Jitney owners throughout Hudson County charged with alleged violations of Angelie’s Law
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has issued notices of violation to 17 commercial autobus owners for failure to post public notices on the outside and inside vehicles about how passengers can report complaints and concerns to the division. These commercial autobuses are commonly known as “jitneys,” “commuter vans,” or “commuter buses.”
“Each commercial autobus must post a notice informing riders of how to report service and safety complaints,” said Steve Lee, acting director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. “This requirement, among others, is designed to protect the safety of both riders and the general public.”
Autobuses operating on public roads and carrying up to 40 passengers must have interior and exterior notices directing passengers to report service complaints to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. The division’s telephone number must also be provided. These notices are required under “Angelie’s Law,” a state law enacted in memory of Angelie Paredes, who was killed in West New York in July 2013 in an accident caused by an autobus driver who was allegedly using his cell phone while driving.
“All travelers using commercial autobuses must be assured of their safety, as the law requires,” said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. “Companies operating these autobuses must be in full compliance with Angelie’s Law, and we will do all we can to make sure that these companies are protecting their riders by being in full compliance.”
Many Hudson County commercial autobus owners were issued notices of violation, including in North Bergen, Jersey City, Union City, and West New York.
The Hudson County Office of Consumer Affairs and the New Jersey State Police Motor Coach Compliance and Safety Unit participated in the inspections, along with the cooperation of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Commercial Vehicle Inspection Unit.
Judge dismisses Marrero complaint against township for sabotaging his campaign
A United States district judge dismissed a complaint by North Bergen Police Officer Enrique “Henry” Marrero against the township for allegedly “unlawfully retaliat[ing] against him after he announced his candidacy for the position of Hudson County freeholder.”
Marrero, who lost the freeholder race to Anthony Vainieri, alleged that the defendants, the Township of North Bergen and the North Bergen Democratic Municipal Committee, engaged in a campaign of harassment and retribution in order to intimidate Marrero and his supporters. That harassment allegedly included opening his personal and interoffice mail, forcing his supporters to remove campaign materials and replace them with signs and fliers for another candidate, and physically removing Marrero from lawfully campaigning in front of a public school.
In his ruling, Judge McNulty stated, “For the most part, Marrero has reported secondhand allegations from anonymous persons about still other anonymous persons. He attributes their actions to the defendants, but does not plead facts that would permit such an inference.”
Marrero, who also ran for township commissioner and lost, previously filed a lawsuit against Police Chief Robert Dowd, which was dismissed “for similar reasons, including a lack of specificity and evidence,” according to township spokesperson Philip Swibinski.
Extended tax collector’s hours on Aug. 14
The tax collector will have extended hours on Friday, Aug. 14 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is the last day to pay third quarter property taxes without a penalty
2015 Summer Theater Showcase on Aug. 21-23
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Players present a free Summer Workshop Theater Showcase on Aug. 21-23. Showtimes will be 7:30 p.m. for Aug. 21 and 22, 5 p.m. for Aug. 23. The North Bergen Theater is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 854-7074.
Jason Liebman free acoustic concert on Aug. 11
The North Bergen Summer Concert Series presents an acoustic concert by Jason Liebman on Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. at the North Bergen Pool. Attendance is free with a pool membership or a North Bergen Public Library card. You can sign up for a library card at the pool. The North Bergen pool is at 2111 91st St. Call (201) 758-2713 for more information.
Unique Creatures visit the library on Aug. 12
The program “Unique Creatures” is returning to the main library and the Kennedy Branch. Meet and learn about different types of animals. For more information contact the library at (201) 869-4715 or nbpl.org.
This event takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. at the main library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. It will also be held on Friday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Kennedy Branch Library, 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
See ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ for free outdoors at the Kennedy Library on Aug. 18
Cinema under the Stars continues with “Guardians of the Galaxy” at the Kennedy Branch Library at 8 p.m. on Aug. 18. Bring a chair, blanket, and snacks, and enjoy the movie for free in the parking lot of the Kennedy Branch Library, 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
NBPD backpack drive going on now
Residents can help the North Bergen Police and the New Jersey National Guard collect new or gently used backpacks for the children in the community from now through Wednesday, Aug. 26. The drop off location is the New Jersey National Guard Recruiting Station (trailer) located at 8901 Bergenline Ave. All backpacks collected will be donated to the department of child protection and permanency of Hudson County.
2015 back-to-school drive underway
The North Bergen Emergency Relief Program is hosting a 2015 back-to-school drive for families in need throughout the township. Items will be collected through Aug. 30 and distributed on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Items needed include backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, composition books, binders, paper, crayons, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, kid’s scissors, glue, glue sticks, rulers, calculators, folders, book covers, lunchboxes, new or gently used school uniforms, and new children’s underwear/socks/undershirts.
For a list of drop-off locations visit the town website at northbergen.org. Contact Emergency Relief Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio with questions at (201) 392-0229 or afocaraccio@northbergen.org.