Zitt sworn in as Guttenberg councilman
After being selected councilman at an emergency meeting on Dec. 16, Wayne Zitt was sworn in at a well-attended council reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 4. Zitt replaced former Councilman Efrain Velez, who resigned effective Dec. 4.
Noting the large turnout of dignitaries at the event, Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff said, “The North Hudson community works very well together. It’s a very close-knit community and it’s great to see everyone here today to support our new council member.”
Zitt will continue to serve in his full-time job as chief of staff to Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez, who was among the many officials from throughout Hudson County in attendance, along with State Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, Sheriff Frank Schillari, Weehawken
Mayor Richard Turner, Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, Former Guttenberg Mayor David Delle Donna, Former West New York Mayor Sal Vega, North Bergen Commissioner Hugo Cabrera and Police Chief Robert Dowd, West New York Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo, Weehawken IT Director Gio Ahmad, Hudson County Schools of Technology Board Secretary Joseph Muniz and many other police and municipal officials from Guttenberg and neighboring communities.
The meeting also included the mayor’s appointments to council committees for 2016. Zitt was named a chairman of the Department of Public Works, Building and Grounds, UEZ. Chairpersons of the other committees remained the same: Councilwoman Donna Florio chairs Public Safety/Fire Prevention, Councilwoman Monica Fundora chairs Recreation, Councilman Alfonso Caso chairs the Finance/Building Department, and Councilman John Habermann chairs the Department of Administration and Human Resources. All member of the Town Council serve on each of these committees. Councilwoman Florio also chairs the Police Committee. Serving on that committee are Councilman Caso and Mayor Drasheff.
Cuban-American Women’s group holds toy distribution on Jan. 10
The National Association of Cuban-American Women (NACAW) is holding a toy distribution event for the children of the community, celebrating the Hispanic tradition of “Three Kings Day.”
A show and distribution of toys will take place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10 at Schuetzen Park, 167 Kennedy Blvd. in North Bergen. To obtain tickets for the show, call (201) 864-4879 or (201) 271-9308. One ticket per child; adults do not need tickets. However, only one adult per family will be permitted.
Register now for the library’s winter programs
The North Bergen Free Public Library’s winter program registration for both the main library and the Kennedy branch will begin on Monday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. Programs will begin Monday, Jan. 19. Registration is open to North Bergen and Guttenberg residents. Register in person. Proof of age and residency are required. Registration is limited. For more information all (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org to view the program listings.
DPW official’s misconduct trial postponed
The misconduct trial of former North Bergen Department of Public Works Deputy Director Timothy Grossi has been postponed from February to April due to a scheduling conflict, according to an article on northjersey.com. Grossi was indicted in December 2012 on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct, theft, and falsifying or tampering with public records. His trial has been postponed several times over the past two years for medical reasons. Grossi has a history of coronary artery disease and has undergone associated medical procedures. He was not in court on Jan. 4 when the trial was postponed. The online article stated that Grossi had been taken to a hospital by ambulance that morning due to a medical emergency, according to his attorney.
The trial was postponed most recently as a result of a change in presiding judges. Judge Edward A. Jerejian, originally set to preside over the case, was transferred to the Chancery Division, and Judge Margaret A. Foti took over the case. However, due to prior commitments Foti could not proceed with the case as scheduled. She offered the lawyers the option of having another judge conduct the trial or postpone until April. They chose April, and jury selection is set to begin on April 19.
Grossi is alleged to have ordered township employees to perform private chores at his home while they were on the clock, and to aide in political elections in Jersey City and Bayonne between 2008 and 2010.
Former DPW Supervisors Troy Bunero and Francis “Frank” Longo were both sentenced in November to five years in state prison for similar charges. A fourth defendant, former DPW Superintendent James Wiley, is cooperating with the prosecution and admitted to ordering employees to assist in political campaigns and perform personal tasks around his home. He testified at the trial of Bunero and Longo that Grossi ordered him to have DPW employees work on the election campaigns and he passed along those instructions to Bunero and Longo. Wiley is expected to testify against Grossi as well.
