2018 01 31 obs1

January 31, 2018 • www.theobserver.com • Vol. CXXX, No. 38

HIGHLIGHTS It’s tax season

See Page 7

Local schools in action

See Pages 4&5

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

SUPREME HONOR Kearny attorney Kathleen Reilly sworn in, can argue before U.S. Supreme Court

See Page 26 Photo courtesy of Kathleen Reilly

Kathleen Reilly, a Kearny attorney, stands on the steps of the United States Supreme Court, where she can now present cases.

KBOE payroll clerk stole nearly $200K, HCPO says

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com KEARNY – A payroll bookkeeper stands accused of stealing “approximately $190,000” from the Kearny Board of Education during

a seven-year period, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said last week.

On Jan. 22, Gina Neri, 50, of North Arlington, was charged in a summons complaint with one count of theft by

deception, a second-degree crime which is punishable by a penalty of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

In a press release, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said Neri is

charged with “unlawfully negotiating checks drawn on the Kearny Board of Education bank account throughout the years 2011 to 2017 and using those funds for her own personal benefit.”

See THEFT, Page 27

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

4 CHAPLAINS WILL BE

By Karen Zautyk kzautyk@theobserver.com KEARNY — On the afternoon of Dec. 7, 1941, a Kearny man was driving his mother home from lunch, when news of the attack on Pearl Harbor came over the car radio. As the story goes, he immediately decided to enlist and that same day asked his mentor for permission to leave his job, which was granted.

Problem: The man wore glasses. As a child growing up in Newark, he had injured his right eye in a BB-gun accident, and when he applied to join the Navy (his first choice among the service branches), he failed the vision test — as he had feared he would.

Although rejected and dejected, he wouldn’t give up.

He would next try to enlist in the Army. This time, “albeit with a guilty conscience,” he followed his mentor’s advice

Google Images

At the noon Mass this coming Sunday at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, the Four Chaplains will be remembered as they are each year. The Rev. John Washington, who served at St. Stephen’s Church in the early 1940s, is seen at the far right of this memorial to the four men who died on the SS Dorchester.

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“to cheat and cover his bad eye twice during the eye test.”

“They’ll never notice,” he was assured.

And they didn’t.

And Father John Washington of St. Stephen’s Church “was accepted as an Army chaplain and commissioned as a first lieutenant.”

We learned the vision-test anecdote only recently, in a 2014 book “Hidden History of New Jersey at War,”

by Joseph B. Bilby, James M. Madden and Harry Ziegler.

Was the story true? St. Stephen’s current pastor, Father Joe Mancini, told us, “It is a popular legend that has become attached to Father Washington.”

Truth or legend, we love it — and not just because we’ve cheated on eye exams.

It’s the sort of thing that illustrates the “humanity” of the hero — since heroes, up there on the pedestals where we put them, can sometimes Continued on the next page

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Inside this edition ...

Tax Time...................................................................7 Opinion....................................................................8 Business Directory....................................................10 Food & Dining Directory.............................................12 Sports & Recreation...................................................13 Real Estate..............................................................18 Real Estate Directory.................................................18 Obituaries...............................................................21 Classifieds...............................................................22 Health & Wellness Directory......................................24

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

03

REMEMBERED SUNDAY seen or hope to see this side of heaven.”

The authors also noted that “in the 1940s and 1950s, the story of the four heroic chaplains was one of the most wellknown tragic tales of the war.” However: “More than seven decades later, although some dedicated people preserve

Google Images

After their untimely deaths, the Four Chaplains were immortalized with a 3¢ stamp by the United States Postal Service. It was, at the time, what it cost to mail a First Class letter.

Continued from previous page seem out of reach.

Not so in the case of Father Washington. Or Rabbi Alexander Goode.

Or the Revs. George Fox (Methodist) and Clark Poling (Reformed Church).

Together, they are the legendary Four Chaplains.

Individually, they are four men, with fears and foibles but, above all, faith.

The kind of faith that makes an “ordinary” man capable of extraordinary acts.

This Saturday marks the 75th anniversary of the end of their lives and the inauguration into their remarkable place in American history.

On Feb. 3, 1943, Washington, Goode, Fox and Poling were aboard the SS Dorchester, a former passenger liner converted to troopship that was en route to an Army command base in Greenland. Approximately 900 soldiers plus crew members were on board, too.

Off the coast of Newfoundland, the Dorchester was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat. As recounted by the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation (headquartered in Philadelphia): “The torpedo knocked out the Dorchester’s electrical system, leaving the ship dark. Panic set

in among the men on board, many of them trapped below decks. The chaplains sought to calm the men and organize an orderly evacuation of the ship, and helped guide wounded men to safety.

“As life jackets were passed out to the men, the supply ran out before each man had one. The chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to others. They helped as many men as they could into lifeboats, and then linked arms and, saying prayers and singing hymns, went down with the ship.”

Some survivors recalled hearing the prayers in three languages: English, Hebrew and Latin. Three languages, four sects, and one unshakable faith in one God. This Sunday, Feb. 4, at noon, St. Stephen’s will again host its annual Father Washington Mass/ Four Chaplains Memorial.

The public is invited to attend the Mass and the reception that will follow in the church hall. Local veterans will be there as will members of Father Washington’s and Rabbi Goode’s families.

In the book we mentioned earlier, there is another quote from a Dorchester survivor, John Ladd, who witnessed the chaplains’ act of courage and described it as “the finest thing I have ever

FAITH FEATURED the memory, for the general public, the story of the chaplains has largely faded, along with the World War II generation itself, into the mist of history.”

This weekend, you might say a prayer of thanks, not only for the chaplains’ heroism, but also for the dedication of local residents — the people of St. Stephen’s, supporters of veterans’ groups, etc.

— who persist in cutting through that mist, ever endeavoring to keep those memories alive.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

Guest relates gripping story at BMS

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com BELLEVILLE – A survivor of the Nazi Holocaust in Germany shared his memories of that time with about 80 eighthgraders at the Belleville Middle School on Jan. 23.

English Language Arts teachers Tricia Haefeli and ToniAnn Ferraiolo arranged for Fred Heyman’s appearance as part of the school’s Holocaust

education curriculum.

The Morristown resident is the first witness to that period to have been invited to speak to students at the Middle School, they said.

Although Heyman was never sent to a concentration camp, he was subjected to humiliation, deprivation and desperate situations that brought him close to death.

All because he was a Jew. Heyman, who will be among the attendees of

the annual United Nations Holocaust Commemoration Day on Jan. 31 in New York, said he’s recounted his experience more than 400 times in the U.S. and Europe since 2004 “and my audience count has reached 43,000.”

Despite his advanced age — he was born in April 1929 — Heyman shows no sign of slowing down. He was scheduled to visit schools in Summit and Princeton later this month.

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Photo by Ron Leir

Holocaust survivor Fred Heyman gets a warm greeting from staff and students at Belleville Middle School.

“A higher authority wants me to tell this story,” Heyman told his Belleville audience last week, in hopes that today’s younger generation will become clued in to current geopolitical events and raise their voices to prevent future genocides “because the U.N. isn’t.”

Heyman was only a child when Adolph Hitler was a rising political figure in the early ‘30s. “I didn’t know who he was but there was a lot of hoopla surrounding him,” Heyman said. “He was a good speaker and people listened to him when he talked.”

From a young boy’s point of view, he said, “It was an exciting time. Lots of parades.” And young Fred — like many other boys of that period — was occupied with his “wonderful toys,” including an electric train set, that his dad, an interior decorator, got from his clients “in trade.” And he enjoyed the savory pastries his mother prepared at home.

But in February 1933, Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany “and the day he was appointed, my life changed,” Heyman said.

Less than three weeks later, the Reichstag — the German capitol building in Berlin — was gutted by a fire listed as arson and the German Cabinet — after blaming Communists for setting the fire — suspended civil rights, freedom of the press and tightened control over

virtually all aspects of life.

In March 1933, Heyman said, Dachau — “the first concentration camp” — was opened. It was, at the time, presumed to be a detention facility for the Reichstag arsonists – just outside Munich – but it later became known as one of six “killing centers” and “Dachau was the blueprint for the other five,” he said.

“We thought it was a work camp,” Heyman said, “but nobody ever came back to tell the [true] story.”

Ultimately, Heyman said, as many as 45,000 concentration camps sprung up throughout Europe “because of one man – Adolph Hitler.”

In August 1934, Hitler’s absolute power was cemented when he was put up as the lone candidate for President of Germany, Heyman said, as Hitler arranged to murder his rivals. The election signaled the time “when Germany ceased to exist as a democratic Republic.”

In 1935, the so-called Nuremberg Laws created racial distinctions among Germans, setting apart a “pure-blood Aryan” or “super” race of “National Germans” while stripping Jews of their citizenship and forbidding marriage of Jews and Aryans.

Heyman’s father was Jewish and his mother, a Protestant, but they were grandfathered in as exceptions. Still, the family was tagged with a Jewish See HOLOCAUST, Page 5

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

HOLOCAUST

Continued from Page 4 identification and all the restrictions that applied.

“Jews had no rights,” Heyman said. “More than 400 anti-Semitic laws were passed and some towns in Germany posted signs saying, ‘No Jews allowed.’

There was a beautiful zoo in Berlin but because I was Jewish, I was not allowed to go. If you went to a public park, Jews could only sit on yellow-painted benches,” which were few and far between. “I couldn’t ride a bike or go to the movies.”

But young Fred did end up riding a bike and it nearly cost him dearly. “My mom volunteered me to make deliveries for a local bakery to various restaurants,” he said.

One day, while riding in the street, he collided with a street car, the impact throwing him off the bike and hitting his head, causing it to bleed. After getting him medical attention and establishing his ID, a traffic officer reported him to the Gestapo who soon came calling.

“My mom did some fast-talking, explaining how I was helping out the Fatherland by making these deliveries and they let us go,” Heyman recalled.

By the time he was ready to be enrolled in public school, the Hitler regime had also relegated Jews only to Jewish schools but – on Nov. 8, 1938, after a German diplomat stationed in Paris who had been shot by a Polish Jew died of his wounds – the German Reich imposed Kristallnacht (“The Night of Broken Glass”) in retaliation, ordered the destruction of Jewish businesses, homes and houses of worship in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland for two days.

“As I walked to my school on the morning of Nov. 9,” Heyman said, “I saw Jewish shops defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti.” The following morning, as he walked out of his apartment building, “I stepped on broken glass, then I smelled smoke and saw a fire engine.

Then a cop says to me, ‘Go home, Jew pig, no school

for you today.’ I saw my synagogue – where 2,000 people attended services – and my school in flames.”

“I was elated,” Heyman confessed. “No school that day. I was then in third grade – 9 years old – I didn’t know anything about politics.”

A year later, the Reich issued a new decree outlawing all schools for Jews, he said.

By 1943 – five years after Hitler had invaded Czechoslovakia – all but one of Berlin’s 95 synagogues had been destroyed and the number of Jewish residents in Berlin had fallen, from 195,000 to 23,000 – a legacy of the Holocaust.

It was in ’43 that Heyman had another close call when his dad was picked up in a Gestapo raid and “the superintendent of our apartment building took a big chance by telling my mother ‘the Gestapo will be coming for your son.’ He could have been arrested for that.”

Again Heyman’s quickthinking mom saved the day by ordering young Fred into bed and telling the Gestapo agents her son was “sick with a temperature.”

A Gestapo man then placed his hand on the boy’s forehead to see if Fred had a fever – which he didn’t – but for whatever reason, the agents took no action, he said. “I was saved.”

And a rare public demonstration by hundreds of mothers and wives of the men who’d been picked up in the raid miraculously resulted in the Gestapo releasing their captives – including Fred’s dad.

The same year, Heyman was nearly killed in a carpet bombing raid by the Allies when the building he ran into vibrated violently, unleashing piles of bricks and debris, but here again, he lucked out because the Germans had installed cellar passageways interconnecting neighboring buildings through which Heyman and his companions stumbled to safety.

Two years after the war, in 1947, Heyman and his parents – with help from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee – immigrated to the U.S.

and, at age 18, Fred’s mom enrolled him in high school after a one-year crash course in English and an eighth-grade completion class. Two years later, he

was drafted by the U.S. Army to fight in Korea – and also managed to get his high school diploma.

