Ex-CEO of cash strapped Hoboken hospital got $600K payout
HOBOKEN – Spiros Hatiras, the former CEO of city-owned Hoboken University Medical Center, received a $600,000 severance package and full medical benefits for a year upon his resignation from HUMC just a few weeks before the hospital’s operator filed for bankruptcy, according to a report in Tuesday’s Star-Ledger. Hatiras had been the CEO for two years when he stepped down.
The hospital is currently in the process of being sold to HUMC Holdco, a group that has common ownership with Bayonne Medical Center.
The article states that Hatiras was earning $400,000 per year, plus bonuses, at the time of his resignation. His payout was negotiated by Hudson Healthcare Inc. (HHI), the operator of the hospital that filed for bankruptcy, and approved by the Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority, according to the report.
The article states that his contract was set to expire in five months, and called for a severance payment only in the event the hospital terminated his contract. The city is requiring Holdco to honor at least 80 percent of Hatiras’ severance package, according to the report, while some creditors in the bankruptcy may see much less than what they’re owed.
When asked by The Reporter on Monday afternoon to confirm the rumors that Hatiras received a $600,000 payout, HMHA spokesperson Doug Petkus said in an e-mail, “We are unable to comment on that issue.”
Councilwoman Beth Mason was quoted in the Star Ledger report as saying she thinks “it’s a disgrace that they are giving out a golden parachute while people like nurses are not getting paid.”
HHI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 1, listing between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors and somewhere between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities and assets. According to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court filing, the city of Hoboken and the Hoboken Parking Utility are owed approximately $2 million, combined. – Ray Smith
Commuters angry about proposed PATH, tunnel fare increases
STATEWIDE – Commuters in New Jersey and New York are up in arms over proposed Port Authority fare increases that will add hundreds of dollars annually to the cost of going to work.
Under the proposed increases, a one-way PATH ride would jump from $1.75 to $2.75 later this year. EZ Pass tolls paid by drivers who use the Holland and Lincoln tunnels would jump from the current $8 to $12 during morning and evening rush hours. Off-peak toll prices would increase from $6 to $10. Under the Port Authority proposal peak and of-peak tolls would increase by an additional $2 in 2014.
Before the Port Authority Board of Commissioners votes on the increases on Aug. 19, there will be several public hearings Aug. 16.
One public hearing will take place at 8 a.m. at the Port Authority Technical Center, located at 241 Erie St. Jersey City, in Room 212. The second Jersey City public hearing will take place that evening at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the Holland Tunnel Administration Building, located at Provost Street and 13th Street. – E. Assata Wright
Jersey City man killed early Saturday morning
JERSEY CITY AND BEYOND – A Jersey City man was killed due to multiple gunshot wounds shortly after midnight on Saturday, Aug. 5.
The man, Rakim Priester of Bartholdi Avenue, was hanging out with a group near Ocean Avenue when he was reportedly shot several times. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
The Jersey City Police Department and Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor arrested two men on Sunday. A 19-year-old Jersey City man and a 21-year-old Jersey City man were charged in the death.
Police were still looking for a third suspect as of press time on Tuesday.
Union City is first city in area to announce Sept. 11 commemoration plans
HUDSON COUNTY – New Jersey lost more than 700 residents in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2011. This week, Union City became the first local town to officially announce some of its plans to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
The town will hold a ceremony at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Liberty Plaza, 30th Street and Palisade Ave.
Plans for other towns will be published in the Reporter newspapers as they are announced.
Free Health Fair to help highlight National Health Week
North Hudson Community Action Corp., a non-profit that serves the needy population in Hudson County, is sponsoring a free health fair to celebrate National Health Week on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at Miller Park Stadium in West New York.
The health fair will feature free health examinations, medical and nutritional information, free promotional items, face painting for children, and other activities.
“Our responsibility is to make quality health care available to as many people as possible,” said Christopher F. Irizarry, NHCAC President and Chief Executive Officer. “We urge everyone to come out, take advantage of these free opportunities and have some fun while doing it.”
For more information, call 201-210-0100.