e-Newspaper for Jan. 3, 2024 by The Observer Newspaper

Wednesday, 3 January 2024 n www.TheObserver.com n Volume CXXXVI, Issue No. 35

UNDER THE COVER Nutley man already facing vehicular homicide charges now charges he sexually assaulted a child, BCPO says. Page 7

HELLO 2024!

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

As we begin the new year, filled with hope, we first look at the most-read online stories of the last By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

It isn’t often electronic message boards lead to an uproar — but these did in September and it led to one of the most read stories on The Observer’s website in 2023. Observer file photo.

kc@theobserver.com

hile The Observer continues to buck the trend for print publications — we are still moving along nicely with a print product while many other publications have closed or now have limited print operations — one thing is certain: this newspaper’s digital footprint continues to experience growth, both locally and beyond this region. Here, then, are the Top 9 stories that appeared online at www.theobserver.com. Please note — not all stories that appeared in print also appeared online and not all stories that appeared online also appeared in print.

ALLY) HAPPENED AT KEARNY MARSHALLS MONDAY, DEC. 19. This story appeared Dec. 21, 2022, but took root just after the new year. It was especially well read because that week, social media reports inaccurately said there had been a shooting at the Marshalls. At no point was there ever a shooting at the Passaic Avenue store. However, two New Jersey men were charged with possessing with intent to distribute approximately a kilogram of cocaine and approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said at the time. Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 35,

9) A LOOK AT WHAT (ACTU-

Continued on the next page

Kearny’s ‘Static Six’ block numerous raises for exempt employees By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

kc@theobserver.com

he Fab 5 — recently renamed the Static Six since they have a new addition and are known to be clung to each other most of the time like socks fresh out of a clothes dryer — but who are back to the Fab 5 this week because one councilman

was absent last week — struck again and this time, there are some who believe their actions are not only personal, but downright mean. At a special meeting of the Kearny Mayor and Town Council Wednesday, Dec. 27 to close out 2023, the Fab 5 voted to forego giving raises to several town employees who were all but guaranteed the raises by Chief Finan-

cial Officer Shuaib Firozvi and Town Administrator Stephen Marks. By a vote of 5-3, the new band rejected small raises for Town Clerk Patricia Carpenter, Fire Chief Joseph Mastandrea, Recreation Director Ralph Cattafi and they also chose to continue not to pay Mayoral Aid Lyla DeCastro the $32,000 annual stipend she agreed to accept — for the first

time ever — to serve in a dual role (hardly unprecedented) along with being the Assistant Town Clerk.

A little background first Just five months ago, after former interim Mayor Peter P. Santana fired DeCastro without notice or cause, See STATIC, Page 18

The Observer n www.theobserver.com

with 8 rounds in a magazine firearm, ammunition, drug of 12, a .40 Smith & Wesson packaging materials, and of Newark, and Hector Marhandgun with 9 of 10 rounds suspected heroin, cocaine, tinez, 31, of North Bergen, in place with a five-round exoxycodone and Xanax pills. were charged by complaint tender, 42 loose 9mm bullets, Gonzalez had previouswith one count of conspiring more than 2,100 baggies of ly been convicted, in New to distribute and possess with Jersey Superior Court, Morris suspected heroin, 584 pills of intent to distribute cocaine Oxycodone at 30mg a piece, County, of first-degree drug and fentanyl. Gonzalez is also 81 Xanax pills and other items distribution, second-degree charged with one count of used to package drugs. weapons possession during a being a previously convicted During the takedown, it controlled-substance offense felon in possession201-991-1600 of three e advertising@theobserver.com and second-degree possession was Gonzalez who reportedly firearms and ammunition. fled into the store. He tried of a firearm for an unlawful aper: Client: On Dec. 19, 2022, Sellinger purpose, and was sentenced in to hide but was ultimately reported Gonzalez and Marapprehended, but as law en2009 to 30 years in prison. tinez conspired to distribute forcement searched for him, Among the specific items the aforementioned drugs and found the the two vehicles the entire store was evacuated were arrested shortly after for everyone’s safety. (This used by the suspects were, they arrived at an agreed-upwas where confusion on social according to the official comon location in Kearny — the media led some to believe the plaint: a brick of suspected Advertising: Here is the updated withaavacuum-sealed new photo ofbag Jarlynn Hyde: Marshalls’ parking lot — to template store was evacuated because cocaine, complete the sale. containing suspected fentanyl, shots were fired; this never After their arrests, a search occurred.) a bag containing 74 suspected of Gonzalez’s home and an fentanyl pills, a narcotics-style apartment also uncovered two scale, a 9 mm Taurus handgun 8) MAN WHO REPORTEDLY loaded firearms, an unloaded KIDNAPPED WOMAN FOR A YEAR MAY HAVE DONE SAME TO OTHERS — AND THE NJSP WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT IT. This story appeared online only on Feb. 17. The Observer Continued from previous page

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picked up the story simply because of its humanitarian effect. That day, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced the arrest of a man charged with kidnapping a woman he met in New Mexico last year, traveling to New Jersey with her and assaulting her in a Burlington County residence where they rented a room — and they were, at the time, seeking additional information about the man who is known to have used several aliases. James W. Parrillo Jr., 57, was arrested Feb. 7, after the woman reportedly escaped from the Bass River Township residence they shared and fled to a nearby gas station. Parrillo was charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree strangulation and aggravated assault, and third-degree criminal re-

straint. While additional details on this crime were never released, there was belief Parrillo may have had a connection, somehow, to North Jersey. This story was also picked up by the Newsbreak App, which aggregates and shares news throughout the state and country. 7) KPD: FIRST SHE WANTED A RESTRAINING ORDER V. ABUSIVE BOYFRIEND … THEN SHE CHANGED HER MIND AND WANTED SAME MAN TO CARE FOR THEIR 6-MONTH-OLD. This piece, written by our good friend Capt. Timothy Wagner, came into us in the form of a police blotter Feb. 2 that took on wings. And it’s one of the most bizarre stories of the year. According to Wagner, on Jan. 23 at 10:54 p.m., Officers Michael Ore, Bismark Karikari and Janitza Aquino were dispatched to a domestic Continued on the next page

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violence call outside the General Kearny Apartments on Belgrove Drive. A 45-year-old Bronx woman told police her 60-year-old Kearny boyfriend threatened to smash her head against a wall during a verbal argument. The woman initially declined to press charges, but changed her mind when her boyfriend refused to apologize at the scene. The woman asked officers to arrest her boyfriend for harassment and to help her apply for a temporary restraining order. Officers arrested the boyfriend on the harassment charge, but upon being transported to the police station, the woman again changed her mind and refused to give officers a formal statement or apply for a restraining order. Moreover, with the boyfriend soon to be released with a summons, the woman asked to leave their 6-month-old infant with the boyfriend so

The Observer n www.theobserver.com she could return to the Bronx alone. The man was then released with his baby. 6) KPD: NOTICE POLICE ACTIVITY THIS MORNING? IT WAS DETECTIVES AND SWAT ARRESTING AN ARMED-ROBBERY SUSPECT WITHIN THE FIRST 48. This piece came in Nov. 12, a weekend, thanks to Kearny Deputy Police Chief Scott Macfie. On Nov. 10, at 3:50 a.m., a man reportedly entered Quick Mart, 314 Belleville Turnpike, and requested three, $3 crossword NJ Lottery tickets. As the clerk walked to the scratch-off counter, the man — later identified as Freddy C. Thomas, of Kearny, procured a firearm, pointed it at the victim and demanded the money in the cash registers. Three lottery tickets, two iced tea bottles and $800 to 900 in cash was taken. The man then fled the scene of the crime. The store clerk stated the lottery tickets were serial-numbered and provided

the sequence numbers of the stolen crosswords. Det. Jonathan Dowie was assigned as the lead investigator. In the first 48, he identified the suspect to be Thomas, 38, through various investigative means, including matching camera footage to other media of Thomas from previous incidents. The store’s camera footage confirmed a firearm was brandished, and, among other identifiers, Det. Dowie

noticed during the robbery, Thomas wore a very specific outfit, including uncommon sneakers with a particular pattern and color scheme. On Nov. 11, arrest and search warrants were obtained. On Nov. 12, at 5 a.m., the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, along with the Kearny Police Department’s Detective Bureau, executed the search warrants upon Thomas’s Devon Street residence.

