2015 12 23

December 23, 2015 • www.theobserver.com • Vol CXXVIII, No. 30 Visit our

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‘All life is precious’

By Karen Zautyk Observer Correspondent KEARNY – The latest rescue equipment acquired by the Kearny Fire Department cost only $109, but to animal-lovers, it is priceless. Its value cannot be measured in money.

What that $109 bought were three animal oxygen masks -- and their necessary accoutrements -- the better to save the lives of cats and dogs, and maybe other pets, that are rescued from fires.

Heretofore, if a dog or cat were removed unconscious or in respiratory distress from a burning building, firefighters could perform CPR in hopes of reviving it, but providing it with oxygen was problematic since the masks designed for humans are just too big.

(However, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is not unheard of. Firefighters do what they can to save a life, even a nonhuman one.)

But earlier this month, the KFD took delivery of the pet masks, which come in three sizes: Small, for a feline or flatsnout canine, and medium and large, for other dogs. They are also flexible, to enable a better fit. In January, all members of the department will be trained in their use, along with lessons see MASK page

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Happy Holidays Photo by Patricia DaSilva

A holiday home decorated in Kearny.

‘They gave it their all’

By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent

KEARNY – They gave it their all in a six-week “heat,” but, alas, they lost the race.

Kearny High School automotive class students went

fender-to-fender against auto shop classes from four other high schools in the Eastern U.S. in a competition to recondition a pre-used car into a “showroom-ready product.”

The “Best in Class Challenge” contest, co-sponsored

by Quaker State and Auto-

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Zone, gave the participants six weeks to diagnose what was wrong with their vehicles, devise and implement a fix-up plan with parts furnished by AutoZone, and make the car look as presentable as possible.

Each team’s performance

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

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39 Seeley Ave. Kearny, N.J. 07032 Phone: 201-991-1600 Fax: 201-991-8941 www.theobserver.com

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Is KHS project ready now for final go-round?

By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent

housing 20 new classrooms and a new cafeteria adaptable for a culinary arts program.

KEARNY – Dobco was initially awarded the high school job in he Kearny Board of 2010 but was challenged by Education has received the second-lowest bidder, a new round of bids to Brockwell & Carrington, of complete the long-delayed Totowa. high school remodeling B&C claimed that Dobco project and could award a underbid the HVAC portion contract by next month. of the contract and that its Michael DeVita, board proposed HVAC sub-consecretary/business administractor had exceeded its altrator, said last week that the lowable limit on backlogged, board’s consulting engineers uncompleted work and that, and construction attorney therefore, Dobco’s bid should were reviewing the prices submitted by five contractors be disqualified.

The dispute ended up in on Dec. 15. the courts, thereby delaying Base bids ranged from a the start of the project, and low of nearly $27 million to a wasn’t resolved until June high of more than $34 million 2011 when the Superior Court – a dramatic improvement ordered the board to throw from the last time the board out Dobco’s bid and award solicited bids in April 2014, B&C the job. when it got a single offer of Unfortunately, the board $48.7 million from a Fairfield and B&C parted ways in firm which took another shot early 2013 and the board in this second round. hired Paul Otto Building Co. A bid spread sheet on the to finish window installaproject, the Aircraft Noise tion, completion of work on Abatement & Addition/Renthe South Building and some ovation at Kearny HS North demolition.

Building, listed this breakout Prismatic was the lone conon base bids: tractor to bid on the project’s • Delric Construction, of completion in 2014 but its bid North Haledon, $36,499,000. of $48.7 million was rejected • Dobco, Inc., of Wayne, and the board directed its $31,000,000. architects to scale down the • Niram, Inc., of Boonton, project – like the size of the $28,687,000.

• Paul Otto Building Co., of atrium – in hopes of cutting costs.

Cranford, $27,678,000.

The Bennett Company is • Prismatic Development, also familiar to local school of Fairfield, $29,775,000. trustees.

• The Bennett Company, of During the 2008-2009 Passaic, $26,800,000. school year, the firm did The job involves complea renovation/addition of tion of work on the high Lincoln School and finished school’s North Building, including HVAC systems and within its allotted budget, according to Mark Bruscino, an addition to encompass the district’s operations a central atrium and wings

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five day weather forecast Wednesday, Dec. 23

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director.

For the current high school project, bidders were also asked to submit prices on several “alternate” or additional work items that may or may not be included in the overall scope of work, depending on how much the board can afford to spend within the limits of its remaining funding from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Education.

The most expensive of these alternates figures to be removal of the temporary classroom trailers parked on the high school’s front lawn on Devon St. and restoration of the area. Others include: abating boiler room and pipe tunnels, abating mechanical rooms, removal and disposal of mechanical equipment and installing lab casework.

Part of the bid review process, DeVita said, is sorting out which parts of the job can be financed from which “pot” of money. The P.A. and FAA pledged $25 million – about 80% of the overall cost – to cover the noise abatement part of the project (windows and HVAC), while the DOE’s School Development Authority committed $17 million – about 20% -- for much of the other work, he said.

“As of September 2015, we had spent a total of $24 million on the project,” DeVita said.

How much money remains in each of the two funding “pots” couldn’t be readily learned.

Asked what happens if the

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board concludes it doesn’t have enough cash left to finish the job, board counsel Kenneth Lindenfelser said that if the board can justify the expense to the P.A. and FAA, “it’s my understanding that they’d consider giving us more money.”

But there’s another variable the board must consider: the outcome of two legal wrangles with B&C that will likely account for additional costs related to the project.

One is a “claim for lost profits” brought by the contractor resulting from the firm’s “termination for convenience.” This deals largely with work related to the noise abatement part of the job. The other is an arbitration case dealing with the exterior renovation and what Lindenfelser characterized as the “scope and quality” of work on the high school façade, covering windows, lintels and parapets.

If a determination is made that some or all of the exterior renovation work has to be done over, then the board would look to the bonding company involved to hire someone to complete the job “at no cost to the board,” Lindenfelser said.

Asked what options figure to be available to the board in its consideration of how to proceed, Lindenfelser said it could elect to “go ahead and award” a contract to one of the five bidders on the assumption that it can cover the cost or, failing that, dip into its capital reserves to make up the gap, or ask its architects, once again, to find ways to scale down the scope of the project and re-bid.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

03

One cop’s story about life on the force

By Kevin Canessa Jr.

NUTLEY –

W

e live in a world where far too often, people are quick to judge what they see of the police on television. Sure, at times, the criticisms of cops are justified, especially if there’s been an abuse of power. Yet for the most part, police officers are among the hardest-working people you’ll ever know. And their work is done under the most intense pressure and stress — things ordinary citizens could never even begin to imagine.

With that in mind, we decided to offer our readers a

Chief Robert DeLitta and former Police Commissioner Carmen Orecchio. When he graduated the police academy in 2000, he was immediately assigned to the midnight shift, something most rookies get.

He wasn’t even on the job for two years when the attacks happened. Nothing was the same thereafter.

“The type of incidents generally are different on each shift,” Montanari said. “Midnights were considered slow until a job came in, which was usually more serious than other shifts.

I was completing the midnight shift on Sept. 11, 2001, when the terrorist attacks took place.

“Following this unprecedent-

“During my years of investigating crash scenes, I have witnessed, firsthand, fatalities, severe injuries and required that I view many autopsies as well as making death notifications to family. Additionally, I am one of only two arson investigators in the police

department.”

Montanari’s successes as a patrol officer led to him being made a detective around 2003, after just three years on the job. It was a huge change, he says, going from midnight tours in uniform to an afternoon tour in plain clothes.

“I was a detective of the Juvenile Division for the next eight years and was liaison between the school district and the police department,” Montanari said. “It was very rewarding. see MONTANARI page

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look into the work of a police officer we know well — Det. Sgt. Anthony Montanari, of the Nutley Police Department’s Detective Bureau. Montanari is also the department’s publicinformation officer, a role he’s had, on and off, for many years.

Each week, usually on Fridays, Montanari sends an email to members of the local media with a series of reports — some arrests, some about identity thefts, some about suspicious characters and then some. We then turn around the reports into what you read each week on the pages of this newspaper and on our website — more simply, the Nutley blotter.

But for Montanari, who first joined the NPD in 1999 as a cadet, two years before the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — life in the Nutley Police Department is so much more than gathering crime reports for members of the media.

It was 16 years ago …

In 1999, Montanari was appointed to the NPD by former

ed turn of events, many drastic changes took place within the department and departments throughout the country. Many new policies and procedures were put into place and these events have changed the way police performed their jobs.”

Indeed, they have.

With the post 9/11 changes — and as time progressed — Montanari has worn numerous hats with the NPD — and that’s normal, he says, for smaller departments. Because of that, he’s been able to assume some very important responsibilities.

“I was fortunate enough to be sent to several motorvehicle investigative courses, which enabled me to become one of the department’s crash investigators,” Montanari said.

“This particular training necessitated that on serious and fatal motor-vehicle accidents, I would be called to investigate, to ensure that evidence of wrong-doing was not sacrificed.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Dogged pursuit of park victory for canines

By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent KEARNY – He’s only a 13-year-old Lincoln School biped, but Nate

Jablonski, a Star Scout with Troop 305, knows exactly what Kearny’s first off-leash dog park will do for his community.

“I’m real happy. This gives

dogs and owners something to bond over. Also, chances are owners will bond with other owners over their mutual love of dogs,” he says.

Nate knows this because he

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Consulting engineer Joseph Vuich and Bailey at the dog park groundbreaking ceremony last week.

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and his brother Ely have bonded with their black Lab, Allie, and anticipate continuing that habit in the new facility on the west side of Passaic Ave., 400 feet south of S. Midland Ave. Several years in the making, the soon-to-be canine haven where four-legged creatures can run free will be a reality by late spring 2016, said Mayor Alberto Santos, after last Tuesday’s ceremonial groundbreaking.

Reivax Contracting Corp. of Newark will do the job for $300,303 – $175,000 from the county Open Space Trust Fund and the rest from unspent local bond proceeds – in Riverbank Park, just north of the Butterfly Garden.

Nearly 18,000 square-feet of parkland are earmarked for the dog run, with about 10,200 square feet planned for dogs over 35 pounds and about 6,500 square feet for smaller pooches. All dogs will enter a gateway space before being directed to either of the designated off-leash sections.

There will be fountains that dispense water for the dogs and poop disposal bag stations. Eastern walking trail mix and fine stone will form the surface for the dog runs, according to consulting engineer Joseph Vuich of Neglia Engineering, which will receive $26,485 for construction management services related to the dog park.

Not exactly a disinterested party, Vuich is also a canine cuddler. He was accompanied to last week’s event by Bailey, his 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a breed that

can be traced back to Charles II of the English Restoration.

A Hoboken resident, Vuich and Bailey have visited several dog parks in that city.

But for Karen Del, who circulated petitions for a dog park back in 2012, Kearny will be the site of choice for her and Gigi, her 4-year-old Miniature Pinscher she acquired as a “rescue dog” from an Arkansas shelter. She sees the new enterprise as affording an example of “a nice balance between development going on in town and green space.”

How many pet lovers will ultimately bring their dogs to the park is hard to predict, Del said, but, she noted, there are as many as 450 people from Kearny and the outlying area who are members of the “Dog Park for Kearny NJ” website which invites postings about lost dogs, guidance on getting microchips for pets and warnings on suspected harmful pet treats.

Kearny’s Mario Tridente, who will be providing oversight at the dog park as a county building inspector and zoning officer for the Hudson County Planning Division, is likely to give the project close attention as the owner of Sadie, a 3-year-old Irish Wolfhound that commands attention at six feet long and 190 pounds.

Up to now, Tridente said, he’s taken Sadie to Lyndhurst’s dog run, the venue closest to Kearny, “but now, she’ll be closer to home.” Sadie, quite friendly to strangers, gets along fine at the Tridente see DOG PARK page

19

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

05

KPD: We’re not in Clifton anymore, Toto O f late, there seems to have been a spate of incidents involving drivers found asleep at the wheel.

The latest occurred at Davis and Bergen Aves. at 4:15 a.m., last Thursday, Dec. 17, Kearny police reported.

Police said Officer Mina Ekladious was on patrol when, in a parking-prohibited area, he saw a 2015 Dodge, its engine running and its left signal blinking.

Inside, police said, he found Fillener Macias, 26, of Elizabeth, sound asleep in the driver’s seat, which was in the reclined position. The vehicle’s windows were open, the heater was on and there reportedly was a strong odor of alcohol emanating from both car and driver.

After several attempts, Ekladious was able to rouse the man and question him.

Asked if he knew where he was, Macias “replied that he was in Clifton,” Chief John Dowie noted. Asked for his driving credentials, he reportedly produced a college I.D. from Kean University and a receipt for an oil change.

Following field sobriety tests, and an Alcotest at headquarters, he was charged with driving while intoxicated and issued a summons for the parking violation. Dowie said it turned out he did have valid driving creds.

••• Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following: Dec. 9 Brendan McCall, 24, of Kearny -- whom you might recall from a Dec. 2 report as allegedly having tried to hide from the cops in a local deli -- was arrested again at 4:45 p.m. this date, this time on the 300 block of the Belleville Pike.

