Eat a hearty breakfast and support a good cause on Feb. 14
The Secaucus Fire Department Exempt Ladies’ Auxiliary is holding their sixth annual Valentine’s Day Breakfast event from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Feb. 14 at the Secaucus Senior Center, 101 Centre Ave. The event will raise funds for several charitable causes.
A grand buffet will be available to attendees, including pancakes, eggs, bacon, ham, orange juice, coffee, and all the regular breakfast treats, along with load of special baked goods. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 12.
“Every year we make a donation to the New Jersey Retired Firemen’s Home in Boonton, New Jersey,” said Vickie Cieciuch, one of the event organizers. The event, the only fundraiser held each year by the Ladies’ Auxiliary, also benefits the Secaucus Emergency Fund and the Secaucus Food Pantry. Items are donated by local vendors in town. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance. For tickets and information call Cieciuch at (201) 388-1058 or Alexis Leppin at (201) 723-5521.
Temporary commuter parking available at Laurel Hill
Beginning Feb. 1, Secaucus residents will have the opportunity to park in the lot at the entrance to Laurel Hill Park, previously occupied by Field Station: Dinosaurs. The cost will be $100 per month. There will be a shuttle to Frank Lautenberg Train Station between the hours of 5:30 and 8:30 a.m. and 5 and 8 p.m. Residents can sign up in the Town Clerk’s office. Bring proof of residency and vehicle registration. This is only temporary and will be stopped when construction begins on High Tech High School. For more information call (201) 330-2008.
Before-school programs established at schools
Beginning Feb. 1, before-care programs will start in both Huber Street School and Clarendon School. The programs will run from 7 to 8:20 a.m., at which time the students will go to class. Students will be supervised similar to the aftercare program. Maschio’s will be open between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. with breakfast items, which will be charged directly to the students’ breakfast/lunch account. The cost will be $100 per month.
The aftercare program is already established in both schools. That program runs from 3 to 6 p.m. with a cost of $255 per month.
For any questions call Karen Pero at (201) 330-2077.
Sign up for free fire alarm installation from the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has launched the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to help reduce the number of home fire-related injuries and fatalities. The Red Cross is partnering with municipalities, fire departments, and community groups to help families be better prepared and take important steps to prevent home fires.
The Town of Secaucus is participating in the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. A form is available on the town website at secaucusnj.org for more information and to receive smoke alarm installation at no cost to Secaucus residents. Residents may also call the office of inspections at (201) 330-2059. Now is also a great time to test your existing smoke alarms and create a family evacuation plan for fires and other emergencies. Visit ready.gov for suggestions.
Plans for video camera surveillance to help fight crime
Police Chief Kevin Flaherty has proposed the creation of a database to contain the names of Secaucus residents who own a surveillance camera at their residence or business, to aid in the solving of crimes in the community. An ordinance was proposed at the Jan. 26 Town Council meeting to create a form that residents can fill out if they would like to be included in the database. Participation would be strictly voluntary and individuals could opt out at any time.
“If we’re investigating a crime in that area we’ll have a database to go to and we’ll come to you” to see if there is any helpful information captured on video, said Flaherty. “I’m asking all residents to cooperate and sign up to this and it’ll help us fight crime in the community.”
The names of participants will not be released to the public so nobody will be able to determine who has surveillance cameras or where they are located.
Municipal video cameras are also being installed in Buchmuller Park. A total of 19 cameras will monitor activity in the park and the ice rink. They will feed to the police department and hold data for one month. “That’s a project that’s been in the works for awhile,” said Councilman Gary Jeffas. “This way if anything happens in the park we can hopefully get a good look at it, and just keep it well maintained and secure.”
Secaucus attorney on trial for allegedly attempting to murder girlfriend
The prosecution rested their case on Wednesday, Jan. 27 in the trial of Secaucus lawyer Todd Gorman, accused of attempting to murder his girlfriend. At press time Gorman was expected to take the stand in his own defense.
Police responding to a domestic violence call on Sept. 29, 2011 allegedly found both Gorman and his girlfriend, Stephanie Schwartz, on the floor of their home covered in blood, with Gorman’s legs wrapped around Schwartz so that she could not move, according to nj.com. When Gorman ignored orders to release her, instead remaining “motionless, expressionless,” police knocked him out and pulled the victim away.
Gorman is claiming that Schwartz was attempting suicide and then attacked him when he tried to stop her. During opening remarks, Gorman’s attorney claimed that both Gorman and Schwartz were functioning alcoholics who suffered from depression and met in a suicide chat room on the Internet, according to the article.
Schwartz killed herself less than a year after the incident.
The defense has stated that Schwartz was violent and attacked Gorman several times in the past, including breaking two of his ribs, and suggested he was holding her tight to prevent her from hurting either herself or him. Gorman claims to have no recollection of the incident.
Witnesses in the trial include Secaucus police officers and nurses who treated both Gorman and Schwartz for their wounds after the incident. Gorman turned down a deal under which he would have pleaded guilty to third-degree aggravated assault and would likely have been sentenced to probation only, with no jail time. However, if he pleaded guilty, Gorman would lose his license to practice law.
Jewelry maker buys Secaucus property for $11.5M
Wedding and engagement ring manufacturer Frederick Goldman Inc. recently purchased a property at 55 Hartz Way including both retail and office space, according to northjersey.com. Current tenants of the two-story, 74,000-square-foot property include Escada, Nine West, Kasper, Fraganetics, and Design Within Reach Outlet. Some of the tenants will remain. Part of the retail space will be converted to office use by the new owners.
