November 19, 2014 • www.theobserver.com • Vol CXXVII, No. 26
COVERING: BELLEVILLE • BLOOMFIELD
• EAST NEWARK • HARRISON • KEARNY • LYNDHURST • NORTH ARLINGTON • NUTLEY
Kearny unveils new monument By Karen Zautyk Observer Correspondent
KEARNY – On May 27, 1922, an estimated 25,000 people gathered in the streets around the small park where Kearny Ave. and Beech St. meet, to witness Gen. John J. Pershing personally dedicate the towering granite monument honoring the Kearny men who died in the Great War. Pershing had been commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during the “War to End All Wars.” We all know how that turned out. Ensuing years saw Monument Park add memorials to those who died in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. And last week, it became home to yet another, dedicated to the military victims in the War on Terrorism. Carved from Vermont gray granite, like the original, it bears only one date: 2001. Which marks the beginning of the battle whose end no one dare predict. Thus far, it carries only one name, that of Staff Sgt. Edward Karolasz, a Kearny soldier killed in Iraq nine years ago this week. He was just 25. Its official dedication took place Nov. 11 during the annual Veterans Day ceremony sponsored by American Legion Post 99, with support see MONUMENT page
30
Blood appointed Photo by Ron Leir
Kearny BOE President Bernadette McDonald (l.) congratulates Superintendent of Schools Patricia Blood following the board’s action last week.
By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent
Leadbeater, John Plaugic and Dan Esteves. Since January 2014, Blood served as acting superintendent while her predecessor Frank Ferraro was placed on an involuntary leave by the board major-
Blood as its official superintendent of schools. The board took the action KEARNY – at a special meeting held ake away the “actlast Thursday night at the ing” title: the Kearny Lincoln School. Board of Education has The vote was 6-0, with formally installed Patricia three members absent: John
T
ity which brought tenure charges against him but then dropped the matter after both sides agreed to a settlement deal with Ferraro resigning this month. see BLOOD page
15
Nutley cops hunt driver in fatal hit-run NUTLEY – Nutley police are seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating the motor vehicle that struck and killed a 77-year-old woman on Centre St. on Saturday morning and fled the scene. Chief Thomas Strumolo said the victim, Ernesta Fer-
nandez of Nutley, had been crossing Centre near Ravine Ave. at 11:40 a.m. when she was hit. One witness described the vehicle as an older model, dark-colored Econoline van, possibly blue or black. The driver reportedly headed west on Centre St. and made a
right turn onto Franklin Ave. Fernandez was found in the street and subsequently pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark. Police are asking anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the accident to call the NPD at 973-284-4940 or the Essex
201-460-8000 LYNDHURST OFFICE 761 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, New Jersey C21Semiao@Century21.com
SCAN HERE!
CENTURY 21 Semiao and Associates - Hudson Count...
http://www.century21semiao.com
Semiao & Associates www.Century21Semiao.com
CENTURY HAS GONE GONE MOBILE! CENTURY 2121HAS MOBILE!
23
http://kaywa.me/aBR3I
Download the Kaywa QR Code Reader (App Store &Android Market) and scan your code!
County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-8477432 or 1-877-TIPS-4-EC. The Essex County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stoppers Program is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. – Karen Zautyk
201-991-1300 KEARNY OFFICE
213 Kearny Ave, Kearny, New Jersey
C21Semiaokearny@Century21.com Get CENTURY 21 Real Estate Mobile App. Visit http://87778.mobi/c21