Police said Officers Dominic Dominguez and Sean Kelly took him into custody on an outstanding $1,000 criminal warrant from Kearny and a $250 warrant from Lyndhurst. He was given accommodations at HQ pending either posting of bail or transfer to the county.

Dec. 10 At 9 p.m., Officers Luis Moran and Giovanni Rodriguez responded to a report of

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a two-vehicle crash at Hackensack Ave. and Rts. 1/9 in South Kearny. Police said one of the drivers, Samuel Martell, 57, of Queens, N.Y., appeared to be impaired or incapacitated, had slurred speech and trouble standing -- to the point that FSTs could not be conducted.

Following an Alcotest at HQ , he was charged with DWI and careless driving.

The other driver, a 34-yearold Latham, N.Y., man, reportedly complained of pain from an airbag deployment and was taken by Kearny EMS to St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark.

He was awakened, given FSTs and an Alcotest and charged with DWI and careless driving.

him that the registered owner of a passing 2004 Pontiac had a warrant and a suspended license, police said. Stopping the Dec. 14 car, he confirmed that driver At 2:30 p.m., Officer JordenJarvis Johnson, 27, of Irvington, son Jean spotted a doublewas the owner and had a $200 parked 1993 Chrysler on the 300 Irvington warrant -- for driving block of Kearny Ave. Police said while suspended, police said. a warrant inquiry indicated the The registration reportedly was occupant, Kristina Torres, 25, also suspended. Johnson was of Harrison, had a $250 warrant arrested and later released on from that town. bail, but with new summonses In the course of arresting for driving while suspended her on that, Jean reportedly and failure to surrender a saw two empty baggies, three suspended license. The car was cigar wrappers and a partially impounded. consumed bottle of Fireball whisky in the vehicle. Torres Dec. 16 was subsequently charged crimAt 10 p.m., Vice officers Dec. 13 inally on the warrant and with observed a 17-year-old Kearny Cops reported yet another possession of CDS paraphermale sitting on a porch in snoozing motorist, this one at nalia and given summonses for the area of Chestnut St. and 8 a.m. at Bergen Ave. and Elm double-parking, failure to have Wilson Ave., reportedly smokSt., where Carlos Navarro, 42, the car inspected and having an ing a marijuana cigar. He was of East Newark, had apparently open container of alcohol in a charged with possession of the fallen asleep at the wheel of a motor vehicle. drug and drug paraphernalia 2006 Honda, which hit a parked ••• and was later released to the car. Navarro was still asleep Officer Jason Rodrigues custody of a parent. when Officers Peter Jahera and was on patrol at Kearny and Damon Pein found him in the Bergen Aves. at 3 p.m. when still-running vehicle, police said. his onboard computer alerted see KPD page

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thoughts&views THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

The contents of letters do not reflect the opinion of The Observer staff. Letters must be kept to a maximum of 250 words. Any letters that exceed the maximum will be edited, at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right at any time to reject or edit the letters for space. Letters must include the writer’s name, address, and telephone number for verification purposes. The deadline for letters is Thursday at 5 p.m. Any letters that arrive after deadline will not be considered for the upcoming publication. Letters can be sent by e-mail to publisher@theobserver.com or mailed to 39 Seeley Ave., Kearny, N.J. 07032. Anonymous letters will not be published under any circumstances.

Murphy case typifies church inaction

By Kevin Canessa Jr. grew up Catholic.

And, having gone to Catholic schools for a few years, I, like many other young Catholic men, considered becoming a priest. In fact, in 2001, I had a spiritual adviser with the Society of Jesus [The Jesuits], and was as close as I’d ever been to giving up my life all for God. My decision not to become a priest, however, is one I rarely regret — and was one I made in 2002, just as there was widespread news of the sex-abuse scandal breaking.

First, it was Boston. Then Milwaukee. Then, it seemed, everywhere else in America.

Tons of priests stood accused of sexually abusing children, as far back as the 1950s.

Perhaps even longer. Boston was the worst spot for it. And the news of the cover-ups by bishops and the Vatican was indefensible — though some still would go on to do so.

We would learn Pope John Paul II knew of so many of the cases. He ordered thenCardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, to oversee every single case of abuse in the church worldwide. And before and during his papacy, Benedict, we’d also learn, did a very good acting job, pretending he gave a crap about the victims of the abuse when, in reality, his major focus was on protecting many of the priests who stood accused of abuse.

A few years ago, however, we learned of one of the more egregious cases of abuse. It took place at a school for the deaf in Milwaukee. The sex

I

abuse was at the hands of the late Rev. Lawrence Murphy, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and it happened from 1960 to 1974 at the school — and then later on after Murphy was removed from the school. That abuse happened even after the archbishop at that time was fully aware that Murphy was a sexual predator of the worst proportions.

It all started in 1960 when Murphy was made the director of the school for the deaf.

He was very meticulous about whom he chose to abuse. According to the documentary, “Mea Maxima Culpa, Silence in the House of God,” the boys whose parents didn’t know sign language were the best targets, because they weren’t able to tell their parents — or communicate to them properly — that a priest was fondling them.

And heck, who would believe them anyway, right? A priest in 1960 was held in the highest regard, often seen as someone greater than just a human being, even though, in reality, he wasn’t.

For years this went on.

Most of the boys just kept quiet. Some even thought it was an honor that Murphy had chosen them to be his “special friends.” They believed they were special because Murphy would take them to his summer cottage when school was out of session — even though they’d be sexually abused there, too.

He’d chose one of them, each night, to sleep in his bed with him, while the others slept elsewhere. And, at night, he

because I hope you’ll take time to watch it. It’s available on HBOGo. But the simple reality is this — beyond Murphy’s case — there were so many others that were ignored that after all these years, it’s still unfathomable that all of this went on without much intervention from local dioceses or the Roman Curia.

That John Paul II is a saint, today, is disturbing, knowing what he knew — and knowing what he did and didn’t do — to Photo courtesy HBOGo.com fix things.

Rev. Lawrence Murphy Murphy used a second-floor closet in the school for the would prey on the boy in his deaf to hear confessions. When bed.

This, too, went on and on for the confessing was over, he’d engage in sexual activity with years.

That was, until, finally, some- the boys right in the closet.

That none of the officials one decided to speak up. who knew this story and did Ratzinger was complicit in nothing about it aren’t behind much of the church’s abuse scandal, having done very little bars today is maddening.

Watch the documentary for to stop it all — and despite every single abuse case coming yourself to learn more.

But be prepared: You might across his desk in Rome. not have ever seen deception But the thing is — at first, at this level before in your life. no one believed the kids. In fact, after a visiting priest Odds and ends reported all of this news to the • Next week, Ron Leir and archbishop and authorities, I will recap 2015 — and what the police actually believed a year it was. Ron is handling Murphy when he said: “These the months of July to Decemare kids just trying to cause ber and I will recap January trouble.” The archbishop also to June. Be sure to look for it said, amazingly: “These kids are all deaf. Their word means in next week’s issue of The Observer. absolutely nothing.”

• What a horrifying story So while officials were aware Murphy was a predator, he was out of Las Vegas Sunday night, left alone until 1974 to continue where a woman drove her to abuse these poor boys, today 1996 Oldsmobile on to the sidewalk in three different in their 50s.

The boys were all helpless — locations on the Strip, injuring at least 37 and killing one. and doomed.

I’ll stop describing the docu- The LVPD said the woman, in her 20s, did this purposefully mentary and its contents here

Don’t forget to check www.theobserver.com for news that didn’t make it into this week’s paper

Follow us on Facebook &

Happy Holidays

From our Family to yours.

and with a 3-year-old kid in the car.

Fortunately, the woman, whose name hadn’t been released as of presstime, is behind bars at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada.

What led her to do this is anybody’s guess at this point, but it’s yet another reminder of just how much needs to change with dealing with the mentally ill in this country.

[Yes, chances are we will find she was suffering from some kind of mental affliction].

If only someone, anyone, in Washington, D.C., truly cared.

• As I close out this week’s column, I want to take time to wish each of you the happiest of holidays, a belated joyful Hanukkah, the Merriest Christmas, a most joy-filled Kwanza or whatever it is you do or don’t celebrate this month. It is an honor for me to still write on the pages of this newspaper for the people of the hometown I love so much in Kearny — and for the people of the other towns we also serve. Talk about already having the greatest Christmas gift possible!

I truly hope this Holiday Season is filled with happiness and peace.

Until three weeks from now, all the best this Holiday Season — and all the best for a great 2016.

The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the writer, and do not reflect the opinions of The Observer and its management. Contact Kevin Canessa Jr. at kc�theobserver. com, or on Facebook or Twitter @KevinCanessa.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

07

Retirements force town to borrow $1.5M

By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent KEARNY –

W

hile Kearny’s municipal payroll is getting a bit lighter from a surge of retirements, the town is still paying on the other end.

Last Tuesday, the local governing body passed an ordinance authorizing a special emergency appropriation of $1.5 million to pay “contractually required severance obligations and liabilities.”

Those payments, which will be spread out over the next five years, are to satisfy terminal leave provisions specified in the town’s labor contracts with civilian and uniformed employees.

By town Finance Director Shuaib Firozvi’s reckoning, this year alone, Kearny lost 18 members of the Fire Department, 10 of the Police Department and three non-uniformed employees to retirement.

In each case, Firozvi explained, those departures trigger certain payments dictated by contractual arrangements between the town and

the unions that bargain for those employees.

For example, under the contracts negotiated with the police rank and file (PBA) and superior officers (POSA), a retiring police officer or superior officer is entitled to “terminal pay” equal to one-quarter of his/ her current base salary, plus cash for any unused vacation time for the current year, plus any longevity pay owed for the balance of the current year.

In the case of retiring firefighters and/or fire superiors who are covered by FMBA and FSOA contracts, those retirees are due terminal pay, also equal to one-quarter of their current base pay, plus any unused vacation time.

And retiring civilian workers, covered by the Civil Service Association, Local 11, are guaranteed payments of any unused vacation time, plus accumulated unused sick time up to 120 days, and the balance of any longevity pay.

Firozvi said that this marks the fourth successive year that Kearny has been compelled to borrow to meet

similar severance obligations: in 2014, it bonded $500,000 for 14 retirees; in 2013, $600,000 for 13 retirees; and in 2012, $1.1 million. (The number of retirees for 2012 was not readily available at press time.)

This wave of municipal retirements coincides with Gov. Chris Christie’s economic reforms, including mandating public employees to contribute to the cost of their health insurance coverage and placing limits on converting unused sick and/ or vacation days to cash.

In other business at last week’s meeting, the mayor and Town Council: • Imposed a 10-day suspension of the sale of alcoholic beverages on the owners of Marisol Liquors, 32 Davis Ave., after a hearing on certain ABC-related charges against the business.

• Approved the consolidation of certain previously issued water utility bonds totaling $8,132,000 in principal amount and combination of certain previously issued general improvement bonds totaling $19,367,000 in principal amount in anticipation

of locking in a lower interest rate over the long term.

“We’re hoping for 4% or [less],” Firozvi said. “We expect to sell these new bonds

by January.”

• Authorized the Fire Department to apply for $975,000 in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding, for which a 10% local match is required, for a new aerial ladder truck. Fire Chief Steven Dyl said the new vehicle would replace a 25-year-old E1 truck now in service. The KFD is also seeking $220,000 for 70 sets of turnout gear (coats,

bunker pants and boots) to replace 10-year-old gear and an additional $50,000 for new hose, nozzles and appliances. Both require 10% local matches.

• Ratified these appointments: John Donovan as provisional part-time fire prevention specialist at $28 an hour for 24.5 hours a week to fill a vacancy; Veronica Baron as full-time public safety tele-communicator at $28,534 a year; and Robert Charles as permanent part-time building inspector/ code enforcement officer (no salary specified).

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08

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

News in Brief …

NORTH ARLINGTON/ EAST NEWARK – Residents of two Observer communities will shortly be seeing new faces in the police ranks.

North Arlington Borough Council appointed Officer Joseph Zarro as a “lateral transfer” from the Belleville Police Department, effective Dec. 1, at an annual salary of $45,321.

Zarro, who lives in North Arlington, had been working in Belleville “just under a year,” according to Borough Administrator Steven LoIacono.

LoIacono said that the state Civil Service Commission approved a waiver of normal hiring protocol to allow the transfer and the local governing body met in special session on Nov. 30 to ratify the hiring.

Since Zarro had already successfully gone through the mandated police academy training program, the borough will be spared that expense,

said LoIacono.

Asked if the hiring brought the department up to full strength, LoIacono said: “We’re still short of our T.O. [Table of Organization] by two or three officers.”

And, in East Newark, Officer Yuri Defreitas graduated from his academy training course on Dec. 3, reported borough Police Chief Anthony Monteiro.

Defreitas will take the spot formerly occupied by Ken Sheehan Jr., who left the department earlier this year to take a post with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.

A Kearny resident and an alumnus of Kearny High School, DeFreitas has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Hudson County Community College. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was trained as a radio operator stateside.

The rookie, who is undergoing several weeks of field training before he hits the

streets, is drawing an annual pay of $27,500.

Monteiro said that with the addition of Defreitas, the department is now back at a “full T.O.” of nine members, including the chief.

including increment, retroactive to July 1, 2014; 2.5% including increment, retroactive to July 1, 2015; and 3.5% including increment, effective July 1, 2016.

