Vega will return for City Council meetings
Jersey City Council President Mariano Vega, one of the 44 people arrested in the July 23 federal government’s money laundering/public corruption case, said on Friday that he planned to return to preside over the Jersey City Council at its meeting on Wednesday in City Hall.
Vega, in a short interview, said he “looks forward” to working again with his council colleagues and “doesn’t feel nervous” being back out in the public. Vega did not attend the Aug. 12 council meeting because he was meeting with his attorney, Peter Willis, to discuss his case.
Vega was charged with allegedly accepting $30,000 from federal “cooperating witness” Solomon Dwek, and has been one of the targets of residents, as well as City Councilman Steven Fulop, at recent council meetings who have called for his resignation. There also been calls for the resignation of Mayor Jerramiah Healy, who was named but not charged in the complaints against the 44 arrested, and of City Councilwoman Nidia Lopez due to her residency issues.
Vega said he is still innocent until proven guilty and looks forward to his day in court.
“I will do whatever it takes to clear my name,” Vega said. “I’m just glad this is not Salem, Massachusetts, where they burned the witches before putting them on trial, as some people want to get me out of office before hearing all the facts.” – RK
Get alerts of NJ emergencies sent to your phone
NJ Alert is a free, voluntary and confidential emergency alerting system that allows State Emergency Management officials to send E-mail or text messages to cell phones, and other email enabled devices during an emergency event. The public can sign up for NJ Alert by logging on to: www.njalert.gov or by visiting the NJOEM website at www.ready.nj.gov and clicking on the NJ Alert icon.
WNY petitioners work to recall Vega
West New York residents seeking a recall in their town, led by Dr. Felix Roque, who wants to run for mayor himself, said last week that they have more than 5,000 signatures, enough to call for a special recall election.
The decision over the next few days will be whether to hold the recall this November or wait until early next year. The last recall in that town was orchestrated by Albio Sires in the early 1990s trying to dump Anthony DeFino from the West New York mayor’s seat. Voters, however, rejected Sires’ recall and voted DeFino back into office.
Hudson County Community College announces speakers
Hudson County Community College’s popular Community Lecture Series will begin on Thursday, Nov. 12 with the appearance of The Learning Channel’s Cake Boss, Hoboken native Buddy Valastro. The theme for this year’s Lecture Series will be “Reaching New Heights.” Among other speakers in the future will be Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, author and scholar, and Rita Moreno, actress. The lectures will be held in the Scott Ring Room of the College’s Culinary Arts Institute/Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St. in Jersey City. There is no charge for admission.