North Bergen woman sentenced to 20 years in stabbing death of deli owner
A judge in Hudson County Superior Court sentenced a North Bergen woman to 20 years in prison for her part in the stabbing death of a Guttenberg deli owner, after the woman told the court that she was a victim also, according to a report on NJ.com.
Liz M. Velez, 34, and her boyfriend, Jose Castaing, 42, were arrested shortly after the April 26, 2012 crime, during which North Bergen resident Bahah Nesim was stabbed more than 40 times in the face, chest, and back. Nesim was the owner of the Mister Fresh Deli on Bergenline Avenue, where the crime occurred.
The pair allegedly pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter. Castaing was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Nov. 21 for his part in the incident.
When it came time for Velez to be sentenced this week, she asked the judge for sympathy, speaking through a Spanish interpreter. She reportedly said the incident had affected her “at an emotional level.” Her attorney also noted that Velez had no prior arrests and was HIV positive.
Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale sentenced Velez to 20 years in prison. “No one made you do what you did, you did it on your own, and while you may be emotional, the victim of your crime no longer has that capacity due to your conduct,” DePascale told her, according to NJ.com. “Please don’t argue that you are the victim, because you are not.”
Guttenberg contractor pleads guilty to scheme to get federal $$$ via Union City gov’t
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney General’s office, a second local contractor admitted on Wednesday, Jan. 14 to rigging the contractor selection process for projects run by the Union City Community Development Agency (UCCDA), which is funded by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A press release issued Wednesday said:
“The owner of a Guttenberg, New Jersey, contracting company admitted rigging the selection process for projects run by the Union City Community Development Agency (UCCDA), causing losses of at least $120,000, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Leovaldo Fundora, 53, of Guttenberg, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court to … one count of embezzling, stealing, purloining, and converting to his own use and the use of another, money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
According to documents in this case and statements made in court:
The UCCDA receives funding from HUD under a federal block grant that provides money for home improvement, sidewalk replacement and other projects. Between May 2007 and September 2011, Fundora owned Falcon Remodeling Inc., a general contracting company.
Fundora colluded with two UCCDA inspectors and two other contractors to attain HUD grant funds by having the contractors complete phony proposals with prices higher than those submitted by Falcon. Fundora then submitted these phony proposals and Falcon’s proposals to the UCCDA in order to improperly obtain home improvement projects and sidewalk replacement projects.
On two occasions in June 2010, Fundora submitted phony proposals from the other two contractors pricing sidewalk replacement projects at Kerrigan Avenue and 13th St. in Union City for $4,200. As a result, Falcon secured both projects for $3,900.
The charge to which Fundora pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is currently scheduled for April 22, 2015.”
Two inspectors who may have been in on the scheme are still working at Town Hall, a press report said last month.
Last month, Joseph Lado, 66, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with agents of the UCCDA and a Jersey City contractor to obtain money from the agency by fraud. Lado entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court.
Recent Work by Kirsten Flaherty on exhibit at Guttenberg Arts
Kirsten Flaherty’s works have been exhibited throughout the United States as well as internationally including the Czech Republic, Peru, Israel, and Italy. She is a member of the board of directors of the New York Society of Etchers and has been dedicated to presenting exhibitions that showcase varying visions through techniques in etching, monotype, silkscreen and other printmaking processes, with the overall intention of celebrating the venerable art of print.
Flaherty’s solo exhibition Recent Work is on display through Feb. 2 at Guttenberg Arts Gallery, 6903 Jackson St. The exhibition examines the global ecological sphere and all its inhabitants, their interdependent and often complex relationships. For this exhibition, Flaherty uses stark, monochromatic, detailed images of animals affected by our systematic urbanization. Through the graphic process of printmaking and the delicate line work within the images, Flaherty exposes the fragility of life and the fallacies in human nature that come with devastating repercussions.
Works such as “Egyptian Vultures” and Crowned Eagle” depict these species in light of humans causing habitat destruction and poisoning. In contrast to these meticulously detailed figures, the use of stark letters and numbers featured throughout the prints represent stock quotes from various companies during the global financial crisis in 2007-2008. Although these corporations differ in the way each makes their financial gains, all are known for the negative impact they make not only on our natural environment, but also in our own economic system.
Kirsten Flaherty lives and works in New York City.
2015 soccer registration begins
Soccer registration for the 2015 season will take place throughout January and February on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration will be held at the soccer trailer in Hudson County Park.
Registration is open to North Bergen and Guttenberg residents only. Be sure to bring your child’s birth certificate or passport only, two current photos for soccer ID and record, and valid proof of North Bergen/Guttenberg residency, i.e. a PSEG/Water/Cablevision/FIOs bill. There is a non-refundable $35 registration fee. Cash only; no personal checks. Last year’s players must also register.