Salvatore Cartagna, head of the union, said those members – Ron Leir at the top of the salary guide will see their yearly pay rise, from $52,707 to $56,388, over KEARNY – the life of the contract.

Negotiations with unions The union agreed that, representing Kearny municipal and public school employ- effective July 1, 2016, “the traditional [insurance] plan ees on new labor contracts shall be eliminated” in favor of are proceeding slowly for the what Cartagna described as a most part with one break“PPO plan with co-pay.” And it through and one step backagreed to eliminate Lincoln’s ward.

The Kearny Board of Educa- Birthday as a holiday day and replace it with the Monday tion voted last month to sign after Easter. off on a memorandum of The union also won the agreement with the Kearny right to one day off for memSchool Employees Associabers to attend the NJEA tion, representing 62 custoconvention; creation of a new dial/maintenance workers, position, lead field person; which was previously ratified $150 tool stipend for mainteunanimously by the union nance and utility personnel, membership.

The 3-year pact gives KSEA $500 for tradesman license and $100 increase for Black Seal members wage hikes of 2.5% license, all effective July 1, 2015; and health care coverage to continue to family upon death of member for 30 days.

In a related development, the BOE voted Nov. 16 to appoint Kevin Dunwoodie as assistant head custodian at Kearny High School at a base pay of $55,856, plus $200 stipend for assistant head, $500 for boiler’s license and $3,680 longevity, effective Nov. 19;

and to appoint Randy Coccora to day shift custodian at the high school at a base salary of $52,707, plus $500 for shift differential, $500 for boiler’s license and $3,340 longevity, also effective Nov. 19.

Meanwhile, bargaining continues between the BOE and the unions representing teachers, department heads and administrators.

On the municipal side, contract talks with unions representing uniformed employees are thus far, inconclusive, while Kearny Council 11, Civil Service Association, which bargains for civilian workers, has filed for mediation.

Council 11 President William Pettigrew, a municipal public health investigator, said that a memorandum of agreement between the town and the union was “in place and already approved by the state [monitor assigned to Kearny] when at the 11th hour, the mayor decides he wanted another issue.

“If they wanted it so badly, they should have brought up in the beginning [of bargaining], instead of at the end,” he said.

Pettigrew declined to elaborate on that issue, except to say it involved “the giveback of days.”

Mayor Alberto Santos declined comment on the matter.

– Ron Leir

Christmas Toy Drive Bring your new, unwrapped toys to the Observer office located at:

39 Seeley Ave., Kearny, NJ Vehicle color is Dark Blue

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

09

Santa brings gifts to borough school EAST NEWARK –

E

ast Newark Public School was “adopted” Dec. 10 by a global firm whose management has made an annual tradition of playing Santa for nearly a decade.

Thirty employees of Robert Half International, an executive staffing search company with regional offices in Rutherford, Paramus, Saddle Brook, Jersey City and Parsippany, volunteered their time to bring some holiday cheer by giving out toys and munchies to all of the borough school children.

School Superintendent/ Principal Patrick Martin said the event came about after he had previously brought his son-in-law, Jeff Menzel, a regional vice president of Robert Half, to see the borough school, which serves pre-k to grade 8.

“He fell in love with our school and the kids and he wanted to do something special for them,” Martin said.

Menzel, who works out of the company’s Parsippany office, explained that Robert Half has sponsored toy drives for Newark school kids since 2006, typically for one school each year.

This time around, it was decided that East Newark would be the beneficiary of the company’s largesse, he said.

Menzel said the employees “took it on themselves to donate their own time and money” toward the effort.

Among the gifts bestowed were coloring books, crayons, Play-Doh creations and little bouncy balls for the little kids; and, for older students, there were bookbags, Rubik’s Cubes and crossword puzzles, kickballs, scarves, bracelets, mittens, nail polish, gloves and hats and even air freshener sprays.

Together with their colleagues, Rachel Brotman and Rainier Castrillo, staffing managers with the company’s accounting and finance unit, made like Santa’s elves in carrying their bags of goodies from the staging area in the school’s tiny cafeteria up the stairs to the classrooms.

“I enjoy it,” said Brotman.

Photos by Ron Leir

Kids unwrap holiday gifts donated by employees from Robert Half Intl.

“It’s a good time in the holiday season to visit the kids.

It’s great – they’re so sweet.”

For Castrillo, last week’s endeavor was an extension of his personal habit of “reaching out to kids.” During the year, he works with the Boys & Girls Club. But the day in East Newark was equally special. “Seeing the kids’ smile makes us all feel good. I wish it was all year round.”

And, judging from the happy expressions on children’s faces, the feeling was probably mutual.

– Ron Leir

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Sentencing for Kearny man put off again A NEWARK – Kearny man who admitted playing a role in a $13 million mortgage fraud scam will be home for the holidays, now that his

federal sentencing has been delayed a third time.

Matt Reilly, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, said last week that John Leadbeater, a former

Town Councilman and former vice president of the Board of Education, is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Jerome Simandle in Camden at 9:30 a.m. on Feb.

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as a “scam that used phony documents and ‘straw buyers’ [from New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Arkansas and California] to make illegal profits on overbuilt condos in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.”

The government said that Leadbeater “admitted causing mortgage lenders to fund $4,711,557 worth of mortgages [for nine properties] based on false and fraudulent loan applications and closing documents prepared by him and his conspirators.”

Leadbeater is represented

by Jersey City attorneys Thomas J. Cammarata and Jeffrey Garrigan.

– Ron Leir

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After initially going to trial to contest the charges against him, Leadbeater pleaded guilty March 9 to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was slated to be sentenced June 26.

That date was later changed to Sept. 14 and, after that, to Dec. 14, without explanation from federal prosecutors.

When the defendant entered his guilty plea, the feds said that Leadbeater faced a “maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office described the conspiracy, in which at least 13 other defendants were implicated,

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Belleville

Belleville Elks Lodge 1123, 254 Washington Ave., will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, Dec. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Donors must be at least age 17, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.

All donors should eat a light meal before donating blood, bring a signed form of ID and their social security number.

Donors odler than 75 must have a note from their doctor permitting them to give blood. For more information, call the Blood Services of New Jersey at 201-444-3900.

East Newark

West Hudson Brave Women Fighting Breast Cancer meets the last Friday of every month, 7 to 9 p.m., at the East Newark Senior Center, 37 President St. For more information, call Emma at 201-998-6828, Rosa at 201-246-7750, Fatima at 973-4854236 or email emidura2@yahoo. com.

Harrison

The Harrison Senior Center, 221 Harrison Ave., will host the following programs: • A holiday party for the Harrison Senior Citizens will be held on Dec. 23 at 11:30 a.m.

Guests will enjoy lunch with

holiday music.

• An Alzheimer’s Awareness seminar, led by Kristine Allen, president and co-founder of the ACT NOW Foundation, is set for Dec. 29 at 11:30 a.m.

• SHIP-Medicare Forum will be held on Jan. 14, 2016, at 7 p.m.

Kearny

Kearny Public Library, 318 Kearny Ave., will host a program on dinosaurs, open to grades K to 3, on Monday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m., sponsored by the Morris Museum. Admission is free.

For more information on library programs, call 201-9982666 or visit www.kearnyli-

brary.org.

Lyndhurst

Sacred Heart Home-School Association, 620 Valley Brook Ave., will host its annual Tricky Tray on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.

Tickets are $10 – no one under 18 will be admitted. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket includes one sheet for first-level prizes, coffee/tea and dessert. For tickets, call 201-939-4277 or Patty at 201-803-9580. Ticket deadline is Jan. 5. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority conducts the next First Sunday of the Month Nature Walk on

11

Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Mill Creek Marsh, Secaucus.

Meet at the entrance to Mill Creek Marsh Trail. Park in the Mill Creek Mall next to Bob’s Discount Furniture. For more information, call 201-230-4983 or email greatauk4@gmail.com.

North Arlington

North Arlington Elks Lodge 1992, 129 Ridge Road, will host a blood drive on Dec. 30 from 3 to 8 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church, 223 Ridge Road, hosts a Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.

The community is invited to meet the church’s pastor, the Rev. Glenn L. Boisclair.

Make sure you keep pets warm in winter Thus far, this Deember has been mild, but frigid temperatures are in the offing and the Bergen County SPCA is reminding area residents to protect their pets from dangerous, freezing weather conditions throughout the winter months.

The county SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Division will be responding to all calls concerning animals without proper shelter “as the highest priority.”

“With extreme cold temperatures, especially with frigid wind chills, most dog houses

or other outdoor animal shelters are not sufficient to keep pets warm,” noted Roni Wildoner, chief of the Bergen SPCA. “Pets require proper shelter, based on animal breed, size and physical condition.”

Leaving your pets outside without adequate shelter is against the law in New Jersey under the state’s Title IV animal cruelty laws. If proper shelter cannot be provided, owners must keep their pets indoors. Just like humans, pets are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite.

JV soccer champs

The Bergen County SPCA is also reminding residents of the following safety tips for their pets during extreme winter weather: • Ensure that your pet has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Pets can become dehydrated even in cold weather. Water must be kept unfrozen. Heated bowls are available commercially for this purpose.

• Cold and unheated garages, sheds or outbuildings may not provide adequate shelter for pets. An appropriate-sized pet shelter will help contain

the animal’s body heat. Dog houses should have flaps to cover the openings, soft, dry bedding to elevate the pet off the floor, and may need to be heated based on outside temperature.

• Outdoor and feral cats may look for warmth in wheel wells or under the hood of vehicles. Make sure to check your car before you get in and drive away.

“If you see a pet outside without proper shelter, please do not hesitate to call the Bergen SPCA,” Wildoner said. “Don’t assume

someone else will say something. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets.”

To report suspected animal cruelty or neglect, including pets without proper shelter in Bergen County, contact the Bergen SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Division at 201-5738900 or online at BergenSPCA.org. Complaints may be kept confidential.

If the animal is located outside of Bergen County, contact your local police and/or SPCA.

Holiday poster contest winners

Photo by Manny Ventoso Jr.

The Kearny High School JV girls’ soccer team recently won the Hudson County JV championship. Standing (from l.) are Corinne Granja and Gabryella Carvalho. On the ground (from l.) are Jane Amadeo, Sharon Castillo, Maria Valdivia, Chelsea Jumbo, Sandra DaSilva, Danielle Munro, Gabriela Bello, Alyssa Ventoso, Kaleigh Howard, Klaudia Kolodziej, Nicole Diogo, Zainab Jafri, Alyssa Hodnett, Ashley Martins, Kaela Salas, Samantha Moscoso and Vanessa Rodrigues.

Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus Council 3428, North Arlington, recently honored the winners of its annual Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest. Holding their winning posters, from l., are ages 5 to 7 winners Robert Kearns (2nd place) and Laureth Mancebo Pena (1st place); ages 8 to 10 winners Shelby McCann (1st place) and Angelina Brennen (2nd place); and ages 11 to 14 winners Maria Pizzuta (1st place) and Maximillian Rueda (2nd place). All awards were donated by Knights member Richard Donato, owner of Arlington Jewelers, in memory of his late relative, Bishop Thomas Donato.

12

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

. . . s y a d i l Happy Ho

...to all those who call Harrison “Home” Mayor James A. Fife & Town Council, Michael Dolaghan, James P. Doran, Ed.D., Jesus R. Huaranga, Caroline Mandaglio, Anselmo Millan, Francisco Nascimento, Victor Villalta, Laurence M. Bennett.

Volunteers - Santa, Harrison High School, “Sound Waves” Directed by Leo Dasilva, Harrison Fire Department, Harrison High School Art Club

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

QUAKER from

HCCC open house set for next month

01

online “likes” for their team.

The order of finish, from first to last, was as follows: Maxwell High School of Technology, Lawrenceville, Ga.; Satellite High School, Satellite, Fla.; Iredell Statesville School Automotive Tech Center, Troutville, N.C.; New Tier High School, Winnetka, Ill; and Kearny High.

Raw scores were not available, as of last week.

Although the 34 KHS students who participated won’t have a shot at advancing to the next level of competition in Texas, they do get to keep the vehicle they worked on – a 2002 Chevy Impala provided

by Quaker State – as a teaching tool for the auto shop class.

They also got a $1,500 AutoZone gift certificate and a $1,000 scholarship grant.

Kevin Pryblick, KHS business technology supervisor, said the Kearny kids were up against it from the get-go since their competitors attended schools with full-time vocational automotive programs.

For example, he said, “they had paint booths,” he noted.

“We didn’t. The judges liked shiny cars.”

Since restoring a vehicle’s “exterior finish” was one of the categories that the judges rated, KHS was at something of a disadvantage there, Pryblick said.

Automotive teacher Victor Ribeiro agreed that factor was an obstacle his students “struggled a little bit” to overcome. “We had to paint with a rubber coating,” he said.

Still, Ribeiro added, “our kids were able to work on reallife problems they experienced with the car. They diagnosed those problems and they made repairs. They learned how to work together to come up

13

Photos by Victor Ribeiro

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will hold a winter open house for the community from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28, at its Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St., Jersey City -- two blocks from the PATH Journal Square Transportation Center.

