2018 01 03 obs1

January 3, 2018 • www.theobserver.com • Vol. CXXX, No. 34

HIGHLIGHTS Routine MV stop leads to cache of drugs & a gun in Kearny.

Page 6

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

BOUND FOR THE HALL

Kearny policeman 1 of 5 in first class of super Jets fans

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com

KEARNY — A member of Kearny’s Finest is in select company in the world of pro sports.

Frank West, an officer with the Kearny Police Department, is one of a quintet admitted into the inaugural class of the New York Football Jets Fan Hall of Fame.

“They gave me the highest honor that could be bestowed on a Jets fan,” West told The Observer in a phone interview last week.

That tribute came Christmas Eve at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where the Jets were playing host to the L.A. Chargers as part of the NFL’s Week 16 matchups. (West said he’d gotten an official heads-up prior in a phone call from Jets President Neil Glat.)

A perennial home game tailgater, West — whose talents as a culinary artist were highlighted when he appeared on the Food Network’s show, “Chopped,” as a Jets representative — had to forego that ritual on the day of the ceremonies.

New York Jets photo “We had to be [at the stadium] at 11 [a.m.] so no tailgate

Frank West, a Kearny policeman, trots onto the field at MetLife Stadium, prior to being inducted into the first-ever class of the Jets Fans Hall of Fame.

See WEST, Page 27

Most read stories of ‘17 on theobserver.com

T

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com

wo cops facing disciplinary charges, bail reform in New Jersey, the death of a 14-year-old Kearny High School freshman boy, Lyndhurst’s 100th anniversary and a domestic-violence case turned murder top the five most

read stories on www.theobserver.com in 2017.

1. ‘Cops facing discipline: chief,’ by Ron Leir Ron Leir’s July story about two Kearny police officers on disciplinary, unpaid leave tops our list of most-read stories on The Observer’s website in 2017. According to Leir’s report, then-Chief John Dowie filed charges against the two not-asyet-named veteran officers who, if found guilty,

could be thrown off the force — among other possibilities.

While the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges against the two cops — and instead, returned the case back to Dowie to handle on his own, the town did hire Robert A. See MOST, Page 26

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Historic Lyndhurst home struck by fire

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com LYNDHURST — Township police and firefighters helped several occupants of a Page Ave. residence flee a smoky fire from the building’s upper levels on Dec. 26.

One resident suffered a minor burn injury; no funiformed responders were reported hurt.

Lyndhurst Mayor Robert

FIRE NEWS Giangeruso posted a notice on the township website, crediting “the members of our all-volunteer Fire Department, officers from our Police Department and our emergency squad EMTs for their swift response to an

early-morning house fire at 541 Page Ave.” “Just six [and a half] hours after the Christmas holiday, a tragedy was averted,” the mayor/public safety commissioner said, through the intervention of the first responders.

And, Giangeruso noted, the residence, “which is a historic landmark in our township, was saved by the quick actions of our volun-

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Two ladders raised to rear-upper windows, where police officers helped residents escape, can be seen after the Boxing Day fire was completely extinguished. Firefighters helped remove occupants from the roof.

teer firefighters.”

A press release issued by the Lyndhurst Volunteer Fire Department said the LFD was sent to the Page Ave. building at 6:25 a.m. “on a report of second-floor bedroom fire with victims on the roof.

“Upon arrival, there were two occupants on the roof, on the east and north sides of the residence … and two occupants hanging from a second-floor window in the front of the residence.

“Engine 1 stretched a one and three-quarter-inch line to the fire and contained it to the [second floor] room of origin. Victims were assisted out the front windows by Lyndhurst police officers as Engine 1 was arriving at the scene.

‘Engine 1 and Truck 1 deployed ground ladders and removed the two occupants from the roof.”

Firefighters from the LFD, assisted by a mutual aid response from Rutherford Engine Co. 2 and a F.A.S.T. team from North Arlington Rescue 5, “were met by icy condi-

tions on the slate roof and ground, which hampered the ground ladder operations.”

Lyndhurst Deputy Fire Commissioner Paul Haggerty said one of the adults aided down from the roof — a man in his 30s — sustained a non-life-threatening burn for which he was persuaded to be transported to an area hospital for examination.

Haggerty said a combination of heat and smoke in the building’s stairwell prevented the upstairs occupants from making their way down to the first-floor exit.

Because of the quick response, “the occupants were safe within five minutes of the arrival of police and firefighters,” Haggerty said.

He said a second-floor bedroom, the point of origin, possibly started from a defective heating source – and the flames were knocked down “within 15 minutes.”

Except for the second-floor bedroom, which Haggerty described as “a complete loss,” and water damage to See FIRE, Page 25

Inside this edition ...

Opinion....................................................................8 Food & Dining Directory.............................................12 Sports & Recreation...................................................13 Health & Wellness Directory.......................................15 Real Estate..............................................................18 Real Estate Directory.................................................19 Obituaries................................................................21 Classifieds...............................................................22 Business Directory....................................................26

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

03

Doran: Kennedy School work imminent

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com HARRISON — Wondering when construction will begin on Harrison’s Kennedy School?

“They should be driving piles within the next six weeks,” Assistant Superintendent of Schools James Doran said recently.

Doran, who meets

close to 400 children in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade.

As the run-up to actual construction continues, the Harrison Board of Education on Dec. 14 arranged for the future school to be equipped with “all cabling and electronics for transmission of voice, video and data” by applying, through the SDA,

The compromise settlement grants academic credit for half of the contested courses for two years.

• Approved an agreement with Drew University to host Project Graduation 2018 in the university’s athletic center, pending review by board counsel.

And, in another development, Doran said work on a new BOE website

HARRISON NEWS Eight teachers wanted to be moved up on the union salary guide on the basis of having taken certain postgraduate online courses but Doran had questioned the legitimacy of those courses.

is continuing.

A posting on the existing website says: “Our district website is moving to a new home to better assist our community. Meanwhile, we ask you to confirm any items and event dates by calling either our BOE’s office at 973-483-2055 or the Superintendent’s Office at 973-483-4627 or your child’s school.”

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regularly with representatives of the N.J. Schools Development Authority (SDA) and the general contractor Brockwell & Carrington, to plan all aspects of the job, said the SDA is confident that pilings can be driven as deep as 36 feet to anchor the future school facility, severe winter cold conditions notwithstanding.

Whether that will happen remains to be seen. In late November 2016, B&C was awarded the $25+ million contract to erect a 3-story, 65,500-square foot school building to accommodate

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for participation in the E-rate Consortium.

In other business, the BOE: • Ratified a lease agreement with the Hudson County Community College for classroom space at Washington Middle School for the balance of the 20172018 school year, starting Jan. 22. Doran said the new arrangement calls for HCCC to pay $30 per classroom for each night of use.

• Accepted an arbitration settlement agreement with the Harrison Education Association stemming from an HEA class action grievance filed May 1, 2016.

Submit news To submit a press release to The Observer, send all pertinent information (text, photos, etc.) by email to editorial@ theobserver.com. We cannot guarantee placement in the newspaper, but we will do our best to publish your news.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Field returfing nears completion NUTLEY — The Father Glotzbach Field re-turfing project is nearing completion and new state-of-theart artificial surface is being installed to replace the existing 11-year-old covering, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Mauro Tucci said.

“Fields, parks and green space are gems for our township,” Tucci said, “designed to enhance the experience for Nutley residents and all who visit our great community.

Completion of this project truly gives residents a completely renovated sports complex incorporating Glotzback Field, Owens Field and the Recreation Department building.”

The re-turfing job is being financed by a combination

NUTLEY NEWS matching grant and loan totaling $350,115 from the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres program coupled with township capital funds, Tucci said.

Glotzback Field is used by local soccer and lacrosse recreation and travel leagues, by the high school and the general public. During the summer, it hosats Camp Nutley and sports clinics.

“With an ever-growing list of recreational options for residents to enjoy, this top-notch synthetic turf field is a huge component for expanding year-round use of our facilities,” Tucci said.

Township of Nutley

An overhead view of returfing ongoing at the Father Glotzbach Field in Nutley. According to township officials, the project is close to complete.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

05

KPD: Biting is naughty, not nice

By Karen Zautyk kzautyk@theobserver.com KEARNY — Okay. It was Christmas Eve. There’s always the chance the suspect’s friends had asked Santa for help with their personal cleanliness.

But still …

At 1:24 p.m., Dec. 24, Officer Jordenson Jean responded to a report of a disorderly shoplifter at ShopRite, where the suspect — Tawana Edwards, 48, of Newark — had bitten the store manager on the hand when he tried to prevent her from stealing $135.27 worth of “various hygiene products,” police said.

Arrested, Edwards was allegedly found to also be in possession of $1,171.68 worth of unpaid-for-merchandise from Marshalls. (Alas, we do not know what that included or what the specific ShopRite items were.)

Edwards was charged with robbery, shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia — a burnt glass pipe — and was held pending transfer to the Hudson County Jail.

Where we presume there is at least some soap.

Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following: Dec. 19 Officer David Bush, on patrol at Passaic and N. Midland Aves. at 7:42 p.m., observed an individual walking across the off-limits RR bridge and arrested him for trespassing. A search reportedly revealed Donald G. Kubs, 35, of Kearny, to have in his pocket one wax fold of heroin, stamped “Whoa.” He was charged with possession of the drug and drug paraphernalia and with defiant trespass and, police said, was found to have warrants from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Greenwich Township and Pohatcong Township. Kubs was booked and transferred to the Hudson County Jail.

