2017 12 20 obs1

December 20, 2017 • www.theobserver.com • Vol. CXXX, No. 33

HOLIDAY GREETINGS!

... From local merchants & friends on pages 4, 7, 8, 12, 16, 20, 23, 24, 28 & 32.

COVERING: BELLEVILLE • BLOOMFIELD • EAST NEWARK • HARRISON • KEARNY • LYNDHURST • NORTH ARLINGTON • NUTLEY

CHRISTMAS JOY DELIVERY

Photo by Kevin Canessa; illustration by Michelle Rybeck

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

HPD Chief Kearns set for March retirement

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com HARRISON — West Hudson will see another change at the top of a municipal police department early next year.

Harrison Police Chief Derek Kearns said he’s filed his application for retirement, effective March 1, 2018.

Kearny lost veteran Police Chief John Dowie to retirement on Dec. 1.

On Dec. 5, four HPD captains took the state Civil Service test for police chief of Harrison. Test results weren’t immediately available as of press time.

As Kearns prepares his exit — after nearly 28 years with the department and nearly 13 years as chief — the HPD anticipates welcoming aboard its first women cops since the retirement of Lt. Kelly McClelland in January 2012.

McClelland was hired in 1989.

Effective Dec. 11, Amaris

Sarah Gracian, Jamie Nicole Sackerman and Elizabeth Yasmin Delacruz Villar, were appointed to the force, all pending successful completion of a 16-week training program which they’re scheduled to begin Jan. 5 at the Essex County Public Safety Academy in Cedar Grove.

Another new officer, also appointed Dec. 11, is Kirk Thomas Lin Zeta, who will be part of the same academy class.

A fifth police newcomer — Kearny resident Patrick Triano Jr. — was due to transfer from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office to the HPD, effective Dec. 20.

Those new appointments will bring the HPD’s strength up to 39, which, Kearns said, is still far short of where the department should be. Still, he added, “it looks like we’re turning the corner.”

All four rookies have military experience: Gracian, a Bayonne High School alum-

HPD

Harrison Police Chief Derek Kearns has filed his pension papers.

na, is in the Navy Reserves; Delacruz Villar, a graduate of Lincoln High School, Jersey City, and a graduate student in criminal justice at John Jay College, New York, is a Marine Corps veteran; and Sackerman, a Harrison resident who went to the former Queen of Peace High School, North Arlington, is a Navy veteran pursuing a degree at Kean University and previ-

ously was a security guard at Morristown Medical Center.

Lin Zeta, a Bayonne resident born in the Philippines who has a criminal justice degree, is an Army veteran and previously worked for the Federal Reserve Police.

Sackerman’s brother is a New Jersey State Trooper.

Kearns, 54, a Harrison native who went to St. Cecilia High School, Kearny, looks

back on a lengthy career in uniform, beginning in 1987 with a 16-month stint as a member of the William Paterson University Campus Police.

“My dad, James P. Kearns Jr., was a state trooper which inspired me as a young man to choose this path,” the chief said.

In January 1989, after having taken the Civil Service test for police officer, Kearns was appointed police officer in Harrison. Starting pay was $26,000 a year and there were 63 on the force, he recalled. “We went to 67 in 1990,” he added.

Kearns moved quickly up through the ranks, receiving promotions to sergeant in 1994, lieutenant in 1997 and captain in 2004. During that time, he served under three chiefs – Joe Malley, Vinnie Green and John Trucillo.

In 2000 Kearns became the first member of the HPD to See KEARNS, Page 25

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

From our Family to Yours.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

03

KFD brings Christmas to less fortunate kids

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com KEARNY — The Kearny Fire Department’s Chief Fire Inspector Juan Barroso has fond memories of growing up as a kid in Harrison and having great experiences at Christmastime. The son of a single mom, things weren’t always easy financially.

But one thing he knew, for sure, was that when Dec. 25 came along, his mom did everything in her power to make sure there were presents under the tree for her family.

“We always had a great Christmas,” Barroso said.

“My mom always made sure Christmas was a great experience for us.”

So it should come as no surprise that two years ago, Barroso was behind the KFD’s decision to resurrect its annual Christmas Toy Drive. The KFD had had a drive in the past, but for whatever reason, it fell by the wayside for several years. But Barroso decided to see if he could re-start the drive. He got permission. And now, two years later, the drive has had overwhelming success.

For weeks, people have been dropping off toys at the KFD’s Midland Ave. headquarters. And because of the generosity of so many residents — and Barroso’s decision to get

this drive going again — scores of Kearny children, who might not have had presents under the tree Christmas morning, will, instead, have a joy-filled holiday.

“The idea was that we wanted every kid in Kearny to have something for Christmas,” Barroso said.

“We wanted to be sure that no kid in Kearny had to wake up Christmas morning to find nothing to open.

I’ve been blessed with a great job — and I’ve done what many once told me I couldn’t do — I’ve done OK for myself in my life and my career. It’s made me want to give back to the community.

There’s not much greater than being able to give back.”

While no one can be sure whether there are children who don’t get to experience the joys of Christmas, Barroso and the KFD have done everything within their power to do their part.

On Thursday, Dec. 14, Barroso and at least 20 members of the department, gathered outside HQ with bags upon bags of the toys they collected. They were stored, until then, in the great garage that also houses several fire trucks.

They took a few moments to take a few photos with the toys — and then loaded them into one fire vehicle and a private truck — and dropped them off at

The Observer will be closed Dec. 25 & 26 The Observer wishes all of our readers and advertisers a Merry Christmas. Our office will be closed Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26. We will reopen at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 27.

Inside this edition ...

Opinion ....................................................................................09 Around Town..........................................................................11 Sports & Recreation ............................................................13 Health & Wellness Directory.................................................18 Food & Dining Directory.....................................................21 Real Estate..............................................................................25 Real Estate Directory...........................................................26 Obituaries ...............................................................................27 Classifieds...............................................................................29 Business Directory...............................................................31

AT THE KFD the Health Department’s Kearny Ave. office.

It is at the health department that the gifts are sorted and ultimately delivered to the children in town. The health

department collects names and ages of children of parents and guardians who are struggling to bring Christmas to their children.

And based on what we saw at the health department’s office — the donations from the fire department and donations already solicited from other sources — there are going to be a lot of happy children

come Monday, Dec. 25.

“No child should ever have to not experience a good Christmas,” Barroso said.

And thanks to Barroso’s incredible work coordinating this drive, and the generosity of the KFD and the community, very few, if any, kids should be without this Christmas Day.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

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KHS trailers are going — finally!

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com KEARNY — For the past five and a half years, 14 outdoor classroom trailers have filled the front lawn of Kearny High School.

Students and faculty rotated through them each school year as close to $40 million in exterior and interior construction proceeded at the school.

Now, as work nears an end, with all students and staff back in regular classrooms, the Kearny Board of Education is in the final stages of having the trailers removed and – ultimately – the lawn re-graded and landscaped.

Initially, the board had leased the trailers from the general contractor, then purchased them following a lengthy arbitration procedure. No financial information on the district’s total trailer payouts was readily available by press time.

Photo by Ron Leir

Workers climb under trailer to provide traction to prevent it from toppling. This was one of several trailers moved on Dec. 5.

The KHS construction saga began around the 20022003 school year when the school’s North Building’s exterior began experiencing serious structural problems: bricks were falling out and lintels above windows were rotting out so scaffolding was

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

KPD: A truly frightening 911 call

By Karen Zautyk kzautyk@theobserver.com KEARNY — At 7:07 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, Kearny police received a 911 call that a Newark man had just left his home in that city and was en route to the First United Methodist Church at 601 Kearny Ave. where, he allegedly said, he intended “to injure” people, the KPD reported.

Police said the caller also

stated that the man had taken knives from the home and had them in a backpack.

Lt. Charles Smith and Officers Jonathan Dowie, David Bush and Benjamin Wuelfing responded to the church, staked out the area and eventually observed a man fitting the suspect’s description and carrying a backpack as he walked north on Kearny Ave. near Midland Ave.

POLICE BEAT From prior police interaction, the officers reportedly recognized him as James Bogucheski, 26, were aware that he had warrants — Newark, $10,000, theft; Kearny, $250, CDS — and arrested him on same. Inside the backpack,

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police said, they found two large kitchen knives.

According to police, Bogucheski “freely stated” that he had come to Kearny “with the intention of harming people inside the church.” However, no reason was given.

Bogucheski was charged with making terroristic threats, unlawful possession of weapons and possession of weapons for an unlawful purpose and was held at headquarters pending transport to the Hudson County Jail.

The investigation is continuing. As of press time, the suspect’s connection, if any, to the church had not been revealed.

••• Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following:

reportedly admitted having the drug and turned over a pouch of pot to the police. He was arrested for possession of CDS and paraphernalia and was released on a summons.

His companion, a 26-yearold from Kearny, was released with no charges.

••• At 6:49 p.m., Officers Dean Gasser, Rich Poplaski and Andre Fernandes responded to the Belleville Pike near Fish House Road, where a 2004 Toyota pick-up had struck a 2001 Honda Accord.

Police said the Toyota driver — Elmer Morales, 43, of West Orange — smelled of alcohol and had difficulty standing.

In addition, there reportedly was vomit on his jacket and in the vehicle. Following FSTs, he was charged with DWI, careless driving and refusing to take an Alcotest.

Dec. 8 At 2:32 a.m., HQ received a report that a car had struck a parked vehicle on Highland Ave. and was trying to leave the scene. Police said Officer Tim Castle arrived to find Leslie Lazo, 21, of Scranton, Pa., attempting to change a tire on her 2015 Nissan, which also had a bent wheel and front-end damage.

Police said Castle detected the odor of alcohol and, when Lazo leaned into her car to retrieve her driving credentials, she dropped a small baggie that appeared to contain cocaine.

An additional bag of the drug reportedly was found in the auto.

Lazo was arrested on charges of careless driving, DUI and possession of a CDS and CDS paraphernalia in a MV. ••• Dets. Michael Andrews and Cesar Negron responded to a 2:14 pm. report of two suspicious males at the railroad tracks near N. Midland Ave., encountered a duo fitting the description walking east on that street and reportedly detected the smell of marijuana emanating from one.