Learn about programs offered to the community, such as English as a Second Language and personal enrichment classes, the college’s youth programs and high school dual enrollment program. HCCC’s Weekend College and online learning make education accessible for

TOP: The 2002 Chevy Impala ‘test’ car that Kearny students worked on. BOTTOM: Automotive class students who participated in ‘Best in Class Challenge.’

with, and to execute, a plan.”

The Impala’s wheel bearings, cooling system and intake manifold all needed restoration work and, when AutoZone could not provide a needed part, the students had to adjust and come up with modifications to the initial plan, Ribeiro said.

As for attention to detail, “the students were fabulous,” Pryblick said. During time on task, “they were on target all day.”

No question about it, Ribeiro said. “Our kids worked real hard and some even came in on their days off to work on the car.” The team collectively put in about 150 hours on the project, he estimated.

“It was a great experience and we’d also like to thank the community for voting for us,” he added.

Pryblick and Ribeiro are hoping the school gets another

the non-traditional student.

Businesses can learn about services such as affordable customized employee training, which can develop their workforce.

Attendees can also enter a raffle for chances to win culinary classes, a free lunch for two at the Culinary Café, and a Time Management class for 10 employees.

Those interested in attending the open house are asked to register online at http:// tinyurl.com/p7dfbsm. For more information, contact the Non-Traditional Programs Division at 201-360-5325, or email ntpdivision@hccc.edu.

Don’t forget to follow The Observer on

crack at the competition next year. “Our program is growing every year,” said Ribeiro.

And maybe, as the high school addition project nears completion, the program can

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

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in the latest guidelines for pet CPR, KFD Chief Steve Dyl said.

“Veterinarians have been using the masks for years,” Dyl noted, but their use by fire departments is steadily increasing. He believes the first to take advantage of the technology was the Austin, Texas, FD. Kearny purchased the masks from an organization called Pets America, which has been in the forefront of promoting their use. (You can learn all about the devices -- as well as how to perform pet CPR sans masks -- at PetsAmerica.org. It also has a page on Facebook.)

And how did all this come about? We were told that the idea was first presented to the town by Barbara Goldberg, Kearny’s official photographer, who also takes photos for the community’s TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program, which is committed to curtailing, and caring for, the local feral cat population.

“I’m a pet lover,” Goldberg told us, “and I noticed an increase in fires in Harrison and Kearny, and around the state, where pet rescues were involved. I did some research, and last May, I spoke at a Council meeting, presenting the pet oxygen mask idea.”

Members of the governing body, especially Fire Committee chair Eileen Eckel, “were very receptive,” Goldberg said.

Then it was the KFD’s turn

last July. There was a report of a dog trapped in the Passaic River mud near the Belleville Pike. “Trapped” turned out to be an understatement. The riverbank mud apparently was like quicksand, and the poor thing was almost completely submerged.

Harris showed us some photos of the incident, with firefighters employing their swift-water rescue gear, and a snare borrowed from the KPD, to reach the helpless creature and carry it to safety.

It was unrecognizable, coated in mud and with mud clogging its mouth and snout.

Photos by Karen Zautyk The KFD did what it could LEFT: Serendipitous raccoon [see story for explanation] awaits application of KFD’s new oxygen mask. RIGHT: The three to help, and the survivor was masks acquired by the KFD. then turned over to the Huably stuffed, since they are have to do. to do some research. Capt. mane Society.

Where does the serendipJoseph Mastandrea completed easier to control -- to act as Those who reported the our model. We called several ity mentioned in the caption the assignment and recommud-covered animal thought it friends to see if anyone had come in? mended the Pets America was a dog. When it was pulled a fairly large toy cat or dog, While we were at KFD head- out, Harris said, “it still looked equipment. and zilch. Then Goldberg told quarters, Deputy Chief John The three masks already like a dog.”

Harris told us about a rescue purchased will be used for the us she had a stuffed raccoon, But a dog it was not. call the department received January training program, Dyl which we borrowed. It would It was a raccoon. said, adding, “After the training is completed, we will purchase a set for every apparatus -eight sets in total.”

That way, no matter what engine or truck responds to a fire, the pet life-saving equipment will be available.

“We are addressing a need,” Dyl said. “To the members of the Kearny Fire Department, all life is precious.”

Now, about that raccoon in the photo. When we knew we’d be doing a story on the masks, we realized we’d need some sort of animal -- prefer-

Washington honors Jon Zimmerman, principal of Washington School in Kearny, has announced that the following students have achieved academic honors for the first marking period: Grade 4 - Principal’s Honors: Elmer Cruz, Mayra EscobarAlvarez and Michal Wyka.

Honors: Adrian Aranda, Brigetta Cardenas, Bryan Cedeno, Alexa Cicchino, Brandon DaSilva, Jullye DeLima, Smanuel DeVargas, Owsin Guzhnay, Emily Jaramillo, Aiden Lopes, Brandon Maddatu-Wong, Joshua Montalvo, Giancarlo Monterrosa, Adriel Moreano, Gabriel Noya, Alexandria Olechowski, Thomas Revilla, Emilia Sikorski, Rayanne Skiker, Giovanni Suarez and Jamil YarlequeRamos.

Grade 5 - Principal’s Hon-

ors: Genesis Gomez and Julia Umana.

Honors: Melaney Castellanos, Daphne Cielo, Iris Cuazitl, Claudia Farfan, Leslie Flores, Dominique Gale, Shelsey Gonzalez, Litzy Gonzalez-Guevara, Jason Herrera, Denzel Lacombe, Juliana Marques, Valeria Martinez, Rebecca Monterrosa, Gissel Oliveira, Colin Silva, Silvana Torres-Ramirez, Jackelyn Tovar, Ronniel Valdez and Rafaela Villalta-Rivera.

Grade 6 - Principal’s Honors: Alexander Calle, Sofia Chouaib, Aileen Li, Jason Li, Grace Romanowski, Julia Sikorski and Maria Whala.

Honors: George Adrianzen, Gerson Diaz, Amanda Gonzalez, Michelle Oshiro, Jada Paige, Rebecca Pessoa and Omar Tlapaltotoli.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

15

sports&recreation SPORTS VIEW CONTACT JIM AT OGSMAR@AOL.COM

Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice?

Santa Hague knows Well, believe it or not, it’s that time of year, even if the thermometer says otherwise.

It’s time for the jingling of bells and the wishing of good cheer. It’s time for caroling and joyous celebrations. It’s time for Steve Harvey to totally butcher the Miss Universe contest, but that’s another thing altogether.

Yes, it’s once again Christmas time, boys and girls. It’s time to judge who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. It’s time for Santa Hague to reach into his giant bag and give presents to deserving local sports figures.

So without further ado, here’s the Santa Hague Gift Column for 2015. Ho, ho, hardy ho ho.

We will start geographically south and work our way with the sleigh northward.

For our friends in Harrison, let’s start with athletic director Kim Huaranga, the Best Friend of the Year award.

Your buddy had a real tough time this year and you were right next to her every step of the way – and remain that way. So congrats to you on being a great friend.

For baseball coach Jairo Mendez, a few righthanded pitchers who can pitch like Jairo Mendez.

For basketball coach Noel Colon, a few power forwards who play as hard as some guy named Noel Colon played.

For girls’ soccer coach Raphael Viana, a weather forecaster that will predict when some large sportswriter wants to come take pictures, because that means it’s going to rain that day – a lot. Never fails. It’s like it only rains in Harrison.

And while we’re giving gifts, let’s give Raph a good razor.

For girls’ basketball coach Al Ruiz, a book entitled “Whatever Goes Around, Comes Around,” and hands the book to the Queen of Peace coaching staff.

For boys’ soccer coach Mike Rusek, a few more goals come November so that the Blue Tide’s state tournament game doesn’t have to go to the silly penalty kicks.

For assistant coach Mickey Rusek, more grandkids to stroll around the parks with.

For retired AD and girls’ basketball coach Jack Rodgers, nothing.

The man needs nothing.

He lives the life of Riley every single day. We all wish we could have Rodg’s life. see VIEW page

17

Maroon Raiders turn up the heat as season tips off

Photoo by Jim Hague

The Nutley High School boys’ basketball team features a host of talented seniors who were eager to institute a new defensive philosophy. Kneeling, from l., are Devin Merritt, Geoffrey Bevere and Devin White. Back row, from l., are Julian Chiarieri, Billy Montgomery, Antonio Olivo and head coach Bob Harbison.

By Jim Hague Observer Sports Writer

V

eteran Nutley High School boys’ basketball head coach Bob Harbison knew that he had to make a dramatic change with his program.

“I’ve always tried to tinker around with things, trying to make them better,” said Harbison, who coaches both basketball and baseball at Nutley for the last decade. “I felt that the way we were playing, I was holding them back a bit. I was trying to get them to play basketball instead of taking advantage of our athleticism.”

So the first thing Harbison did was bring in Bill Mullins

as an assistant. Mullins had two different stints as being the head coach at Kearny and was also once the head girls’ basketball coach at Queen of Peace.

“Billy Mullins came in and he helped a lot with our defense,” Harbison said. “We decided that we’re going to press from the opening tip. We’re going to run and jump and trap. We decided to go with what they feel like defensively and what they can learn defensively.”

So the Maroon Raiders went from being a slow paced squad to one that plays with high energy on super high octane.

“Once you get these kids to use their athleticism, then everything else is gravy,” Har-

bison said. “Basketball is not a chess match. It’s a gut check.

If you hustle and play hard, good things should happen. I took the whole mental part of the game out and made it more physical.”

The Maroon Raiders’ new approach is still a work in progress.

“I told them that they shouldn’t be afraid to play that way,” Harbison said. “We’re still learning the defensive philosophy. But we’re all happy now because we’re 1-0.”

The Maroon Raiders won their season opener last Friday night, defeating Christ the King of Newark, 53-48, displaying a nice scoring balance in the see RAIDERS next page

16

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

RAIDERS from

15

process.

“It’s all good,” Harbison said.

“The seniors are really taking over the leadership role a little more than I thought they would. They’ve stepped it up a little and it’s nice to see.”

Senior Devin White is the team’s starting point guard.

The 5-foot-9 White, who was an offensive lineman on the successful Maroon Raider football team in the fall that went to the second round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Sec-

tion 2, Group III playoffs, is a returning starter.

“I have a lot of faith in him,” Harbison said of White, who scored eight points and dished off for six assists in the season opening win. “I had a little talk with Devin before the season.

I told him that I had to make sure he didn’t lose the basketball this season. He couldn’t turn it over. He had to give it to the guys on our team who can score. I really needed him and he’s come through.”

Another key returnee is 6-foot senior guard Geoffrey

Bevere, who scored 10 points in the win Friday.

“Geoff can definitely shoot it,” Harbison said. “He’s probably our most solid player.

He is doing a good job, both offensively and defensively.

He’s also become more of a vocal player, getting everyone involved.”

A third guard is freshman Marty Higgins. The 5-foot-10 Higgins earned a spot in the starting lineup after he drained five 3-pointers in a scrimmage against Montclair Kimberley Academy last week.

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“He can put points up,” Harbison said of Higgins. “He’s not afraid to go after it. I’m really relying on him to put the ball in the basket right away because I know he can.”

Higgins tallied 10 points in the win over Christ the King, which became a full member of the Super Essex Conference last year.

Sophomore Matt Schettino is another key contributor.

The 5-foot-11 Schettino had eight points Friday. Notice the incredible balance in scoring.

“Matt is an athletic kid who plays hard,” Harbison said. “He runs well, jumps well. He’s a slasher going to the basket. He can make the open jumper and has a nose for the rim.”

Senior Billy Montgomery is the team’s main inside threat.

At 6-foot-2, Montgomery was never a center before this season.

“But he was willing to give it a try because he’s grown and gotten a lot stronger,” Harbison said of Montgomery, who led the team with 11 points Friday night. “He understands the game very well.”

Montgomery comes from a good athletic family. His older sister Grace was The Observer Female Athlete of the Year two years ago. She currently throws the javelin for Rowan University’s track team.

Devin Merritt, a 5-foot-7 senior and another member of the state playoff football team, is perhaps the team’s top defensive player.

05

“He’s very athletic and runs the floor very well,” Harbison said.

Senior Antonio Olivo is a 6-foot-4 center off the bench.

“He’s our best off the ball defender,” Harbison said. “He anticipates a lot when we press and gets a lot of steals that way.”

Senior Giancarlo Padilla is another player who will see time up front. The 6-foot-1 Padilla rebounds well and plays solid defense.

“He’s another good athlete and another reason why we made the changes we did,” Harbison said.

Sophomore Elmer Zamora, a 6-foot-3 center, is another capable and big body down low.

The Maroon Raiders were set to face Caldwell in their second regular season game Tuesday, then will take part in the Charlie Dolan Christmas Tournament at Kearny High School after Christmas.

The Maroon Raiders will face Dickinson of Jersey City in the opening round of the Dolan Tourney that will feature both boys’ and girls’ teams.

Needless to say, it’s a good time to be around the Maroon Raider program.

“The kids are excited,” Harbison said. “They can’t wait to get out there and get going.

We’re playing hard and have a lot of guys contributing, which makes things fun. And it is fun.