Stateside, Heyman worked for AT&T for four

05

decades and is now focused on giving lessons on the Holocaust in hopes that today’s generation will take pains to prevent it from happening again.

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06

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

Kearny’s Sansone retiring from HCCC

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com KEARNY — A few weeks ago, we met with with Kearny’s Joseph Sansone, ahead of his retirement as Hudson County Community College’s Vice President for Planning and Development and Assistant

to the President. What we found was a true unsung hero, someone whose work may not always be on the radar, but whose work, nonetheless, has had a great impact on the life of the college.

First, some background.

Sansone, whose uncle, Daniel, was Kearny’s mayor

EDUCATION NEWS in the early ‘90s, came to HCCC in 2001 following a 35year career in banking with First Jersey Bank — which then became NatWest Bank

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One of his roles at HCCC was to lead the college’s foundation.

His banking career was extremely beneficial to the foundation. The connections he made made things a lot easier when it was time to fundraise.

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he spearheaded raising more than $6 million.

“Half of that money helped pay tuition for students in need,” Sansone told The Observer. “Other money paid for books, knives for culinary students, etc.”

Money Sansone raised also went toward an extensive art collection of over 1,000 pieces.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful collection,” Sansone said.

The lifelong Kearny resident credits HCCC President Glen Gabert, who has led the college for 25+ years now, for being a great mentor.

“Glen held a similar job at a community college in Kansas,” Sansone said of Gabert, himself a longtime resident of Kearny. “He never told me what to do … but he would sometimes say, ‘Here’s what I might do were I in your position.’

His mentorship and guidance over the years was remarkable.”

The HCCC Foundation, over Sansone’s tenure, had seven chairs. Each was groomed to move up the ladder by holding lower positions on the board. Each, he said, was very strong, including Phil Johnston, a Kearny business owner.

Because of their combined hard work, so many great things happened since 2001.

“I am so proud that we were able to allocate money for students to be able to achieve their dreams,” Sansone said. “They would have been unable to do so otherwise.”

He says he fondly recalls donor/scholar receptions that took place every year.

“Getting to meet the students with their parents and families is something I will always remember,” Sansone said.

And now that he’s leaving for retirement — what’s next?

“I will miss the friendships and associations that I’ve made over the years,” he said. “Some of the friendships became lifelong friendships. But there’s still more ahead.”

See SANSONE, Page 7

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

SANSONE

Continued from Page 6 Indeed there is.

Sansone, who has three children of his own, says he hopes to spend more time, now, with his eight grandchildren, all of whom are still in New Jersey. Oh and in case you were wondering, yes, he is related to the late Kearny Mayor Daniel Sansone.

And Robert Sansone, owner of Effective Alarms in Kearny, is his brother.

“I’ll be seeing a lot of soccer and basketball,” he said.

Sansone was also quick to praise his successor, Nick Chiaravalloti, also a state assemblyman.

“Nick is a super replacement for me,” Sansone said. “He’ll do a great job and will bring

the foundation to another level.”

Sansone, in addition to his work in banking and at HCCC, has also been involved with many civic organizations, including Hudson Hospice, the Rotary Club of Jersey City-Daybreak, the American Conference on Diversity, Securities Information Center of the SEC Lost Securities Program - New York, Institutional Advancement Affinity Group of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, Destination Jersey City, Northeast Jersey Bankers Association, the West Hudson/South Bergen Optimist Club, Pavonia Girl Scout Council, Hoboken Salvation Army and Hoboken Kiwanis.

Gabert, meanwhile, lauded Sansone for his incredible

work.

“For nearly 20 years, Joe Sansone has been an integral part of the college’s administration,” Gabert said. “Over the years, the Foundation has awarded more than 1,625 scholarships totaling more than $2,650,000 to deserving students. We now have a program to help incoming students prepare to succeed in their college work.

Cultural enrichment programs are offered for the entire community. The foundation’s art collection now includes more than 1,000 works of art.

It has been my honor to work with Joe and we are eternally grateful for all he has done.”

HCCC Board of Trustees Chairman William J. Netchert was also complimentary of Sansone.

“Joseph Sansone has been

HCCC

Joseph Sansone, r., with HCCC student Jennifer DeJesus.

tireless in his efforts on behalf of the college’s students,” Netchert said. “Under his leadership, the HCCC Foundation has flourished and grown in a way that benefits all the people of Hudson County and especially our Hudson County Community

College students. I know I speak on behalf of the entire Board of Trustees when I say that we are very grateful to Joe, and wish him the very best.”

And it all begins March 1 — Sansone’s first full day of retirement.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 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.

Museum flushes White House art

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

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 (201) 991-1600

By Ron Leir Tales of the White House keep getting stranger and stranger.

Take the latest bit of lunacy, reported by several news sources — (so it’s doubtful that this is fake news) — about the White House asking the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan if it could borrow Vincent van Gogh’s painting of “Landscape with Snow” to hang in the First Family’s private living quarters.

Nix to that, the Guggenheim curator, Nancy Spector, reportedly emailed back, saying the painting was to be shipped elsewhere for an exhibition so, instead, Spector offered the loan of a sculpture called “America,” an 18-karat gold, fullyfunctioning toilet created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan — probably intending it as a dig at gratuitous wealth.

If there was a reply to the September 2017 curator’s suggestion, it hasn’t yet been reported and I don’t recall seeing a Trump Tweet on the subject.

Hey, give the Trumps some credit for choosing the work of a classy artist.

The 1888 painting “is believed to be one of the first paintings that [van Gogh] made in Arles [in southern France and] reflects the La Crau plains set against Montmajour and hills along the horizon,” says Wikipedia. His brushstrokes and use of color are typically distinctive.

Maybe the museum representative — no matter her apparent

discomfort with the nation’s boss — should have been less flip. After all, the White House was paying tribute to a non-American artist — from the Netherlands — maybe to make up for the awkward press conference involving U.S. Ambassador to Holland Peter Hoekstra whose reference to “no-go zones” in that country touched off controversy.

But I guess what we’re really talking about here is the role played by “art” — or any public expression of the creative arts — in society. Every generation will have its own “standards” for defining, judging, even “tolerating” what is “appropriate” for the public marketplace of ideas.

Too bad van Gogh isn’t around today to reap the material rewards that one of his originals can bring.

But, of course, the government would likely take a good chunk in taxes.

••• And say, speaking of taxes, you better check the Department of Defense budget because, according to a Jan. 28 report in the NY Times, the DOD has contracted for the replacement of two 25-year-old refrigerators aboard Air Force One at a cost of … $23,657,671.

The job is to be completed by Halloween 2019.

Included in the cost are “the engineering required to design, manufacture, conduct environmental testing and obtain Federal Aviation Administration certification.”

How can that be? Well, seems that

these aren’t your regular household kitchen fridges. They have to be stocked with several weeks’ worth of food at a time, which translates to accommodating about 3,000 meals for passengers and crews in about 70 cubic feet of temperature-controlled storage space.

The Times says that according to Air Force specifications, “Two galleys can provide up to 100 meals at one sitting.”

At least those members of the Washington press corps who get to fly with the commander-in-chief won’t go hungry.

••• Recently, I experienced a misunderstanding with a communications service provider that resulted in my cell phone service being disrupted for a few hours. Luckily, I was able to remedy the problem in a few minutes with the help of an effective, friendly customer service representative.

But the recent experience of an airline traveler showed you can’t always rely on good communications, as another Jan. 28 N.Y. Times story chronicled, reporting on a woman needing to fly posthaste, from Colorado to Minnesota, where her mother had been admitted to a Minneapolis hospital. She desperately wanted to get there but she couldn’t afford the price of the ticket so her landlord paid her fare for a flight the next day.

Soon after, however, the woman See UNITED, Page 12

Olsen family says thanks for community’s aid To the Editor: Our family has lived in Kearny for more than 44 years and we greatly appreciate the community coming together to help us through the challenging months since the catastrophic house fire in November that claimed the life of Kevin G. Olsen, my beloved husband and father of three, as well as the loss of three of our dogs.

While it will be at least a year before the house is rebuilt, we have begun re-

LETTER TO THE EDITOR building our lives thanks to the outpouring of compassion of generosity of our local government, emergency services, businesses and, most definitely, the residents of our community.

We are humbled by the hard work and commitment of the professionals who dedicate themselves to oth-

ers and are grateful for the assistance provided by local businesses. Our heartfelt thanks to all, including: Mayor Alberto Santos, the Kearny DPW and town employees, the Kearny Fire Department, the Kearny Police Department, Kearny EMS, EMS of surrounding towns, the American Red Cross, Arlington Dog & Cat Hospital, the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Bone Appetit Barkery, Classic Cleaners, Faithful Companion of Clifton, all

who donated to GoFundMe, Lee’s Florist, Scots-American Club and ShopRite of Kearny.

Finally, to each and every person who helped us in any way, whether personal or a GoFundMe donation, a tray of food, an item of clothing, thoughts, prayers or encouraging words, we may not know each of you personally … but our sincerest thanks to you all. May we someday pay it forward.

The Olsen Family Kearny

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

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Prepping for spring paving BELLEVILLE — The Township has announced a list of local streets slated to be repaved in 2018.

All or parts of Belmohr St., Bernice Road, Charles St., Cleveland St., Maier St., Mt. Pleasant Ave., Overlook Ave., Smallwood Ave., Stephens St., Van Houten Place and Wilson Place are on that list, according to Township Manager Mauro Tucci.

Tucci said a total of $2.8 million in a combination of federal Community Development Block Grant funding, state Department of Transportation aid and municipal capital reserve monies has been allocated for the road resurfacing project for this year.

CDBG funds, which, by law, are applied to lower-income areas of a municipality, will be used for Charles St., Cleveland St., Maier St., Stephens St. and Wilson Place, Tucci said.

DOT aid will be tapped to do Belmohr Sr. Bernice Road, Smallwood Ave. and Van Houten Place and local capital money will supplement projects where needed, he said.

But before those 11 streets are tackled, the township intends to return to Beech St. as a “holdover” paving project from last year, Tucci said. Beech was slated for repaving in 2017 but Tucci said the job had to be deferred when a sewer on the block needed repair.

“We had to dig 20 feet deep to get to it and do the repairs, then refill it but we needed time for the trench to settle,” he said. “So this year, Beech will probably be the first street to be paved.”

Tucci said township engineer Tom Herrick is putting bid specifications together for the paving project targeted to begin sometime this spring when contractors have access to asphalt.

MONOC re-ups for 6th year HARRISON — Harrison will continue to be covered for emergency medical services by MONOC (Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Service Corp.) of Neptune for 2018.

On Dec. 14, the Harrison

PACKAGE 2

those affected tenants.

People are invited to “confidentially report any suspect illegal apartments” by emailing Tucci via the township website or by calling his office at 973-4503322.

PACKAGE 1

Residents warned about illegal units BELLEVILLE — The Township is putting out the word it is cracking down on “illegal apartments.”

“We’ve been talking about it for a while,” Township Manager Mauro Tucci said. “Mayor [Raymond] Kimble, Councilman [Kevin] Kennedy and Councilman [Vincent] Cozzarelli have spoken about it.”

“It’s not that we have an epidemic,” said Tucci, “but we want to put people on notice to safeguard our citizens, to make sure they’re living in places that are safe and legal.”

This effort, Tucci said, will dovetail nicely with the township’s preparations to comply with a county order to conduct a revaluation of all local properties which will require a physical inspection of those properties and can, thereby, result in the discovery of illegal living units, typically found in residential attics and/or basements.

“We’re sending out notices with the water bills,” Tucci said, “and we’ll probably also send them with the tax bills.”

In response to a posting on the township web site, Tucci said, “we’ve gotten about half a dozen calls” from residents calling attention to alleged illegal apartments from different parts of Belleville.

The notices to residents warn that, “As per the Township of Belleville Zoning Ordinance 23-12.1, illegal apartments will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“Any person, firm or corporation violating any provisions of any part of this chapter or any amendment thereof shall for each and every violation be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 90 days or both.

“Each and every day that such violations continue shall be considered a separate and specific violation.”

The notices remind residents that anyone found guilty of having an illegal unit in their building must evict the illegal tenants and is responsible for the “associated financial compensation” for relocating

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PILOTs popular in Kearny redevelopment

By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com KEARNY — As more and more real estate in town gets gobbled up, Kearny is going out of its way to make it easier for those properties to be built up as revenue producers.

