Avenue A fire extinguished quickly
On Jan. 25 at 3 p.m., the Bayonne Fire Department was dispatched to 716 Avenue A for a report of a building fire. Upon arrival, firefighters cleared the building of occupants and discovered a small section of flames traveling the exterior of the building near the roof peak. The firefighters were able to quickly extinguish to fire using a portable water extinguisher. The investigator’s preliminary report indicates that the fire was accidental, and originated in the rear wall on the second floor as the result of a portable construction light coming in contact with exposed interior wall sheathing. Interior damage and exterior damage was minimal. The occupants were able to return to the structure.
Man trapped under train rail rescued
On Jan. 24 at 1:13 p.m., the Bayonne Fire Department responded to IMTT (International Matex Tank and Terminal) on a report of a worker struck by a steel I-Beam. On arrival, firefighters discovered a worker trapped under a steel train rail. The sub-contracted worker, operating from an elevated outdoor operator’s chair of a boom truck, was reportedly using the claw-like device to maneuver rail when he got struck. The steel beam was found with the low end on the ground and the high end over the victim, approximately 15 feet above the ground. IMTT workers reportedly used a forklift and chain to secure the steel, while firefighters maneuvered an aerial platform truck to get to the victim. The firefighters were able to free the worker and bring him to the ground to safety using the fire truck. He was released to Emergency Medical Services and transported to Bayonne Medical Center.
Police blotter
Peter A. Hannalla, 24, of Bayonne, was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, and assault by automobile after allegedly striking a 21-year-old Jersey City man near 21st Street and Kennedy Boulevard at about 8:13 p.m. on Jan. 18. The pedestrian allegedly stepped out from between two cars on the eastern side of Kennedy Boulevard where he was struck by Hannalla’s 1994 two-door white Acura traveling northbound. The impact allegedly knocked the pedestrian into the southbound lane and, according to police, he was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene. The police said Hannalla appeared to be under the influence, and a search allegedly found a plastic bag full of green vegetation. He was transported to Bayonne Medical Center for a blood test. The victim was transported to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment for leg and arm injuries resulting from being struck by two cars.
Anthony J. Menafro III, 19, of Bayonne, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after police saw him and a female passenger allegedly passing a hand-rolled cigarette in a car parked near Newman Avenue and Fifth Street on Jan. 22 at about10:24 p.m. The female passenger was not charged.
Jesse Cupop, 25, and Jason A. Sicco, 27, both of Bayonne, were charged with possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle after police saw them sitting in a four-door black Honda with the interior light on near East 12th Street at about 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 18. Two men hired to repossess a vehicle from a residence on Avenue E said the owner of the vehicle hit them with a 2007 black Suburban on Jan. 18. One of the repo men was from Roselle, N.J., and the other from Buckeye, Ariz. Neither man was injured as a result of being struck in the legs and needed no treatment. The accused man has yet to be charged.
Two robberies under investigation
Police officials confirmed that they are investigating robberies that occurred a few days apart at two local taverns.
A tire iron was used during a robbery at Massa’s Tavern at about 2:07 a.m. on Jan. 19, in which several patrons were allegedly robbed, although conflicting reports say either a bartender was injured or a patron.
Lt. Janine Foy, spokesperson for the Bayonne Police Department, said she could not comment on the details because the matter is being investigated, but did confirm that two robberies had taken place.
A second robbery took place at Hendrickson’s Restaurant on Broadway and 31st Street on Jan. 22 at about 11:10 p.m., Foy said, apparently involving the use of a handgun.
Bayonne & Hudson Milestones get Robin Hood funding
Robin Hood’s Hurricane Sandy Relief Committee met on Jan. 18 and Jan. 23 to review and approve the latest round of relief grants. They awarded 71 organizations grants totaling more than $9.5 million, bringing the total granted by Robin Hood thus far to $29.8 million for more than 220 organizations in the tri-state area. This represents 44 percent of the Robin Hood Sandy Relief Fund.
The majority of grants were for housing-related programs designed to help individuals and families get back into their homes or to help them move into transitional housing. This funding includes grants to several long-term recovery groups in New Jersey and Long Island.
“Our aim is to get 95 percent of the money from the Robin Hood Relief Fund granted no later than March 31,” said David Saltzman, executive director of Robin Hood. “We will continue to do our best to get the money out the door as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, a community action partnership which offers programs for low-income adults and families including Head Start, food pantries, rental assistance, Meals on Wheels, and other vital offerings, will receive $100,000. Since Hurricane Sandy, the need for their services has skyrocketed. This grant would go towards providing rental assistance and home repairs for their clients.
Hudson Milestones, which based in Bayonne and Jersey City and operates a wide variety of programs to assist developmentally disabled individuals of all ages, will get $75,000. Hudson Milestones lost twelve of their transport vehicles in the storm, including four specially-equipped school buses and eight specially-equipped 12-passenger vans. This funding will help defray the replacement costs, which are not covered by insurance, for some of these vehicles.
Founded in 1988, Robin Hood is New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization, and has focused on finding, funding and creating programs and schools that generate meaningful results for families in New York’s poorest neighborhoods. The Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund has granted tens of millions of dollars to organizations throughout New York’s tri-state region that help individuals and families recover from the devastating effects of the storm. In addition, Robin Hood’s board of directors pays all administrative, fundraising and evaluation costs, so 100 percent of donations go directly to organizations helping victims of Hurricane Sandy rebuild their lives.
Dublin becomes president of NJAC
Hudson County Freeholder Jeffrey Dublin was sworn in as President of the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) on Jan. 29 in the Senate Chambers of the New Jersey State House.
NJAC was originally founded in 1921 to represent the interests of the State’s 21 County Freeholder Boards. NJAC is committed to advocating for legislation regulations and policy directives that empower County governments to operate more effectively and efficiently.
Dublin became a member of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2004 representing District 3 and was re-elected in 2005, 2008 and 2011. He served as Chairman of the Board of Freeholders in 2008, and currently serves as Chairman of the Family Services and Purchasing Committees. He is also a member of the Economic Development and Housing, Public Safety, Transportation, and Women and Minority Affairs Committees. Freeholder Dublin is a Trustee for Hudson County Community College and is a member of the Hudson County Open Space Advisory Board.
Dublin is a community activist who is a founder and organizer of the Jersey City and Hudson County Bowling League. He is active with the Boys and Girls Club of America, Kennedy Key Club, ACORN of New Jersey, and the Mount Olive Baptist Church.