3 In Thomas’s residence, detectives said they located the three stolen crossword lottery tickets (scratch-offs), a loaded Glock Model 43 pistol (9mm), a single hollow-point round (7.62x39mm) commonly used in AK-47 rifles, the clothing and specific sneakers worn during the robbery and a quantity of crack-cocaine and packaging materials, indicating it was intended for resale. Continued on the next page

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Wednesday, 22 November 2023 n www.TheObserver.com n Volume CXXXVI, Issue No. 28

MODERN-DAY SLAVERY

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

How the State of New Jersey is addressing major nationwide issue of human sex trafficking locally

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

thing, Say Something” terrorism signs started appearing on Jersey’s highways.) But to anyone who may not have access to these kinds of signs on a regular basis, or know what they mean, these new ones were going to be nothing short of shocking, disturbing really — and they were going to appear with absolutely no explanation (not shocking) from the State of New Jersey. First, Feorenzo called Gov. Murphy’s office — they had no idea what she was talking about. But, that office had the New Jersey Attorney General’s office call her. From that, she and I composed a series of questions after we found exact examples of the signs, which were to alert patrons of the dangers, the horrors, of human trafficking.

IThis Nov. 22, 2023 front page caused a lot of discussion and it also led to t was just a couple of months ago when The Observer’s Lisa Feorenzo was at a pub and grill in Sussex County. The food was great. The atmosphere was fantastic. The people who were there, from fellow patrons to the staff, even better. But then something very bizarre happened. She got into a conversation with one of the owners — and that person, a woman, told her signs would soon be going up on the walls of bars, restaurants and many other locations throughout the state. What was going to be on the signs was not so much shocking to Feorenzo since she’s seen the gamut of signs (think just a few months ago when those “See Some-

one of the most read stories online in 2023.

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IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

11/21/23 11:52 AM

See TRAFFICKING, Page 14

Opinion ��Page 6

Obituaries......................................................................................................................Page 13

Sports...............................................................................................................................Page 9

Classifieds �� Pages 16-17

Health & Wellness Directory.......................................................................................Page 12

Business Directory.......................................................................................................Page 17

The Observer  www.theobserver.com Continued from previous page

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The charges lodged against him are armed robbery, certain persons not to possess firearms, unlawful possession of weapons, possession of weapons for unlawful purpose, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property and distribution of cocaine within 500 feet of a public park. 5) MODERN DAY SLAVERY — WHY YOU MAY SOON SEE HUMAN TRAFFICKING SIGNS CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED PUBLICLY IN NEW JERSEY. This story first appeared online Nov. 26 and took off not just locally but across the entire state of New Jersey. The Observer’s Lisa Feorenzo was at a pub and grill in Sussex County a few months ago. While there, she got into a conversation with one of the owners — and that person, a woman, told her signs would soon be going up on the walls of bars, restaurants and many other locations throughout the state. What was going to be on the signs was not so much shocking to Feorenzo since she’s seen the gamut of signs (think just a few months ago when those “See Something, Say Something” terrorism signs started appearing on Jersey’s highways.) But to anyone who may not have access to these kinds of signs on a regular basis, or know what they mean, these new one were going to be nothing short of shocking, disturbing really — and they were going to appear with absolutely no explanation (not shocking) from the State of New Jersey. And that’s where Feorenzo got to work. She wasted very little time and reached right out to the office of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. She got an answer quickly so together, she and I composed a series of questions after we found exact examples of the signs, which were to alert patrons of the dangers, the horrors, of human trafficking. Frankly, after seeing the signs, she had more questions than answers. And then, finally, after a little longer than a month’s time, Allison Inserro, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin’s public information officer, responded to the questions. Read this entire story at www. theobserver.com/2023/11/26/modernday-slavery-why-you-may-soon-see-hu-

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 man-trafficking-signs-conspicuouslyposted-publicly-in-new-jersey. 4) KPD: 3 Kearny HS students arrested in 3 separate incidents; all took place off campus, 1 involved ‘recently founded’ street gang. This story, also brought to us by the aforementioned Capt. Wagner, caused somewhat of an uproar in Kearny. Though the incident took place in December, it took hold early in 2023. We invited readers to read this story online at www.theobserver. com/2022/12/28/kpd-3-kearny-hs-students-arrested-in-3-separate-incidentsall-took-place-off-campus-1-involvedrecently-founded-street-gang. Also, it was important to note then and we do so again today — most of these incidents took place away from school grounds. 3) KPD: Mom hosts gathering for her teen child, welcomes up to 150 underage youngsters into the home to party and they all ‘enjoyed’ weed and alcohol … until the police showed up. Well, this one sure caught the eyes of locals and non-locals alike after a local mom threw a party for her teenage kid, scores of them showed up — and she charged them for the alcohol she would wind up serving them. The party spiraled out of control — no surprise there — and when the police showed up, some of the kids flaunted their alcohol bottles whilst smoking weed outside, around the police. The adult woman, whose name was withheld to protect the identity of the juvenile, was charged with charging admission fee to patrons consuming alcoholic beverages, making property available for underage alcohol consumption, maintaining a nuisance — a condition that endangers safety or health of a considerable number of persons, maintaining a nuisance — gathering for purposes of engaging in unlawful conduct, endangering another person — risk of bodily injury to anContinued on the next page

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Continued from previous page

other, distribution on alcoholic beverages without a license, serving alcohol to underage persons, (failure of ) duty to ascertain proof of age, noise control, disorderly assemblage and providing alcoholic beverages to persons under 21. We’re not sure of the case’s outcome, but there were likely a lot of hungover teens the day after. 2) Developing — Police presence on Kearny Avenue this morning, shots were fired by SWAT. This piece, from late

The Observer n www.theobserver.com January, came when police were present Jan. 25 at the lower end of Kearny Avenue where officers and the Hudson County SWAT team were executing a search warrant. Kearny Police Chief George King said at the time the suspect, when approached by police, brandished a weapon — and responding SWAT team members fired at the suspect. No one was injured, the suspect was taken into custody, the warrant was been executed and the shooting will likely be reviewed by the state Attorney General’s Office. No one from the Kearny PD fired a shot, King said.

1) So what’s with these ‘terrorism’ signs on Jersey’s highways? We found out though it took some digging. This was, by far, the most read story of 2023 on www.theobserver. com. In fact, it was seen and read by more than 25,000 people across the region and the story was picked up by Fox Nws. We suspect it became as popular as it did because no other news agencies in New Jersey had the story. It all began when Lisa Feorenzo, The Observer’s owner, began to see electronic message boards on highways

altering motorists to potential terrorism activity. If you’d driven on any number of highways in North Jersey in late August or early September, chances were you probably saw one of these new, somewhat alarming signs. They read: “Suspect Terrorism? See Something, Say Something — 866-4-SAFE-NJ.” So where did these signs come from? Well, it turns out it’s a joint effort of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Turnpike

Authority. On Sept. 6, the aforementioned “announced” (not well, we might add) the launch of its “See Something, Say Something” public safety campaign in addition to variable message signs around the state to remind drivers along the state’s major interstates to remain vigilant and report potential threats and suspicious activity related to terrorism or other criminal activity. Read more at www.theobserver.com/2023/09/14/ so-whats-with-these-terrorism-signs-on-jerseys-highwayswe-found-out-though-it-tooksome-digging.

exalted leader of the Harrison and East Newark Elks, he has worked to strengthen and expand the Elks’ State Peer Leadership Program. “Through his leadership in the Harrison East Newark

Municipal Alliance, many local students have benefitted from attending the Elks’ State Peer Leadership Program. Councilman Bennett states that he works hard to live by the credo, ‘It’s all about

the kids and those in need.’ Councilman Bennett’s long commitment to his community make him a deserving recipient of the Hudson County Municipal Alliance Volunteer of the Year Award.”

