Two town employees charged with theft; impacts mayoral campaign
Two North Bergen township employees were charged this week with allegedly falsifying their time sheets to collect pay for time when they were not on the job. The allegations followed a raid by the New Jersey Attorney General on the North Bergen Parks and Recreation Department offices in March.
The two employees, Abraham Garcia, 56, of North Bergen, and Walter Somick, 46, of Wayne, were charged with stealing over 110 hours each by claiming to be at work when they were at home or elsewhere. They were served with summonses and not arrested, according to standard procedure for this type of allegation.
“We charge that these men were corruptly collecting substantial salaries at the expense of municipal taxpayers for hours when they never even showed up for work,” acting state Attorney General John Hoffman was quoted as saying.
The two men are both employed as recreational aides by the township. Garcia also works as a supervisor of security for the North Bergen Board of Education and serves as an assistant football coach at the high school. Somick also works as a union electrician.
The township is standing by both men while the investigation is underway. “These two employees have been a vital part of the department for many years,” said town representative Paul Swibinski. “There’s no question that they are two very valuable employees. The only question involves how they completed their time sheets.”
Swibinski stated that the administration was “very surprised” to see charges so close to the election municipal election, which takes place on May 12.
“These guys deserve a chance to clear their names,” he said. “In the meantime they are suspended without pay in accordance with township policy.”
Mayoral candidate Larry Wainstein pounced on the allegations, first calling for Nicholas Sacco to resign as mayor, and then calling for him to give to taxpayers any money that may have been contributed to his campaign by Somick. “This man is a [alleged] criminal who stole money from the township and then turns around to donate that money to Sacco’s political machine,” said Wainstein in a press release.
Regarding the question of possible contributions by Somick to Sacco’s administration, Swibinski said, “I don’t have any specific details but I suspect [Wainstein’s team has] gone back many years and taken tickets Walter bought to attend two big annual fundraisers, in fall and spring. He, like myself and a lot of people, probably bought tickets and if you add that up [over the years] it comes to a couple thousand dollars.”
1,000 library cards given out
The Kennedy Branch Library has given out its one thousandth library card. The library would like to thank all of its dedicated patrons who help the Kennedy Branch grow and reach new heights every day.
Shredding event in North Bergen on May 2
Hudson County residents are invited to have personal confidential and/or sensitive documents shredded at a free, on-site, mobile paper-shredding event in the parking lot at James J. Braddock Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Use the 79th Street entrance. The event will take place rain or shine.
Additional upcoming shredding events for Hudson County will take place on Saturday, May 9 at the DPW in Hoboken (Willow Avenue and Observer Highway) and on Saturday, May 16 at the Secaucus Recreation Center (1200 Koelle Blvd.).
Health Fair in Union City on May 3
Palisades Medical Center will provide free health screenings on May 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist, 407 23rd St., Union City. Free screenings and information will be available on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, HgbA1c blood test for diabetes, body mass index – BMI, charity care, and certificates for mammography, prostate screening, and HIV testing.
Throughout the year, Palisades Medical Center’s staff takes an active role in local communities by providing free health screenings and education programs. The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center’s Community Outreach Program with its Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents. For more information, contact Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
‘Taste of India’ coming to the Kennedy Branch Library on May 9
The North Bergen Free Public library is pleased to announce that the Kennedy Branch will be hosting “Taste of India” on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. The event will be held outdoors, adjacent to the library. There will be food, dance, music, mehendi (henna), and more. Don’t miss this amazing event.
The Kennedy Branch is located at 2123 Kennedy Blvd. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Job Fair at Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel on May 7
The Renaissance Meadowland Hotel, 801 Rutherford Ave. in Rutherford, will host a job fair from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7. Please apply online prior to attending the fair at: www.concordhotels.com/careers. Phone: (201) 231-3100.
