Investigation, lawsuit at Stevens
Attorney General Anne Milgram filed a 16-count civil complaint against Stevens Institute of Technology, President Harold Raveche, and Board Chairman Lawrence Babbio on Thursday.
The institute had earlier attempted to file a restraining order to head off the complaint.
The AG’s lawsuit alleges “financial mismanagement, excessive spending of endowment investment gains, improper handling of specific endowments and investments, failure to properly maintain records and accounts, and excessive compensation of the school president,” according a press release.
The suit follows a three-year investigation into financial dealings at Stevens and, according to the press release, the state attempted to settle with the university before filing the lawsuit.
“Instead, the school sought a temporary restraining order on Wednesday in Superior Court attempting to block any potential action by the Attorney General or, in the alternative, to cover up the investigation by requiring that any proceeding against the school proceed only in secret. The restraining order was denied at an initial hearing,” the release said.
Stevens officials did not immediately return phone calls last week.
Arts and music festival
The Hoboken Fall Arts and Music Festival takes place on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It features over 300 artists, sculptors, photographers and craftspeople from all around the tri-state area. The vendors line Washington Street from the southernmost tip of the street to as high as Seventh Street.
The 16th annual festival offers live music, fine art, great food, and much more.
For more information and the schedule of events, see the story in our Entertainment section, inside this edition of the Reporter.
Community safety meeting
A community safety meeting is scheduled for 2nd Ward residents on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Matthew’s Church at the corner of Eighth and Hudson streets.
The Hoboken Police Department is hosting this meeting to share with the community new programs they are implementing, and to get direct feedback from residents on all manner of safety and policing issues.
Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Police Chief Anthony Falco, and 2nd Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason will be present, as well as members of the Community Policing Bureau.
Jubilee Center open house
On Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 6 to 7 p.m., the Jubilee Center is inviting the community to come to an open house at 601 Jackson St. The center opens for the fall season on Tuesday, Sept. 8, with a record number of children enrolled in the after-school program.
Visitors can meet with the leadership team, Dr. Michelle White, director, and Craig Mainor, program coordinator.
They can also see the newly-configured computer room and experience the energy as some of the children perform an African Drum Dance, choreographed by LeeAnet Noble.
In conjunction with the chefs from Zylo Tuscan Steak House (located in the W Hotel), some of the children will be preparing the hors d’oeuvres for the evening.
For more information, call (201) 792-0340.
City to organize community responders
Hoboken will be creating a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), according to Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Interested residents are invited to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chamber to learn more about what it takes to become a CERT volunteer.
The CERT program originated in California in the 1980s as a means to train residents to safely help themselves, their family, and their neighbors when disasters occurs.
Today, in communities across the United States including New York City and Jersey City, thousands of volunteers have become an active and vital source of help during emergency or disaster situations.
For more information about becoming a CERT volunteer, contact the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management at (201) 420-5618 or visit the CERT website at www.citizencorps.gov/cert.
Ceremony marks Freud’s 1909 visit
Officials and experts will gather on Monday, Sept. 21 to mark the 100-year anniversary of Sigmund Freud’s departure from Hoboken at the end of his iconic visit to the United States.
The ceremony will take place at the end of the city’s Pier A Park at 11 a.m.
Professor Gerald Grob of Rutgers University will speak briefly about the significance of the occasion. A few selections from Freud’s travel diary (some never before translated into English) will be read by a Freud re-enactor.
Freud was invited to give lectures at Clark University in Massachusetts, but he came by way of New York, and his ships berthed at Hoboken.
A public lecture at the Hoboken Historical Museum furnishing background on the Pier A event will be presented by Professor John Burnham of Ohio State University on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. at the Hoboken Historical Museum.
For more information, call John Burnham at (614) 506-0989.
Elks honor Caz
The Hoboken Elks Lodge No. 74 is pleased to honor Michael “Caz” Cannarozzi as their “Italian Gentleman of the Year” for 2009.
A benefit will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1005 Washington St. It will include a buffet of food and all-night dancing.
Tickets are twenty dollars and can be purchased at the door or by calling (201) 707-6841. All proceeds will go towards the lodge’s “Youth Committee.”
High Holiday services
Chabad Jewish Center of Hoboken is offering free High Holiday services for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
There are no membership fees and Chabad’s services are open to all Jews. Chabad runs a traditional service with a contemporary message in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Hebrew English prayer books are provided.
Kiddush lunch will be served on each of the afternoons of Rosh Hashana.
Reservations are appreciated, especially if you intend to stay for the luncheons or make use of the children’s program.
All services held at the Boys and Girls Club, 123 Jefferson St.
For a full schedule of services, visit www.JewishHoboken.com or call (201) 386-5222.