UC school district wins financial reporting award for 12th year
The Union City School District has received the Association of School Business Officials International’s (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award for having met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting, accountability and transparency.
The award for the fiscal year ending 2013 marks the 12th consecutive year the school district has received this prestigious award.
“This award represents a significant achievement and reflects your commitment to the highest standards of school system financial reporting,” said John D. Musso, executive director of the ASBO.
The award is particularly important for school districts in preparation for bond issuance statements, noted School Business Administrator Anthony Dragona.
“On behalf of the Union City Board of Education, we want to congratulate Mr. Dragona and his staff for the tireless work they have done to keep our financial systems in order year after year,” said Board President Jeanette Pena. “Thanks to Mr. Dragona and his staff, we know that we are spending our money wisely and making sure that we are always accountable and transparent.”
Bill protecting NJ drivers from other states’ speed and red light cameras passes committee
The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee passed a bill on Monday, Sept. 15 that would prohibit submission of New Jersey license plate information to national photo ticketing system or other states for the purpose of imposing or collecting fines from New Jersey drivers who receive a citation for a violation committed in another state that was captured on a speed camera or red light camera. The bill was sponsored by North Bergen Mayor and State Sen. Nicholas Sacco and Sen. Nicholas Scutari.
This bill is modeled on a newly enacted statute in South Dakota, which prohibited its Division of Motor Vehicles from submitting driver information to the national interstate motor vehicle information network, a system used by photo ticketing companies, for the purposes of processing red light or speed camera tickets. The purpose of this bill is to prevent other states from issuing citations to New Jersey residents for alleged violations recorded on a speed camera or red light camera.
The bill was approved unanimously by the Senate Transportation Committee. It now heads to the Senate Budget Committee for consideration.
Dedication to Dr. Cortina, an art installation by Luis Romero
The city of Union City, Mayor Brian Stack, and the Board of Commissioners are hosting an art installation by Luis Romero as a dedication to Dr. Francisco Cortina, which opened Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. in the William V. Musto Cultural Center, 420 – 15th St. in Union City.
Last year, Union City honored Dr. Cortina before his retirement at age 90 and after more than 40 years of serving the community, by naming a street after him (“Dr. Cortina Way”).
The exhibit is an installation consisting of an oil painting, three drawings, a photograph, a low relief sculpture/medal, and an informational video about Dr. Cortina, among other things. Everything in the installation is designed and made by Romero, including the sign. The installation was on display for two weeks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where Romero is employed. Dr. Cortina visited the Met with his family to attend the exhibit and they were all very moved and impressed by it.
Romero has been a Union City resident since his family migrated to the US from Cuba in 1974. As a person indebted to Dr. Cortina for the medical services he has provided to Romero’s family and to the community at large, Romero worked diligently for the last year on this installation to honor the doctor in his own way.
Everyone in the community is invited. Free admission. The exhibit runs Sept. 17 to Oct. 6.
Two short documentaries screened and discussion held with filmmaker in Union City
Renowned filmmaker Ricardo Bacallao, known as the “Cuban Woody Allen,” presented the world premiere screening of his two documentary short films, “Short Radiography of Hip Hop in Cuba” and “The Maji Maji Readings” on Friday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. in the William V. Musto Cultural Center in Union City.
Bacallao was born in Havana, Cuba. He graduated from Havana’s Superior Institute, and received his MFA in film from NYU. While living in Madrid and Berlin, he participated several times in the Berlin Film Festival, including being awarded as the first Cuban representative to the festival’s Talent Campus in 2003.
Bacallao first came to the U.S. in December 2005, when he was invited to tour universities around the United States screening his documentaries on topics such as race, immigration, Santeria, and madness in the arts. In 2010, a segment he produced for CUNY TV’s magazine show “Nueva York” won a New York Emmy Award. Since then, he has been working as a freelance director, cameraman, producer, and editor of documentary and fiction film. Bacallao is just completing his first feature film, “The Uncle’s Request,” a political thriller, and “Romañach,” a dramedy, is in pre-production.
Brazilian and Salvadoran flag-raising in Union City
The City of Union City held flag-raising ceremonies commemorating Brazil’s Independence Day on Monday, Sept. 15 and El Salvador’s Independence Day on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Both ceremonies were held in International Park, located on the corner of Palisade Avenue and 38th Street.
The ceremonies included several invited guest speakers and the raising of the Brazilian and Salvadoran flags.
County Clerk’s Passport Office to Stay Open Late Every Wednesday in September
In celebration of Passport Awareness Month, the County Clerk’s Division of Passports will stay open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays during the month of September. (Applicants must be present in the passport office no later than 6:45 p.m.to allow for processing time.)
This year’s Passport Awareness Month theme is “Customer Convenience.”
“September is back to school time, which can be an especially busy time for parents and students as summer vacation comes to an end,” said Hudson County Clerk Barbara A. Netchert. “We hope that by temporarily extending our passport hours on Wednesdays in September, the clerk’s office will be able to accommodate customers who are unable to apply for a passport during our routine operating hours due to their work, school, or fall activity schedule.”
The County Clerk’s Office is located at Hudson Plaza, 257 Cornelison Ave., 4th floor, in Jersey City. For more information about this event, passport applications, and fees, call (201) 369-3470 (option 4) or visit the County Clerk’s website at www.hudsoncountyclerk.org.