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Wednesday, 24 November 2021

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Vol. CXXXIV, No. 29

Kettle Kickoff

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

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he Christmas season unofficially began Friday, Nov. 19, in Kearny when the Salvation Army hosted its annual Kettle Kickoff at Town Hall. Here, from left, new Salvation Army leader Lt. David Kumar (also in inset photo with Lillian Russell and the mayor), Ellie Nakrosis and Mayor Alberto G. Santos cut a ribbon to signify the opening to the largest fundraising effort of the year.

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. photos

Kards beat Freehold, 6-2, to win Group 4 soccer title Story & Photos By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com

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hey don’t call Kearny “Soccertown, USA” for nothing.

Especially after the drama of the past week, when the Kearny High School boys’ soccer team advanced to the overall NJSIAA Group IV state championship game Saturday afternoon, four days after perhaps the most thrilling and exhilarating victory in the Kardinals’ rich and storied program.

The Kardinals were headed toward certain imminent defeat against former perennial foe Elizabeth in the Group IV semifinals last Tuesday, coming back from a two-goal deficit to miraculously tie the match with

1:01 remaining in regulation, then winning the contest in the fifth round of the tie-breaking penalty kick phase of the game to move on to face Freehold Township in the overall Group IV state title game Saturday.

Once the Kards got to the Group IV championship game Saturday afternoon at Kean University, they unleashed an offensive explosion on the Patriots, a barrage that became almost synonymous with the Kards, scoring six goals for incredibly the ninth time in 24 matches during the season.

Led by the team’s leading scorer Juan Rojas, who scored two goals and added two assists, the Kardinals never trailed and rolled to a 6-2 victory, givSee TITLE, Page 9

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Wednesdawy, November 24, 2021

Kearny’s new health officer comes with experience perience & COVID-19 know-how

By Ron Leir For The Observer

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native West New Yorker with a quarter-century of experience in the public health field is Kearny’s new health officer and Health Department director.

Annarelly “Annie” McNair was appointed to the post by the town governing body on Oct. 26.

McNair, who is licensed by the state Department of Health as a municipal health officer, began working last week.

She takes over for Kenneth Pincus, who left in July after seven years in Kearny to become the Passaic health officer.

Former Kearny Health Officer John Sarnas had been serving on an interim basis.

Mayor Alberto G. Santos said McNair would be covering Kearny full-time and she was one of “three fully-licensed applicants” for the position.

“Her resume stood out because of her extensive experience in public health initiatives, health inspections and, dur-

McNAIR ing the pandemic, managing COVID vaccine clinics and contact tracing for the County of Union,” Santos said.

“She also has prior experience with the Hudson Regional Health Commission of which Kearny is a member.”

Even as a student at West New York’s Memorial High School — where she was president of the 1988 senior class — McNair said she was always oriented toward science.

“In high school and college (Oberlin

in Ohio), I was thinking pre-med,” she said, “but then I became more interested in preventive medicine.”

With the HIV-AIDS virus trending in the ‘80s, McNair recalled asking herself why the LGBT community were being denied access to treatment programs.

“I remember telling people, ‘Humans discriminate – bugs don’t,’” she said.

“As a public health professional, we are looking at all issues, including ethnicity, income status, access to health care and

how all of that may be contributing to the causes of an illness.”

To broaden her knowledge of preventive medicine, McNair completed a master’s degree at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in 1996.

From 1996 to 1999, McNair worked for New York Medical College, in Valhalla, New York, as program coordinator of the Hudson Valley childhood lead poisoning prevention resource center; between 1999 and 2000, she was program coordinator for the Harlem Adherence to HIV/AIDS Treatment Study at Harlem Hospital Center/Columbia University; and in 2000, she returned to New York Medical College, putting in five years as program director of New Yorkers Caring for New Yorkers.

Then came a six-year stint at Hudson Regional Health Commission, based in Secaucus, in the dual role as Medical Reserve Corps coordinator and Public Health Practice Standards Partnership See McNAIR, Page 14

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COPS WHO SHOT MURDEROUS COUPLE WON’T FACE CHARGES

Duo who killed Det. Joseph Seals, others, took bullets from dozen-plus officers entirety of the incident.

Officers near the scene responded within minutes of the start of the shooting and took incoming gunfire from Anderson and Graham. Two

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

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state grand jury has voted not to file any criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations over the deaths of two murderers — David N. Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50 — who were fatally shot by police after the couple shot and killed Jersey City Police Department Det. Joseph Seals, of North Arlington and then killed Mindy Ferencz, Douglas Miguel “Miguel” Rodriguez Barzola, of Harrison and Moshe Deutsch inside a supermarket in Jersey City and engaged in a three-hour firefight with police on Dec. 10, 2019.

The fatal police encounter was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to 16 to 23 New Jersey residents called upon to serve on a grand jury in accordance with Directive 2019-4, the “Independent Prosecutor Directive,” issued in 2019.

In July 2021, OPIA issued standard operating procedures (“SOPs”) to ensure these grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner — and with appropriate transparency regarding the process — consistent with the Independent Prosecutor Directive.

The investigation of this fatal police encounter included interviews of witnesses, a collection of forensic evidence, review of video footage and autopsy results from the medical examiner.

After hearing testimony and evidence from the investigation, the grand jury conclud-

SEALS ed its deliberations Monday, Nov. 15, and voted “no bill,” meaning a majority of grand jurors found the actions of the officers who shot Anderson and Graham were justified and no charges should be filed against them.

According to the investigation, on Dec. 10, 2019, Anderson and Graham encountered and killed Seals in Bay View Cemetery in Jersey City.

Shortly thereafter, at approximately 12:21 p.m., Anderson parked a white U-Haul van directly across the street from the JC Kosher Supermarket at 223 Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City.

Graham was a passenger in the van.

Within seconds of parking the van, Anderson exited the driver’s side door with a rifle in his hand. He walked toward supermarket and began shooting. Graham exited the vehicle and entered the store as well.

Anderson and Graham shot and killed three people in the store: Ferencz, who was 31; Rodriguez Barzola, a Harrison resident who was 49; and Moshe Deutsch, who was 24.

A survivor escaped the store shortly after the gunfire began. Anderson and Graham remained in the store for the

officers suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds. Several police officers exchanged gunfire with the assailants in the store.

At approximately 12:43

p.m., Jersey City officers arrived with a police armored vehicle in the vicinity of the JC Kosher Supermarket, and officers fired at Anderson See CHARGES, Page 19

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IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION Opinion....................................................................................Page 6 Business Directory.............................................................Page 8 Sports......................................................................................Page 9

Health & Wellness Directory...............................................Page 10 Obituaries................................................................................Page 13 Classifieds........................................................................Pages 16-17

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Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Want a vaccine? Fine. Just don’t force me to get one

By Michael Galloway Don Bosco Preparatory School

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he United States and the rest of the world have been dealing with COVID-19 for the nearly two years and it has taken a toll on the world.

Over 250 million cases and 5.2 million deaths worldwide from COVID began to spread wildly in early 2020. Since then we have found ways to combat it in the forms of vaccines, natural immunity and simply having a good immune system and staying active.

Of course, now though there is a push by the government of the United States to force the vaccine onto people as a “safety measure.”

But how safe is the vaccine and do governors and the president have the right to tell you what you should put into your body? And to be frank, as a high schooler, I can tell you why it should be up to you to

Bridgingthe

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make that final and ever-important decision.

The first big thing to look into is what a vaccine is by definition, “a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared from the causative agent of a disease, its products, or a synthetic substitute, treated to act as an antigen without inducing the disease,” is what a vaccine is according to Wikipedia.

The question then becomes, do the vaccines provided by pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna actually fulfill this definition?

The short and simple answer is no, there are still hundreds of cases of COVID-19 being contracted by the vaccinated

who are in a worse state than some of the unvaccinated and are also responsible for the delta variant of the virus.

According to Hopkinsmedicine.org, some populations have been found even while fully vaccinated for one out of a hundred people to have contracted COVID-19 or the Delta variant.

To top this off, there are cases of people having severe reactions to the vaccine after they already contracted COVID, some losing fertility, getting myocarditis, which is heart inflammation, Bell’s Palsy among others.

It is also worth mentioning these jabs are not fully approved for normal use by the FDA, but are instead under Emergency Use Authorization

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which to put bluntly means there were no long-term human trials for the vaccine unlike every other one in history.

A typical vaccine takes 10 to 15 years of study to gain approval, so the COVID vaccines many are getting were only in phase one of testing last year.

It officially makes these vaccines the fastest to ever be produced, but along with that, probably the most volatile in nature given their small sample sizes and rushed development shoving them out the door at the behest of nations worldwide trying to quell COVID-19.

So now, the government of the United States is creating mandates on federal employees, including the military.

Not only is it the government, but private companies are getting in on the action now, too.

COVID-19 a virus with a mortality rate of 1.6% in the United States, yet for some reason some seem so dead set on pushing out vaccines that aren’t even up to snuff and are in most cases worse for you than simply catching the actual virus.