••• At 11:16 p.m., at Dukes St. and Essex Place (thank you, Google maps), Officer Michal

Gontarczuk arrested Jose Rodriguez, 41, of Newark on a $5,000 (10%) trespass warrant out of that city. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, reportedly a glass pipe and a cut straw with white residue. He too, ended up in the county jail. (Police

said Rodriguez was initially stopped for questioning in regard to a Dec. 18 burglary, but as of press time he had not been charged with any connection to that crime.)

Dec. 22 At 11:43 p.m., multiple units responded to Walmart

on a report of shoplifting by a trio of females. In the parking lot, Lt. Charles Smith and Officers Sean Podolski and Chris Manolis confronted two of the suspects, who allegedly had $327.63 worth of stolen merchandise in the back seat of their car. They were identified as Qamarah

Johnson, 35, of East Orange, and Yomisha Robinson, 34, of Newark. Their reputed cohort, Andrea Finney, 29, of Newark, was arrested inside the store.

All three were charged with shoplifting and See BLOTTER, Page 6

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

A trunk full of surprises

By Karen Zautyk kzautyk@theobserver.com KEARNY — It was just another of your “routine” traffic stops, but when the dust settled, the Kearny PD likely could have used an extra evidence room at headquarters.

At 1:40 a.m. on Dec. 20, Officers Jonathan Dowie and David Bush began following a 2004 Mercedes reportedly being driven “erratically” on Passaic Ave. and pulled it over at Afton and William Sts., where, police said, they detected the odor of burnt marijuana and saw inside

the car three cell phones and a prescription bottle with a peeled label.

Police said the driver — Shannon Venable, 39, of Newark — said he was en route to Belmont Ave. in Kearny, which we know does not exist. Venable reportedly complied with the officers’ request to step from the car and gave consent for them to search the driver’s area, but not the trunk. Police said he freely admitted he had been arrested for drug-related offenses and had served seven years in federal prison for crimes involving a firearm.

Based on that information,

the KPD requested assistance from the Jersey City PD’s K-9 unit, which dispatched a dog that sniffed about the car and reportedly made a positive “hit” on the trunk, at which point the vehicle was

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seized and held until a search warrant could be obtained.

Venable was also seized and held, on a charge of illegal possession of a Rx drug, and taken to the Hudson County Jail. (Plus, he got a summons for careless driving.)

Hudson County Superior Court issued the warrant, and Dowie, Bush and Det. Mike Andrews opened the trunk, in which, police said, they found a loaded Glock handgun, with 13 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.

Although its serial number was defaced, authorities said, it was later found to have been stolen from Pennsylvania.

Also in the trunk, police said, were: 75 wax folds of heroin; 41 vials of crack cocaine; 51 Xanax tablets; 41 wax folds of

BLOTTER

Continued from Page 5 conspiracy to commit same.

Additionally, police said, Johnson had a $253 (full) town ordinance warrant from Elizabeth. She and Finney were held for transfer to the county jail; Robinson was released on a summons.

Dec. 23 It was back to Walmart at 4:10 p.m. on a report that a man had tried to steal two TVs worth a total of $2,196.

Officer Alan Stickno arrested suspect Laquan Wright, 25, of Newark, on a charge of shoplifting. Wright, who police said also had a $500 (full) Newark warrant, went to the county jail.

Dec. 25 For all those wondering about the downed traffic light

POLICE BEAT cocaine; 64 Ecstasy pills, and a box of sandwich bags.

Venable remained ensconced in the county jail, on new charges of: unlawful possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes; possession of hollow-point ammunition; receiving stolen property; possession of a defaced firearm; possession of a weapon while committing a drug offense; possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; possession of CDS; possession with intent to distribute; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

at Passaic and Bergen Aves. on Christmas Day: Police said it was assaulted 6:13 a.m. by a 2010 Ford pick-up driven

by Jair Moreira-Bueno, 42, of East Newark. Police said he told responding Officer Sean Kelly that he had been heading north, using his cell phone, when he veered off the road.

Although he denied drinking, police said there was an odor of alcohol and that he failed field sobriety tests. He was charged with DUI, reckless driving, failure to exhibit an insurance card, failure to keep right, using a hand-held phone while driving, having an expired license and refusing to take an Alcotest.

When the signal pole came down, it brought with it several live wires that were left dangling above the roadway. The Kearny Fire Department helped remedy that situation.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

07

Pedestrian fatality on Passaic Ave.

By Karen Zautyk kzautyk@theobserver.com KEARNY — An 81-year-old Parsippany woman died last week after being struck by a pick-up truck while crossing Passaic Ave. at Riverview Court, Kearny police reported.

Police said the victim, Suzhen Jia, was walking to a parking area on the west side of Passaic when she was hit by the southbound vehicle at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.

According to the KPD, the driver, a 42-year-old North Arlington man, said he did not see the woman, who was dressed all in black.

Her daughter, who had been crossing the avenue ahead of her, was not hit.

When the motorist felt an impact and realized he had struck something, police said, he immediately pulled over and remained at the scene.

In addition to the KPD,

North Arlington EMS and MONOC paramedics responded to the site. Jia was taken to Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, where she was pronounced dead.

Police said speed was not a factor in the fatality, and no charges were filed against the driver.

“It appears to be just a tragic accident,” said a KPD spokesman.

••• Regarding the Dec. 13 fatal crash on Forest St., reported recently in The Observer, police have identified the victim as Edward Henderson, 59, of Kearny.

Police said Henderson died after his Jeep plowed into the back of a U.S. Postal Service truck, which had stopped on Forest near Howell Place to make a delivery.

The cause of the 2:30 p.m. accident remains under investigation.

Observer file photo

Police have identified the victim of a Dec. 13 fatal crash, depicted here, as Edward Henderson, 59, of Kearny. Henderson was driving the Jeep when it rear-ended a postal truck.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

thoughts&views 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.

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By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com

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 Kim Pezzolla Sales & Classifieds

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

Christmas 2005 was different than others from the get-go.

For starters, it wasn’t all that cold that day — and night — and a distinct, annoying fog set over much of the tristate area. I spent much of that day at the home of my aunt and uncle, Annie and Bob Troy, in Middletown, just outside Red Bank. Once things started to wind down, I got into my car and headed home.

It wasn’t an easy journey by any means, and I recall, several times, thinking I may have made a mistake leaving Middletown — the fog was as bad as I could remember — and the journey up the Garden State Parkway was nerve-wracking.

Though visibility was brutal, I got home safely.

I can’t remember the exact time, but it was much later on in the evening.

My phone rang and it was my aunt Annie. “Bobby had to go up to work — there was an accident with two of his officers at the Kearny-Jersey City border,” she said.

At the time, my uncle, the aforementioned Bob Troy, was Chief of the Jersey City Police Department. It would be hours before we all learned that accident was, indeed, the untimely death of Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen — both of whom had served in the JCPD’s Emergency Services Unit.

The two men had been dispatched, that night, to the then Hackensack River Bridge which, in 2007, was renamed in their memories. Flares were needed because the bridge’s security arm — the wooden piece of the bridge that stops drivers when the bridge is raised — wasn’t lowering.

Carson and Nguyen drove their JCPD ESU vehicle across the bridge, to the Kearny side of it, where the arm was malfunctioning. From what I recall, the two delivered the flares, chatted with other officers who were on the scene and then got back into their vehicle.

What they didn’t know was that in the time in-between crossing the bridge into Kearny and their chat with the other cops, the bridge had been raised, presumably to allow a boat to pass through.

Once in their vehicle, unaware the drawbridge was up — and blinded by

Photos by Kevin Canessa

Retired KPD Sgt. John Manley (l.) and retired Deputy Chiefs James J. Corbett (c.) and John Corbett Sr. salute as the Carson-Nguyen Bridge is dedicated in ‘07.

the heavy fog of the evening — they drove themselves to their horrific death … plunging into the Hackensack River.

In an instant, two men who were part of the JCPD’s most elite unit were gone. In seconds, they went from one of their simplest assignments to their deaths.

Christmas cheer was gone. For many, it would never again be the same.

From the stories my uncle once told me, I recall that there were some officers at the scene before it all unfolded who detected Carson and Nguyen driving toward the open bridge. They ran after them. They screamed for them to stop. But Carson and Nguyen never heard the screams or saw the pleas for them to stop.

They were doomed.

For my uncle, it was the greatest test of his leadership. Carson and Nguyen’s families would turn to him for leadership, for comfort, for answers. The city would turn to him. It had to be the most trying time of his 25-year police career.

He succeeded.

A dozen years later, it hit me that I had completely forgotten about Shawn and Robert over the last few Christmases. Even having driven across that bridge several times in 2017, it didn’t hit me, even then, it was their bridge.

Too quickly, we forget our true heroes once they’re gone.

But just a few days past Christmas, I thank you for allowing me to share this story with you, because Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen were just that — heroes. They gave their lives in

service, that day, not just to the people of Jersey City, but also to the people of our town, Kearny. And their ultimate sacrifice must never, ever, be forgotten.

Man, do I miss Greg Kelly If you, like me, are a fan of “Good Day New York,” may I ask … do you miss Greg Kelly as much as I do?

Lori Stokes, his replacement, seems a nice enough a lady — but she has absolutely no chemistry with Rosanna Scotto — months after taking over for Kelly — and she laughs at everything, even things that are inappropriate and not meant to be laughed at.