And the vehicle that seems to make most sense in facilitating those future ratables is the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), in the eyes of Mayor Alberto Santos.

Carlstadt developer Edward Russo, for example, has persuaded the town to grant him three PILOTS, so far, for the first two phases of his new rental apartment complex on both sides of Bergen Ave. and one for his Passaic Ave. residential project.

Kearny has also agreed to give a tax abatement for a Hartz Mountain commercial tenant — a refrigerated warehouse project — off Harrison Ave. along Bergen Ave. And, in the near future, Santos told The Observer, he anticipates at least one other PILOT application to be filed by the owners of the old bat factory property on Passaic Ave. in support of redeveloping the site for residential use.

The mayor said he couldn’t provide details about this project until a formal application is received by the town construction office.

And, Santos said, “we do expect additional applications [for PILOTs] later this year if there is further activity in our redevelopment areas.” That could mean a new phase for Russo’s Bergen Ave. residential projects and/or a new tenancy at the rapidly expanding Kearny Point along S. Hackensack Ave. To help review the PILOT applications, the municipal governing body voted Jan. 23 to award one-year financial consultant contracts to The Banker Group LLC (Thomas Banker) of West Caldwell at $175 per hour and not to exceed $10,000 and to NW Financial Group LLC of Hoboken at $160 to $225 per hour not to exceed $10,000 to review PILOT applications by redevelopers.

“It’s usually very time-consuming work to analyze the application and determine what would be a fair amount of in lieu of taxes to provide the town,” Santos said.

The governing body also authorized maintaining its connection with another type of real estate expert by voting to extend its contract with Nationwide Consulting Company Inc. of Glen Rock for appraisal services related to the Keegan landfill through June 30, 2018, at the same hourly rates ranging from $200 to $300 but increasing the contract maximum from $15,000 to $25,000.

Kearny is embroiled in litigation with the N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority over an eminent domain condemnation

action initiated by the NJSEA which is seeking to take over the landfill and continue its operations. The authority had been leasing the land from the town and when the lease ended, Kearny sought to discontinue that arrangement and shut down the landfill in favor of developing some type of ratable or public recreational use.

The town is also looking to upgrade several of its municipal parking lots and, to that end, it has awarded a $160,059 contract to JTG Construction Inc. of Newark to undertake improvements to four sites: the lot behind the Davis Ave. firehouse, the lot across the street from police headquarters, the lot at the rear of the Kearny Ave. firehouse and a change to the American Legion lot to accommodate additional spots.

JTG submitted the lowest of 11 bids ranging up to a high of $286,239.

Neglia Engineering of Lyndhurst, the town’s consulting engineers, will be paid an amount not to exceed $26,820 to manage the parking lot improvement project.

In other business, the mayor and council: • Approved a negotiated tax appeal settlement for 680 Belleville Turnpike, site of the 135,115 square foot Pepsi bottling center, sitting on an 11-acre property. Appeals for 2016 and 2017 have been withdrawn but, for 2018, assessment on the property rises, from $2,750,000 to $4,226,900, as does taxes, from $160,000 to $452,489, according to John Peneda, town assessor. The town had filed the appeal, he said, based on the property having been sold for $32,050,000 in November 2014. “We felt its value was extremely underassessed,” he said.

• Accepted the Feb. 1 retirements of police Sgt. Michael J. Blevis after 30 years and five months of service; Sharon A. Dominguez, principal account clerk in the finance department after 35 years and 11 months; William J. Pettigrew, public health investigator/ registrar of vital statistics after 38 years and nine months; and Catherine M. Santangelo as registered environmental health specialist after 33 years and nine months.

Blevis is due about $72,000 in terminal leave and unused vacation time; Dominguez is getting nearly $52,000 in unused sick leave, unused vacation and longevity; Pettigrew will receive about $58,000 in unused sick leave, unused vacation and longevity; and Santangelo will collect close to $57,000 in unused sick leave, unused vacation and longevity.

• Granted permission for eight members of the Kearny Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association to attend the annual FMBA Mid-Year Convention Feb. 6-8 in Wildwood.

aroundtown

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

More information and photos can be found on the Library hosting disco fundraiser website www.bellepl.org Belleville kids are invited to under “Teens” or check out listen to music in a faux-disco the library’s Facebook Page.

Or call Mia Torres, principal atmosphere while contributlibrary assistant, at 973-450ing to a good cause.

3434 or via mtorres@bellepl.

The Friends of the Library, org. a fundraising arm of the Belleville Public Library & At the library Information Center, will sponThe Belleville Public Lisor “Silent Disco,” powered by Silent Events, Friday, Feb. 9, 7 brary & Information Center, 221 Washington Ave., sponsors to 9 p.m., under the skylight the following activities for the at the library, 221 Washington coming week: Ave. Adult classes & events: The event is open to BelMovie Mondays, Jan. 29, at leville middle school-aged noon, presents “Barefoot in students in grades 6 to 8. the Park.”

Attendance is limited to Children’s Room classes & 100 and tickets are priced at events: Wii Free Play, Tuesday, $20 each. No tickets will be sold at the door. Parents must Jan. 30, 3-6 p.m., for ages 5-11 to play on the Nintendo Wii be present upon purchase to sign a permission slip/code of gaming system; Storybook Friends, Wednesday, Jan. 24 conduct form. & 31, at 10 a.m., for ages 3-6 to So how does it work? Each share stories, songs and crafts; teen gets a set of three chanKids Coloring Club, Friday, nel wireless multi-listener headphones that include light Jan. 26, 3-4 p.m., supplies provided, for ages 4-11; Bookworm emission changes – outward Bingo, Monday, Jan. 29, 5-6 displays of luminescent color p.m., for ages 5-11 to play bingo – with the lights indicating for prizes; Children’s Silent the channels chosen by the Reading Club, Thursday, Jan. listener.

25, 5-6 p.m.; and Saturday Play Three DJs – Kevin Vicente, Day, Jan. 27, noon-3 p.m., for Manuel Brignoni and Juan Sertima – will volunteer their ages 5-11 playing with board games and Legos. time to provide music for the night for the cause. The trio Kearny will battle it out to win Fan Favorite DJ of the night.

Audition for ‘Jungle Book’ There will be door prizes, The West Hudson Arts & dance contests and giveaways.

Theater Co. announces audiRefreshments will be served.

Belleville

tions for its next production, “Jungle Book,” Jan. 30 and 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the W.H.A.T. Theater (in residence at the First Lutheran Church) 65 Oakwood Ave., Kearny. Audition materials will be provided. Be prepared to move like various jungle animals. Show dates are April 14, 15, 20 and 21. Visit www. whatco.org for more information and to download the audition form. Complete it and bring it to auditions. Copies of the form will be available at the audition.

McCurrie talks to EMD The Woman’s Club of Arlington, Evening Membership Department, meets Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. (board meeting ) and 7 p.m. (regular meeting) at the Henrietta Benstead Center, 60 Columbia Ave. Fourth Ward Councilwoman Susan McCurrie will speak about current issues in the Town of Kearny.

The hostesses for the evening are Lillian Russell, chairwoman, assisted by Elena Nakrosis and Violet Abello. The ushers are Kathy Stanish and Virginia Romano. The public is welcome.

St. Stephen’s Seniors meeting dates announced The St. Stephen’s Seniors club meets the following days in the first half of 2018: Jan. 23, Feb. 6, Feb. 20, March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1, May 15, June 5 and June 19.

Project Graduation fundraising trip Kearny’s Project Graduation sponsors a trip to Sands Casino, Bethlehem, Pa., on Sunday, Feb. 25. The $35 fee helps defray the costs of a safe night for graduating KHS seniors in June — and includes $20 back in slot play plus a $5 food voucher. A bus departs from Kearny Bank, 614 Kearny Ave. For more details send an email to jmramr@hotmail.com.

Soup at the library The Kearny Public Library hosts another Fresh Ingredients Soup Workshop with instructor Lidia Quinones on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. in the lower-level kitchen at the Main Library, 318 Kearny Ave. Quinones will focus on inseason yams for a yam soup.

All ingredients are provided.

Adults are welcome, firstcome, first-served.

Portuguese culture at KPL Children up to age 6 are welcome at the Kearny Public Library’s Main branch, 318 Kearny Ave., Thursday, Jan. 25, at 4:45 p.m., for “Portuguese Stories and Songs with Mrs. Iveta.” No advance registration is required but space is limited.

For more information, call 201998-2666.

Library offers Minion Craft Second-graders and up are invited to Kearny’s Main Library, 318 Kearny Ave., for a

11

Minion Craft on Monday, Jan. 29, at 4 p.m. Seating is limited.

Lyndhurst American Legion pancake breakfast American Legion Post 139 sponsors a pancake breakfast Sunday, Jan. 28, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the post hall at 217 Webster Ave. The breakfast features pancakes (regular or blueberry), eggs to order, sausages, potatoes, toast, coffee, tea and juice. Admission at the door is $6 for adults and $3 for children 10 or younger.

All proceeds benefit the Taras Family Scholarship for high school seniors. For more information, call Tom Witt at 201-933-4120.

Rabies clinic The Lyndhurst Health Department sponsors a free rabies vaccination clinic Jan. 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Lyndhurst Community Center, Tontine and Riverside Aves., behind the Little League fields. Township residents may also license their dogs and cats at the clinic. Call 201-804-2500 for more information.

North Arlington Recycling? Don’t bag it!

The borough is no longer accepting plastic bags of any kind used for newspapers or commingled recycling. Any plastic bags containing recyclables left

HCCC exhibit spotlights LGBT on B’way The Hudson County Community College Department of Cultural Affairs invites the public to view the exhibit, “Out on Broadway: A Visual Legacy,” which has been curated by renowned designer James E. Crochet, celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experience in theater and features characters and costumes from some of Broadway’s most memorable shows.

The exhibition, already open, takes place through Friday, March 2, at the college’s Benjamin J. Dineen III and Dennis C. Hull Gallery in

the HCCC Library, 71 Sip Ave., Jersey City — just a block away from the Journal Square PATH Transportation Center.

It’s open to the general public and there is no charge for admission.

Among the items on display are costumes, sketches and accessories from award-winning costume designers such as Gregg Barnes, Jess Goldstein, William Ivey Long, Bob Mackie, David Murin, Arianne Phillips and David Zinn to iconic LGBT characters in shows like “Cabaret,” “The Boy from Oz,” “Follies,” “Grey Gardens” and others.

Attendees will be able to explore creations that have made Broadway performances memorable experiences, and will be able to marvel at the famed Chrysler Building gown alongside a view of the Chrysler Building from the gallery’s rooftop terrace.

Groundbreaking productions such as “La Cage Aux Folles,” which won six Tony Awards including Best Musical in 1983, ushered in a new era on Broadway.

No longer were LGBT characters relegated to bit parts where they were presented as caricatures of commonly held

stereotypes. The love between two men, the art of female impersonation and the glitz and glamour of Broadway costume design synthesized in a financially and artistically successful venture.

Groundbreaking issues such as marriage equality, bathroom-bill controversies and the recent historic election of transgender politicians, have everyone seeing more and more LGBT issues highlighted in shows, along with more acceptance of the LGBT community and their long-standing contribution to the art form.

Crochet, meanwhile, has designed more than 50 productions, including 13 operas.

Among the stage and screen stars he has designed for are Jefferson Mays, Hunter Foster, Andrea McArdle, Nancy Dussault, Renée Taylor, Sally Struthers and Rue McClanahan.

Crochet is a Hudson County resident.

More information may be obtained online at www. hccc.edu/cultural-affairs, by contacting HCCC Cultural Affairs Director Michelle Vitale at mvitale@hccc.edu or by calling 201-360-4176.

12

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

BRIEFS

Continued from Page 9 month, according to Town Clerk/Town Attorney Paul Zarbetski.

“The next closest bid was from a company that offered to pay us $500 a month,” Zarbetski said.

Zarbetski said the company collects sufficient revenues from clients’ third-party insurance carriers to offer the town a premium bid to provide the emergency services.

MONOC has been the town’s emergency service contractor since January 2014, operating out of the town’s Cleveland Ave. firehouse, taking over for the Kearny Emergency Management Services (EMS).