This doesn’t even cover how there are record low flu and cold numbers throughout the whole U.S. and how COVID has been blanketed across it.

COVID-19 is a virus that is extremely overblown from

my own experience and my mother, who smokes cigarettes, is overweight, and had a heart attack with a surgery seven months to the day along with Lyme disease, contracted COVID-19.

Despite her poor health, she actually fended off COVID better than I did mind you being a football player at the time.

Of course, this is just one example of someone doing well in spite of pre-existing conditions and it isn’t enough to say the virus isn’t a threat to people who are worse off or have weakened immune systems.

The statement to be made is that unfortunately, people become fragile to illnesses as they age and/or their immune systems weaken over time and are not replenished.

A cold or flu could have done the same and it is a shame we have lost millions to this disease, but we should not ignore the facts when there is potential damage that can be done to the living because of these very, very unfortunate circumstances with contracting COVID. I don’t want to be insensitive when it comes to the topic of those who have lost loved ones, but a tragedy does not mean everyone else must immediately bend to the will of the government or their bosses, especially with an untested vaccine.

I want to make clear to my readers I do not support, nor am I against anyone getting vaccinated in spite of the See VAX, Page 18

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Wednesday, November 24, 2021

ER TELEVISITS AT CLARA

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

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elemedicine surely became popular during the pandemic, but now, Clara Maass Medical Center is taking it all one step further by offering — get this — a telemedicine-style

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emergency room.

Yup, it’s true.

The hospital is introducing a new way to access emergency care with the hospital’s Telehealth Emergency Department.

Patients may be quickly seen virtually by a board-certified emergency care provider on their smartphone, tablet or

launch our new Telehealth ED program to provide patients quick and easy access to the care they need from anywhere and to help streamline the process of visiting the ED when inperson care is needed,” Mary Ellen Clyne, president and chief executive officer of Clara Maas Medical Center, said.

The program, which is being piloted for the entire RWJBarnabas Health system, was created based on the system’s assessment of community needs and offers easier access to the ED. Telehealth ED patients are greeted, assessed and swiftly connected with a healthcare provider via a full telehealth video service which allows computer through the scan of a QR code or the click of a the provider to examine a patient or injury and make an link, thereby reducing wait times and providing guidance informed recommendation.

The same provider they if an in-person ER visit is originally connect with for required. enhanced continuity of care “Visiting the emergency often sees patients who department can be difficult require an in-person ER visit. or stressful for many “The Telehealth Emergency individuals. Clara Maass Department is a convenient Medical Center is proud to

way for our community to have easier access to emergency services at Clara Maass Medical Center,” Donna DeVita, director of the Emergency Department at Clara Maass Medical Center, said. “In moments when patients have important health-related questions, we are available to help the community solve problems via a telehealth assessment from the comfort of their home or other location.”

The Telehealth ED is open to anyone and is particularly helpful for patients who question whether they need to go to the ER and may validate their need to visit the hospital, or providers may identify problems that may be addressed over telehealth.

It is also a helpful resource for patients who visit the ER frequently, including those with a chronic illness or who have a medical device.

The Telehealth ER may also be used by Emergency Medical Services personnel See ER, Page 18

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Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Thoughts & Views EDITORIAL

Giving thanks during a difficult period isn’t as hard as it might seem Fortunately, even during the roughest of times, this community, in West Hudson, South Bergen and Essex counties, we find ways to show immense strength.

Sure, the last two years offered us so little to celebrate and cherish, at least globally, but as the world continues to suffer, there is still a lot to be thankful for.

We see it in the work so many food pantries do to ensure no one here goes hungry.

We see it when Boy Scouts take their weekends to collect food for those food pantries.

We see it when clubs and organizations in Harrison and Belleville do all they can to ensure Thanksgiving truly is a time for thanks, and not despair.

We see it as first responders put their lives on the line — in the face of the most deadly pandemic this country has seen in over 100 years — so that we might all remain safe.

We see it in the eyes of local business owners — many of whom are struggling on a daily basis — as they work, tirelessly, so that we might sit down for a meal outside our homes.

We see so much generosity from so many people, from ordinary people, to the clergy, to public figures, to you name it.

And so, there really is a lot to give thanks for in 2021. Life could be so much worse and we only need to look at the TV to see this.

As we prepare to sit at table this Thursday for meals with friends and family, as difficult as it may be, perhaps we could just pause for a moment to recognize that despite the last two years being as horrendous as one could have imagined, we, as a community have an awful lot to be thankful for. And so, from all of us at The Observer, we wish you, one and all, the very best Thanksgiving ever.

LaClair: Kearny needs planners

To the Editor: After decades of blight, the area along the Passaic River, near Newark, is being developed. This requires town officials to think ahead and plan.

These new developments will increase demands on our infrastructure (including water and sewers), public services (including police and fire) and roads (traffic and road maintenance). They will also change Kearny’s character.

Along with many others, I welcome an end to the long

Letters to the Editor era of blighted and abandoned buildings. One day, Kearny may be known as a thriving community with a robust economy. It need not be known as northern Jersey’s garbage dump or a town of rusty, old, empty industrial buildings.

However, change always comes at a price. We need to anticipate change — for example, upgrading infrastructure instead

of reacting to increasing inadequacies. Upgrading infrastructure takes time. We should be ahead of the curve, not behind it.

There are competent planners who do this work.

On this issue, they are best drawn from outside the community — the best and most independent experts we can find. Our mayor and council should enlist their services now, then inform us of the findings and move forward with the best plan for the people of Kearny.

Paul L. LaClair Kearny

Rose: Good for Antonelli!

To the Editor: For the past two years with COVID, the situation at our southern border, Afghanistan and rampant inflation, there has been little to celebrate. So a woman, who I assume is the baby’s grandmother, wanting to share her pride, and happiness, puts up a sign on her business “It’s A Girl” is threaten with a $1,000 a day fine for doing so.

I’m sure somewhere there is a Kearny ordinance

that she has violated, and it probably serves a purpose in many instances, but couldn’t it have been overlooked, or have someone from the town discretely visit her, and tell her that a permit fee was due?

Not a day goes by that laws at the federal, and state level of government are broken, with the full knowledge of the Department of Justice, broken laws that have, and will have serious consequences for us citizens.

Yet a sign that denotes

In Memoriam Mary A. Tortoreti 1942-2016

Lisa M. Feorenzo lisa@theobserver.com Co-owner/Advertising Dir.

happiness has to come down.

To Bernadette Antonelli, I wish your grandchild a long, happy and successful life, hopefully in a better world than the one we are now living in.

To Mr. Chisari, or whoever prompted him to write that threatening letter, I ask, would you have taken the same action if it were a prochoice or Black Lives Matter sign?

Armand Rose North Arlington

39 Seeley Avenue n Kearny, N.J. 07032 n (201) 991-1600 Fax: (201) 991-8941 n www.theobserver.com

Tina Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. Michelle Rybeck Jim Hague kc@theobserver.com advertising@theobserver.com ogsmar@aol.com Editor/Broadcaster Graphic Artist/Real Estate Sportswriter

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Wednesday, November 24, 2021

HCPO: Newark man sentenced in fatal Kearny DWI crash

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

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Newark man involved in a fatal Kearny collision last year has been sentenced to time in prison, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

On Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, Judge John A. Young Jr. sentenced William Frazier, 54, to five years in New Jersey State Prison for the death by auto-driving while intoxicated death of Vance Caswell, which occurred on March 13, 2020, in Kearny.

The sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Frazier to serve 85% of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole — and includes a consecutive 10-year driver’s license suspension.

Frazier was also sentenced to a consecutive year in state prison for assault by auto-driving while intoxicated for causing bodily

A

Kearny man has been convicted of a sexual assault against a child under 13 and he faces up to life in prison for his acts, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said today.

On Nov. 18, a Hudson County jury convicted Christian Silva, 25, of Kearny, on counts of aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault by contact with a child under the age of 13.

The jury found Silva guilty of sexually assaulting the victim, a girl, in a Union City residence.

The jury deliberated for just around four hours before returning their guilty verdict.

Students of the Month named at Garfield School

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he following are Students of the Month at Kearny’s Garfield School for October 2021: Kindergarten: Rayan Marzaq, Mckenzie Murphy, Michael Kuhrt; first grade: Jesus Laurens, Blaik Scarpa, Ethan Delgado; second grade: Noah Kaminski, Hadassah Mendes Caldas, Kiera Chesney;

third grade: Nigel Mangal, Tiago Munoz, Yeiline Paguay Andrade; fourth grade: Cesar Franco DaCruz, Emily Gomez, Muhammad Jalil, Michael Guerriero; fifth grade: Noah Lopez, Valery Pardo, Logan Gonzalez, Evan Cooper; and sixth grade: Mason Mendizabal, Yuxiang Chen, Allyson Polanco, Irem Baylan.

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FRAZIER injury to a second victim, and a two-year driver’s license suspension and $500 fine for motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.

Frazier pleaded guilty to the offenses Sept. 30, 2021.

The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit, with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department, investigated the case.