(Really. This time, just one.) The malodorous individual, identified as Eliseo Oller, 20, of Kearny,

Dec. 9 After HQ got a 12:56 p.m. call about an assault on an NJ Transit bus, Sgt. Michael Gonzalez and Officers Wuelfing, Kyle Plaugic and Angelo Palagano met the vehicle at Johnston and Passaic Aves., where the driver reported that one female passenger had thrown a bottle at another, hitting her in the head.

Although police said the injury was not serious, an ambulance was summoned for the 53-year-old victim.

The alleged assailant, later identified as Medjeene Lauture, 28, of Hoboken, had already left the scene but was found at another bus stop, at Passaic and Central Aves. in East Newark. The alleged weapon was a glass Snapple bottle. Police said the two women did not know each other and that there had been no verbal interaction between them.

Reportedly, Lauture was just feeling “aggravated” and tossed the bottle when the victim “flipped her hair.” (As opposed to flipping her wig.)

Lauture was charged with aggravated (no pun intended) assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and use of a weapon for same. She was given a court date and released.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

Happy Holidays...

...to all those who call Harrison “Home” Mayor James A. Fife & Town Council, Michael Dolaghan, Council President Laurence M. Bennett, James P. Doran, Ed.D., Jesus R. Huaranga, Caroline Mandaglio, Anselmo Millan, Francisco Nascimento, Eleanor Villalta Santa and the Harrison High Band & Chorus Paid for by Mayor Fife Campaign Fund Primary 2018

07

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

thoughts&views

09

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 editorial@theobserver.com or mailed to 39 Seeley Ave., Kearny, N.J. 07032. Anonymous letters will not be published under any circumstances.

A free ride is a transitory thing

L In Memoriam Mary Tortoreti 1942-2016 Lisa Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising Director Tina Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising Robert Pezzolla General Manager Kevin Canessa Editorial, Web, Social Media Ron Leir Karen Zautyk Journalists Jim Hague Sportswriter Michelle Rybeck Graphic Designer Diana Crespo Assistant to the General Manager & Classifieds Kim Pezzolla Sales

Display & Real Estate Ad Deadlines Thursday by noon advertising@theobserver.com Obituaries Deadline Monday by 10 a.m. obituaries@theobserver.com Classifieds Deadline Monday by 3 p.m. classified@theobserver.com Help Wanted Ads Monday by 3 p.m.; must be sent by email to classified@theobserver.com.

The Observer 39 Seeley Ave. | Kearny, N.J. 07032 www.theobserver.com

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com

ooks like Santa didn’t stock any goodies in his bag for already beleaguered residents of the Garden State.

If anything, he gave way to the Grinch who has a pension for distributing unhappy tidings for the upcoming years.

As reported in this past Friday’s edition of The Star-Ledger and elsewhere, one big baddie looming is a passenger pass-along NJ Transit plans to inflict on its New Jersey riders to help pay for nearly $13 billion in new Hudson River rail tunnels.

Phased in over the next two decades, there’ll be a 90¢ per trip surcharge starting in 2020, then $1.70 in 2028 and $2.20 in 2038 which, collectively, would yield nearly $2 billion of the total construction cost.

New York commuters, however, won’t share the bill; instead, New York State will pay its portion with a $1.75 billion loan from the Federal Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement program repayable over 35 years. The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is on board for $2.7 billion in Gateway funding – which includes the tunnel work – and the U.S. Department of Transportation would kick in the rest.

The new tunnels are to be built so that the existing rail tunnels owned

by Amtrak that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 can be fixed. The cost of those repairs, along with expanding Penn Station in NYC and New Jersey track capacity, will also be paid for under this massive financing deal.

Will the surcharges on New Jersey riders go away after the work is done?

I doubt it.

The Holland and Lincoln tunnels were supposed to be free after the construction bonds for those Port Authority construction projects were paid off — but the last time I looked, the tolls were still in place. For cars, it’s $15 for cash transactions; for E-ZPass users, it’s $11.50 for peak hours or $10.50 for non-peak times.

By the way, it’s amazing to see

how many drivers still don’t have E-ZPass. Have you noticed the lines at the toll booths for the cash customers?

Meanwhile, I can’t wait to see how the federal tax reform plan shakes out. I’m afraid to ask my accountant.

In the meantime, I now make the following predictions on what we can expect ahead in 2018 for The Observer’s coverage area: 1. The deck for the new Hackensack River (Rt. 7) linking Kearny and Jersey City now under construction will be installed but no vehicles will traverse the massive span because the approach ramps – among other things – are incomplete. Fear not, however. The NJDOT projects completion by 2022.

(So far, no tolls are in the works.)

2. Lyndhurst will get commitments from the Murphy administration in Trenton for a new and improved rail station and a replacement for the Kingsland Ave. bridge. It will also see the beginnings of a comeback for the Stuyvesant Ave. business district.

3. The long-awaited East Newark Town Center project – conversion of the old Clark Thread factory to new apartments – should start to take shape.

4. Harrison residents will see ground broken for the town’s new Kennedy School. They’ll also see the appointment of a new police chief following the March 1 retirement of Chief Derek Kearns.

5. At long last, Kearny will emerge from the miasma of the high school construction project and witness a trailer-free front lawn and interior

improvements.

6. By September, the new medical school campus to be developed by Hackensack Meridian Health and Seton Hall University on the site of the former Roche property in Nutley should be admitting its first students.

7. The new Fed Ex distribution center in North Arlington should start operations this year after construction of a new vehicular access route off the Belleville Pike, complete with signalization, is completed.

8. Belleville voters will be faced with a predictably turbulently contested mayoral election as voters choose between the incumbent, Raymond Kimble, and challenger and former township councilman, Michael Melham.

9. The fate of the Keegan landfill in Kearny figures to be played out with the conclusion of litigation between the town and the N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority early in the year. The NJSEA wants to continue its use as a dump while Kearny wants the land for recreational and/or commercial use.

10. The Kearny Rewards Card – an innovation designed as a shopping stimulus for both merchants and customers sponsored by the Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone program – should make its debut.

If any of these events do transpire, dear readers, it’s a safe bet you’ll be reading about them in the pages of The Observer next year.

Thanks for picking us up. Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

10

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

The tale of 2 bonds: one passes, other doesn’t

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com NUTLEY/BELLEVILLE — s one Essex County school district tries to recover from the rejection of a major capital spending plan by residents, another prepares to move forward following voter approval of its building improvement blueprint.

In a special election Dec. 12, about 20% of Nutley’s registered voters turned out to defeat a proposal by the township Board of Education to bond $68 million for construction at four schools designed to relieve overcrowding and expand its middle school by one grade.

The unofficial tally logged on the voting machines was 2,380 against the bond and 1,879 in favor. Absentee and provisional ballot totals were unavailable as of press time.

Nutley school trustees spent many months organizing the effort to enlist community support for the referendum, inviting the public to several meetings where district professionals gave PowerPoint presentations highlighting the key points of the plan.

And the district posted a lengthy defense of the plan on its website leading up to the election.

All to no avail, however.

Residents may have been turned off by the projected tax impact of the bond which, according to the district, would have triggered an additional $133 in school taxes in the first year, $174 more in the second year and $51 extra in the third year repaying the bond debt – for a total bill of $358 – on an average home assessed at $317,057.

The web site posting cautioned residents that a “no” vote on the referendum that schools would “remain at capacity,” trailers at Washington and Yantacaw schools would stay and additional trailers would likely be needed “as soon as 2021,” new students may have to be sent to places other than their neighborhood schools and high school gym classes would “continue in hallways.”

Schools Superintendent

A

Julie Glazer issued a statement directed at the Nutley community, saying: “The community has spoken and we are all better for the dialogue, process and the engagement of so many. The vote is not the end, but the beginning.

“Now, we begin the work of dedicating ourselves to continuing to navigate the ongoing issues of overcrowding, including security for our staff and students and the pursuit of a high-quality education.

“We will be required to continue to be creative, innovative and flexible as we set goals, timelines and determine the programming that our students deserve, now and in the future, despite the many limitations that will still face us. Your efforts to remain active participants and your support will be even more important.”

Speaking for his colleagues, BOE President Daniel Carnicella said that although the district did its best to lay out the overcrowding issue as a motivation for approving the bond, a majority of voters apparently didn’t accept the argument.

Now, Carnicella said, it remains for the BOE “to continue to educate our children and … continue to provide the best educational experience we can, with the tools and investment given to us from the community.”

Meanwhile, in Belleville, residents voted 1,836 to 1,152 to authorize the township Board of Education to bond $48.5 million for school improvements district-wide.

(Voters also chose Michael Sheldon and Erika Jacho to fill two seats on the school board from among six candidates running.)

Tom Egan, the state monitor assigned to the Belleville school district, told The Observer last week that he expected the BOE to vote Dec. 18 to authorize the retaining of a financial adviser for $17,000 to lay the groundwork for issuing the bonds which will be paid back over a period of 20 or 25 years.

The state Department

of Education has pledged to give the BOE 49% reimbursement on debt repayments, he said.

BOE experts have projected the owner of a home assessed at $238,100 should figure on paying about $156 more a year in school taxes on a 20year bond or about $139 more a year if the BOE goes with a 25-year bond.

Egan said the BOE is

applying $2 million from its capital account to pay for professional fees associated with the bonding, such as fees for architects, engineers and lawyers, and the BOE will be reimbursed for that expense from the bond proceeds.

“The architects are currently drawing up specifications for the work included in the referendum,”

said Egan, adding that the BOE anticipates going out to bid “by February or March [2018].”

Egan said the referendum calls for work on “roofs in more than one school,” for which “we may get more than one company to do,” along with “window replacements and brick re-pointing – that’s the priority, to make all buildings water-tight.”

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Belleville

At the library Here’s what the Belleville Public Library & Information Center, 221 Washington Ave., has in store for the upcoming week: For Adults: Holiday Movies Friday, Dec. 22, at noon; Adult Coloring Club Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1-2 p.m.

