Three members elected to Guttenberg school board
Three candidates were elected to the Guttenberg Board of Education after running unopposed for the three available seats. Incumbents Juana Malave and Rebecca Vazquez were joined by new member Joel Magenheimer. All will serve three years terms. Vazquez is currently the president of the nine-member board.
According to the Hudson County Office of the County Clerk, Magenheimer received 281 votes, Vazquez received 231, and Malave received 223.
The Guttenberg Board of Education oversees the Anna L. Klein School at 301 69th St., with approximately 1,000 students in grades pre-k through 8.
Former business owner indicted for alleged misuse of DPW services
Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman has announced that a former business owner was indicted on Oct. 30 for allegedly conspiring to have on-duty employees of the North Bergen Department of Public Works (DPW) perform construction jobs at the deli and meat distributing business owned by his family.
Joseph Lorenzo, 78, of West New York was indicted by a state grand jury on charges of second-degree conspiracy, second-degree official misconduct, and third-degree theft by unlawful taking. It is alleged that Lorenzo conspired with certain individuals who are not named in the indictment to have employees of the North Bergen DPW perform construction work at the business he formerly owned on Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen. The front part of the business was a delicatessen and eatery, while the rear area was dedicated to the supply and distribution of meat products and included a medium-sized loading depot and parking lot to accommodate delivery trucks.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau. It is alleged that, on at least three occasions between January and May 2011, Lorenzo and his co-conspirators had work performed by employees of the North Bergen DPW at the family-owned business during regular work hours or while the DPW employees were being paid overtime by the township. It is further alleged that the workers used township vehicles, equipment and materials to perform the work.
“The residents of North Bergen don’t pay property taxes so that township workers, vehicles and equipment can be used to perform favors for people who have the right connections,” said Hoffman. “We’re working hard to root out this type of corruption.”
“We’ve already convicted three former supervisors for the North Bergen Department of Public Works of abusing their authority by using township workers and resources for their personal purposes,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. ”This indictment, however, sends an important new message by demonstrating that we will aggressively prosecute anyone who seeks to benefit from public corruption, whether or not they hold any public employment or official position.”
Two former supervisors for the North Bergen DPW, Troy Bunero and Francis Longo, are scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 12 after being convicted at trial on June 30 of official misconduct for assigning municipal employees to work on election campaigns and complete personal chores or projects for them or their boss, Superintendent James Wiley. Wiley previously pleaded guilty and will face a sentence of five to 10 years in prison.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Contribute to the Emergency Relief Thanksgiving Drive
The North Bergen Emergency Relief Program is hosting a Thanksgiving Drive for families in need throughout the township. They will collect items from Nov. 4 through 20 and distribute them on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the North Bergen Recreation Center at 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Families or seniors in need of a meal this holiday season or anyone with questions should call Emergency Relief Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio at (201)392-0229 or email afocaraccio@northbergen.org . Proof of residency is required upon pick up.
Items needed include mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned vegetables, dessert mixes, and any other appropriate holiday staple item. No baked desserts. Items can be dropped off at any North Bergen schools or at the locations below.
– Town Hall (Chambers) or police department: 4233 Kennedy Blvd.
– Health Department: 1116 – 43rd St., 2nd fl.
– Parking Authority or courthouse: 4225 Bergen Turnpike
– Public Library: 8411 Bergenline Ave. or 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
‘Back to the Future’ screens free at the library on Nov. 7
Come to the main library on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m. for a free screening of “Back to the Future” as part of the Movie of the Month program series. Admission and refreshments are free. The main library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Jason Liebman concert rescheduled to Nov. 10
The Jason Liebman concert previously scheduled for Wednesday, Nov 4 at the main library has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Admission and refreshments will be provided for free. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The main library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Veteran’s Day ceremony and street renaming is on Nov. 11
On Wednesday, Nov. 11 the Town of Guttenberg will conduct a ceremony in remembrance of all veterans who served our nation. The ceremony will take place at the veteran’s monument located at 71st Street and Boulevard East at 11 a.m. It will be followed by the renaming of selected streets in memory of those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council invite residents to join this important ceremony in remembrance of the men and women who serve and have served our country.
‘Nothings’ to be on display at Guttenberg Arts Gallery
“Nothings,” a solo exhibition of works by Diana Shpungin, will be on view Nov. 6 through Dec. 2 at Guttenberg Arts Gallery, 6903 Jackson St. The opening reception is Friday, Nov. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m., with an artist talk at 8 p.m.
