e-Newspaper for Oct. 5, 2022

ON THE

Kearny man charged with manslaughter in killing of Corey McFadden: HCPO

Matthew Kochell remanded to county jailn

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

Additional charges have been filed against a 32-year-old man in con nection with the fatal stabbing of Corey McFadden in Kearny on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, Hudson County Prosecu tor Esther Suarez said.

Matthew Kochell, of Kearny, is charged with aggravated manslaughter, possession of a weapon for an unlawful pur pose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Kochell and co-defendant Elliot Barton, 39, of Kearny, were both previously charged with desecrating/disturbing human remains and are being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility, South Ke arny. The state says it will seek to keep Kochell behind bars for the duration of the case. He is tentatively scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.

Kochell’s name has appeared in the Kearny police blotter several times, including this very week.

In 2020, he was charged with bias intimidation (assault & harassment) after he reported ly approached a woman near Kearny and Wilson avenues and made harassing comments about her gender identity and expression and his perception of her sexual orientation and then poked her and slapped her in the face, Capt. Timothy Wagner reported in the Sept. 2, 2020, blotter.

On Tuesday, Sept 20, at 5:45 a.m., the Kearny Police Depart ment received a 911 call on an individual lying on the ground in the area of Belgrove Drive and Afton Street. Responding officers located a male victim — later identified as McFadden — with multiple apparent stab wounds to the lower body and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:20 a.m.

Making the Pathway to the future much brighter

Melham seeks apology & retraction over NJ.com story

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

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham, who is certainly no stranger to pushing back against rivals, is demanding an immediate retraction and a published apology from the Star-Ledger and NJ.

com or is threatening a defamation

suit against one of the state’s most powerful and widely read newspapers and online news sites.

And from the looks of it, he may have a claim.

In the aftermath of his original victory in 2018, Melham sued his then-opponent, the late Mayor Ray mond Kimble and several of those

BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

SLOW DOWN!

THE ROAD WITH BUSES, YOUNG PEDESTRIANS, AND BICYCLISTS.

embedded within the former mayor’s campaign for vicious, untrue and illegal campaign mailers.

While the suit continues to move slowly through the justice system, Melham did reach an out of court set tlement, for an undisclosed amount, with Kimble. More recently, according

n LYNDHURST n NORTH ARLINGTON n NUTLEY

MELHAM

Unveiling of Harrison soccer statue set for this weekend

Two weekends ago, Pathways to Independence hosted its annual Walk-a-Thon (and tricky tray), the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, at West Hudson Park. Hundreds of local residents took part in the day that helps to allow Pathways to offer its services to the adult developmentally disabled community. Here, Annamarie Latushko, president of Kearny UNICO and UNICO district leader, spends time with Kearny Mayor Alberto G. Santos at the finish line.

2 local men among 14 COs indicted in Mahan beatings

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

state grand jury voted Sept. 27 to indict 14 corrections officers two of whom live in The Observer’

readership area who were charged after a January 2021 incident at the Hunterdon Countybased Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, in which inmates were forcibly removed from cells and some were beaten, leaving two of the victims severely injured.

Grand jurors returned an indictment against all 14 of the accused corrections officers on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct, tampering with public records and aggravated assault.

The two local men are Ryan Valentin, 44, of Bloomfield and Luis A. Garcia, 25, of Nutley.

The other 12 come from municipalities across North and Central Jersey.

Investigators say the incidents happened during the overnight hours between Jan. 11 and Jan.

12, 2021, at the facility in Union Township, in Hunterdon County, amid escalating tensions after several incidents of inmates squirting unknown liquids through their cell doors, striking officers.

Cells belonging to inmates suspected of being involved in those “splashing” incidents were targeted, in an action the NJ Department of Corrections refers to as inmate extraction. According to DOC policy, extraction should be resorted to only after inmates refuse orders to put on handcuffs and leave their cells on their own, or if they pose a threat to themselves or others and refuse to exit a cell.

In this case, prosecutors say, the officers planned to go into the cells and use force regardless of whether any resistance was encountered, and in some instances, they did not give the targeted inmates an opportunity to comply with orders to put on handcuffs and exit their cells without incident. In other incidents, the inmates complied with orders to be handcuffed and yet

were extracted by force from their cells anyway.

One inmate was punched almost 30 times by one officer while being extracted by a five-person team, despite no apparent provocation or physical resistance from her, the investigation found. Other officers restrained the victim while the assault was happening, at times grabbing her hair or shoving her. She was taken to a hospital suffering from headaches, nausea and vomiting, and doctors found she had a concussion.

Another victim, after her extraction and despite complying with orders to be handcuffed, was covered with blood and her right eye was swollen shut. She was transported to Hunterdon Medical Center where doctors discovered her skull was broken around her eye. Boot marks were also discovered on her body.

The indictment alleges these officers planned, supervised, participated in or failed to stop “one or more forced cell extractions on

the Restorative Housing Unit tier with the purpose of punishing, intimidating or terrorizing one or more inmates.”

They are also accused of facilitating, failing to intervene in and failing to report the assaults, as is their duty as law enforcement officers. Investigators allege internal reports generated about the incidents were false or misleading in an attempt to conceal the brutality and what led up to it.

The conspiracy charge carries a sentence of five to 10 years state prison and a fine of $150,000; official misconduct may carry a penalty of five to 10 years state prison with five years parole ineligibility, and a fine of $150,000. Tampering with public records is punishable by three to five years in state prison with two years parole ineligibility and a fine of $15,000.

Aggravated assault with serious bodily injury can carry a sentence of five to 10 years state prison, with a mandate to serve 85% of the sentence, plus a fine of $150,000.

WHY IS THIS LAND STILL VACANT?

The old No. 1 School property in Belleville is still vacant. How is that possible?

By Ron Leir For The Observer

More than a decade ago, the Belleville Board of Education conveyed the former School 1 property at 190 Cortlandt St., just off Rt. 7, for $1 to the township, which had a prospective developer poised to build on it.

The school, last used by the board to host meetings and store supplies, was torn down and the school bus fleet that parked on the grounds was relocated to rented space.

