Former WNY construction official files lawsuit against town, mayor, and deputy mayor
Former West New York construction official Thomas O’Malley filed a lawsuit against the town, Mayor Dr. Felix Roque, and Deputy Mayor Silvio Acosta on May 7 for alleged unlawful termination, according to local media. The suit also alleges defamation, violation of the N.J. conscientious employee protection act, and makes a Pierce claim – a law which protects employees who are considered whistleblowers.
On Monday, Town Attorney Gilberto Garcia said he could not comment due to ongoing litigation except to say, “We’ve sent it to the attorneys who are handling the matter.”
Divided Democrats pick Congressional candidates for November
In a Democratic primary election that divided Hudson County and a good portion of northern New Jersey, voters gave victories to Rep. Albio Sires in the 8th District, Bill Pascrell in the 9th and Donald Payne, Jr. in the 10th.
Unopposed, Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez was nominated for his third term and will face off in November against Republican state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, who handily defeated three challengers.
Sires received 28,784 over his challenger Michael J. Shurin who received 3,563 votes, clearing the way for Sires to run against Republican Maria Karczewski, a former Bayonne City Council member, in November. Sires, a former mayor of West New York and former speaker of the state Assembly, will run for his fourth term. Other independent challengers include Herb Shaw of North Bergen, Stephen DeLuca of Jersey City, and Pablo Olivera of Newark. DeLuca previously ran unsuccessfully for Hudson County Executive.
Payne overwhelmingly defeated four challengers in the 10th district, with about 37,000 district wide votes, to run for the seat vacated by the death of his father, Rep. Donald Payne, Sr. Newark Councilman Ronald Rice finished second with just over 11,000 votes, and Nia Gil, who won in the Hudson County portion of the 10th District, finished third with just under 10,000.
Payne, who had the support of the Essex County Democratic organization, where most of the voting took place, will face off against Republican Brian C. Kelemen of Bayonne in the November election. Joanne Miller of Newark and Mick Erickson of West Orange have filed to run as independents in the 10th district in November.
In one of the most watched elections in the state, Pascrell overwhelming defeated Rothman after the two eight-term congressmen confronted each other in the newly reconfigured 9th District. With just under 28,000 votes, Pascrell beat Rothman, who collected 15,283 votes.
Rothman, who had been sharply criticized for choosing a primary fight rather than take on a strong Republican challenge in a neighboring district, said it was unlikely that he would seek elected office in the future
Pascrell will face Republican Schmuley Boteach and independents E David Smith and Jeanette Woolsey in November.
In the sole election for Hudson County, incumbent Hudson County Clerk Barbara Netchert beat Paul Lichstein to win the Democratic nomination.
Of 320,341 registered voters in Hudson County, about 41,000 cast votes in the June 5 primary or about 12.69 percent. Of this, about 36,000 Democrats voted, compared to just under 5,000 Republicans.
Palisades Medical Center to hold health screenings
Palisades Medical Center’s staff has partnered with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Hudson Perinatial Consortium to provide free health screenings and education programs. The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center’s Community Outreach Program with its 2011 Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents. Palisades Medical Center’s community outreach and education programs are funded in part by Abbott Nutrition, the Aetna Foundation, the Provident Bank Foundation, Schering-Plough Corporation, and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.
Palisades Medical Center will hold a series of free health screenings over the coming months.
On June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. free screenings and information on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, sugar and total cholesterol will be held at St. Joseph Church located at 120 Hoboken Rd. in East Rutherford.
On June 16, a fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity Reformed Church located on the corner of Palisade Avenue and 60th Street in West New York.
On July 28, a fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nazareth Baptist Church located at 5800 Palisade Ave. in West New York.
For more information, please call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
Keeping kids out of the medicine chest
Prescription drug abuse among kids and teens is on the rise. Yet, many parents do little to keep prescription drugs in the household secure and off limits to family members who shouldn’t have access to them.
Thus, in an effort to educate parents on what they can do to keep prescription drugs safe, Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC), the Jersey City Public School system, and Partners in Prevention, will host the forum, “Prescription Drug Use: What Every Parent Should Know.”
The forum will take place on Tuesday, June 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin L. Williams Middle School (P.S.7).
A panel of four speakers will address the topic. The guest speakers include Orlando Ramos, director of the Giant Steps Program and HUMC; Lisa Canteno, senior primary therapist with the Giant Steps Program at HUMC; Sylvia Sanchez, a pharmacist at HUMC; Dr. Syed Ibrahim, a psychiatrist at HUMC; and Joseph Evensen, coalition supervisor with the Hudson County chapter of Partners in Prevention.
Transportation to the forum will be provided from the following Jersey City
locations: Dickinson High School, Ferris High School, Lincoln High School, and Snyder High School. Shuttles will leave from these locations beginning at 5 p.m. and will return to these locations after the forum ends.
All parents in Hudson County are encouraged to attend. The event is free of charge, but an RSVP is recommended. To RSVP, call (201) 418-2381.
Union City to host artist awards
Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners will hold the first ever Union City Artist Awards on Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the William V. Musto Cultural Center, 420 15th Street, Union City. The awards will honor the most talented and dedicated artists from all disciplines who have contributed to Union City’s artistic fabric.
The elegant red carpet event will feature live music by the group (U)nity, as well as various other guest performances.
Admission is free. Dress to impress.
Dvine Konektion to hold free community fair in WNY
The Dvine Konektion Community Development Corporation will hold a free community fair on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5516 Jefferson St. Residents of West New York, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken and Guttenberg are welcome to attend. Groceries and baby supplies will be distributed, and various medical screenings and other services are offered.
For more information, call (201) 617-4484 or visit www.dvinek.org.
West New York offers senior trips and events
West New York’s Senior Center will hold five events for seniors in June.
On June 13, there will be an Atlantic City casino trip from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for $20, and on June 23 they will travel to Amish country from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $25.
On June 27, there will be a senior trip to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan to see Cirque deu Soleis’ ‘Zarkana.’ They will depart at 12:30 p.m. and the show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $45.
On June 29, Hudson Hall will host its monthly seniors’ birthday party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Hudson Hall is located at 6018 Hudson St., and events take place on the second floor. For more information, call the Senior Center at (201) 295-5144.
Union City mayor schedules five Mobile City Hall dates
On Wednesday, June 13, Stack will make three Mobile City Hall appearances: he will be at Union City Motorcycle Squad, 417 43rd St. from 8 to 10 a.m., the library at Jose Martí Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave. from 12 to 2 p.m., and at Union City Career Academy, 4100 Palisade Ave. from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
House of Worship Ministries to host music festival
House of Worship Ministries will host the First Annual Freedom Music Festival on July 7, 6:30 p.m., at the Patricia McEldowney Park located at 62nd Street and Boulevard East. Attendants will enjoy an evening of music, food, games, and community fellowship. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/houseofworshipnj or email houseofworshipministries@gmail.com.
NHCAC announces registration for new programs
North Hudson Community Action Corporation celebrates National Community Action Month by announcing the beginning of its new programs.
They will offer two semesters of free English as a Second Language classes. The summer semester begins in June, and the fall semester in September. Call (201) 943-2410 for more information or to register.
They will also offer a financial literacy workshop series. Call (201) 866-9320, ext. 213, for more information. Both individual and corporate instruction is available.