Bennett cited for working to keep Harrison drug-free

arrison Councilman Lawrence Bennett has been chosen the Hudson County Municipal Alliance Volunteer of the Year. Bennett has dedicated his life to Harrison and there’s no one more devoted to children than him, the nominators said. Whether it’s in recreation sports, cheerleading, holiday events and more, if you can name it, Bennett is there. “Town Councilman Lawrence Bennett has been a member of the Harrison/East Newark Municipal Alliance for 33 years. In 2022, he was named the Hudson County

Bennett

Senior Citizen of the Year,” the Hudson County Municipal Alliance said of Bennett. “Through his role as the

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In a proud moment for our family, Sebastian Paz, a University in the fall. His academic endeavors will no doubt lifelong Kearny resident and 2023 KHS graduate, has be infused with the discipline and values instilled through his successfully graduated from Army National Guard Basic military training. Training and AIT. On December 14th, 2023, he completed his The pride we feel for Sebastian’s achievements is beyond training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Alpha Company 701st words. His journey from basic training to aspiring police Military Police, earning the title of Private 1st Class Military officer and student symbolizes a path of dedication, courage, Police Officer. and service. As he spreads his wings to embrace the future, As Sebastian marches forward, he sets his sights on our family watches with admiration, support, and endless further service and education. This summer of 2024, he will pride. We encourage him to fly high, keep close to his family, take the Civil Service exam, aspiring to join the ranks of the community, and country, and continue making us proud. Kearny Police Department, a testament to his commitment Sebastian, your journey inspires us all. May your future be to community and country. as bright and honorable as your service. We love you! In addition, Sebastian’s pursuit of continuous improvement and education will lead him to Montclair State MJ & Daddy

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

OPINION & VIEWPOINTS COMMENTARY

A New Year and time for a new round of predictions

an you even believe it’s already 2024? For some of us, that’s a scary thought. For others, just another flip of the calendar. But as we’ve done in the first edition of the new year for the last several, we’ll make some predictions, projections of what we might see in the new year. Now remember, none of this is scientific and most of it is tongue-in-cheek — so no offense is intended whatsoever in what is about to follow. Enjoy! In 2024: n The Kearny Democrats not aligned with Mayor Carol Jean Doyle will continue to be an utter embarrassment, having completely forgotten what happened in the November election when the guy they supported finished in third place in the race for mayor. Because of this absurdity, the race for Third Ward Councilman will be as wide open as anyone could have ever imagined it might Be. Renato da Silva, the “appointed incumbent,” will face stiff challenges from at least two, if not more, Democrats. There will be at least one Republican in the race. And at least one non-affiliated candidate will run, too. n Harrison Councilman Lawrence M. Bennett announces he will seek the mayor’s seat in a few years, something that may or may not have been on his mind for a while now. n North Arlington Mayor Daniel H. Pronti will finally break ground on housing for the borough’s senior citizens and veterans, something that has been in the works for a few years now. This will bring to fruition one of his most ambitious goals to date. n East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo will take her oath of office for term number two. Beyond that, your guesses are as good as ours. Perhaps 2024 will bring a new police chief? n Lyndhurst Mayor Robert B. Giangeruso will announce his plans to seek re-election and in doing so, will cement himself as one of the most pro-law enforcement leaders in generations. n Belleville Mayor Michael A. Melham will continue to cruise along, keeping the township’s redevelopment responsible, building community consensus and adding — if this is even possible — more community events for the people which will continue to set the golden standard for other municipalities. n Nutley Mayor Dr. Joseph Scarpelli and Commissioner Alfonse Petracco will put a steep curb on the home burglaries that have plagued Nutley over the last few months. They will also create a noted campaign to remind folks to lock their vehicle doors and not to leave keys and fobs behind. n Kearny Police Dets. Anthony Oliveira and John Fabula will each solve a crime that leads them to needing to be promoted for their accomplishments. n Kearny FMBA President Juan Barroso Jr. will take on a new, ambitious project to help the less fortunate children of West Hudson and it will be the most fruitful of its kind anywhere in the area. It will be so good, FMBAs from other municipalities will be knocking on his door for the recipe.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Rose: It’s a total waste removing tone-deaf university presidents without real change

To the Editor: I can’t believe the amount of time and effort spent on trying to get the presidents of several elite universities fired, whose politics are so far left that if the earth was flat they would have fallen off. If these universities were to actually force these presidents to resign, just who do we think their boards would replace them with? Of course, with individuals

whose politics are carbon copies of those who were just removed. We know who the current presidents are, and what they represent, so it’s better to just leave them in place. However, time, and effort should be used to have donors stop donating and Congress to eliminate the tax breaks these universities receive, and make parents aware of the cancerous, anti-American atmo-

sphere their children would be entering if they were to attend these schools. As we found out with Budweiser, money talks. If enough cash was removed that it seriously affected their bottom lines, these universities, I’m sure, would do their own dirty work. Armand Rose North Arlington

Read something in The Observer you agree with? Disagree with? We want to hear from you. Send a letter to editorial@theobserver.com. Keep it to a max of 250 words. Be sure to include a phone number for verification purposes. No anonymous letters, please. Longer letters may be considered for Op-Eds.

In Memoriam Mary A. Tortoreti 1942-2016

Lisa M. Feorenzo lisa@theobserver.com Co-owner/Advertising Dir. Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com Editor/Broadcaster

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

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BCPO: Nutley man awaiting vehicular-homicide trial now facing charges he sexually assaulted Bergen County child

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

Nutley man who was charged with vehicular homicide in the 2019 death of an elderly couple has now been arrested on charges of aggravated 0 Points criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Donald Kumar Davis, 33, of Nutley, a strength and speed coach, was taken into custody, the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Washington Township Police Department. According to Musella:

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, the Washington Township PD contacted the BCPO’s Special Victims Unit about the alleged sexual assault of a juvenile. An investigation by the two agencies revealed Davis reportedly sexually assaulted a child in Washington Township on two occasions and in Wyckoff on one occasion. Following the investigation — on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 to be precise — Davis was arrested in Paramus and charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact and two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Davis was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending

Davis via Presswire image

his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack. Meanwhile, there are press reports of the same man, Davis, having been arrested and charged with vehicular

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homicide in 2019 in the death of a Lodi couple. Elizabeth Rebein, the BCPO’s publicinformation officer, confirmed to The Observer Davis still faces the two counts of vehicular homicide. Also, a Presswire news release dated the day after Davis’s arrest — Dec. 20, 2023 — called Davis the “visionary behind Kumar Davis Fitness,” which was described as “a transformative fitness community dedicated to nurturing a holistic lifestyle encompassing mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Positioned as the motivator of superior quality of life, Kumar Davis Fitness sets the stage for exceeding daily expectations

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0 Points 7.280 % 15yr 7.125 % APR Rate Payment Example: $8.78 per $1,000 borrowed on a $100,000.00 15-year fixed rate mortgage at an interest rate of 6.625% will result in 180 payments of $877.99 on owner occupied 5+ multi-family. Payment Example: $9.06 per $1,000 borrowed on a $100,000.00 15-year fixed rate mortgage at an interest rate of 7.125% will result in 180 payments of $955.00 on investment 5+ multi-family. Actual monthly payment may be higher because example does not include applicable property taxes, fees, insurance premiums or other related costs. Annual percentage rate (APR) based on $100,000.00 loan with a 15-year amortization term. Financing on properties located in Essex, Union, Hudson and Bergen Counties. Minimum finance charge of $955.00. New loans only. Rates and annual percentage rates are based on 75% loan to value with 25% equity or 25% down payment. Rates and annual percentages are effective as of the publication date of this ad and are subject to change. Please speak with our Mortgage Department for additional terms and conditions that may apply. Subject to credit approval. Other rates and programs are available.