Almost every morning, my mom, friend Kristen and I exchange texts about wacky things she does. All the while, Fox 5 has Sukanya Krishnan hosting from 4:30 to 7 a.m. Suki has incredible chemistry with Scotto. Heck, Krishnan has chemistry with whomever she works. Am I right here?

It’s a pipe dream to hope Kelly will return — but please, someone at Fox 5 — admit the mistake. Get Krishnan on from 7 to 10 a.m.

The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the writer and do not reflect the opinions of The Observer and its management.

Feedback is welcome and encouraged. Reach Kevin Canessa at kc@theobserver.com.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

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Lincoln Middle School Students of the Month listed Robert C. Zika Sr., principal of Lincoln Middle School, Kearny, announces the following Students of the

Month for November: Michelle Cerqueira, Abigail Crispin, Antonio DaCosta, Kyle Decker, Sebastian Glazewski,

Matthew Hohman, Claudio Kochell, Julia Kolenda, Walter Loayza, Jack Logue, Kristofer Martinez, Melissa Mendonca

Rezende, Arwa Ouali, Sebastian Paz, Reilley Peck, Hailey Perez, Julissa Pimentel, Isaiah Pose, Josh Riedinger,

Nicholas Rodrigues, Rafael Romano, Ines Silva, Sebastian Solis, Mya Torres, Gabriella Villafane and Aryssa Whaley.

Garfield School names Students of the Month Curtis Brack, principal of Garfield School, Kearny, announces the Garfield School Students of the Month for

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Several members of the 2017 Group IV state champion Kearny Kardinals were honored at an afternoon luncheon at Cooper’s Block. With the team is Hugh O’Neill, one of Kearny’s most noted soccer player ever, who himself went on to play professional soccer across the globe.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Belleville BOE renames program for Vellon

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Board of Education paid tribute to their late colleague Ralph Vellon

by voting Dec. 18 to name the Belleville High School Academy of Engineering and Medical Sciences in his honor.

A dedication ceremony has yet to be planned, according to Superintendent of Schools

Richard Tomko.

Vellon, a former board vice president, died Aug. 21, at 60.

“The community is still very shaken by his loss,” Tomko said. “And we’re still going through that.”

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Vellon, who was completing his first 3-year term on the Belleville BOE, had filed petitions to seek re-election.

Tomko credited Vellon, who was chief operations officer with Health Plus Surgery Center of Saddle Brook and Dynamic Surgery of Hackensack, as “instrumental in starting” the Academy in 2015.

“Ralph’s expertise in that field was the bridge to his personal and professional dedication to our students,” the superintendent said.

The “biggest part” of the Academy, which offers specialized courses along with normal high school requirements, is the medicalscience component, Tomko noted.

“Next year, we’ll be working on engineering electives to be offered by the Academy,” he said. “And we’ll be trying to get visiting lecturers and possibly a program to introduce licensed practical nursing, maybe with Essex County College participating.

Also maybe a course in robotics.”

“Our first Academy cohort (class) is now our junior class,” Tomko said, “so the 2019-2012 school year will see our first Academy graduates.”

There are currently about 40 students participating in the Academy, he added.

In other developments at the Dec. 18 meeting, the BOE: • Retained the Bordentown firm of Phoenix Advisors LLC for $17,500 “to provide specialized financial advisory services” in connection with the BOE’s plans to issue bonds – following the voters’ approval of a $48 million referendum for capital repairs at all schools in the district.

• Approved the appointment of Matthew Paladino as school business administrator/board secretary at a pro-rated salary of $128,500 a year for the period Jan. 1, 2018, through June 30, 2018. Paladino has served as interim B.A./board secretary for the past seven months. A former B.A. for the Ridgefield Park Board

The late Ralph Vellon of Education, Paladino was hired as assistant B.A. by the Belleville district in 2016 and became acting B.A. in place of Wayne Demikoff in 2017 after Demikoff left to take a job as monitor for the state Department of Education.

• Awarded a school food service management contract for 2017-2018 to Compass Group USA Inc., operating through its Chartwells Division of Rye Brook, N.Y., which shall receive a fee of 12¢ per meal for administrative and management costs incurred in preparing and serving breakfast and lunch to the district’s 4,400plus students. Chartwells “guarantees that the return to the district from the food service program for the school year will be $250,000.

• Voted 6-1, with Thomas Graziano the lone supporter, to reject a recommendation

by Tomko to contract with Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren, a former NBA player who struggled with substance abuse, for speaking engagement services.

The proposed contract called for coverage of two assembly sessions on Jan. 9 at a cost of $10,442.84.

Tomko said he pitched the idea because he felt Belleville students would respond positively to professional athletes talking about “character building and drug awareness.”

He said he hoped the board members would reconsider the proposal if a “more costeffective” approach could be developed.

www.TheObserver.com

aroundtown

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Belleville

At the library For adults: • Friends of the Library Meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m. Want to help the library shape its agenda? The Friends help support the library with funds, personnel and projects not funded or supported by regular budgets. The Friends may choose to buy or adopt books, join its talent pool for workshops and events, promote library happenings, help identify

projects for a better library and participate in library fundraisers.

• Job Search Assistance, Thursday, Jan. 4, 6-7 p.m.

Learn how to search and apply for jobs through the internet.

• Yoga for Beginners, Saturday, Jan. 6, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn about simple but powerful yoga postures to bring stability and balance. No physical agility or prior yoga experience needed.

• Movie Mondays, Jan. 8, at noon. 1940s: “Dressed to Kill.”

Franklin School salutes scholars Yvonne Cali, principal of Franklin School, Kearny, announces the school’s first marking period Principal’s Honors and Honor Roll: Grade 4 Principal’s Honors – Sarah Barbosa, Shayla Calva, Gabriel De Castro, Camila Lago-Giuffra, John Lydecker, Matthew Munoz, Valerie Muthikul and Marley Racines.

Honors – Isabella Behrend, Anthony Carvalho, David Caastro, Adamaris Criado, Sara Cruz, Dayna Dajer, Giselle DeRisi, Niamh Devlin, Mathew Dos Santos, Michael English, Felicity Ferrer, Damaris Flores, Jordan Guerra, Mylie Irizarry, Kain Izquierdo, Jorden Jimenez, Bernardo Lopez, Isabel Marrero, Joice Medina, Angelica Minier, Tyler Morales, Ebony Nunez, Jonathan Olivo, Brandon Perez, Jonathan Petrillo, David Picon, Domenica Quito Velecela, Isaac Rodriguez, Jonas Ruiz, Alyssa Salerno, Hajjar Sultan, Melanie Teodoro, Renato Valdivia and Gabriel Valles Leon.

Grade 5 Principal’s Honors – Andrea Batista, Isabella DaSilva, Mauricio Gomez, Dayanna Loo, George Moreno, Briana Nazario, Saffia Ouali, Alexis

Pereira and Jailyn Racines.

Honors – Savannah Acevedo, Kyle Adames, Miah Andrade, Humberto Bernardino, Aidan Burgos, Melanie Campos, Jayden Cezair, Brianna Chevasco, Hilary Costa, Gabriela DeJesus, Salvatore DeRose, Mahi Desai, Gabriela Guerra, Ellalexi Hum, Aliya Jorge, Sarahi Ludena, Eileen Lin, Estrella Lucero, Maria Martinez, Gabriela Novillo, Liyah Pinto, Ciana Pomarica, Vida Quezada, Ariana Rebelo, Breanna Rivera, Melanie Rodriguez, Celita Salas Paucar, Vanessa Salgado, Bruce Santana Cerezo, Yuri Silva, Maybelyn Tenas, Jeremy Thiele, Sarah Valdes and JoJo Yang.

Grade 6 Principal’s Honors – Amanda Antoneli, Glenda Arenas, Rchin Bari, Vanessa Batista, Abraham Bianchi, Azumi Casstaneda Palian, Alex Colon, Daniel Izquierdo, Emily Nazario, Saulo Patel, Alina Savytska, Ciara Schechter, Evamaria Sela, Olivia Solinski and Yi Xin Zhuang.

Honors – Christian Benito, Genesis Cepeda, Alysa Gomez, Isaiah Jimenez, Ryan Lu, Ravyn Mejias, Wesley Miranda, Jemmy Paucar, Rya Reyna Agurto, Sara Ryan, Mia Salwan, Jonathan Sun, Dailanee Tinajero and Angie Vidal.

For children: • Wii Free Play, Tuesday, Jan. 2 and 9, 3-6 p.m. Kids ages 5-11 can stop by the Children’s Room to play on the Nintendo Wii gaming system.

• Storybook Friends, Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m.

Kids ages 3-6 share stories, sing songs and create theme-related crafts. This month’s theme is “Hibernation, Blankets, A Hat on My Head, Bears and Sick & Get Well Soon.”

• Pioneers Homeschool Meetup, Thursday, Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m.-noon. An enrich-

ment activity program for kids ages 6-14 focuses on using history/social study units. Registration required.

For more information, contact Ingrid I. Ortiz at 973289-3097.

• Kids Coloring Club, Friday, Jan. 5, 3-4 p.m. Drop in for some relaxing coloring.

Supplies provided. For ages 4-11.

• Crafty Kids Create, Saturday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. Crafting fun awaits kids ages 5-11.

• Bookworm Bingo, Monday, Jan. 8, 5-6 p.m. Kids ages 5-11 play bingo for prizes.