At the time, the vendor was

paying the town a $1,500 a month rental fee to station an ambulance at the firehouse and for use of sleeping quarters there.

MONOC is a nonprofit hospital cooperative with affiliated member hospitals around New Jersey, including Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville which is part of the Barnabas Health Network.

Kearny EMS had been serving as an interim emergency services vendor since July 1, 2011 after Harrison ended its practice of having its Fire Department – whose members are trained as emergency first-responders – handle ambulance runs. But Kearny opted to discontinue that service because it wasn’t cost-effective, officials said.

However, the HFD still provides back-up ambulance

service to cover for MONOC when that operator is busy with another call.

And, to beef up that coverage, Harrison’s mayor and Town Council last month authorized the purchase of a 2008 Ford-ambulance from the township of North Bergen for $5,000 to replace one of two HFD ambulances of 1990s vintage.

Harold Stahl, the HFD director, said, “We will still maintain two backup vehicles but the ambulance we’re getting from North Bergen should be in much better shape than either of the two we now have."

Stahl said he expected delivery of the North Bergen ambulance in about a month.

“We need to get it inspected by the state before we put it out on the road.”

Harrison is preparing to hire eight new firefighters,

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thanks to the receipt last year of a 3-year federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response) grant. “We just got back 21 applications,” Stahl said, which the department will be vetting.

In other business, the mayor and council voted last month to renew its contract with Cali Carting Inc. of Kearny for the collection and hauling of household trash plus recyclables, bulk and white goods six days a week at a guaranteed oneyear price of $492,000 plus options for separate 1-year renewals.

“We’re coming off a prior 5-year contract with an increase of about 5%,” Zarbetski said. The town pays tipping fees at the landfill, he said.

A bid submitted by Affordable Cartage LLC of Franklin Lakes was rejected as “non-conforming to bid specifications.”

The governing body also agreed to pay an additional $100,000 to Matrix New World Engineering of Florham Park for professional engineering/ LSRP services at three townowned sites where the state says there are lingering environmental issues – the rear of Town Hall, Fire

UNITED

Continued from Page 8 learned that her mom had a heart issue and might not survive so the landlord — who had booked the original flight via an online travel agency — called the airline and had the flight switched to that evening, departing Colorado Springs to Denver where the woman would transfer to a connecting flight to Minneapolis.

After the landlord gave her a ride to the airport, the woman checked in, had her boarding pass scanned and settled in at her seat, only to be tracked down by the gate agent who removed her from the plane after informing her that her ticket had been

Headquarters on Sussex St. and the old town garage, also on Sussex. Matrix’s original contract, awarded in June 2016, was for $30,000.

Zarbetski said the town has spent at least $50,000 for remediation efforts.

Nominations sought for awards fest LYNDHURST — Lyndhurst High School has scheduled its annual Academic Awards Dinner for May 8.

Each year, the dinner honors an LHS alum who demonstrated scholastic excellence in high school, as well as in higher education, career endeavors and community service. Each honoree should serve as a role model for the entire student body.

Candidates must have graduated at lest 10 years ago from LHS and cannot have been employed by the Lyndhurst school district for at least three years.

Nominations of candidates may be submitted via email to blake_spence@lyndhurst. k12.nj.us or by mail to: Blake Spence, Academic Awards Committee, Lyndhurst High School, 400 Weart Ave., Lyndhurst, N.J. 07071.

Recommendations will be accepted until Feb. 5.

— Ron Leir voided and refunded.

Despite her pleas and despite her landlord’s offer to buy her another ticket, the airline refused to budge so the woman drove 1,000 miles non-stop to get to her mom.

But, by the time she arrived, she was too late — her mother had died.

The online travel rep told The Times that if the landlord had called the agency directly to make the flight change, instead of calling the airline, the ticket would likely have been honored.

All the technical stuff aside, what about the human element here? Surely some allowance could have been made in light of the poor woman’s predicament.

Compassion should have entered into the equation.

www.TheObserver.com

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

13

sports&recreation SPORTS VIEW

CONTACT JIM HAGUE AT OGSMAR@AOL.COM

Harrison native son Hicks named new Blue Tide grid coach Danny Hicks grew up just a few paces from Harrison High School in the Harrison Gardens apartment housing complex.

Hicks played football for the Harrison Blue Tide as a wide receiver and defensive back before heading on to play college football at Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityFlorham, majoring in criminal justice.

But there was a part of Hicks that always wanted to give back to his community, so he applied to become a substitute teacher in the Harrison school system.

Hicks also knew he wanted to be a football coach, so he began his career a few years ago working under Nick Edwards with the Kearny High program, before returning home two years ago to become the offensive coordinator for the Blue Tide under Mike Hinchcliffe.

“Coach Hinchcliffe relied on me a lot,” Hicks said. “I took on some of the lead roles. It was a great experience for me.”

When Hinchcliffe decided to step away from coaching after a 1-7 tough season in 2017, Hicks figured he was ready to make a push to become the head football coach at his alma mater.

“I felt pretty good about my chances,” Hicks said.

“Being here and taking on the big roles, I figured I was ready and had a good chance.”

Last week, Hicks got that chance, when the Harrison Board of Education officially approved the hiring of the 26-yearold Hicks to become the new head football coach at Harrison High.

“I really never thought I’d be talking about being the head coach at my alma mater,” Hicks said after taking the position last week. “It’s really like a dream come true.”

Hicks wasted little time moving into the position.

He met with the returning players last week to tell them about the future of the program.

“The fact that I’m here, impacting the lives of kids who are basically me,” Hicks said. “I was once one of them just a little while ago. It’s a great opportunity for someone like me.”

Hicks said that he doesn’t look at the Blue Tide as being a reclamation project - once again.

“It may sound like a cliché, but I don’t see it as being in the mode of rebuilding,” Hicks said.

“This junior class had a very successful career in See VIEW, Page 15

Nutley wrestling team enjoys ‘Gift of Life’ Day to promote organ donor awareness

By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com

When Tony Carratura Jr. took over the Kearny High School wrestling program this season, taking over a team that was once headed by his late father, Tony, Sr., he had high expectations for the team.

“I was expecting some good things this year,” Carratura Jr. said. “The kids were all ready.

They were wrestling great and doing the little things you need to do to be successful.

They were aggressive. That’s what we were trying to focus on.”

After steamrolling through three matches Saturday, defeating Orange, Bloomfield and Cliffside Park, the Kardinals have clinched a berth in next week’s NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group IV sectionals.

The current point system has the Kardinals, now 13-7 after the three victories on Saturday, as the No. 7 seed.

They are expected to face No. 2 seed North Hunterdon in the first round of the sectionals next Monday night, Feb. 5, at North Hunterdon on Route 31 South.

It marks the first time that the Kards have qualified in their new section. They made the state sectionals last year in North Jersey Section 1, Group V as the No. 7 seed as well, falling to No. 2 seed and eventual state sectional champion Passaic County Tech in the first round.

Still, the idea that the Kardinals are in the state sectional tournament is nothing to sneeze at.

“It’s definitely a huge accomplishment,” Carratura, Jr.

Photo by Jim Hague Kearny High junior Andrew Mauricio gains a good hold of Tashon May in Mauricio’s big win last Saturday at Union City High School.

said. “It’s what every wrestler on my team shoots for, trying to score points for their team.

It’s an excellent thing to be a part of. It was one of our goals at the beginning of the season.”

Carratura said that the Kardinals have been wrestling with the team motto in mind.

“Everyone has to pull together and coming together as a team first,” Carratura, Jr. said. “Everyone has been following that goal. When one goes down, the next guy tries to pick him up. We really wanted to have a big season for the seniors.”

One of those seniors is 145-pound senior Artie Smith, who missed most of last season and all of the preseason this season due to a knee injury.

“Artie Smith told me that he wanted to go out with a state sectional berth,” Carratura, Jr. said. “Now, it looks as if he’s going to get that.”

Smith owns a 15-3 record

this season after missing the first couple of weeks due to injury.

“He’s probably the most technical wrestler we’ve got on the team,” Carratura, Jr. said. “He’s a strong kid with excellent technical ability.

He’s been grinding out wins.”

Another key Kearny wrestler is 113-pound freshman Jacob Baeza. Baeza is blessed to have 20 wins this season, including three on Saturday.

“We knew he could become a good wrestler for the varsity,” Carratura, Jr. said.

“We’re expecting big things from Jacob now. He’s wrestling the top notch wrestlers around the state and holding his own.”

Junior Steven Silva is holding down the Kards’ spot at 120 pounds. Silva owns an impressive 16-6 record after gaining three wins, two via first period pins, on Saturday.

“He is wrestling a little See NUTLEY, next page

14

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

team together.”

Freshman Daniel Silveira is the team’s 106-pounder who Continued from Page 13 has posted a 9-6 record this season. lighter,” Carratura Jr. said.

Sophomore Vin Ruccatano “He could go 113 if he wanted is the team’s 126-pounder. to, but he’s giving up some “Vin has gotten some big weight at 120. He’s doing a pins for us over the year,” nice job.”

Carratura Jr. said. “He’s been Perhaps the biggest surcradling kids left and right.” prise of the team has been The cradle move must 220-pound sophomore Anwork, because Ruccatano has drew Mauricio, who owns an won 11 matches thus far this impressive 19-4 record. season.

“He’s just steamrolling Matt Molina is the team’s kids,” Carratura Jr. said of 132-pound sophomore who is Andrew Mauricio, who also out for wrestling for the first won three times on Saturday. time.

“We were in a close match “Matt has been coming into with Scotch Plains and he set his own and he’s better than us up to be in the match. He’s I would have expected,” Cara tough kid.” ratura said of his sophomore Junior Travis Witt has a who owns eight wins to his fine 17-6 record competing in credit. the 160-pound weight class.

Sophomore Kyle Ostanski “He’s lights out right now,” has been another find for Carratura Jr. said of Witt, Carratura Jr. who is also the starting “Kyle is similar to Matt, quarterback on the football because the two of them team and the starting catcher just go out and grab people,” in baseball in the spring.

Carratura said of Ostanski, “We all knew he had this in who has won 10 matches this him. He’s beaten some good season. kids lately. He’s in a good “He’s also better than what spot. He’s pretty much kept I expected,” Carratura Jr. himself together and kept the

NUTLEY

Photo by Jim Hague Kearny High junior Travis Witt shows the power and strength that enabled him to win three matches, including this one via pin of Geraldino Raymond of Orange in 1:09.

said.

Having a full lineup without any forfeits whatsoever helps the Kards’ chances even before a dual match is to begin.

Junior Sebastian Rey is the team’s 152-pounder.

“He’s a tough kid who is extremely strong,” Carratura Jr. said. “He’s using that strength to score points. He’s holding his own.”

Senior 170-pounder Chris

New Year, New You.

No Excuses.

Lopez has been nothing short of consistently strong.

“He’s wrestling to the end of every one of his matches, regardless of the score,” Carratura. Jr. said. “He always manages to come out big. I wish he would close out.”

Noah Ramadan is the team’s 182-pounder.

“He’s a funky wrestler with a little orthodox approach,” Carratura Jr. said. “We never quite know what wrestler we’re going to get.”

Ramadan has an impressive

mark of 14-9.

Matt Mauricio is the twin brother of Andrew, but without the same results. But Matt has posted a competitive 10-12 record thus far.

“He’s a first-year wrestler, but he’s holding his own,” Carratura Jr. said of Matt, who, he said “has taken some lumps, but hasn’t complained one iota.”

Senior Paul Fadeski is the Kardinals’ heavyweight and has won seven matches so far this season.

“He had a little varsity training,” Carratura Jr. said.

“We’re working on him to get his confidence up. He’s doing all the things a lighter kid does.”

The Kardinals will now head to the Hudson County Duals this weekend at Union City High School.

“We like facing teams like St. Peter’s Prep and North Bergen (the teams that have won the County Duals title in each of the last seven years.

“We always want to wrestle the best. That’s how we do it.

We’re ready to go anywhere.

We’re not shying away from anyone, either. Like my father did, we’ll go out and wrestle tough and let the cards fall.

It’s all we got.”

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

that kind of success again and they’re definitely ready.

