Former Secaucus mayor, who was convicted of bribery, to report to jail Monday
Former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell will have to surrender Monday and begin serving his jail sentence after a federal judge in Newark on Tuesday denied his bid to remain free while he appeals his bribery conviction, according to The Record. On Monday, Elwell must report to the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, N.C., to begin serving a sentence of two and a half years. Elwell, 66, was sentenced April 12 in Federal Court.
On July 6, a federal jury acquitted Elwell of conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion, but convicted him on bribery in connection with a government sting. Federal prosecutors claimed that Solomon Dwek, an FBI informant posing as a real estate developer, gave Elwell $10,000 cash, allegedly through political operative Ronald Manzo, in order to get favoritism on development projects. Elwell has said he saw the money as a campaign contribution rather than a bribe. “We’re disappointed but we’re certainly going to proceed with the appeal,” Thomas J. Cammarata, one of Elwell’s attorneys, is quoted as saying. He also said that Elwell requested that he be sent to the North Carolina prison because it has a medical facility that is connected to Duke University Hospital. Elwell previously underwent surgery for an aneurism.
Local artists exhibit at library
Local artists Julie Gadaleta, Susan McCallen, Robin Mitchell, and Bobby Travieso currently have an exhibit on display at the Secaucus Public Library. The official reception is June 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The four exhibit together as part of the group the “Quarters.” The exhibit, which presents both humor and seriousness, includes fine art, photography, and cartooning. For more information, contact the library at (201) 330-2083.
Stroke and osteoporosis screenings coming to town
Residents living in and around Secaucus can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke or bone fracture. The Secaucus Public Library will host Life Line Screenings on June 29. Packages start at $149. All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. Pre-registration is required.
For more information, call: 1(877) 237-1287, or visit: www.lifelinescreening.com.
Library to host Residents’ Art Display in July
The Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center will host a Residents’ Art Display during the entire month of July. Secaucus residents, 18 and older, are invited to display their art forms and photographs in the Panasonic Room. A reception for the artists displaying their work is scheduled July 24 at 7 p.m.
Previous Resident Art Displays have resulted in hand-made dolls, quilts, ceramics, pottery and other art forms being displayed. The event is only for adult residents who are at least 18 years old. To register for the event, call (201) 330-2083 and indicate the type of art being submitted and whether it requires being placed on a table, being displayed on an easel or mounted on the wall.