Kearny EMD meets Jan. 10 The Woman ‘s Club of Arlington, Evening Membership Department, meets Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Henrietta Benstead Center, 60 Columbia Ave., Kearny. Members will work on service projects, organized by Debbie Weber and Kathy Stanish. Plans for the upcoming fundraiser on Jan. 26 will also be discussed. The hostesses for the evening are Arlene Sheldrick, chairwoman, assisted by Willie Almeida and Bonnie Leszczynski. The public is welcome.

UNICO extends spirit of Christmas Kearny UNICO hosted a Christmas party for mentally and physically challenged individuals at the Lithuanian Catholic Community Center (LCCC) on Dec. 8.

Working with Pathways to Independence, UNICO and the Kearny Ladies of UNICO provided 125 guests with food, music and gifts.

Chapter members decorated the hall, served food to the guests and also served as Santa’s helpers.

Kimberly and Nick Camacho, Kate Grajales and Melanie Sosa of Kearny High School assisted the chapter with the party.

LCCC members volunteered to help serve guests at the party and assisted in running the party.

Music was provided by DJ Roberto and volunteer photographer Paul Hirsch and his wife, Luisa, provided all guests with framed pictures.

Chapter Vice President Lou Pandolfi welcomed everyone to the party. Mayor Alberto Santos and Councilman Peter Santana visited. Applebee’s of Kearny, once again, provided hot

Kearny UNICO members enjoyed a photo-op with Santa.

Pictured (front row l-r) President Joe Sgalia, JoAnn Mitchell, Santa, Celeste Pandolfi, Anthony DeLuca; (back row l-r) Judy Hyde, Angela Varano, Lou Pandolfi, Pearl Yaszczemski, Jim Pecora and Ann Marie and Dennis Latushko. Not pictured: Libby McInnis and Theresa Trucillo.

food for the party. Additional food was provided

by Nonna Lisa Pizzeria, the Spanish Pavilion and Pechter’s Bakery. Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Fiore of Bedrock Stone generously provided the gifts that were distributed by Santa. Additional community support for the party came from the Kearny

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Ladies of UNICO, Kearny Bank, Schuyler Savings Bank, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Tully of Kearny Shop-Rite and Mr. Lawrence Inserra of Shop-Rite of Lyndhurst.

The party was a great success as everyone enjoyed the food, dancing to the music and of course, Santa’s visit.

www.theobserver.com

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

It takes a prison to digitize a yearbook

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com KEARNY — What do state inmates in Oklahoma and the Kearny Public Library have in common?

On the surface, it would appear — nothing.

But look again, dear reader; dig deeper and you will discover a common link provided through … Kearny High School.

Wait — lest you rush to the wrong conclusions — there’s no pen pal exchange going on — and listen to KPL Director Josh Humphrey’s surprising explanation.

Seems that prisoners from the Sooner State have been busy making America great again as participants in U.S.-

based commerce.

Oklahoma prisoners — as an arm of the OCI (Oklahoma Correctional Industries) — are enlisted to function, as the OCI website explains, “more like a business conglomerate working within the framework of state government.”

OCI “employs over 1,200 offenders … [and] produces over 5,000 products ranging from furniture to correctional steel products … [and] is also involved in recycling paper, cardboard and pallets…”

Photo by Ron Leir So what does all that have to Kearny Library Director Josh Humphrey scans an old KHS yeardo with Kearny High? book that has been digitized by inmates in Oklahoma.

Well, according to Humphrey, the Public Library maintains a tives — offers to digitize those ies at absolutely no cost — OCI collection of KHS yearbooks types of publications for public even pays for shipping and dating back to 1925 and OCI — libraries. handling. as part of its industrial initiaAnd it’s done for those librarHumphrey said his predecessors already took steps to have copies of The Observer — dating from the 1930s — transferred from microfilm to an external hard drive and when the offer from OCI came earlier this year to do the same with the KHS yearbooks, he figured that made sense.

OCI says it came up with the idea for scanning and digitizing yearbooks three decades ago “after it was brought to our attention that high schools and local libraries throughout Oklahoma were losing their yearbooks,” due either to natural disasters or vandalism.

Centanni Ristorante “Once they are gone or damaged it is nearly impossible to Italian Cuisine & Bar replace them and these year11-35 River Rd., North Arlington books are irreplaceable because 201-246-0100 of their historic value alone,” said OCI, which also handles records conversion for other Tero’s Restaurant branches of Oklahoma governPortuguese Cuisine ment such as Education, Human Services, Labor, Supreme 222-224 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst Court and Attorney General.

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After advising the Kearny Library Board about the proposal and getting its support, Humphrey arranged for the shipment of the library’s KHS

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yearbook “The Lamp Post” collection to OCI in Lexington, Okla., in March.

“We sent between 130 and 140 individual books – between 1935 and the 1950s Kearny High published two books a year – packed in about six 50-pound boxes,” Humphrey recalled.

“They [OCI] got the books in March and we got the finished product (a set of DVDs) – and our yearbooks – during the summer,” he said.

If you have any doubts, just ask Humphrey to download any and all of the yearbook material onto a computer screen – page by page, image by image, topic by topic – and you’ll see it’s all there.

And if you’re wondering about the folks who made it all possible, OCI says its “23 operations located within nine state correctional facilities” which employ “approximately 72 salaried personnel and an average of 1,050 offender personnel … costs the taxpayers of this state absolutely nothing. OCI is entirely self-supporting. The salaries of all administrators, factory superintendents, sales representatives and offender workers are paid with monies generated from the sale of OCI products and services rather than state-appropriated funds.”

Humphrey figures the project will be a worthwhile undertaking since it will save a lot of time and guesswork in locating information on a part of Kearny’s history.

Digitizing The Observer has paid off plenty, the director said.

“We get a lot of inquiries about Kearny from folks in town but also from people out of state,” Humphrey added.

Take the one he got recently from a woman in New England asking if he could trace an announcement published in 1968 for the engagement of Maureen Langhirt of Arlington to Robert Lone of Kearny.

Turns out, Humphrey said, the woman inquiring was Langhirt, who, he said, never married her fiancé, who was listed in The Observer announcement as “currently on active duty with the U.S. Naval Reserve.”

Apparently, he said, each went off on separate life journeys, “but now – 50 years later – they are getting married!”

So the story has a happy ending after all.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

13

sports&recreation Kearny wrestling team moves forward with Carratura Jr. in charge

SPORTS VIEW

CONTACT JIM HAGUE AT OGSMAR@AOL.COM

Lyndhurst girls’ hoops: Working on improving The Lyndhurst High School girls’ basketball team won 15 games a year ago.

That total is leaps and bounds better than what it was when John Cousins took over as head coach five years ago.

Now, as he enters his fifth season with the Golden Bears, Cousins expects even more improvement this year.

“We expect to win even more this year,” Cousins said. “We want to be in the running for the NJIC (North Jersey Interscholastic Conference) Tournament and have expectations in the (NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group II) state tournament. We would love to be fighting for the NJIC championship.”

The Golden Bears own a 3-2 record in the early going after the Bruce Bartlett Holiday Tournament at Lyndhurst, defeating Paterson Charter in the first round before falling to Bergen Tech in the title game.

But that mark isn’t good enough in Cousins’ eyes.

“We still have a long way to go,” Cousins said.

“We have to get better.

We have expectations and want to be playing for championships. We have a lot of things to fix.

We haven’t done a good

job yet offensively. We haven’t done a good job rebounding. I need to see some improvement.”

Cousins is pleased with the recent play of junior forward Angelina DeCoro. The 5-foot-11 inside presence had 20 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Paterson Charter and added 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss to Bergen Tech.

“She’s done a really good job,” Cousins said of DeCoro. “She’s playing well. It’s taken some time for her to grow into her body. Hopefully she will continue to develop and play well. We just need her to be a little more consistent. We’re working on that.”

Senior Grace Cappiello is a 5-foot-4 point guard.

“She’s a three-year starter for us,” Cousins said of Cappiello. “She’s not the type of kid who wears her emotions on her sleeve. She’s just a steady kid who plays with composure. She does a lot for us. She’s handling the ball and plays good defense. She’s an intelligent player. She also rebounds the ball very well. She has a lot of unsung qualities.”

Makenzie McMillan is another 5-foot-4 senior guard.

See VIEW, Page 15

Photo by Jim Hague New Kearny High School head wrestling coach Tony Carratura Jr. (c.) has taken over the program that his late father ran for decades. With Carratura Jr. are seniors Chris Lopez (l.) and Paul Fadeski.

By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com The Kearny High School wrestling program suffered a gigantic loss last year, when veteran head coach and wrestling lifer Tony Carratura died after a battle with cancer.

So when the time came to look for a replacement to the coaching legend, it made sense to look no further than the Carratura living room.

Tony Carratura Jr. was the obvious and logical choice to replace his late father as the head coach of the Kardinals.

The younger Carratura had his finger on the pulse of the high school program, considering that he has been coaching the Kearny Recreation feeder program for years and he also serves as a guidance counselor for the district’s eighth graders.

“I like to think I knew the

kids well,” Carratura said.

“We try to be like one big family. I feel like we have a cohesive group. We always had the Rec kids come to the high school practices, get to see what it’s all about. I remember when I was a kid growing up, it meant so much to me to be able to go to the high school practices. All I wanted to do was to get the chance to wear that Kearny singlet one day. So that’s definitely the plan now.”

Carratura said that he had a good feeling about taking over the program that his father headed for the last two decades.

