Opinion

Opinion & Viewpoints

COMMENTARY Bravo, Nutley PD, for saving woman, 75, from $40K scam

For the last few months, I’ve been hooked on watching Youtube videos of people who toy with phone scammers. I started by watching a character who calls himself Pierogi, under the show titled “Scammer Payback” and then found, perhaps, the most noted scammer scammer anywhere, Kitboga.

For years, these two, and countless others, have created tremendously funny, yet alarming, content as they spend hours on end portraying characters — from a California Valley Girl to elderly ladies called “Vivian Rogers” and “Anita Napp” among other monikers.

Their purpose — identify the scammers, many of whom are based in India, and waste as much of their time as they possibly can — because by wasting their time, knowing there won’t be a scam, these evil people can’t go after others, who are legitimately unsuspecting of their intent.

Some of the scammers are downright nasty and tell lies designed to scare the heck out of the victims. In one instance I watched, the scammer told the “elderly lady” that if she didn’t give him $10,000in Target gift cards, he’d shoot her husband. And that’s not even the worst of it. Check out these Youtube videos if you get a chance ... you won’t be disappointed. And this is what leads to today’s commentary.

Recently, the Nutley Police Department was able to interrupt a scam-in-progress when a Clifton woman, 75, went to her bank, in Nutley, and showed the teller a note that said she needed police help because someone on the phone was keeping her “held hostage.” The caller demanded she transfer money to his bank — even gave her the account details. The first transfer would have been $50 to ensure it all worked. After that, it would have been $40,000.

Because the woman and the bank took action and got the authorities involved, the woman was saved from losing an exorbitant amount of cash. Far too often, conversely, people send the cash, or gift cards, to the scammers — and by the time they speak up, it’s too late.

This brave woman must be commended and the same for the Nutley PD for intervening forthwith and saving yet another resident from being a hopeless victim.

Folks, talk to your elderly family, friends and neighbors and warn them about these kinds of scams. They happen way too often, unnecessarily. Don’t let your loved one be the next victim. Please! — CANESSA

OP-ED Rogers misses mark on term limits

By Paul L. LaClair

Kearny

In his latest Op-Ed, on term limits (April 6, 2022), Steven Rogers completely misses the mark. The reason our politics are corrupt is that elected officials are being bribed by wealthy special interests. That is why proposals that enjoy overwhelming popular support are not being enacted, and why our laws more and more favor the rich. It has nothing to do with how long elected officials serve.

States and localities have tried term limits. They have made absolutely no difference. Their governments are still as corrupt as ever. What a surprise. They are still relying on big money to get elected. Then they reward their benefactors by blocking laws that would benefit the people, and enacting laws that benefit the rich.

For example, we have two sets of bankruptcy laws: one for the rich and one for the poor. That has nothing to do with term limits. Support for green technologies: the oil industry has been blocking legislation for years. Thank them for your gas prices. Consider any issue you like, you will see the same dynamic.

To put it more bluntly, our elected officials are being paid off by monied interests. This is now constitutionally protected, because the right wingers who control our government installed “Justices” on the Supreme Court who made “corporations are people” a Constitutional rule of law.

When I was in law school, lawyers understood corporate personhood was a legal fiction designed to afford equal treatment to corporations in business dealings, not in political representation. Our bedrock principle had always been “one person, one vote;” now, thanks to so-called “conservatives,” it is “one dollar, one vote.”

So much for strict construction and original intent.

Term limits only make the problem worse. Monied interests will always have a ready supply of people who are eager to do their bidding. True public servants are rare. When we find them, we should be able to keep them, for as long as we can.

Term limits are fundamentally antidemocratic. Conservatives claim that they are for limited government; yet they want government to tell us who we may and may not elect to office. Think about where that leads, especially when big money controls politics. If you want to understand politics, follow the money.

Yet again, Rogers tries to engraft the 18th century onto the 21st. That is like trying to fit into the suit of clothes you wore when you were 10 years old. Legislative and executive offices are full-time now. We are best served with experienced people. This is not the 18th century.

The problems of our time are our own. Furthermore, if the Founders had intended for terms of office to be limited, they would have written it into the Constitution. Our problems will not be solved by ill-considered guesswork about what the Framers intended, especially when the guesses are inconsistent with what the Framers wrote.

We need to respond to the challenges of our time, and get big money out of politics. Until we do that, no other political “solution” will matter.

In Memoriam Mary A. Tortoreti 1942-2016

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Busy Holy Week ahead for

Belleville’s a ‘Healthy Town to Watch’

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

kc@theobserver.com

Nearly 1.3 million Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Newark will participate in sacred liturgies remembering the death of Christ and celebrating his resurrection on Easter Sunday throughout Holy Week.