For Teens: Teen Color-

ing Club Friday, Dec. 22, 3-5 p.m.; Board Games Tuesday, Dec. 26, 3-5 p.m., grades 7 & up play Jenga, Monopoly, Chinese checkers, chess, Scrabble and card games; Teen Advisory Board Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 26, 6:307:30 p.m., for grades 6-12 to give input on library’s Young Adult collections, help lead/ create programs, volunteer at events and organize community service projects.

For Children: Kids Coloring Club Friday, Dec. 22, 3-4 p.m., for ages 4-11 and the library provides supplies; Wii Free Play Tuesday, Dec. 26, 3-6 p.m., for ages 5-11 playing on the Nintendo Wii gaming system; Storybook Friends Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m., for ages 3-6 sharing stories, singing songs and making crafts; Holiday Craft Party Thursday, Dec. 21, 5-6 p.m., for ages 4-11 enjoying

11

slot. holiday music and making Christmas ornaments to take Residential leaf pickups home while supplies last.

The Town of Kearny Kearny has extended leaf pickups through Friday, Dec. 29. Call Helping families win the DPW at 201-988-3700 to The Liberty Family Sucschedule your pickup. The cess Center, 341 Kearny Ave., week of Dec. 18 will be the offers Let’s Zumba, Tuesday, final week to pile leaves at Dec. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m., for curbside. After Friday, Dec. free classes. Space is limited 22, residents will no longer so call ahead to the center be permitted to pile leaves at 201-622-2210 to reserve a in the street.

A bridge too far gone will be replaced

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com NUTLEY – A century-plus-old bridge in Nutley is due for a makeover.

And that, one township official asserted, will spell trouble for drivers and retailers alike in the township.

It’s the Centre St. Bridge, which crosses the Third River at Essex County’s Yanticaw Park and Nutley’s Booth Park.

Built by the county at a cost of $7,100 plus $3,500 for filling and grading paid for by the Passaic Newark Rail Co., in 1895, the stone archway span was last rehabilitated in 1965, according to Anthony Puglisi, spokesman for Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. “The N.J. Department of Transportation regularly inspects bridges and culverts,” Puglisi said. “It was determined the Centre St. Bridge needs to be replaced because of structural deficiencies.”

Puglisi didn’t explain the nature of those weaknesses.

Photo by Ron Leir

A view of the Centre St. Bridge, from below, and the roadway, above, where the county has set a 15-ton weight limit.

At any rate, Puglisi added: “At the recommendation of the NJDOT bridge inspectors, Essex County, with the support of the Nutley Board of Commissioners, initiated a weight limit of 15 tons on the existing bridge to reduce stress on the existing structure.”

The county has installed signage on the bridge advising motorists about the weight limit.

On Nov. 21, the Nutley BOC

voted to go along with the county engineer’s recommendation “to restrict the weight of vehicular traffic traveling over [the Centre St.] bridge until such time that repairs can be made thereto.”

When and how the township figures to enforce that restriction hasn’t yet been disclosed.

Nutley Mayor Joseph Scarpelli told The Observer the bridge’s closure during

construction will impose a hardship on residents and retailers alike in the area because Centre St. is “a major thoroughfare” in the township, but on one business, in particular.

“The most significant destination for traffic along that bridge is the Nutley ShopRite,” he said, referring to the tractor-trailer trucks whose drivers typically use Centre St. as their travel route to make deliveries to the Franklin Ave. supermarket.

“We hope to make those disruptions as minor as possible,” Scarpelli said. “And we hope our residents will be patient as we go through the renovation process.”

Scarpelli said the township – in consultation with the Nutley Police Department – will be working on a plan for detouring local traffic away from the bridge to alternate routes.

Depending on how the bidding process goes and weather, work will probably start

Back in business

Just in time for the holiday season rush, the Belleville Post Office on Washington Ave. is back to normal. Postal spokesman George Flood said the facility reopened Nov. 20 – nearly three months after a two-car accident wrecked the front entrance and outside wall of the building on Aug. 29. Repairs to masonry, sheet rock, ceiling and front door entrance cost $27,000, Flood said. The post office has resumed normal business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. During the building’s closure, deliveries continued from the Belleville postal annex on Main St., Flood said.

Photo by Ron Leir

in spring 2018 and could take several months to conclude, the mayor said.

Puglisi said, “The bridge’s replacement project is still in the design stage. It is anticipated that the project will go out for public bid sometime in 2018. Construction will occur after that.”

He didn’t say how much the job might cost.

DiVincenzo said: “One of our ongoing initiatives is to ensure our infrastructure is modern, up to date and provides the safest conditions for our pedestrians and motorists.

“Because of age and regular wear and tear, it was determined that the Centre St. Bridge needs to be replaced.

The bridge is along a major artery and provides crucial access to Essex County Yanticaw Park and Nutley’s downtown district.

“Once the replacement project is underway, we will make construction a priority so that disruptions may be minimized.”

View the entire issue online!

The Observer .com

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

13

sports&recreation Catalano proves you can come home again to Belleville

SPORTS VIEW

CONTACT JIM HAGUE AT OGSMAR@AOL.COM

Lyndhurst boys look to improve after tough season The Lyndhurst High School boys’ basketball team struggled through a tough season a year ago, posting a 7-19 record.

But the Golden Bears’ third-year head coach Tom McGuire believes that his team will be dramatically improved this time around.

“We had a young team that was just getting its first varsity experience,” said McGuire, the former standout athlete of the now-defunct Queen of Peace who also served for a few years as the head coach at his alma mater.

“We started two sophomores the whole year. So it was a learning curve for most.”

McGuire knew that his team would have to endure some growing pains a year ago.

“The speed of the game was different for them,” McGuire said. “We took some bumps, but the good thing was that we learned and progressed throughout the year.”

Now, a year later, and McGuire can notice the change in his team.

“The mindset is so much different,” McGuire said. “The culture of the locker room has changed. It’s something that I didn’t see last year.

I believe that they can do some special things.

We’re not going to be

intimidated. There’s a different confidence about the team.”

With that, McGuire believes that the Golden Bears will be much better this season.

“I expect us to be improved,” McGuire said.

“We’re going to be able to do a lot of things.”

Leading the returnees is 6-foot-2 senior forward Kyle Logan.

“He’s a great rebounder,” McGuire said of Logan. “He’s extremely energetic. We’re a better team when he’s on the floor. He gives us a good inside presence. He’s our anchor in the middle.”

Soccer standout Vincent DiTonto, fresh off being named All-Bergen County in soccer, has returned to the basketball team. The 6-foot-1 senior is another forward that McGuire will count on.

“He does a little bit of everything,” McGuire said of DiTonto. “He’s an energetic leader who leads by example. He doesn’t say much. He just goes hard and plays defense. He’s going to play defense for us and he’s going to rebound. He’s also going to cover one of the other team’s top players.”

Junior Ben Franchino is a 5-foot-10 shooting See VIEW, Page 15

Photo by Jim Hague The Belleville High School boys’ basketball program turns to veteran alumnus Jim Catalano (c.) to be the new head coach. From l., are Ethan Luarca, David McAllister, head coach Catalano, James Laquindanum and Jaylen Swan.

By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com A year ago at this time, Jim Catalano was miserable.

“It was a nightmare,” is how Catalano referred to it.

“It was the day after Thanksgiving and I was at a wedding at Nanina’s in the Park,” Catalano said. “It was where my daughter got married, so I always had a good time there. But my wife turned to me and asked me, ‘What is wrong?’ Then my daughter wanted to know what was wrong. I knew.

From 1964 on, I was on a basketball court on the day after Thanksgiving, either coaching or playing. I was going through withdrawal.”

Last year was the first time that Catalano found himself

on the outside looking in of a basketball court when basketball season began.

Going back to Catalano’s days as a standout player at Belleville High School through a long and winding coaching road, most of it spent at New Jersey Tech (now known as the New Jersey Institute of Technology or NJIT), and recently with high school stops at Wayne Hills, Boonton and Red Bank Catholic, Catalano had a place to be when the season started — but not at the start of the 2016-2017 season.

“I knew I had to get back into coaching,” Catalano said.

The 67-year-old Catalano always kept himself busy. For years, he was the principal at Lady Liberty Academy, a charter school in Newark. Just

recently, Catalano took a position as the headmaster at The Patrick School, the institution formerly known as St. Patrick’s of Elizabeth.

But the basketball lifer was outside of basketball.

“I contemplated coming back,” Catalano said. “But it needed to be the right spot.

I talked to some people, but nothing materialized. I wasn’t quite sure where I’d be. I knew I wasn’t going to retire.

Coaching has been my passion for more than 40 years.”

Catalano received a phone call from a friend who told him of an opening at a place that Catalano knew all too well — namely the old stomping grounds of Belleville High School.

See BELLEVILLE, next page

14

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

“When I said to myself that it had to be right situation, I didn’t think it would be back Continued from Page 13 in Belleville,” Catalano said.

“I didn’t even know what that “That’s how it all happened,” meant. But when the opportuCatalano said. “It happened nity came up, I had to do it.” very quickly. I was brought in Catalano spent 22 years as and met the superintendent the head coach at New Jersey (Dr. Richard Tomko), the prinTech, the last 10 of which he cipal (Caleb Rhodes) and the was also the athletic director.

AD (athletic director Marcel“I had a great run there,” Catlino Marra) and it was a no alano said. “I just had enough.” brainer. They all sold me.”

Catalano left New Jersey It didn’t take much to sell Tech when it was an NCAA Catalano.

Division II program in 2004, “I grew up in Belleville, so nowhere near where the I knew what it was all about,” program is now as a Division I Catalano said. “I always felt for team in a big league (the Atlanyears that if there was anything tic Sun) and with a spanking I could do to help Belleville, new campus facility, the $110 I would. Coaching was never million Wellness and Events paramount in my eyes. My Center. thinking was if there was anyNow, he’s home again at last. thing I could do, I’d do it.”