Nutley basketball is having fun. Make a note of it later in the season.

ing west on Harrison Ave. near Bergen Ave. Police said driver George Gomez, 47, of Dec. 17 Elizabeth, produced Florida Shortly after midnight, registration, a N.J. license, near Walmart, Officer Jason which later was found to be Rodrigues stopped a 2014 both expired and suspended, Nissan which reportedly was and an expired insurance card. travelling eastbound on HarGomez was also found to have rison Ave. with its headlights a no-bail warrant from the off. Police said driver Franck Tape, 25, of Newark, produced Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, police said. vehicle registration and an He was processed at HQ insurance card but admitted he had no license. What he did on the warrant and MV ofhave, police said, was a $1,000 fenses, including driving while Newark Municipal Court war- suspended, careless driving rant. He was processed at HQ , and the headlight violation.

During booking, police said, issued summonses for the license and headlights offenses Gomez said he felt ill. Kearny EMS and paramedics were and later bailed himself out. summoned to evaluate him ••• and “deemed him to be fine,” At 2:30 a.m., Officer Daniel Esteves followed and stopped Dowie reported. Gomez was later taken to the Hudson a 2005 Acura with Florida County Jail, which does have a plates, and an inoperable medical staff. headlight, after he reportedly – Karen Zautyk observed the vehicle speed-

KPD from

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

15

he totally deserves.

For girls’ basketball coach For retired school official Jody Hill, air conditioning in Alan Doffont, good health the Kearny gym so her basand happiness. Boy, does he ketball camp in July isn’t held deserve that. in stifling conditions.

For retired principal Ron For boys’ basketball coach Shields, a chance to market Bob McDonnell, a newspaper the “Fountain of Youth” sethat cares about summer and rum he takes daily to look and fall league game scores. Not act young. Shields seriously to mention, some recognition looks like he’s 35 and would for doing a spectacular job in look younger if he didn’t not the easiest of situations. have white hair. The man is a For boys’ soccer coach Bill marvel.

Galka, a road map that will For Bobby Gerris, your lead Galka and his team out buddy may be gone for three of the state playoffs. years, but we never forgot For girls’ soccer coach Vin how wonderful of a friend Almeida, another stud goal you were to him. We could scorer like the one he had never begin to thank you with Amber Crispin. enough.

For football coach John That goes ditto for Kearny Kryzanowski, the last line of soccer legend Hugh O’Neill, the neighborhood eye docwho treated Jay Costello more tor’s eye chart and a hug for than “just a regular guy.” whoever it was that devised For Harrison softball coach the schedule that keeps him Carmine Ronga, an autofar away from the Hudson graphed bobble head doll County powerhouses. of CC Sabathia and a power For baseball coach Frank pitcher who throws strikes.

Bifulco, the book “How to And a broccoli rabe and sauClimb out of a Hole.” And sage sandwich from Biggie’s. more assistants like Doug For Harrison football Gogal. coach….wait, they don’t have For softball coach Jimmy one.

Pickel, a few wins in the state In Kearny, for athletic direc- tournament. tor John Millar, a spot in the For my friends in North NJSIAA Hall of Fame, which Arlington, for athletic direc-

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17

combines daredevil skating and hockey.

For retired AD Butch Servideo, a three-wood to complement his golf game.

For girls’ basketball coach John Cousins, a full-time job in the district and about 2,000 atta-boys for a job well done.

For boys’ basketball coach Tom McGuire, patience.

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

For my friends at Queen of Peace, for new girls’ basketPhoto courtesy Jim Hague ball coach Jiovanny Fontan, a handbook that teaches new Santa Hague or Bad Santa Hague (r.) was busy giving gifts to the local sports coaches when enough is administrators and coaches this Christmas. enough. Running up scores tor Dave Hutchinson, the the “Wheel of Fortune” game like 87-10 is not how one Athletic Director of the Year show and a thermal hoodie to makes friends and influences award from the NJIC. No one wear for the first two weeks people. does a better job with no staff of the season.

For football coach Jim Kelly, than Dave.

For football coach Anthony a complete recovery from last For boys’ basketball coach Marck, more kids to coach fall’s major health scare and Rich Corsetto, the autobiogra- against like his son, Zack. about 20 legitimate football phy of George Hamilton.

For my friends in Lyndplayers.

For boys’ soccer coach Jesse hurst, for athletic director Jeff For baseball coach Nick Dembowski, another goal Radigan, the speed dial from Edwards, a patented response scorer like Cristiano Neves.

Butch Servideo’s old phone. to give to people when they For girls’ soccer coach Dan For football coach Rich ask, “What the hell are you Farinola, the 2016 pocket Tuero, a few more players like doing?” reminder so he keeps up with Matt DeMarco.

For the powers-that-be at all the jobs he has and anFor girls’ soccer coach Kim QP, prove this guy wrong. Go other goal scorer like Joanna Hykey, the “I Survived the out and show the world that Seca.

First 100 Days of Marriage” you truly care about athletics For baseball coach Paul handbook.

Marcantuono, the chance to For boys’ soccer coach see VIEW page sell some of his vowels to Denis Jelcic, a new sport that

29

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Lyndhurst girls continue to improve

By Jim Hague Observer Sports Writer

W

hen John Cousins took over the girls’ basketball program at Lyndhurst High School three years ago, the program was already bereft of talent.

But Cousins was dedicated to the program and knew that the team could improve.

The Golden Bears went 6-17 last year – and that was bordering on miraculous. Cousins got his team

to actually win six games.

They were one of the most overachieving teams in the North Jersey Interscholastic League-Liberty Division.

Although the Golden Bears have started off the new season with losses to New Milford and St. Mary’s of Rutherford, Cousins remains optimistic that his team will be vastly improved this season.

“We learned a lot about our team together this weekend,” Cousins said. “We worked

through adversity and managed to survive.”

The team was without starting point guard Grace Cappiello against St. Mary’s.

Cappiello had a family engagement to attend.

“With Grace not there, it was tough, but we competed,” Cousins said. “They worked their tails off and got a little better. If they keep improving every game, then that’s a good sign.”

The Golden Bears have four starters returning from

BRADY, BRADY & REILLY Photo by Jim Hague

The Lyndhurst High School girls’ basketball team will look to seniors Joanne Arvanitakis (l.) and Cameron Halpern (r.), with head coach John Cousins (c.) to lead the way this season.

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last year’s team. The girls worked together all summer and fall to get ready for this season.

“We knew that we had a good group coming back and we relied upon them in the summer,” said Cousins, who entered his team in summer and fall leagues. “It was a huge boost for our team.

They all managed to play as a group during the summer and fall. It meant a lot.

It also meant that we’re not introducing a bunch of new things. The girls all know what’s expected of them and that has made things easier.

We’re not opening up the book at page one. We’re like at the third chapter already.”

Cousins said that he’s more comfortable as the head coach in his third year.

“The more you get to know people, the better the relationships are,” Cousins said. “Our relationships have developed over the last three years. It’s a very good thing.”

Cousins realizes that the Golden Bears will only go as far as the 5-foot-3 Cappiello takes them.

“Last year, she fractured her elbow in the first game of the season and was out for 10 weeks,” Cousins said. “She missed almost the entire season with the injury. She’s learning a lot on the job.”

Senior Joanne Arvanitakis

is a 5-foot-3 shooting guard.

“She plays hard defense all the time and she’s a good 3-point shooter,” Cousins said. “She’s one of our senior leaders. She’s also been through four years of success with the soccer team and coach (Kim) Hykey. I think Joanne can bring that success from soccer to basketball.

Her leadership is also big for us.”

Sophomore Mackenzie McMillan is the team’s other guard.

“She’s a tremendous athlete,” Cousins said of McMillan. “She brings toughness and athleticism to our team.

She’s unwilling to quit. She defends like crazy. She forces turnovers. She gets steals.

She just works so hard.”

Junior Kira Adams is a 6-foot power forward who could develop into a fine player for the Golden Bears.

“She’s trying,” Cousins said. “We have a lot more patience with her. She’s really helping us with rebounds and taking up space on defense. She definitely will help us. I can see her getting 10 points and 10 rebounds per game.”

Cameron Halpern is a 5-foot-9 swing player who will see time at both forward and guard. continued next page

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

“She’s a good athlete,” Cousins said of Halpern, who also played volleyball in the fall along with Adams. “We have a very athletic team.”

Halpern can also score.

She was the team’s leading scorer in each of the first two games, getting 16 points against New Milford and 13 versus St. Mary’s of Rutherford.

“She’s able to score from both inside and outside,” DOG PARK from

04

residence with Bentley, a male Basset Hound, and three kittens.

Another owner, Diane Tilley, said she’ll be visiting the park with her yellow Lab, Coby. Trained as a “therapy dog,” Coby and Diane travel to Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville every Thursday to visit with patients in the mental health and cancer units, as time permits.

Mayor Santos credited Don Gavin, a park supervisor with the town’s Department of Public Works, with having visited “14 or 15” dog parks in the region to offer tips on designing Kearny’s operation.

While having been a supporter of the new enterprise, the mayor admits to being a bit skittish around man’s best friends. When he was only age 2, he said, he was bitten close to his left eye by his own dog, Mero, a German Shepherd.

“I guess you could say I’m careful around dogs,” he said.

But the dogs – all on owners’ leashes – attending last week’s ceremony all seemed friendly enough and allowed themselves to be petted by Santos and other bipeds.

Cousins said. “She’s capable of scoring from all over and she’s a big threat with the dribble/drive.”

Alyssa Mezzina is a 5-foot7 junior who can play both forward positions.

“She’s a very smart player and has a great basketball IQ ,” Cousins said. “She knows how to position herself well.”

Junior Uxia Parrada (first name is pronounced YOU-

CHEE-A) is a 5-foot-8 forward with a nice shooting touch.

Freshman Angela Downey is a 5-foot-6 guard who feels more comfortable with the ball in her hands.

“She has a very bright future,” Cousins said of Downey. “She has a good nose for the ball and goes after the ball.”

However, Downey is still recovering after undergoing

surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament last year as an eighth grader.

The Golden Bears were scheduled to face Secaucus on Tuesday and will then play in the Bill Ferguson North Arlington Holiday Tournament next week.

Cousins is keeping that optimistic approach.

“We’re totally going to improve this season,” Cousins said. “As the season goes on,

19

we’ll get better and better.

We’ll start to develop more in January and February. The early season stuff has been tough, but once we get into January and February, we’re going to be okay. I know that they’ll come around a bit.”

The Golden Bears are already showing signs of improvement, thanks to the tireless coaching of Cousins.

So there has to be hope for the future.

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To place a CHOOSE FROM OVER 1,000 VEHICLES IN-STOCK classified ad, NEW JERSEY’S LARGEST VOLUME CHEVROLET DEALER please call Over 85 Years...Same Family, Now 3 Locations!

201.

991.

1600

CHEVROLET AUTO GROUP CLIFTON

973.472.5500

LITTLE FALLS 973.256.1065

DENVILLE 973.627.0900

SchumacherChevy.com

*Disclaimer: Lease example is based on well qualified customer with all applicable rebates applied. Must have a current non-GM lease in household to qualify for advertised program. Lessee pays for maintenance, repair and excess wear with mileage charge of .25/mi over 20k/miles. NJ state taxes and DMV fees are additional and all offers are based on GM continued support of the program and may expire on 1/4/16. See dealer for complete details. Not responsible for typographical errors.

Auto Repair & On-Premise Body Shop with 24 Hour Towing Service

20

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

WELCOME HOME with Karen DeRose

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Broker Sales Associate

New Year...

Call me today if you’re looking for a new beginning for a Complimentary Market Analysis” Analysis “Complimentary of your property.

Contact Karen DeRose, a Coldwell Banker Real Estate Professional, and I will show you how much your property is worth in today’s marketplace.

789 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013 Office: (973)778-4500 Cell: (973)580-6445 Email: karen.derose@cbmoves.com

Web: www.KarenDeRose.com

THINK YOU CAN’T REFINANCE BECAUSE VALUES ARE DOWN? THINK AGAIN!!!

STARTING MARCH 2012, HARP 2.0, a new program presented by the Federal Government, allows homeowners to refinance regardless of the equity they currently have in their house (even if you are upside down!)

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have adopted changes to Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and you may be eligible to take advantage of these changes.

If your mortgage is either owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you may be eligible to refinance your mortgage under the enhanced and expanded provisions of HARP. You can determine if your mortgage is owned by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac by checking the following websites: For Fannie Mae: www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup For Freddie Mac: www.freddiemac.com/mymortgage ROB PEZZOLLA • NMLS# 266181

ROB@KEYPOINTMORTGAGE.COM

NORTH ARLINGTON • NJ 07031

201-998-9050 • Fax 201.820.0505

Real Estate

DIRECTORY

© 2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT LLC.

To advertise in this directory CALL 201-991-1600

761 Ridge Rd. Lyndhurst, NJ 201-460-8000

Semiao & Associates

213 Kearny Ave, Kearny, NJ 201-991-1300

Rejoice Sirlene Oliveira Realtor/Associate 201-600-3587 www.sirlenesellshomes. com

310 Main St., Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-592-1400 Language spoken: English, Portuguese & Spanish

Want to sell your home FAST? Contact your local real estate specialist!

