December 28, 2016 • www.theobserver.com • Vol CXXIX, No. 29 Visit our
BUSINESS DIRECT RY on
COVERING: BELLEVILLE • BLOOMFIELD
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• EAST NEWARK • HARRISON • KEARNY • LYNDHURST • NORTH ARLINGTON • NUTLEY
Mary A. Tortoreti Owner of The Observer 1942-2016 Mary A. Tortoreti, who for the last four decades was the matriarch of The Observer and who for the last 14 years served as the newspaper’s president, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City following a brief yet valiant fight against cancer. She was 74. Mrs. Tortoreti was born in 1942 in the Bronx, and spent the first few years of her life there. No matter where she went after the Bronx, she always considered herself a Bronx girl and was very proud to tell that to anyone who ever asked where she was born. When she was 11, her family moved from the Bronx to Washington Township in Bergen County. She would go on to graduate from Westwood High School. Following high school, Mrs. Tortoreti worked at an insurance company, but shortly after starting her job, she got married at 19 and had two children – Lisa Feorenzo, the former publisher of The Observer and Tina Feorenzo. While she raised her children, she was a stay-at-home mom – and she
absolutely loved that part of her life. In the 1970s, as her children grew older, she took a job at a Grand Union in Washington Township and was a meat wrapper. Though she only held the job for a few years, she loved every second of it. In 1972, the true love of her life and her second husband, Anthony Tortoreti, bought The Observer newspaper – and you could often find her somewhere in The Observer office. During that time, she began a basketmaking business – and from a few customers, it eventually grew so big that she was shipping orders to different parts of New Jersey. And those items she made were all high-end. In the early years of the Tortoretis owning The Observer, Mary penned a weekly column that appeared in the newspaper called “The Kitchen Witch.” Indeed, the column’s name was clever – but it was in no way indicative of the kind of person she was. In fact, each week, she shared recipes with readers because she had a passion for the culinary arts … something that stuck with her until see TORTORETI page
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Many prayers have been said- your suffering- not
THE CURTAIN WAS DRAWN
Baking or cooking- we all were well fed
Our minds will recall and time will not sever
Sharing and caring so much left unsaid
Their voices singing loudly- “Sagandaga forever”
Whether baiting a hook or enjoying a book
Many dreams you had that never came true
Your home made you happy- you just had to look
God always knew- what was best for you
Music you loved- whether Bocelli or Doo Wop
You wished to be loved- He always was there
Memories of Merengue or even a Sock-Hop
He helped carry your cross- when it was too much
We let go of sad memories as we cherish the sweet
No glowing lights- the tree is bare This Blessed Season- you always would share So much left undone- but you never gave in Whatever your challenge you strived hard to win
in vain
As we bid you adieu- The Lord you will meet The curtain was drawn- for one final time
to bare
Painting and creating were your special gifts Your Westies beside you- your spirits they would
The children remember all the fun times
lift
Riding in the car- the lake and tall pines
Your daughters loved you and shared all your pain
As we say our goodbyes- to a life so sublime
YOUR BABY SISTER, GINNY
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Taking a look back at 2016 West Hudson Publishing Company’s
Compiled by Ron Leir & Kevin Canessa Jr. Observer Correspondents
Fastest Growing Free Weekly Newspaper
It was another banner year for coverage of the news in the eight towns The Observer serves – Kearny, Harrison, East Newark, North Arlington, Lyndhurst, Nutley, Belleville and Bloomfield. Here, then, is a look back at the stories that made headlines in The Observer through 2016.
