Epps receiving biggest pension
Former Jersey City Schools Superintendent Charles Epps is receiving $195,000 annual pension – leading a scores of Hudson County officials who receive more than $100,000 annually – according to a report on New Jersey Watchdog.org, a news website.
The retirement funding is 75 percent of the average of a person’s last three years salary before retirement.
Of more than two dozen retires in Hoboken receiving in excess of $100,00, retired Acting Hoboken Police Chief Robert Lisa is receiving $135,794, Former Hoboken Fire Chief John Cassesa is receiving $144,195, and former Police Chief Carmen LaBruno is receiving $147,429.
Of the nearly three dozen in Jersey City, former Police Chief Thomas Comey is receiving$131,062.
Former Freeholder and North Bergen football coach Vincent Ascolese was among about a dozen retired public officials to exceed $100,000. Ascolese receives $180,180 annually,
Retired North Bergen Superintendent of Schools Robert Dandorph receives $159,900, and Peter Fischbach, former North Bergen schools superintendent receives $156,677.
Of the dozen members of the North Hudson Regional Fire Department retirees on the list, Fire Chief Brion McEldowney receives $145,585.
Former Secaucus School Superintendent Constantino Scerbo receives $135,000 a year, and is one of about a half dozen Secaucus people on the list.
Former Union City Police chief Brian Barrett is among about a dozen officials on the list. Barrett receives $142,000. Former Police chief Charles Everett receives $146,852, and Police Captain Peter Cipoletta, $136,261. Former Union City Deputy Chief Joseph Blaettler receives $134,773.
Former Bayonne Police Chief Robert Kubert receives $155,530. Former Bayonne Fire Chief Thomas Lynch receives $124,081.
Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, a retired Deputy Police chief, is the only elected public official on this list receiving $107,683. Smith’s political opponent in Bayonne, Police Captain James Davis, would also qualify for more than $100,000 if he retired, records show.
The retirement packages are somewhat deceptive since police and fire fighters do not qualify to collect Social Security benefits unless they also accrue 40 quarters of full-time private sector work. They also receive a slightly different form of Medicare than ordinary retirees.
“There is a misnomer that police and fire officials get life time health benefits,” said one public safety official in response to this list. “This isn’t true. Health benefits stop when we retire. We get Medicare.”
This list of $100,000 recipients is the exception, this official said.
“Most police and fire retire with average pensions between $50,000 to $75,000, and they don’t get Social Security.”
Jersey City to host Golden Glove Tournament
Mayor Steven Fulop, the Jersey City Department of Recreation and the Jersey City Youth Foundation announced the New Jersey Golden Gloves Tournament will take place in Jersey City every Saturday night through April 12.
Jersey City is making history as the first New Jersey city to host all NJ Golden Gloves tournament shows in one city. Usually the eight days of bouts are held in several locations.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Jersey City to host all eight Golden Gloves matches, which not only provides a recreational outlet for our families, but also showcases the sport to our youth,” said Mayor Fulop. “As part of expanding our Recreation Department, this year we launched a youth boxing program which has nearly 100 registered participants. Hosting the Golden Gloves is a chance for our youth to see the sport in action.”
This year, 300 New Jersey boxers are registered to compete for the New Jersey Championship Title. Two of the boxers – Denzel Stevens, and Cory Stevens – are representing Jersey City Recreation Department and are members of the Jersey City boxing program.
“Because this is a statewide competition, hosting the entire two-month long tournament in Jersey City also provides another chance for us to display the many great attributes of our city to the rest of the state,” Fulop said.
“With a brand new boxing program and a progressive agenda to promote health and fitness, we couldn’t think of a better partner for the Golden Gloves than Jersey City,” said Dan Doyle, president of the New Jersey Golden Gloves. “With its great location and many outstanding amenities for visitors, Jersey City is the perfect place to host the tournament. Golden Gloves boxing has found a home in Jersey City, which has a rich history in boxing.”
Children under 12 can attend the bouts for free with the supervision of an adult. Adult general admission is $15 and $20 for ringside seats. The first fight was held on Feb. 22 at M.S. 7, 222 Laidlaw Ave. All fights begin at 7 p.m. Other scheduled events will take place on March 1 at P.S. 17, 600 Bergen Ave.; March 8 at Dickinson High School, 2 Palisade Ave.; March 15 at Ferris High School, 35 Colgate St.; March 22 at Dickinson High School, March 29 at M.S. 7; and April 5 at Dickinson High School.
The championship fight will be held on April 12. The location is to be announced
Epps receiving biggest pension
Former Jersey City Schools Superintendent Charles Epps is receiving $195,000 annual pension – leading a scores of Hudson County officials who receive more than $100,000 annually – according to a report on New Jersey Watchdog.org, a news website.
The retirement funding is 75 percent of the average of a person’s last three years salary before retirement.
Of more than two dozen retires in Hoboken receiving in excess of $100,00, retired Acting Hoboken Police Chief Robert Lisa is receiving $135,794, Former Hoboken Fire Chief John Cassesa is receiving $144,195, and former Police Chief Carmen LaBruno is receiving $147,429.
Of the nearly three dozen in Jersey City, former Police Chief Thomas Comey is receiving$131,062.