Solo exhibition by artist Sarah Nicholls at Guttenberg Arts Gallery
Sarah Nicholls is a visual artist who makes pictures with language, books with pictures, prints with type, and animations with words. She often uses found language and metal type, combining image, visual narrative, and time. “Reading Time,” a solo exhibition of her works, is a reading room installed in the gallery at Guttenberg Arts that invites visitors to engage with monologues, brochures, ephemera, manifestos, scientific matter, propaganda, and alternate histories in the form of printed language. Included are a range of publications and a selection of prints which collectively revolve around the authority of the printed word. Reading Time is on view from Jan. 7 through Feb. 6 at Guttenberg Arts, 6903 Jackson St.
Nicholls, currently an artist in residence at Guttenberg Arts, has written a collection of self-help aphorisms, publishes a series of informational pamphlets, and recently completed a field guide to extinct birds. Her limited edition artist books are in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Rutgers, Stanford, UCLA, and the University of Pennsylvania, among others. For 12 years, she ran the studio programs at the Center for Book Arts in NYC. Currently she teaches letterpress at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
Recreation Dept. offers downtown sign-up, extended registration hours
North Bergen will soon offer downtown residents a convenient new location for Recreation Department sign-ups, as well as extended registration hours at the Recreation Center. Starting on Jan. 11, recreation sign-ups will be available at the North Bergen Public Library’s Kennedy Branch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. In addition, the township is offering extended sign-up hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Rec Center.
“With the busy schedules and hectic lives that so many local parents have, we felt it was important to make it as convenient as possible for them to sign their children up for the many wonderful sports programs and other activities available in the North Bergen Recreation Department,” said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Hugo Cabrera. “Sign-up forms for spring soccer and baseball teams are available now, and softball will soon follow next month. Our goal is always to get even more North Bergen children to participate in these programs, and we believe that this will be a major help.”
Opened in 2013, the Kennedy Branch library offers downtown residents access to the many educational and community programs available at the main library branch, as well as books, movies, and technology, without having to make the trip uptown. The Kennedy Branch is located at 2123 Kennedy Blvd. The Recreation Center is at 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Community events to be hosted by Save Latin America
Save Latin America, Inc. is hosting three community events in Hudson County in January. These events offer the opportunity for the public to get information and enroll for A.C.A. (Affordable Care Act). There will also be other services, providers for screenings, and much more. For information call (201) 271-7474. The schedule for the three events is:
North Bergen: Saturday, Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North Bergen High School
West New York: Saturday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at West New York Middle School.
Jersey City: Sunday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish.
Girls softball dinner is Jan. 13
The girls softball dinner will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at the Pop Warner Building, 6302 Meadowview Ave. The cost is $10 at the door for non-participants.
Senior Citizen Movie Matinee is ‘Ant-Man’ on Jan. 14
The North Bergen Free Public Library presents the 2015 American superhero film “Ant-Man” for free at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14 as part of their Senior Citizen Movie Matinee series. Based on the Marvel Comics character, the story follows Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), who is forced out of his own company by his former protégé and recruits the talents of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a master thief just released from prison. Lang becomes Ant-Man, trained by Pym and armed with a suit that allows him to shrink in size, possess superhuman strength, and control an army of ants.
Refreshments will be provided for free. The library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. Call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org for more information.
New street cleaning and senior bus schedules in Guttenberg
The Guttenberg Department of Public Works has developed a new street cleaning schedule in order to better clean the streets. This schedule will be followed whenever possible. It is subject to change based upon emergencies.
The senior bus schedule has also been revised. The new schedules are available on the town website at guttenbergnj.org.
Dog owners warned
Guttenberg dog owners are warned to pick up after their dogs. The town will be continuing operations to issue summonses to owners who do not comply.
Please help keep the town clean. Pet waste is both unsightly and poses health problems. Also, pets must be on a leash and have a license from the health department of the town.
For further information call (201) 868-2315 ext. 120
Miracle on the Hudson survivor to sign new book on Jan. 19
Miracle on the Hudson flight survivor, inspirational speaker, and author Dave Sanderson will participate in a special book-signing event at Palisades Medical Center, 7600 River Rd. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. to celebrate the release of “Moments Matter,” written by Sanderson with Cindy Wrightson. Refreshments will be served and attendees can get a signed copy of the book for a $20 donation to the Palisades Medical Center Foundation.