But today, the site sits empty.

That could change, according to the district’s top administrator, if the school board goes along with a new request by the township: pass a resolution that would “authorize and approve the execution of any and all documents to recognize the full and final transfer of… any remaining portion of the School 1 property to the township…”

Seems that when the property was turned over to the township in January 2011, “there was a clerical error in switching the title,” Schools Superintendent Richard Tomko told the school board at its Sept. 19 meeting, and the board still owns what he described as a “small sliver” of the site.

The resolution specifies “that the 2011 agreement

of sale and property description did not accurately and completely describe the property, having inadvertently failed to include a portion of land consisting of (less than one acre).”

Now, the resolution says, “the township has requested that the board execute a new deed confirming the transfer of (that) parcel as was originally intended by the 2011 sale.”

The resolution concludes

See PROPERTY, Page 16

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4 locals among 33 hauled in for warrants: HCSO

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

The Hudson County Sher iff’s Office arrested 33 people during a warrant sweep across the county Saturday, Sept. 24, and several of those arrested are from The Ob server’s readership area.

Led by Sheriff Francis “Frank” X. Schillari, the ar rests were part of the HCSO’s

“Operation Fall Sweep.”

“Taking these alleged criminals off of our streets ensures the safety of all of Hudson County’s residents and visitors, improving the quality of life in our commu nities,” Schillari said. “Each arrest brings us closer to accomplishing our goal of promoting safety in all of Hudson County’s municipal

Summer

ities. I am incredibly proud of my officers and the work they do in protecting the peo ple of Hudson County.”

The locals hauled in in clude:

n James Defazio, 43, of Nutley, who is charged with burglary.

n Gregory Javier, 31, of Belleville, who is charged with two counts of theft by

unlawful taking, two counts of conspiracy and two counts of criminal mischief with damage.

n Nicholas Soto, 32, of Lyndhurst, who is charged with theft/contempt.

n And lastly, Justin Ro drigues, 23, of Kearny, who is charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Expect Newark/Jersey City Tpk. lane closures through Nov. 15

Well, this stinks, especially if you commute from Har rison and Kearny to Jersey City and beyond via Harrison Avenue.

One lane in both direc tions on CR 508, aka the Newark-Jersey City Turn pike, aka Harrison Avenue, between Routes 280 and 7,

will be closed until Nov. 15, 2022, the NJ Department of Transportation said. The closure is necessary as part of NJTRANSIT’s Portal North Bridge project.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution and consider alternate routes.

CANESSA

UNICO assists Salvation Army

Google Maps

Members of the Kearny UNICO, including second from left Den nis Latushko, Chapter President Annamarie Latushko and JoAnn Mitchell assist Salvation Army’s Lt. Emily Kumar, left, prepare school uniforms and supplies for distribution to students.

THREE SCOUTS HONORED

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

Boy Scout Unit 305 convened the Eagle Court of Honor at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, to celebrate the accomplishments of three Eagle Scouts.

In order of earning the highest rank in scouting, Corbin Titus Rakauckas, John Peter Kubowicz and Joseph William Drefko, were praised for their hard work, dedication and example of how to live the Scout Oath and Law. Each shared personal remarks in a thoughtful reflection of their individual journeys and expressed gratitude for assistance along the way. They were challenged further to accept the Eagle Charge to reaffirm their commitment to the ideals of scouting.

The three honored Eagle Scouts are all recognized leaders within their schools, parish and pack/troop. Over their years in the unit, the three have had more than 11 leadership positions and are all graduates of the prestigious National Youth Leadership Training program.

During their Trail to Eagle, they earned a total of 104 merit badges, advanced 21 ranks, directed three service projects, summited New Hampshire’s Mount Washington in a high-adventure trip and contributed hundreds of hours to the service work performed by their fellow scouts.

The Kearny community has benefited from their projects. Working alongside their fellow scouts, leaders and families, these young men:

n Provided a much-needed

facelift to the façade of the Kearny Elks Lodge.

n Constructed a contemplative prayer garden for all to pray the Stations of the Cross.

n Refurbished the monument to the Four Chaplains at St. Stephen’s Church.

The journey of service continues for the three newest members serving as the current Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Guide. They will be active examples as they guide fellow scouts in pursuit of scouting’s highest rank.

Unit 305 Robert Maidhof, Councilman Jerry Ficeto, Amy Connolly, John Kubowicz, David Nelson, Mayor Alberto G. Santos, and the Rev. Joseph Mancini for their professional contributions leading to this day.

Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is one of the most challenging aspects of Scouting. Only approximately 4% of all Scouts merit this prestigious recognition. In addition to earning a minimum of 21 merit badges, including 13 required ones, scouts must complete an extensive community-service project that benefits an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America.

The candidate is expected to plan, fund-raise, secure materials and oversee the execution of a completed project, including managing Scout leaders and fellow scouts in leadership activities throughout the endeavor.

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

From left, Joseph William Drefko, John Peter Kubowicz and Corbin Titus Rakauckas.

Opinion & Viewpoints

LaClair: Mr. Paszkiewicz, care to debate me on these issues?

To the Editor:

I am pleased that Mr. Paszkiewicz has commented on my recent letter about fascism. However, his understanding of history is sorely wanting.

Greed and other forms of what Mr. Paszkiewicz might call “sinfulness” played a major role in America’s so-called “rise to greatness.” Our ancestors stole the land from the Native peoples, nearly annihilating them in the process. This genocide was an epic atrocity mass murder of innocent people. They also stole Texas from Mexico. They wanted it, so they started a war, and took it. Such a nation may be powerful, but it is not great.

They kidnapped Africans from their native land, brought them here by force and enslaved them. That is how plantation owners became rich on the forced labor of others, who could be bought and sold at will, and beaten and killed by their “masters,” who owned them under our laws.

Maybe that is Mr. Paszkiewicz’s idea of godly justice; it is not mine.

We built this nation by might, not by right, and when the Confederate States seceded, their Constitution specifically referenced the Bible as a justification for slavery. If an almighty God had given everyone rights, or if the Bible was an infallible guide, that could never have happened.