The state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Baginski from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit.

Kearny man guilty of sex assault on child: HCPO

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

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At sentencing, slated for Feb. 11, 2022, Silva faces 25 years to life in state prison on the conviction, and he’s subject to 25 years of parole ineligibility.

The convictions will also subject the defendant to registration under Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life.

Judge Vincent J. Militello presided over the trial and he will be responsible for sentencing Silva.

The state was represented

by Assistant Prosecutor Barbara Drasheff of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit investigated this case with the assistance of the Union City Police Department.

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he Lyndhurst Police Department had a somewhat eventful few days last week on its roadways, Det. Lt. Vincent Auteri, of the Lyndhurst PD, said.

According to Auteri: n In the first incident, Nov. 17 around 2 p.m., Officer Matthew Dudek was dispatched to Polito Avenue and Wall Street on a report of a single-car crash. When Dudek arrived, no one was with the vehicle, but a utility worker in the area told him the driver had walked away.

The vehicle was left in roadway, disabled.

Ultimately, Dudek was able to find the driver, Joseph Alvarez, 31, of West New York, and he says the man was under the influence and admitted to having snorted heroin earlier. He was placed under arrest.

When Dudek searched Alvarez’s car,

he reportedly found 43 heroin wax folds and eight Xanax tabs.

Alvarez was charged with driving under the influence, possession of CDS, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. And, bail reform be darned, he was later released on his own recognizance. n About 14 hours later, Nov. 18, Officer Mark Rivera was conducting commercial-property checks near 120 Chubb Ave., when he came across an occupied, parked VW Jetta in a no-parking anytime zone. When the driver, Maxwell Abankwah, 48, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, noticed Rivera approaching, he pulled away suddenly.

Rivera soon thereafter pulled Abankwah over and learned the Jetta had been stolen in Rochester, New York, and the plate that was on it actually belonged to a Mercedes.

Abankwah was charged with receiving stolen property and … you guessed it … was released on his own recognizance, pending court.

Yvonne Cali, principal of Franklin School in Kearny, announces the school’s October Students of the Month, who were chosen based on the month’s mantra, “My brain is like a muscle that grows.”

Jacob Lugo, Lilliana Ventoso, Giulia Calienes Nieto, Saima Mammadova, Devon Yang, Ebrahim Perea, Dylan Chandias, Owen Lamboy, Michael Clark, Caroline Gonzales, Emma Gerena, Naomi Yang, Scarlett Quebleen, Liam Estrella, Aiden Cirelli, Sienna Martins, Liza Savytska, Dustin Oppelt, Kennedy Lara, Adrian Chimbo Rivera, Mia Lavayan, Justin Novillo, Anibal Santiago, Jordan Pardo, Jeffrey Calva, Valentina Ribeiro, Ella Carey, Aiden Wilder, Madison Velazquez, Melanie Ruiz Martinez, Mila Paterson,

Keyla Petrillo, Mariah Pagan, Mila Paterson, Kelly Ferreira, Katherine Chuquirima Miranda, Kiy’ara Kelly-Sparks, Barbara Calienes, Cole Raia, Angie Bravo Bermejo, Arlette Fuentes Perez, Ghali Zahidi, Akshara Pakeerathan, Jaylen Baret Disla, Camila Mesarina, Samuel Quiroz, Ivanna Contreras, Anthony Santiago, Anastasia Kupiszewska, Yumna Afefah, Jeremay Santos DeFreitas, Damaris Novay, Leonardo Tenezaca, Luca Patino, Kailah Fernandez, Isabella Araujo, Joselyn Espinoza Morquecho, Joselyn Valentina Espinoza Morquecho, Juan Beltran Martinez, Katherine Llivichuzhca Bautista, Frank Amaya, Alexander Horruitiner Gonzalez, Dyordia Garcia Koglin, Omayra Juarez and Camila Rosenthal.

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com

T

Police Beat

Students of the Month named at Kearny’s Franklin School

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Locals shine with Caldwell sprint football team Head coach and Nutley native Kelly has Cougars roaring CALDWELL – The

Caldwell University sprint football team recently completed a successful season, posting a 5-2 record, thanks to the help of five young men and a head coach that are from the area.

Jim Kelly, the Nutley native and former head coach of the Maroon Raiders, went to Caldwell in 2018 to take over the school’s new sprint football program. Sprint football, where all players have to weigh 178 pounds or less, is played at several colleges in the Northeast in the Sprint Football Conference. It used to be called lightweight football for several years.

Kelly, who also spent two seasons as the head coach at now defunct Queen of Peace, heard of the opening for a head coach at Caldwell in 2018.

“I got a call from (Bloomfield High School head coach) Mike Carter who told me that a job had opened up,” Kelly said. “I thought at first it was a high school job. But when I learned it was Caldwell University’s sprint team, I was intrigued. It’s a good

school in a great location. I thought the demographics were good. The program was in its infant stages, but I was intrigued by it.”

However, there was the challenge of finding players who would be willing to make the sacrifice of cutting weight. Football is generally a sport where size matters.

“You can’t just take an 18-year-old receiver and make him a lineman,” Kelly said. “The challenge was finding undersized linemen. Plus, the nature of the game is so fast.”

Kelly liked the campus and the facilities.

“I knew that Caldwell had some success with their athletic teams,” Kelly said. “I knew that the school did the right things to be successful.

But I knew no players, no coaches.”

It was certainly the biggest challenge of Kelly’s coaching career.

Kelly found 65 young men who were willing to make the sacrifice from all over New Jersey. His knowledge of New Jersey high school football and See VIEW, Page 11

Photo by Jim Hague

The Kearny High School boys’ soccer team celebrates after defeating Freehold Township, 6-2, to win the NJSIAA Group IV state championship Saturday at Kean University, marking the 33rd time Kearny has won a state soccer title and the first one since 2017.

to the upstart Minutemen, who held control of the match from the five-minute mark on.

Continued from Page 1 After Rojas added a penalty kick with 20 minutes remaining the Kardinals (22-1-1) the ing, the lead was sliced in half overall Group IV state chamand gave the Kards some sense pionship. of hope.

It marked the 33rd time datBut when a Kardinal ing back to 1923 that Kearny defender received a red card won its respective state chamejection with three minutes pionship and the first time left, the Kards were forced since 2017. Prior to 2017, the to play the remainder of the Kardinals also won state titles game down two men – an in 1999, 2002 and 2004. almost unthinkable daunting It was also the second state task. title for current head coach Miraculously, the Kardinals Bill Galka. got the equalizer from Rojas “The first one was a little with just 61 seconds in regulamore stressful,” Galka said. tion and after both teams went “This one was a little more scoreless in the extra sessions, enjoyable. We received a lot of they went to penalty kicks support from the town from with Dalton Davila nailing people who came to watch the deciding kick, sending the us and others who watched Kards improbably to the state online.” title game.

And when the Kardinals’ “That was crazy,” Rojas team bus arrived back in Kearsaid. “To come from two goals ny after the win, they received down like that? Just crazy. But pua police escort along Kearny I never lost faith.”

Avenue, complete with flashThe Kardinals were not ing lights and sirens. about to let that happen again.

“Believe me, we appreciate “We came out sharp and all the supporters who took ready to play,” Rojas said. time from their busy days to At the 16 minute mark of the come and honor us,” Galka first half, Davila got a hold of said. a ball from Nico Gomez off a For all intents and purposes, scramble in front of the goal the dream of adding anothand the Kards were in busier state crown should have ness, leading 1-0. died on the Kearny High field After Kearny goalkeeper Tuesday.

Joshua Rodriguez kept the The Kardinals surrendered Patriots at bay, making three the first two goals of the match

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brilliant saves, the Kards struck again, with Rojas of course being in the middle of everything. Rojas made a sweet pass to Alan Antonelli, who blasted it home with just a little over a minute before halftime. The goal gave the Kards a little bit of breathing room – but not a lot.

“It’s always important to get the second goal,” Galka said.

“But we didn’t get the third goal.”

The game remained that way until the 63rd minute, when Freehold Township got on the board off a direct free kick from Logan Mullaney.

Just like that, the lead was sliced in half and the outcome was somewhat in question.

“To their credit, they came back on us,” Galka said. “We had to get a grasp of the game again.”

Rodriguez made two big saves in the 66th minute off another direct free kick, not allowing the game to get tied.

One minute later, it looked as if Rojas had pushed the lead back up to two goals, but after he got in free on goal, he slid the ball just wide right.

Two minutes later, Rojas wasn’t about to be denied. He made an absolutely brilliant run with the ball, spinning once and then getting control of his body from about See TITLE, Page 10

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Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Kardinals tallied 114 goals this season in 24 games, a total of 4.75 goals per game.

Continued from Page 9 No wonder why they lost only once this season.

30 yards out. Rojas then un“Forty years from now, furled a laser blast that Freewe’re going to look back and hold Township goalkeeper realize how great this really Richard Lockard never had a was,” Rojas said. “This team chance to stop. It was Rojas’ is like my second family. We 21st goal of the season, but it had so much fun all season. might have been his prettiest.

