Correction
An outdated press release about Stevens Cooperative School inadvertently ran on page 25 of our Dec. 30, 2012 countywide edition. The release made reference to Nationally Bullying Prevention Month and a Mile Square Theater production, but the release was from 2011. The Reporter regrets the error and any confusion it may have caused.
Around-the-clock PATH service restored to 33rd Street
PATH service has been restored for around the clock service from Hoboken to 33rd Street.
The Hoboken PATH station was inoperable after Hurricane Sandy until Dec. 19. Since then, the hours for the Hoboken line to 33rd Street have been limited to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. As of Wednesday night, trains were to be running in between those hours.
Service between Hoboken and the World Trade Center remains suspended.
Pulaski Skyway to close for two years
The Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City will be closed to New York-bound motorists for two years beginning in 2014 after Super Bowl XLVIII, according to a report by NBC 4 New York. The bridge serves as a major thoroughfare for drivers heading to Manhattan via the Holland Tunnel.
Unnamed sources were attributed as saying that the 80-year-old structure is “massively used, massively worn out.” NBC 4 New York declined to name the sources.
A $1 billion restoration project, which could take several years overall, was to be announced Thursday in Newark. The project that affects New York-bound commuters will last about two years. According to the news report, two of the bridge’s four lanes will be “redecked” at a time, but only outbound traffic will be allowed, no matter which lanes are under construction.
Hudson County executive Tom DeGise was quoted as saying the closure would present a “horrible, horrible predicament,” and that there are no good alternatives for work on a bridge that was built with the same truss construction as an interstate highway span that collapsed in Minnesota several years ago, killing several motorists.
Commuters will likely face challenges finding alternate routes.
The work will not begin until after the Super Bowl hubbub is over, since the game will be held nearby in the Meadowlands.
New Board of Education members inducted Monday
Three school board members were sworn in on Monday night. Incumbent Ruth McAllister is beginning her second term. Jean Marie Mitchell, who previously served for one year but lost her seat in 2011, is beginning her first full term. Tom Kluepfel, a founder of the Elysian Charter School has never been on the board before.
The three new members all ran on the Kids First campaign slate in the Nov. 6 election, a ticket supported by Mayor Dawn Zimmer. McAllister was re-appointed as Vice President of the board.
Application deadline for Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund Aid is Jan. 20
The deadline for your application for aid from Rebuild Hoboken Relief Fund is Sunday, Jan. 20. Receipt of your application will be sent to you by Jan. 22. In order to qualify, you must have a storm-related net loss of $5,000 after all other aid is deducted and a Hoboken address. The grant size will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount raised by Feb. 1 by the number of qualifying applicants. All applicants will receive the same amount. Visit www.rebuildhoboken.org for an application.
County to file suit for Sinatra Drive repair costs
Repairs to Sinatra Drive in Hoboken will cost more than $10 million for the county portion, said Freeholder Bill O’Dea at the Jan. 10 Hudson County Freeholders meeting. The freeholders voted to increase the contract for legal services to $149,750 as part of an ongoing lawsuit to get other possible responsible parties to help foot the bill.
At the Jan. 10 meeting, the freeholders passed a resolution that authorized Berman, Sauter, Record & Jardim PC to proceed with a lawsuit against parties alleged to be responsible for the October 2010 collapse of a portion of Sinatra Drive in Hoboken.
The resolution sets aside $108,750 for legal feels and $41,000 for litigation costs.
Freeholder Al Cifelli said a report of a freeholder committee said that the suit was proceeding in phases and that it is currently in a discovery phase with thousands of documents being exchanged and in need of review. He said the current resolution would cover the costs of legal suit up to pre-trial.
Freeholder Bill O’Dea said based on the information that has come as a result of research, the repairs for the repair could exceed $10 million and that the county is seeking to hold other responsible parties accountable for some of the costs.
“To date the repair has cost the county about $3 million,” Cifelli said. “We are told the liability to the county could be anywhere from $5 million to $8 million more. We are in the big leagues with this and I agree that we should aggressively pursue other responsibly parties to share the burden.”
Freeholder Chairman Anthony Romano said it is essential for the county to find who the responsible parties are.
Local teacher arrested on child porn charges
A longtime permanent substitute teacher at Stevens Cooperative School in Jersey City and Hoboken was arrested Monday morning at his home in Jersey City, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Guy West, a teacher there for 15 years, was charged with one count of distributing child abuse images over the internet. A complaint from the U.S. Attorney’s Office says that at West’s house, the FBI seized digital evidence that allegedly included “material that involved prepubescent minors and material that portrays sadistic or masochistic conduct.”
