WNY Chamber offers free photos with Santa
The West New York Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring free photos with Santa Claus. The photos will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on three separate days at various locations. They are:
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Friedman Furniture, 6307 Bergenline Ave.
Sunday, Dec. 11 – Roberts, 5901 Bergenline Ave.
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Sal’s Pizza, 6127 Bergenline Ave.
For further information call 201-295-5065.
Town retains attorney to investigate fines after candle fire destroys commissioner’s home
A three-alarm fire gutted a two-family home at 74 67th St. in West New York on Wednesday, Nov. 30, Police Chief Michael Indri told the Reporter on Monday. The home belongs to Town Commissioner Ruben Vargas’s wife, Carmen.
Original reports classified the fire as suspicious, but Indri said Monday that the fire was in fact accidental and was started by a candle left burning on the first floor. It left the home “extensively destroyed,” he said.
Indri also stated Ruben Vargas informed police and fire officials that there were two rifles in the property at the time of the fire. One was registered, unloaded, and properly stored. The other rifle was “historic, and not even useable,” Indri said.
According to stories on NJ.com, Carmen Vargas allegedly owes $20,000 in safety code violation fines and Commissioner Vargas allegedly owes $10,000. However, Mayor Felix Roque could not confirm the fines. He said the town of West New York has retained Attorney Gilberto Garcia to further investigate the allegations of the lingering fines.
Garcia said on Monday that both Carmen and the commissioner acted in full cooperation with both police and fire officials at the time of the fire.
As for the alleged building code violations, Garcia said, “Both Commissioner Vargas and I can assure that an appropriate investigation will be made, and if there are in fact any outstanding violations, they will be addressed immediately.”
Garcia stated that the commissioner had no prior knowledge of the reported building code citations, and that if he had, he would have dealt with them. “I will be speaking to building officials,” he continued. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”
NHCAC opens new Head Start education center in WNY
Father Carlos Fortunio of St. Mary’s opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Head Start Education Center located at West New York’s Our lady of Libra Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, Dec. 7, with a prayer over the playful din of Head Start toddlers: “Let us pray, especially for patience for teachers of these children.”
The new facility, opened under the umbrella company of the North Hudson Community Action Corporation, has allowed the Head Start program to offer its services to 521 children and pregnant mothers across its seven sites. It will also allow Head Start to further support parents and their children with English and Literacy, Basic Computer Skills, Employment Readiness and 21st Century classes and workshops.
The new site was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 with a $1,297,000 grant.
Attendees of the ceremony were serenaded with a rendition of “The Magic of a Smile” sung by Head Start toddlers and a Christmas medley performed by the West New York High School Band.
Mayor Felix Roque attended the ceremony and emphasized the importance of early childhood education. “When I was young,” he said, “my father told me, ‘You’ve got to study! I’m a doctor, but I’m not leaving you a will.’ ”
Roque was joined by Superintendent John Fauta who said, with a twist on an African proverb, “It takes an entire village, and in this case an entire community, to raise a child.”
NHCAC President Chris Irizarry told the audience he looks forward to Head Start filling the formerly abandoned Catholic school with “the voices and laughter of the beautiful children of our community.” He explained how the program is asked to do a lot with very few resources, and praised educators for the tireless love, energy, and attention they give to the children of Head Start.
Police Benevolent Association to hold toy drive
“Cops for Tots,” run by the Weehawken Police Benevolent Association, will hold its fifth annual toy drive through Dec. 16 to benefit Hudson County agencies such as the Department of Youth and Family Services, and the Palisades Medical Center and Hoboken University Medical Center.
The PBA requests the donation of new, unwrapped toys for male or female children, newborn to 15 years of age. The Weehawken Police Department at 400 Park Ave. and the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad at 201 Highwood Ave. are accepting the donations.
For more information, call the Weehawken Police Department at (201) 863-7800 or the First Aid Squad at (201) 863-6611.
Citizenship classes at Secaucus library
At the start of 2012, the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center will offer civics classes to local library patrons to help them prepare for the Citizenship Test. The spots are first open to residents, but non-residents will be admitted if there is space.
A series of seven classes will begin Jan. 21. The classes will be held at the library on Saturday mornings, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Those interested in attending may contact Louise Rittberg at louiserittberg@yahoo.com to register and provide their name, address, phone number and email address, if available, or can apply in person. For more information, both Director Jenifer May and Rittberg can also be reached at the library by calling (201) 330-2083.