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1 Yr. ARM Payment Example: 12 payments of $552.20, then 348 payments of $630.20 based on a fully indexed rate of 6.500%. 3 Yr. ARM Payment Example: 36 payments of $575.66, then 324 payments of $628.14 based on a fully indexed rate of 6.500%. 5 Yr. ARM Payment Example: 60 payments of $583.57, then 300 payments of $626.34 based on a fully indexed rate of 6.625%. APRs quoted are based on a $100,000 loan for a 1-family, owner occupied dwelling with a 20% down payment, a 30 yr. amortization term, and a minimum finance charge of $455.00. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages are variable rates and the annual percentage rate may increase or decrease after the initial fixed period. The renewal rate is based on an index plus a margin of 2.00%, 2.00% annual adjustment caps, a floor rate equal to the initial rate, and a 6.00% lifetime cap. Current Index is the 5 Yr. Treasury Security. Actual monthly payment may be higher, payment examples do not include applicable property taxes, fees, insurance premiums or other related costs. Rates and annual percentages are effective as of the publication date of this ad and are subject to change. Please speak with our Mortgage Department for additional terms and conditions that may apply. Subject to credit approval. Other rates and programs are available.

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Payment Example: $8.30 per $1,000 borrowed on a $100,000.00 15-year fixed rate mortgage at an interest rate of 5.750% will result in 180 payments of $830.41. Payment Example: $6.31 per $1,000 borrowed on a $100,000.00 30-year fixed rate mortgage at an interest rate of 6.490% will result in 360 payments of 631.41. Actual monthly payment may be higher because example does not include applicable property taxes, fees, insurance premiums or other related costs. Annual percentage rate (APR) based on $100,000.00 loan with a 15-year or 30-year amortization term. Financing on owner occupied residential 1-4 family properties located in Essex, Union, Hudson and Bergen Counties. Minimum finance charge of $455.00. Owner occupied rate. New loans only. Rates and annual percentage rates are based on 80% loan to value with 20% equity or 20% down payment. Rates and annual percentages are effective as of the publication date of this ad and are subject to change. Please speak with our Mortgage Department for additional terms and conditions that may apply. Subject to credit approval. Other rates and programs are available.

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Garfield School names Students of the Month

2 of NA’s finest promoted to new ranks

Donna Masters, principal of Garfield School Kearny, announces the following recipients of Student of the Month for November 2023: Kindergarten: Alexia Ortiz, Carlos Muentes, Sami Herrera Tocagon. 1st Grade: Gabriella Chang, Melody Cheng, Helena DaCunha. 2nd Grade: Mason Estrella,

Michael Kuhrt, Ian Medina. 3rd Grade: Erick Montalvan, Anthony Zhumi, Irina Torres. 4th Grade: Izaabeth Moya, Ariadna Marcano Ramirez, Gia Manzo. 5th Grade: Maria Corrone Guimaraes, Sachari DeJesus, Tiago Munoz. 6th Grade: Shary Mejia, Dayron Chipa Apaza, Josie Fernandez, Lauren Rettschlag.

NA reorg set for Jan. 5 North Arlington police Capt. Michael Horton and Lt. Kyle Stec were sworn in to their new positions Dec. 14 at a Borough Council meeting. ‘We have a full table of organization and look forward to seeing more police on the streets of North Arlington, especially when the new work schedule goes into effect in January,” Mayor Daniel H. Pronti said. “The department is going to a Pitman schedule, which historically provides more police coverage while also increasing officer morale.’ Seen at the ceremony are, from left, Councilman Brian Fitzhenry, Horton, Chief Scott Hedenberg, Stec and Pronti.

North Arlington Mayor Daniel H. Pronti and the Borough Council invite residents to attend the government’s annual Reorganization Meeting Friday, Jan. 5. The public meeting takes place at 6 p.m. at Veterans Middle School Gymnasium, 191 Rutherford Place.

The oath will be administered to Council President Mario Karcic and Councilwoman Donna Bocchino, professional appointments will be made to emergency services and volunteers will be named to vacancies on the borough’s boards and commissions.

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SPORTS & HEALTH

Kearny boys, North Arlington girls repeat as holiday tournament champions

showed, especially in the final, a 44-24 win against Bergen Tech. With standThe holiday tournament out forward Skyla Acosta in week has been a successful early foul trouble, guards one for The Observer Area Lia Cruz, Kyra Garcia and basketball teams as both the Sophia Veloso all helped Kearny boys and North Arpick up the slack in Acosta’s lington girls basketball teams absence. repeated as champions in Cruz, who was named their respective host tournaTournament MVP, scored 18 ments. Here is a look at each points in a fine all-around of their titles as well as the performance in the final on rest of the local tournaments. Thursday. North Arlington girls show “You can look at the box poise, repeat as William Ferscore and it just doesn’t do guson champions her justice,” Queenan said. The calendar may have “She played all 32 minutes, said late December, but for she was defending their Vikings head coach Brendan point guard and was realQueenan, the two games in ly just doing the stuff that their annual William Ferdoesn’t show up in the box guson Tournament at North score. She really grindArlington took on a late-Febed their offense to a stall, ruary tone. turning her over and just With victories over Uniguarding her up and down versity Charter of Jersey the floor. City and Group 4 Bergen “As good as Lia was offenTech, the Vikings have alsive, she was actually better ready racked up a 6-1 record, defensively.” something Queenan knows Garcia (15 points, 12 will prove vital when it rebounds, five steals, four ascomes time to seed the state sists in the final) and Veloso tournament in less than two (six points, 12 rebounds in months. the final) joined Cruz on the “We treated this tourAll-Tournament Team. nament like they’re playIn the boys tournament, off games,” Queenan said. Bergen Tech won the cham“We’ve been treating these pionship, defeating previ(December) games as must ously unbeaten Belleville, wins and we started that 63-55, in the first round, then right away. We wanted to beating host North Arlingtry to get six or seven wins ton, 54-41 in the final. heading into the new year Kearny boys show growth because we thought that was with Charlie Dolan Tournakey to securing home court ment title advantage down the line.” Queenan was impressed See BASKETBALL, Page 10 with the poise his team By Jason Bernstein

jason@theobserver.com

Photo by Jason Bernstein

Nutley’s Toranzo continues comeback with Sam Cali wrestling title Photo courtesy of Nutley Wrestling FANatics! on Facebook

Brandon Toranzo By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

Nutley’s Brandon Toranzo knew that the Sam Cali Battle for the Belt Tournament provided an opportunity to tell the New Jersey wrestling world that he was back after tearing the ACL in his left knee last February. With four consecutive wins

against of the state’s best heavyweights, Toranzo left no doubt that is still among the state’s best. “This one was definitely a big step (for me), wrestling some guys who were state qualifiers last year and lost in the blood rounds,” said Toranzo. “I think this one allowed me just to put a statement out there that I’m back and I’m ready to go.”