Established 1887 Family Owned & Operated
Mary Tortoreti President Robert Pezzolla General Manager
ADVERTISING Diana Crespo Classified/Asst. to Manager Kim Pezzolla Sales EDITORIAL Jim Hague Sportswriter Ron Leir Correspondent Karen Zautyk Correspondent
ART DEPARTMENT Michelle Rybeck Graphic Designer Kevin Canessa Jr. Webmaster/Correspondent
39 Seeley Ave. Kearny, N.J. 07032 Phone: 201-991-1600 Fax: 201-991-8941 www.theobserver.com
Deadlines Display Ads Thursday by 3PM Real Estate Thursday by 3PM Obituaries Monday by 10 AM Classifieds Monday by 3PM
January The year starts off with a splash – but not a good one, to say the least – when a 71-year-old man accidentally drives his Honda CRV into the Third River in Nutley. Residents, police and fire personnel jump into the river and save the man’s life. The Honda is submerged but a crane pulls it from the river ultimately. In Holmdel, a Nutley man is arrested for pretending to be a NJ State Trooper. Unfortunately for the wanna-be cop, Richard Goldrick, while playing cop, he winds up pulling over an offduty Woodbridge cop, Sgt. Charles Stab. Stab knows something isn’t right with the pullover and he calls for help, leading to Goldrick’s arrest. In the middle of the month, the Rev. Joseph Girone announces he’s leaving Holy Cross Church, Harrison, as its pastor. Girone holds the position for one, six-year term. News of his departure upsets many in the parish community. At the Kearny reorganization meeting, Mayor Alberto G. Santos announces his continued call for a train station to return to town. Kearny last has an NJ Transit Station in 2002 – part of the Boonton Line. Meanwhile, at Harrison’s reorganization meeting, Dave Doyle, of the Harrison Police Department, is promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. Henry Zeinowicz, of the Harrison Fire Department, is promoted from lieutenant to captain and Stephen Spera moves from firefighter to lieutenant. Tim Sharples, who was Kearny’s chief of police for a short term in the late 1990s, dies and is memorialized in
a column written by Kevin Canessa. Shaples is 67 at the time of his death. Axel Rodriguez makes the news but for all the wrong reasons. It’s the third time in just a few short weeks Rodriguez is arrested by the Kearny PD and charged with theft/shoplifting. On Jan. 13, 13 rookies are sworn into the Kearny PD, bringing the total number of officers to 109. A year before 2017, Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos announces early-stage plans for a grand celebration of the town’s 150th anniversary. Linda Kraus D’Isa, a Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone consultant, is hired to submit a proposal to promote the milestone anniversary. Kevin Esposito, the interim business manager in Belleville, resigns to focus solely on his role as assessor. He does this because a revaluation is forthcoming. The Radiology Center, Lyndhurst, announces through an Observer Business Review that it operates a completely open MRI. It’s reportedly the only one in the area. As January ends, friends, relatives and elected officials attend the dedication of the Dr. Stanley J. Siwek Health Center, Harrison. The clinic serves the underprivileged of the area – and is named after the doctor who, for six decades, served Harrison and West Hudson alike. In Kearny, meanwhile, teachers declare an impasse in talks for a new contract. Teachers have been working without a contract since June 30, 2014. Following a major snowstorm, all local towns remind residents about curb-to-curb plowing. In North Arlington, Leo Bellino becomes the borough’s new library director, replacing Kristin Nelson, who vacated the position in 2015. At Walmart, three employees – Rashonda Solomon of Bloomfield, Jasmine Williams of Newark and Katrina Robertson of Newark – are arrested after reportedly using a cell phone to film a 16-year-old girl using the ladies’ room at the store. In Belleville, it’s Nutley Commis-
five day weather forecast Wednesday, Dec. 28
Partly Cloudy
Thursday, Dec. 29
AM Clouds/ PM Sun
Friday, Dec. 30
Saturday, Dec. 31
Sunday, Jan. 1
Sunny
Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
44˚ 45˚ 47˚ 45˚ 47˚
sioner Mauro Tucci who becomes the township’s new manager (though Tucci held the position previously.) There are some protests about Tucci being an elected official in the “next town over,” but Tucci settles into the position by January’s end, though he’s still, at this point, unaware of what his salary is to be. February The shortest month of the year begins with perhaps the biggest story of the year when Eric Pleger, then 45, is arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his wife in the couple’s North Arlington Riverview Gardens apartment. A neighbor asks the North Arlington Police Department to perform a welfare check on Luisa Pleger – and when they arrive, the find her lifeless body inside the apartment. The cause of death is bluntforce trauma to the head. Eric Pleger is a 1988 alumnus of Kearny High School. Meanwhile, Kearny’s police unions get a new 4-year contract, but they also agree to a longer shift and an elimination of longevity pay for new hires. The department’s table of organization drops from 120 to 100 members. Under a grant, eight new members join the Kearny FD. The eight new members’ salaries are paid by a federal SAFER grant. While at the academy, the probies are paid a $33,000 salary. Officials in Harrison announce an anticipated 2019 opening for the town’s new primary school. In Bloomfield, Councilman Elias Chalet, charged with accepting a $15,000 bribe from a local business owner, is indicted. New charges include official misconduct, bribery in official and political matters, acceptance of receipt of unlawful benefit by a public servant for official behavior, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and hindering apprehension or prosecution. Chalet was free on $100,000 bail. In Nutley, 19 cars are burgled over a five-day span. The trend continues throughout the year in the normally
Inside Opinion ..............................06 Around Town ....................12 Sports .................................15 Real Estate ........................20 Obituaries .........................23 Classifieds .........................24 Business Directory .........26
see REVIEW page
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The Observer’s office will be closed Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of the new year. We will reopen at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 3.