I’m so thankful to God just The Kards had two chances how awesome this was. This to put the fourth goal up, but was one of the best days I’ve two shots from close range ever had.” sailed over the crossbar.

“It’s overwhelming,” net Sure enough, the Patriots minder Rodriguez said. “I pulled to within to one goal can’t show my excitement again, when Josh Hocheiser more.”

Photo by Jim Hague knocked one in at the 73rd The Kardinals all rallied minute. They were not going Kearny midfielder Nico Gomez (6) takes control of the ball from Freehold Saturday in honor of junior Township’s Noah Jones (14) during the Kardinals’ 6-2 win in the NJSIAA to go away easily. Teams Christian Escandon, who Group IV state championship Saturday at Kean University. usually don’t in state title suffered a serious knee injury games. in the first five minutes of in the stands on both sides of the scoring and the season But the Kardinals put the Elizabeth game Tuesday the field. It was impressive to with his 13th goal of the the game away in the final night. Escandon was on see the turnout of Kardinal season with just one minute 10 minutes, scoring three crutches on the sidelines, loyalists who made it to remaining, setting off the times. Alejandro Alvarado but he was on the field with Union and loaded up both celebration on the Kardinal was pulled down in the box, several teammates wearing bleachers. bench. awarding Kearny a penalty Alvarado returned Rojas’ Astoundingly, the Kardinals T-shirts under their jerseys kick that Rojas drilled for honoring Escandon. Galka had seven players to reach his 22nd and final goal of the favor with five minutes double figures in goal scoring thought that Escandon was season. You could almost feel left, scoring his 16th goal this season – scoring balance just coming into his own. the collective exhale from the of the year to push it to 5-2 “Over the last three weeks, and Johan Baez capped that is just unheard of. The Kearny sideline and the fans he was one of our best players,” Galka said. “He’s been fantastic. He’s been

great on the ball. It was a terrible time for him to get hurt and miss the big game.”

Escandon’s knee requires surgery in the near future.

With two torn meniscus ligaments, Escandon will require nine months of rehabilitation, but should be fine for the start of next season.

Galka had a sense that the Kards were ready for an explosion.

“I told my wife (Patricia) that we were going to score six goals,” Galka said. “Before I left the house, I said that we would win 6-0. The kids believed in themselves and in each other. I think once we got through Elizabeth, we were ready for the big one.

This team was very similar to 2017. There was great cohesion and camaraderie.

I’m going to miss the (11) seniors, but it’s time for the younger ones to step up.”

And as for the 33 state championships coming from “Soccertown, USA?” “It’s been well documented in books and movies,” Galka said. “It’s safe to say that the moniker is alive and healthy.”

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The Cougars just completed their third season and survived the COVID-19 Continued from Page 9 pandemic in doing so. The Cougars defeated Mansfield the coaches in the state cerUniversity last week to finish tainly helped with procuring the 2021 season with a 5-2 players. record, which isn’t too shabby “I was encouraged by the considering the infancy of players that were buying into the program combined with the culture and the philosothe pandemic that shut down phy of sprint football,” said everything.

Kelly, who was also able to get Five of the players on the New Jersey coaching legend 2021 Caldwell University Ken Trimmer to come aboard roster are from The Observas an assistant. Trimmer er’s circulation area. Three of was the highly successful them are from Kelly’s homehead coach at Caldwell High town of Nutley and the proud School for more than 30 years Raider Nation program. and has been an integral part Frank DeMaio is a former of the New Jersey Football Nutley athlete who first went Coaches Association that to Delaware Valley University organizes the annual Northin Doylestown, Pennsylvania South All-Star Classic that is to continue his fine wrestling held every summer. career.

“The word is out that we “I found out that school just have a program here,” Kelly wasn’t right for me,” Desaid. “I think the New JerMaio said. “I came home and sey coaches are excited to worked with my Dad (who is have a program that they the Nutley director of recrecan encourage their players ation) for a year. Coach Kelly to consider coming to. I was found out that I was home fortunate enough to rekindle and asked me if I would play the relationships I made over and I said, ‘Why not?’ I had no the years. I think we all came idea what sprint football was to realize what the sport of all about.” sprint football is all about.”

DeMaio’s long time friend,

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TALKS

quarterbacks on the Caldwell roster. DeMaio never played quarterback before arriving at Caldwell. He was a fine running back and linebacker during his days with the Maroon Raiders. One might think that there might be some fierce competition between the two quarterbacks, but that’s not the case at all.

DeMaio is the starter, with Haines as the backup.

DeMaio, a junior at Cald-

See VIEW, Page 12

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Anthony Haines, was already headed to Caldwell to play.

“I just wanted some place to continue playing football,” said Haines, who played football and wrestled for Nutley.

“Coach Kelly coached me at the recreation level. I thought it was perfect for me to live at home, play football and still enjoy my Mom’s (Marie) cooking.”

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The Caldwell University sprint football team recently completed a successful season with the help of some local players. From left are Anthony Haines of Nutley, Joe Witt of North Arlington, head coach Jim Kelly of Nutley, Frank DeMaio of Nutley, George Escobar of Belleville and Gennaro Longobardi of Nutley.

well, had 322 yards rushing this season with three touchdowns and completed 62 of 129 passes for 1,036 yards and eight touchdowns. Haines completed eight of 15 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in limited action as a freshman.

“Frank was a senior when I was a freshman at Nutley,” Haines said. “I’m still learning from him. It has been tons of fun playing together.

We might be competitive in practice, but come game time, we’re on the same team.”

“Being a quarterback this year has been a blast,” DeMaio said. “I think I wanted to prove that I could still play football.”

DeMaio is majoring in education with the hope of becoming a teacher and coach somewhere in the future.

Haines is majoring in sports management and communications.

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Kearny’s Castillo goes out as mature leader

By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com The seminal moment of Alan Castillo’s life as a high school soccer player occurred two years ago, when Castillo was a sophomore at Kearny High School.

Turn back the clock to October of 2019 as Kearny was preparing to face Clifton in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV state playoffs. Castillo was already a solid center back, anchoring the Kardinals’ back line.

It was an event off the field that cost Castillo dearly. He got into trouble with a substitute teacher in school and that incident forced Kearny head coach Bill Galka to suspend Castillo on the sidelines for the crucial game against perennial state playoff rival Clifton.

“That was one of the biggest regrets of my whole high school career,” Castillo said.

“I should have never had that happen.”

What made things even worse is that Clifton knocked the Kardinals out of the state playoffs with a 1-0 loss. If Castillo played, who knows what might have happened?

“I was furious with Alan,” Galka said. “It really hurt us that he couldn’t play and we lost. When the team turned in their uniforms, I sat him down and told him how much he hurt the team. It was nothing about soccer. He was a very good player. You can’t play varsity for us as a sophomore unless you’re a good player. But he did something stupid and it hurt us.”

“For about two or three weeks, it really bothered me,”

Castillo said. “It bothered me a lot. I felt I let my teammates down. I didn’t want that to define my season.”

As it turned out, the inschool incident changed Castillo for the better. It forced him to become more mature and smarter.

“It was a learning experience for me,” Castillo said. “It’s the best way to describe it. It matured me a lot.”

From that point on, Castillo became nothing short of a model citizen. He was certainly remorseful for his actions, but he also became a better soccer player.

And in the season that just ended Saturday with a 6-2 victory over Freehold Township in the NJSIAA Group IV state championship game at Kean University, Castillo was about as good of a center back that the Kardinals have ever put on the field, in the same class with players like First Team AllState selections Will Walsh and Hugh MacDonald, who was the first-ever recipient of The Observer Male Athlete of the Year back in 2002-2003.

“It’s a big honor for me to be considered with them,” Castillo said. “I never thought I could be close to them. It’s a big thing for me to be a good center back like them.”

“He’s been almost flawless for us this year,” Galka said of Castillo. “I can’t remember him making a mistake. He doesn’t get beat often. He also has the ability to cover for others. He reads the game so well. He also has the ability to carry the ball forward and keep going.”

Castillo’s control of the game and picture-perfect play has enabled the senior to be select-

“I spoke to Coach Kelly about playing here,” Longobardi said. “I always Continued from Page 11 dreamed about playing college football, but I’m not “I’m grateful to Coach Kelly the biggest guy in the world. I for bringing me in,” DeMaio think this fit perfectly for me. said. “It’s been fun to have I’ve known Coach Kelly for a this Nutley connection here.” long time. He was my coach There’s another Nutley in eighth grade, so it was good player on the Caldwell roster. to have a coach who knows Fellow freshman Gennaro me. I’ve also been friends Longobardi is a slot receiver with Anthony (Haines) since for the Cougars. Longobardi third grade and it’s great to scored one touchdown this be his teammate again. I’m season.

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“I always loved hitting the long ball,” Castillo said. “I just need Castillo said that he was practically born to be a center back. He played striker for one of the first youth soccer teams he played for in the Kearny Thistle program, but quickly became a defender for life.