The Bixler Group

LLC

The Bixler Group

Real Estate & Insurance Since 1891 758 Kearny Ave., Kearny 201.991.0032 BixlerEST1891.com

Keypoint Mortgage

North Arlington, NJ 201-998-9050 Rob@keypointmortgage.com

Arlington Real Estate

Seasons Greetings From the Entire Staff

James J. Capobianco, President

Owned & Operated by the Capobianco family since 1924

201.991.0905

24 Davis Ave Kearny, NJ

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

WE WISH YOU A

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Schuyler Auto 485 Schuyler Ave. Kearny (201) 998-5500

Happy Holidays from Vinnie’s All Star Bar & Grill 215 Manor Ave. Harrison (973) 481-7513

Merry Christmas from Arlington Real Estate (201) 991-0905

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Pic-Nic 224 Grant Ave. E. Newark (973) 481-3646

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Verona Electric 267 Ridge Rd. Lyndhurst (201) 939-4333

Merry Christmas from Mama Angelo’s 440 Ridge Rd. North Arlington (201) 997-0577

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from CRA Towing & Recovery (800) 346-0496

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Pink Vision Associates 348 Ridge Rd. Lyndhurst (201) 438-8668

Happy Holidays from Cali Carting Inc. “The Man with the Can” (201) 991-5400

21

22

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

WE WISH YOU A

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Happy Holidays from Nino’s Pizzeria 442 Bergen St. Harrison (973) 484-5770

From our Family to Yours: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Merry Christmas! from Happy New Year!

Ken Davie Esq. From all of us at 334 Harrison Ave. FRANK’S GMC Harrison Lyndhurst (973) 482-1180 (201) 939-7708

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! from Keypoint Mortgage North Arlington 1-800-479-3262

Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Holiday Season Smile Design Specialists 312 Belleville Tpk. North Arlington 1-844-Doctor-E

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the crew at Kearny Collision 530 Kearny Ave., Kearny (201) 955-0606

Merry Christmas from Charlie’s Nursery & Garden Center 275 River Rd. North Arlington (201) 998-8206

Happy Holiday from Premier Care Group 450 Bergen Ave. Harrison (973) 484-6900

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

WE WISH YOU A

MERRY CHRISTMAS Merry Christmas Merry Christmas, Dad! & Happy New Year from Love you to the moon Firepit BBQ and back.

North Arlington (201) 955-3473 Love Always, Kearny Kimmie (201) 997-3473

Merry Christmas Happy Holidays from from Sub Station Brady, Brady & Reilly 114 F.E. Rodgers Blvd.

322 Kearny Ave. Kearny Kearny (973) 482-SUBS (201) 997-0030

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from The Bixler Group 758 Kearny Ave. Kearny (201) 991-0032

Happy Holidays from the Commissioners & Staff at the Harrison Housing Authority

Happy Holidays from Mid-Realty Inc. 572 Kearny Ave. Kearny (201) 991-5719

Happy Holidays from J. Supor & Sons Trucking & Rigging 433 Bergen Ave. Kearny (201) 299-1100

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Sadowski Auto Care 586 Ridge Rd. North Arlington (201) 998-8424

23

24

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

WE WISH YOU A

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Happy Holidays from John Claude Catering 20 Ridge Rd. North Arlington (201) 998-0039

Happy Holidays from Century 21 Semiao & Associates 213 Kearny Ave. Kearny (201) 991-1300

Happy Holidays from Neglia Associates 34 Park Ave. Lyndhurst (201) 939-8805

Happy Holidays from John DeGrace Plumbing & Heating 267 River Rd. North Arlington (201) 997-8565

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from

Happy Holidays from Effective Alarm (201) 998-0890 www.effectivealarms.com 582-584 Ridge Rd. North Arlington (201) 998-7383

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all the readers of The Observer Abbott Insurance Agency (201) 933-3333

Happy Holidays from Lusitania Bank 302 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd.

Harrison (973) 344-5125

Merry Christmas & Prosperous New Year from Firepit Quality Meats 617 Ridge Rd. North Arlington (201) 991-6379 “Homemade Smoke Sausages” Top Quality Meats

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 23, 2014 2015

WE WISH YOU A

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Tero’s Restaurant We are OPEN on Christmas & New Year’s Day! 222-224 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst (201) 935-8818

Merry Christmas from Jag Paving (201) 991-4165 (201) 401-4525 www.jagpaving.com

Happy Holidays from Brother’s Bakery 365 Kearny Ave. Kearny (201) 991-4364

Happy Holidays from Rosa Agency 551-553 Kearny Ave. Kearny (201) 997-7860

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Carcamo Dental Thank you for taking care of your smile!

134 Ridge Rd. Lyndhurst (201) 933-1700

Happy Holidays from La Fiamma 440 Harrison Ave. Harrison (973) 483-5455

Merry Christmas from Thiele-Reid Funeral Home 585 Belgrove Dr. Kearny (201) 991-3344

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Councilman Larry Bennett

25 15

26

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2014

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

WE WISH YOU A

MERRY CHRISTMAS Merry Christmas from Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Wilfred Armitage from from & Wiggins Tops Diner Crown Bank Funeral Home 500 Passaic Ave. 1-888-499-BANK 596 Belgrove Dr. Harrison www.CrownBankOnline.com Kearny (973) 481-0490 (201) 991-0657

Merry Christmas from I Love Perfume 125H Kearny Ave. Kearny (201) 246-0923

Happy Holidays from Hinchy’s Bar & Grill 715 Harrison Ave. Harrison (973) 485-2023

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Centanni Ristorante 11-35 River Rd., North Arlington (201) 246-0100

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Mulligan Funeral Home 331 Cleveland Ave. Harrison (973) 481-4333

Happy Holidays from Schuyler Cab (888) 683-9099

15

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Archie Barber Archie Barber, of Toms River and formerly of Kearny, died on Dec.15. He was 75.

Private arrangements were through the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.

Archie served in the U.S. Navy after high school and then went on to a career in insurance in N.Y.C. Husband of Janet (nee Gray), he is also survived by his daughter and her husband Cindy and David Anderson, their son Riley and his sister and brother-in-law Merle and Gary Nelson.

obituaries

(nee Parker), of Harrison, beloved wife of the late Joseph, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, Dec. 15. She was 78.

Funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church, Harrison. Her interment took place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

For information or to send condolences to her family, please visit www.mulliganfh. com.

Born in Jersey City, Margaret lived in East Newark and Harrison for most of her life.

She was a parishioner of Holy Cross Church. She was a crossing guard for the Town Martha J. Gonzalez of Harrison for many years.

Martha J. Gonzalez of She was the loving sister Kearny died Dec.15 in Sloan of Mary Parker, Bernard Kettering Hospital. She was Parker and his wife Patricia 61. and Richard Parker. She is Arrangements are by the also survived by many nieces, Armitage Wiggins Funeral nephews, great-nieces and Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, great-nephews.

Kearny. A funeral will be held She was predeceased by on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m. her sister Veronica Marrazzo at the funeral home. and brothers Robert and Mrs. Gonzalez was a senior Joseph.

Environmental Service ProIn lieu of flowers, the famvider for Rutgers University ily would appreciate donain Newark. tions to the American Heart She is survived by her hus- Association, 1 Union St., Suite band Mario Jorge Robles, her 301, Robbinsville, N.J. 08691 mother Ricardina (Lindo), in loving memory of Margaher children Giovanna and ret.

Mario Jorge, one sister, three brothers and a granddaughGeorge M. Murray ter.

George M. Murray died at Margaret ‘Margie’ Konior home on Dec.17. He was 81.

Margaret “Margie” Konior Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.,

he lived in North Arlington before moving to Kearny 42 years ago.

Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was held at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, followed by entombment in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

George served in the Army from 1953 until 1955. He was a sheet metal worker for Local 25.

He is survived by his wife Grace (nee Reitemeyer), his children Ellen, Amy, James, Mary Kate and Meghan Murray. Brother of Madelyne Hoff and the late Robert and Francis Murray, he is also survived by his grandchildren Charlotte, Emma and Jordon.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Wounded Warrior Project.

fax: 201-991-8941

obituaries@theobserver.com

Holy Cross Church, Harrison, at 10:30 a.m. Friends may call on Tuesday starting at 9 a.m. Her interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, Kathleen lived in Harrison for most of her life before moving to Colonia several years ago. She was a homemaker most of her life and a parishioner of Holy Cross Church, Harrison.

Wife of the late Edgar Samuel Wetmore (1978), she is survived by her loving sons, Edward (Carol) of Colonia and Joseph (Tanga) of Killeen, Texas, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

For information, directions, or to send condolences to her family, please visit www.mulliganfh.com.

Kathleen Wetmore Kathleen Wetmore (nee McCorry), of Colonia, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 17. She was 94.

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 9:45 a.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at

Monday by 10AM

Monday by 10 AM

To submit an obituary:

Deadline for obituary submissions

Deadline for obituaries:

27

Shaw-Buyus Home for Services

Mario Teixeira, IV, Manager, NJ Lic. #3757

Mario Teixeira, Jr. Director, NJ Lic. #2542 • Monique Teixeira, Director, NJ Lic. #4048 Newly renovated family owned and operated funeral home with multiple locations.

Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Handicapped Accessible.

138 DAVIS AVE. • KEARNY, NJ 07032

(201) 991-2265 www.buyusfuneralhome.com

Christmas has a different

meaning to everyone,

and that meaning can change from year to year, depending on what fate

WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS FUNERAL HOME

has brought your way. For some, it has been a year of prosperity... for others, it has been a year of loss. Fortunately, time has a way of healing, and letting us go forward—to celebrate again.

Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916 You will feel as if friends of family have taken over when you entrust funeral arrangements to the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home. The family-owned firm has been in business for 100 years, serving generations in West Hudson and South Bergen. Its beautiful facilities, in a setting reminiscent of a colonial mansion, reflect the graciousness and tact of its understanding personnel.

Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home

596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657

www.thiele-reid.com

585 Belgrove Drive | Kearny, New Jersey 07032

(201) 991-3344 | (201) 991-1031 Steven R. Thiele, NJ Lic. No. 4077, Owner/Manager Philip H. Thiele, NJ Lic. No. 2383, Director

©adfinity

Whatever the year has brought your way, we want you to know our family’s thoughts are with you.

28 24

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2015 SEPTEMBER23, 2, 2015

www.theobserver.com

The Observer is not responsible for typographical errors. Credit for errors will not be granted after the next week’s publication. No changes or refunds.

Deadlinefor forclassifieds classifiedsisisMonday Mondaybyby3:00 3 PM. Deadline PM.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

BLOOMFIELD

HARRISON

BLOOMFIELD 1st fl.

2 BR, LR, DR, $1,250/ month + utilities. 1 1/2 month security. NO PETS. Avl. now (201) 563-8726

HARRISON 3 Br’s, 1 bath. Parking & Laundry Facilities. No pets. 1 month security Avl. Now. More Info. (973) 5806730.

BELLEVILLE BELLEVILLE Studio apt.

Good Area. $825/month.

(973) 759-6962 or (973) 271-7259.

HARRISON 1st flr. Apt, 3 BR, LR, Kitchen & Bath. $1,350, 1 ½ months security. Available Jan. 1. Apartment is in good condition. Call (973) 704-4246 or (201) 889-8749.

BELLEVILLE 2 BR, HT/HW included. Newly Renovated. Please call HARRISON 2 bedrooms, (973) 687-8359.

LR, kitchen. Separate utilities. 1-1/2 months BELLEVILLE Newly security. No pets. AvailaRenovated. 3rd fl. 1 BR ble Now. (973) 380-9007 + 1 garage. No pets. No smoking. $825/month + HARRISON New High utilitites.

Quality, 2 BR & 3 BR. (973) 751-9225.

Utilities separate. Near Asian Supermarket & BELLEVILLE 2 BR, Large High School. Avl. Jan. 1st.

Modern EIK & Bathroom, (973) 268- 7878. $1,650/month. All utilities included. 1 mo. rent HARRISON 1 BR LR, + 1 1/2 months secu- kitchen, 1 bathroom. rity. (973) 699-4436 after No smoking. No pets Utilities included $1150/ 3pm. month 1-½ month BELLEVILLE Studio Apt. security (973) 268-9572 HT/HW, 1 parking space included and laundry fa- HARRISON Modern Stucilitites on site. No pets. dio apt. 2nd Fl. Private 1 1/2 security. $825/ Entrance. Refrigerator.

No pets. $775/month. month. Call Joanne at Utilities not included.

(973) 699 -3146 or Security & lease.

Tricia (973) 420-1235 862-223-9974.

CLASSIFIEDS APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

HARRISON Studio Apt. Private Entrance.

Kitchen & Bath. $825/ month. Utilities included.

No Smoking. No pets.

1.5 months security. Avl. Now. Call Isabel (973) 704-5532 Btw 4pm7pm.

KEARNY Arlington Section 2 fl. Apt. in 2 family home, 3 BR, C/A, $1,675/month.

1.5 months security. Avl. Jan. 1st. (201) 925-3227.

KEARNY 2 BR, Bathroom, Kitchen, LR. 1 1/2 months security. Avl. Jan. 1st. (201) 997-0706

HARRISON 2nd fl. 3 BR, $1,300/month + utilities. 1 month security.

No pets. (917) 886-7399.

