School board refinancing saves $680,000+
The North Bergen Board of Education has announced the refinancing of an existing lease-purchase agreement, which will save $680,838 over time. “The refinancing of this lease-purchase agreement allows us to save North Bergen taxpayers a substantial amount of money over the next seven years,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco, noting that the additional funds will allow for improved academic opportunities for students as well as school facilities.
This is the second refinancing of the 1998 agreement, which was first refinanced in 2005, saving over 3 percent of the debt for the taxpayers. “This time the market was much more favorable to the Board of Education,” said Board of Education Business Administrator Steven Somick. The refinancing is expected to save about $85,000 to $87,000 a year between 2016 and 2023 when the debt is paid off.
Township challenges Palisades Medical Center’s tax exempt status, prepares to sue
North Bergen commissioners voted on Feb. 24 to move forward with plans to sue Palisades Medical Center and The Harborage nursing home over their tax exempt status. According to the township resolution, “the owner or occupant of the property is operating in a ‘for-profit’ capacity in violation of N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.6 and applicable case law and is not entitled to tax exempt status.”
This past summer Morristown took legal action against Morristown Medical Center, challenging their property tax exemption, and won a $15.5 million settlement.
A subsequent bill requiring non-profit hospitals to contribute financially to their host communities was vetoed in January by Gov. Chris Christie.
“The governor’s veto of legislation that would have established a framework for hospitals to make fair payments to municipalities for the services they consume has left North Bergen with no choice other than to move forward with legal action to protect its rights and seek tax revenue from Palisades Medical Center,” said North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “We hope to come to a resolution that protects North Bergen taxpayers and is fair to all parties.”
‘Kill Your Idols’ exhibition opens at Guttenberg Arts Gallery March 4
Guttenberg Arts Gallery presents “Kill Your Idols,” a solo exhibition of works by Chris Bors, on view March 4 through April 2. The reception will be on Friday, March 4 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Bors’s solo exhibition of new paintings includes his series using logos from hardcore punk
bands, as well as several relying on text only. Influenced by underground comics, punk and metal music, fanzines, and graphic design, Bors’s work is a post-pop amalgamation of politics, cultural references, and appropriated and drawn visuals. Bors coined the term “virtual dumpster diving” to describe the practice of taking images and videos from the web.
Titled after the New York City-based hardcore punk band Kill Your Idols, the exhibition includes figures representing rapper Easy E, Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, and Saddam Hussein, the latter taken from a drawing by the D.C. sniper John Lee Malvo.
Bors was born in Ithaca, N.Y. and received his MFA from School of Visual Arts. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog featuring an essay by photographer Carl Gunhouse. Guttenberg Arts Gallery is at 6903 Jackson St. Call (201) 868-8585 or visit guttenbergarts.org for more information.
Walk to benefit ovarian cancer research will be April 2
To help raise awareness about ovarian cancer and to raise funds to eventually develop a test, the New York and New Jersey chapters of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition will hold their First Annual Run/Walk at Liberty State Park on Saturday, April 2.
The National Ovarian Cancer Organization is the oldest and largest ovarian cancer organization in the United States, and the only one that has “feet on the street” in communities across the nation.
The 5K run/walk in Liberty State Park is one of 20 such events that will be held nationwide in 2016.
The cost for the April 2 walk is $35 for adults if they sign up before March 31. Participants can register online at nnocc.kintera.org/nyc.
Register now for spring soccer in Guttenberg
Registration for Guttenberg’s New Youth Soccer Program for boys and girls ages 5 to 14 runs from Feb. 10 to 29 at the Anna L. Klein Gym or New Community Reading Center. Times are Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 12 to 2 p.m.
The player must be present at time of registration for uniform fitting. Soccer registration forms are available at guttenbergnj.org.
Guttenberg spring registration for T-ball, minor, and softball taking place now
Spring Registration for T-ball (ages 5-6), minor (ages 7-8), and softball (ages 9-16) leagues runs from Feb. 24 to March 19 at the Anna L. Klein School Gym. Register from Monday through Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Bring a birth certificate or passport, proof of residence, a $35 personal check or money order payable to The Town of Guttenberg (non-refundable fee). For more information contact mark.rogers@myguttenberg.com.
NB resident receives educators award
North Bergen resident and Union City teacher Paul Orbe has been selected by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Shell as a recipient for the 2016 Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award. As an award recipient, he will receive financial support to attend the NSTA National Conference and the awards gala in Nashville, Tenn. from March 31 to April 2.
Amnesty for overdue library books in March
The North Bergen Free Public Library is offering amnesty to library patrons during the month of March. Return all North Bergen overdue items in March and the fines will be forgiven for the items returned. Visit the main library at 8411 Bergenline Ave. or the Kennedy Branch at 2123 Kennedy Blvd. to return your overdue items. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Free income tax preparation available
North Bergen residents age 55 or over, or in possession of proof of disability, with a yearly income below $55,000 are eligible for free income tax preparation. Preparation is by appointment only. Call (551) 262-0843 between Feb. 6 and April 13. Must bring identification, Social Security card, tax documents and 2014 tax return (first-time participants only).
For details on appointment times and locations, visit the town website at northbergen.org.
Learn how to audition with confidence on March 19
Calling all community theater lovers. Ghostlight Productions in North Bergen is holding an acting and music master class with award-winning, internationally acclaimed singer/actor Adria Firestone from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 at the North Bergen Nutrition Center, 1441 45th St.
Learn how to control your fear. Learn how to quickly connect to your character. Learn how to harness the power of your body and voice. The cost is $25 including light refreshments and goodie bags. All funds will be used to put on more musical productions for Hudson County.
For more information call (973) 937-8343 or visit ghostlightcompany.com.
Palisades Medical Center to hold community health screenings
Throughout the year, Palisades Medical Center’s staff takes an active role in local communities to provide 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. The following is a schedule of Palisades Medical Center’s free health screenings that will be held in the coming months. For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
– Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Lawrence Church, 22 Hackensack Ave., Weehawken
– March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 3900 New York Ave., Union City
– March 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grove Reformed Church, 46th Street and JFK Blvd., North Bergen
– April 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 7615 Broadway, North Bergen
– April 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 407 23rd Street, Union City