Online petition calls for roadway to be renamed after hit-and-run victim
A petition was posted online on Dec. 16 calling for a stretch of Kennedy Boulevard to be renamed after Michael Viruet, 20, who died 19 days after being struck down by a hit-and-run driver. Viruet’s leg was amputated in Jersey City Medical Center before he succumbed to his injuries. His younger brother Adrian, 11, was also hit by the car and suffered traumatic injuries from being flung through the air and impaled on a fence.
The petition on change.org seeks to change the name of the stretch of roadway where the accident occurred to “Hero’s Way The Michael J. Viruet Jr. Blvd.” As of Dec. 30 the petition had accumulated more than 700 signatures toward a goal of 1,000 signatures.
The two brothers, along with their sister Mileen, 15, had just left a movie and were walking home along Kennedy Boulevard on Friday, Nov. 14 when a red Nissan Rogue jumped the curb and hit them, then sped away, barely missing the sister. According to the petition, Michael “put himself between the car and Adrian which in our book makes Mikie a hero.”
The car was allegedly driven by Rogelio Chavix-Tacen, 38, a native of Guatemala. After finding the vehicle under a tarp in West New York, police mounted an extensive search for Chavix-Tacen, locating him hiding under a bed in a relative’s home in Annapolis, Md. He was arrested the same night Michael Viruet died.
Chavix-Tacen is currently being held in the Hudson County jail on $700,000 bail.
Mayor Sacco and commissioners present proclamations to retiring police officers
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners celebrated the careers of two of North Bergen’s finest on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Official proclamations were presented to Deputy Chief Gerald Sanzari and Detective Michael Derin, who both retired after 25 year careers in the North Bergen Police Department. Each officer also received a framed commemorative American flag that was earlier flown over police headquarters to honor the retirees.
“I would like to commend Deputy Chief Sanzari and Detective Derin for their exemplary records as members of the NBPD and wish them well in retirement,” said Sacco. “Both of these gentlemen have given so much to our community and I am so proud of what they accomplished. They both have left a tremendous mark on the department and will be very deeply missed as they enter into a new chapter in their lives.”
Deputy Chief Sanzari was hired by the police department in January of 1990 and retired with the second highest rank available. He holds a masters degree in criminal justice and had an illustrious career in the department, working alongside Chief Robert Dowd to install modern data-driven crime prevention strategies and technologies into the Department.
Detective Derin also served in the police department since January 1990 and was involved in many high profile cases where he showed his bravery and dedication to North Bergen. He worked for several days straight during Hurricane Sandy and helped deliver a generator to Palisades Medical Center when the hospital lost all power, endangering the lives of hundreds of patients.
“Although I am sorry to see these two outstanding police officers go, I am so proud of them for the incredible careers they have had and I wish them the best in retirement,” said Chief Dowd. “In addition to being my colleagues I count both Gerry and Mike as among my best friends and they were both absolutely outstanding members of our police department.”
Register now for upcoming library programs
The North Bergen Public Library is pleased to announce the library’s annual winter programs for both the main library and the Kennedy branch. Registration will be held on Monday, Jan. 5 at opening and the programs begin Monday, Jan. 12. Registration is open to North Bergen and Guttenberg residents. Register in person at either the main library or the Kennedy branch. Proof of age and residency are required. Registration is limited. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org to view the program listings.
The main library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. The Kennedy branch is at 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
Recreation girls’ softball dinner on Jan. 9
The North Bergen recreation girls’ softball dinner will be held at the Pop Warner Building, 6302 Meadowview Ave. The event takes place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9.
Cervical cancer lecture on Jan. 14
Cervical cancer develops in the tissues of the cervix and can be detected with regular pap-tests. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2014, about 4,020 women died from cervical cancer. The most common risk factor of this disease is the Human-Papilloma virus (HPV).
A lecture on the topic of cervical cancer will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. Learn more about cervical cancer, latest research, guidelines, treatment, and ways you can prevent it. The lecture will be presented by Henry Fernandez-Cos, M.D., Obstetrician/Gynecologist at Holy Name Medical Center. This event is made possible by the Hispanic Outreach Program and Holy Name Medical Center for Wellness Wednesdays. For more information call the library at (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
2014 Winterfest video online
This year’s Winterfest celebration was one of the biggest and best North Bergen has ever seen. Relive all the great events in the Winterfest 2014 video, now available on the town website and on Cablevision Channel 19.
Sign up for the NB Connect notification system
Get alerts about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for NB Connect. This notification system enables the Township of North Bergen to provide residents with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and evacuation of buildings or neighborhoods.
You can receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, cell, or business phone, email, text messages, hearing impaired receiving devices, and more. You pick where, you pick how. Visit the town website to sign up at http://www.northbergen.org/
NB help desk available online
The Township of North Bergen is pleased to announce the NB help desk website feature. Get a real answer to your questions in 24 hours or less. Residents can submit requests directly from the town website at http://www.northbergen.org/. All requests are forwarded to a central location allowing municipal employees to quickly respond to citizen requests.
First-Sunday-of-the Month nature Walk on Jan. 4
Join a free two-hour guided walk in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst and nearby Disposal Road, featuring raptors and waterfowl. The walk is sponsored by the N. J. Meadowlands Commission (NHMC) and the Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS). Meet outside the Meadowlands Environment Center at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4 (directions are on meadowblog.net in the left-hand column). Participants will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To RSVP contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983. Registration is recommended and appreciated.
Birds of the Meadowlands photo exhibit on Jan. 14
On Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., photographer Ron Shields presents his stunning images of the Kearny Marsh, Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus, and DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst taken during the past four years. Many of the photos were shot from a kayak in remote areas of the region, giving the viewer a unique perspective on our avian friends.
The event takes place at the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. The cost is $6 per person; $5 for MEC members. Registration is recommended and appreciated. For more information call (201) 777-2431.