KEARNY KEARNY 1 BR. Apt. Bldg. Arlington Sect.

Newly Renovated.

Laundry on Premises.

HT/HW included. Near Transportation.

No pets. $850/mo.+ sec.

(201) 998-4972 KEARNY 3rd fl. 5 rooms, 2 BR, LR, DR, Kitchen, Bath, $950/month.

Credit check required.

(201) 463 2180.

KEARNY 2 BR, 2nd fl. 2 family house. No pets.

1 1/2 months security. $1400/month HT/HW included. Avl. Now. (201) 994-5056.

KEARNY Newly renovated furnished 1 bedroom apt. Arlington Section. 1 month Security. No pets. $825/month + utilities.

Available now. (201) 9550996 (201) 889-8536

KEARNY 2nd fl. 3 BR, LR, DR. Pets OK $1,500/ month. (201) 927-1134.

KEARNY Arlington Section, 2nd floor, 1 bedroom apt. $1,000/ month. HT/HW included.

Owner occupied. No smoking. No pets. 1-1/2 months security. Available Jan. 1st. After 10am (201) 998-0297 or (201) 424-1846.

KEARNY Decent 2 BR. Convenient transportation. Close to elementary schools. $1500/month. 917-8823622

KEARNY 3 BR, Pay own utilities. $1,150/month.

Railroad style apt. Near Transportation. No pets.

1 1/2 months security.

(973) 393-4703.

KEARNY 2 BR, LR, DR, 1 Full Bath & Kitchen. $1,300/month. 1 1/2 months security. No pets. crtedit check.

(201) 855-2761.

POLICIES

POLICY There are NO REFUNDS or CREDITS with CLASSIFIED ADS • PLEASENOTE • There will be a $10.00 PROCESSING FEE if changes need to be made for running specials Deadlines are Mondays by 3PM

KEARNY 5 rooms, HT incuded. $1,350/ month. 1 1/2 months security. no pets.

(201) 207-0952 KEARNY Studio, 3 rooms, $700/month + security. Pay own utilities. No kitchen. No pets.

No Smoking. Avl. Jan. 1st.

(201) 606-1813.

KEARNY Newly Renovated 2 bedrooms, 2nd floor, $1250/month + Utilities. 1 1/2 month security. No Pets.

(201) 314-3814.

KEARNY 145 Maple Street, 1st floor of 3 Family house. LR, DR, 2 BR, EIK, new bathroom, hardwood floor, in house laundry, driveway parking, HT/HW included. Available Jan. 1st. $1,500/month, plus utilities, No Smoking & No pets. Must have good credit. Call (973) 4190808 between 9AM-5PM. KEARNY Two units 1st Floor apartments (1R and 1L) of a 4 family home.

Totally newly renovated.

All new – LR, 2 BR, Kitchen, Bath. hardwood floor.

Very safe, central & convenient location. 1 block from transportation.

No pets. No smoking. $ 1,250 a month. Heat included. Call 201-2755435 or 848-228-1855 between 8 AM to 8 PM.

KEARNY Studio & 1 BR apt. HT/HW included. Elevated building. Laundry facility on premises. From $825/month,. Call Sofia after 3pm 201-998-3516 or see super after 3pm KEARNY Newly Remod654 Elm St. Apt eled. 6 room apt. 2 full Basement 1. baths, garage & driveway.

W/D hook-up. No smokKEARNY 3 Clean rooms. ing. Storage/recreation HT/HW included. From space. (201) 968-6344. $925/month. See super 6 woodland Ave. Apt. 1, or call after 5pm (917) 858- 8246 for LYNDHURST appointment.

KEARNY Newly renovated, hardwood floors.

Laundry onsite. HT/HW included. 2 BR start at $1,000. 1 BR start at $825. Jr. 1 BR start at $900. (201) 289-7096

KEARNY 2nd fl. 1 BR apt.

Close to NYC transportation. Large rooms, W/D hook-up, 1 month security. No pets. $1,200/ month + utilities. Avl. Jan 1st. Please call (862) 9550074 btw 3-6PM.

NEWARK KEARNY 2 BR, LR, DR, Hardwood Floors. Separate utilities. $1,300/ month. No pets. No smoking. 1 1/2 months security, Avl. Now. (201) 673-0109

NEWARK Forest Hill Section. Near Belleville – Beautiful Large 1 BR apt., Sun. Porch. Close to NY Transportation. No pets.

(732) 244-9705 or (973) 481-5059.

To place an ad call: 201-991-1600 classified@theobserver.com

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

ROOM FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

NEWARK

BELLEVILLE $460/ mth plus 1/2 mth security. Fully furnished. Male preferred. Call after 5pm (973) 450-9457 Must have spanish translator.

KEARNY Prime location on Ridge rd., 2,500sq. ft.

Can be used. Retail/office/medical space. On Ground floor. Off street parking call for detail (201) 538-1319 or (201) 997-2341

165 Sanford Ave. Newly renovated, 1 BR $875/mo. Vailsburg/ Near Seton Hall. HT/HW included. Brick Historic Bldg. H/W Floors.

Refrigerator, Ceiling Fans. 1 month security. Section 8 ok. No fees. No pets.

973-216-9470.

HARRISON 1 attic room for rent. $450/month, everything included cable & internet. (973) 5253860.

E.NEWARK

BELLEVILLE 3rd fl.

Utilities included. Shared Bathroom. Require 1 E.NEWARK TOTALLY month Security. No RENOVATED 2 BR, LR, Smoking. Call Maria KITCHEN, HT INCLUDED. (973) 759-7077. $1,050/MONTH. 3RD FL. AVL. JAN. 1ST. (201) 988-7536.

HOUSE

FOR SALE N. NEWARK

N.ARLINGTON $248,000 2 Family, 1 BR each floor. 1 car garage.

Full basement. Separate Utilities. Call owner (973) 284-1056.

N.NEWARK Government Section Eight preffered. 1 BR, Completely renovated. 1st fl. New tile, bath & kitchen new H/W floors.

Private entrance. Call KEARNY Small 1 (973) 202-8580.

Family home. Completely renovated, kitchen, LR, 2 N. ARLINGTON bedrooms, finished basement. $1500/month, 1-1/2 months security + N.ARLINGTON 2nd fl. utilities. Available. (732) 4 room apt. quiet neigh364-0702 borhood, near transportation. $1,150/month + utilities. Years lease. 1.5 FURNISHED ROOM months security.

FOR RENT (973) 838-1662

N.ARLINGTON BRAND NEW 2 BR APT. LR, DR, KITCHEN, PARKING FOR 1 CAR, C/A,. $1,300/ MONTH + UTILITES. AVL. JANURAY 1ST CALL CARLOS (201) 988-7536.

N.ARLINGTON 2 BR, DR, LR, Large EIK. $1,250/ month + utilities. 1 1/2 months security. Avl. Jan 1st. (973) 493-0892.

KEARNY Furnished sleeping room for single person. Smokefree, Drug-free. Close to transportation. 304 Chestnut street. Security required. 201-207-8029.

CONDO FOR RENT KEARNY 1 Bedroom condo. $1,000/month + utilities. 529 Kearny Ave. Call Sophia for apt.

(201) 998-3516

STORE FOR RENT

N.ARLINGTON 1st. fl.

Small Cozy 2 BR apt., $1,300/month + utilities + security. Avl. Now. BLOOMFIELD (862) 684-0526 Established deli/grocery store 850sq.ft. 8 door walk in freezer. $1,300/ N.ARLINGTON Modern month + 1 1/2 months 5 room apt. 2nd fl. H/W security. Call floors. Utilities sepa- (201) 998-2101 rate. $1350/month. 1 ½ months security. Avl. Jan 1st. No pets.

(551) 580-1491

N.ARLINGTON Newly renovated. 1 bedroom apt. $980/month + utilities. 1 month security.

201-772-7609 or 917-721-3381.

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

ITEMS FOR SALE Kenmore 2 Door, freezer on bottom refrigerator & Gas Stove.

(201) 991-0310.

Dinning table and 4 chairs, Oak Murphy Bed, 2 end tables, Oval Marble table. Brass Lamps, Chandelier, Curio Cabinet, Lane Wicker set and cushions, Air Conditioner.

(201) 998-1030.

PERSONALS Lonely man looking for someone to go out with.

55 years old. Age range 50-60 yrs. Call (201) 6065622 If your lonely too.

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED DRIVER PT drivers needed to deliver meals-on-wheels to town residents and to provide transportation to doctor’s and hospitals for appts.

Hrs vary between 9am–4pm, Mon – Fri approx 19.5 hrs wk. Valid NJ DL req.. $12-$18 hr.

For details, residency and applic, go to www. kearnynj.org. Applic deadline 1/4/16 Town of Kearny EOE/ADA

LABORER PT position in Municipal Library, valid NJ DL req. 24 hrs wk $12. - $18 hr. For details and applic, go to www. kearnynj.org. App deadline 1/4/16.

Town of Kearny EOE/ADA EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

Part Time Secretary 25/hrs. Monday-Friday Computer literate, QuickBooks Knowledge.

Bilingual a Plus, Sales@effectivealarms.com

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

ENTRY-LEVEL MANAGEMENT POSITION (NEWARK, NEW JERSEY)

Cambridge Security Services is seeking candidates for an entry-level management position for our 24-hour National Command Center.

The ideal applicant will have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Candidates for this position must be well organized and capable of working in a fast paced environment. Candidates must have an untarnished criminal record as well as a high school diploma. Starting Salary: Between $27,000 and $31,000. Please forward all resumes to: csaona@cambridgesecurityservices.com

$$ NOW HIRING! $$ Property Inspectors FT/PT in your area.

Free training provided. msangelabove@ comcast.net.

(732)766-4425

Help Wanted for Busy Deli Part Time or Full Time Days - Evenings Weekends Apply in person D&F Deli 396 Davis Ave. Kearny.

Office Help Bilingual a must Monday to Saturdays Fax Resume to 201-955-1148 Drivers: NE Regional Run. $.44cpm. Monthly Bonus. Home Weekly.

Complete Benefit Package. Rider Program Immediately.

100% No-Touch. 70% D&H. 888-406-9046 Currently hiring Compounding Pharmacy Sales or prior Pharmaceautical Sales Experience with a Network of Doctors.

Highly Competitive Commission. Please email your reume to PharmaceuticalReps@ lmfmarketing.com to set up an interview.

Driver Wanted to bring customers to DMV. Mornings & Afternoons.

PT Shampoo Assistant wanted for busy Lyndhurst salon.

Liscence required.

(201) 933-5233.

PT SERVER W/EXPERIENCE Call Robert (201) 246-0100 for more information.

CLEANING SERVICES Couple from Poland will clean houses, apartments, offices.

References.

(201) 997-4932 Leave message.

Annes Cleaning Service Homes, offices, Move in-out cleaning.

Gift Certificates Avail.

Excellent references 973-667-6739 862-210-0681

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES DO IT ALL Interior/ Exterior new & repairs.

All types of carpentry.

Reasonable rates, quality work, reliable, experienced.

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• Roofing • Chimneys • Basement • Gutter • Masonry • Chimney & Roof Leak • Work Exterior and Interior

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Lic # 13VH06939900

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(201) 246-8000

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Help wanted for All restaurant work in North Arlington. Hours are flexible. Contact 917-816-2419 for more info.

25 years experience Twin Electric Quality Work.

Good affordable prices.

Senior discounts.

Fully Insured. Bonded.

Lic.#16158 (973) 715-4150 (201) 562-5985

CLASSIFIEDS HANDYMAN SERVICES

LANDSCAPING & DESIGN

Fernando Ferrer European Experience Ceramic Work, Carpentry, Painting (201) 428-4477

A1 Affordable Landscaping Weekly maintenance • Bush Trimming • Clean-Ups • Design For free estimates call 201-998-1262

HOME IMPROVEMENT Malone Construction

• Doors • Windows • Kitchen • Bath •Trim •TIle • Flooring & More Lic#13VH08309900

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All Around House Repairs Inside & Out • Brick Steps • Sidewalks • Wood Steps • Replacing windows • Doors • Painting & Addition Call: 201-280-0600 FENIELLO CONTRACTING LLC.

BASEMENT RENOVATIONS NO MORE WASTED SPACE. Baths, Kitchens, Deck, Painting.

All types of Home Improvement. Quality work Fair prices Fully insured.

Lic# 13vh03006100

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G & R Builders

Roofing, Siding, Windows/Doors, Decks, Painting, Tiles & Masonry, Sheet Rock. All types of Carpentry. Lic. #13VH02536200 Free Estimates 20% Senior Citizen Discounts

MARIO ESPOSITO LANDSCAPING LLC Spring Clean-Up Lawn maintenance Top Soil • Mulch • Snow Removal Free Estimates 201-438-3991

ROOFING & SIDING

New + Re-roofing • Flat roofing Window installation • Siding • Gutters Cleaned Free estimates Fully insured (973) 343-1167 Lic#13VH04302300

PAINTING & DECORATING

Cash Paid (201) 920-8875 SERVICES OFFERED

(201) 991-1024 or Leave Message.

Kevin’s Home Improvements Painting, Plastering, Sheet rocking, Wall papering & Much More. Veryneat & Clean.

No money down.

Fully insured Senior Discounts.