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
TORTORETI from
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the very end of her life. She had such a love for cooking that in the latter part of the 1970s, she took courses at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. She loved more than just cooking, though. In fact, she loved gardening, painting, photography and music. She loved Jimi Hendrix, Bette Midler, Sly & the Family Stone and various other classic-rock acts. But it was Bette Midler who held a special place in her heart, because her husband Tony’s song for her was Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings.” For many years after Mr. Tortoreti’s death in 2002, Mary still took pause any time that song came on the radio. “She just loved that song,” daughter Lisa said. “And she loved him so very much.” Mary and Tony were also noted for doing random things – including and especially spontaneous road trips. Some days, they’d just wake up and hop in the car and drive. They’d have no set location to visit, but they’d often wind up on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Savannah, Ga., among other places. “They had a van and they’d just get up and go,” daughter Tina said. “She was like a human GPS, well before there were GPSs. She knew exactly how to get to places and if Tony ever offered directions that weren’t right, she’d stop and say, ‘Well, Tony, I’m not so sure that’s the right way to go.’ And without fail, with her correct directions, they’d get where they wanted to go.” She also loved to shop. Her son-in-law Robert P. Pezzolla, general manager of The Observer, recalled how much she loved to shop at Christmastime, especially. “She’d go in and while the people she was with got through 10 aisles, she was still in the first,” Pezzolla said. “If she liked something, she’d buy 10 of them. One time, I remember she was on her way out of a store – can’t remember which one it was – and she comes down the ramp with not one cart, but five carts. Five!” That number five is signifi-
cant, too, because each year at Christmas, she had so many presents for her family that she’d set up five Christmas trees in her home. Five Christmas trees! “She needed a place to put all the gifts,” Pezzolla said. Even more, did Mary ever love to talk. Her family recounted last week how she could keep you on the phone for two straight hours, then hang up, and then, just a few minutes later, call back with tons more to talk about. The Observer’s Kevin Canessa Jr. recounted a time when he spoke with Mary on the phone in the strangest of circumstances. But it was a magnificent conversation, albeit one that seemed like it might never end. “I was in Hoboken, having just been to the doctor and Mary called me, as she often did, when she needed an Uber ride,” Canessa said. “By the time the chat was over, she decided she didn’t want the Uber ride. The call must have started at about noon. We talked about everything from her basket business, to her spontaneous trips with ‘My Tony.’ “As all this is happening, I’m standing in the rain, in a parking lot on Washington Ave., in Hoboken. I needed to get an Uber myself to get back to Kearny and back to the office. Our conversation ended at 2:30 p.m., I was completely soaked and by the time I got back to Kearny, the office was closed. But this was Mary – I couldn’t tell her I needed to get back to work. Because if I did, I might have missed something vitally important. “That’s how much she loved to talk – and that’s how much her wisdom and words meant to me and to all who knew her. She was that special – and her words, that important not to miss.” In all, the life that was Mary Tortoreti’s was one that touched so many people – from her daughters, to her family, to the people who worked for her, to the people who read her column, to every single human being with whom she came into contact. “She never did things simple,” daughter Tina recalled. “The kind of pain she experienced in her lifetime, most would have just given up.
But not mom. Mom’s pain tolerance was very strong. As we got older, she’d be the one to keep us out later than we ever wanted to be out. That’s who she was. That’s the woman who loved her children, her Tony and her Westies Sonny, Mikey and Fredo. There has never been anyone in this world like
mom – and there never will be. “She was one-of-a-kind and boy are we going to miss her.” Mrs. Tortoreti is survived by her two daughters Lisa and Tina Feorenzo, a sister Virginia Hendricks and a son-in-law Robert P. Pezzolla.