Biblical literalists routinely imagine an almighty god, then limit his power whenever it suits them. It says plenty about them, and nothing about anything that is objectively true or real. Their vision is a fantasy the kind of myth that binds a people together for a time but eventually destroys it.

Our nation did not follow its founding principles. If we had followed them, slavery would never have been allowed, we would not have killed off the Native peoples, women would not have been treated as property or denied the right to vote and we would not have overthrown democratically elected governments for cheap oil. These are not pleasant facts, but they are facts.

It is only because new generations

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

of Americans began to take our founding principles seriously that we are slowly working our way out of that. Some of them believed in a god; others did not. Belief in a god is not what has led us to a greater commitment to justice.

Only by honoring all people in their intrinsic worth, and acting to elicit the best in them and in ourselves can we achieve and maintain a truly great society. This is secular ethics of the highest order. We built a rich nation by walking a broad road; to build a rich and just nation, we must walk a narrow road.

This is a choice. Believing in a god is also a choice, as is the choice of which god to believe in. In my view, believing in a God who condemns people to eternal torment for not believing in Him is a very poor choice, which encourages people to denigrate and even dismiss people

who do not share that belief.

History provides compelling proof of that.

Finally, Mr. Paszkiewicz does not understand fascism, essentially at all. Fascism is authoritarian rule in which the state sponsors corporate control of everything. Mr. Paszkiewicz openly supports an American fascist the ex-president who tried to overturn the clear results of the latest presidential election, then fomented an insurrection, in an attempt to stage a coup d’etat and stay in power. He and his supporters are trying to overthrow democracy and establish authoritarian rule in the United States, in service of corporate interests, and against the people’s interests and well-being. That is why they are aligned with Russia and other authoritarian regimes. So much for unalienable rights of all people.

I invite Mr. Paszkiewicz to debate these issues with me, having every confidence that Mr. Canessa would be willing to moderate.

Paul LaClair Kearny

County Executive • Thomas A. DeGise Chief Executive Officer

• Norman M. Guerra

Chairman

• Frank Pestana

INJURY

ATTORNEYS

CASSIDY,

New Harrison soccer statue’s unveiling set for October 8

PUBLIC NOTICE - TOWN OF KEARNY PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE SALE AT PUBLIC AUCTION OF TOWN OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 369 FOREST STREET (BLOCK 210, Lot 28) TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

1. The Town-owned property known as 369 Forest Street (Block 210, Lot 28) shall be offered for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction to be held on Friday, October 14, 2022 beginning at 10:00 AM at the Municipal Council Chambers, Town Hall, 402 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, New Jersey.

2.The Town Clerk shall advertise the sale pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-l et seq. by two insertions in the The Ob server and Jersey Journal once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks, the last publication to be not earlier than seven (7) days prior to the auction.

3. The minimum bid shall be $100,000 and the property shall not be sold for less than that amount.

4. The Mayor and Council reserve the right to reject all bids where the highest bid is not accepted. Notice of such reservation shall be included in the advertisement the sale and public notice thereof shall be given at the time of the sale.

5. The public auction shall be conducted in accordance with procedures to be announced by the Town Clerk.

6. No person may participate in the bidding process unless it shall have deposited with the Town Clerk before bidding shall have commenced cash or certified check payable to the Town of Kearny in the amount of $ 20,000.00

7. Upon the close of bidding the highest qualified bidder, as designated by the Town Clerk, shall submit cash or certified check in the amount of the difference between $20,000 and 10% of its bid and shall immediately execute an offer to purchase at its bid price, which offer shall include the terms and conditions specified herein, including 100% cash payment of the balance due on closing. The only condition to closing shall be the validity of the Town’s title.

8. Title shall be conveyed by Quitclaim deed.

9. Closing shall occur no later than 60 days after the day of bidding on a date to be arranged between the purchas er or his attorney and the Town attorney.

10. At closing of title, purchaser shall be charged a sum of money equal to the costs of all advertising and pay ment of closing document preparation.

11. Failure to comply with any of the requirements, or to close on the day agreed upon pursuant to paragraph 9 of this resolution, shall entitle the Town to rescind prior bid approval, terminate any and all rights of the designated bidder and retain all monies theretofore deposited.

12. The property shall be conveyed in the “as is” condition, subject to existing encumbrances, liens, zoning regu lations, easements, other restrictions, and such facts as an accurate survey would reveal. The sale of this land by the Town shall not be deemed to constitute the Town’s consent to, or support of, any variances needed for development.

13. All prospective bidders may obtain a Bidder Registration Package which contains a Qualified Bidder Regis tration from the Town Clerk prior to the auction date. It must be submitted together with the initial deposit check by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 13, 022.

Patricia Carpenter Town Clerk

The Town of Harrison officially unveils and dedicates the new Har rison Soccer Sculpture Monument Saturday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. at Harrison Library Park, Harrison Avenue.

Soccer legends Peter Millar, Jose “Joe” Montesinos, Man fred “Manny” Schellscheidt, David D’Errico, Eddie Austin, Santiago “Santi” Formoso, Hugh O’Neill, Jim Harkes Sr., Mike Mara , Jim Harkes

Jr., Rab Logan, Chris Acuna, Bobby Smith, Kevin Welch, Hubert Birkenmier, Andranik Eskandarian , John Harkes, Tab Ramos and Tony Meola will be on hand for the special ceremony.

Numerous local, county, state and federal elected offi cials will also be on hand.

All members of the public are invited to attend the Oct. 8 event.

— CANESSA

KPD: We’ve visited same home 18 times through September

By Capt. Timothy Wagner Kearny Police Department

On Sept. 18 at 7:53 p.m., a 31-year-old Kearny woman, whose story was anonymously chronicled in last week’s edition of The Observer, walked in to KPD headquarters to report her brother had violated a restraining order by sending her text messages.

Officer Knighton applied for a warrant charging the 33-year-old brother with contempt of court.

At 11 p.m. the same night, Officers Knighton and David Vazquez found the brother at his Kearny home and arrested him. He was arrested without incident and later transferred to the Hudson County Jail (This incident makes it nine more times since the last edition of The Observer that this family has been involved with the police).