“I really hadn’t been back Catalano was an All-State to Belleville in a long time, I baseball player at Belleville, guess since I recruited two member of the Class of 1967. players to come to New Jersey “Everyone thought that I Tech,” Catalano said. “The last was going to sign a baseball time I walked into the school contract, but I never did,” said was when I was inducted to Catalano, who was also a basthe Wall (of Fame). It was defiketball standout and was later nitely odd.” inducted into the Belleville One player asked Marra a Wall of Fame. His picture still bizarre question. adorns the walls next to the “He said to Marcellino, gym.

KEARNY

‘I always felt for years that if there was anything I could do to help Belleville, I would.’

— Jim Catalano, coach ‘How did you get him to come here?’” Catalano said. “I just felt I had to come in and change the culture a little. But they really have bought into the things we do. It’s all trial and error now.”

The Buccaneers lost their opener Friday night to Golda Och School.

“It’s one game,” Catalano said. “We just have to put our noses to the grindstone.”

The Buccaneers feature cousins James and Kyle Laquindanum in the backcourt.

Both are 6-foot-1 junior guards.

“They both start,” Catalano said. “They both can shoot the ball. They both have some skills. They’re learning how to play defense. They’re learning

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Ethan Luarca is a 6-foot-1 swing player.

“Ethan goes to the basket well,” Catalano said. “He also can shoot.”

Catalano knows he has to mix his lineup up a little to be competitive.

“We have a lot of different things we can do, both offensively and defensively,” Catalano said. “We just need to get some intensity.”

The Buccaneers face Science and North Star Academy this week and will go to the Glen Ridge Holiday Tournament with host Glen Ridge, Bloomfield and People’s Charter school.

Could have Catalano ever imagined a scenario like this one?

“No way,” Catalano said.

“I can’t even imagine that I took the job, never mind even coming back and considering taking it. But a year into not coaching, I had to take something that was a challenge. I’ll get over this. It’s really odd and unique how it happened, but I’m excited.

Added Catalano, “Last year, I was miserable, but now, I’m excited again. It’s the best time of year.”

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and they want to learn.”

Senior David McAllister is also in the mix in the backcourt.

The Buccaneers have twins Adrienne and Adrielle Henson in the starting lineup. The Henson twins are 6-foot-3 juniors.

“They’re totally interchangeable,” Catalano said. “They can shoot it pretty well. We’re trying to put them into situations that best fit them. They both have a lot of speed and they can go to the basket.”

Senior Jaylen Swan is also in the mix at forward, as is senior Joe Monroig.

“Jaylen finishes well around the basket,” Catalano said.

“Joe took six charges on his own Friday night. He hustles.

He has the aggressiveness our

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VIEW

Continued from Page 13 guard.

“He’s our best defensive player,” McGuire said. “He’s one of the quickest players we’ve ever had. He earned Second Team All-NJIC last year and one of the reasons why the coaches picked him was because of his defense.

That’s how important he is to us. The other coaches stressed just how good he was defensively.”

Senior Mike D’Alia is a 6-foot-4 forward.

“He’s a pure shooter who has learned to shoot with great confidence,” McGuire said. “He’s also improved as a rebounder. He’s put on 15 pounds of strength and that has helped him tremendously.”

Junior Brian Podolski is a 6-foot-1 point guard.

“He can also play forward if he’s needed to,” McGuire said. “He plays every single position for me. He goes to the basket well and finishes well. He has a nice strong frame. Whenever we need a big play, he gets it for us.

He’s like a quarterback on

the court. He knows where everyone is on the court and that’s extremely helpful.”

Adryan Lopez is a 6-foot-1 senior point guard who will share time with Podolski.

“He has the best ball handling skills on the team,” McGuire said. “He’s an extremely talented player. He just has to be more decisive with the ball. He’s quick, long and agile.”

John Rodriguez is a 6-foot2 sophomore forward.

“He’s a very good shooter,” McGuire said. “He played a lot as a freshman. He has a lot of talent. I see great things from him if he can keep his mind straight.”

Sid Das is a 6-foot transfer from North Arlington.

“He can play,” McGuire said. “He can shoot it. He’s a marksman. He’s still learning our system, but he’s going to get better. He’s a legitimate offensive threat.”

Nick Wohlrab is a 5-foot-11 senior guard.

“He’s a great shooter,” McGuire said. “He’s focused on making good shots. He’s a decent zone buster. He hasn’t played basketball in two years. Once he gets the pace of the game down, he’s

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The Golden Bears opened the 2017-2018 season with a 53-49 victory over Leonia Friday night. Rodriguez led the way with 13 points and Franchino added 11. The Golden Bears were scheduled to face Bergen Charter Tuesday night.

Lyndhurst will once again host the Bruce Bartlett Holiday Tournament, an eightteam affair with Rutherford, Becton Regional, Hasbrouck Heights, Lakeland, Waldwick, Elmwood Park and Fair Lawn in the field with the Golden Bears.

Lyndhurst will face Fair Lawn in the opening round of the Bartlett tourney TuesPhoto by Jim Hague day night.

McGuire likes the makeup The Lyndhurst High School boys’ basketball team looks to of his team. be vastly improved over the 7-19 team the Golden Bears “I like the way they’ve were a year ago. Kneeling, from l., are Matthew Wengerter, competed from the first Nick Cutola and Adryan Lopez. Standing, from l., are Kyle scrimmage,” McGuire said.

Logan, head coach Tom McGuire, Michael D’Alia and Vin“They’re doing a much betcent DiTonto. ter job on defense. They’re showing the ability to put going to provide valuable coming back.” the ball in the basket. I think minutes.”

Steve Dittamo is a 6-foot we’re going to be a much Paul Scimicata is a 6-foot-2 senior forward. junior forward.

“He does everything right,” better team than last year.”

The Golden Bears are al“He’s battling a shoulder McGuire said. “He’s a guy ready well on their way to injury right now,” McGuire who works hard and proshowing that improvement. said. “I’m not sure when he’s vides depth off the bench.”

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Mother • Matriarch • Friend One year ago, our lives changed forever when you left us. And yet, not a day goes by that we don’t think of you and the love you gave to us all. We miss you and look forward to the day that we meet again. We love you and miss you more than words can say.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

17

Blue Tide girls’ counting on senior leadership

By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com Erika Thompson has begun her third season as the head girls’ basketball coach at Harrison High School and the former standout player at High Tech during her playing days believes that she has the nucleus of a solid squad this season.

“But I’m still teaching a lot of fundamentals,” said Thompson, who earned AllHudson County honors for three seasons at High Tech.

“I coach AAU (the Rising Stars of Edison) and there it’s coaching kids with a background in basketball. Here, I’m teaching fundamentals and we’re learning as we’re going. Every practice, they get better. They’re so much better now than when we started this year.”

Thompson had an idea what she was heading into when she took the job.

“Going in, I knew what I was going to get,” Thompson said. “It’s a different type of teaching with different roles.

Each kid has a different way of doing things.”

The Blue Tide lost their leading scorer, Cynthia Ferreira, to graduation from last year’s team that finished 14-11.

“We really relied a lot on Cynthia,” Thompson said.

“Now, we’re a defensive team. We have to create some offense out of our defense.

We don’t play a lot of manto-man defense, so we have to do other things to create offense out of our defense.”

Leading the returnees is 5-foot-5 senior guard Kierrah Lucas.

“Everything goes through her,” Thompson said. “She’s

our sparkplug. She gets a whole lot of steals. She penetrates and makes plays.

She’s also a very good free throw shooter. She shoots about 70% in free throws.

When I started with her, she shot about 30%, so she’s really improved a lot.”

In the season opener Friday against Bergen Charter, Lucas connected on nineof-12 from the line and scored 15 points.

Senior guard Jailyn Montilla was the Blue Tide’s leading scorer with 20 points.

The 5-foot-7 Montilla has emerged as the team’s leading scorer.

“Jailyn’s game has changed a little,” Thompson said. “She needs to do the same thing every game. She can penPhoto by Jim Hague etrate and dish, but she can The Harrison High School girls’ basketball team is off to a also play in the post. She’s solid start after the Blue Tide’s impressive win over Bergen so strong and needs to take Charter. Head Coach Erika Thompson (c.) is flanked by playadvantage of that.” ers Jailyn Montilla (l.) and Kierrah Lucas.

Montilla also connected on three 3-pointers in the win work football analyst. play defense. She’s long and over Bergen Charter, so that “She’s not an offensive quick. She gets a lot of steals. might be an aspect of her player,” Thompson said of She’s out there for her degame to watch.

Kayla Lucas. “But she can fense. She does a great job up Jordalis Liranzo is a 5-foot6 sophomore center.

“She plays so big,” Thompson said. “When she first heard that she was playing center, she said, ‘Oh, I can’t do that. I’m not a big kid.’

But she’s played so well in the post. She boxes out and rebounds well. She also can hit the three (3-point shot) consistently.”

Liranzo hit one trey in the win Friday.

Kayla Lucas is a 5-foot-8 sophomore forward. She’s the cousin of Kierrah and the daughter of Harrison legend Ray Lucas, the former New York Jets quarterback and current SNY and Big 10 Net-

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front and uses her arm length to her advantage.”

Jeralyne Montalvo is a 5-foot-6 sophomore forward.

“She is a very good shooter,” Thompson said. “She can hit the three and also does a good job down low as a rebounder. She gives us another solid body down low.”

Kasey Vasquez is a 5-foot-4 sophomore guard.

“She’s unbelievably fast,” Thompson said. “Her speed is phenomenal. She’s improved so much from last year.”

But the Blue Tide suffered a big blow before the season opener when Vasquez suffered a knee injury. The extent of the injury is still not known.

“We’re hoping that it’s not a long time,” Thompson said of Vasquez’s injury. “It’s a huge loss for us. We don’t want to lose her.”

Chelssy Silverio is a 5-foot6 sophomore swing player.

See BLUE TIDE, Page 18

18

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

either guard or forward.

“She didn’t play for us last year,” Thompson said.