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Visiting will take place Tuesday, Dec. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. The funeral takes place Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 11:30 a.m., at Garden of Memories, 300 Soldier Hill Road, Washington Twp., N.J. 07676
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
KPD from
05
quiet Essex County township. February is also the first month Kearny resident Barbara Third-Drobovics spots bald eagles in uplands Kearny. Kearny officials begin to discuss how handicapped parking spaces are allotted. In Belleville, interim Township Manager Tucci finally gets a contract – he’s paid $139,500 a year and is given a township vehicle he can use 24 hours a day. The Lyndhurst police union receives a bump in salary – 2% for 2016 and 2% for 2017. Hudson Arts & Science Charter School, opening for the next academic year, announces the maximum class size will be 20. It occupies the former St. Stephen’s School/ Mater Dei Academy on Midland Ave., Kearny. In Nutley, police Chief Thomas Strumolo announces an increase in ATM skimmers being found on machines in the township. He warns any-
one using an ATM to check first before inserting a card into a machine. March In the third month of the year, the Township of Nutley sees another increase in ATM skimmers being found. Det. Sgt. Anthony Montanari, of the NPD, demonstrates what the skimmers look like – and offers recommendations on how to detect whether an ATM has such a device attached to it. Officials in Belleville announce the possibility of taxing Clara Maass Medical Center. The news comes as a judicial decision allows taxation of Morristown Medical Center. Officials in Kearny anticipate potential trouble with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority which leases the Keegan Landfill. Mayor Alberto Santos says he wants the NJSEA out when its lease expires June 30. In North Arlington, a deer
makes its way into North Arlington Middle School. It travels from office to office while school was in session – but no one was really ever in any kind of danger. The Bergen County Animal Shelter tranquilizes the deer to remove it. Meanwhile, The United Irish of West Hudson hosts its 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day along Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard and Kearny Ave. Though chilly, the weather holds up and a nice crowd formed along the parade route. The Board of Education and Board of Commissioners in Lyndhurst announce plans for a $19 million referendum to pay for improvements to all elementary schools and Lyndhurst High School. This, of course, is in addition to building a new junior high for grades 7, 8 and 9. March also includes a feature story about Dr. Ayman Ibrahim, a Bloomfield neurologist who may be one of the world’s most educated
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doctors. Ibrahim completed medical school twice – once in his native Egypt and once in the United States several years later. Ibrahim says he wants to be well versed in the differences between medicine in Egypt and America. The state’s Division on Civil Rights announces a civil rights suit against the owners of Kearny Auto Spa. A former employee, a lesbian, alleges she faced significant discrimination while on the job. Meanwhile, the NJSEA tells the Town of Kearny it can stick it – they’re not vacating the Keegan Landfill after June 30. In Harrison, reps from the town and New York Red Bulls announce an agreement – the team won’t pay property taxes, but they’ll pay an annual PILOT and will remain in Harrison for at least 20 more years. After seeing a lot of ATM skimmers, now it’s car breakins on the rise in Nutley. Chief Thomas Strumolo urges
residents of Nutley – and everywhere, really – to lock car doors all the time. Too often, he says, items are stolen, or cars themselves are being stolen, when people keep their cars unlocked and/or running for what they believe will be a short period of time. A home on Washington Ave., Kearny, just across the street from the St. Stephen’s rectory, suffers significant damage from a fire. The fire was quickly knocked down by the KFD with help from the Harrison Fire Department, but the damage was too significant for the residents – a teacher at Lincoln School, Kearny, and her son – to remain in the home. The Nutley PD, meanwhile, announces the useful OD drug Narcan saved the lives of nine people over the previous 12 months who might have otherwise died from overdoses. All radio cars have at Continued on next page
Charged in check fraud
HACKENSACK – A Kearny woman was arrested at her home last Wednesday for allegedly embezzling more than $75,000 from her former employer, a Hackensack-based logistics company, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal reported. The accused, Alyssa Elphick, 45, has been charged with one count of theft by deception and two counts of computer-related theft. She was released without bail on a summons, pending an initial appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court on Jan. 4. Authorities said detectives from the BCPO’s Financial Crimes Unit had launched an investigation after being contacted by the company that had em-