West faces five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The school has campuses in Jersey City and Hoboken.
Jan Abernathy, board chair of the Stevens Cooperative School, Hoboken, today released the following statement:
“Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation informed Stevens Cooperative School this morning of the arrest of Mr.Guy West, a teacher at the school for 15 years, on charges of distribution of suspected child pornography. The FBI agents said that Mr. West’s alleged activities did not appear to involve students at Stevens. Mr. West has been placed on leave, pending further developments in the investigation.
“Stevens continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement in this matter. Stevens refers the media to the FBI for any further comment.”
First Annual Hoboken ‘Mutz Fest’ is coming
On Sunday Jan. 20th, the Elks Club will hold the first annual Hoboken Mutz Fest at 1005 Washington Street from 2 to 6 p.m. Attendees can taste and vote for the best mozzarella cheese. Vendors scheduled to attend include Biancamano, Fran’s Deli, Lisa’s Deli, Vito’s Deli, and Losurdo Borther’s Bakery. There will be a DJ and other live entertainment. The event will be $10 to enter, free for kids under 10 years. The event is set to benefit a number of Hoboken Family Alliance initiatives. For more information, visit mutzfest.com
‘Taste of Hoboken’ to benefit YMCA
Over 40 restaurants will be participating in a Taste of Hoboken on Tuesday Jan. 22 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Stevens Institute to benefit the North Hudson YMCA in Hoboken. Also on the 22nd, the North Hudson YMCA will be celebrating its twenty-second year anniversary. For the first time in the fundraisers history, guests will be able to sample beers and wines from around the world. Tickets in advance include a Champagne Preview from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. are $80, and $60 for general admission entry after 7 p.m. Tickets at the door on Jan. 22 are $90 including the Champagne Preview and $70 general admission. Tickets are available at http://tasteofhoboken.bpt.me/.
Manzo Brothers to get involved with Rebuild Hoboken Gala
Chris and Albie Manzo, the stars of “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” have been involved in Hurricane Sandy relief since the storm hit New Jersey in late October. They’ve been particularly involved in Hoboken, where they live in a waterfront apartment. Hoboken got flooded and has raised money to offset the damage through the RebuildHoboken.org website.
The Manzo brothers plan to attend the Feb. 2 fundraiser gala that Rebuild Hoboken is holding, according to the Bravo TV website.
Chris said, “In Hoboken, you have the extremely wealthy and, not a lot of people know it, but poverty and low-income housing, and everything in between. I told them ‘No matter how big or small, the Manzo and Laurita family is totally behind you.’ “
He also said he is trying to get more families involved in the event.
Best chicken wings in Hoboken to be crowned
The first annual “A Wing and a Prayer” cook-off will be held on Saturday Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Elks Club. The title of “Best Chicken Wings in Hoboken” is up for grabs. Contestants include: City Bistro, Hotel Victor, Liberty Lounge & Grill, Maxwell’s, 1 Republik, Hoboken Bar & Grill, Mikie Squared, Marty O’Brien’s, Zak’s Oak Bar & Restaurant, and Wicked Wolf. Sponsors include Hoboken Elks Club and Munchies. Tickets to “A Wing and a Prayer” are $40 and include all-you-can-eat wings, sides, desserts, beer and wine – and the ability to cast your vote for Hoboken’s Best Chicken Wings. A silent auction and 50-50 raffle will also be held. St. Francis Helpers, a philanthropic and outreach organization associated with St. Francis Church, 308 Jefferson St, is hosting the event. All proceeds will be directed toward support of local families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Local Fourth Grader at HoLA is finalist in nationwide contest
“Where will the butterflies go?” asked Ryan Crealese, a fourth-grade student at HoLa Dual Language Charter School, of the post-hurricane destruction to the garden behind the school. Crealese is now a finalist in the Scotties tissues “Trees Rock” video contest.
The contest encouraged students to create a video up to three minutes in length on the importance of trees. Crealese focused his video on beautifying his school and rebuilding their garden that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.
The grand prize winner will receive $5,000, a trip to the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park and an electronic tablet. The school of the winning student will receive $10,000 to use towards a sustainable project such as tree plantings, gardens and greenhouses.
Crealese and HoLa plan to use the money to repair the vegetable garden and surrounding trees.
Winners will be chosen by voters across America, who can vote from January 15 to February 15 at scottiestreesrock.com.