The book signing event coincides with the seven-year anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson, when birds struck US Airways Flight 1549 and the crew was forced to ditch and land the plane in the Hudson River.
The last passenger off the flight that day was Dave Sanderson. He was responsible for helping many of his fellow passengers to safety, risking his own life in frigid water to help others off the plane. Sanderson and many other passengers were treated at Palisades Medical Center following the emergency landing.
Despite the hazards to himself, Sanderson helped others and says he emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing. “Moments Matter” details his close encounter with death and how one defining moment can create a lifetime of purpose. The book’s inspirational message focuses on positive thinking, teamwork, and leadership. Readers will find the book to be helpful and inspirational in their own struggles for resilience and purpose. To RSVP or for more information call (201) 854-5008.
Free rabies clinic on Jan. 20
North Bergen will hold a free rabies clinic from 7 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the EMS Building, 1812 43rd St. Residents can take this opportunity to purchase a 2016 animal license. Cash, check, or money orders are accepted.
All dogs brought to the clinic must be on a leash and accompanied by an adult who must be able to place the animal on the examining table.
Remember: Your pet is a family member. There is no cure for rabies, so vaccination is critical. Licensing also ensures a safe return should they ever be lost.
For more information call (201) 392-2084
Free vaccines to underinsured Guttenberg residents
Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council of Guttenberg in conjunction with the North Hudson Community Action Corporation announce a free vaccine program. Vaccines will be provided for Hep B, Hep A, Tdap, Pneumovax 23, Prevnar 13, Meningococcal, Varicella, MMR, Zostavax (shingles, age 60 and over), HPV(ages 19-26), and flu (seasonal).
Must be a current resident of Guttenberg, ages 19 to 99, with proof of residence and picture identification. Must be uninsured or underinsured (current insurance does not cover vaccines).
Protect yourself and your family by participating in this program. Your participation contributes to a happier and healthier Guttenberg community.
Vaccines will be provided from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25 and Monday, Feb. 22 in the 2nd Fl. courtroom of the Municipal Building, 6808 Park Ave.
For further information call Marisol Montanez at (201) 868-2315, ext. 152.
Applications for Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship now being accepted
Hackensack Riverkeeper, the citizen-steward of the Hackensack River Watershed, is accepting applications for the 2016 Ron Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship. Now in its 16th year, the program, named in honor of the late Ridgefield, N.J. science teacher and founding Riverkeeper trustee, helps support college-bound high school seniors who excel academically and who maintain a strong commitment to environmental protection.
Seniors at 66 high schools in Bergen, Hudson, and Rockland Counties are eligible to be nominated by a teacher or guidance counselor for the award. Applications must be postmarked no later than Earth Day, April 22, 2016. A panel of Hackensack Riverkeeper trustees and staffers led by Captains Bill Sheehan and Hugh Carola will review each application and consider the students’ academic achievements, environmental extracurricular activities, and future plans. The winner of the $1,000 unrestricted award will be announced on June 1. Full application criteria are available online at hackensackriverkeeper.org or by calling (201) 968-0808.
All applicants must live within the 210-square mile Hackensack River Watershed and/or attend a school within that region. A list of watershed municipalities is available on the Hackensack Riverkeeper website. For those residing in bi-watershed communities like Jersey City, Paramus, or Ramapo, nominators are cautioned to ensure a student’s eligibility before submitting an application.
Those without a high school senior in the family but who support their local best and brightest students can participate in the program by making a donation to the scholarship fund. Donations to the Ron Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship are tax-deductible and can be made by check or online. Fully 100 percent of all such donations will go to the fund.
For more information call Program Director/Scholarship Administrator Hugh Carola at (201) 968-0808 x102 or email Hugh@hackensackriverkeeper.org.
Zumba for health and fun at the library on Jan. 23
Looking for a fun and effective workout? An exciting dance class? Enjoy both at the same time as the North Bergen Free Public Library hosts a free Zumba class on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. The library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
See ‘Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation’ for free on Jan. 30
The Movie of the Month for December is “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. Come see the film for free on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Free refreshments will be provided. All ages are welcome. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.