On Wednesday, Toranzo, the sixth seed in the 16 wrestler field, pinned Tyler Bergeron of Ponaganest by pin at 1:41 before earning a 12-4 major decision over third-seeded Jack Tierney of Seton Hall Prep in the quarterfinals. The next day, Toranzo returned to the campus of See TORANZO, Page 10

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

against Phillipsburg’s John Wargo. It left Toranzo, who had previously torn the ACL in his other knee, the feeling that he had left a golden opportunity on the table. “I obviously didn’t end (the season) the way I wanted to. I feel like I had so much more left in the tank,” said Toranzo. “So over this whole offseason, I’ve just been training and working hard and I feel like I have so much to prove. Following the injury and surgery, Toranzo initially tried to return to the mat in September, but admitted he felt like he wasn’t ready at the time. By the end of October, he felt ready to go. Toranzo opened this season

straight early pins on the way to the title. Nate Boyd claimed first at 120 pounds and Kieran McNeill won the title at 132 pounds. At the John Goles Tournament in Warren, Kearny’s Joshua Baez took gold at 138 pounds, pinning Hopewell Valley’s Luke Caldwell at 1:12. The senior won three matches by pin in a dominant performance. On Wednesday, Bloomfield held its Girls Wrestling Jamboree with several local wrestlers going undefeated at the event, which featured 10 schools, including Bloomfield, Belleville and Nutley. Izzy Timonera (100 pounds), Isabella Bobadilla (126), Kiatlyn Aguilar (165) and Carina Rivera (185) all went 2-0 on the day, as did Bloomfield’s Natalie Lopez at 107.

Toranzo said, calling these two days some of the best wrestling he’s done in his career. “That Continued from Page 9 just proves how hard I’ve been FDU-Madison and defeated sec- working.” When Toranzo learned of his ond-seeded Connor Reynolds of seed, No. 6, for the Sam Cali, it St. Peter’s Prep by a 7-2 decision gave the senior an added motiin the semifinals. Toranzo saved vation. his best performance for last, “Oh that got me fired up, bedominating top-seeded Camerlieve me,” Toranzo said. “When on Baumann of Voorhees with a I saw I was a six seed, I kind of 10-0 major decision. laughed it off, but it definitely Both Reynolds and Bauman bothered me inside a little bit were state tournament qualiknowing that there’s no way fiers, something Toranzo was that I should be the six seed. a win short of reaching before “I had to beat the three, the suffering the ACL injury in the two and then the one. There’s Region 3 semifinals. no better way to just beat a “These kids weren’t just any bracket like that and win a belt.” pushovers. I just went out there Last season, Toranzo was and executed what I had to do, 40-0 before suffering the injury and I’ve just been training hard,”

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with six consecutive wins, three of them coming at the Garfield Holiday Tournament where he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. While Toranzo was at the Sam Cali, his Nutley teammates were at the Rahway Holiday Tournament. Three Maroon Raiders - Christopher Cifelli at 106 pounds, Antonio Maiden at 132 and Aidan Rotbaum at 150 - won first place at their respective weight classes. Jacob Harlow (120 pounds), Trace Castellanos (157) and Sean Vilchez (175) finished second and as a team, Nutley finished third in the standings. Also on Thursday, Lyndhurst-North Arlington won three gold medals at the East Brunswick Bear Invitational. Evan McNeil took first place at 113 pounds, earning three-

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BASKETBALL Continued from Page 9

Kearny’s season couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start when it lost by 36 points to McNair Academic on opening night. Since that disastrous start however, the Kardinals have responded with three wins in their last four games, the most impressive of the stretch, a convincing 74-55 victory over Nutley on Thursday in the final of the Charlie Dolan Holiday in Kearny. “They really started to come together the last week to 10 days,” said first year head coach Marc McCaffrey. “I think (the win over Nutley) showed exactly their full potential. When they play as a team and the shots are falling, I think we would be tough to beat.” Tournament MVP Jayden Figuereo had 14 points and nine rebounds in the title game. Despite standing 6-foot0, Figuereo plays much bigger

Photo of the North Arlington girls is courtesy of Josh Aronowitz, photo of the Kearny boys is courtesy of Vincent Almeida than his size in the paint and this tournament showed it. “He’s certainly not the biggest guy on our team, but he probably is very close to leading the team in rebounds for the season,” said McCaffrey. “He’s tenacious on the boards. He’s a perfect example of what toughness and effort can do and that’s kinda what happened to the team the last two days. We really played with a lot of effort.” Luis Rodriguez (17 points, five steals, four rebounds and Matheus Mullins (16 points, seven rebounds) joined Figuereo on the All-Tournament Team. In the girls tournament, Kearny was defeated in the

final by Glen Ridge, 44-28. Lyndhurst boys and girls have strong weeks The hottest Observer area basketball team these first two weeks of the season has been Lyndhurst’s boys basketball team. Since an opening night loss at Paterson Charter, the Golden Bears have reeled off five consecutive wins, defeating their opposition by an average of 23.6 points. Star forward Anthony Pizzuti, who had 35 points and 14 rebounds in an upset at Saddle River Day, is currently averaging 24.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, while guard Matt Slaby is enjoying a breakout senior season, aver-

aging 16.7 points per game. Lyndhurst blew out Wallington, 69-30, In the first round of the Emerson Cavo Classic on Wednesday. The Golden Bears were set to play Emerson Boro in the final on Friday afternoon, after The Observer’s print deadline for this week. On the girls side, Lyndhurst picked up two wins in the New Milford Holiday Winter Classic. The Golden Bears defeated Pascack Hills, 33-24, in their

first game of the showcase event on Wednesday. One day later, Lyndhurst defeated New Milford, 53-35. Thursday’s win marked the return of junior forward Asya Akar, who scored 19 points against New Milford after missing the previous two games. Akar, Brooke Harper and Sam Mayer are all averaging in double figures for 4-2 Lyndhurst.

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Colobomas are missing parts with corrective lenses. of eye tissue that are evident If a coloboma is suspected at birth. A coloboma is most or visible, an ophthalmologist often located in the iris (colored will perform an eye exam on part of the eye), retina (lightyour baby. He or she will use sensing layer of the eye), choroid an ophthalmoscope, a tool that (blood vessel layer under the lets them look into the eye, to retina), or optic nerve, which determine where the issue is sends signals from the eye to and the extent of the damage. the brain. A coloboma in the iris To schedule an appointment, does not usually affect eyesight, please call 201-896-0096. We but missing tissue in the retina, are located at 20 Park Avenue, choroid, or optic nerve may affect Lyndhurst. To contact our optical eyesight, depending on the size shop, call 201-896-0007. We and location of the coloboma. accept most insurance. When a coloboma affects the P.S. People with colobomas retina, it can cause vision loss in may have an increased rate specific areas of the visual field. of other eye conditions such When the optic nerve is affected, as cataracts, glaucoma, the usual result is low vision that nearsightedness, nystagmus, and cannot be completely resolved retinal detachment.

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

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Alex Benkert has never been afraid to be creative on the ice in an effort to create more offensive chances for his team. While that creativity made him one of the NJIIHL’s top offensive players, Benkert knew that it sometimes led to mistakes. “I’m playing my role (better). I used to try to do things that weren’t really necessary,” said Benkert, a junior left wing. “I’ve become much more structured. Coach (David Macri) helped me become more structured and he’s allowed for me to have my game progress because he’s brought structure to my game.” The added structure combined with his offensive creativity not only have Benkert playing the best hockey of his high school career and the Nutley-Bloomfield-Columbia tri-op off to its best start in years. On Dec. 20, Benkert struck for five goals and two assists in a 7-5 factory over Whippany Park, He then bettered that performance three days later when, against West Orange, Benkert had five goals and three assists. Benkert’s offensive outburst and overall two-way play make him the first Observer Ath-

Photo by Jason Bernstein

Alex Benkert lete of the Week for the winter sports season. Benkert, who added two goals in a 4-2 loss to Montclair on Dec. 28, now has 16 goals and 12 assists on the season for a 4-5 Nutley team which has already matched last season’s win total. “His focus and level of compete is just the best it’s been. It’s a function of just maturing and getting older and stronger,” said Macri, who has known Benkert since he was playing squirts as a 9-year-old. “He’s evolving into just a fantastic hockey player.” Benkert, who also plays club hockey for the New Jersey Colonials 16U AAA team, said he models his game and in particular his offensive creativity after New York Islanders star forward Matthew Barzal, his favorite player. “I love the way he plays. His skating is

phenomenal and just the way he can the puck, you never know what he’s going to do with it. Just no idea, it’s insane,” said Benkert. “I love his creativity, I love his skating so I really try to model my game after him.” Benkert also cites former Vancouver and Anaheim star Ryan Kesler as an influence, due to the way he played and got goals in front of the net. “(Alex) is the type of kid that just wants to go out and play as much as he can and contribute to his team in any way that he can,” Macri said. “We’re very fortunate to have Alex and his mindset and talent set the tone for us.” Macri has seen it especially take hold with Benkert’s linemates, sophomore center Christian Sherman See ATHLETE, Page 14