Pop Warner football. We Everyone is working hard only graduated six from last in the weight room already. year’s team. We have 20 kids Everyone really wants that back with others ready to success again.” step in. This is a program Hicks said that he was that can win (in 2018).” already hard at work in his Hicks said that he received new role as head coach. nothing but positive feed“The goal is to bring in an back from the returning offensive coordinator and players. a defensive coordinator,” “The kids are super exHicks said. “I want to surcited for me,” Hicks said. round myself with the best “I’m also fortunate enough coaching staff available. We to receive a ton of support are still in the process of from the entire community. evaluating people for possiI’m close to the Pop Warner ble assistant coaches. We’re people. I know where the reaching out to people to future lies. I know the team have them apply.” was 1-7 last year, but we had But Hicks is certain that a lot of kids who can only go the interest is there - despite up from here. The kids are the fact that the Blue Tide’s ready for the challenge.” football coaching chores Hicks said that many of the have been basically a revolvcurrent junior class were on ing door since Mike Landy the team in 2016 that qualistepped down after the 2007 fied for the NJSIAA state season. playoffs - the school’s first Hicks becomes the sixth postseason football berth guy to hold the position since 1988 (which ironically since Landy retired from was before the newly hired coaching in 2007 and the Hicks was even born). fifth different head coach “A lot of these kids were since 2013. on that team that tasted Hinchcliffe, in 2016, was success,” Hicks said. “They the only one who had a hint know what that success was of success, winning five like and they’re hungry for games before losing to Romore. They want to have

Continued from previous page

Photo by Jim Hague

New Harrison head football coach Danny Hicks is getting the chance to be a head football coach at the tender age of 26.

selle in the first round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group II playoffs.

“We had 30 kids at the first meeting,” Hicks said.

“I would think that just the same amount of kids will be there (for the first day of official practice in August).

We should be ready to go.

There’s a lot of buzz around

the school.”

Hicks said that he plans on taking bits and pieces from all of the coaches he has had over the years - the Landy brothers, namely Mike and Nick, Ray Lucas and Mike Hinchcliffe - and building on what he learned from the aforementioned coaches and cultivate that.

15

“I want to take a little bit from all the guys I’ve learned from over the years, guys that I really could rely upon,” Hicks said. “I will then take all the information I’ve acquired and put together something that is new and fresh here.

Added Hicks, “I can’t put into words how I feel right now. I’m going to make it my own. I’m really overwhelmed.”

Hicks said that the whole process is amazing to him.

After all, he’s still three years away from his 27th birthday.

“I’m going to be on the field, right across the street from where I grew up,” Hicks said. “I guess people will get a chance to see how far I’ve come once the season starts. There’s always going to be a heavy burden, being the football coach at my alma mater. It’s good to see those people again, especially the ones who came to the meeting to support me.

I’m still the same kid who grew up across the street. A lot of people are going to see how far I’ve come.”

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

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on the sidelines looking in at the season’s end. Lopez was dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons.

“It really set me back,” Lopez said. “Basketball is the only game I play. I used to play baseball when I was younger, but I gave it up to focus on basketball. My world was going crazy, not being able to play. I told my mom that I wanted to transfer to another school. I thought I was 100% done here. But she told me to wait it out and see what happened.”

Lyndhurst head boys’ basketball coach Tom McGuire said that the decision to remove Lopez from the team was not an easy one.

“He had a rough end to the year last year,” McGuire said.

“I had to do something.”

So Lopez sat out the end of the year, remained at Lyndhurst and tried to do the right things to get back in McGuire’s good graces.

“I think it was a trust thing,” Lopez said. “I had to let him know he could trust me. He said to me, ‘I’m trusting you to do the right thing.’ Thank God, he let me back.”

Lopez then made the most

of his second chance.

“I couldn’t let him down,” Lopez said. “I had to do everything he said.”

McGuire immediately saw the change in Lopez.

“He’s matured,” McGuire said. “He knew what he had to do. He’s been great. His attitude has changed. He wanted to be the leader. He’s doing what I thought he could become.”

As the team’s point guard, McGuire knew he was entrusting the hopes of the entire team on Lopez’s shoulders.

Lopez knew that responsibility was coming. So he began preparation during the offseason.

“I had two personal trainers that I worked with,” Lopez said. “I knew I had to come back bigger and stronger. I knew I was going to do it as a thank you to Coach (McGuire) for letting me back on the team.”

And did Lopez realize that he made a crucial mistake a year ago?

“Oh, yeah,” Lopez said. “I learned from my mistakes. It was a big step for me. I had to Continued on the next page

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

past week.

Lopez said that the transgain not only the trust of formation began with a daily Coach (McGuire) but the workout regimen over the whole team. It was my senior summer. year and I had to help to put “I worked out every day,” Lyndhurst on a higher scale.” Lopez said. “I went to difLopez has been nothing ferent courts to work on my short of brilliant this season shooting. I took a lot of shots. for the Golden Bears, who I did a lot of running and have enjoyed a remarkable jumping. I knew I had it in turnaround, just like their me that I could play the way senior leader.

I wanted to. I couldn’t let anyThe Golden Bears have thing get in my head. I had to already surpassed last year’s put everything in the past.” win total, posting a 9-5 reMcGuire sees the transforcord. They qualified for the mation.

Bergen County Jamboree for “He’s become a very good the first time in five years, but teammate and that’s really suffered a 64-47 loss to Deimportant,” McGuire said. marest in the opening round “The team had a chance to of the prestigious tourney last flourish with a good point Saturday. guard and it has. It’s a good But the Golden Bears don’t testament to him. I’m so even sniff the Jamboree with- proud of him and the team, out Lopez’s incredible contri- the way they’ve turned it butions. around. I’m proud of the “He’s filling up the stat turnaround.” sheet,” McGuire said. “He’s McGuire enjoys the relaleading the team in almost tionship he has now with every category. He leads us in Lopez. scoring, rebounds as a point “The communication beguard, assists. He’s matured tween us is so much better,” into a great player, the kind McGuire said. “He’s making of player I thought he could the right decisions, when to be. I was concerned whether run a play or when to run the he could do it, until I had the fast break. I think the talent communication between him was always there. It was just a and I get better. As soon as I had that, I knew the change was coming. I always had my mind set that he was going to be my point guard. I’m always the hardest on my point guard, because I expect the most from them. I hoped Adryan could do it.”

Lopez had a great week recently, scoring 16 points versus Secaucus, tossing in 18 against Butler and had 22 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and five steals in a win over Harrison.

For his efforts, Lopez has been selected as The Observer Athlete of the Week for the Continued from previous page

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case of harnessing the talent.

We’re a better team because he’s the catalyst. We play better when he’s playing well.

We’re a better team because of him.”

Lopez is overjoyed with his success (averaging more than 14 points, six rebounds and five assists per game).

“It’s huge,” Lopez said. “It’s like a dream come true. It was always a goal of mine to lead my team. I’m tremendously happy. It blows my mind actually that I’ve been considered to receive Athlete of the Week. I never thought I’d get that.”

Lopez has aspirations to play at the next level next season.

“I definitely want to play in college,” Lopez said. “It’s just a matter of picking the right one. My grades are great. I made the honor roll last marking period, so that surprises me more 100%.”

Lopez hopes to eventually become a physical education teacher and perhaps a coach later on.

“I want to stay in basketball,” Lopez said. “I could see myself coaching someplace.

But I need to stay in basketball. It’s my life.”

17

NPD IDs woman who drove into river in the river.

First responders extricated Cordaro, who had been submerged, performed emergency procedures on her and transported her to an area hospital, police said.

Police investigators determined Cordaro was exiting a drive-thru at a CVS and may have experienced a medical emergency, causing her to speed through a fence and crash into a parked 2015 Kia, propelling both vehicles into the water, 12 feet below.

No other injuries were reported.

— Ron Leir

NUTLEY – The driver of a 2015 Nissan Murano that plunged into the Third River in Nutley Jan. 18 died two days later at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Paterson, police said.

The Nutley PD identified the motorist as Maureen Cordaro, 79, of Nutley.

The cause of her death was not provided by police.

Police and fire personnel responded to a report of a vehicle in the river at 221 Harrison St. at 2:42 p.m. on Jan. 18 but, upon arrival, they found two cars in the water — one overturned and the other with its front end

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By Ron Leir rleir@theobserver.com BELLEVILLE – Animal lovers are banding together to stump for a Trap, Neuter & Release (TNR) program in the township.

Leading the charge is R&M Rockin’ Rescues, a nonprofit group cofounded by Robin Capuzo and Marti Wheat, with a lot of helping hands who came to a recent Belleville Township Council meeting to push their cause.

“We’ve actually been doing TNR among ourselves for years,” Capuzo told The Observer last week.

But because current laws prohibit feeding of animals in the public right of way, the group is asking the council to pass a new ordinance setting up protected “colonies” where animals could be fed under controlled circumstances.

The idea behind that concept, Capuzo said, is to prevent the growing stray cat population, in particular, from getting totally out of hand and to protect the strays, ultimately by finding homes for them.

Some folks think there’s no harm in feeding strays, Capuzo said, but “by feeding them, you’re inviting more pregnancies.”

And felines are nothing if not prolific: studies show that one pregnant cat’s lineage can account for more than 400,000 cats in a 7-year period.

“There are probably thousands of street cats in Belleville,” she said.

Many, she added, tend to congregate around dumpsters — where they often find food scraps.

Capuzo, a paraprofessional at Belleville Middle School, and local realtor Danielle Vitale, visited with a reporter at a Washington Ave. location where they’ve been caretakers of several stray felines, placing cat food in trays for them.

When the animal

Photos by Ron Leir

Robin Capuzo (l.) and Danielle Vitale.

advocates come across a group of feral cats, they will set a trap — typically a 3-foot-long metal box, 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep, open at both ends — into which the cat is coaxed with food and then locked with a metal clip and covered with a towel.

If a cat needs “fixing,” it is taken to any of several area veterinarians in Lyndhurst, Paramus, East Orange, Hillside and Montclair, then is returned to an unofficial “colony” while the group seeks out fostering and, ultimately, permanent homes for the animals.

Vitale and Capuzo figure there are currently about 15 informal “feeder colonies,” each accommodating from as few as four felines to as many as 24, scattered through the township. Among the newer arrivals are locations on Joralemon and Little Sts. and Princeton Terrace.

They estimated the volunteers have found owners for “several hundred” cats in the past few years.

And a lot of people offer to foster cats, they noted.

Sometimes, they get lucky in solving ownership issues. Take the recent case of a litter of three cats for whom a Harrison resident appealed for help in placing them. One went to a Belleville family; a second ended up with a woman in Connecticut; and the third — a Russian blue mix — was claimed by a man from Vermont.

Other situations call for

more desperate measures.

Vitale remembers when “Robin climbed on top of cars” to get access to a mother cat and three kittens who had perched atop a Howard Place garage. “She got them down with a broomstick,” Vitale said.

Wheat traced her “dedicated involvement as an animal advocate” to her service with Best Friends Animal Society — where she first met Capuzo — starting in 2010. Four years later, she teamed with Capuzo again at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter, this time doing photography and marketing.

“While Robin and I have consistently taken in and gotten kittens and cats adopted since 2012, we didn’t formalize our efforts until January 2016 when we decided to join forces and start our own organization,” Wheat said.

Ultimately, that led to the incorporation of R&M Rockin’ Rescues as a 501(c)3 charity, which took effect in April 2017, along with a Facebook page and website.

The group is being aided in its legislative and logistic efforts by Councilman Vincent Cozzarelli and township health director Colleen Britton and got a big assist from Len Twist, who helped spearhead the drive for Kearny’s TNR program — which also takes in East Newark.

“We’re in our third year in Kearny and the See TNR, Page 24

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

19

Cook-Off to save lives Local chili cooks gathered recently for the 4th annual Chili Cook-Off hosted by the Junior Woman’s Club of Arlington. The 13 chili entries offered a variety of different flavors.

Proceeds were donated to the Kearny Fire Department to equip each of its vehicles with Narcan (buprenorphine & naloxone) and to training the firefighters in its use. Kearny Fire Chief Steven Dyl and Firefighter Frank McCallister served on the judging panel and members of the KFD turned out in support of the event.

JWCA members created this service project in response to the opioid crisis affecting the local community when members realized the KFD did not have the overdose-antidote drug available for use in firstresponder situations.