On Sept. 15 at 6:47 p.m., Officer Kevin Matos

responded to the GNC store at 150 Harrison Ave. for a report of a shirtless man in an altered mental state. With Officers Ryan Wilson and Cort Montanino, Matos found the shirtless man in the parking lot surrounded by a large crowd.

Several witnesses in the crowd told police the man, later identified as Rutul Jaiswal, 29, homeless, had attempted to illegally enter a Lexus which led to an altercation with the car’s owner. The owner of the Lexus later declined to cooperate in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal, who had been bleeding from the mouth for reasons unknown, began walking away and appeared to the officers to not have a sense of the danger of walking into traffic. Sgt. Tim Castle and Officer Angel Martinez stopped Jaiswal in

CORY

Sports & Recreation

After stunning opening match, Belleville boys’ soccer team on a roll

Rough weekend of weather and play in county soccer tournaments

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

County tournament play heated up for many of The Observer area teams this weekend, and unfortunately like the weather, the endresult was a washout.

Four area teams saw their county championship hopes come to an end this weekend.

The most heart-breaking of the group was the Lyndhurst boys, who rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit against Pascack Valley, only to fall short in penalty kicks by a 4-3 margin in the first round of the Bergen County Tournament. Ali Celek scored two goals and Observer Athlete of the Week Tyler Wise added to his incredible junior season with a goal.

Lyndhurst was set to host Becton on Monday, Oct. 3 and travels to Elmwood Park on Friday.

goal when she had a hat trick against Harrison on Wednesday, Sept. 28. While Sunday’s BCT loss was disappointing for the Vikings, if the regular season has been any indication, they won’t be down for long. At 5-0, North Arlington currently holds a game-and-a-half lead in the NJIC National Division.

Rain postponed Harrison’s first round game at McNair in the Hudson County Girls’ Soccer Tournament to Monday, Oct. 3. With a win, the Blue Tide, seeded 10th, would play Bayonne in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 8. Kearny, which has won the Hudson County Tournament 12 consecutive times, is the top seed and will begin its title defense on Saturday, Oct. 8, against ninth-seeded Dickinson.

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

The Belleville boys soccer team was on the receiving end of a significant wakeup call when it lost to Barringer, 4-1, just four days into the season.

“ That rattled them and got them going. I think the team unity just went into full force after that, ” head coach Gary Polewka said.

“ Everyone was like, ‘ We have to come together and get this done, especially since we ’ re senior heavy. ’ They ’ re all about making this season something (special). ”

The message that early defeat rang loud and clear to a veteran Buccaneers squad

and since then Belleville hasn ’ t just played up to its potential, but has the look of a team that shouldn ’ t be taken lightly in tournament play.

Belleville heads into this week on a five-game winning streak, the last four all by shutout.

The highlight, back-toback 2-0 victories over neighboring rivals Nutley and Bloomfield.

The Sept. 26 win over Bloomfield was the Bucs ’ first win over the Bengals since 2014.

“ We know Nutley always plays us tough. It ’ s always a tight game because it ’ s a rivalry game. But really what made me feel like this team was doing well against

Mike (Aiello) ’ s team in Bloomfield. He always put a good squad together and we played really well, ” Polewka said. “ We possessed the ball well, we were passing and linking up together. Once we got past Bloomfield I knew these kids could hang with some tough competition. ”

Polewka changed his defensive alignment from a flat four to a diamond formation this year. At the heart of the unit ’ s success is the play of senior captain Gerber Coreas at sweeper.

While the impact of Coreas cannot be measured statistically the way a top

The Lyndhurst girls’ Bergen County Tournament run came to an end without late-game drama. Dealt the unenviable task of facing a Ramapo squad ranked No. 6 in the state by NJ.com, the Green Raiders delivered a convincing 7-0 victory over the Golden Bears in the second round. Lyndhurst, which had won three of its last four games prior and looks to bounce back on Friday at Nutley as star senior Lexi Augustyniak continues her chase for 50 varsity goals.

Also in the Bergen County Tournament, North Arlington’s eight-game winning streak came to an end with a 4-0 loss to Northern Highlands. Earlier in the week, junior Lia Cruz scored her 50th career

On the boys’ side, undefeated and defending HCT champion Kearny earned the top-seed. The Kardinals, now undefeated in its last 27 games, will host the winner of Bayonne and Hoboken in the quarterfinal on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Harrison has bounced back from a surprising season-opening loss to Wallington and posted six consecutive wins, outscoring the opposition by an overwhelming 25-3 margin. The Blue Tide, seeded fourth, will face an up-start Memorial squad in the quarterfinals.

Wins by Harrison and Kearny would set up another showdown between the longtime rivals in the semifinals on Oct. 13.

North Arlington’s boys soccer team did not earn a berth in the Bergen County Tournament, but is the third

The Observer | www.theobserver.comWednesday, October 5, 2022 9 Gerber Coreas

BELLEVILLE

striker or midfielder can be, the three-year starter has proven invaluable to the Bucs

“He’s been playing out of his mind the whole season, ” Polewka said. “ He ’ s been improving every game and against Bloomfield he was just an anchor back there, cleaning up everything and sweeping it out.

“ His head ’ s on swivel so he knows where the danger is and where his outlets are before he even gets the ball. Very few times does he get in trouble and when in doubt, kick it out. He ’ s been able to get the attack started from the back all season. ”

Junior Joshua Nodong serves as the stopper and seniors Leonardo Salome and Justin Vicuna are at left and right back respectively.

Nicolas Rios is expected to provide added depth as he returns from an early injury.

Adding to the success has been the play of goalkeeper Logan Kutlu.

Kutlu, who shared the starting spot with fellow senior Jason Penaloza a year ago, has emerged the top guy between the pipes this fall with 36 saves and five shutouts in six games.