Goldman opted to move to Secaucus after being awarded up to $20 million in state tax credits over 10 years to relocate from New York City to New Jersey. More than 200 employees are expected to move to the new location
Online registration available for Secaucus Little League
The 2016 baseball season is just around the corner. For the first time, Secaucus Little League is offering online registration for all players. Access the portal by clicking the link in the upper right corner of secaucuslittleleague.com
If you encounter any issues, email secaucus.ll@gmail.com. After completing the online portion, you will need to submit your child’s birth certificate and proof of residency. The requirements for residency proof can be found on the website under “league forms.” You can submit the necessary items via the above email address or by giving copies of both to one of the coaches.
Secaucus Library nonfiction book group to meet Feb. 4
Popular bestseller “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics” by Daniel James Brown will be discussed at Secaucus Library’s Feb. 4 nonfiction book group meeting at 7 p.m. This book celebrates the American Olympic triumph of nine working-class boys, detailing their challenges and victories during the Depression through pre-war Germany.
The library kicked off the new book group on Jan. 7 with discussion on “Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania” by Erik Larson. “Dead Wake” details one of the great disasters of maritime history, the sinking of the luxury passenger liner by a German U-boat during World War I. The group had an in depth discussion on how many things went wrong for this disaster to happen, killing nearly 1,200 people, including 128 Americans.
“Attendees were especially delighted by the attendance of Richard Romano, an avid hobbyist regarding the tragedies of too many ocean liners,” said Dale Evanson, coordinator of the book club. “Mr. Romano brought various Lusitania memorabilia that truly intrigued the group.”
Another bestseller, “The Wright Brothers,” by two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize David McCullough, will be the subject of the Thursday, March 3 meeting. This work details how two unschooled bicycle mechanics ushered in the age of flight.
“We had lively discussion at our first meeting and subsequent selections promise even more,” said Evanson. “Nonfiction gives us an opportunity to talk about real events and the impact they have had in shaping our world.”
The group meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the Secaucus Public Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd. Copies of books are available at the library as well as a limited number of e-book copies. Registration for the discussion group is strongly encouraged and can be done through the library’s website at secaucuslibrary.org or by calling (201) 330-2083 x4011.
12th annual Guma Foundation Casino Night is Feb. 27
The Guma Foundation will host its 12th annual Casino Night on Saturday, Feb. 27 at LaReggia’s Restaurant in the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, 40 Wood Ave. Tickets to the event, which starts at 7 p.m., are $125 per person and include an evening of casino-style gaming with casino chips, live music by The Fez, an open bar and buffet, and numerous prizes. Attire is business casual with jacket optional.
The Guma Foundation honors the lives of the late Ralph Guma Sr. and Ralph Guma Jr. Diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of nine, Ralph Guma Jr. survived to age 33, attended local schools and earned a college degree. The foundation’s mission began in 1991with the awarding of the RMG Scholarship that resulted in more than $30,000 over the years being given to deserving high school graduates to help defray the costs of their post-high school educations.
“The Guma Foundation eventually changed its mission and we redirected our energies,” explained Pat Guma, president of the foundation. Youngsters with brain tumors are now the main recipients of The Guma Foundation’s donations. “To date we have contributed over $100,000 to the Tomorrows Children’s Fund at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC),” said Guma. The foundation is committed to providing at least $10,000 annually to the Tomorrows Children’s Fund, and since 2000 has donated more than $10,000 directly to the families of sick children to help support their needs and fulfill some of their dreams.
To purchase tickets and pay online or for further information about the foundation, visit gumafoundationinc.org.
Participate in the 2016 Arbor Day Tree Appreciation Campaign
Secaucus is proud to be a Tree City USA participant since 1993. This past year’s drought has caused many of Secaucus’ trees to die and has stressed and damaged many more. The town aims to replace 100 trees by Arbor Day through the 2016 Arbor Day Tree Appreciation Campaign.
At $200 per tree a total of $20,000 is needed. Local businesses and residents are asked to help in this effort. The plan is to plant 100 new trees by the first week in April to coincide with the communitywide Arbor Day celebration on April 29.
Make checks payable to the Town of Secaucus and put “Arbor Day Campaign” in the memo line. Mail to Secaucus Town Hall, Amanda Nesheiwat., 1203 Paterson Plank Rd., Secaucus, NJ 07094.
PSE&G customers can apply for payment assistance with winter heating bills
With chilly weather here, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) reminds customers that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications for the 2015/2016 heating season. LIHEAP is a program run by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs that helps low-income residents with their heating and medically-necessary cooling bills.
“We want low income families to know that help is available,” said Greg Dunlap, vice president of Customer Operations for PSE&G. “Under LIHEAP, those who are income eligible may receive an average of $300 toward their heating bills.”
LIHEAP eligibility is based solely on the prior month’s household gross income and household size. To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant’s household gross income must meet specific monthly income guidelines. For more information, to download a LIHEAP application, or to find out where to apply, visit pseg.com/help or call the New Jersey Home Energy Assistance hotline at (800) 510-3102. Applications are also available at PSE&G’s 16 walk-in Customer Service Centers. Applications and copies of all requested documents must be submitted by April 30.
The LIHEAP application is also an application for the Universal Service Fund (USF). USF is a program created by the State of New Jersey that can lower the amount low-income households pay for gas and electric bills with a monthly credit of $5 to $150. Applications for USF are accepted year-round. Seniors over age 65 or disabled adults collecting Social Security Disability may also be eligible for the New Jersey Lifeline Credit program. NJ Lifeline provides a $225 yearly credit on your PSE&G bill.
PSE&G households who are not eligible for low income programs and are behind in their PSE&G bill should visit pseg.com/help for other programs like the PAGE and TRUE Grant or NJ SHARES.