“I loved working with the younger guys and my Dad had the high school,” Carratura. said. “So when the time came, I didn’t want it to be someone outside of our group to take over. I had to step up. We have a great group of guys

helping out and working with all of our kids. I wouldn’t be able to do it without their help.”

Carratura said that he felt great going out on the mat the first day of practice.

“It reminded me of my father,” Carratura said. “It works out well.”

Carratura said that he is getting incredible assistance from coaches like Rich Stacey, Miguel Matos, Joe Chew and Nick Machado. They all bounce back and forth between the Kearny Recreation program and the high school team, making it a true feeder system.

The Kearny Recreation program also has coaches in Matt McCurrie, Owen Gonzalez, Rob DiGravina and brother John DiGravina.

“It’s really been a simple See KEARNY, next page

14

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

KEARNY Continued from Page 13 transition,” Carratura said.

“I’ve been able to spend time with all of the kids.”

The Kardinals fared well in their annual Holiday Tournament to begin the season two weeks ago, a nine-team gathering that packed the Kearny High gym.

The Kardinals were always one of the busiest teams in northern New Jersey under the tutelage of the elder Carratura and that system will not change with his son in charge. The Kardinals have already defeated Columbia in a dual meet and dropped a dual meet to Butler.

By the time the district tournament rolls around in late February, the Kardinals will have competed in as many as 25 dual meets weather permitting. The elder Carratura believed that the Kardinals became better wrestlers competing against other teams instead of practices with themselves. The younger Carratura feels the same way.

“We’re going to go after everyone,” Carratura said.

“That’s the Kearny way.”

Going through the Kardinals’ lineup, lightweights through heavyweights, freshman Daniel Silvera is the 106-pounder.

“Daniel has been one of our guys from the Rec program,” Carratura said. “He’s been wrestling for a while now.

He took fourth place in our tournament. He’s a little light for the weight class, but he moves well. He just needs a little more muscle.”

Freshman Jacob Baeza is the Kards’ 113-pounder. His older brother Justin was a standout with the Kardinals in recent years.

“I expect big things from him,” Carratura said. “He was a state place finisher twice for the Rec program. He moves well and is one of our more consistent wrestlers.”

Junior Steven Silva is a returnee from a year ago. Silva is the team’s 120-pounder. He won more than 20 matches last year.

“He has all the tools to be a good one,” Carratura said.

“He’s chiseled.”

Mammography

Silva finished second in the Kearny Holiday tournament, losing a tough bout in the finals.

“I expect big things from him as well,” Carratura said.

Sophomore Vin Ruccatano is the team’s 126-pounder.

Ruccatano was fourth in the districts last year and was fourth in the recent Kearny tourney.

Sophomore Matt Molina is the team’s 132-pounder.

“Matt put in a lot of time in the offseason, dropping from 152 (pounds),” Carratura said.

“He’s done well so far.”

Sophomore Kyle Osanti is the team’s 138-pounder. Carratura is high on Osanti.

“He has all the talent in the world,” Carratura said. “He takes the nicest shots and has very strong legs.”

Osanti was fourth in the Kearny tournament.

Sophomore David Duran is another returnee from last year. The 145-pound Duran won 20 matches last year.

“He’s just a great coachable kid,” Carratura said of Duran, who has been hobbled somewhat by an ankle injury.

There are two Kardinals

Open OpenandandHigh High Field Field same MRI MRI atatthethesame site,site, Day Night Dayand and Night

battling for mat time at 152 pounds in senior Artie Smith and sophomore Adam Chew.

Junior Travis Witt, one of the best athletes in the school, considering he’s the quarterback for the football team in the fall and a solid baseball player in the spring, holds the fort at 160 pounds.

Witt also won more than 20 matches last year and was fourth at the districts. He took second in the Kearny tournament to start the new season.

Senior Chris Lopez is the Kards’ 170-pounder. Lopez won 12 matches last year and started the new year strong with a third place finish in the Kearny tourney.

“He needs to be more of a leader in the room for us,” Carratura said. “He’s one of the only ones that I didn’t have before.”

Junior Noah Ramadan is the team’s 182-pounder. Ramadan has transferred to Kearny from St. Peter’s Prep, where he didn’t wrestle last year.

“He’s a ju jitsu guy,” Carratura said. “He’s wrestling very well right now.”

Ramadan was third at the Kearny tournament.

The Kards have twin broth-

ers occupying the 195-pound and 220-pound slots.

Sophomore Matthew Mauricio is the 195-pounder.

“He wrestled awesomely at the (Kearny Holiday) tournament,” Carratura said. “He had more wins in the first weekend than he had all of last year.”

Twin brother Andrew is the 220-pounder. Both brothers took third place in the season opening tourney.

“They both wrestled excellently,” Carratura said.

Senior Paul Fadeski is the team’s heavyweight.

“He just needs to get a little more confidence,” Carratura said of Fadeski, who was also a member of the Kearny football team in the fall. “He can dominate. He just needs to get that into his head. He dominated in scrimmages. We need to get that out of him in matches.”

Needless to say, Carratura is excited to be in control of the program that his father so adored.

“I love seeing the progress the kids are making,” Carratura said. “The kids we have love wrestling. We have a lot of kids that are interested in wrestling.”

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

VIEW

Continued from Page 13 “She’s an inspirational kid,” Cousins said.

That’s because McMillan is managing to play with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee while wearing a bulky brace.

“She’s as tough as nails,” Cousins said of McMillan.

“She plays so hard. I wish I had about 10 more like her. I’m

against Bergen Tech. She also nailed four three-pointers in a loss to Chatham.

“She has one of the prettiest jump shots in northern New Jersey,” Cousins said. “She’s tremendous out there.”

Junior Jamie Connors is a 5-foot-7 forward.

“We’re using her at the three (small forward),” Cousins said.

“She’s an excellent athlete.

She is strong. She doesn’t even know how strong she is. She defends the ball well. She can

that are two-and three-sport athletes and that helps us.

Gabriela brings that prowess to our game. She’s also a good defender.”

Carley Martin is a 5-foot-5 freshman guard.

“She has a lot of promise,”

Cousins said. “She handles the ball well. She’s also very athletic. She’s the point guard in-waiting. She’s also a good shooter and defends her position well. She’s tough and takes advantage of that.”

The Golden Bears return

15

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Count on the Golden Bears to be in the hunt for the postseason as the season progresses. Cousins has done a fine job of building the program back to respectability.

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The Lyndhurst girls’ basketball team will rely heavily on its senior leadership. From l. are Juliann Catalano, Makenzie McMillan, head coach John Cousins and Grace Cappiello.

excited to have both seniors back.”

Angela Downey is a 5-foot-6 junior guard.

Downey has scored in double figures in four of the five Golden Bear contests, including a team-high 16 points

shoot pretty well. She just needs a little more confidence.”

Junior Gabriela Schnur is a 5-foot-4 guard.

“She can flat out shoot,” Cousins said. “She works hard. We have a bunch of kids

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16

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Vikings try to overcome slow start with new coach D’Andrea son workouts.

“We wanted to get the program moving in my direction,” Marcello D’Andrea is the D’Andrea said. “We wanted new boys’ basketball coach at to have the kids get more North Arlington High School. involved in everything. I had In fact, D’Andrea coached the an open door policy and made final eight games last season them more accountable.” after Rich Corsetto resigned D’Andrea had one initial due to health reasons. goal.

“The transition is always “I wanted to develop going to be tough being a new chemistry between the kids,” head coach,” said D’Andrea, D’Andrea said. “I wanted them who was the head coach at to depend upon themselves County Prep in Jersey City and each other. We have kids before that school discontinthat have come from all difued sports. “The transition ferent avenues. We have kids was more of me getting acwho came up from the JV climated to the kids. We kept (junior varsity). We wanted to things going the same way, but develop chemistry as we move I brought a little more of my forward.” style. Once the interim tag was But as the new season has removed and I was promoted begun, the Vikings have strugto head coach, I made the kids gled, losing all four of their more accountable.” games, including last week’s So D’Andrea expected full contest with New Milford. participation from his players “We’re a work in progress,” in summer leagues and offsea- D’Andrea said. “We will get

By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com

Photo by Jim Hague

The North Arlington boys’ basketball team will look to new head coach Marcello D’Andrea (second from l.). Others, from l., are seniors Brandon Neno, D’Andrea, Glenn Full and Nick DeGrace.

better. We will compete.”

Leading the way is senior Nick DeGrace. The 6-foot

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guard averaged 15 points per game last year, earning AllNorth Jersey Interscholastic Conference honors.

“He’s a bona fide 3-point shooter,” D’Andrea said of

DeGrace. “He definitely can knock down shots.”

DeGrace is averaging 22 points per game this season, including 27 points in a game against Weehawken and 26 in a contest against Wallington.

“He’s added more to his repertoire,” D’Andrea said of DeGrace. “He’s becoming more of a slasher and getting to the basket more.”

Junior Matt Lynch is a 6-foot-2 forward who is averaging 19 points per game and grabbing seven rebounds per outing. Lynch had 25 points against Wallington and 22 against New Milford.

“He’s becoming more of a post presence,” D’Andrea said of Lynch. “He now can step out and knock down shots.

He’s also a shot blocker on defense. He’s a good kid who is also good in the classroom.”

Senior Brandon Neno is the team’s 6-foot-4 center.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

“He has the highest basketball IQ on the team,” D’Andrea said. “He’s the one who gets to cover the other team’s top player. He also gets on the glass and gets a lot of rebounds. He’s the one who makes the engine go. He’s a very vocal leader.