Continued from Page 17 “But she’s improved so much from the first prac“She’s quick and can run tice this year. Every time the floor well,” Thompson there’s a loose ball on the said. “She also can rebound. floor, she’s on top of it.

We need her to get a little She’s learning the sport stronger, because the main very quickly.” thing we need from her is Haley O’Donnell is a rebounding.”

5-foot-2 freshman guard.

Jamileth Morales is a She’s also the younger 5-foot-4 senior who can sister of 2016-2017 Observer play either guard or forMale Athlete of the Year ward, depending on the Mike O’Donnell.

Blue Tide’s lineup.

“She never played bas“She’s a soccer player, so ketball before,” Thompson she’s very quick,” Thompsaid. “She fell through the son said. “We use her when cracks a little early on and I need someone with speed missed out on a lot. She’s to play defense. She didn’t still learning the game, but know anything about basshe’s very quick like her ketball when she came out. siblings. Her biggest thing Now, she can hit a shot. But right now is her energy.” she’s out there primarily Kathleen de Sousa is a because of her quick feet.”

5-foot-6 freshman forward.

Brianna Guinn is a 5-foot“She’s very feisty,” 5 sophomore who also plays

BLUE TIDE

Thompson said. “She is not afraid to go up against anyone. She goes up and pulls the ball out of the opponent’s hands. She’s primarily a defensive player. She follows the ball very well.”

The Blue Tide has a tough slate in front of them, with games this week against Ridgefield, then the home opener against DwightEnglewood Friday.

The Blue Tide has a young roster with eight sophomores playing.

“But they’re all getting better and better each day,” Thompson said. “Give them a few weeks and they’ll be fine. I know the seniors will step up and lead this team.

I have so much confidence in these girls. And they have confidence in me.

They give me 100 percent and that’s what is important.”

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Want a happy holiday?

Don’t drive drunk!

Police in Kearny and Harrison are cracking down on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of the annual end of year “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” statewide campaign.

Now through Jan. 1, the Kearny and Harrison police departments will conduct random patrols throughout the crackdown period.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Dec. 30, between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., the HPD will be conducting sobriety checkpoints at pre-determined locations within the Town of Harrison, looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.

The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort endeavors to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education.

“During the last five years, New Jersey has experienced nearly 40,000 alcohol-involved crashes resulting in more than 750 fatalities,” HPD Chief Derek Kearns said. “This is a critical law enforcement program that can save lives during a time of the year when impaired driving traditionally increases by nearly 10%.”

Last year, 20% of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in drunk driving crashes. The societal cost associated with these crashes is estimated to be $37 billion annually.

Law enforcement agencies participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2017 Year End Holiday Crackdown offer the following advice for the holiday season: • Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

• Spend the night where the activity or party is held.

•If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.

• If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive or escort you to your doorstep.

• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

19

Kearny Anglican-Catholic church in full swing

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com

T

he Rev. Richard Donato has always been drawn to the church. Years ago, it was as an acolyte at the former Trinity Episcopal Church, Kearny. As time went on, he became a rare certified lay preacher. But he knew he had a calling to the priesthood — and now, the longtime Kearny resident is an ordained priest in the Anglican Catholic Tradition.

Fr. Rick, who says he never quite understood — until now — just how difficult it is to set up a new parish, says his, all-inclusive congregation, is one where the Catholic Church meets the Episcopal Church. There are elements of the Catholic Mass and the Episcopal Mass in All Saints’ Masses.

But most important to the existence of this parish is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, wherever you are on your faith journey and whatever walk of life you’ve taken … if you believe in Jesus, you’re welcome at the table for communion and to be fully accepted as a parishioner.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white, Latino or Portuguese, straight or gay, rich or poor, it doesn’t matter what your gender is, how old you are or your physical appearance. Whoever you are, you’re welcome here,” Fr. Rick said in a recent interview with The Observer.

Each Sunday, at 2:30 p.m., All Saints offers Mass at Grace United Methodist Church, 380 Kearny Ave.,

Kearny. The parish rents the building each week. The 2:30 p.m. Mass is followed by coffee and fellowship.

“This is a great way to get to know the people,” Donato said.

Since the parish is in its infancy the number of worshippers can vary from week to week. Sometimes, there could be as few as five at a given Mass. Other times, there can be as many as 45.

But it’s not the number of people who worship that makes this a special, sacred place. It’s the people themselves.

“There are wonderful people who worship with us, from all walks of life,” Donato said. “This is what makes us a special place.”

Indeed it does.

Fr. Rick says All Saints has a sister parish that has helped strengthen the local parish. The two parishes occasionally worship together.

In addition to the weekly Sunday Mass, All Saints also offers a Healing Service/ Mass Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., in the parish’s Mary chapel. (For details on that address and information about the healing service you can call the church office at 201-948-5007.

All in all, if there’s a message Fr. Rick would like to spread, it’s a very simple one.

“We Listen, We Believe, We Pray and We Care about the people.”

This weekend, Mass will be celebrated at the Church at 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 2:30 p.m. Christmas Day. All are (obviously) welcome.

Ken Davie “Your Family’s Lawyer”

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The Rev. Richard Donato, pastor of All Saints Church, Kearny, celebrates Mass the second Sunday of Advent.

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21

Fine food, fun times at Cooper’s Block

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com KEARNY — So much of Kearny is what it is today because of the Irish. For many years, no matter where you went in town, you’d hear a brogue or two.

Or more.

And while there may not be as many Irish in town these days, the influence of the Irish carries on at the old Irish-American Club on Kearny Ave., where Cooper’s Block is now the talk of the town.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Hugh O’Neill.

And it’s become a Kearny hotspot after years of dreams and vision.

“The idea began four, five years ago,” O’Neill said. “The Irish-American, still running, was struggling. Membership was declining. I thought the place needed a total break.

It could and always will be a place for the Irish to have their meetings. Their liquor license is still active.

But we needed to take away the stigma that the place was a private club only for members.

“People would often walk by, look in, and continue on their way. We needed a shot in the arm.”

And in Cooper’s, that’s exactly what has happened.

It’s open daily for lunch and dinner — and for whenever one might want an adult beverage during those times.

The place is, of course, a great spot for a sit-down meal — but if you can’t stay, you can also take food home.

“We’re hoping to build things up where more people enjoy take-away,” O’Neill said. “Whether it’s for cops, firefighters, teachers — we want to get our menu to people so they know they have a place where they can get a great meal.”

And while the menu isn’t 100% complete yet — you can find it online now at www.coopersblockpub.com — there are plenty of great dishes one might expect from an Irish pub, including bangers & mash, shepherd’s pie and fish & chips.

But the variety on the menu is immense and hardly

DINING OUT just includes Irish fare.

Yours truly sampled the shepherd’s pie and French onion soup at a recent visit to the restaurant. In doing so, I got to meet chef Rob Gaffney.

Gaffney prepares all the dishes from scratch — and he also comes up with the specials. To say Cooper’s got a gem in Gaffney is hardly overstated.

He comes to Cooper’s from another local restaurant in North Arlington, so he clearly gets what locals are looking for.

The shepherd’s pie I had was so big a portion I had to take half of it home to finish.

It was the perfect blend of meat and potatoes, and it wasn’t, as it often can be, overly salted.

The soup had so much cheese on it that by the time I was full, there was still more cheese left.

To say I left satisfied would be a gross understatement.

But there’s more, too — including assorted sandwiches, salads and appetizers.

“We also have daily specials,” O’Neill said.

“Some of the options are healthy, too — and that’s not something you often find at a place like ours.”

O’Neill says the newest incarnation of a menu recently debuted — but that a menu often takes time to develop.

He hopes the newest version is a hit.

“We really do want to be the go-to spot in Kearny,” O’Neill said.

And he and his staff are well on their way.

The kitchen at Cooper’s Block is open seven days a week from noon to 10 p.m. The bar remains open later.

Reservations are only taken for parties of six or more.

There are six large, HDTVs available to catch American sports and international soccer.

For more information, call 201-991-9677 or visit www. coopersblockpub.com.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

Fatal crash on Forest St.

By Karen Zautyk kzautyk@theobserver.com KEARNY – A 59-year-old Kearny man was killed last week when his Jeep ran a stop sign at

Laurel Ave. and Forest St. and crashed into the back of a U.S. Postal Service truck, Kearny police reported.

As of press time, the name of the victim had not been made public.

Video of the accident, caught on KPD headquarters security cameras, shows the 2010 Jeep, northbound on Forest at approximately 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 13, travel through the intersection,

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apparently at a high rate of speed, and drive directly into the rear of the truck, which was parked in the right lane, just south of Howell Place.

Police said the postal employee had been making a delivery to a home on Forest and had just reentered the truck when it was hit — the impact pushing it about 30 feet.

Police said the Jeep was smoking and then caught fire.

Its operator, reportedly unresponsive in the driver’s seat, was extricated from the burning vehicle by KPD Capt. Tim Wagner, Det. Steve Hroncich and Officers Tom Sumowski and Ben Wuelfing.

Sumowski and Wagner, who

are paramedics, administered CPR. The Kearny Fire Department and EMS also responded to the scene.

Police said the Jeep driver was transported to Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, where he was later pronounced dead.

The postal worker, a 25-yearold Newark resident, was also taken to Clara Maass for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, although there was speculation that the victim might have suffered some sort of medical incident.

Kearny man charged in Newark shooting: Newark PD

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NEWARK — Anthony Desai, 23, of Kearny, has been arrested and charged with weapons possession in a shooting incident that occurred on Sunday, Nov. 26, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said.

At approximately 3 a.m., police say they responded to a shots fired call in the area of Orchard and Scott Sts. A Latino man reportedly discharged a firearm at that intersection following a quarrel.

No one was reported injured by gunfire, Ambrose said.

Detectives say they developed sufficient evidence to identify Desai as a suspect.

He was arrested Monday, Dec. 4, without incident and

Newark PD

Anthony Desai is officially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.