ployed Elphick. According to the statement released by Grewal, that investigation “revealed that Ms. Elphick created fraudulent checks in the business’ name, made payable to herself and others, which she then used to draw funds from the business’ legitimate bank accounts.” It is also alleged that Elphick “used her access to the business’ accounting software, Quickbooks, to destroy and/or alter the records in an attempt to conceal her theft of the money.” The total amount allegedly embezzled was reported to be in excess of $75,000. Authorities did not say how long Elphick had worked for the company or in what capacity she was employed. – Karen Zautyk
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Continued from previous page open sometime in April. April least one dosage of Narcan The month starts off with a on board in anticipation of major raid on what the KPD possible ODs. called a Kearny Ave. ‘drug forThe Observer’s Karen tress.’ Based on intelligence, Zautyk, in a March 23 column, the KPD expected to find pens a reminder to readers drugs, firearms and stolen that Joanne Chesimard, acproperty. With help from the cused of killing an NJ State Hudson County Prosecutor’s Trooper in the 1970s, is still Office and the Branchburg at-large and living in Cuba. PD, the KPD arrests Alan The column comes in reArias, Anthony Robinson and sponse to President Obama’s Antony Desai. During the normalization of relations raid, police find, as expected, with the tiny island nation. drugs, firearms and stolen In Kearny, town officials cut property. a ribbon to reopen Vets Field, Red Bull Arena is to host Belgrove Drive, after the Peruvian elections in April. completion of the installation Under Peruvian law, ex-pats of turf at the field. Several may vote in their new countown officials are on hand, tries. Peruvian-born Harrison including a nice contingency Councilmen Jesus Huaranga of members of the town’s and (the-late) Victor Villalta recreation commission. coordinate the U.S. vote in the March comes to a close region. with a significant fire in LyndCANstruction is up and hurst at an aged 2 1/2 story running at Kearny High building that had apartments School. Taking the reign as and offices. The chief of the leader is David Mach, founder department notes there were of the Kearny Community flames “blowing out onto the Gardens. He replaces Paul street.” Fortunately, no one Rogers, who had run the was injured, but the building program since its inception. appears to be a complete loss. For the first time, Boystown At West Hudson Park, on Belgrove Drive is used as a parishioners from St. Cestaging area. cilia’s church recreate Jesus In Kearny, veterans from Christ’s passion or, “The Way the Vietnam War are saluted of the Cross.” Hundreds from at a special ceremony. Comthe parish’s English-, Spanmunities throughout the ish- and Portuguese-speaking country also honor Vietnam communities come together vets. as one for the moving recreaAmerican Legion Post 99, tion. Prayers and the “script” meanwhile, honors the best were recited in all three lanin Kearny uniforms. Det. guages of the parish. Michael Andrews is named The Kearny Police DepartKearny Police Officer of the ment releases its 2015 crime Year and Michael Kaywork is statistics – and the news it named Kearny Firefighter of good – crime is at a 15-year the Year. low. Police Chief John Dowie The Rev. Msgr. William credits KPD officers with beFadrowski, pastor at Queen of ing “proactive and alert while Peace Church, North Arlingon patrol. I also have to credit ton, announces his retirement their use of the technology following nearly three decavailable to us in the form of ades of service to the Catholic Mobile Data Computers and parish, 17 as pastor. Fadrowski license-plate readers. These continues to work with the proved very valuable in the Order of Malta while living mall areas at the end of the in and working as a parish year, alerting us to stolen weekend assistant in Morris vehicles and/or stolen license County. plates.” In Nutley, Det. Sgt. Anthony On March 22, 18 new Kearny Montanari announces a rash firefighters were sworn in of thefts of religious statues. by Mayor Santos. Fire Chief Most are in the same neighSteve Dyl says it’s the most borhood and are stolen from new firefighters to be swornresidents’ front lawns. in at once since 1962, when 32 Meanwhile, the FBI invesprobies were hired. tigates an April 2 Belleville As March ends, Kearny bank robbery. Two suspects announces it’s in talks with allegedly enter a Valley SUEZ to take over the town’s water department and it announces a new dog park is to see REVIEW page
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Observer File Photo
Mayor Alberto Santos cuts a ribbon to reopen Veteran’s Field on Belgrove Drive following placement of new turf.