The winning cooks, who each received rib-

HOUSE OF THE WEEK EARLY BIRD GETS – This fantastic 3 bedroom Kearny Manor home. Spacious living room and dining room, fireplace, gas heat and much more. Once Spring has sprung, it may be gone. At only $339,000, better see it today.

BEST KEPT SECRET – Stately Colonial on a 50 x 100 lot in the Roosevelt School district. Lovely wood trim, 3 bedrooms, fireplace and a newer multizone gas heating system. Asking $389,000.

Fire Chief Steven Dyl (l.) and Mayor Alberto Santos sample the grub at the Chili Cook-Off.

bons and gift baskets provided by the JWCA, were: First Place: Dave Vassie – “Dave’s Chocolate Chili.”

Second Place: Wendy Burton – “Grateful Red.” Third Place: Jimmy Cambrelen – “Chili Chili Bang Bang – The Sequel.”

Honorable Mention: Kathy and Ismael Santos – “Triple Threat Chili with Chilean Pebre.”

People’s Choice: Mike McCurrie.

Best Name: Sandra Uhler – “Scorned Woman Chili.”

Donations are still being accepted in support of the JWCA’s Narcan for KFD Project, and can be mailed to: Junior Woman’s Club of Arlington, P.O. Box 61, Kearny, N.J. 07032.

Checks should be made payable to “JWCA” with the memo “Narcan.”

JUST LISTED – Cute and cozy 2 bedroom at-

ACTlevels, 1 1/2 bath.

TRfinished Three CON DERhouse.

UNtached

This Kearny home will not last at only $149,900.

LYNDHURST – One family Cape Cod on an extra deep lot with off street parking. 3 bedrooms with room for one more. Taxes under $7,800. per year. Estate says SELL!!!

Great value at $349,000. Exclusive with Arlington.

Vacant (We have the key)

TRACT UNDER CON

Cub Scouts compete in Pinewood Derby

By Christine Jablonski Special to The Observer Eager Cub Scouts were revved up for the annual Pinewood Derby at Hedges Hall in St. Stephen’s Church Jan. 19.

Cheers from the Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos resounded as Cub Scouts rooted for their own handmade Pinewood Derby cars and those of the other Scouts in their dens in a race against the clock.

Trophies were awarded for the fastest car in each of the five dens, for the fastest overall and most original car. Each participating Cub Scout and Scout leader earned a “Pinewood Derby 2018” patch.

The Wolf Den earned the Cubmaster’s “Pack 305 Spirit Totem” for their participation in the Pinewood Derby. Cub-

Photo by Christine Jablonski

Tigers cheer as cars race in the Pinewood Derby – in foreground are Aryan Saxena and Sean Vinacco.

master Dennis Rakauckas presented the decorative wooden plaque to the cheering Wolves for showing the most Scout spirit throughout the event. The intent of the accolade is to rotate it among the dens, inspiring active participation and friendly competition

for future activities.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 305 contributed by selling refreshments, Scout T-shirts and Unit 305 magnets and stickers at their concession stand, raising funds for upcoming camping trips. They also assisted the Northern New Jersey Council leaders during the races.

Kearny’s Troop/Pack 305 was organized in 1933 for boys and young men in Kearny, Harrison, East Newark and surrounding towns. Boy Scout meetings (grades 6 and up) take place Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Cub Scout meetings (kindergarten through grade 5) are Friday nights at 7 p.m. All meet in Hedges Hall in the lower level of St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. For more information or to join, contact them via www.KearnyScouts.com.

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700 Schuyler Ave. Kearny, NJ

SOLD 498 Forest Ave. Kearny, NJ

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Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Housing Opportunity Employer. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated.

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20

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

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

obituaries@theobserver.com Ruth L. Brown Ruth L. Brown, of Manchester, N.J., died Jan. 13 at age 96.

She was born in Kearny in 1921 to Frederick Brown and Laura Jensen Brown.

She worked at Prudential Insurance from her graduation from the secretarial program at Kearny High School to her retirement 42 years later. She was, at the time of her retirement, executive secretary to the head of the bond-training unit.

She initially retired to North Arlington and in the 1990s, moved to Silver Woods in Manchester. She was an avid traveler with friends and family, especially enjoying going to the beach.

One of her favorite hobbies was fishing.

She was predeceased by her longtime companion, Wesley Pikkert.

She is survived by her cousins, Jean Bennett, of Red Bank; Scott, Cindy and Ryan Bennett, of Mountainside; Todd, Paula, Dylan, Katie, Harrison and Mac of Annapolis, Md.; Drew, Jennifer, Brooke, Chelsea, Caroline and Miranda, of Yardley, Pa.; and Betsy Cronin of Bay Head.

She was buried in Arlington Cemetery in Kearny in the Jensen family plot.

Frank Petroski Frank Petroski died Jan. 22, 2018.

He was 62.

Born in Newark, he spent most of his life in Kearny before moving to North Arlington.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny.

A service took place at the funeral home. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Frank was active with Pathways to Independence in Kearny and the handicapped Boy Scouts in Belleville. The son of Dolores (nee Fierro) “Snookie” and the-late Anthony Petroski, he is also survived by his brother, Richard Petroski.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

James Docherty James Docherty, 74, of

obituaries

Kearny, died at home Jan. 22, 2018.

The funeral was from the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny. Cremation was private.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, James lived in Paterson before moving to Kearny over 60 years ago. He was the owner of Doc’s Quality Meats in Kearny, later working for King’s Supermarket in Florham Park as a butcher before retiring.

James was also a longtime avid golfer.

James was the beloved husband of 52 years to Mary (nee McGettigan); loving father of William Docherty and his wife Jill, Robert Docherty and his girlfriend Dawn, Lynn Ballas and her husband Paul and Anthony Docherty and his wife Tara. He is also survived by his grandchildren Fiona, Landon, Aidan, Declan, Reagan, Connor and Madison; and by his brothers Alex and Ted Docherty.

John Cicchino Jr.

John (Buddy) Cicchino Jr., 82, of Toms River, died peacefully at home Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.

Buddy was a contracting agent for Yannuzzi & Sons Demolition Co., East Orange.

Prior to that, he worked for Western Electric in Kearny.

Born in Jersey City, he resided in Harrison and Kearny

before moving to Toms River in 1998. Buddy served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959.

Buddy was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Toms River, and was past Deputy District Governor for the Lions Club Dist. 16-C. Buddy was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine Cicchino, in 1973; his second wife, Ellen Murphy, in 2012; his brother, Joseph “Chickie” Cicchino; and his sister, Janet Hodge.

Buddy is survived by his son, John Cicchino III, (Susan) of Florida; two daughters, Catherine Robert (Mike) and Suzanne Cicchino, both of North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Kristen, Erik, Maxwell, Angela, Neil, Andrew, Charles; and by his loving friend, Muriel Elsmore.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 322 N. Lauderdale Dr., Memphis, Tenn.

38105.

The DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home, Lakehurst, was in charge.

Marie P. Caputo Marie P. Caputo (nee Engrassia) died peacefully at home on Jan. 27, 2018.

She was 85.

Born in Lyndhurst, she lived in Kearny for 52 years.

Visiting is Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny.

Relatives and friends may gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 9 a.m.

We will leave for Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, at 10 a.m.

Marie had been a switchboard operator at the former West Hudson Hospital, Kearny.

She is survived by her husband, Frank P. Caputo Sr.;

21

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

obituaries@theobserver.com

and her children, Frank P. Jr., (Dorothy), Philip (Margie), Michael (Kathy) and John (Kelly). The sister of Joseph Engrassia (Lucille), she is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Danny Lamego The curtain falls on Danny Lamego, the legendary vocalist and bandleader of the Jumpin’ Jacks, on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018.

Danny began his 62-year career at the Pike Inn in Kearny and Molinari’s in Union City. The Jumpin’ Jacks have

since performed in many venues, most notably the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands, D’Jais in Belmar, Peppermint Lounge in New York City and the Thunder Bird in Las Vegas.

“We are a visual act,” Danny would say. He never changed the taste of music his followers enjoyed, pleased anyone who requested a song and never changed his pleasant personality. Danny will be missed by his loving family, the musicians he performed See OBITS, Page 24

Mulligan Funeral Home 331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison

Licensed Funeral Director serving your needs:

Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221 Private Parking at 10 Frank Rodgers Blvd. North

973-481-4333 visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com

Shaw-Buyus Home for Services

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Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Handicapped Accessible.

138 DAVIS AVE. • KEARNY, NJ 07032

(201) 991-2265 www.buyusfuneralhome.com

WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS FUNERAL HOME Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916

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

Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home

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

22

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

www.theobserver.com

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

Deadline for classifieds is Monday by 3:00 PM.

CLASSIFIEDS

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

NEWARK

HARRISON

KEARNY

KEARNY

LYNDHURST

N.ARLINGTON

NEWARK/IRONBOUND 1 Bedroom $900 • 2 Bedroom $1200 • 3 Bedroom $1375 - Call 732-5430135. Application and CC Charge 36W3

HARRISON 2nd floor, 3/4 BR’s, LR, DR, EIK, Close to TRANS & PATH, $1800 + 1 1/2month security. No Pets Avl. Now (973)5176544 36W3

KEARNY 2nd floor, 2 BR, LR, DR, EIK, $1300 + 1 month security, utilities not included, No Pets, No smoking. Call (201)2591098 38W3

KEARNY Arlington Section, 3 modern room apt, 1 BR, Close to NY TRANS, Laundry facilities, $1200.

H/H water supplied, No Pets. Call (908)240-9302

LYNDHURST 1st Floor, 1 BR, LR, EIK, Laundry on Premises, No Smoking, No Pets. $1200 + 1 1/2 months security, Utilities not Included. Credit/ Background check. Call (201)991-9107 38W3

N.ARLINGTON 2 BR, LR, DR, Kitchen. 1 1/2 month security. utilitites seperate. No pets. No smoking.

Avl. March 1st. (201) 6474011. 37W3

38W3

NEWARK 1st fl. 2 BR, Kitchen, LR & DR. $1,150/ month. HT/HW included.

1 1/2 month security.

Avl. Now. (862) 955-8624.

37W3

HARRISON 1st Floor, 3 BR, Newly renovated Kitch. HW floors, H/HW included, indoor garage & driveway, backyard, Small Pets, $2200 + 1 1/2 month security, Avail.

Now (732)423-8730 36W3

E. NEWARK E.NEWARK 2nd floor, 2 BR, LR, EIK, Close to TRANS, $1400 + 1 month security, H/HW included, Smoke free environment, No Pets. Available March 1st. (973)803-1685 38W3

HARRISON Studio Apt. Private Entrance. Kitchen & Bath. $800/month.

Utilities included. No Smoking. No pets. 1.5 months security. Avl. Now. (973) 704-5532 Btw 4pm-7pm. 37W3

KEARNY 2nd floor, 1 BR, LR, EIK, HW Floors, Close to TRANS, Schools & Church, No Pets. $950 + 1 month security, H/ HW included. Avail. Now KEARNY Studio For Rent(201)898-6015 37W3 2 rooms. Everything included. Available Feb.1st. $700/month. No Security. 201-997-0345 38W3 KEARNY - Newly Renovated, 2 BR,LR, EIK, $1400/month. 1 1/2 months security. Laundry on site Avl. Feb. 15th.

W. ORANGE (201) 407-0773. 38W1

W.ORANGE Studio, Comfortable room, $1,000/ month. Private Bathroom & Kitchen. Everything included. 1 1/2 months security. Parking in driveway. Walking distance to transportation. References & Credit Check (973) 715-6904 37w3

KEARNY E.NEWARK 2 BR, LR, DR, Kitchen w/refridgerator and stove New. $1,300/ month. Utilities seperate.

No pets. Close to TRANS. Avl. March. 1st. (973) 7153829 38W3

HARRISON

KEARNY 1st floor & Basement. 2 BR, 1 1/2 Baths, LR, EIK, Parking Avail. $1375 + 1 month security. Utilities negotable, Avail Feb, Backyard Avail.

Small Pets, No Smoking, Close to TRANS & Schools, References.

Call (201)888-7794 after 5:30PM 38W3

HARRISON Studio $650 1 Bedroom $950 2 and 3 Bedrooms Call 732-543- KEARNY Large 1 BR 0135 Application and CC apt. Loft style. FeaturCharge 36W3 ing open floor plan, high ceiling, large windows, H/W floor throughout, New ceramic tile in bath.