– Kevin Canessa

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

One of the real joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

KEARNS

Continued from Page 2 graduate from the FBI National Academy. He also attended the FBI LEEDA (Leadership/ Ethics/ Embracing change/Diversity/ Academia) program in Princeton and graduated No. 1 from West Point Command School.

He became chief in 2005.

Among the department’s achievements during his tenure, Kearns highlighted the following: • Certification by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2010 and recertification in 2013, demonstrating, according to Kearns, the HPD’s policies and practices “are compliant with the highest standards in the industry …. Simply put, it’s the gold standard in public safety.”

• Protecting and providing service to the Red Bull Arena since its opening in 2009. “This continues to be a demanding challenge for

HPD

New Harrison police officers are welcomed by town officials. From l., are Mayor James Fife, Officers Kirk Zeta, Amaris Garcian, Jamie Sackerman and Elizabeth Delacruz, Chief Derek Kearns and Councilman/Police Chairman James Doran.

this department and we’ve been handling it,” he said, during the Arena season, stretching from March to late November.

• Technology: building a new communications center at HPD headquarters and deploying CCTV cameras — currently 37 — hroughout the community.

• Partnering in the U.S.

Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program by sharing an HPD detective with the federal unit. In return, during the past decade, Kearns said, the HPD has received more than $700,000 from the program used for equipment, uniforms and training.

• Change in patrol work schedule,

from eight- to 12-hour shifts.

Kearns said it’s been a boon in improving efficiency of service on all tours and reducing overtime. “It will put the department in position for growth and officer recruitment in the coming years,” he said.

“We’ve already expanded our traffic bureau and created

a small crime suppression unit.” Hopefully, he said, those specialized units can grow.

Kearns said he was frustrated by having to accept a “staff reduction” mandate from the state Division of Local Government Services that saw the elimination of a deputy chief rank and several demotions that, in his judgement, limited the HPD’s effectiveness.

“At a minimum,” he said, “[the HPD] should be a midsize police department with [at least] 50 police officers.”

“It’s both a tribute and a compliment to our officers that they’ve managed to keep this town safe,” Kearns said.

“I’ve been blessed to have officers who are competent and dedicated and doing an outstanding job.”

He also credited his former commanders for the lessons he’s learned from them.

“I had a great run and wish to thank all of them, both past and present, for being part of this wonderful journey,” he said.

REJOICE.

www.TheObserver.com

25

Seasons Greetings From the Entire Staff

James J. Capobianco, President

26

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

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Battle lines formed for mayoral contest BELLEVILLE — The township mayoral battle has been joined: Mayor Raymond Kimble — who has served in that office since 2006 — says he’ll be running for another 4-year term.

He’ll be challenged

by Michael Melham, a former township councilman.

Kimble said he’ll be running with Councilman Kevin Kennedy, who has served five terms as councilman-at-large, and Charles Hood, a retired township deputy police chief. He’s looking to take the seat vacated by Joseph Longo earlier this year.

The deadline for nominating petitions isn’t until the end of next month but Kimble figures that his slate will have the required signatures in by Jan. 2.

Kimble took issue with several of Melham’s allegations that he was let go as the township webmaster for political reasons, that Town Hall had no one available to translate

for Latino visitors and that the township offered to buy his commercial development next to the Town Hall parking lot.

The mayor said Melham was let go because of alleged excessive billings — “he charged us for every robocall made” — that there are township workers among police and court who speak Spanish and that “we were never going to buy his property.”

Kennedy, meanwhile, has alleged Melham participated in “voter fraud” in prior elections by misrepresenting his residency and has asked the prosecutors in Essex and Bergen counties and the Essex County Superintendent of Elections to investigate.

Kennedy claims Melham was living in Lyndhurst when he voted in the 2014 Belleville municipal election and in the 2016 general election when he voted in the Belleville Board of Education election.

For his part, Melham said: “I voted in Belleville in the May 2014 municipal elections, as I had not moved to Lyndhurst yet. I owned the property [434 Park Place] since 2011. Mr. Kennedy clearly doesn’t understand the difference between ‘owning property’ and ‘residing there.’

I own many properties.

I cannot live in them all.

I owned two properties in Newark while on the [Belleville] Council from 2000-2004 — did I live there?”

Melham characterized Kennedy’s claim that he voted improperly in the Belleville school election in 2016 as “categorically false,” adding that, “I lived in Lyndhurst in 2016, and voted in the November Presidential (2016) in Lyndhurst. … I did not vote in Belleville in November 2016….” He said his voter registration form for that time indicates his then-registered address as 434 Park Place in Lyndhurst.

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The 14U Bergen County Hawks, a non-profit travel team in North Arlington, won the fall championship in the Professional Baseball Instruction (PBI) League. The team consists primarily of boys from the borough and a few players from surrounding towns to round out the roster. Most have been playing together since tee-ball and their hard work paid off as they claimed their first travel championship, beating the Stony Point Patriots Nov. 19, at Riverside County Park, Lyndhurst, 7-2. For the season, the Hawks finished 9-1. The players, standing in white shirts, from l., are Angel Elliott, Owen Fletcher, Dharshan Selvakumar, Christian Gerace, Ryan Calvache and Oscar Torres. Kneeling from l., are, Vinny Pestrichella, George Xanthos, Lewis Miramontes, Ryan Cherichella, Connor Borrelli and Amir Wilkinson.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

27

How to keep your Christmas tree safe NUTLEY – As residents set up their Christmas decorations, Nutley Public Safety Commissioner Alphonse Petracco and Deputy Fire Chief Paul Cafone offer these tips to make everyone’s holiday a safe one.

Here are some precautions to take to protect your family and your home: While fires involving Christmas trees are infrequent, when they do happen, they tend to be serious so attention should be paid to how you go about decorating your tree, advise Petracco and Cafone.

to bed.

Placing the tree • Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk.

• Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.

• Take care the tree isn’t blocking an exit.

• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree • Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor Picking the tree use. of light strands to connect.

Choose a tree with fresh, • Replace any string of • Never use lit candles to green needles that don’t easily lights with worn or broken decorate the tree. cords or loose bulb connecfall off when touched.

• Always turn off tree lights tions. Read the manufacturbefore leaving home or going er’s instructions for number

To submit an obituary: fax: 201-991-8941

obituaries@theobserver.com Carol L. Kook Carol L. Kook (nee Holmes), of Kearny, died at home Dec. 12.

She was 63.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A service took place at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, Kearny. Cremation was private.

Carol was an accounts payable/receivable coordinator for the Kearny Board of Education.

She was active with the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington in Kearny, serving as a deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher and church treasurer.

The wife of the late Peter D. Kook, she is survived by her children, Jennifer Fennell (Keith) and Jeremy Kook. The sister of Diane Foray, William Holmes and the late James Holmes, she is also survived by her grandchildren Brandon, Brianne, Tyler, Emma, Kayden and Kaleb.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the ASPCA or the American Cancer Society.

Teresa ‘Tree’ Brinkmeyer Teresa “Tree” Brinkmeyer, of Kearny, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Dec. 11.

32 reported home fires originating with a Christmas tree After Christmas resulted in a death, compared • Get rid of the tree after to an average of one death per the holiday. Dried-out trees 143 total reported home fires. are a fire danger and should • Electrical distribution not be left in the home or or lighting equipment was garage, or placed outside involved in two of every five against the house. Check with home Christmas tree fires. your local community to find • In one-quarter of Christmas tree fires and in 80% of a recycling program. the deaths resulting from such • Bring outdoor electrifires, some type of heat source cal lights inside to prevent – like a candle or equipment – hazards and make them last was too close to the tree. longer.

• Nearly one-quarter of Christmas tree fires were Research and statistics • Between 2011 and 2015, U.S. intentional.

• Of those reported home fire departments responded to an average 200 home fires that Christmas tree fires, 42% occurred in December and 37% started with Christmas trees in January. each year. These fires caused • And 37% of home Christan average of six deaths, 16 mas tree fires started in the injuries and $14.8 million in living room, family room or property damage annually. den.

• On average, one of every

obituaries

She was 61.

Funeral services were under the direction of the Mulligan Funeral Home, Harrison. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Kearny. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Born and raised in Kearny, Teresa was a lifelong resident of Kearny. She worked as a bank manager for Hudson City Savings, Lodi.

She loved her sleepovers with her grandchildren and enjoyed going on trips to Atlantic City.

Teresa is survived by her loving children, Laura Solimando and her husband Joseph; Michele Lombardi and her husband Jason; and Laurence Brinkmeyer. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Jonathan and Brandon

Mathews; and dear sisters, Barbara and Linda Pietrucha.

She was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Alice Pietrucha.

To send condolences to her family, visit www.mulliganfh. com.

Gilbert Rosario Gilbert Rosario, of Kearny, died Friday, Dec. 8.

He was 61.

A memorial gathering will take place at the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a memorial service at 8 p.m.

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Born and raised in Newark, Gilbert moved to Kearny 18 years ago. He served America in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his loving wife, Maribel Rosario; his loving children, Alma (DD), Gilbert, Blazer and Ninja Rosa-

rio and stepdaughter Chantee Crespo; his caring siblings, David and Maria; stepmother Candy Rosario; and stepsiblings Christina and Mathew Rosario.

He was predeceased by his son, Noah; a sister, Linda Rosario; and his parents, Gilbert and Josephine Rosario.

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24

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

www.theobserver.com www.theobserver.com

TheObserver Observer is is not responsible The responsiblefor fortypographical typographical errors.

Credit for errors will not benot granted after the errors.

Credit for errors will be granted next week’s publication.

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

Deadline for changes. classifiedsNo is Monday by 3:00 PM. $10 fee for refunds.or Credits. eadline for classifieds is onda b 3

APARTMENTS FOR RENT CONDO FOR RENT KEARNY 1 BR Condo (Heather Glen) EIK, LR, W/D, HW Floors, Parking. $1,250 plus utilities. 1 1/2 months sec. Avail Jan. 1st. (201)889-6506.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

HARRISON

LYNDHURST

KEARNY

BELLEVILLE

KEARNY 1 BR . HT/HW included. From $1,100/ month. See super 6 BELLEVILLE 5 room, 3 woodland Ave. Apt. 1, or small BR, $1,300/month. call after 5pm 917-858HT included. 1 month se- 8246 for appointment. curity. no pets. Avl. Now. (862) 201-1405.