He has a nice game from 10to-12 feet. He always knows where he has to be.”

Glenn Full is a 5-foot-7 senior guard.

“He’s the fastest individual on the team,” D’Andrea said.

“He’s an agitator defensively.

He’s learning the point guard position. He has a nice feathery touch and goes hard to the basket. He just needs to develop more of a point guard mentality.”

Devon Males is a 5-foot-8 junior guard.

“He’s a good shooter,” D’Andrea said. “He is athletic and goes to the basket well.”

Mike Cordellino is a 5-foot-6 sophomore who can back up both guard positions.

“He’s the point guard of the future,” D’Andrea said.

“He’s adapting to the high school game. He has good pure ball handling ability. He’ll play five quarters (meaning he will bounce back and forth from junior varsity to varsity).”

David Matta is a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward.

“He’s a newcomer to the team and still learning the game,” D’Andrea said. “He’s a tireless player who gives 100%. He keeps going hard all the time. He’s made big strides. He’s a big part of the future.”

Zach Young is a 5-foot-11 junior forward.

“He’s a hard-nosed kid,” D’Andrea said. “He sets screens and does all the work that a coach asks for. A team needs a kid like that.”

The Vikings will hope to turn things around this week with games against Harrison on the road and home games against Wood-Ridge and Rutherford.

But one thing is for sure: It’s definitely D’Andrea’s team now. He no longer has to worry about keeping the seat warm for someone else.

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17

Photo courtesy of Larry Kelly

Harrison Recreation Soccer Lower Division Playoff champs, the San Jose Earthquakes, defeated LA Galaxy, 3-1, in the finals. In front row, from l., are Joshua Paguay, Jose Retana, Gabriel Rodrigues, Sean Salas, Xinyue Yu, Mia Choffo, Aadarsh Sairam, Bobby Qian and Gautham Parthiban. In back row, from l., are Harrison Recreation Chairman Larry Kelly, Councilman Larry Bennett and recreation aides Andre DaCunha and Gabriel Trojanowski.

Shining star at Prep Publication Dates:

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North Arlington resident Robert Dungan, ‘18, was recognized with a St. Peter’s Prep Spirit Award for being one of the most selfless and altruistic members of the class. His nominees stressed his inspiring work ethic and determination, and his ability to lead inclusively and with great sensitivity. Spirit Awards, the highest non-academic honor a student at Prep can receive, were presented to students at a recent liturgy, continuing a 36-year tradition of recognizing the unsung heroes of the school community. The first Prep Spirit Awards were presented in November 1981 when the late Fr. John Browning, S.J. ’46, then principal of St. Peter’s, began the tradition. Pictured (from l.) are Dean of Student Life Anthony Locricchio, ‘96, Principal James C. DeAngelo, ‘85, Robert Dungan, ‘18, and President Kenneth Boller, S.J.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

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At East Side Fitness, everyone will get to know your name

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com KEARNY — If you were a fan of the 1980s sitcom “Cheers,” no doubt you recall the show’s theme song, where it says, “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.”

Sorry if you now have that song stuck in your head.

But we remind you of this song because like Cheers, East Side Fitness, at 495 Kearny Ave., Kearny, has a similar way of operating.

If you call it your gym, everyone there knows your name.

And thensome.

It’s a philosophy adopted by the gym’s operator, Mo Houshieh, who took over the place last September.

“We are definitely a personable gym, a friendly gym,” Houshieh said.

“We get to know everyone by name and we get to know the customers personally. It sets us apart from other gyms.”

Since it’s now January — and let’s face it, many people make resolutions at the New Year, and going to the gym is always among such resolutions, Houshieh wants potentially new customers to know they’re not only welcome at his place of business, but they’ll also be treated with the respect and dignity every human being deserves.

“It not easy when people make resolutions to go to the gym,” he said.

“But coming here — no one should ever have to worry. All of our cusstomers should feel comfortable from the first time they’re here. We will help new clients. We will do what they need and what they ask for.

“There will never be a negative feeling here.”

So aside from the comfort level at East Side Fitness, Houshieh says the afforability of his gym helps it to stand apart.

“We charge a $19.99 fee per month,” he said. “We are most affordable.”

Affordable indeed.

And it’s not just workout equipment at East Side.

The gym offers Zumba, boot camps, kick boxing, body sculpt, lockers, ceramic-tile showes and granite bath-

BUSINESS REVIEW room counters.

They also offer group-exercise classes.

They say they’re not a body-builder gym, but instead a place for people who are serious about their health, fitness and wellness.

They offer treadmills with TVs on them, four different types of elipticals, including Precor, Life Fitness and Cybex. They also offer weighttraining equipment from HammerStrength and Life Fitness.

So there’s clearly plenty to do at East Side Fitness if you join.

But there’s more — and that includes the people who work for Houshieh, who he says stand out above all else.

“We have an incredible staff here at East Side Fitness,” he said. “Bryan Alonso, Camilla DaSilva and Justin Smith always go above and beyond into making sure everyone who comes to East Side Fitness feels welcome and apart of the East Side Family.

“Our Zumba instructors Karen, Elida and Sofia always perform their classes with extreme intensity and passion, They truly are the best instructors bar none.”

He also credits the former operators and owners of the gym for helping him — even to this day — run a top-notch business.

“Most importantly recognition has to go to the guys who built this gym from the ground up,” Houshieh said.

“Without the constant help and patience from Brandon Zaleski, Wayne Crowell and Brian Lee, East Side Fitness would not be the phenomenal facility it is today. To this day, they are still improving the gym through their constant advice and wisdom. I cannot thank them enough.”

Regular hours of operation are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekdays; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sundays.

For additional information, call East Side Fitness at 201-991-0020.

www.TheObserver.com

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

For 20-straight years, HPD PBA spreads Christmas cheer

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The Christmas Angels, from the Harrison PD’s PBA, include, standing from l., Joe Nigro, Darren Raefski, Daniel McChesney, Santa (aka Allan Ford), Dave Strumolo and Ray McGuire. Kneeling is Charlie Schimpf.

HARRISON — This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Christmas Angels Project, sponsored by the Harrison Police Department’s PBA Local 22, which provides Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children in Harrison.

The program includes a yearly Christmas breakfast, where close to 100 children and their families enjoy time with Santa. The children also interact with participating Harrison police officers who volunteer their time to bring holiday cheer to our community.

AT THE HPD The Christmas Angels Project was started in 1997 by Lt. Dave Strumolo, a 23-year veteran of the Harrison Police Department, with the help of Lt. Rich Lourenco and retired officer Ed Hernandez.

The program continues through the efforts and commitment of many volunteering police officers, especially Patrolmen Allan Ford and Daniel McChesney, Det. Sgt. Charlie Schimpf

and Det. Joseph Nigro.

Many local businesses also support the program through donations. The LCCC in Kearny has hosted the program free of cost over the last several years. Red Bull supporters, the Viking Army, have also participated in the program, donating funds and time to make the event a success.

The HPD would like to especially thank Lt. Strumolo for 20 years of leadership, service and commitment to the Christmas Angels Project and to the Harrison community atlarge.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Media

The Observer newspaper has served the community brilliantly for the last 129 years. To this day, we pride ourselves on producing a top-notch, beautiful newspaper. However, we look to expand our offerings now to become a full-service media company.

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Clara Maass names new HR officer Clara Maass Medical Center announces the appointment of Alfred Torres to the position of Chief Human Resources Officer.

Torres succeeds James Rowlek who retired in September.

As the chief HRO, Torres will serve as part of the hospital’s senior leadership team. He will also work directly with the hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer Mary Ellen Clyne to advance the hospital’s hiring practices, and to ensure that the hospital continues to attract and retains top talent.

He will also implement programs to ensure top performance of all employees and practices that will result in sustainable growth and development of the hospital’s 2,200-member workforce.

“We are thrilled to welcome Alfred Torres as an executive leader of the CMMC team,” Clyne said. “His significant experience in leading change at Verizon Communications is a key asset that will be a tremendous asset as CMMC continues to grow and evolve within the current healthcare

Management & Development; Executive Director, Talent Acquisition & Diversity; and Executive Director of Human Resources Operations for the Northeast Region.

Throughout his career, his work focused on leading initiatives such as alignment of human resource strategies with business services, creating strategies for diversity, and oversight and Alfred Torres management of national staffing and recruitment market.”

Torres, of Washington activities and employee branding initiatives.

Township, is an Torres earned an experienced business MBA from the William leader in human E. Simon School of Busiresources and brings ness at the University to Clara Maass Mediof Rochester and an uncal Center expertise dergraduate degree from in talent management, Columbia University. diversity and inclusion, employee and labor rela- He currently serves as a tions and culture change member of the Board of Directors of Repertorio and transformation.

Torres enjoyed a long- Espanol.

He is also the past standing career spanning president of the execuover 20 years in HR at tive board of the HispanVerizon Communicaic Support Organization. tions, and until 2016, he Torres is a member of served as Vice President, Human Resources Busi- the Society of Human Resource Management, ness Partner for Corporate and New Product & and has been recognized

by Diversity MBA MagaTechnology. zine, Top 100 Under He recently also led 50 Leaders, and by the the HR team at MetroNational Eagle LeaderNorth Railroad. Prior roles at Verizon included ship Institute with an Vice President of Talent Eagle Leadership Award.

