Opinion

from e-Newspaper for June 23, 2021

Thoughts & Views

EDITORIAL

Harrison Rec Center will be an area envy

Last week, Harrison Councilman Larry Bennett took The Observer on a tour of the town’s soon-to-be-renovated Recreation Center. While there is still work to be done, once it is complete, it will become the area’s most coveted place for recreation.

But it won’t just be for young people.

The place is designed for adults, too, who might need a place to work out. There will be plenty of new equipment for anyone 18 and older.

Recreation Chairman Larry Kelly has always done a tremendous job with his programs. That will continue once the center reopens.

Well more than a year after the place became a COVID-19 testing center, it will soon, again, be a place where the young and old may gather. And the town’s soccer, basketball and other programs will be back in full swing.

We take this time to commend Mayor James A. Fife, Bennett, Kelly and the town council for investing in this center — and making it a true destination.

And, as usual, the greatest beneficiaries here are the taxpayers and residents of Harrison, who rarely, if ever, can legitimately complain their tax dollars aren’t wisely spent.

There is a complete misunderstanding out there in the land of social media of late and it is that it wasn’t until this recent primary that Kearny residents discussed or began to care about “the issues.”

Having followed the comings of goings of this town for ages, we’re pretty sure there has always been a discourse and discussion of the issues.

And not just on social media, either. The only difference of late, however, is that there were a few newcomers — and people who disappeared for a while, only to resurface — added to the fray.

So while there are some who might say this is all new and because of the primary, we’re confident the primary was responsible for heightening the discussions — definitely not creating them for the first time in nearly two decades. Then again, on social media, when does the truth seem to matter anyway?

Clarifying a fallacy from 2021 primary

Harrison’s Elks honor Old Glory

One of the biggest ceremonies the Elks offer each year is to honor Old Glory every June 14 for Flag Day. Such was the case in Harrison this year as Elk Larry Bennett, also a Harrison councilman, led the ceremony. Here, members of the Harrison-East Newark Elks and members are the public are seen after the ceremony outside the Harrison Public Library on Harrison Avenue.

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In Memoriam Mary A. Tortoreti 1942-2016

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Wednesday, June 23, 2021 The Observer | www.theobserver.com

Essex concerts are back, kick off June 30

By Kevin Canessa kc@theobserver.com

In a real sign things are getting back to normal, the Essex County summer concert series is back.

County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. says the series brings a diverse group of musicians and entertainers to perform at locations throughout the Essex County Park System and provides residents with an evening leisure activity to enjoy the parks.

This year’s series features three concert and fireworks spectaculars, five concerts in Brookdale Park, 12 concerts throughout the county and two cultural festivals.

“The Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage throughout our historic parks system. Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more. We have an amazing line-up that is sure to entertain and impress,” DiVincenzo said.

The 2021 SummerMusic Concert Series — spread over 11 weeks — begins Wednesday, June 30, with a concert by Smooth and a fireworks display in Weequahic Park in Newark and concludes Saturday, Sept. 11, with the House Music Festival and a Splash of Caribbean in Weequahic Park in Newark.

There will be three concert and fireworks: the aforementioned June 30; the Infernos on Thursday, July 1, in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield; and the NJ Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, Aug. 26 in Branch Brook Park. • The 2021 concert series schedule is as follows

Wednesday, June 30, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Newark: Concert by Smooth and a fireworks spectacular. • Thursday, July 1, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield: Concert by the Infernos and a fireworks spectacular (Rain date is Friday, July 2). • Monday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m., Essex County Yanticaw Park, Nutley: Jersey Sound.

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Essex County Verona Park, Verona: The Symphonics. • Thursday, Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield: Stoneflower Soul: A Santana Tribute. • Friday, Aug. 13, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield: Eaglemania. • Monday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m., Essex County Veterans Memorial Park, Newark: Bradford Hayes. • Tuesday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m., Essex County Riverbank Park, Newark: David Cedeno Orchestra. • Wednesday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Essex County Watsessing Park, Bloomfield: Gordon James. • Thursday, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield: Constantine and The Frequency. • Friday, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield: New Power Soul: Classic Rock. • Saturday, Aug. 21, noon to 8 p.m. Essex County Ivy Hill Park, Newark: Ivy Hill Food and Music Festival (Rain date is Sunday, Aug. 22)*. • Monday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m., Essex County Ivy Hill Park, Newark: Layonne Holmes. • Tuesday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., Essex County Vailsburg Park, Newark: K. Brown Express. • Wednesday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Essex County Riverfront Park, Newark: Latin Splendor. • Thursday, Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Branch Brook Park, Heller Parkway, Newark: Concert by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks spectacular. • Friday, Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m., Essex County Brookdale Park, Bloomfield: A Night of Doo-Wop with The Capris. • Monday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m., Essex County Cedar Grove Park, Cedar Grove: Julian & Dominique. • Tuesday, Aug. 31st, 7 p.m., Essex County Grover Cleveland Park, Caldwell/ Essex Fells: Swingman & The Misfits Mutts. • Wednesday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m., Essex County Independence Park, Newark: Nanny Assis: Brazilian Experience. • Thursday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m., Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange: Beginnings: A Chicago Tribute. • Saturday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Newark: House Music Festival and a Splash of Caribbean.*

Events marked with an asterisk (*) are co-sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

All concerts take place at accessible sites.

Those who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff to their needs.

Admission to the concerts is free.

For more information, call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at (973) 268-3500.

SUMMER CONCERTS

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KPD

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Bridgeforth was arrested and Officer Jack Grimm towed the disabled SUV off the Skyway. She was charged by summons with driving while suspended and driving an unregistered vehicle. Styna L. Braker, 54, of Jersey City, who owns the Buick, was mailed a ticket for allowing an unlicensed operator to drive her vehicle. Bridgeforth was later released on her own recognizance.

On June 17 at 9:19 p.m.,

Officer Bryan San Martin was dispatched to ShopRite to investigate a minor car crash that occurred when a vehicle was backing out of a parking space. While verifying the credentials of driver Rebeka Reyes, 30, of Harrison, Officer San Martin learned Reyes’ driving privileges were suspended.

Reyes was arrested and summonsed for driving with a suspended license. She was later released.

On June 17 at 1:07 a.m.,

Officers Bryan San Martin and Nick Funk and Sgt. Tom Pontrella responded to the U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail Processing Facility at 1200 Harrison Ave. on a report of an assault.

There, it was reported to officers that Karima J. Muhammad, 31, of Newark, had engaged in an argument with a 26-year-old co-worker from East Orange, over the sharing of an office printer/scanner. The women reportedly came noseto-nose before Muhammad allegedly dug her fingernails into her colleague’s arm and then bashed her upside the head with the scanning device.

Muhammad’s co-worker suffered bleeding from inside her ear, tinnitus and pain, which required her to seek treatment at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville. After further investigation, Officer San Martin arrested Muhammad and charged her by summons with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose before being released.