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

The Observer n www.theobserver.com

OBITUARIES Gerard Gauthier Gerard Thomas Gauthier, “Jerry”, 70, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, in Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville. Relatives and friends visited at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, where there was also a service. Interment was in Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City. Born and raised in the Greenville Section of Jersey City, Gerard lived there until moving to Kearny 40 years ago. Mr. Gauthier was a supervisor at Abraham & Straus in Secaucus for many years before working at Riviera as a supervisor also in Secaucus. He is survived by his one brother, Laurent Gauthier, cousins, Gerarda and Bill Robinson and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Laurent and Edith (nee Dalton) Gauthier and one sister, Judith Quinn. Jerry had a heart of gold and a great sense of humor. He will always be remembered as having a great sense of style and fashion as well as loving music, New York, and the Jersey Shore. He loved all animals as well as the Green Bay Packers. He was a beloved uncle who will be deeply missed by his nieces and nephews whom he was always very generous to. Peter Garippa Peter Garippa died Dec. 26, 2023. He was 95. Born in Kearny, he was a longterm resident. He loved traveling the world and lived in California for 10 years. Memorial visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive in Kearny. His ashes will be buried with his parents at Arlington Cemetery in Kearny. Peter was a graduate of Newark College of Engineering and was an active supporter of the NJIT Alumni Association. He was a retired engineer, having worked for General Electric in New York City. He was a deeply spiritual man and enjoyed

singing every Saturday on his Evangelical Zoom Group. He was the brother of Mary Femino, David Garippa and the late John, Ralph, Joseph and Philip Garippa. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, their families and his loving and devoted caregiver Alina Martinez. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St Jude Children’s Hospital.

Panagioula was a person who radiated love for all. She was a person of profound faith and knowledge and imparted all her kind wisdom to anyone seeking her advice but especially to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Panagioula’s memory will be treasured by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to experience her pure joy and happiness as well as her ability to light up a room as she Panagioula Golematis Vlachos entered it always with love for Panagioula Golematis all. Vlachos, 88, died peacefully on Panagioula was predeceased Dec. 30, 2023, with her loving by her parents, Haralambos family beside her. Golematis, Alexandra (Kollias) Born in 1935 in Thesvi, Golematis, her siblings, DimTheveon, Greece, she was the itrios Golematis, Athanasios cherished daughter of the late Golematis, Triandafilia GolemHaralambos Golematis and atis, Maria Golematis, Vassilios Alexandra (Kollias) Golemati Golematis, Eleni (Golematis) Panagioula resided in Kearny. Mihalis, Ekaterina (GolemaPanagioula immigrated to the tis) Karadimos, and the love of United States in 1952 with her her life, her husband, George younger brother, Alex GolemaVlachos. tis, under the Orphan Act. This Panagioula is survived by her act was mainly intended for peo- daughters, Konstantina Vlachos ple from southern Europe, an act Keastead and her husband Scott for the relief of certain refugees Keastead, Alexandra Kontos and and orphans. her husband Christos Kontos. She worked hard, learned Her grandchildren who loved the language and became an and adored her, Christy Kontos American citizen. She went back Jordan and her husband Reilly to Greece in 1958 and married Jordan, Julia Kontos and her the late George Vlachos, the love fiancé, Joe O’Brien and Mikayla of her life, and brought him back Georgia Keastead. Panagioula to the United States. Together was also blessed to have great as a team, they worked hard grandchildren who always were and sponsored all their siblings able to bring a smile to her day, and their families to the United Calliope Margaret Jordan and States. Sophie Elise Jordan. Panagioula

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is also survived by her brother, Alex Golematis and many nieces and nephews. Panagioula’s presence will always be felt here, in the way we take care of each other, in the tenderness which we have for each other as we try to fill the unfillable shoes of this amazing woman who graced this earth.

A viewing will take place at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 818 Valley Road, Clifton, Jan. 3, 2024, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., followed immediately by a service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude. org.

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ATHLETE

Continued from Page 12 and sophomore right winger Angelo Albanese. The trio has combined for 33 of Nutley’s 37 goals so far this season, their second together on the top line “We were able to grow our game to-

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gether,” said Benkert. “As the year progressed, and even this year, we began to just grow our chemistry to the point where we can find each other on the ice pretty much at any given moment when we’re clicking.” “They’re starting to adopt some of the patience that you need to perform at a high level because not every play

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Welcome home to a natural sunlight filled and freshly painted home in the heart of Woodbridge, with a private driveway. Walking distance to train station. Easy commute to NYC with express train stop.

Beautifully updated 2 family house in Kearny for an investor or owner occupant. Close to public transportation, schools, shopping, restaurants and more. Easy commute to NYC!

Large 2 Family Home with 9 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, finished attic and a nice yard. Prime location with 13 minute walk to PATH station and parks.

Asking $650,000

Asking $746,000

KEARNY

LYNDHURST

KEARNY

23 year old established business with a loyal following. Great opportunity in a convenient location!

Charming newly remodeled colonial home. Boasting hardwood floors throughout, First floor offers a large living room that flows into the dinning room and new modern eat in kitchen and full bathroom. Large backyard perfect for entertaining. Second floor offers 3 bedrooms, and a full bath,with new hardwood floors.

Asking $399,000

DELI FOR SALE!

Asking $150,000

Asking $529,000

UNDER CT CONTRA

Large size 2 family conveniently located, easy access to all major highways and path station. Asking $649,000

Completely renovated home. Offers open concept living. First floor has living room with led recessed lights, dining room, brand new kitchen with stainless appliances. Asking $488,000

The homicide rate in Essex County year to date has dropped to its lowest number in decades. Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II says a review of the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting statistics for the county in 2023 revealed 57 homicides reported by local police departments, compared with 78 in 2022. This represents a 27% drop in homicides, or 21 fewer victims killed, so far this year. Some 49 of the homicides, or 86& of them, led to the issuance of criminal charges, helping to bring closure to crime victims, Stephens says. By comparison, the national clearance rate for homicide cases, based on FBI data, is 52.3%, significantly lower than Essex’s rate. “This is by no means a victory lap since each homicide represents a loss of life, and each one pains us deeply,” Stephens said. “We will continue to work in close partnership with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to reduce all violent crime in Essex County, especially homicide.”

Forty-five of the 2023 homicides were firearm-related; eight involved stabbings; four were domestic-violence related; and four were by other means. There were two additional homicides in the county, but since one was reported in an Essex County Park and the other on Port Authority property, they are not included in these figures. An additional homicide was reported in Newark in 2023, but since the victim died from an injury sustained in 2022, that also isn’t included. The prosecutor says he commends the detectives and assistant prosecutors assigned to the Essex County Homicide Task Force, who work hand-in hand on homicide investigations to bring a sense of justice to crime victims and their loved ones. The task force consists of detectives assigned from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, the Newark, East Orange, Irvington and Orange police departments, the New Jersey State Police and other local, state and federal partners, all under the leadership of ECPO Chief of Detectives Mitchell McGuire.

Montoya’s AAA’s Traffic Safety Cop of the Year

Asking $499,000

KEARNY

HARRISON UNDER CT CONTRA

Charming colonial on a tree lined dead end street featuring 4 Bedrooms/ 1.5 Bath.

sights of Benkert and Nutley. It’s been five years since Nutley has qualified for the tournament. “I’d love to make states, that’d be a great, great experience. Not just for me, but for the team, to have a high sense of morale,” Benkert said. “I think it’d be great for the team, great for morale, great for the program.”