Former Freeholder and North Bergen football coach Vincent Ascolese was among about a dozen retired public officials to exceed $100,000. Ascolese receives $180,180 annually,
Retired North Bergen Superintendent of Schools Robert Dandorph receives $159,900, and Peter Fischbach, former North Bergen schools superintendent receives $156,677.
Of the dozen members of the North Hudson Regional Fire Department retirees on the list, Fire Chief Brion McEldowney receives $145,585.
Former Secaucus School Superintendent Constantino Scerbo receives $135,000 a year, and is one of about a half dozen Secaucus people on the list.
Former Union City Police chief Brian Barrett is among about a dozen officials on the list. Barrett receives $142,000. Former Police chief Charles Everett receives $146,852, and Police Captain Peter Cipoletta, $136,261. Former Union City Deputy Chief Joseph Blaettler receives $134,773.
Former Bayonne Police Chief Robert Kubert receives $155,530. Former Bayonne Fire Chief Thomas Lynch receives $124,081.
Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, a retired Deputy Police chief, is the only elected public official on this list receiving $107,683. Smith’s political opponent in Bayonne, Police Captain James Davis, would also qualify for more than $100,000 if he retired, records show.
The retirement packages are somewhat deceptive since police and fire fighters do not qualify to collect Social Security benefits unless they also accrue 40 quarters of full-time private sector work. They also receive a slightly different form of Medicare than ordinary retirees.
“There is a misnomer that police and fire officials get life time health benefits,” said one public safety official in response to this list. “This isn’t true. Health benefits stop when we retire. We get Medicare.”
This list of $100,000 recipients is the exception, this official said.
“Most police and fire retire with average pensions between $50,000 to $75,000, and they don’t get Social Security.”
Macy’s adopts Lincoln Park
The Newport Macy’s has announced that during the Month of March they are “adopting” Lincoln Park. Newport Macy’s customers can choose to donate $1 every time they make a purchase at the store and Macy’s will match it up to $250,000.
Charity gala for abused children
Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey is calling all citizens across the state to join together its 35th Anniversary Charity Gala, being held at Maritime Parc in Jersey City on May 8, at 6:30 pm, to raise funds to ensure happy, healthy, and safe childhoods and to support prevention programs across New Jersey. The event will offer food and spirits, entertainment, and a silent auction. Johnson & Johnson provided the grant that started Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey in 1979 and will be honored at the event.
The event will be hosted by Jeremy Schaap. Jeremy is an ESPN anchor and national correspondent. To learn more or to make a donation toward eliminating child abuse, visit us online at www.preventchildabusenj.org or call 1-800-CHILDREN.
City launches citizens’ campaign
Mayor Steve Fulop and The Citizens Campaign announced a new collaboration aimed at empowering Jersey City residents to bring their talents, energy and ideas to the city government with the goal of developing a new force of citizen problem-solvers actively building a better Jersey City.
Fulop has made increasing citizen leadership in city affairs a top priority in his administration. Working with The Citizens Campaign, residents will be educated about evidence-based problem solving and constructive ways to get results that benefit their city.
“I know the strength of Jersey City lies in our people,” said Mayor Fulop. “This new collaboration with The Citizens Campaign draws on this strength to involve a broad range of residents in big challenges that face our city.”
”We are excited to be working closely with Mayor Fulop in a comprehensive effort to empower Jersey City residents to work with the mayor to find best practices and evidence-based solutions to improve their community,” said Harry Pozycki, founder of The Citizens Campaign.
Over the course of the next year, The Citizens Campaign will work with the city of Jersey City and its non-profits, religious organizations and businesses to provide the tools, training and expert support that facilitates positive problem solving and constructive engagement.
Museum passes available through library
The Jersey City Free Public Library will provide passes for following museums: American Museum of Natural History; the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum; Imagine That!!! Children’s Museum; Museum of Modern Art; Skyscraper Museum; and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
The Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation, Inc. provided the funding for the purchase of the museum passes.
Jersey City Free Public Library patrons, who have library cards in good standing, can check out a pass for free visits to the museums listed from the Reference Department. Contact Patricia Mulligan and John Butler, 2nd floor, Main Library, 472 Jersey Ave., Jersey City. Patrons must return the pass the following day at 10 a.m.; however a $40.00 cash deposit is required when the pass is borrowed. The deposit is refunded when the pass is returned on time. Library cardholders must reserve Museum Passes ahead of time and will not be allowed more than five passes per year.
Jersey City teenager wins essay contest
The New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board announced the winners of the 2013 fire sprinkler essay contest. Students with a family member in the fire service industry were asked to write an essay explaining “Why are fire sprinklers important to our society?”
There were three age groups each with top prizes. The winners were invited to attend an awards ceremony on Jan. 14 at Il Castello’s restaurant in Woodbridge in which the winners were announced and received iPads from David Kurasz, executive director of NJFSAB, and Kevin Bellew, business manager of Sprinkler Fitters Union 696.
Alyssa Olenick of Montague, was the winner of the nine years and below age group. Madison Delapenha of Allendale, was the winner of the 10 to 13 years old age group. Nazario Agramante of Jersey City was the winner of the 14 to 16 years old age group.