KEARNY Newly reno-

HARRISON HARRISON Sussex St. 1st fl. 2 BR, Walk to PATH & NJIT. $1,400/month + utilities, Parking $50. 1 1/2 months security. Avl. Jan 1st. (973) 687-7500.

CLASSIFIEDS

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

2 BR Parking, laundry & gym $2,500.

Also 3 BR new construction ground and 1st fl. garage, parking & Laundy $3,300.

Elite Realty Group (973) 268-4000

vated, hardwood floors.

Laundry onsite. HT/HW included. 2 BR start at $1,250. 1 BR start at $1,050. Jr. 1 BR start at $975. (201) 289-7096 KEARNY 2BR w/Laundry. Newly renovated.

3 Blocks from NYC bus. $1600/month. NO Pets, NO Smoking. (201) 6002594

HARRISON Brand New, Top Quality. 2 BR, 2 bath. $1,600/month. 1 1/2 months security. Near KEARNY 3rd fl. Studio, PATH & Walmart. Avl. now Kitchen, DR, LR, bath(973) 772- 2882/3883. room. 1 month security. Utilities separate. No pets. Avl. Jan 1st. (908) 687-4865.btw 9am-3pm.

HARRISON 97-99 Hamilton St. 3rd fl. 3 BR, H/W floors, $1,350/month + KEARNY 1 BR apt. HT/ utilities. 1.5 months se- HW included. New Kitchcurity. No pets. Avl Janu- en & Bath Elevated buildary 1st. (201) 921-3954 ing. Laundry facility on premises. from $1,150/ month,. Call Sofia after 3pm 201-998-3516 or HARRISON Beautiful see super after 3pm 654 3 BR, 1 bath, C/A, H/W Elm St. Apt Basement 1. floors, parking, storage, laundry. $1,700/month. utilities included. no KEARNY 678 Elm St. 2nd pets. no smoking. Avl. fl. 3 BR’s, DR, EIK, BathJan. 1st. (201) 628-5350. room. $1,500/month. 2 months security. no pets. no smoking. Avl. Now. (551) 216-9750.

HARRISON Large Studio Apt., H/W floors, HT/ completely HW included. Walking dis- KEARNY tance to PATH. No smok- renovated apt. on quiet ing. no pets. $1,200/ and peaceful area, 4 BR, month. 1 months secu- 1 bath on 2nd fl. Close to school and bus station. rity. (973) 420-0139 (646) 456-7313 HARRISON recently renovated 3 BR. separate utilities. 1 1/2 months security. no pets. $1,650/month. Call (973) 380-9007.

KEARNY 2 BRs, LR, EIK, $1400/month. Roosevelt School district. 1 1/2 month security and 1 months rent. Available Now. 201-679-2615.

HARRISON Sussex St. 2 BR w/large closets, Large LR, DR w/extra closet space, Kitchen, Bath.

Close to PATH & Townhomes. No pets. Avl. Now. (201) 719-0714.

KEARNY 2nd fl. 2 BR, LR, DR, EIK, Sun Porch.

7 rooms. No pets. Nice Area. Plenty of street parking. 1 1/2 months security. Avl. Now. credit check required. (973) 991-4483.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

LYNDHURST 3 BR’s, LR, Kitchen, bathroom.

1 month security. Avl. January 1st. no pets. Call (201) 280-7707 or (973) 9001852 or (201) 964-0696 .

LYNDHURST 1 BR $1,295/month & 2 BR $1,495/month &, HT/HW included. Section 8 ok.

(973) 760-4877

N.ARLINGTON N.ARLINGTON Apt. for rent No pets. No smoking. (201) 997-6666.

N.ARLINGTON Garden apt. 1 BR, $1,000, 1 BR $1,200. HT/HW included. parking. No pets. (732) 237-4682

FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT

KEARNY Furnished room Just in time for the with all new furniture, season! Howie Mandel refrigerator, microwave type, Middle aged white w/ A/C. $625/month. all male, smoker. Energetic/ utilities including interlooks personality plus net. Smoke free. Refer- won’t disappoint. Desires ences a must. 201-697to meet white female 0541 smoker brunette, voluptuous/full figured type. Personality a must.

(201) 377-8118.

KEARNY Furnished room for rent. Includes Internet, good area. Close to Kearny Ave and Davis Ave. Avl. Now. (201) 2801868.

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

Hall Available Mid week special.

Price Break-Call Parties, Business Meeting, & Functions (201) 991-9865 (203) 864-8243 Max 80 people.

FT AUTO SUPPLY COUNTER PERSON NJ DRIVERS LICENCE ENGLISH / BILINGUAL TRAINEE OR EXPERIENCED IRONBOUND NEWARK 973-344-0204

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

Free training provided. msangelabove@ comcast.net.

(732)766-4425

Christ the King Prep in N.Newark is Seeking school bus driver (24 passenger) with CDL license and P and S endorsement, for afterschool activities. Must have good driving record and pass background check. Start immediately.

Decorator/Baker needed for Nutley bakery Exp. preferred. position avl. immediately. Vincent (973) 951-0553 Se necesita Decorador/ Panadero con experencia para trabajar en Nutley Bakery Vincent (973) 951-0553

Substitute School Nurses Kearny School District 2017/2018 SY $150 per day Apply at:

Night Dispatchers and Night Drivers Wanted!! Apply in person at Schuyler Cab 505 Schuyler Ave Kearny. Must Have Clean Record.

Email cpaterek@ctkprep.org.

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED Short order cook/ kitchen help and cleaning and waitress needed for restaurant in N.Arlington.

FT/PT flexible hours (917) 816-2419 FOR MORE INFO.

www.kearnyschools.com

Board of Education Employment EOE/AA

Part Time Experienced dental Assistant, Bilingual preferred.

Flexible schedule.

Call (201) 991-1733

Daycare located in Kearny is looking for 2 FT teacher’s assistant in the Infant and Toddler class. Call 201-246-1500 or stop by with resume at 545 Kearny Ave. Childcare experience a must.

Do you have

a Job to fill?

We can h elp y reach ov ou er 32,000 R EADERS in 8 tow ns 3 counti & es!

4 BR, parking, gargage & laundry. $2,850/month.

Elite Realty Group (973) 268-4000 HOUSE FOR SALE

N.ARLINGTON Crystal St. 1 Family Spacious N.ARLINGTON 1 BR Ranch, Large Bedrooms, garden apt. $1,100/ high ceilings, H/W floors, month. HT/HW included. finished basement w/ Parking space. No pets. summer kitchen, Bath, (201) 342- 2206.

Laundry asking $325k Owner (551) 580-1637.

NEWARK

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

HALL FOR RENT

37 Year old male, looking for a kind hearted Loving, Honest and mature Woman, ages 30-47 years old for a monogamous relationship. 845-7097898

KEARNY Furnished room with all new furniture, refrigerator, microwave FLEA w/ A/C. $625/month. all MARKET utilities including internet. Smoke free. References a must. 201-697- Joes Army/Navy Sale. 90 0541 pairs of insulated and waterproof Durango boots for $4,000. Must buy all.

ROOM 12 beautiful men’s leathFOR RENT er jackets Must buy all $600.00. 15 heavy duty KEARNY room for rent Carhart hoodies $225.00 2nd fl. bathroom, closet, for all 15. 12 pairs of private entrance. no pets.

Johnson Murphy penny $650/month. utilities inloafers $400.00 for all cluded. Avl. Jan 1st. (201) 12. Women’s black cash998-2314. mere jackets by Marvin Richards. $99.00 each.

(201)998-3817 KEARNY room for rent 2nd fl. bathroom, closet, private entrance. no pets. utilities included. Avl. Jan 1st. (201) 741-0844.

N.ARLINGTON Move in ready. Available Now. 1 BR, Kitchen, LR, Full Bath, A/C, Refrigerator, All utilities included. No pets. $1,100/month. Residen- KEARNY room for rent, tial area. (201) 988-8978 private entrance, wi-fi included. Female preferred.

Avl. Now. call or text.

(201) 208-1580.

N.ARLINGTON Newly renovation, 2nd fl. 2 BR, HOUSE Near Transportation. No FOR RENT pets. Avl. Now $1,350/ month + Utilities. (973) 895-9552.

KEARNY

N.ARLINGTON 2 BR, Big DR, LR, additional room basement w/bathroom & kitchen.+ 1 car garage and backyard. no pets. $2,000/month. 1 month security. Avl. Jan. 1st.

(973) 687-3322.

PERSONAL

29

PARKING

FOR RENT NEWARK 1st fl. 1 BR, Kitchen, LR & DR. $1,100/ month. HT/HW included. Parking for 25ft. trucks, 1 1/2 month security. Avl. SUV’s or Small vans call Now. (862) 955-8624.

(201) 997-1500.

Buy 1 week, receive the 2nd week

50% OFF

HELP WANTED ADS! Add color to your ad for an extra cost.

Your classified ad will be featured on our website as well!

Call (201) 991-1600

24 30

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 THE DECEMBER 20, 2017

www.theobserver.com www.theobserver.com

The TheObserver Observerisisnot notresponsible responsiblefor fortypographical typographical errors. errors.Credit Creditfor forerrors errorswill willnot notbe begranted grantedafter afterthe the next week’s publication.

No changes next week’s publication. No changesor orrefunds. refunds.

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

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

Looking for a electrician/warehouse helper in Kearny, preferably a young local person willing to learn not only electrical but all kinds of maintenance, must have a drivers license and able to do physical work such ad occasional heavy lifting, digging and show shoveling in the winter. Willing to work 6 days a week experience a plus but not necessary. Must not be afraid of heights. Punctuality a must. Great opportunity if you want a career in the electrical field. (201) 991-7478

CLASSIFIEDS A.A.

CLEANING SERVICES

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Drinking Problem?

We can Help?