ECPO: County’s crime rate at its ‘lowest in decades’ By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

Analysis for Purchase & Refinance!

NEW LISTING!

is a scoring opportunity right from the bat. Sometimes you need to work the puck a little bit, draw the team into a bad position and make a play that way,” Macri said. “The three of them are just far and away the best we have at doing it.” With the 4-5 start, a potential spot in the state tournament is now in the

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

KEARNY SOLD! Wonderfully maintained home that overlooks a large park. The home offers a gorgeous kitchen 3 ample size bedrooms and 2 full baths. 1 car attached garage.

Asking $579,900

We have Rentals - Call Today!

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

Lyndhurst Police Officer Ed Montoya (holding plaque) was recently recognized by AAA as the Northeast Traffic Safety Officer of the Year. With Montoya are, from left, a representative from AAA, Police Officer Michael LaStrange and Capt. Michael Carrino.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Washington School’s honor roll announced Jon Zimmerman, principal of Washington School in Kearny, announces the following students who have achieved academic honors for the first marking period of the 2023-24 school year.

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Grade 4 Principal’s Honors: Pedro Leandro Do Carmo. Honors: Dulce Almendariz, Aaron Bernal, Youssef Bouferdou, Mara Concha Gomez, Arthur Dantas Silva, Miguel Denadai, Jose Dos Santos, Carmela Franco Mendez, Jacob Gallegos, Karla Lopez Chiles, Maximiliano Martinez, Nasir Newman, Abigail Ore, Liam Oshiro, Alisson Perez Flores, Angelee Perez Cruz, Mariana Ribeiro De Sousa, Gian Rios, Hadi Syed. Grade 5 Principal’s Honors: Zayd Dabaji, Kaici Huang, Lara Vilas Boas Honors: Jocelyn Aquino Sandoval, Elias Cabrera, Jade Calva, Dylan Cano, Ana Luiza Da Silva, Kayo Denadai, John De Lara, Angel Garcia, Maria Giraldo Calle, Dana Jimena Graciano Menjivar, Victoria Hempel, Anthony Hill, Ivan Juarez, Emily Lopez, Jamill Mendoza, Arwa Ouchiba, Gabriel Pezzua Carrillo, Amelia Rosario-Gil, Nicolle Santos, Jaquawn Stewart, Eshal Tyyab. Grade 6 Principal’s Honors: Mayiarah Almeida, Elizabeth Silva, Aliza Syeda. Honors: Gina Alves, Mathias Campoverde, Briseyda Cuamacas, Muhammad Qadeer.

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NEW PRICE!

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NEW RENTAL! N. Arlington - $3,250 2 Bdrms - 1,453 Sq Ft Luxury Apt. - Open concept - LR, DR, EIK, Full Bath, In-unit Laundry – private parking – New Building “The Bend” - fitness center, elevator and smart key access.

NEW RENTAL! N. Arlington - $3,250 2 Bdrms - 1,206 Sq Ft Luxury Apt. - Open concept - LR, DR, EIK, Full Bath, In-unit Laundry – private parking – New Building “The Bend” - fitness center, elevator and smart key access.

NEW RENTAL! N. Arlington - $3,250 2 Bdrms - 1,206 Sq Ft Luxury Apt. - Open concept - LR, DR, EIK, Full Bath, In-unit Laundry –private parking – New Building “The Bend” - fitness center, elevator and smart key access.

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Kearny - $1,368,380 Multilevel Commercial Space Approx. 29,000 Sq Ft. - 3.5 Fl. - Tailgate Dock - Drive-in - Garage and dock access behind building - 4 Lavatories - Being sold “AS IS”.

Kearny - $736,838 3 Fam. - Unit 1 - Unit 1- 2 bdrms, Unit 2-3 bdrms, Unit 3-1 bdrm, full fin bsmt, oversized garage, parking 4+ cars , 4 meters, 4 heaters, large newer boiler

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Kearny - $599,000 1 Fam. - 3 bdrms - Open Floor concept, renovated kit, 2.5 baths, full finished bsmt, 2 car garages, swim spa heated pool.

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JUST SOLD for $422,683! Kearny - 1 Fam. (mother/daughter) - 6 bdrms – 2 full baths – LR – DR- Ktchn’s unfin. Bsmnt-deck – detached garage – driveway.

JUST SOLD for $430,000! Kearny - 2 Fam. - 2 Units - each unit has 1 Bdrm, LR, Kit,, full bath. 1 car garage. Being sold “AS IS”.

JUST SOLD for $580,000! Kearny - 2 Fam. - 2 Units. Unit 1 3 Bdrms, LR, EIK,, full bath. Unit 2 2 Bdrms, LR, EIK, full bath

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Kearny - $3,000 2nd Floor Apt. - 3 Bdrms +office room, Modern renovated apt: open fl. plan DR/ LR, modern bath & EIK, central air, hardwood flrs, plenty of closets, overnight parking space

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Kearny - $3,500 1st & Ground Floor Apt. - 3 Bdrms, 2.5 baths, modern EIK, stainless appliances, LR, balcony, 1 car parking. NEW RENTAL!

Newark -$2,500 3rd Floor Apt. - 3 Bdrms – LR /DR– 2 Full baths-bonus room-laundry hook-ups- stainless steel appliancesparking space.

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OBSERVER CLASSIFIEDS OBSERVER CLASSIFIEDS

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

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 — there is no billing. Call (201-991-1600) to place an ad. While The Observer can accept public notice, we cannot accept legal advertising. 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 — there is no billing. Call (201-991-1600) to place an ad. While The Observer can accept public notice, we cannot accept legal advertising.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

ROOM FOR RENT

HARRISON

NUTLEY

HARRISON 2 Large bedrooms, EIK, DR, LR, Excellent condition, Central Air & Heat, Hardwood ﬂoors, Tile ﬂoor in Kitchen, Refrigerator, Dishwasher & Stove. Custom made window shades, 5 minute walk to PATH. $2350 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate. No Smoking/Pets Available February 1st (201)998-6521

HARRISON 3rd Floor. 2 BR’s, LR, EIK. 1 Bath. No Pets/Smoking. Available Now (973) 7142368 35W03

NUTLEY Large room. Share Bath, Kitchen $700 + 1 months security, Utilities included. Woman preferred. No Pets/Smoking. Close to NYC PATH Available Now (862)208-8565

35W03

HARRISON Sussex St. 1 BR, Ground Fl. Walk To PATH & NJIT. $1200 + Utilities, 1.5 months security, Parking $50.00 No Pets. Available January 1st (973) 687-7500 35W03

KEARNY

HARRISON 2 BR’S, EIK, LR, Ofﬁce $2350 + 1.5 months security, Utilities separate. No Pets/ Smoking Walking distance to PATH Available January 1st (862)2156880 34W03

KEARNY 2 BR’S, LR, EIK, 1 BATH $1350 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate, No Pets/Smoking Available December 26th (201)406-1924 33W03

34W03

HARRISON Newly renovated. 2nd Floor. 2 BR’s, LR, EIK. Walk in closet. Newly carpeted & wood ﬂoors. $2000 + 1.5 months security. No Pets/Smoking. 10 minute walk to PATH. Available Now (201)889-1137 35W03

KEARNY One bedroom apartment, 3 rooms in Kearny. Second ﬂoor. Nice location. Close to stores. Includes use of basement for storage. $1700.00 per month, utilities not included. Off street parking. Single or couple preferred. No smoking, no pets. Call between 10:00am and 7:00pm. 201-997-2341 35W03

THE OBSERVER ofﬁce is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please stop by for a visit or call (201) 991-1600

ROOFING/SIDING

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We BUY used cars for CASH & ﬁx or we can repair them