“I just had a good way of reading the play and making the play,” Castillo said. “I also have a good way of reading the moment. I know when to step in and make the play. Every time I get the ball, I’m not lookPhoto by Jim Hague ing to just keep it and baby the Kearny senior center back Alan ball up. I’m looking to push the Castillo, shown here during the ball forward. It’s the first thing Kardinals’ 6-2 win over Freehold on my mind.”

Township in the NJSIAA Group IV Castillo said that he worked state championship game Saturday, hard to prepare for his senior has cemented his position as one season, spending countless of the best Kardinal center backs hours in the gym and playing of all time. for the respected travel soccer ed as The Observer Athlete of program Ironbound FC and its the Week for the past week and youth the final such honoree for the But unlike others who fall scholastic sports season. remain with their club socCastillo not only controls the cer program during the fall play from the Kardinals’ back months, Castillo always had his line, but he has the uncanny allegiance to Kearny High in ability to place pinpoint long his heart. passes that travel 40, 50 yards “Once the summer came, at times, eventually ending up I only wanted to play high perfectly at the feet or heads school,” Castillo said. “The of his teammates. His brilliant time in the gym helped me gain pass to Nico Gomez in the first confidence in making tackles. I minute of overtime enabled the wanted to build my body.”

Kardinals to secure a 2-1 vicCastillo is pleased with the tory over rival Harrison in the way his senior season ended Hudson County Tournament Saturday with a state chamchampionship game at Red pionship, cementing his place Bull Arena last month. in Kearny history. If he’s not a “He’s very accurate with the First Team All-State selection long ball,” Galka said. “There within the next few weeks, are very few who can hit the then there should not be such a ball that accurately that far. His thing. Castillo is about as good passes always had a purpose. of an all-around defender anyHe really was damn near one can find on the high school perfect.” level. His complete command

of the game is astounding and something to marvel.

“He’s well respected by his teammates.” Galka said. “He’s generally very quiet, but he certainly has that intensity you need. I think he commands respect because he’s such a good player. He’s always had a purpose, but this year, he’s been near perfect.”

Castillo likes to hear his place in Kearny soccer history.

“For sure, that makes me feel happier,” Castillo said. “It makes me feel proud of myself.

I used to go to all the Kearny games when I was a kid and there was one thing I remembered that they always won. It was always on my mind that I wanted to win a state title with my teammates.”

Mission accomplished. Now Castillo wants to get a chance to play college soccer, but has to improve his grades, so he will have to perhaps pursue the junior college route. Or he might go to Ecuador and play professionally there.

“I wanted to play (NCAA) Division I soccer, but I know my grades aren’t good enough right now,” Castillo said.

“That’s my goal. I would like that.”

No question, the talent is there. If he could get his grades in line, Castillo will be right there.

“It’s crazy to say that out loud,” Castillo said. “I never thought I’d be in this position.

I just have to stay humble. But this is proof that anything is possible if I keep working and stay humble.”

And realize when a mistake is made. Getting that shot at redemption might be Castillo’s biggest win of all.

happy he’s with me.”

Longobardi is undecided about his major, but might consider business. He also commutes to and from school.

“I think it’s great we were winners here,” said Longobardi, who along with Haines played on the undefeated Nutley team of 2020 that proved to be the last season of the late Steve DiGregorio’s illustrious career. “I’m proud of my guys here. I couldn’t ask

Kelly and knew of the school.

I wanted to have a chance to play both sports. I wasn’t going to college to play football, but this is a place where I can play both.”

Witt, a freshman, played quarterback his last two years at North Arlington, but has managed to go back to his natural position of wide receiver at Caldwell.

“Football is still a sport

for anything more. We have a young team with a lot of football left in us.”

Joe Witt had a great athletic career at North Arlington, but wanted to have a place to play his primary sport, which is baseball.

But Witt, who is also not the biggest athlete on the planet, learned of sprint football, he was interested.

“Honestly, I had no idea that there was such a thing,” Witt said. “I knew Coach

See VIEW, Page 18

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

13

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Obituaries LT. COL. JOHN F. SMITH JR. American Legion and Air

In lieu of flowers, conForce Association. tributions to the Wounded Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Smith was a qualWarriors or Tunnel to TowJohn F. ity assurance engineer for ers foundations in Lt. Col. Smith Jr., 84, Lockheed-Sanders and Smith’s honor would be died ThursWager Electric during his appreciated. day, Nov. 11, 40-year career.

2021, in St. WILLIAM G. DEEHAN Lt. Col. Smith is survived Michael’s William G. Deehan, 86, by his three children, Diane Medical died in the early evening of Greco and her husband Center, NewWednesday, Nov. 17, 2021.

Mike, Christopher Smith ark, with his loving daughter Bill was born June 19, and his wife Cathie and and sons by his side.

1935, in Christ Hospital John F. Smith III and his The funeral was from the in Jersey City, to the late wife Marisa. He also leaves Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Andrew Joseph Deehan and behind five grandchildren Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Catherine Margaret (CallaIan, Sean, Briana, Morgan Kearny. A funeral Mass was han) Deehan. and Taylor and one greatcelebrated at St. Cecilia Bill grew up in Kearny, grandchild Mason.

Church, Kearny. Cremation and attended Newark ColLt. Col. Smith was predewas private. lege of Engineering, graduceased by his loving wife of Born in Jersey City, Lt. ated from Fairleigh Dicken60 years Linda Ann Smith Col. Smith was a 60-year son University and Stevens and his parents John F. resident of Kearny and was Institute of Technology Smith Sr. and Theresa Rose a volunteer of the Little earning is master’s degree in Smith.

League and Pioneer Boys Lt. Col. Smith attained his bachelor’s degree from Bloomfield College and continued to earn his master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Mario Teixeria, IV, Manager, NJ Lic. #3757 Lt. Col. Smith was honorMario Teixeira, Jr. Director, NJ Lic. #2542 • Monique Teixeira, Director, NJ Lic. #4048 ably discharged from the Newly renovated family owned and operated funeral home with multiple locations.

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Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. Inactive Private Parking at 10 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North

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

REPAST

During your difficult time, leave the planning to us...

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1976

INDOOR DINING AVAILABLE RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED

LET US CATER FOR YOU! 31 HARRISON AVE. | HARRISON, NJ 973.485.7750 | SPANISHPAVILLION.COM

Classic & Specialty Italian Dishes

Private Rooms Available 11-35 River Road North Arlington, NJ 201.246.0100 See Seeour ourMenu Menu@@CentanniNJ.com CentanniNJ.co m

Restaurant & Bar

www.thiele-reid.com

585 Belgrove Drive | Kearny, New Jersey 07032 ©adfinity

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

Specializing in Seafood & BBQ Catering for All Occasions & Takeout

973.481.3646 224 GRANT AVENUE • EAST NEWARK

www.picnicrestaurant.com

ENJOY OUR OUTDOOR DINING WITH DAILY LUNCH & DRINK SPECIALS OPEN 7 DAYS • TAKE OUT AVAILABLE 602 RIDGE RD. • NORTH ARLINGTON 201.998.0911

www.lassonirestaurant.com

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The Observer | www.theobserver.com

MID-REALTY, INC. 572 KEARNY AVE. KEARNY, NJ 07032 PHONE: (201) 991-5719 FAX: (201) 991-8860 WWW.MIDREALTY.COM

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Mobile MVC returns to Kearny

Jarlynn Hyde Broker/Owner

“OUR SUCCESS HAS BEEN BUILT ONE SATISFIED CUSTOMER AT A TIME...”

NEW LISTING! Kearny $674,683 1 Fam. – Large Colonial Tudor style home - 5 Bdrms - 5 Full baths - Central AC and heat Hdwd floor - Deck / Patio - Large driveway parking

ING! LIST NEW

NGG!!

ISSTTIIN W LLI NNEEW

ING! LIST NEW

Kearny - $399,000 1 Fam. – Charming colonial - 3 Bdrms - 1 Full bath - 1 Half bath - Sun porch - Spacious 2 car garage

Kearny -$557,137 2 Fam. – 5 brm’s - 3 Full baths – LR’s – DR’s – Kitchen’s - Full unfin Bsmnt.

Rutherford -$649,900 1 Fam. – Lr-Formal Dr-Kitchen-

E! PRIC NEW

E! PRIC NEW

E! PRIC NEW

E! PRIC NEW

Kearny - $650,000 3 Fam. – 9 Bdrms (3 Per Unit), LR’s, DR’s, EIK, 3 Full Baths, Sep Utilities, Unfin Bsmt.

Kearny - $559,000

Kearny - $549,000

Fin Bsmnt.

Pompton Lake $219,000 Condo – Spacious-One br-Lr-dr-Kitchen-Full Bath-Parking.

T RAC ONT ER C UND

T RAC ONT ER C UND

T RAC ONT ER C UND

T RAC ONT ER C UND

Kearny - $425,000 1 Fam. – Lrg home with 5 Bdrms-2 Full baths and 1 half bath-Lr-Dr-KitchenYard-Dr Way Prking.

