West New York has to pay more than $500K for alleged retaliation against two employees
The town of West New York will have to pay more than $600,000 to settle a lawsuit with the town’s construction officer and his wife.
Construction official Tom O’Malley and his wife, Kim O’Malley, a technical assistant, alleged that they were fired because he cited then-Deputy Mayor Silvio Acosta for building code and safety violations.
Roque was elected mayor in 2011 and made Acosta deputy mayor even as Acosta already owed several hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines to the town, O’Malley alleged in the suit.
NJ.com reported, “As per the settlement agreement, the pair were reinstated to their positions as of Aug. 15. They will receive a total of more than $350,000 for emotional distress and the city must pay their legal fees of about $250,000, the settlement says … The settlement also includes a clause saying the plaintiffs and town and their attorneys ‘shall keep any and all discovery in the lawsuit, including, but not limited to answers to interrogatories, contents of depositions, transcripts and documents produced by the town of West New York completely confidential without exception.’ ”
The pair also had their sick days, vacation days, and pension eligibility restored.
Acosta resigned from his position last month, but town officials say it has nothing to do with the settlement.
UC man found with five bullet wounds
When police found a man on the ground in the “Shades” section of Weehawken Sunday around 5 p.m., they thought he had been hit by a car, but he actually had been shot five times and left for dead.
The 21-year-old Union City man was found on 18th Street, a few blocks from the Lincoln Tunnel. He is in stable condition at Jersey City Medical Center after undergoing emergency surgery.
Surveillance footage confirmed that he had been dumped from a moving car.
According to NJ.com, “The man told police he was shot inside the car, but the 21-year-old was not sure if the shooting occurred in Jersey City, Hoboken or Weehawken…a law enforcement official with knowledge of the victim said the victim is known to police and it’s believed the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone bad.”
County Clerk’s Passport Office to stay open late every Wednesday in September
In celebration of Passport Awareness Month, the County Clerk’s Division of Passports will stay open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays during the month of September. (Applicants must be present in the passport office no later than 6:45 p.m.to allow for processing time.)
This year’s Passport Awareness Month theme is “Customer Convenience.”
“September is back to school time, which can be an especially busy time for parents and students as summer vacation comes to an end,” said Hudson County Clerk Barbara Netchert. “We hope that by temporarily extending our passport hours on Wednesdays in September, the clerk’s office will be able to accommodate customers who are unable to apply for a passport during our routine operating hours due to their work, school, or fall activity schedule.”
The County Clerk’s Office is located at Hudson Plaza, 257 Cornelison Ave., 4th floor, in Jersey City. For more information about this event, passport applications, and fees, call (201) 369-3470 (option 4) or visit the County Clerk’s website at www.hudsoncountyclerk.org.
Veteran’s job fair coming to Hackensack
There will be a Veteran’s Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Eastwick College Hackensack, 250 Moore St., Hackensack. The event is sponsored by The North Hudson Community Action Corporation, which provides support services for veterans and their families.
For additional information call Olga Velez at (201) 758-5511 or email ovelez@nhcac.org.
Enjoy Greek food, fun, and music on Sept. 6-7
Greek hospitality will be in full effect to celebrate the annual Jersey City Greek Festival at the Evangelismos Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church of Hudson County, 661 Montgomery St., Jersey City. Entertainment will be provided by “Pete the Greek” Chatzopoulos, co-owner of Teddy’s Place in Bayonne, who will act as the event’s DJ, spinning a mix of Greek and American music. Festivities on Saturday night, referred to as Taverna Night, will include an indoor bar and food stands, as well as The Saint Demetrious Greek Orthodox Youth Dancers from Perth Amboy, who will treat attendees to a display of authentic Greek dancing in native costumes between 8:30 and 10 p.m.
A variety of homemade Greek cuisine will be offered for a “taste of Greece,” including pastries, loukoumades, souvlaki sandwiches, and many Greek platters, in addition to ouzo and an assortment of Greek beers and wines. Sweets can also be purchased at the bakery and a gift shop in Elenion Community Center at the church. Food costs between $3 and $11. The church will offer a tent for outside dining.
The festival will take place from noon to midnight on Saturday, Sept 6 and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7. Admission is free. Free parking is available behind the church, with overflow parking at a Saint Peter’s University parking lot at the corner of Montgomery Street and Jordan Avenue. Proceeds will benefit the cultural and community programs of the church. For additional information contact (201) 436-3726 or evangelismostistheotokou@verizon.net.
Cruise the Hackensack River in September
It’s not too late to take a guided Pontoon Boat Cruise of the Hackensack River. The leisurely, two-hour trips run through September and give participants a chance to experience the river, its marshes and wildlife up-close from a unique vantage point. Experienced New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) staff will discuss the region’s human and environmental history and point out birds and other wildlife along the way. Trips depart from River Barge Park in Carlstadt.
Cruises are for ages 10 and up and cost $15. Pre-registration and payment are required. For more information, call (201) 460-4677. NJMC pontoon boat rides take place on Sept. 3, 4, 9, 12, 17, 23 and 25 at 5 p.m., and on Sept. 13 at 8:30 a.m.
Free guided nature walks this fall
Fall is a great time of year to get outdoors, especially in the Meadowlands. The region’s parks and natural areas offer spectacular views of scenic wetlands and the numerous birds and other wildlife that inhabit the region. Visitors can enjoy free guided nature walks from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Sunday and Third Tuesday of each month.
The season kicks off with the annual “Back to Football” walk on Sunday, Sept. 7, in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. Prizes are awarded to the first people who see any bird species with the same name as a professional football team. The Tuesday, Sept. 16, walk at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington includes a special bird banding demonstration.
Learn about the stars and more at McDowell Observatory
Stargazers young and old alike can view and learn about planets, stars and other celestial bodies at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s William D. McDowell Observatory. The Observatory, which features a research-grade telescope with a 20-inch mirror, is open to the public for free on Monday and Wednesday nights, excluding holidays and weather permitting. Observatory hours are 8 to 10 p.m. in September and October, and 7 to 10 p.m. in November and December. Adults must accompany children, and you must be able to climb 25 steps to reach the telescope. Registration is not required. The Observatory also offers a “Let’s Talk Astronomy” lecture series on Tuesday nights. Each month focuses on a specific aspect of astronomy. Registration is required. Cost is $5 per person; Meadowlands Environmental Center members $4.