J &J ’s

1,000 sq/ft perfect for ofﬁce $2700 + 1.5 months security. Utilities separate. Available Now (201)889-3118 31W06

Prime , Dental , Medical , Ofﬁce or Retail Space For Lease !! North Arlington , Ridge Road location !! Call (201)966-8095 35W03

HARRISON 2nd ﬂoor 3 BR, 1 Bath. 3 blocks from Harrison PATH. $2800 + 1 months security. Utilities separate. No Pets Available January 1st (201)856-2290

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(973)489-3996 34W03

CARS FOR SALE 2006 Nissan Maxima SL $3900 Well maintained, clean and runs well Automatic transmission 3.5 V6 233,000 miles - Bose sound system Pewter color with tan leather seats. If interested, text Dave at (201)8893691 34W03

B&A ROOFING

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ELECTRICAL Need Electrical work done right? •Small jobs •Light ﬁxtures •Outlets •Electrical service • Car chargers • Panel upgrade • Trouble shooting & Repair 37 Years Experience (201)926-3259 LIC#15502

EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED Full time receptionist needed for busy office in Nutley. Prior office experience required. Must have experience handling a multi-line phone system. Proficient in Microsoft office, as well as data entry. Hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday. Please call (973) 420-1235 33W03

28W12

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

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CHIPPER OUR SERVICES INCLUDE TREE LLC ESTABLISHED IN 1987 24-hour emergency service

Licensed tree-care operator for North Jersey, specializing in removal of trees, especially in hard-to-reach areas that cranes cannot access. FREE ESTIMATES. CALL (973) 800-0452

a Tree Trimming & Pruning a Tree removal a TCIA Member stump grinding a Storm damage a Animal & Drone rescue a Free wood chip delivery a Free log delivery a Crane services a Milling trees into lumber a Transforming lumber into furniture Call us today! (973) 800-0452 YOUR YARD IS OUR GYM! LTCO #935

OBSERVER CLASSIFIEDS OBSERVER CLASSIFIEDS

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

The Observer n www.theobserver.com

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 — there is no billing. Call (201-991-1600) to place an ad. While The Observer can accept public notice, we cannot accept legal advertising. 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 — there is no billing. Call (201-991-1600) to place an ad. While The Observer can accept public notice, we cannot accept legal advertising.

PAINTING & DECORATING Kevin’s affordable home improvements * Painting * Plastering * Sheet Rocking *Carpentry and more. Very neat and clean. Don’t miss out on our low prices and great service. Senior Discount Also light moving. Call (201)565-6393 References available 32W06

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The Observer n www.theobserver.com

Wednesday, January 3,, 2024

STATIC

Continued from Page 1 and who had already been serving as the unpaid aid to former Mayor Alberto G. Santos, he replaced her with a full-time employee, Vanessa DaCruz, who was paid an hourly salary that amounted to nearly $56,000 annually with benefits based on a normal work week over 52 weeks. When this happened, DaCruz got her new job without any member of the council having a chance to vote on it. But that’s because the position of mayoral aid has always been one of mayoral appointment without the advice and consent of the rest of the governing body.

Screengrab

A screenshot of the Dec. 27, 2023, meeting of the Kearny Mayor and Town Council is seen here.

So, in other words, it was and still fully is at the sitting mayor’s discretion as to who serves as her or his aid. Now fast forward five months and Third Ward Councilwoman Eileen Eckel

says she has concerns over the kind of work DeCastro would need to perform (even if she’s already been doing the exact same thing for nearly two decades), and despite Mayor Carol Jean Doyle clearly hav-

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ing explained those parameters at the meeting. (Eckel had demanded an explanation as to how DeCastro could work two concurrent jobs.) “She would be in the mayor’s office in the morning and then would go to the clerk’s office,” Doyle explained rather succinctly. “She would then be with me, in the mayor’s office, after 5:30 p.m., and as needed at night and on the weekends. When she was in the clerk’s office, when the mayor’s office’s phone rang, it forwards to Lyla’s desk, so at no point were the calls not being tended to.

“Her job duties were exactly as they were under former Mayor Santos. And the councilwoman knows this. But what is fair is fair — Lyla believes there is value to her work, and there is great value to her work, and she deserves to be paid for that work. Apparently, Councilwoman Eckel forgot this and thinks she knows better.” Despite Eckel’s concern DeCastro is performing two jobs at Town Hall, there are many examples of precedence — numerous current and former employees in other departments serve multiple paid roles. Some of those include Firozvi, who is the Chief Financial Officer and Tax Collector; Marks who is the Town Administrator and Urban Enterprise Zone Coordinator; and the recently retired John Peneda, who served as UEZ Coordinator and Tax Assessor for many years with an unblemished record. In all of the aforementioned roles, those employees were paid for all the work they performed. They know how to perform their duties. And Continued on the next page

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Continued from previous page

frankly, in all cases, they performed or still perform well in each of these roles. So why is it now Eckel and the rest of the Fab 5 find fault with DeCastro being paid for work she’s done, heretofore unpaid? It’s simple, Doyle says. “What upsets me the most is Councilwoman Eckel touts that we’re working in unity when it is her actions that are causing this disunity,” the mayor said. “She says she’s doing what she thinks is best for the community when she knows she isn’t. She challenged these raises and knew very well why they were coming and that they were deserved. In all fairness, when the raises came up before, she never questioned the Town Administrator or the CFO, but now she does it. Eileen is clearly nitpicking at Lyla and Pat (Carpenter) and it is extremely mean-spirited.” One other person found fault with Eckel’s actions at the meeting — resident Alexis Sheridan, who rose to speak at the public portion of the meeting. Sheridan says she’s growing fatigued of the local antics that remind her of Washington, D.C., where the White House is ruled by the Democrats and the U.S. House is governed by the GOP — and where nothing concrete gets done. Only difference is in Kearny, Sheridan noted, is here, they’re all Democrats. “I am a little confused. I am a little naïve about all the stuff that goes on here but I’m confused. We’re back to the mayor’s aid. Former interim Mayor Santana hired a full timer when he was a part-time mayor. I mean and no discussion was made on that. It seems a little odd, I have to be honest with you. I think I’m in Congress where we have a President and a Republican Congress. A Democratic president. I don’t like all of this nonsense going on,” Sheridan said. “You were elected to vote and take care of the people of Kearny not your Democrats and your cohorts. It feels like there’s a little clique going on here and I as a taxpayer don’t like it. “I think there’s something not right here but I think you really need to rethink what your position is as a council person. It’s not always about an argument. We have had the (assistant) clerk she was a clerk and mayor’s aid for years and there was no problem, ex-Mayor Santana hired a full-time aid when he was a part-timer and now we we’re going back to the aid and now there’s a discussion of what her job is — I mean you people have been here, some of you have, but some of you have been up

The Observer n www.theobserver.com

‘What upsets me the most is Councilwoman Eckel touts that we’re working in unity when it is her actions that are causing this disunity.’

IDEAS WORTH

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— Carol Jean Doyle Kearny Mayor

here on the council you know what her job is, and what she does, so I would like the arguments and the nonsense to stop and start acting for the people of Kearny.” It was at this point Eckel interjected and said she was, indeed, working for the people. “I’d like to just address that if you don’t mind just because I’m the person who brought it up.” Eckel said. “So when former Mayor Santana hired the aid she was paid by the hour and she didn’t work any other jobs in town so she worked only as the mayor’s aid. In the past when there was a mayor’s aid in the mayor’s office that person prior to the current mayor’s aid only had another job in the town as well, right, so that person worked as a mayor’s aid and that was the job. “And now we have a salary that’s been introduced onto the table organization that isn’t that is new right, so my question was if it’s one person doing two jobs at the same time, how do I explain that to town? How do I explain that to a person who asked me the question and I needed to know the answer.” The only part missing here, however, was DeCastro has long performed dual roles as mayoral aid and clerk — she just hasn’t ever been paid for the former.

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

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