“ His lateral movement is insane, he cuts down the angles, and comes out when he needs to, ” Polewka said. “ He ’ s vocal with the defense and always

communicating with Gerber at the sweeper position. He ’ s just extremely confident. ”

Sophomore Jorge Carrion starts as the central defending midfielder, but has also provided an offensive punch with three goals. Two more sophomores start on the wings with Wilberto Solorzano (2 goals, 3 assists) on the left side and Charlie Chabla (1 goal, 3 assists on the right side).

Senior Ivan Garcia is the center attacking midfielder and already has four goals and five assists on the young season. Favio Moreno is another player getting key minutes in the midfield as well as freshman Rafael Alves de Carvalho.

Senior John Paul Crespo is back and striker and currently has a team-best six goals along with a very promising freshman in Sebastian Sierra, who has three goals and an assist.

Seniors Jonathan Villa, Julian Meyer and Henry Rivera have also been key contributors up top.

Belleville looks to continue its winning ways on Tuesday, Oct. 4 against Technology before facing its greatest challenge of the season on Thursday, Oct. 6, when it travels to play a West Orange team ranked No. 6 in the state by NJ.com in its last game before the Essex County Tournament is seeded.

RETINAL DEGENERATION

Retinal degeneration refers to a group of retinal diseases that cause the loss of photore ceptors, which are the eye cells that sense light. These diseases include retinal tears, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopa thy, macular holes, macular degeneration, retinitis pig mentosa, epiretinal membrane damage, and others. They are the leading cause of eyesight loss. While there is no cure, treatment goals can include slowing or halting the disease and improving or partially re storing vision. If left untreated, however, retinal diseases can lead to vision loss or blindness.

Common symptoms of retinal diseases are blurred and dis torted vision, poor peripheral vision, seeing floating specks

or cobwebs, and vision loss. If you suddenly experience any of these symptoms, seek medical diagnosis.

It’s important to pay atten tion to any changes in your vi sion and find care quickly. Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly have floaters, flashes or reduced vision. These are warning signs of potentially serious retinal disease. Please call our office at 201-896-0096 to schedule an eye exam. We are located at 20 Park Avenue, Lyndhurst. To reach our optical shop, call 201-896-0007. We accept most insurance.

P.S. Photoreceptor trans plantation is currently being studied as a potential treat ment for vision loss caused by retinal diseases.

www.delucavision.com

Presented by Joseph

DeLuca,

LHS sophomore Marinho: Captain, 5-touchdown game

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Roddy Morinho may only be a sophomore at Lyndhurst High School, but he already has a football resume that rivals those much older than him.

Morinho’s already been a team captain, a recipient of a state sectional championship ring and is a coach in Lyndhurst’s Rec Football program all before turning 16.

“

Since I was born basically, I’ve been around it,” said Morinho. “I’ve been filming since like fourth-grade for the high school team, I’ve been playing since I was 3. Lyndhurst football is my life. That’s all I know, that’s all I’ve ever known.”

The past few Friday nights have spotlighted Morinho’s prominent role star running back.

Lyndhurst has emerged from an 0-2 start to win three consecutive games and Morinho has emerged as its lead catalyst.

On Friday, Sept. 30, against

Manchester Regional, Morinho scored five touchdowns four rushing and one receiving while running for a career-best 215 yards on 16 carries in a 49-18 victory.

The performance allows Morinho to add another item to an already impressive list of accomplishments The Observer Athlete of the Week.

During the Golden Bears’ three-game winning streak, Morinho has accumulated

465 yards of total offense with eight touchdowns.

“He doesn’t play like a sophomore,” head coach Rich Tuero said. “He’s just a pleasure to have on and off the field. He’s a leader, he’s a leader in school, he’s a leader

on the field, he’s a leader in the weight room. Roddy is a special kind of kid. He’s a kid you don’t forget and you love to coach.”

Morinho’s most recent game got off to a fast start, rushing for a 2-yard TD, then

a 73-yard scamper to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.

Known as a power runner, the 6-foot-0, 175-pound Morinho again showed off the speed with a 53-yard touchdown in

Newark Elks Lodge

Photo by Jason Bernstein Roddy Morinho

Philip H. Thiele

Philip H. Thiele, 90, our beloved “Cappy,” died sud denly but peacefully, the way he had always hoped, on Sunday evening, Sept. 25, 2022, in the Job Haines Home, Bloomfield.

Visiting was at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. The funeral service was at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, Kearny. Cremation was private. Con dolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid. com.

Born in the family home at 247 Belgrove Drive on Dec. 27, 1931, he lived in Kearny until moving to North Arling ton in 1965.

Philip graduated from Kearny High School in 1949. On Memorial Day in 1951, he rang the doorbell at the John D. Crane & Sons Funeral Home at 241 Kearny Ave. He was hired as an apprentice, and this was the beginning of a 70-year career in funeral service.

He was drafted in 1952 and served his country in the U.S. Army. After being honora bly discharged in 1954, he returned to Crane Funeral Home. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, he enrolled at McAllister School of Embalming in New York City and graduated June 20, 1957. Shortly after, he earned his New Jersey Practitioner of Mortuary Science License (No. 2383).

On Dec. 23, 1966, the Crane family sold the funeral business to Philip and Joan Thiele where they continued to operate the funeral home for the next 42 years. On Dec. 5, 2008, his son, Steven, and daughter-in-law, Helen, acquired the Edward T. Reid Home for Funerals at 585 Belgrove Drive. It is here where the Crane, Thiele and Reid funeral homes currently operate as the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home.

Obituaries

Philip was a member of the Essex, Union and West Hud son Funeral Directors Asso ciation and the New Jersey State Funeral Directors As sociation. Mr. Thiele was an active member of the Kearny Optimist Club, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Cope stone-Ophir Lodge No. 108 F. & A.M. and the First Presby terian Church of Arlington, all of Kearny. Phil was also a member of the Ocean Grove Fishing Club and the Crystal Point Yacht Club, Brick. It was at Crystal Point where he docked his beloved Chris Craft named the “Wake Maker.”

In his later years, Phil enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, trips to the Jersey Shore and watch ing his favorite sports teams.

Every boat or marina we see, every Giant, Yankee or Ranger game we watch, every perfectly prepared VO Manhattan on the rocks we drink are just a few things that will remind us of our beloved “Cappy.”