Kearny -$279,026 1 Fam. – 2 Bdrms, LR/DR Combo, Kitchen, Full Bath, Full Unfin. Bsmt., Patio in Yard

Kearny - $530,000 2 Fam. – 4 Bdrms, LR’s, DR’s, EIK’s, Extra Rms in Each Unit, Full Bath, Part Fin. Bsmt, Sep Utilities, Dr. Way with 1 Car Garage

Mt. Arlington - $389,710 Ranch – 3 Bdrms3 Baths-Lr-Kitchen-Full Fin Bsment with Fm RmLaundry-Yard

T RAC ONT ER C UND

Clifton - $389,000 2 Fam. - 4 Brdms-Lr’sEIK’s-Yard-Dr way ParkingShort Sale-Subject to 3rd party approval.

2 Fam. – 5 Br’s-4 Bath’s-Lr’s Dr’s-Kitchen’sYard-Balcony-Full Part

3 Fam. - 5 Bdrms LR’s – DR’s – EIK’s – Unfin. Bsmt - Sep. Utilities

Den-Fm Rm-1st Fl Master Br2 Additional Br’s3 Full baths-Fin walk up atticFenced in yard w above ground pool- parking for 4 cars.

Pequannock - $330,000 1 Fam. – 4 Bdrms, LR, EIK, Fam. Rm, 2 Full Baths, Full Unfin Bsmt.

Dr. way Parking

T RAC ONT ER C UND

Browns Mills - $205,303 Condo - Lr-Dr-Mod Kitchen-1 Full bath-Laundry Rm-Dr way Prking for 6 cars-Yard.

T RAC ONT ER C UND

T RAC ONT ER C UND

ASE L LE CIA MER M O C

ASE L LE CIA MER M O C

Kearny - $464,600 2 Fam. – 6 Bdrms, LR’s.

DR’s, Kitchen’s, 3.5 Baths, Fin. Attic, Fin Bsmt, Sep Utilities

Kearny - $515,000 2 Fam. - 6 Bdrms 3 Baths – LR’s – Lg. EIK’s – Semi Fin. Bsmt. – Sep. Utilities

Kearny - $2,600 Great Location and convenient public transportation!

400 sq ft, modern office. Will be availiable on 03/30/22

Kearny - $950 Great location! 650 Sq Ft. office space located on the 2nd floor of a professional building in the middle of town.

TAL REN

N. Arlington - $2,200 3 Bdrms, LR, DR, EIK, Full Bath, Laundry, Pets Conditional

TAL REN

Kearny - $2,000 1st Fl. Left - 3 Bdrms-Lrg EIK-Lr-Full Bath-Central Air-Hrdwd Fls.

Photo by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

The state’s mobile MVC unit was back in Kearny Nov. 19, allowing a significant number of residents to perform license and registration-related transactions without having to go to an MVC office. This was the second such visit in two months.

TAL REN

Kearny - $2,000 1st Fl. Right - 3 Bdrms-Lrg EIK-Lr-Full Bath-Central Air-Hrdwd Fls.

APARTMENT RENTALS AVAILABLE

1, 2 & 3 Bdrm UNITS Call and Ask About our Reduced Rental Fee! For more properties, visit our website

www.midrealty.com

Call (201) 991-5719 CALL FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION TODAY! FALAMOS PORTUGUES • HABLAMOS ESPANOL • PARLE FRANCAIS PARLIAMO ITALIANO • MOWIMY PO POLUSKU • NATAKALEM EL-ARABIA

MCNAIR

Continued from Page 2 coordinator.

From 2011 to 2014, McNair served Hackensack Meridian Health/Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen as director of Hospital Public Health Initiatives, implementing a cardiac care intervention strategy; and from 2014 to 2021, she served as health officer/director of health management for Union County.

In coordinating the county’s response to the pandemic, McNair set up a database tracking the incidence, distribution and control of COVID-19 cases, oversaw contact tracing and investigation of cases of those who tested positive for the virus, supervised a call center that updated the community on new developments with the pandemic and daily vaccination clinics including planning for mobile vaccination centers — all in addition to her regular duties as health officer.

For any Kearny residents still undecided about whether to take the vaccine

and/or the booster, McNair recommended they confer with their health care provider or staff at the North Hudson Community Action Corp. Federally Qualified Health Center if they don’t have a doctor.

In the meantime, McNair will be keeping residents updated with statistics on local COVID-19 cases via the Health Department website, along with availability of vaccines, boosters and testing.

Kearny is relying on eight contact tracers to follow through with people who’ve tested positive for the virus to ensure they’re isolated for 10 days and to find people they’ve come into contact with to arrange for 14-day quarantines.

Names of both those who test positive and their “contacts” are fed into a confidential state database.

As of Nov. 17, 2021, Kearny has reported 7,415 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic March 15, 2020, and 152 COVID-19-related fatalities. Updates are reported on the N.J. COVID-19 Data Dashboard which shows 74% of Kearny residents have received at least one jab and 66% are fully vaccinated.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

OBITS

Continued from Page 13 where he retired in 1993. He was a member of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, Blue Grass Kiwanis, Spindletop Club and the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Bill’s knowledge of history was incredible, and one could always find him reading some type of history book.

He also enjoyed playing tennis and his trips to the YMCA to work out where he made numerous friends over the years.

Bill leaves behind his beloved wife of 51 years, Roena Martin Deehan and daughter, Catherine Mattie Rasner (Jerod); three grandchildren, Madeline Callahan, Liam Henry and Anna Cate Rasner, and four nephews, Drew, Timothy, Robert and Michael Deehan. In addition to his parents, his brother, Andrew Deehan, predeceased Bill.

Milward Funeral Directors are entrusted with Mr. Deehan’s services in Lexington.

A graveside service will

15

The Observer | www.theobserver.com

take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24. New Jersey arrangements have been entrusted to the Condon Funeral Home, 684 Kearny Ave., Kearny.

LUCILIA AMARAL

Lucilia Amaral died at home Nov. 13, 2021.

She was 77.

Born in Valega-Ovar, Portugal, she lived in Newark before moving to Kearny, where she resided for 48 years.

Visiting will be Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, in Kearny, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Mass will be that same morning at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny.

Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

She retired from St. James Hospital, Newark, where she held several positions over her 26 years of service. She had a passion for cooking and enjoyed hosting family gatherings and also loved to

travel and visit her homeland of Portugal.

Wife of the late Manuel Amaral, she was the loving mother of Paul Amaral (his wife Linda) and her brother Manuel Amaral (his wife Dulce). Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren; Katelyn and Nicole. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a charitable contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., Floor 17 Chicago, Ill. 60601 or act. alz.org in Lucilia’s memory.

in Florida.

In lieu of flowers, John’s request was that you consider a donation to the Salvation Army in Kearny.

she had lived in Kearny since 1972.

Before retiring in 1997, she worked for many years in the packaging department of Otto Roth and Company MICHAEL CZESLOWSKI Cheese Factory in MoonMichael Czeslowski of achie.

Neptune, formerly of HarriShe was the beloved wife son, died Nov. 18, 2021. of the late Stanley, the cherHe was 58. ished mother of Kristine Visiting was at the ArmitStasiak and her husband age & Wiggins Funeral Home Boguslaw, the adored aunt of in Kearny. Graveside prayers Leon Toloczko and his wife were offered in Holy Cross Bozena, the devoted grandCemetery in North Arlington. mother of Stephen Stasiak Michael worked at Stop & and his wife Alexis, Julia JOHN KENNY Shop in Middletown.

DeAngelis and her husband John Kenny of Kearny died Son of the late Stanley Guissepe, Magdalena TolocNov. 16, 2021. and Frances (Eckert) Czeszko and Michael Toloczko, He was 81. lowski, he was the brother the great-grandmother of Arrangements were by the of Stephen Czeslowski, Julie Sofia, Matteus, Thomas, Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Murtha and Amy Stacevicz.

Avery and Cameron, the Home, Kearny. John’s funeral Also surviving are his loving dear sister of Genowefa Mass was celebrated at St. nieces and nephews Andrew, Czubska and the loving aunt Stephen’s Church, Kearny.

Amanda, Christine, Lisa, Alof many nieces and nephBurial was in Holy Cross exandria, Erin and Stephanie ews.

Cemetery in North Arlington. along with his great-nephew The funeral was from the Patrick.

John was a finance clerk Parow Funeral Home, 185 for the Kearny Post Office.

Ridge Road, North ArlingHe was a member of the Elks. BRONISLAWA BYCZKOWSKI ton, Monday, Nov. 22 with Earlier in his life, he served Bronislawa Byczkowski a funeral Mass at St. Miin the U.S. Army from 1959 (nee Cielesz), 89, died chael’s Church, Lyndhurst. until 1962. peacefully at her home Nov. The interment followed in He is survived by his sister 16, 2021.

Holy Cross Cemetery, North Dolores Kenny, now residing Born in Milkowce, Poland, Arlington.

KEARNY

JERSEY CITY

Cape Cod style Home with 3 Bed Rms 2.5 Bath part Finished Basement 1 car garage

2 Family Home 3 Brs per unit, central air, 1 car attached garage built in 2008 Taxes Under $6500a

Asking $449,000

UNDER T C CONTRA

SOLD!