Shpungin’s artwork employs a painstaking (and somewhat masochistic) process of meticulously coating objects with graphite pencil so that sculpture functions as drawing and vice versa. In the selection for this exhibition, Shpungin offers understated works that examine themes of memory, failure, longing, and loss. Her obsessive language of materials and techniques is based on her late surgeon father’s methods both in medicine and in domestic life.
Wellness Wednesday event canceled
The Wellness Wednesday event scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11 has been canceled. A new date will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
See ‘Jurassic World’ for free on Nov. 20
The North Bergen Nutrition Center will host a free movie event featuring “Jurassic World” on Friday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Admission and refreshments will be provided for free. All ages are welcome. The Nutrition Center is located at 1441 45th St.
Christopher Walinski art exhibit and reception at the library opens Nov. 22
The North Bergen Free Public Library will host a reception for the opening of an art exhibit on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring local artist Christopher Walinski. The exhibition is titled “My Inner World.” The exhibit will run from Nov. 22 through Dec. 22. This is a free event. The main library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Health workshop in Guttenberg is on Nov. 23
Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council of Guttenberg, in conjunction with Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services, will sponsor a State Health Assistance Programs (SHIP) workshop on Monday, Nov. 23 at the Guttenberg Municipal Building, 6808 Park Ave. (second floor), from 10 a.m. to noon.
Among other things, the workshop will deal with health program options, Medicare enrollment, Medicaid information, Part D prescription plans, and the Medicaid expansion program. The health program enrollment period is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
For more information call Marisol Montanez at (201) 868-2315 ext. 152.
Zumba postponed to Dec. 12
The Zumba class that was previously scheduled for Dec. 6 at the main library has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m.
The main library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
See ‘Toyland – A Christmas Story’ at the North Bergen Mini Theater in December
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Players present “Toyland – A Christmas Story,” a play by Mario Rosenthal, at the North Bergen Mini Theater, 8411 Bergenline Ave., from Dec. 11 through 13. Showtime Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., and Sunday is 6:30 p.m. General admission is $15. Refreshments included.
For more information or for tickets contact Maurena Luzzi at (201) 854-7074 or (201) 401-9722.
Register for North Bergen Children’s Christmas Party 2015
Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, and Santa Claus invite boys and girls, ages infant to 9 years old, to the North Bergen Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the party begins at 9 a.m.
Attendance is limited to the first 500 children. You must register to attend. Registration takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, Nov. 9, 10, and 12, at the Pop Warner Building, 6302 Meadowview Ave. Must show proof of residency; child’s birth certificate required. No driver’s license or passport accepted; current utility bill only. Child must be present in order to participate in raffle. One adult per family allowed. No exceptions.
Tax collector’s office hours extended on Nov. 10
The hours for the North Bergen tax collector’s office will be extended from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Learn ‘Everything You Want to Know About Diabetes’ at the library on Nov. 11
Get the latest information on managing diabetes and take the opportunity to ask questions about treatments, strategies for glucose control, prevention of complications, and other issues related to diabetes. The speaker for this free bilingual event on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. is Hilda Hernandez-Sepulveda, RN, BSN, CDE, Holy Name Medical Center. Call (201) 833-3336 to register. The North Bergen Free Public Library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave.
Health seminar on lung cancer offered on Nov. 12 at Palisades Medical Center
Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer-related deaths for both men and women throughout the world. Come to this free seminar to learn the symptoms, treatment options, and ways to prevent lung cancer.
Featured speakers are Harry D. Harper, M.D., and Martin E. Gutierrez, M.D., from the John Theurer Cancer Center, plus TBD. The event takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 at Palisades Medical Center, 7600 River Rd. Admission and parking are free, and free food and refreshments will be provided. Free transportation will also be available from 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue starting at 5:30 p.m. Registration contact: Nikki at (201) 854-5702.
Free vaccine dates posted for adults
Upcoming dates for the Adult Free Vaccine Program have been posted on the North Bergen website (northbergen.org). The vaccines are sponsored by the public health department servicing Guttenberg, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York.
The goal is to provide free adult vaccines to residents in the service area who meet the listed requirements. The program will be one day per month per site. Residents who meet the listed requirements may visit other sites on their scheduled day/time.