A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at the Job Haines Home. Your care and com passion is second to none.

He is survived by three children, David P. Thiele and his wife, Patricia Wieland of Nanuet, New York; Gaye S. McLaughlin and her hus band, Richard, of Livingston; and Steven R. Thiele and his wife Helen of Kearny. He was the grandfather of Jessie Thiele, Sarah and Matthew McLaughlin and Brendan, Jonathan, Ryan and Jeremy Thiele.

Phil was predeceased by his wife, Joan Thiele (nee Adams) his brother, Alfred E. and his wife, Elaine S.

(Schweighardt) Thiele.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contribu tions in his name to the Remembrance Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, Kearny.

Gerald ‘Jay’ Lawless Jay Lawless died Sept. 21, 2022.

He was 88.

Born in Jersey City, he lived in Harrison and many years in Kearny before retir ing to Florida 34 years ago.

Visiting was at the Armit age & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. His funeral Mass was at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Jay served in the Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Seton Hall University and went on to earn his master’s degree from St. Peter’s. He was a school principal for the Kearny Board of Education. He was an avid fan of the Yankees and the Giants. He loved playing tennis and had been a long time member of the Arlington Players Club.

Jay is survived by his beloved wife Peggy (nee

Miracle Prayer

Dear Sacred Heart Of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours, this time I ask you this special one favour. Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it in your own broken heart where our Father sees it, then in his merciful eyes it will become your favour, not mine. AMEN. Say this prayer for 3 days and prom ise publication and favor will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail.

M.S.

Davitt), his loving children; Bridget McEwan, Kathleen Lawless and Sean Lawless along with his grandchildren Cailin, Evan, Thomas, Pat rick, Christian, Madeline and Gerald and his great-grand son Michael.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Robert ‘Moose’ Gassert Robert “Moose” Gassert has died aged 68.

Bobby grew up in Harrison and lived there until moving to Toms River in 2013.

Bobby worked for the Harrison Police Department and the Harrison Hous ing Authority for 34 years retiring in May 2009. He loved working for the town of Harrison. Bobby did his job with pride and wore his badge with great honor.

All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.

He was a faithful commu nicant of Holy Cross Church, Harrison, and St. Justin the Martyr Church, Toms River, where he served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Harrison and the Harrison-East Newark Elks before transferring to the Toms River Council.

Bobby enjoyed taking photographs of beautiful sunsets and lighthouses. He was always willing to lend a helping hand in any way that he could with energy and a smile.

Bobby devoted his life car ing for his beloved wife Joan Ellen. He met Joan Ellen in the Harrison Library Park which we are all so familiar with. They fell in love, mar ried and traveled the world

OBITS, Page 15

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ATHLETE

Continued from Page 11 the second quarter. In the third quarter, he ran for a 6-yard score, then capped off the performance when he caught a Shawn Bellenger pass for a 20-yard TD.

It was shortly after the fifth touchdown that Moirnho was alerted to just what he had accomplished.

“I got to the sidelines and senior captain Damian Weaver walked up to me and said ‘five touchdowns dude? That’s insane!’ I had no idea at first.,” Morinho said. “I always think I’m going to play my heart

SOCCER

Continued from Page 9

out. I always think I’m going to deliver, but nothing to that extent.”

It was a performance beyond Morinho’s expectations and also one that he was quick to hand the credit to Bellenger and especially his offensive linemen - juniors Nick Adamo, Jake Herman, Shane Keeler and Mike Rizzo as well as sophomore Mike Longo.

“I was watching the film before and on every play I had a hole. No matter what, I had a hole every single play,” Morinho said. “I’m so thankful for those five guys. I love those guys, they’re always doing their job no matter

what.”

Film work has always been a part of Morinho, dating back to when he was much younger. First there was filming the games, as he noted earlier. As a seventhgrader, Morinho served as a team manager, manning the endzone camera for every game on the Golden Bears’ run to a state sectional title.

His contributions led to Tuero rewarding him with a championship ring.

“Watching him grow up and play you just knew by the type of kid that he is,” Tuero said.

“He volunteered and filmed for us just because he wanted to be around the program. I

knew the type of kid he was for a really long time.”

“Filming since fourth grade has helped me tremendously,” said Morinho. “I’ve gotten to know all of these coaches, I got to know how they coach, what to expect when I get here, what’s expected of me. I had a head start on everybody because I knew what was expected and what I had to do.”

Less than 24 hours after Morinho’s big night, his task was helping the next group of Golden Bears enjoy a similar head start. He and fellow sophomores Bellenger and Anthony Amaro are coaches of Lyndhurst Recreation’s

heavyweights team and game day was that night.

“Football is my whole life so when my career is over, I want to show my love for the game and give everything I know to kids that are trying to get better and trying to go somewhere,” said Morinho, who would be following in the footsteps of his father, also named Roddy, who was his first coach and now the president of Lyndhurst’s Rec Football program. “I want to get them on the right path to where they want to go.”

If that path is similar to the one Roddy Morinho is currently on, the future will be bright for years to come.

seed for the Bergen County Cup. The Vikings, who earned a first round bye, will host Palisades Park in the second round on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Essex County will seed its boys’ and girls’ soccer tournaments Oct. 6.

Let’s Talk

Estate

THE REALITIES OF MOVING TO A SMALLER HOME

Moving into a smaller home can be an excellent way to simplify your day-to-day life and save a great deal of money. It can also minimize the hassle of maintaining a large house and landscaping. However, down sizing your home also means downsizing your belongings, and that can turn into a complicated process. You will find the whole process less stressful if you take the time to create a detailed plan that includes a list of your be longings, what you need to keep, would like to keep, what you plan to part with, and an estimate

of the square footage you will need in order to keep what you want vs what you need.

Some buyers have size and style preferences, while others are open to any size or style as long as the property is in the preferred neighborhood and meets their needs. We will be relentless in our pursuit of your dream home and we will show you as many properties as it takes to achieve this goal. For informa tion about listings or listing your home, please call us or stop by.

“Our success has been built one satisfied customer at a time.”