KEARNY

5 Bedrooms 3.5 Bath Colonial 1 Car Garage, Renovated in 2017

Asking $575,000

UNDER T C CONTRA

VERONA

4 Bed 2 Bath Renovated Colonial on Over 1/4 Acre Of Land

Asking $749,900

Asking $699,900

UNDER CT CONTRA

KEARNY

4 Bedrooms 2.5 Bath Colonial 2 Car Garage

Asking $735,000

KEARNY SOLD!

3 Bed 1 Bath 1 family 75 x 100 Ft Lot

Asking $399,900

BELLEVILLE

UNDER CT CONTRA

5 Bedrooms 2 Full Bath Colonial 2 Car Garage

Asking $499,000

UNDER CT CONTRA

KEARNY

Historical Freeman Building Mixed Use Income Producing Property

Asking $2,200,000

SOLD!

KEARNY

2 Family Home in Arlington Section, 2Br Each Apartment w/ Driveway

Asking $475,000

We have Rentals - Call Today!

758 Kearny Ave., Kearny, NJ 07032 • 201-991-0032

16

The Observer | www.theobserver.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Observer Classifieds

17

The Obsever is not responsible for typographical errors. Error credits will not be granted. Minimal changes for multiple-week ads are $10 per instance. Refunds are not granted under any circumstances. Help-wanted ad deadline is 2 p.m., Monday, and all ads must be sent by email to classified@theobserver.com. All other classifieds are due by 3 p.m. Monday. All classifieds are pre-paid — no billing.

Call 201-991-1600 to place an ad. The Observer cannot accept legal advertising.

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS Stable and SAFE work environment and a chance to grow with a solid company •SKILLED CLIMBER & EXPERIENCED GROUND GUY •DRIVER West Milford or North Jersey area Experience & Transportation and a valid driver’s license a must Call 973-728-0842

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED Bookkeeping position available in small office in Nutley part time, flexible hours, must be experienced in doing Financial reports and financial presentation, (balance sheets, budgets, income reports, etc.).

Must have knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, Quickbooks and/ or TOPS One. If interested, contact Julie at 973-284-0900 29W03

23W08

Orthopedic practice located in Kearny is seeking part-time x-ray technician between Monday thru Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM. Must be professional, organized, detailed oriented and friendly.

Duties include but are not limited to taking and maintaining x-rays, interacting with physicist and x-ray maintenance service co. Salary negotiable.

Please fax all resumes to (201) 998-9201 27W03

Hiring 2 positions Manufacturing Company near Mill St, Belleville looking for an order picker and an order packer. $14/hr start w/ yearly raises call 973-484-7602 for phone interview.

Must understand English.

973-484-7602 for phone interview.

Must understand English.

Help wanted for Busy Deli Full Time- Part Time Days and Evenings Apply in Person D&F Deli 396 Davis Ave, Kearny

Medical Transportation company in Lyndhurst is seeking an MAV certified wheelchair van driver. Excellent pay, flexible hours.

Call 800 999-2288

25W06

28W03

29W03

• A free ad • No-shows • Headaches • Scammers

What an Observer Classified gets you ...

readership Driver/cleaning person needed. part time Monday-Friday various hours.

Interviews Call for interview (201)705-2442

WANTED Driver/Warehouse, mature individual for Foodservice CO. must posses good driving record.

Salary plus Bonus Call 973-754-9775 or email

farmfreshdistributioncorp @gmail.com 29W03

• local buyers • Access to thousands of people who support our advertisers • Placement in a 134-year-old

Housekeeping & some care giving.

Must speak Portuguese $13/HR 3 to 4 hours a day up to 7 days a week call (201)679-0761 29W03

Tuesday, Nov. 30 is Giving Tuesday at Hudson County Community College, part of a global day dedicated to giving.

The college’s campaign halps HCCC students by providing scholarships. You can help by making a donation either that day or now at www.hccc.edu/foundation. Call Mirta Sanchez at (201) 360-4004 for more details.

Looking to make extra cash?

Are you a handyman?

Painter?

newspaper (and on www.theobserver.com) and our paper that readers are loyal each and every week.

Truth is, nothing can compare to our Classified Section.

SERVICES NEEDED

Giving Day from HCCC

• People from other regions of NJ

• local

29W03

LOOKING FOR A SALES EXECUTIVE TO JOIN OUR TEAM Responsibilities include servicing existing accounts, calling inactive accounts, generating new business and growing territories & building new leads. Background check.

Send resumes with a cover letter of introduction to jobs@theobserver.com

What an ad on Craigslist gets you ...

Why take the risk with Craigslist?

Try The Observer’s Classifieds ... and see results right away.

Advertise your talents with

The Observer Your ad will appear in print & online and will reach thousands of loyal customers in print & on the web

Call us today to place your ad.

(201) 991-1600

Call (201) 991-1600

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

18

17

The Observer | www.theobserver.com

Observer Classifieds

The Obsever is not responsible for typographical errors. Error credits will not be granted. Minimal changes for multiple-week ads are $10 per instance. Refunds are not granted under any circumstances. Help-wanted ad deadline is 2 p.m., Monday, and all ads must be sent by email to classified@theobserver.com. All other classifieds are due by 3 p.m. Monday. All classifieds are pre-paid — no billing.

Call 201-991-1600 to place an ad. The Observer cannot accept legal advertising.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

BELLEVILLE

KEARNY

LYNDHURST

BELLEVILLE 2ND Fl, Newly renovated. 2 BR Apt. HT/HW Included.

1 months security. No Pets/Smoking. AVL.Now. Call Maria (973) 7597077 29W03

HARRISON HARRISON 1st floor.

Newly Renovated 2 BR, $1,550 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate. No Pets/Smoking.

Avl. Now. (347) 276-0105

KEARNY 3rd fl. 2 BR’s, LR, EIK. $1,960 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate Avl. December 1st. (201) 424-7995 28W03

KEARNY 3rd Floor. 1 BR, EIK, $1,375 + 1 1/2 months security. Utilities not included. No pets/ smoking. Avl. Now. Credit Check, employment verification and references required (973) 309-5773 28W03

27W03

HARRISON 2nd floor, 2 BR, LR, DR, Modern Kitchen. $1,800/month.

1 month security. 1 off street parking space included Walking distance to PATH. No pets. No smoking. Avl. Now (973) 420-0139 29W03

KEARNY KEARNY Studio Everything included. $1,000/ mth plus 1 mth security Adults preferred. No Pets.

(201)779-3317 Call after 5 pm 27W03

LYNDHURST Newly renovated. 2 BR. LR. 1 Bath. $1800 + 2 months security. Utilities included.

No Pets/Smoking. Close to Transportation. Call between 10am - 6pm (201)259-7649 28W03

N.ARLINGTON N.ARLINGTON 1st Fl. 1 BR, LR, DR, EIK With yard. Quiet neighborhood. Near Transportation. $1300 + Plus utilities. 1 1/2 months security.

No smoking. One year lease. Credit check.

Available Now (973)838-1662

KEARNY 2nd fl. 3 BR’s, 2 bath, Large LR, Kitchen, Central A/C, Washer/ Dryer room. No pets. No smoking. 2,200/month. 1 1/2 months security. Avl. Dec 1st. (718) 913-6118.

Belgrove Dr Kearny NJ 07032 29W03

THE OBSERVER is not responsible for typographical errors. Credit for errors will not be granted after the next week’s publication. $10 for minimal changes.

No refunds once ad is taken and C.C charged. ALL CLASSIFIED ADS MUST BE PRE-PAID Deadline for Classifieds Employment / Business Monday 12:00 PM All others Monday by 3:00 PM. E-mail Ads to classified@theobserver.com

BELLEVILLE Commercial investment opportunity in developing area. 9 apartments, 2 stores, principals only.

Call (201)628-4071 28W03

OFFICE FOR RENT

KEARNY 1st floor, Great location on Midland Ave. $750 + 1 months security.

Available Now (201)997-2341 Between 10AM - 7PM 28W03

2018 Black Dodge Grand Caravan GT 32,700 miIes, Fits 7 passengers, loaded with remote start $23.500 or best offer (973)202-1292 29W03

N.NEWARK Room for rent, Forest Hill section. $500/month.

Shared Bath, No Kitchen. Utilities included. 1 month security. No smoking (973) 752-6877 29W03

(973) 343-1167 (201) 528-8350 (800)322-1019

Lic#13VH04302300 10W54

ROOFING/SIDING

B&A ROOFING

• Concrete • Brick work • Steps • Stone Walls • Tiles • Painting • Sheetrock • Drywall • Plastering ALL types of Masonry For Free Estimates Call Edinson (973) 943-2254

Licensed and Insured

and windows FREE ESTIMATES (201)719-3074

25W06

Licensed & Insured

FENIELLO CONTRACTING LLC.