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
thoughts&views The contents of letters do not reflect the opinion of The Observer staff. Letters must be kept to a maximum of 250 words. Any letters that exceed the maximum will be edited, at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right at any time to reject or edit the letters for space. Letters must include the writer’s name, address, and telephone number for verification purposes. The deadline for letters is Thursday at 5 p.m. Any letters that arrive after deadline will not be considered for the upcoming publication. Letters can be sent by e-mail to publisher@theobserver.com or mailed to 39 Seeley Ave., Kearny, N.J. 07032. Anonymous letters will not be published under any circumstances.
This way madness lies ... unless... By Ron Leir As we’re just days away from 2017, what better way to greet the New Year than to deliver some personal resolutions, some predictions and some holiday re-runs. Here are my affirmations: Resolution No. 1: Write shorter stories to make life easier for my readers (assuming there are any left with the patience required of a saint.) Maybe more pictures will help. Resolution No. 2: Take a vacation – no, make that several vacations during the year. Maybe hanging out with the penguins during mating season will help clear my muddled mind. Resolution No. 3: Have more patience. Don’t prejudge stuff. Be willing to be open to any and all possibilities. Listen – really listen – to what people say before rushing to get your point across. Resolution No. 4: Try to be fully present every day or you may lose the opportunity for a key discovery. Drive or walk a different route to a welltraveled destination and take in your surroundings. Resolution No. 5: Be especially kind to children for they are the future. Resolution No. 6: Open your heart to humor for it can get you through the day. (Personal admonishment: Easy on the punning. Samuel Johnson called the pun the worst form of humor in the English language and I guess he has a
Photo by Ron Leir
Last summer, Ron took a trip to Maine. Here’s a look at where he traveled. Of course, he wants to travel more in 2017.
point if it’s badly used.) Resolution No. 7: Don’t procrastinate because – like laundry – the stuff you put off doing will pile up and bite you in the ass so organize your life. (Yes, easy to say but hard to do.) Now, without further ado, here are some New Year’s forecasts I freely share: In the interests of transparency, municipal zoning and planning boards will ensure that the public – and not just board members – will actually
have the opportunity to see maps, photos, schematics and power point presentations for projects being discussed by those boards. All microphones and recording equipment will be in good working order and all members of public boards will articulate clearly their thoughts on matters up for public consumption. By no later than this coming summer, hundreds of Kearny bicyclists will be pedaling for all they’re worth
along secure bike lanes up and down Kearny Ave. Before the next Cleveland Ave. firehouse hose down, Harrison and its FMBA local will have squared away a new labor contract satisfactory to all concerned. It is certain that another year will not pass before Belleville’s Friendly House rec center opens for business ... as a QuickChek. By the time the Kearny High School noise abatement/ exterior renovation project is
finished, planes from Liberty International Airport in Newark will be flying an alternate route, bypassing Kearny altogether. Nutley’s Steve Rogers breezes through the GOP gubernatorial primary and, with the fervent backing of the Donald, easily defeats Dems’ pick John Wisniewski for all the marbles. At long last, East Newark concludes negotiations with East Newark Town Centre for the redevelopment of the old Clark Thread complex as a full-scale amusement/theme park that borough officials predict, “will rival Disneyland.” And yes, they may be wishing on a star. Gov. Chris Christie publishes his tell-all book in which he takes credit for the Donald’s surprise victory and takes complete responsibility for Bridgegate. “I would’ve preferred to raise the tolls, just for Fort Lee commuters, but Bill Baroni wouldn’t let me do it,” he says. The Donald abolishes all federal agencies and imposes rule by his billionaires club. Hillary climbs to the top of Trump Tower and threatens to jump to avoid prosecution for her errant emails but, amazingly, Trump pardons her. Immediately, Hillary files to run for mayor of New York. For those holiday re-runs I promised you, just tune in to Antenna TV and that should satisfy every nostalgia fan among you. Happy New Year!