Visit out website at: www.midrealty.com

P.S. When downsizing your home, digitizing photos and important docu ments can help save some space as can switching to an e-reader if you have many books.

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Michelle

OBITS

together. May the Choir of Angels lead our dear friend Bobby to paradise to be with his beloved Joan Ellen.

Visitation was at Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Justin the Martyr Church, Toms River. Interment was in St. Anne’s Cemetery in Wall Township.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Francis Bread line in New York, New York and also St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Justin the Martyr Church.

John ‘Jack’ Lawless

John “Jack” Lawless of Harrison died peacefully on Sept. 20, 2022 at the age of 94 surrounded by his loving family.

Jack, the son of Frank and Mary, was a lifelong resident of Harrison and parishioner of Holy Cross Church. He

graduated from Harrison High School and served in the army during World War II. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Mary and brothers Frank and Jay. Jack had a steadfast bond with his brother, “Uncle Frank,” and the dynamic duo was well known throughout Harrison.

Jack served as Irishmen of the year for Cifelli Association in 1997.

Jack was a proud Harrison fireman, beginning his 35 year long career in 1957. He retired as Deputy Chief in 1992, when he gained his lasting nickname “Deputy” by his sons. As many of you know, the career of a fireman does not end at retirement. Jack was a member of the FMBA Local 22, Firemen’s Relief and Exempt Association and on the Supervisory Committee for the Harrison Police and Firemen Federal Credit Union. He spent countless afternoons listening to the fire scanner or driving around in his fire engine red Buick.

His greatest accomplish-

ment in life, however, was being a cherished husband, dedicated father, dear brother and doting Poppa. He was admired and adored by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who he fondly called Poppa’s Crew, oftentimes trading in his Harrison baseball cap for their sports’ teams as he was their biggest fan.

Jack was a timeless family man, spending the summers in Seaside Park, vacationing in South Carolina, driving to Atlantic City and looking forward to the holidays with family and friends. He never passed up an outing or ice cold one with friends.

Jack was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Ann Lawless, and daughter-in-law, Susan Lawless.

Jack is survived by his two sons Jack Lawless and wife, Eileen and Jimmy Lawless and wife, Lorena; his four grandchildren Jodi Cocchiola and husband, Tom, Meghan Wilkinson and husband, Dave, James Lawless, and John Lawless; his four great-grand-

children Thomas Jack, Paige Elizabeth, Kate Elizabeth and Delaney Sue; his sisters-inlaw, Margaret Chiarello and Peg Lawless, also many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and cherished friends.

Funeral services were under the direction of Mulligan Funeral Home, 331 Cleveland Ave., Harrison. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church in Harrison. His Entombment took place in Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in loving memory of Jack to the New Jersey Firemen’s Home, 565 Lathrop Ave., Boonton, N.J. 07005 or VNA Hospice Care at www.vnacarenetwork. ejoinme.org/VNACare or Fund Development Office, 199 Rosewood Drive, Suite 180, Danvers, Mass. 01923.

Marie A. McCrea

Marie A. McCrea, (LaSpada), 91, died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.

The funeral will be from the

OF KEARNY

Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, 11 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Born in Kearny, Mrs. McCrea moved to North Arlington in 1942.

She was a customer service representative at Valley National Bank in North Arlington for many years before retiring.

Marie is survived by two daughters, Diane McCrea and Colleen McCrea and her husband, John McAdams; and three grandchildren Jesse and Cody Czerminski and Natalie Cassano. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert McCrea and one brother, Carmen (Mike) LaSpada.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her name to the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 100 United Lane, Teterboro, N.J. 07608.

For information, please call Kearny Recreation, (201) 955 7983.

Observer Classifieds

The Observer 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.

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because the “currentlyconstituted board lacks the ability to rescind the previous transfer of the property to the township, the New Jersey Department of Education has authorized the board to effectuate the transfer…”

In a separate interview, Township Business Administrator Anthony Iacono said QuickChek previously purchased the School 1 site with the intention of developing a combination convenience store/gas station there.

At the board meeting, while conceding that, that at the time, it was probably a “bad idea to give up the property for $1,” Tomko said, nonetheless, because at the time the former school board was negotiating the sale of the property, the trustees “meant to give everything” on the site.

original transaction.

Nevertheless, the five members of the school board who attended last week’s meeting, went along with board president Luis Muniz’s recommendation to table any action on the resolution.

Board member Erika Jacho, who said she remembers “sitting in the audience” Jan. 24, 2011, when the then-school trustees took that fateful vote.

“If you do a sale and you accept it, I don’t understand how you can accept a ‘clerical error.’ . I felt heartbroken when I knew we’d be overpopulated with overdevelopment and we’re now living with the consequences. As a parent, I knew that (the sale) was a disservice to the community at the time, we had a halfday pre-K that (we might have accommodated at School 1).”

Board member Frank Velez said: “Tabling is the right option. Let’s wait until the full board has returned.”

Meanwhile, Tomko reported disturbing news gleaned from a recently released demographics survey of the township school system which, he said, forecast that the district would have to find ways to absorb 268 new students projected over the next 7 to 10 years, largely as a result of new development.

“We’re bursting at the seams right now,” he said. “Just today,” we had to lose a library at one of our schools to get an extra kindergarten class in there.”

He didn’t say which school.

Another setback was a delay in ordering and installing airconditioning units for various schools. The first round of bids advertised for yielded no takers and a second round, recently received, came in “way out of (financial) scope,” he said.

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“So my recommendation is ‘let’s be done with School 1 There’s no hidden agenda here,’” he said.

Public speaker Lissa Missaggia asked, “Can we recoup something (from selling the small parcel to the township)?” Possibly yes, Tomko replied, but added, “selling it back to the township doesn’t make much sense” if the township is looking to transfer the property to a developer as part of the

And Muniz had this to say: “We all agree that 11 years ago, a terrible decision was made (and now) the odds of getting the property back is not a reality. We need to find the right way to rectify the situation without expending legal fees. We’ll definitely have an answer by our next meeting (on Oct. 7).”

Iacono said he expected the issue to be resolved by that time but didn’t elaborate.