29W06

Mario Esposito’s Landscaping LLC •Clean-up •Lawn Maintenance •Top soil •Mulch •Spring Clean up Free Estimate (201) 438-3991 27W04

RUBBISH REMOVAL

A-1 AFFORDABLE RUBBISH REMOVAL

JOSEPH V. FERRIERO Plumbing & Heating

26W06

LACA CORP

Paint * Powerwash* and More •Interior • Exterior •Free Estimates•Fully Insured 973-759-8869 973-930-5002

Roofing & Siding Free Estimates 201-780-7419

Attics, Basements, Yard Cleaning. We Haul or You Can Rent 10-15 Cubic Yard Containers.

We Accept Visa/MasterCard

(201) 998-1262

50W52

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

All types of Home Improvement.

Quality work. Fair prices Fully insured.

Lic# 13vh03006100

(201) 906-2422 26W06

qualitygroupnj.com

@qualitygroupnj Licensed & Insured 13VH11202700 27W06

28W06

PLUMBING & HEATING

HOME IMPROVEMENT

High quality job at a affordable price Specialize in Shingles, Flat Roofs, New & repair siding,gutters, Tree Removal

Exterminating Fast Service • Roaches • Ants • Bed Bugs • Fleas Call 973-932-2092

LANDSCAPING & DESIGN

(201)637-1775

PAYLESS ROOFING Roofing - Siding - RepairsSame day service Same phone number for 20 Years

(973)906-8404

paylessroofingservices.com LIC#13VH00418100

27W06

G&R BUILDERS Roofing,

Siding, Windows/Doors, Decks, Gutter Cleaning Painting, Tiles & Masonry, Sheet Rock.

All types of Carpentry

FREE ESTIMATES 20% Senior Citizen Discounts

(201) 893-0656 Lic. #13VH02536200 27W06

27W06

CLEANING SERVICES

PAINTING & DECORATING

Kevin’s Affordable Painting 28W03 * Plastering * Sheetrocking * Carpentry and more. Our service and ROOM prices will be the best.

FOR RENT Our customers come first. Very neat and clean.

Don’t miss out! Senior HARRISON Room for Discount. Fully insured rent Available Immedi(201) 565-6393 ately $650/mth plus 1.5 27W06 mth security deposit. Call for viewing and leave message (570)656-5850 29W03

New + Re-roofing • Flat roofing • Siding • Gutters

Kitchen and bath remodeling. Carpentry.

Hot Water Heaters.

Fully Ins. Lic# 165

N.ARLINGTON 2nd floor, 2 bedroom, EIK, LR. $1900 + 1.5 months security. Deposit for Pets/Cats extra. Includes all utilities No smoking.

Available Now (201)4679568 27W03

N.ARLINGTON Newly renovated. 2 BR. LR. EIK. 1 Bath. $1400 + 1.5 months security. Plus utilities. No Pets/Smoking. Close to Transportation. 1 Parking space. Call between 9am - 9pm (201)966-8095

PEST CONTROL

KEARNY

CAR FOR SALE

N.ARLINGTON

PEST CONTROL

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

erickconstructionnj.com Free estimates - Fully insured

25W06

KEARNY 1BR 3 room Apt in great location. $1400 + 1 month security.

Utilities Seperate.

Parking available. No Pets.

Available Dec 15th.

Credit Check.

Single or couple prferred.

Call between 10 am and 7 pm.

(201)997-2341 29W03

BUILDING FOR SALE

BALDWIN GENERAL CONSTRUCTION L.L.C. Interior Painting Services (201) 456-0112 info@baldwingc.com Ask for Louie Free Estimates Fully Insured Lic#13VH11781700 29W03

Pet Direct ry

CHAMPION CLEANING I use my own supplies.

Good rates and great references!

Call Susan at (973)743-2039 28W03

Bone Appétit Barkery PET SALON & BAKERY Certified Professional Dog & Cat Grooming

HALL FOR RENT

169 Midland Ave. • Kearny, NJ • (201) 955-2306 boneappetite@verizon.net

TO ADVERTISE, PLEASE CALL 201-991-1600.

27W06

18

The Observer | www.theobserver.com

VAX

Continued from Page 4 information I have provided.

Getting vaccinated is, instead, a personal endeavor that should be undertaken by individuals, not the government or any business

owner.

We are a country of the free and should be able to make decisions as such as long as they do not affect the lives of others.

We should not tear down others or insult them based on their beliefs when it comes to something as

conducive as their health and the decisions they make with their own lives — but we should however put forward a united front against this virus and those who try to create division.

Whether you are vaccinated, I do not know, but what I do know is that if you are

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

reading this there is a good likelihood you are American and it is our responsibility as Americans to protect others’ rights and health when they are being threatened by anyone, government entity or not.

This is about individualism and the fundamental right to do with your body what you please and right now that right is being stripped away and if you decide to get vaccinated, that is your choice, but what isn’t a choice is to defend others when they don’t get a choice.

I will not tell you whether to get jabbed. I’m simply writing this to give my perspective and to layout facts that are all too often thrown

ER

Continued from Page 5

Blazing Fast Internet!

if a patient on an emergency call has questions or if a patient needs further care.

“The Emergency Department is the safety net for the community,” John Fontanetta, chairmain of Emergency Medicine at Clara Maass Medical Center, said.

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that I love,” said Witt, who is majoring in sports management. “Football wasn’t even a thought for me. I’m very grateful to Coach Kelly for bringing me in. There are a lot of familiar faces here with Haines and Gennaro, guys I played against in baseball. I get along with them all. I just love staying active and I’m glad to play the two sports.”

Witt will play baseball this spring with former NA teammate Eric McKenna, the former Observer Male Athlete of the Year two years ago.

George Escobar was first a soccer player during his high school days at Belleville, but he became a football player due to some prodding by Belleville head football coach Jermain Johnson. Escobar is the Caldwell placekicker who made four field goals this season.

“It’s definitely a different feeling than playing soccer,” said Escobar, a sophomore at

to the wayside by bigger news corporations and give you something to think about rather than tell you what to think.

The United States of America has been the home of freedom for over 250 years and ever so slightly year by year small freedoms are taken away; this year, however, is a big one and that is the personal choice to do what you wish with your own being. Do not let another American be sidelined and forced down a path they don’t wish to travel.

The author, Michael Galloway, is a 17-year-old student at Don Bosco Preparatory School.

“People don’t only get sick during weekdays from 9 to 5. We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide services and now we can offer those services in a way that patients care access from anywhere.”

To connect with the CMMC Telehealth Emergency Department from a smartphone, tablet or computer visit: RWJBH.doxy. me/cmmced.

Caldwell majoring in political science with the hope of one day working at the United Nations.

Ironically, Escobar’s holder is Haines, and the two have been able to put the old Nutley-Belleville rivalry aside for the good of the Cougars on the gridiron.

“Anthony has become such a great friend,” Escobar said.

“We have formed a great friendship. I was just looking for a place for me to kick. It’s a great feeling to be close to home. I never thought I’d be playing college football. It’s such a great time.”

Escobar also converted 17 of 18 extra point attempts.

So its safe to see there is a local connection with the Caldwell University sprint football team.

“It’s been a challenge,” Kelly said. “The fun part is seeing the kids realize what it takes to be successful. I think we’re all living off that enthusiasm. They’re all eager to do the right things. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

CHARGES

Continued from Page 3 and Graham after they again fired at police. A protracted engagement followed.

Twelve Jersey City officers, and a Newark detective, reportedly discharged their firearms that day. nnn

At approximately 3:25 p.m., the police armored vehicle broke through the entryway of the supermarket. At approximately 3:47 p.m., the law enforcement incident ended.

A 2019 law requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.

After considering the facts, evidence, and testimony from the OPIA investigation, the state grand jury found the actions of the officers were justified. An officer may use deadly force in New Jersey when the officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another

Law & Order person from imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.

A conflicts check was conducted pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and no actual or potential conflict of interest was found involving any individual assigned to the investigation. Prior to presentation to the grand jury, the investigation was reviewed by OPIA Executive Director Thomas Eicher in accordance with the policies and procedures established for these presentations in the SOPs. At the conclusion of these investigations, pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and SOPs, OPIA determines whether any principal should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for administrative review in accordance with the AG’s Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures. OPIA monitors any resulting review and takes such actions as are necessary to ensure that the review is completed in a timely fashion, and that appropriate actions are taken based on the results of the review.

Observer Editor Kevin A. Canessa Jr. may be reached at kc@theobserver. com. Follow him on Facebook & Twitter @kevincanessa.

NEWS BRIEF NA Knights hosting Sunday breakfast November 28

Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus sponsor a dine-in Sunday breakfast Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Columbian Club Hall, 194 River Road, with takeaway also available.

Menu eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes, cereal, fruit cups, bagels, coffee and tea for $15 per

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adult, $10 for kids ages 6 to 11.

According to Bergen County health regulations, everyone entering the hall must wear a mask and may remove it when eating and drinking. Meals will be prepared and served under strict sanitary conditions. Reservations are required as no tickets will be sold at the door, and may be made by calling (201) 988-0183, by Friday, Nov. 26.

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