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Photo courtesy Larry Kelly

The Harrison Recreation Soccer Middle Division Champions were the Colorado Rapids. In front row, from l., are team members Jerson Rodriguez, Matthew Yllescas, Andy Inahuazo, Cindy Ma, Xavier Molina, Nick Vergaray and David Toro. In back row, from l., are recreation aides Alan Chadwick, Andre DaCunha, Councilman Larry Bennett and rec aides Gabriel Trojanowski and Larry Kelly.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

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

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obituaries

in 1954. She eventually settled in Kearny, where she lived for 50 years.

Michele and her late husband Gaetano were married in 1968. They owned and operated Enzo’s Deli in Harrison from 1972 to 1992, and then purchased Linden Deli in Kearny which they operated until 1999.

Michele’s love for cooking and appreciation for people made the business a neighborhood staple in the community.

She subsequently worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Robert Hanlon, where her unMichele A. De Giovanni conditional kindness and care Michele A. De Giovanni (née were on display daily before Ciampitti), 73, died peacefully officially retiring in 2013. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, surMichele was a devoted Cathrounded by her family. olic and active in St. Stephen’s Visitation was at the Church, where she could be Thiele-Reid Family Funeral seen visiting daily. Through Home, Kearny. Mass was cele- the years, Michele belonged to brated at St. Stephen’s Church, the Rosary Society and volKearny. Entombment was in unteered as a CCD teacher. It Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East brought her great joy to serve Hanover. others, even more so when her Born near Frosolone, Italy, faith impacted friends and famMichele immigrated to Newark ily in such a positive light. FiAugusto E. Cornejo Augusto E. Cornejo died Dec. 27.

He was 95.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. Cremation was private.

Augusto was the husband of the late Paula (Calderon) and father of Alicia Valiz, Marlene Gombas, Jose Luis Cornejo, Cesar A. Cornejo, Arturo Campos and the late Betty Campos.

Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and he was predeceased by one grandchild.

nally, Michele worked for several years at the Kearny voting polls. She will be remembered for her generosity, compassion and warmth.

She is survived by her brother, Dominick Ciampitti; sister, Maria Nibaldi; her six children: Vincent and his wife Susan; Mark and his wife Aggie; Angela and his husband Christopher; John and his wife Anmarie; Michael and his wife Sylvia; and Philomena and her husband Robert; and her 11 beloved grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Heritage Fund at St. Stephen’s Church.

Frank W. Schroeder Frank W. Schroeder, 80, of Harrison, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, at St. Michael’s Medical Center, Newark.

Frank was born in Jersey City, and was a lifelong resident of Harrison where he remained active as an avid photographer, member of Holy

Knights fete community helpers The Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus Council 3428 hosted its 57th annual Grand Knights’ Dinner at the Columbian Club Hall in North Arlington Friday, Nov. 17. The council honored Joseph V. Cerreto as its Knight of the Year for his dedication helping the council with its fraternal, youth, charitable and general programs.

Chris Brannigan was chosen the Columbian of the Year due to his efforts on behalf of the Columbian Club, the Brother Knights who maintain the Hall and its grounds.

Rose and Butch Martinelli were named the Helping Exceptional People Volunteers of the Year for their untiring work on behalf of the special needs population of the local area.

The Knights extended its Community Shields Awards to include businesses that serve the North Arlington community. Recipients were the Parow Funeral Home, HB Pharmacy & Apothecary and Arlington Jewelers.

21

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

obituaries@theobserver.com

Cross Church and Secretary/ Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Council 402.

He was a graduate of Newark College of Engineering and employed as a mechanical design draftsman for Atlantic Design Co., Livingston, before his retirement 15 years ago.

A memorial Mass was celebrated Saturday, Dec. 30, at Holy Cross Church, Harrison.

Frank was predeceased by his sisters Janice Robbins and Frances Wadriski. He is survived by his two nieces, Susan Pecina and her husband Lane and Mary Wadriski; and two great-nieces, Lauren Pecina and Jillian Pecina.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lombardi Funeral Home, Caldwell.

Arlington in 1985.

He served his country in the Army during the Korean War from 1952 until 1954.

Jim was an engineer for Standard Tool and Manufacturing Company, Lyndhurst, from 1959 until 1993.

Private arrangements were under the direction of ThieleReid Family Funeral Home, Kearny.

Condolences and memories may be shared at thiele-reid. com.

Maria Santos Maria Santos died Dec. 23.

Born in Portugal, she lived in Newark.

Memorial visiting takes place Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. and services will be at 8 p.m. at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral James Wynd Home, Kearny.

James Wynd, 86, died SatMaria was a member of the urday, Dec. 16, at his home in Good Shepard Church, Kearny, North Arlington. and is survived by her children, Born in Breckenridge, Pa., Estrela, Silvi, Rui and Sara Dos Wynd lived in Kearny for many Santos, five sisters and two years before moving to North brothers.

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Grand Knights dinner award recipients are, seated from l., Denise Parow and Elizabeth Parow Mittenzwei from Parow Funeral Home and Rose Martinelli. Standing, from l., are John Bellitti of HB Pharmacy and Apothecary, Joseph V. Cerreto, Chris Brannigan, Butch Martinelli, and Richard Donato of Arlington Jewelers.

/theobservernj

St. Jude O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles. Near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance.

Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return, I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Saint Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s and Glorias.

Publication must be promised. This novena has never been known to fail. I have had my request granted R.C.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

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Deadline for classifieds is Monday by 3:00 PM.

CLASSIFIEDS

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

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HARRISON 1 BR ground apt in quiet building, 1 bath, EIK, 1 Parking spot, Close to Trans, H/HW included, Laundry on premises, pay electric, $1200 + 1 month security, available February 1st (972)746-6827 34W3

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KEARNY 1 BR . HT/HW included. From $1,100/ month. See super 6 Woodland Ave. Apt. 1, or call after 5pm 917-858HARRISON Large Stu- 8246 for appointment. dio Apt., H/W floors, HT/ 34W2 HW included. Walking distance to PATH. No smok- KEARNY Newly renoing. no pets. $1,200/ vated, hardwood floors. month. 1 month’s secu- Laundry onsite. HT/ HW included. 2 BR start rity. (973) 420-0139 34W3 at $1,250. 1 BR start at $1,050. Jr. 1 BR start at $975. (201) 289-7096 34W3

HARRISON recently renovated 3 BR. separate utilities. 1 1/2 months security. no pets. $1,650/month. Call (973) 380-9007. 34W1 HARRISON

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 34W1

KEARNY 1 BR apt. HT/ HW included. New Kitchen & Bath Elevated building. Laundry facility on premises. from $1,150/ month,. Call Sofia after 3pm 201-998-3516 or see super after 3pm 654 Elm St. Apt Basement 1.

KEARNY Arlington Section, 3 BR, DR, LR, Kitchen, C/A, washer/dryer hook up No Pets, $1700 + 1 1/2 month security, Available Now (201)889-4566 34W3

Full time medical receptionist needed for a busy ENT office in Nutley.One evening a week a must. Highly preferred someone ROOM with experience and FOR RENT bilingual in Spanish.

Please email resumes KEARNY Furnished room to: entcenterofnj. for rent. Includes interanam@gmail.com 34W1 net, good area. close to

Kearny Ave and Davis Ave. Avl. Now. (201) 280LYNDHURST 1 Bedroom 1868. 34w3 Studio Apartment for Rent, $1250.00/mth plus HOUSE utilities, 1 Month Security FOR RENT deposit. Available Now – January 2018. 2nd Floor of 2 Family House, Private KEARNY Entrance. Large Eat-in 4 BR, parking, Kitchen, Living room, Full gargage & laundry.

Bathroom & 1 Bedroom, $2,850/month.

Hardwood Floors, New Elite Realty Group large Refrigerator in Apt. (973) 268-4000 5 Minute walk to Trains 34W1 and Buses and all Major highways, Street parking with permit. No-Smoking, No Pets. Call 551HALL 482-2862 34W2 FOR RENT

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.34W2 Drivers, 1yr Class-A: $57,000 to $77,000/ yr. $500.00 Orientation Pay! $16.00/ hr.

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HELP WANTED Part time position available in a fast past office.

Asistant to GM, Ability to multi task, answer phone, phone sales, computer skills a must, able to work with microsoft word, Excel programs. Bilingual.

Send resume to gm@theobserver.com no phone calls or walk ins.

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

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BELLEVILLE BELLEVILLE Newly renovated Spacious 3 BR apt.

Large BR, LR, DR, Kitchen, 1 Bath. Driveway parking for 1. Laundry hook-up $2200/month. 1 1/2 months security. (201) 463-7034 34W3

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KEARNY Schuyler Ave, 2nd floor, Modern 6 rooms,3 BR, LR, EIK, Laundry facilities, Parking, No Pets, No smokHARRISON Sussex St. ing (973)204-8022 or 2nd fl. 2 BR, Lg. Living (973)344-5670 34W3 room Walk to PATH & NJIT. $1,450/month + KEARNY 2nd fl. LR, utilities, Parking $50. 1 Kitchen, 2 Br’s $1,200/ 1/2 months security. month + utilities. 1 Avl. Jan 21st. (973) 687- month security. No 7500.34W2 pets. Avl. Immediately.

KEARNY

KEARNY Furnished room for rent. Includes Internet, good area. Close to Kearny Ave and Davis Ave. Avl. Now. (201) 2801868. 34w3

N.ARLINGTON N.ARLINGTON Garden apt. 1 BR, $1,000, 2 BR $1,200. HT/HW included. parking. No pets. (732) 237-4682 34W3

Se habla espanol. (908) N.ARLINGTON 1 BR gar764-0610 or (732) 597- den apt. $1,100/month.