This year, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, will observe Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum with in-person liturgical celebrations at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

All Holy Week liturgies will be streamed online on the archdiocesan YouTube and Facebook channels as well as on the Cathedral Basilica’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

April 10, Palm Sunday, 10 a.m. in Spanish

Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The faithful will hear the Gospel account of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. Blessed palm fronds representing the palm branches the crowds scattered in front of Christ as We treat you like family he rode into the city will be distributed. April 11, Chrism Mass, 8 p.m. From our family to yours, we wish you all a Wonderful and Happy Easter!

Priests and faithful will gather to witness the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Chrism for use in parishes Proudly serving & supporting our community since 1930 FranksGMC.net throughout the archdiocese 325 Orient Way • Lyndhurst, NJ • (201) 939-7708 all year. These oils will be Monday-Thursday: 9AM-7PM • Friday: 9AM-6PM Saturday: 9AM-5PM accepted by representatives of each parish and used for adult catechumens and infants, Harrison Plaza • 442 Bergen Street • Harrison, NJ 07029 the Anointing of the Sick, baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests and the consecration of altars.

Additionally, during the Mass, archdiocesan priests celebrating their ordination’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 25th or 50th anniversary are honored. And every priest in the cathedral will reaffirm their commitment to Christ, the Church and the faithful by renewing the vows they made Open 7 Days • Catering Available OFFERING DINE-IN / CURBSIDE / DELIVERY Wine • Beer • Cocktails | Make Easter reservations today! at their ordination. April 14, Holy Thursday, 7:30 p.m., bilingual Mass. Tel: 973.484.5770 • Fax: 973.484.2864

Holy Thursday is the first day of the Triduum and celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This Mass commemorates Jesus’ final gathering with his disciples, during which he washed their feet and instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist before he died. After Mass, the Cathedral’s sanctuary will be stripped of all decorations, and the crucifix will be covered by purple cloth in preparation for the solemn Good Friday liturgy. April 15, Good Friday, 3 p.m. Good Friday commemorates the Passion of Christ. At 3 p.m., Christ’s suffering and death will be observed with prayer and silence. A Spanish-language liturgy will follow at 5 p.m., followed by a Spanish-language outdoor procession of the Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m., and an Cardinal Tobin Belleville has been recognized for its commitment to creating a healthier place to live through initiatives that address food insecurity, support COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and promote physical and mental health. The township has received “Healthy Town to Watch” status in the annual statewide Mayors Wellness Campaign. The campaign is a program of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Belleville was one of seven towns across the state to be designated as a 2021 Healthy Town to Watch. Eight towns received the top designation, “Healthy Town Winners,” and 17 received the “Healthy Towns Up-and-Coming.” “Belleville is proud to have earned this designation,” Mayor Michael Melham said. “It is an especially impressive achievement when you consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has so greatly interrupted our lives. We have remained dedicated to finding ways to promote healthy lifestyles in our great township and creating a healthier and better Belleville in 2022.” Melham says Belleville proved in 2021 that it takes a village to create a healthy town. Though a partnership with the school disindoor procession of the Stations of the Cross in English at 8 p.m.

April 16, Holy Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Easter Vigil Mass

Holy Saturday commemorates a day of waiting — when the Apostles waited as the body of Jesus lay in his tomb. The Easter Vigil begins after nightfall. It is the first and most important celebration of Christ’s resurrection, during which the Paschal candle will be lit from within a darkened church to symbolize Jesus’ light entering the world. The “Alleluia” will also be heard for the first time since the start of Lent. During the Easter Vigil Mass, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Catechumens will become full members of the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

April 17, Easter Sunday, Noon

Easter Sunday celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over sin and death. It day marks the beginning of Easter Season, which lasts seven weeks.

— CANESSA

trict, Belleville addressed food insecurity that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by offering free meals to students and seniors.

For the township’s youth, there were many recreational opportunities. For instance, Belleville is one of an increasingly smaller number of municipalities to offer free recreational programs.

Belleville’s seniors were encouraged to get up and get moving through initiatives such as free yoga classes offered at the Senior Center.

Belleville also enlisted the help of community partners to promote health.

Clara Maass Medical Center, meanwhile, was a leader in organizing COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot efforts.

Also, Signature Fitness helped sponsor the brisk stroll down Washington Avenue for dozens of our municipal employees in honor of National Walking Day and the subsequent yoga sessions — an initiative spearheaded by Belleville Councilman Vinny Cozzarelli.

Families were encouraged to seek out healthier lifestyles through events such as Street Yoga Under the Cherry Blossoms session or the community bike ride that was organized by the Belleville Police Department.

One of the most eagerly awaited healthy initiatives was the creation of the first township community garden. Created by the Township’s Green Team, the garden not only aligns with Sustainable Jersey’s mission, but also produces healthy fruits and vegetables for residents.