Lyndhurst

The Lyndhurst Police Department hosts its first of several planned Coffee With A Cop events Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Blue Foundry Bank, 753 Ridge Road,

But, on the plus side, Tomko said the district anticipates a “mid-October opening” for its new indoor athletic/wellness training facility and a transfer of ownership of the former Eastern International College property to the district as the south annex to the Middle School. Tomko said the college has donated more than 100 computers, along with library tables, bookcases and other furniture to the district. “We’re just waiting for (state) Department of Education approval to get our classes in there,” he said.

Lyndhurst. During the event, the LPD will include car-seat installations to assist expecting or current parents/guardians with proper child restraint installation.

If you cannot make this event, contact the Traffic Division at (201) 939-2900, ext. 2625, or send an email to traffic@ lyndhurstnjpolice.gov to have a seat installed or inspected.

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another parking lot adjacent to Harrison Avenue where Jaiswal allegedly became agitated and started shouting.

Officers placed Jaiswal in handcuffs for safety while awaiting EMS and Jaiswal allegedly spit bloody sputum onto two of the officers.

After a medical evaluation, Jaiswal was held at the county jail on two counts of throwing bodily fluid at law

enforcement officers.

On Sept. 16 at 10:44 p.m., Officers Jose Castillo and Danny Maganinho and Sgt. Dean Gasser were dispatched to investigate a report of a car crashed into a fence near 435 Bergen Ave. The officers found a Honda Accord that had broken a piece of curb before crashing through a chain link fence.

After interviewing driver Joanna G. Sunderman, 26, of Rockaway, and observing signs of impairment, Officer Castillo administered her a series of field-sobriety

tests. The officer arrested Sunderman after she could not perform the tests satisfactorily.

Following a breath alcohol test at the police station, Sunderman was charged with DWI, reckless driving, careless driving (with property damage), failure to keep right and expired registration. She was later released with summonses.

n

On Sept. 19 at 10:48 p.m., Officer Cort Montanino was dispatched to a report a man broke a store window at the Walgreens located at

248 Kearny Ave.

The officer found an approximately softballsized hole in one of the front windows. After reviewing store surveillance camera footage, Officer Montanino identified the suspected window breaker as Matthew L. Kochell, 32, of Kearny. Kochell had already fled the scene and a search of the area failed to turn him up.

Officer Montanino applied for a warrant charging Kochell with criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

Two days later, on Sept. 21, police learned that Kochell was at Clara Maass Medical Center.

Sgt. Mike Gonzalez, Det. Mike Gontarczuk and Officer Jason Rodrigues located Kochell at the hospital and arrested him for the warrant-complaint.

After processing, Kochell was held at the Hudson County Jail.

Editor’s note: If this name sounds familiar, it’s because Kochell has also been charged with manslaughter in the killing of 34-year-old Corey McFadden.

APOLOGY

from Page 1

to comments made following his recent victory, Melham appears to not be opposed to holding now defeated Second Ward Councilman, Steve Rovell, and those associated with his campaign, to the same standard.

A few weeks ago, the StarLedger and nj.com all under the umbrella of New Jersey Advance Media published a story, Melham’s lawyer says, that inaccurately portrays a lawsuit filed by the township’s zoning officer. The headline of the story read: “NJ mayor lied to investigators about illegal billing to get back at zoning officer, lawsuit says.”

But the thing is, the attorney says nowhere in the suit is it alleged Melham lied to investigators. The Observer has obtained a copy of the suit and has verified that no such accusation is stated within the claims.

In a letter to Anthony Attrino, the author of the story, who may not have necessarily written the headline to the story (that sometimes falls to a copy editor or a design editor), attorney Marlo J. Hittman, of the Livingston, demands a public apology and a retraction of the original story

by the folks at NJ Advance Media. “This headline is false and defamatory per-se and is inconsistent with the text of the news article to which it is affixed,” Hittman wrote in a tersely prepared letter. “Your headline falsely makes it appear that Mr. Melham lied to the attorney general, which would be a potential crime. The headline is adjacent to a photograph of Mr. Melham pictured directly under the title sitting at the dais at a council meeting in front of the Township of Belleville seal, making the impact of the false headline all that more egregious.”

Hittman continues: “I am hereby requesting an immediate retraction and a published apology to Mayor Michael Melham since the title is not only misleading, but contains a complete falsehood which you either intentionally or recklessly ignored. Beyond the misleading title, your article states the whistleblower lawsuit alleges, ‘Mayor Michael Melham lied to the state Attorney General’s office, sparking an unnecessary investigation.’ However, the lawsuit makes no such allegation. In fact the complaint at issue, attached, is absolutely silent as to the nature of an attorney general investigation and its findings for or against anyone.

“There are no allegations as to what was said or wasn’t said, and certainly no allegations that false statements of any kind were made to the attorney general. In fact, the complaint is completely silent as to the nature and quality of the statements made to the attorney general. It speaks to the effect of the investigation on the claimant, but not the nature of the

investigation or its findings. In short, the headline is a false fabrication that has nothing to do with the article upon which it reports.”

In his letter to Attrino, Hittman acknowledges the agency’s right to report on the suit but only the facts that lie within. It’s an issue now, she says, because of the misleading headline.

The lawsuit in question was filed in Superior Court of Essex County at the end of August by Frank DeLorenzo, the township’s zoning officer. In it, he alleges the mayor took retaliatory steps against him because of building permits he denied over a Melhamowned property after the mayor took office in 2018.

He alleges Melham was displeased with the rejection and, as such, created an oversight authority for the township’s zoning and construction departments. He also alleges Melham improperly handled overtime requests DeLorenzo submitted in 2019.

DeLorenzo asks the court to prohibit any further “retaliatory” actions, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney costs and any other relief the court deems just.

Attempts to obtain comments from Attrino were unsuccessful.

‘This headline is false and defamatory per-se and is inconsistent with the text of the news article to which it is affixed. Your headline falsely makes it appear that Mr. Melham lied to the attorney general, which would be a potential crime.’

— Marlo Hittman Attorney for Michael Melham