Call A.A. 24 hours 1-800-245-1377 www.nnjaa.org

Quality - Dependable Honest Service 17 Years of Experience Daily-Weekly-Monthly Rates Available Free Estimates Maria 443-454-9802 pinhomd@hotmail.com

DO IT ALL Interior Exterior new & repairs.

All types of carpentry.

Reasonable rates, quality work, reliable, experienced.

13VH06620900 (201)991-3223

From all of us at The Observer, to all of our readers & advertisers, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and the best this holiday season.

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES C.N.R. Contracting • Concrete • Brick work • steps

• Driveway Seal

Coating

•Crack Repair

All types of Masonry Commercial & Residential

(201) 702-5979

The Observer | 39 Seeley Ave., Kearny | (201) 991-1600 | TheObserver.com

Martinez Construction Roofing • Chimneys •Basement•Gutter •Masonry•Chimney & Roof Leak Work Exterior and Interior (201) 952-0076 Lic # 13VH06939900

www.Martinezchimney.com.

To place a classified, call The Observer @ (201) 991-1600

HANDYMAN Do all types of home repair at reasonable cost.

Free Estimate AUGIE (973) 614-4679

HEATING & COOLING Courageous Plumbing HVAC LLC LIC .#11103 • Air Conditioning • Hot Air Furnaces • Central Air, Humidifier, UV Light,Duck Cleaning,Visa & Master Card, Finances offer with up to 24 payments, no interest (201) 206-4845

HOME IMPROVEMENT

G & R Builders

Roofing, Siding, Windows, Doors, Decks, Painting, Tiles & Masonry, Sheet Rock. All types of Carpentry.

Lic. #13VH02536200

FIRST TIME ADVERTISERS!

Pay for 3 weeks, Receive 3 weeks FREE! 1x1: $81 • 1x1.5: $124 • 1x2: $162

AD COLOR FOR AN EXTRA CHARGE (Cleaning Service, Construction, Masonry, etc.)

Plus FREE Internet Exposure.

Call us for more information.

Ads must be emailed or faxed!

Place your ad online: www.TheObserver.com > Click on Classifieds > Submit Classified

(201) 991-1600 OR EMAIL: CLASSIFIED@THEOBSERVER.COM

Free Estimates 20% Senior Citizen Discounts

(201) 893-0656

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

(201) 906-2422

LANDSCAPING & DESIGN

• Lawn Maintenance • Spring Clean-up • Design Retaining Walls • Pavers • Tree Service • Install Fence & Repair Free Estimates & Fully Ins.

Eder (201) 997-9271 www.copacabana landscaping.com

MARIO ESPOSITO LANDSCAPING LLC Fall Clean-Up Lawn maintenance Top Soil • Mulch Snow Removal Free Estimates

201-438-3991 MOVING & DELIVERY

JR Trucking Moving and Delivery Service Inc. We can Save Time & Money Commercial & Residential Free Estimate.

Ask for Will

(973) 477-1848.

NUTRITION CENTER

To place place an an ad ad call: call: To 201-991-1600 201-991-1600 classified@theobserver.com classifi ed@theobserver.com PAINTING & DECORATING

RUBBISH REMOVAL

•Concrete, • Brick

ANDRIELLO CLEANOUTS

work • steps • Stone Walls • Drywall • Tiles, • Painting • Sheetrock • Drywall • Plastering ALL types of Masonry Free Estimates (973) 943-2254

PEST CONTROL

PEST CONTROL Exterminating Fast Service • Roaches • Ants • Bed Bugs • Fleas Call 973-932-2092 Licensed and Insured PLUMBING & HEATING Courageous Plumbing HVAC LLC LIC. # 11103 • Plumbing • (town inspections), violations corrected, Steam boilers and Hot water boilers, oil to gas conversions, Sewer Drain Cleaning ,excavations. Visa & MC , Finances up to 24 payments, no interest (201) 206-4845

Nutrition Center

6 North 3rd St. Harrison, NJ 7 days a week.

For Everyone Please call us for a free demonstration or stop by our center.

Ask for Angra (973) 280-8469 Hablamos Espanol y Falamos Portugues

PAINTING & DECORATING Painting & Decorating Andreas Painting

Professional HousePainter 165. Interior & Exterior Printing - Plastering - Taping Free Estimates

(201) 997-0706

Speak slow in answering machine please

Yard Cleam-Up, Garages, Basements, Attics, Real Estate, Rubbish Removal, Demolition Lic.13VH04443200 (201) 726-0287

TAROT CARD READING

Readings by Antonio (973) 264-8591 Spiritual Work.

Home/Business Spiritual Cleaning.

WANTED TO BUY

Cash 4 Junk Cars $ 201-428-0441 No Keys, No title, No problem.

THE OBSERVER

ANNOUNCEMENT

JOSEPH V. FERRIERO Plumbing & Heating Kitchen and bath remodelling. Carpentry.

Hot Water Heaters.

Fully Ins. Lic# 165

(201)637-1775 SEAMLESS GUTTERS D. FITZGERALD

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

ROOFING & SIDING

New + Re-roofing • Flat roofing Window installation • Siding • Gutters Free estimates Fully insured (973) 343-1167 (201) 528-8350 Lic#13VH04302300

We will be closed on Mon+ Tue, Dec. 25th & 26 &, Jan. 1st.

Deadlines for Classifieds will be Friday, Dec. 22nd for week of 12/27/17 & Friday, Dec. 29th for week of 1/3/17 3pm Dealine (201) 9911600

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

TRAILERS

Continued from Page 5 qualified for FAA funding on the grounds that the jets flying out of Newark Airport were quieter. (Some observers felt the real reason had to do with the then-U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s key opposition to the reappointment of the FAA chairman.)

At any rate, the district — which still had the use of the $8 million in municipal bonds — now directed its architect to devise a new set of blueprints limiting the job to the exterior brick-related repairs.

As the architect worked on plans, the FAA changed course and reinstated the funding allocation to the district which now asked its architect for a new set of plans: one for exterior façade/ noise abatement and another for HVAC and interior

construction.

Then ensued a series of contractual-related nightmares, starting with litigation between bidders over who should get the work and, ultimately, both jobs were awarded to the same contractor. Still more issues erupted including changes in state school construction code, resulting in the district shelving its architect, with two more firms following.

And the district parted ways with the contractor, ending up in a costly arbitration and leading to the hiring of two other contractors to get all the work done.

All these disputes translated to further work delays and additional costs incurred due to higher prices for construction materials.

The financial pressures also forced the district to scale back part of the planned interior improvements: it reduced the size of the atrium, from five stories to

just one level and, as a result, it was unable to develop a new library, which had been projected for the top floor.

Interior construction forced the district to shut down classrooms as crews moved from one section of the school to another and the lost space, coupled with the school’s growing population, made the trailers necessary as a coping mechanism.

Earlier this month, after school maintenance staff had disconnected and removed utilities, alarms, computers, chairs and desks, six of the 14 GE-ModSpace trailers – with dimensions ranging from 576 to 648 square feet each – were sealed up, accessorized for travel and hauled away by truck with a Kearny Police Department escort.

The remaining units were expected to be gone from their Devon St. perches by Dec. 19, according to Mark Bruscino, the district’s plant operations director.

Photo by Ron Leir

Two onlookers watch as one of the KHS trailers is hauled away off the school’s lawn and onto Devon St. on Dec. 5. The makeshift classrooms are no longer needed as construction inside the high school nears completion.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY HIGHEST CASH PAID ON THE SPOT

0% FINANCING UP TO 18 MONTHS! NO MONEY DOWN!

• Boilers • Bathroom Remodeling • Oil to Gas Conversions

• Sewers Video Camera Inspections

267 River Rd. | North Arlington | New Jersey

LIC# 9529 |T: 201.997.8565 | F: 201.997.1085 | www.DeGracePlumbing.com

NJ Plumb# 11103 / HVAC# 19HC00064800

COURAGEOUS

PLUMBING, HEATING, COOLING

Sewer & Drain Cleaning/Excavations/Central AC/Furnaces/Humidifiers

$25 OFF YOUR FIRST JOB

$250 OFF ANY JOB oVEr $2,500

Oil to Gas Conversion, Best Boiler Prices, Inspections, Violations Corrected, Hot Water Heaters

Visa & MC • Finances up to 24 Payments, No Interest. courageousllc.com • courageousplumb@aol.com

201.206.4845 • 908.387.8150

BUYING GOLD & DIAMONDS .75 CARAT & LARGER Restaurant & Bar Specializing in Seafood & BBQ Catering for All Occasions & Takeout

973.481.3646 224 GRANT AVENUE • EAST NEWARK

www.picnicrestaurant.com

DIVORCE FROM

$299

Arlington

Jewelers

JEWELRY PROFESSIONALS FOR OVER 35 YEARS

Specializing in Watch & Jewelry Repairs

Up to 70% OFF

WATCHES • 14K GOLD JEWELRY DIAMOND JEWELRY • STERLING SILVER JEWELRY 36 RIDGE ROAD • NORTH ARLINGTON • 201-998-5036

Story Hall Grand Opening!

Day Care Center Where imagination is inspired...

+ Court Cost The

Masaje

man who stops advertising to save money • Foot Reflexology is like the man who stops the clock to save time.

BANKRUPTCY

$450

+ Court Cost

- Thomas Jefferson

www.NJDIVORCE299.com Call 973-273-1325

31

Now offering LIVESTREAMING! 158 Chestnut St. • Newark, NJ

storyhalldaycare@live.com • 973-344-6772

• Acupressure • Massage with soft music 211 Frank E Rodgers Blvd. N Harrison, NJ

908-456-0040

Start advertising your products and services to reach over 100,000 readers for as low as $40 a week!

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201-991-1600

32

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

...from Our Family to Yours!

Kearny

Lyndhurst

Rutherford

Secaucus

636 Kearny Ave.

424 Valleybrook Ave.

11 Park Ave.

5 Harmon Cove Tower

201-997-7000

201-939-8900

201-939-0001

info@cocciarealty.com

201-867-2100