Hoboken Catholic Academy holds 2nd Annual Poker/Blackjack Night Fundraiser
Hoboken Catholic Academy will host its second annual poker/blackjack tournament fundraiser on Friday, Jan. 30. Come play some cards, have dinner, and enjoy a drink with friends/family.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym at 555 7th St., Hoboken. For more information, contact Mike Tennaro at (201) 659-4175 or visit www.hobokencatholic.org.
March to honor fallen police officers is Jan. 17
The Jersey City Police Detective’s Benevolent Association (JCPD-DBA) will host “A Walk to Remember” on Saturday, Jan. 17, in honor of the 118 police officers who were killed nationwide in the line of duty in 2014. The walk will take place in Liberty State Park in Jersey City at 12 p.m. with registration beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friends, family and supporters will meet at the foot of Audrey Zapp Rd., North Cove Field. The JCPD-DBA invites the public to join in remembrance of police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and in support of the families of fallen officers. Contributions to the DBA’s Fallen Officers Fund will be accepted. If you have questions, please contact Detective Ed Dolan at (201) 726-0698.
Free cervical cancer screenings at 3 locations
There will be free cervical cancer screening for uninsured and under-insured women, age 21 and over, on the following dates and locations from 9 to 11 a.m. No appointment is needed, but there are financial restrictions. Call any of the centers for additional information.
• Wednesday, 1/21; Hoboken Family Planning, 124 Grand St., Hoboken, (201) 963-0300
• Friday, 1/23; HFP’s Summit Center, 1206 Summit Ave., Union City, (201) 319-9200
• Tuesday, 1/27; HFP’s West New York Center, 5305 Hudson St., West New York, (201) 866-8071
The Meadowlands rocks!
Join New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) staffer and veteran rock journalist/author Brian Aberback for Rock ‘n’ Roll in the Meadowlands on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. The slideshow presentation will cover Frank Sinatra’s Hoboken roots and the Jersey City doo-wop scene to present-day hard rock guitar virtuoso/Carlstadt native Marc Rizzo and many more. The cost is $6 per person; $5 for MEC members.
For questions, call (201) 777-2431. To receive email alerts about NJMC public programs email communications@njmeadowlands.gov or call (201) 460-4619. The Meadowlands Environment Center is at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071.
Explore nature’s beauty before the Super Bowl
Before settling in to watch the Super Bowl, nature and bird-watching enthusiasts of all ages are invited to join the Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) and the Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS) for the Sixth Annual Super Bird Sunday walk at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. Prizes will be awarded to the first people to spot a bird that serves as an NFL team name: raven, falcon, eagle, seahawk (osprey), cardinal and wood (packer).
Major sewer improvement project on Bergenline Avenue
Construction work is taking place on a major sewer infrastructure improvement project on Bergenline Avenue between 79th and 82nd Streets that will result in the replacement of dozens of pipes, some of which have been in service for more than 50 years. The aging equipment will be lined and/or replaced in phase one of the $2 million project, which is expected to last until February before resuming in the spring and continuing off and on for the next two to three years.
During the construction period that is slated to last until mid-February depending on weather conditions, traffic flow on Bergenline Avenue will be restricted to one lane each way and there will be no parking on the street. In addition, Bergenline Avenue will not be accessible via 79th Street when traveling eastbound. The township is working with businesses and residents in the area to inform the public about the project and minimize disruption. Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to call the Department of Public Works at (201) 392-2128.
Classes in the performing arts for kids in Hudson County
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. will hold registration for its professional theatre training program for children ages 8 and up on Mondays through Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. at Jose Marti Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave. Registration begins on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Classes are offered in ballet, hip hop, salsa, tap/rhythm, singing, and acting. The registration fee is $30 per student. The classes are free.
To register, kids must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No special clothing or equipment is needed. All of the instructors are professional performers. Open to all residents of Hudson County. For more information, log on to www.GraceTheatre.com.
Hackensack Riverkeeper Environmental Scholarship Award accepting nominations
Hackensack Riverkeeper is now accepting applications for the 2015 Ron Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship. Now in its fifteenth year, the program was created in memory of the late science teacher and founding Riverkeeper trustee in order to support college-bound high school seniors who excel academically and who maintain a strong commitment to environmental protection.
Teachers and guidance counselors are invited to submit applications on behalf of deserving students. Each school may nominate one senior. A panel of Hackensack Riverkeeper trustees and staffers led by Captain Bill Sheehan and Program Director Hugh Carola will review each application. The panel will consider the applicant’s academic achievements, environmental extra-curricular activities and future plans. The $1,000 scholarship is unrestricted.
All applicants must live within the 210-square mile Hackensack River Watershed and/or attend a high school located within that region. Seniors at sixty-six high schools in Bergen, Hudson and Rockland Counties are eligible to apply. Full scholarship application criteria are available online at www.hackensackriverkeeper.org or by calling (201) 968-0808. A list of watershed municipalities is available on the links page of the website.
All applications must be postmarked no later than Earth Day, Apr. 22. The winner will be chosen and announced by June 1.