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On the spot junk removal

Homes, Basement, yards, garages. Also demolition decks.

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Get the best service with the best price.

You need it out Give us a shout.

201-565-6393.

Errands, Task, Chores, Multi-Talented, energetic, reliable woman desires to lend a hand.

Cleaning, driving, organizing, typing, paperwork, etc.

Reasonable hourly rate.

Good References. Call Elsie any day between 9am-9pm at (973) 743-2039.

SAL POLIZZOTTO

RUBBISH REMOVAL

Father & Sons Clean outs, Handyman, Estate, Delivery, Clean-ups, Odd Jobs.

You call we haul.

Free Estimates.

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Painting, Decorating interior, exterior, Paper Hanging, ceiling. Full Installation, General Repairs. Over 14 years experience. FREE ESTIMATE

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PLUMBING & HEATING

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Attics, Basements, Yard Cleaning.

We Haul or You Can Rent 10-15 Cubic Yard Containers.

We Accept Visa/MasterCard

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Courageous Plumbing HVAC LLC LIC. # 11103 • Plumbing • Heating • Cooling • Sewer Drain Cleaning • Hot Air Furnaces • Air Conditioning • Video Sewer Inspections $50 off when mention this ad.

(201) 206-4845

JOSEPH V. FERRIERO Plumbing & Heating Kitchen and bath remodeling.

Carpentry. Fully Ins. Free Est. Lic# 165 (201)637-1775

ANDRIELLO CLEANOUTS

Spring Removal, Yards, Garages, Basements, Attics, Real Estate, Rubbish Removal/ Demolition Lic.13VH04443200 (201) 726-0287

SEAMLESS GUTTERS D. FITZGERALD

FM Property Home Repairs & Improvements

ROOFING & SIDING

• Kitchens • Bathrooms • Doors • Floors • Windows • Painting • Decks All types of repairs Lic. # 13VH05674000 Fully Insured

N&J REMODELERS

MASONRY

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Estates Bought & Sold Fine Furniture Antiques, Accessories, Gold & Silver.

Local Polish Caregiver also Housekeeping, Live in live out, Hardworking, Honest, Quality Work.

Call Marlena

Seamless Gutters Installed LLC • Gutters Cleaned • Yankee Gutters Repaired & Relined • Slate Roofs Repaired • Flat Roofs Sealed & Coated “Save Plenty“ Call Dennie” 1-800-479-3262

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WANTED TO BUY

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MIRANDELA CONSTRUCTION ALL MASONRY WORK

• SIDEWALKS • STONEWORK • BRICKWORK, • PATIOS

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201.991.1600

www.theobserver.com

The The Observer Observer is is not not responsible responsible for for typographical typographical errors. errors. Credit Credit for for errors errors will will not not be be granted granted after after the the next week’s publication.

No changes next week’s publication. No changes or or refunds. refunds.

Deadline for classifieds is Monday by 3 PM. Deadline for classifieds is Monday by 3:00 PM.

To place a classified ad, please call

24

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To place an ad call: 201-991-1600 classified@theobserver.com classified@theobserver.com

VIEW from

17

and about kids and not worried about what some stupid sportswriter puts in his column. Do the right thing and you’ll become a thankless anonymous entity.

For whoever takes over for Nick Mazzolla as QP track coach, good luck. It won’t be easy replacing someone as beloved and as dedicated as Nick. He will be sorely missed.

For my friends in Nutley, to athletic director Joe Piro, the intestinal fortitude to see this new football conference come to its fruition. And the finest Cuban cigar on the planet.

For baseball/basketball coach Bob Harbison, a piece of mind that the powers-that-be are leaving him alone and letting Harbison do what he does best – coach.

For football coach Tom Basile, a duplicate of 2015. Just turn the clock back and do it all over again – but this time, with a different ending, like a state title.

For girls’ basketball coach Larry Mitschow, about two more players like Blair Watson. OK, maybe one.

For girls’ soccer/wrestling coach Mike DiPiano, no changes. Just keep life going along like it should, because things are pretty nice in his world.

For boys’ soccer coach Marcellino Marra, a true 30-goal scorer.

For my friends in Belleville, for new AD Dan Senacore, good luck and continue in the traditions of people like the late Karen Fuccello and Tom D’Elia.

For boys’ basketball coach Jim Stoeckel, about 15 more wins after the good win against Waldwick to begin the season.

For football coach Joe Fischer, a win or two. Not a bad place to start.

For volleyball coach John Spina, recognition for being the school’s most successful coach.

For all of our great people at the Observer, especially General Manager Bob Pezzolla and people like Michelle Rybeck, Ron Leir, Karen Zautyk, webmaster supreme Kevin Canessa, and the woman who runs the office, Diana Crespo, thanks for another great year putting my words on your pages.

And for the readers of the Observer, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays and thanks for reading. We need you to keep us going, so thanks again. Santa Hague is off to spread his Christmas cheer on others. You all continue to be naughty or nice.

30

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

03

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MONTANARI from This assignment enabled me to familiarize myself with the children in our community, as well as their parents.

The position carried with it the opportunity to make impressions and encourage young people to stay away from negative behaviors.”

While in the Juvenile Bureau, Montanari instituted the department’s first-ever Junior Police Program. The kids in the program would often leave town to visit places with a strong lawenforcement presence, such as Newark Airport to visit with customs officers, the U.S. Coast Guard in Bayonne for a visit with Coast Guard officers and a tour of a cutter on the New York Harbor, a trip to the Bergen County Fire Academy and even trials in Newark.

Promotion to sergeant In 2012, Montanari left the DB when he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He says it was “different” to be back out on the streets, in uniform, as a road supervisor. Just a year later, however, he was reassigned back to the DB as a detective-sergeant, where he resumed the role of public-information officer where he was also assigned to investigate adultrelated crimes.

He says no two days are ever close to being the same, but that’s part of what makes his job so enjoyable. But he says too often, because of Nutley’s small-town nature, residents get complacent, thinking they’re never going to experience crime.

“Like the old game show ‘Let’s Make a Deal,’ we never really know what’s behind each curtain when we arrive at work,” he said. “Policing in a small town like Nutley leads people to believe this is a safe community and no serious crime takes place here. The misnomer that it can’t happen here or to me, is sometimes unsettling.

Yes, it can happen here and we hope every day that it doesn’t.

“This job brings you from 0 to 60 several times a week.

The emotional rollercoaster does take a toll on most police officers — and many become ill from this type of erratic stress.”

But that doesn’t make the job less desirable, he says.

Over his career, Montanari recalled numerous cases he investigated that were memorable. Among the more unusual cases, he says, was an investigation about a 12-year-old girl who insisted a stranger jumped into her bed whilst she was sleeping.

He and other members of the department, at first, were sure the girl was simply recalling a dream.

But a dream it hardly was.

“She told us that he smelled like beer and felt a cold knife on her leg,” Montanari said. “Initially, all officers responding thought she had had a nightmare, so we reviewed what she watched on television before going to sleep. The story seemed so unlikely that many within the department were certain it never happened and were about to close the investigation.

“The following day, I received a call from another tenant claiming that a party within the building had shaved their beard after we canvassed, looking for a scruffy 60-year-old. The man was called into headquarters where he adamantly denied involvement.

Detectives interviewing him did such a wonderful job that he ultimately admitted to entering the apartment and climbing in bed with the young girl. Is this a story which had a good ending?

The girl was not molested or harmed in any way.”

He also recalled a lighter moment — an instance where he went flying, yet not on a plane.

“From heart wrenching to comical, my now-retired Chief John Holland once told me, ‘Police work is the front row seat to life,’” Montanari said. “We see people at their most vulnerable. After working here for almost 16 years I can attest that some jobs cannot be spoken about, while others draw a good laugh.

“I remember taking restraints off a young lady who promised me she was calm, and immediately after doing so, I took an onslaught of her swings, kicks and punches, which drew laughs from my co-workers. The woman who was only about 5-feet tall and about 100 pounds.

She put on quite a show for them to watch as I tried to re-secure the cuffs.”

Unfortunately, not all incidents have a happy ending.

Most aren’t even remotely comical.

“Sadly, I remember being first on scene when a car driven by three young adults crashed into a Park Ave. tree,” Montanari recalled.

“Two of the occupants were dead on scene and one survived. From the response, crash investigation, autopsy and notification of their deaths to their parents, it will always be scarred in my memory. I can recall the conversation with the parents as if it were yesterday, which still brings a lump to my throat.”

Still, for the most part, it’s the good outcomes — and the positive moments — that stand out most. And it’s why Montanari’s confident the overwhelming majority of cops are good cops.

“Police are regular people, but at times, we are expected to be lawyers and apply the law correctly every time, to be compassionate yet firm, understanding and fair,” Montanari said. “Like any other job or profession, some police officers are better than others, and as to be expected some may not always do the right thing or things the right way. Acknowledging this, I strongly believe all have good intentions and want to have a good relationship with the public.”

A patient wife, a patient family Being a cop, while it has its perks, could really cause family life to suffer. But in Montanari’s case, family life hasn’t suffered.

“My wife is so supportive and so understanding,” Montanari said. “I remember how cranky and irritable I was, particularly when on night shift, and she was so understanding. I look back and wonder why she stuck around? I am not sure what would have happened had I not had the most supportive wife in the world.”

Our entire interview with Det. Sgt. Anthony Montanari can be found on our website, www.TheObserver. com. For space considerations, we weren’t able to publish the entire story in print. Be sure to check out the website for more stories about life as a police officer in Nutley.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Happy Holidays May your Christmas & New Year be healthy and prosperous.

From our Family to Yours.

Finch Fuel Oil Co. 648 Schuyler Ave. • Kearny

201.991.2370

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Real Estate, Just Better Real Estate, Just Better

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No one SOLD more homes locally than

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Coccia Realty*

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No one SOLD more homes locally than

NJMLS RESIDENTIAL SALES STATS FROM 1/1/14 TO 12/31/14*

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Coccia Realty* BROKER # OF LOCAL CLOSED TRANSACTIONS BHGRE COCCIA REALTY 251 NJMLS SALES STATS FROM 1/1/14 C.21 SEMIAORESIDENTIAL & ASSOC. 138 TO 12/31/14* C.21 EUDAN REALTY 86 TRANSACTIONS BROKER # OF LOCAL CLOSED ERA JUSTIN REALTY CO. 74 BHGRE COCCIA REALTY 251 WEICHERT REALTORS 69 C.21 SEMIAO & ASSOC. 138 REAL LIVING GATEWAY REALTORS 65 C.21 EUDAN REALTY 86 SAVINO AGENCY 6474 ERA JUSTIN REALTY CO. COLDWELL 6369 WEICHERTBANKER REALTORS RE/MAX WHITEGATEWAY HOUSE REALTORS 3665 REAL LIVING C.21 GOLD ADVANTAGE 34 SAVINO AGENCY 64 RE/MAX TRADING PLACES, LLC 3363 COLDWELL BANKER EXIT GOLDEN REALTY GROUP, LLC 31 RE/MAX WHITE HOUSE 36 A.W. WINKLE & CO. 2634 C.21VAN GOLD ADVANTAGE KURGAN-BERGEN 2633 RE/MAX TRADINGREALTORS PLACES, LLC RE/MAX HOME EXPERTS 2531 EXIT GOLDEN REALTY GROUP, LLC PRUDENTIAL MERENDINO REALTY 2126 A.W. VAN WINKLE & CO. RE/MAX EXCELLENCE 1626 KURGAN-BERGEN REALTORS LIBERTY LLC 1125 RE/MAXREALTY, HOME EXPERTS KELLER WILLIAMS VILLAGE SQUARE 921 PRUDENTIAL MERENDINO REALTY PROMINENT PROP. SOTHEBY'S 816 RE/MAX EXCELLENCE YOUNG AGENCY, INC. 811 LIBERTY REALTY, LLC VENTURE VR REALTORS 69 KELLER WILLIAMS VILLAGE SQUARE CORNERSTONE RES.&SOTHEBY'S COMM. REALTY 58 PROMINENT PROP. RE/MAX SQUARE 58 YOUNG PARK AGENCY, INC. GENTRY REALTY ASSOC. 5 VENTURE VR REALTORS 6 LIVING NEW JERSEY REALTY 55 CORNERSTONE RES.& COMM. REALTY

From all of us at

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Coccia Realty 5 RE/MAX PARK SQUARE GENTRY REALTY ASSOC. LIVING NEW JERSEY REALTY

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Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate® Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. * Based on all sales made in the NJMLS from 1/1/14 to 12/31/14 in Gardens combinedReal towns of ® ©2014 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Estate East Arlington, Rutherford, Wallington, Wood Ridge,and Carlstadt, is aRutherford, registered Lyndhurst, trademark North of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes Gardens Hasbrouck Heights, Harrison, Kearny.Company.

Information Equal deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Housing Opportunity.

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www.cocciarealty.com

Homes and Gardens Real Estate® Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. * Based on all sales made in the NJMLS from 1/1/14 to 12/31/14 in combined towns of East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, Rutherford, Wallington, Wood Ridge, Carlstadt, Hasbrouck Heights, Harrison, Kearny. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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SECAUCUS | RUTHERFORD | LYNDHURST | KEARNY | MADISON | MONTVILLE