a Shipyard pool pass, a Tulum Mexico Vacation, spa packages, sports memorabilia, jewelry, dining packages, a tour of Z100’s Elvis Duran and the Morning Show studio, and so much more!
Sponsors include Hudson Honda of West New York, Muller Insurance, Red Bridge Homes, Robert Jenny Design, Room 84, The Spine & Sports Health Center, Top Shelf Staffing; Haven Savings Bank, Jensen Vasil Architects, Patrick Southern at Liberty Realty, VM Vending, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer Law, and Minervini Vandermark Architecture.
Tickets for the Sabor de HoLa are $80 after March 1 and are available on the school’s website www.holahoboken.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $80/person. For more information, contact sabor@holahoboken.org.
Parents concerned about plan to move Hoboken’s kindergarten classrooms
In order to alleviate crowding at Wallace School – an elementary school at Clinton and Eleventh streets in Hoboken — the district is exploring a plan to move some, and possibly all, of the Wallace kindergarten classrooms to the Brandt School on Ninth Street next year, according to a letter from Superintendent Mark Toback to Pre-K and kindergarten parents.
“Wallace School has faced issues with crowding for a number of years and in addition to the crowding problem, a number of students and teachers are housed in trailers outside of the building,” Toback said in the letter, sent out a week ago. “The trailers were meant to be temporary structures and were not intended to be permanent additions to the district facilities. The district would like to alleviate some of the crowding in Wallace and eliminate the need for the trailers.”
The district is working on a plan that would also move some preschool classes to the Demarest School first floor, according to the letter.
The office of the superintendent and business administrator (both currently in Wallace School) will move to the second floor of Demarest, according to the letter.
Toback said the plan is “not set in stone” and he is hoping for input from parents as they move ahead.
One parent left a comment on our online version of this story at hudsonreporter.com, saying, “Clearly, this move is not in the best interest of most children already familiar with the Wallace School. My son, for example, attends the preschool at Wallace but under Toback’s policy would not be allowed to attend as a kindergartner next year and would be reassigned to another school. My daughter, however, already in kindergarten at Wallace, would be able to continue to attend as a first grader next year. As such, his policy certainly does not take into consideration the fact that kindergarten and preschool students with older siblings already at Wallace will now need to attend different schools.”
For more of the parent’s comment, and to leave comments of your own, go to hudsonreporter.com.
Chabad hosts Purim Party in Hoboken
Chabad of Hoboken’s 11th annual grand, international Purim Party will be held at the Elks Club 1005 Washington St. this Thursday, March 8. This year’s theme – Purim in Africa – will feature an African buffet dinner, open bar, drum circle, and more.
Doors open at 4:45 pm with arts and crafts for the children. The reading of the Megillah will commence at 5:15 pm, followed by lots of fun. All are welcome to join regardless of affiliation or background.
At the door: $25 per adult and $12 a child/ Stevens students. In advance: $23 adult; $13. For more info and to RSVP, visit www.JewishHoboken.com or call 201 386 5222.