North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue denied hiring policy appeal by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court turned down an appeal on Monday by North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue (NHRFR), who wanted to keep their requirement that prospective firefighters live in one of five Hudson County towns, according to NorthJersey.com.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled in favor of the Newark branch of the NAACP in December. The NAACP brought a successful lawsuit in 2007, challenging the NHRFR’s hiring practices.
An appeals court ruled that the NHRFR’s hiring policy discriminated against African-Americans because it only allowed residents of local towns to apply, and local towns are predominantly Latino and Caucasian. The ruling meant that the fire squad must consider applicants from outside the local towns.
The new appeal was the latest move in a longstanding dispute over whether the regional department – which formed by merging five local towns’ fire departments in 1999 – should allow applicants from outside towns.
The NHRFR covers West New York, Union City, Weehawken, North Bergen, and Guttenberg. Those towns are approximately 70 percent Latino and only 3.4 percent African-American, according to the 2000 Census.
The case will now return to trial court.
Palisades Medical Center to hold health screenings
Palisades Medical Center’s staff has partnered with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Hudson Perinatial Consortium to provide free health screenings and education programs. The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center’s Community Outreach Program with its 2011 Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents. Palisades Medical Center’s community outreach and education programs are funded in part by Abbott Nutrition, the Aetna Foundation, the Provident Bank Foundation, Schering-Plough Corporation, and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.
Palisades Medical Center has scheduled a series of free health screenings over the coming months.
On June 16, a health fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity Reformed Church located on the corner of Palisade Avenue and 60th Street in West New York.
On July 28, a health fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nazareth Baptist Church located at 5800 Palisade Ave. in West New York.
For more information, please call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
Dvine Konektion to hold free community fair in WNY
The Dvine Konektion Community Development Corporation will hold a free community fair on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5516 Jefferson St. Residents of West New York, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken and Guttenberg are welcome to attend the next event on June 16. Groceries and baby supplies will be distributed, and various medical screenings and other services are offered.
For more information, call (201) 617-4484 or visit www.dvinek.org.
West New York offers senior trips and events
West New York’s Senior Center will hold several events for seniors in June.
On June 23 they will travel to Amish country from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $25.
On June 27, there will be a senior trip to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan to see Cirque deu Soleis’ ‘Zarkana.’ They will depart at 12:30 p.m. and the show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $45.
On June 29, Hudson Hall will host its monthly seniors’ birthday party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Hudson Hall is located at 6018 Hudson St., and events take place on the second floor. For more information, call the Senior Center at (201) 295-5144.
House of Worship Ministries to host music festival
House of Worship Ministries will host the First Annual Freedom Music Festival on July 7, 6:30 p.m., at the Patricia McEldowney Park located at 62nd Street and Boulevard East. Attendants will enjoy an evening of music, food, games, and community fellowship. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/houseofworshipnj or email houseofworshipministries@gmail.com.
NHCAC announces registration for new programs
North Hudson Community Action Corporation celebrates National Community Action Month by announcing the beginning of its new programs.
They will offer two semesters of free English as a Second Language classes. The summer semester begins in June, and the fall semester in September. Call (201) 943-2410 for more information or to register.
They will also offer a financial literacy workshop series. Call (201) 866-9320, ext. 213, for more information. Both individual and corporate instruction is available.