1960. 34W3 HT/HW included. Parking space. No pets. (201) KEARNY 2nd fl. 2 BR, 342- 2206. 34W3 LR, DR, EIK, Sun Porch.

7 rooms. No pets. Nice Area. Plenty of street N.ARLINGTON 1 BR parking. 1 1/2 months garden apt. $1,100/ security. Avl. Now. Credit month. HT/HW included. check required. (973) Parking space. No pets.

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FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

FIRE

Continued from Page 2 the apartment below, overall damage to the building he characterized as “minimal.”

Some of the occupants were allowed back, he said.

The Bergen County Arson Squad, along with the Lyndhurst fire official and LPD detectives, were conducting an investigation of the fire which, according to Haggerty, is believed to be “unintentional.”

“In regard to the removal of the victims from the structure and roof, it was an impeccably coordinated and collaborative effort between the first arriving police officers and first arriving engine and truck companies,” Haggerty said.

Giangeruso added his congratulations for “the true team effort displayed by our public safety professionals. … Your brave actions and dedication to our community are just some of the many reasons I can assure our residents without hesitation they are safe.”

The Page Ave. building was formerly used as a doctor’s office and residence, according to township historian Scott Ackerson.

The Victorian structure was built on two lots west of Ridge Road circa 1930 by Dr. George Simms, who served as Lyndhurst’s township physician. Babies were delivered there, X-rays were developed in a basement film lab where a speakeasy bar also existed, according to Robert Irwin.

Simms used the building as a combination office/ residence until his retirement in 1973, at which point Irwin’s grandfather, Dr. Robert C. Irwin, took over the practice, and continued it until he retired in 2005 when the building was sold

Submit news To submit a press release to The Observer, send all pertinent information (text, photos, etc.) by email to editorial@theobserver. com. We cannot guarantee placement in the newspaper, but we will do our best to publish your news.

and converted to a residence exclusively.

Two interesting factoids related to the building’s history were related by Irwin, currently a captain with the Nutley Police Department: First, a fire occurred in the building in December 1937 -just two days after Christmas -- and second, Simms headed a physician consortium that tried to organize a community hospital but the group couldn’t raise sufficient funds to make that happen.

25

LFD

A firefighter walks toward the fire building. Several residents were helped to safety from the roof and top floor by members of the LPD and LFD.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

MOST

Continued from Page 1 Verry, a hearing officer, who is supposed to adjudicate the case and make a recommendation as to the guilt or innocence of the officers.

Dowie listed the charges against the two cops as conduct unbecoming, neglect of duty, failure to perform duty, misuse of public property, standard of conduct violation and general police responsibilities violation.

Each of the cops has more than 20 years of service with the KPD, Dowie said.

2. ‘KPD Blotter: N.J. bail reform at work,’ by Karen Zautyk Throughout 2017, Observer Correspondent Karen Zautyk has followed the plight law enforcement has experienced following the state’s bail-reform laws kicking in. In numerous

instances, Zautyk detailed criminal defendants who committed a specific crime, only to be released on low to no bail, only to reoffend on similar charges.

In the No. 2 story of the year, Zautyk reports, on Jan. 25: “At 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, Officer Luis Moran responded to Bergen Ave. and Elm St. to interview a 55-year-old Irvington woman whose pain medication had apparently been stolen.

Police said the victim pointed out as the likely suspect a male acquaintance, also from Irvington, who was standing with another man near a parked 2013 Acura.

“As Moran approached the pair, the suspect — despite the officer’s orders to stop — entered the passenger side of the car. Police said the driver, later identified as Wesley Carrion, 19, of Maplewood, put the vehicle in gear and headed off — with Moran hanging onto the still-open

passenger door. The officer was reportedly dragged for about 30 feet before managing to free himself.

“Moran, who was not injured, returned to his patrol car, issued a BOLO and followed the Acura, which he found parked on the 100 block of Kearny Ave., with Carrion still at the wheel, police said. (The passenger had apparently fled on foot.)

“With Officer Jose Resua and Sgts. Charles Smith and Joseph Vulcano as backup, Carrion was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, eluding, reckless driving and disregarding a police officer’s signal.

“He was then released.

Without bail. “Thanks to bail reform,” a source told The Observer.”

3. ‘14-year-old Kearny boy reported missing still has not been found,’ by Kevin Canessa When we first learned

of missing 14-year-old Angel Gonzalez, his story caught statewide attention.

Gonzalez was sadly found dead not long after he was reported missing. But it would ultimately take more than a week before authorities in Kearny were notified Gonzalez had been found.

From the original story, no.

3 on theobserver.com’s list of most-read stories in 2017: “A 14-year-old boy whose family reported him missing a week ago has still not yet been found, according to a Kearny Police Department Facebook post Monday, Oct. 16.

“Angel Gonzalez may be in Newark or New York City, according to the KPD post.

“Gonzalez, a Latino, is 5’6” tall, around 140 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and a light-brown skin complex (see photo.) When he was last seen, he was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and black

Nike sneakers, according to the KPD.” 4. ‘Lyndhurst prepares for 100th anniversary,’ by Kevin Canessa The fourth most read story on www.theobserver.com in 2017 detailed Lyndhurst’s preparations to celebrate its 100th birthday. The township sponsored a tremendous allout party on Sept. 30, which included a grand parade, a festival, rides, music, games, classic cars and so much more. Thousands of residents and visitors alike flocked to Town Hall Park to take part in the festivities.

5. ‘Homicide victim identified as Luisa Cristina Reyes Tello,’ by Kevin Canessa The only homicide in Kearny took place April 10 on Chestnut St. when Luisa Cristina Reyes Tello was reportedly killed by her estranged former partner. It turns out her former partner was in the United States illegally.

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27

Schuyler Students of the Month

WEST

Continued from Page 1 party,” he explained.

The team set up a utility locker room for pre-game activities, West said.

“They had a still photographer there and they did an interview with the five [inductees] of us. Then they brought us out onto the field during the player warmups.

A bunch of people from the front office [notably, Jets Chairman/CEO Christopher Johnson and Glat] came over to shake hands and take pictures.”

Joining West, 44, longtime Bayonne resident, for the fanfare were fellow honorees Ed Anzalone, (Fireman Ed) Ira Lieberfarb (Ira from Staten Island on sportsradio), Jack Ransom and Mary Sutton, each of whom got Jets Fan Hall of Fame varsity jackets and two roundtrip JetBlue flight vouchers.

They were picked, ultimately, from among thousands of nominees by a panel of Jets alumni and executives. (An initial Jets effort to have the public vote on the finalists was scrapped.)

The five Super-Fans were then brought inside the team tunnel from which — as fog machines did their magic — each emerged to applause from the crowd.

West jogged, attired in his Jet Green Santa outfit that he dons for home Jets games at holiday time, featuring a new belt with Jets and Kearny thematic attachments to it.

“That was made for me by longtime Kearny resident George Hemphill,” West said.

Amplifying, West said: “His son Derek was my [KPD] partner a few years and he is also a Jets season ticket holder. When I told Derek about the new buckle I made and the difficulty I was having finding a belt that would not only work with it but the Santa outfit, Derek reached out to his dad who is a wiz with a commercial sewing machine and had him make a custom belt that looked and worked great.”

But when it came time for the pre-game anthem, West said, “I took off my Santa hat and I saluted the flag like every good American should.”

The Fan-Famers then got to go on the field and be honorary co-captains for the coin toss. Afterward, as the players jogged to their respective sidelines, West recalled fixing a game face on the official picking up the coin — No. 34, Clete Blakeman — who, upon looking up into the eyes of Kris Kringle, did a double take.

Then the game began but, unfortunately, Santa West couldn’t Gift-Green a win as the Jets fell 14-7.

Still, West took some consolation. “A loss is forgivable once you’re eliminated from the playoffs. … Now you’re playing for a draft pick.”

Looking ahead to next season as a member of an elite corps, West anticipates being invited to Jets minicamps and special events — where he’ll likely continue chronicling his team’s activities through photography — he takes thousands of shots each year which he assembles for an annual team yearbook.

At the same time, West — a 15-year veteran of the KPD — is hopeful of returning to the job from an extended sick leave by early 2018.

His fellow officers “have been nothing but supportive” of his Jets boosterism. “I’ve gotten dozens and dozens of text messages from them — all congratulatory — and even fellows who aren’t Jets fans,” he noted.

Not to mention his other home-and-away teammates: significant other Kristina, daughter Morgan, 18; stepson R.J., 17; son Frankie, 16; and parents, Mae and Bill Evans.

Valerie Iacono, principal of Schuyler School, Kearny, announces the following Students of the Month for November: Pre-K: Alana Rodriguez and Jackie Ledesma.

Kindergarten: Emanuel Encarnacion, Luca Englese and

Jamiel Ordonez.

Grade 1: Karisa Montalvo, Jacob Santos and Kassandra Brunck.

Grade 2: Kaya Suchcicki, Keanu Mogollon and Katelyn Desa.

Grade 3: Orion Semidey, Angel Castillo and Kelly Funes.

Grade 4: Ava Natosi, Samantha Bedoya and Daniela Mantilla.

Grade 5: Ashlee Cerezo, Julian Reyes, Kalee Jones and Isabelle Moura.

Grade 6: Enzo Montanez, Julian Iglesias, Ariana Martinez and Donald Kubs.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

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