Arthritis lecture at the library on May 13
A lecture featuring the topic of arthritis will be held on Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. The lecture will be presented by Holy Name Medical Center Rheumatologist Alexandru Kimel, MD, F.A.C.R. This event is made possible by the Hispanic Outreach Program and Holy Name Medical Center for Wellness Wednesdays. It will be held at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call the library at (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Cuban Lions Club of West New York Announces Championship Golf Day on May 13
Players and golf fans are invited to the West New York Leones de Cubanos de Hudson Golf Club’s Joseph Ciambra Memorial Gold Outing on Wednesday, May 13, at the Emerson Golf Club, 99 Palisade Ave., Emerson, N.J. At this charity event to benefit the less fortunate, in addition to a round of golf, gifts, prizes, raffles, a barbecue lunch, refreshments, and transportation carts will be available, followed by dinner at Meson Madrid, Palisades Park. Participation rates for players and spectators range from $75 for dinner only to $225 for a player full package and $800 per foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, call Manny Reyes at (201) 424-1201.
Network on a Spirit of New Jersey Cruise with the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with Entertainment Cruises and a number of regional chambers – the Newark Regional Business Partnership, the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, Commerce and Industry of New Jersey, and the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce – on a Business Networking Cruise from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
The event begins with networking dockside in Weehawken, followed by a 90-minute cruise as the sun begins to set. Enjoy a buffet dinner, cash bar, DJ, and dancing. This is an opportunity to network with professionals from across the Northern New Jersey region while enjoying the breathtaking views along the Hudson.
Boarding, networking, and dinner take place at 5 p.m. at Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken. The cruise departs the dock at 6 p.m. and cruises the Hudson River until 7:30. The cost is $65 for members, $90 for non-members. Payment must be received in advance to secure your reservation. Space is limited. Cancellations must be received by close of business on Thursday, May 14 to qualify for a refund. Hoboken members, call to register at the member price. Free parking is available. For more information contact Anthony Chinni at (201) 386-0699, ext. 270.
North Hudson Creative Alliance seeks new members for arts coalition
Artists, musicians, photographers, writers, dancers, actors, filmmakers, models, poets, and all those in creative fields are invited to join the North Hudson Creative Alliance. The main goal of this group is to bring together like-minded residents who are interested in producing artistic venues in the area.
Projects will include creating North Bergen’s first annual Art & Music Festival, turning the Braddock House in James J. Braddock Park into a Cultural Arts Center, and producing social dance venues for the over-40 crowd.
All those who support the arts are also welcome. If interested, contact Lynn Earley at satorispace@yahoo.com for details regarding the first meeting, which will be in the near future.
Run the Palisades on May 17 to support the Diabetes Foundation
The 7th annual Run the Palisades event, one of Bergen County’s premier road races, will once again support the Diabetes Foundation. Scheduled for Sunday, May 17, the event will feature 5K and 10K run/walks, a kids run, and a health fair.
“Diabetes affects nearly one million people in New Jersey. It’s the third leading cause of death, and a major cause of blindness, heart disease and amputation,” said Roberta Schmidt, executive director of the Diabetes Foundation, located in Paramus. “This is a disease that does not discriminate. Yet, getting tested and having a solid understanding of just what diabetes is can make a huge difference in both preventing it and helping individuals and their families learn to live with it more successfully.”
The Diabetes Foundation (www.diabetesfoundationinc.org) provides short-term diabetes medications and supplies to needy people with diabetes, supports services that offer information and resources for diabetes management, and sends children with diabetes to summer camp.
Run the Palisades is hosted by the towns of Fort Lee and Cliffside Park, and sponsored by Novo Nordisk. Additional sponsorships are still available.
First-Sunday-of-the Month Walk from 9 to 11 a.m. on May 3
The free two-hour nature walk starts at the entrance to Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry at 9 a.m. Look for warblers and other spring arrivals – and pick up any litter you find along the way. Participants will have to sign a standard liability release for this event that is good for events throughout the year. To register, go to www.njmeadowlands.gov and click on “events,” or contact greatauk@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983.