New kitchen, Ceiling fans HARRISON Small 1 BR in each room. $1200/ apt. Recently renovated, month + security & utiliH/W floors, Tiled Kitchen ties. No pets. (201) 991& Bath, $1,100/month. 6942. 36W3 Avl. March 1st. (732) 4847169. 38W3 KEARNY 3 BR, LR, Kitchen, Bathroom. $1,500/ month + 1 month security.

No Smoking. No pets. Avl Now (201) 279-8427 or (201) 819-7064. 38W3

HARRISON New Home 2nd fl. 3 BR’s, 2 Baths. $2,000/month. Close to transportation. no pets.

(201) 709-0645 (973) 481-3970 (973) 9010012 Leave Message.

37W3

KEARNY 1 BR, LR, EIK, Hardwood floors. Close to Trans, $995 + utiliities, No Pets, No smoking, Security deposit. Credit check and proof of ability to pay required. $50 appl. Fee. Call (908) 244-5847 ask for Joe. 36W3

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. 36W3

KEARNY 2 BR, LR, EIK, Hardwood Floors, Laundry on Premises, Close to TRANS, Heat included. $1250 + 1 month securtiy, Small pets, (201)376-3184 38W3

KEARNY 1 Bedroom $900 - 2 Bedroom $1200 - 3 Bedroom $1300 - Call 732-543-0135 Application and CC Charge 36W3

HOUSE FOR SALE

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

KEARNY BY OWNER 3 BR, 1.5 BATH, Modern EIK, Open LR & DR, Hardwood Floors, Finished basement, yard with patio, $329,000 Call (201)998-4097 36W3

Experienced Short order cook/kitchen help and cleaning needed.

Exp waitress for restaurant in N.Arlington.

FT/PT flexible hours (917) 816-2419 37W3

Equipment Repair Mechanic Needed

NORTH ARLINGTON 2 Family House, second floor, 2 BR, LR, Bath & Kitch. HW floor, $1500 + 1 1/2 months security, No Pets/No smoking (201)772-6009 37W3

LYNDHURST Luxury 1st Floor, 2 BR, 2 Baths,LR, DR, EIK, W/W carpeting, C/A, Washer/Dryer, 2 blocks from NY Trans, No Pets, $1750+utilities,1 1/2 security Avail.

Now (973)715-4220 or N.ARLINGTON Garden (732)793-6540 36W3 apt. 1 BR, $1,000, 2 BR $1,200. HT/HW included. parking. No pets. (732) LYNDHURST 1 BR 237-4682 37W3 $1,295/month & 2 BR $1,495/month &, HT/HW Studio included. Section 8 ok. N.ARLINGTON apt with seperate kitch(973) 760-4877 36W3 en in Garden apartment complex. 1st floor $975/ mth with H/HW included 1 month security. No pets. parking space Avail.

Laundry Facility. Credit check. Avl. 2/1 Call btw.

10am-7pm only. (201) 997-2341. 38W1

HALL FOR RENT

(201) 991-1600

BLOOMFIELD - 2 BR, LR, Kitchen. 1 1/2 month security. No pets. Avl. Now. (973)477-4797 36W3

LYNDHURST

LYNDHURST 2nd floor in a 2 family house , 2 BR, LR, Close to TRANS, H/HW included $1600 + 1 1/2 months security, Avail. Feb 1st call (201)954-1304

36W3

36W3

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

(973) 760-4877 36W3

ROOM FOR RENT

BLOOMFIELD

E.NEWARK Room for rent. Male preferred.

Shared Kitchen & Bath.

All utilities included. Avl Feb 15th. 973-464-4329 38W3

KEARNY — Room for rent all included. $640 month. Available now. Female preferred. No pets.

201-772-7427 38W3

BELLEVILLE Clean nicely furnished for 1 person in my home. No smoking. Shared kitchen & Bath. Laundry. A/C. Light cooking. Utilities supplied. Parking. $850/ month. 1 month security. Nice Neighborhood.

(201) 687-0580 Leave message. 36W3

repairing and maintaining trucks, forklift and material handling equipment. Proficient in mechanical and hydraulic repair. Valid DL and own on experience, medical, 401K, paid holidays and vacation. Job Is Full-Time Please submit resume to applicationprocessing@hotmail.com or call 973–589-4100 ext.1225 to schedule interview 38W3

Call Mary Ann

201-805-9023 34W6

Auto Body Shop Needs mechanic helper. Must speak/write English, must have valid drivers license.

Call (973) 589-6274 www. colormycar.com (Ironbound) Newark. 38W3

Hall Available Family Affairs Mid week special. Call for info (201) 991-9865 or (203) 864-8243 Max 80 people. 34W8

www. theobserver.com BOCA RATON Modern Fully furnished 2 BR corner unit on 5th floor, LR, DR, 2 full Bath’s, 2 Balcony’s, Across from Ocean, $2000 + 1 1/2 month’s security, Monthly $3000. Avail.

April 1st (973)9603531 37W3

(South Kearny)- 3 years experience

tools. Compensation is hourly based

PARKING FOR RENT

BOCA RATON

KEARNY Spacious 1st Floor, 2 BR, EIK, DR, LR, Close to TRANS, H/HW included $1600 + 1 1/2 months security, Avail. Feb 1st call (201)954-1304

KEARNY Arlington section. Basment apt. 1 BR, LR, refrigerator, sink, Toaster oven only. No stove top.

No Pets. Perfect for single person,.$700/month. Utilities included. Avl. Feb. 1st.

(201) 362-2264. 38W3

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

Parking for 25ft. trucks, SUV’s or Small vans, Offices Avail.call (201) 997-1500. 36W4

F/T Position Food Distributor Company in Kearny is looking Receiving, shipping, stock just to name some.

Company offers health benefits, paid vacation and holidays.

Bilingual in Spanish A+, $10.50/hour to start Qualified individuals apply in person 969 Newark Turnpike, Kearny Or call (201) 997-7689 x1104 38W3

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

www.theobserver.com

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

Deadline for classifieds is Monday by 3:00 PM.

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

LIBRARY ASSISTANT – PART TIME The Lyndhurst Public Library is seeking a parttime Library Assistant. Up to 24 hours per week including evenings and Saturdays. Basic computer and internet skills are needed. Rate is $11/hr. High school diploma or its equivalent required. Please mail or e-mail resume to Donna Romeo, Director, Lyndhurst Public Library, 355 Valley Brook Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, romeo@lyndhurst.bccls.org. Application forms are available at the Library’s Circulation Desk if a resume is not available. 37W3

PT / FT. SPANISH / PORTUGUESE BILINGUAL DENTAL ASSISTANT Growing Multi-Specialty dental office, with over 17 years of service, located in the Ironbound section of Newark, has immediate opening for a Dental Assistant. Radiology license from the State of NJ and at least one-year work experience in the field are required. Candidate must be very high motivated, team player and multi task with high communication skills to join our great and professional team. Serious inquiries only. Great environment, comparable compensation is available. For interview consideration E-mail resume dentalteam2001@gmail.comor Fax: 973-465-1955 This ad is part of our Equal employment opportunity program. 37W3

Childcare located in Kearny is seeking FT teacher in toddler class. Must have prior toddler experience in licensed childcare as well as speak fluently in English. Apply at 545 Kearny Ave or email, Preciousangels1@ outlook.com 36W3

Part Time Night Crew (Over Night) Grocery Clerk. Experience necessary in a high volume atmosphere.

Kearny Shop Rite 100 Passaic Ave, Kearny, NJ Please apply in person. 36W12

Insurance Customer Service We are a fast paced environment that needs a team player, with the ability to multi-task. Must have minimum of 2 years experience. Must be Bilingual English/ Spanish. Portuguese a plus. email to Lorenachique@allstate. com 38W3

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

Free training provided. msangelabove@ comcast.net.

(732)766-4425 36W6

Looking for FT Lead Teacher w/ experience for Pre-k.

For more Info, Call (201) 998-8100. 36W3

Receptionist with at least 2 yrs office experience who is comfortable speaking on the phone. Kearny.

201-991-7111 ask for Sue. 36W4

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

AUTO SUPPLY COUNTER PERSON NJ DRIVER’S LICENCE ENGLISH / BILINGUAL TRAINEE OR EXPERIENCED FULL TIME IRON BOUND SECTION 973344-0204 35W4

Full/Part Time help wanted for small office.

Data Entry,Answer Phones, and other office duties. Please reply to email only.

Email address is hired973@gmail.com 36W3

Instructor.

Will train right candidate. Must be reliable. (201) 246-8000 37W3

Night Drivers Wanted!! Apply in person at Schulyer Cab 505 Ave Kearny.

Must Have Clean Record. 35W4

Man to Polish, Buff & assemble needed for Body Shop on Schuyler Ave., Kearny. Car Painter needed for February Call (201) 997-0295 (201) 889-5251 37W3

PERSONALS Dental office in Kearny is Looking for Dental Assistant ! FULL TIME. We are looking for a responsible person, Bilingual English/Spanish.

Minimum 1 Year Experience.Great Personal Skills is a must. Please send your Curriculum Vitae at : hudsonparkdental@ hotmail.com 38W3

Intelligent, Independent, attractive female, Blonde 5’8” seeks male 55-69, for friendship/relationship.

Kearny area. Please call (201) 246- 1036. If no answer please leave message. 38W3

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(201) 991-1600

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

Thomas MacDonald Thomas MacDonald died Jan. 25, 2018.

Continued from Page 21 He was 80.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotwith on stage and his many land, he lived in Parsippany adoring fans. before moving to Kearny in Danny was the beloved 1980. husband of Betty (Legregin); Tom was a boiler inspecdevoted father of Daniel and tor for Travelers Insurance Carmelita Lamego, Janet and Company in New York City.

Joe Basile, Karen and Philip He was an active member of Castagna and the late Robert the Scots-American Club in Lamego and Barbara Verlingo; Kearny. loving brother of the-late Tom was the former husElsye Lamego and Theresa band of Pamela (nee VerNunes; and dear brother-inderosa) and the late Anne law of Nancy DiGeronimo and Quinn and the brother of Joan Legregin. He is also surNorma Brunton. He was the vived by seven loving granduncle of Mandy, Deryck and children and 10 cherished Wendy Lavelle and Nicolette great-grandchildren. and Adam Petrillo. He was Visitation is Wednesday, Jan. also survived by his devoted 31, 2018, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., caregiver, Heather Farrell. at the Armitage & Wiggins Cremation was private.

Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove In lieu of flowers, kindly Dr., Kearny. Danny requested consider a donation to the that after visitation, his cremaScottish-American Club, tion be private, that flowers Kearny. be omitted and that no one The Armitage & Wiggins should be sad.

Funeral Home, Kearny, was in charge.

Rosaline P. McCormick Rosaline P. McCormick, 86, died Jan. 25, 2018.

Beloved wife of the late Martin McCormick, she was the devoted and loving mother of Tricia Wallace and her husband Tom; adored and very loved grandmother of Maura and Thomas; and loving sister of the late Maggie Graham, Charlotte Krex, Mary Landi and Joseph and James Henry.

She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Born in Kearny, Rosaline lived most of her life in Kearny before moving to North Arlington eight years ago. She was a pharmacy technician at the former West Hudson Hospital, Kearny. She was a member of the Henrietta Benstead Senior Citizen Center, Kearny, and the St. Stephen’s Seniors. She was a devoted and faithful parishioner of St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny.

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children, daughter and son-inlaw. She loved to dance and is now dancing with the angels.

Visiting was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive Kearny, on Monday, Jan. 29. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.

He was 95.

The funeral will be conducted from the Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 9:15 a.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church, East Newark, at 10 a.m. Visitation takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday morning after 8:45 a.m.

Born and raised in Harrison, he was a lifelong resident, a retired fire captain of the Harrison Fire Department — F.M.B.A. No. 22. A veteran of World War II, he served on Augusta Branco the front lines at the Battle of Augusta Branco (Fidalgo), the Bulge. died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at He was a member of the St. Michael’s Medical Center V.F.W. 340, Harrison, and the in Newark.

84th Infantry Division RailShe was 94. splitters.

Funeral services were under He received the Combat the direction of Mulligan Infantry Badge and the Bronze Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Star Medal.

Ave., Harrison. Her interment He was a member of the will take place in Cabana Holy Name Society of St. AnMaior, Portugal. thony’s Church, East Newark, Born and raised in Boucas and the Legion of Mary, Holy Donas, Portugal, she moved to Cross Church, Harrison. the Ironbound section of NewNicholas was married to the ark 34 years ago. late Geraldine (nee Connolly).

Augusta was a breast cancer He is survived by his children, survivor.

Penny Cappuccino, Joseph and She is survived by her lovMaureen Cappuccino, Kathing daughter Maria Branco leen and Mark Rossi, Jamie and her husband John; her and Robert Madonna, James cherished grandchildren, and Laura Cappuccino; one Elizabeth, Sandra, Isabel, Ansister-in-law, Marlene Contonio and Natalie; her greatnolly; grandchildren, Nicholas grandchildren Brian, Steven, (Kristen), Jill (Christopher), Samantha and Joseph, and Jodi (Matt), Jessica (Greg), her great-great-grandchildren Anthony, Joseph, Jenna ans Jacob and Matthew.

Maria; five great-grandchilShe was predeceased by her dren and many nieces and husband, Antoinio Branco, and nephews. her sons Antonio and Manuel In lieu of flowers, the family Branco. requests donations to St. AnTo send condolences to her thony’s Church or Holy Cross family, please visit www.mulChurch in care of the funeral liganfh.com. home, in loving memory of Nicholas.

Nicholas J. Cappuccino If you would like to send Nicholas J. Cappuccino, of condolences to his family, Harrison, died Saturday, Jan. please visit www.mulliganfh.

27, 2018. com.

TNR

Continued from Page 18 number of complaint calls to the Board of Health — about cats run over in the street, or cats feeding in garbage and so forth — are improving every week,” Twist said. “Our first year, they were averaging 20 to 30 complaints a month; the second year, it was down to five or six a month and now it’s dwindled down to just a handful.”

To Twist, that’s a reflection of

how TNR has worked to help control the spread of stray cats and the overall protection of felines in Kearny.

And Twist persists in carrying that message to the rest of the Garden State, both near and far: He successfully pushed for a TNR law in Old Bridge last June; he’s continuing to work with advocates in Harrison and North Arlington; a few months ago, he spoke for the cause in New Brunswick and he’s prepping for a similar effort in Washington Township in Warren County.

THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

25

Holy Cross rated No. 1 by ACE Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in North Arlington, a property of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, is the winner of the 2017 American Cemetery Excellence (ACE) Award. The award is presented by American Cemetery

We are very proud of this distinction.”

Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum offers an environment in which families feel welcome and comforted at a time when they need it most. Established in 1915 to meet the needs of Catholic

& Cremation magazine, a leading publication serving the funeral and cemetery industry, and recognizes the most outstanding cemeteries both within the United States and abroad.

According to the magazine’s December issue, in which the winner was announced, “far more than just a final resting place, Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum offers a parklike setting, exquisite artwork, modern technology and a faith-inspired atmosphere. It’s easy to understand why Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum has been selected as our seventh annual American Cemetery Excellence award winner.”

“We received dozens of entries from cemeteries – all of them doing great things to serve their communities,” said Allison Sullivan, publisher of Kates-Boylston Publications.

“But Holy Cross stood out in so many ways, and it truly exemplifies that cemeteries can continue to be relevant and beautiful.”

“It is an honor to be recognized with this prestigious award,” said Andrew P. Schafer, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries. “It recognizes our team’s commitment to our mission of faith and to the excellent service provided to bereaved families and our Catholic community.

families, almost 300,000 individuals are interred in the 200-acre cemetery.

The artwork, headstones and private family mausoleums at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum are evidence of timeless Catholic traditions that are deeply intertwined in the cemetery’s heritage.

However, the cemetery also has moved full-speed ahead with cutting-edge technology and architecture, innovative product choices, excellent customer service and unsurpassed beauty and grandeur. The cemetery is a unique and holy place that allows families to memorialize and remember their departed loved ones in a beautiful, inviting and faith-filled atmosphere. It is a holy place with a museum-like characteristic and is recognized as one of the most magnificent cemeteries in the country.

Central to the cemetery is its 250,000-square-foot mausoleum — a modern marvel that spanned 37 years of construction and expansion.

The Genesis Mausoleum Chapel, which was completed in 2013, features 90 major works of art, including numerous original statues, 100-yearold stained and etched glass and accompanying liturgical works of art.

The breathtaking mausoleum expansion combines

ancient scriptures and contemporary art in an effort to transform the unsettling reputation of cemeteries and mausoleums into a welcoming place filled with beautiful and meaningful symbols that inspire faith and hope.

According to Schafer, it is the commitment to families and attention to detail that has contributed to the cemeteries unique and special qualities.

“It’s all about finding out

what the needs are and filling them,” Schafer said. “Over the years we have tried to respond to our families’ needs to the best of our ability in a respectful, dignified way.”

The cemetery was featured prominently in media coverage last fall when the town of North Arlington was named as one of Money magazine’s top 10 places to live in the U.S. Holy Cross Cemetery and

Mausoleum was an ACE Award runner-up in 2016, as was Maryrest Cemetery and Mausoleum in Mahwah, New Jersey, one of Newark’s Archdiocesan cemeteries, which received the runner-up distinction in 2013.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

Reilly can practice before SCOTUS

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com KEARNY — Kathleen Reilly, partner at the Kearny law firm Brady, Brady & Reilly, has had a long and very storied career spanning three decades. But now she boasts of something only a handful of lawyers across the country can claim — she’s been admitted to argue before the United States Supreme Court.

Through the Hudson County Bar Association, Reilly filed the necessary paperwork to be able to argue before SCOTUS. Reilly told The Observer how it all happened in a recent interview.

In order to be considered, she had to be sponsored by two attorneys who were already admitted to practice before the Supreme Court. One of her sponsors was her long-time law partner, Lawrence P. Brady Jr. The other was an attorney who practices in Jersey City.

The NJ Attorney Ethics Committee wrote a letter, on her behalf, stating that she was,

indeed, a lawyer in good standing in New Jersey.

And once it was all made official, in December, she and 10 other lawyers from Hudson County traveled to Washington, D.C., to be officially sworn in by SCOTUS. “We had breakfast, first, at the court,” Reilly said. “Then, we were later escorted into the chamber, where we were seated behind counsel’s table … maybe 20 feet from the justices.”

Once Reilly and her fellow lawyers who were also to be sworn were seated for a few moments, the entrance was announced by the court crier — or marshal of the court — who says: “The Honorable, the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Oyez!

Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this

its current location, the court’s personal injury, construction and Honorable Court.” workplace accidents, premises hearings took place at the U.S. Once the court was seated, liability in fall-down cases, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Capitol. medical malpractice and product listened to the names of all those “The carvings were magnificent,” Reilly said of the liability. to be admitted — and he then Reilly is a past-president of the administered the oath to Reilly mostly marble building.

West Hudson Bar Association, a and her compadres. And that was So when will Reilly’s first argument before SCOTUS be? member of the Hudson County it.

Bar Association, a member Well, she admits it might “You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet in there,” Reilly said. never happen, considering how of the New Jersey Trial Law Association, a member of the “And there we were, just about 20 few writs of certiorari (literal feet away from all of the justices. translation — an order to become American Association for Justice, They were all there that day. It better informed) the court issues a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and is a fellow to hear cases. Regardless, she was remarkable.” says even if she never steps foot of the Litigation Counsel of Once the oath was in the building again, it was all a America. administered, Reilly says she humbling experience.

She was named a New Jersey and some others stuck around Super Lawyer in 2011.

“It was a true honor just to to watch the court’s first oral have been there,” she said. “It was Among her more noted and arguments of the day.

Each case is allotted about 30 an honor to be there with many recent cases, she won a $6 million minutes, so it’s pretty much rapid great lawyers. And to have been verdict in a construction-accident there before the nine justices — case, a $1.2 million settlement in fire.

“It was very engaging,” she said what a wonderful experience.” an automobile-accident case and a $1.2 million verdict in a bike v.

Reilly received her juris of the case she watched. “It was doctorate (law degree) from the limousine case. very intense.”

Her law practice, Brady, Brady & Aside from her involvement in Seton Hall University School of the day, Reilly told The Observer Law in 1982. She was admitted to Reilly, has an office at 377 Kearny she was most impressed by the the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Ave., Kearny. Reach the office by calling 201-997-0030. Visit the Bars in 1983. In the three-plus architecture of the SCOTUS decades she’s practiced law, she’s practice’s website at www.bbr-law. building, the construction for which completed in 1935. Prior to mainly handled cases involving com for more information.

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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

THEFT

Continued from Page 1 Neri is scheduled for an arraignment Feb. 6 in Hudson County Central Judicial Processing Court in Jersey City.

Suarez said the charge was filed “after a month-long investigation was conducted”

by HCPO detectives who, she said, “were assisted by the Kearny Board of Education throughout the process.”

Suarez said her office started the investigation “after being contacted by an attorney representing the Kearny Board of Education.”

Patricia Blood, superintendent of schools for the Kearny school district, also issued a statement that said: “In late October, the Kearny Board of Education discovered the possible misappropriation of funds from the Business Office by a district employee.

“The matter was immediately referred to the [HCPO] for investigation, and the suspected employee was immediately suspended without pay. The employee has since resigned.

“Since reporting this incident, the district has cooperated fully with the investigation by the [HCPO].

Said employee was bonded for theft, and it is expected that any and all losses will be fully reimbursed to the district by the bonding company.

“As this is an ongoing matter, no further

‘Since reporting this incident, the district has cooperated fully with the investigation by the HCPO ... no further information will be released at this time.’

— Patricia Blood, superintendent of Kearny Schools information will be released at this time.”

Kenneth Lindenfelser, general counsel to the KBOE, said he was the attorney referenced in the HCPO release but, when asked to explain how the district concluded something was amiss, he declined, saying he preferred not to compromise the investigation.

Lindenfelser said the district expects to recoup the money through its school insurance package policy provided through the School Alliance Insurance Fund which includes $500,000 coverage for instances of “crime” committed against the district.

Asked what steps the district is taking to prevent any repeat payroll tampering incidents, the superintendent’s office said that safeguards have been instituted, that there has been a “thorough review of job responsibilities and separation of duties,” that

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the district “has switched payroll- management systems to provide additional reporting features highlighting additional pay lines” and that “account reconciliations [have been] transferred to the Treasurer of School Monies.”

Some observers wondered whether the annual district audit would have picked up any aberrations in the payroll account but if the auditor — Lerch, Vinci & Higgins LLP CPAs of Fair Lawn has

performed that service for at least the past 15 years — was aware of something amiss, there was no mention of it, at least through the 2015-2016 school year.

The district’s interim business administrator, Ron Smith, has solicited Requests for Proposals for auditing services for the 2018-2019 school year.

According to the superintendent’s office, Neri has been a district employee since 2007. She was placed

27

on “administrative leave” Oct. 12, 2017, and submitted her resignation, effective Dec. 1, 2017. Her salary was $61,057 a year.

Neri is being represented by the Fairfield law firm Caruso Smith Picini.

Nicholas Poberezhsky, an attorney with that firm, said last Friday his client would enter a “not guilty” plea to the charge against her.

“While I was recently retained in this matter and have not had an opportunity to review the state’s evidence, I can state, unequivocally, that the allegations set forth against Ms. Neri are entirely inconsistent with her character.

“My client, who has absolutely no prior criminal history, is a loving mother devoted to her family and friends. She is extremely well-respected in her community and is known to be a kind, selfless person, who is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. We look forward to zealously defending Ms. Neri in this matter.”

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KEARNY • 636 Kearny Avenue • 201-997-7000 LYNDHURST • 424 Valley Brook Ave • 201-939-8900 info@cocciarealty.com • www.cocciarealty.com R U T H E R F O R D | LY N D H U R S T | K E A R N Y | S E C A U C U S *Statistics based on information derived from NJMLS for all sales transactions made in East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, Rutherford, Wallington, Wood Ridge, Secaucus, Hasbrouck Heights, Harrison, Kearny from 01/01/17 to 12/31/2017, deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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