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National Bank on Bloomfield Ave. that day. The bandits demand $20,000 but only get away with $1,000. The Town of Harrison is in the process of complying with a court order for beefed up security at municipal courts. Now, when residents enter Town Hall, they go through a metal detector and are wanded after passing through the detectors. The edicts came from the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts dating back to 2006, directing courts to upgrade security for all person-
the town wants to forego state transitional aid that it accepted in 2014 and 2015. In Nutley, Julie Glazer is named the township’s new superintendent of schools. Glazer, who comes from the Summit school district as an assistant superintendent, replaces outgoing Supt. Russell Kazovick. Some 32 candidates apply for the position that ultimately goes to Glazer. May May kicks off with word that the N.J. Civil Service Commission has approved Kearny’s plan to allow SUEZ
apartments at 41 Kearny Ave. The Kearny Board of Education announces the elimination of up to 37 nontenured jobs. Sentencing for former Kearny Councilman and Board of Education trustee John Leadbeater is postponed for the fourth time. Leadbeater is to be sentenced for his
involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a $13 million mortgage fraud scheme. Kearny teachers, meanwhile, sign a memorandum of agreement for a new contract retroactive to 2014 and continuing to June 30, 2017. Amid much fanfare, Kearny’s dog park on Passaic
07
Ave. finally opens. There are two separate areas – one for pooches under 25 pounds and one for dogs more than 25 pounds. The Kearny PD marks “Police Week” by wearing black
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nel assigned to the courts. At a Kearny Town Council meeting, Mayor Alberto Santos and the Town Council recognize the Kearny Eagles for 80 years of “dedicated service” to the town. Nutley Township officials eye upgrades to parking meters. If the meters are ultimately upgraded, drivers could use a credit card to pay for parking instead of coins – and could also use a mobile app to pay to park, as well. Belleville’s intersection of Tiona Ave. and Nolton St. is renamed for Roger B. Crowell, a decorated Belleville veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam in 1968. The New Jersey Hall of Fame has quite a few noted New Jerseyans inducted, but one big name isn’t – Gen. Philip Kearny. Several interested Kearny residents announce a push to get Kearny into the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, the Kearny governing body announces an anticipated tax hike. For an owner of a home assessed at $100,000, taxes would rise $324 for the entire year. The biggest reason for the hike? Mayor Alberto Santos says
to take over the water department. In the Kearny FD, Juan Barroso is named a new fire official. He replaces John Donovan who retired in June 2015 having spent 24 years with the department. Aside from his work with the KFD, Barroso previously spends time in the U.S. Army Reserves and as a Hudson County Corrections officer. In Belleville, the Planning Board votes to approve a new Walgreens on Washington Ave. at the site of the former Motorcycle Mall. The new store replaces a current Walgreens several blocks to the north of the new site. Dr. Amgad Hessein, a Belleville physician, loses his license to practice medicine after the state Board of Medical Examiners determine he gave unneeded steroid injections to patients, created fictitious patient records and indiscriminately prescribed pain pill to patients without medical justification. On May 7, a long-awaited Habitat for Humanity project becomes a reality for three Kearny families as they’re given keys to their new
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Continued from previous page mourning bands across their badges to honor those lost in the line of duty – and the flags at KPD HQ fly at halfstaff. The Kearny FD honors its own – and The Observer’s Ron Leir – for their dedicated work. Among those also honored are Deputy Chiefs Robert Osborn and John Harris, Capts. John McCaffrey, Art Bloomer, Joe Mastandrea and Ed Ryan and Firefighters Luke Schappert, Nelson DaSilva, Kevin Becker, William Crockett, Sean Brady, Joseph Ferraro, Darell Szezypta, Stephen Yerkes and Mike Kaywork. Donna McClure, of Happy Time Day Care, Kearny, is also honored. The Kearny PD charges two juvenile boys – one 11, the other 13 – with having a firearm on school property, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm. Police receive a tip from a passer-by who reports seeing two school-age boys near Franklin School, with one passing a handgun to the other.
May ends with a Food Truck Festival at the Frank Vincent Marina. The Kearny PBA Local 21 estimates around 10,000 people in attendance. The event raises money for the PBA’s participation in the annual Tour de Force, a bike ride that, in 2016, started near the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and that ended at the World Trade Center in New York. The festival is so popular that PBA President Det. John Fabula later announces another festival for October. A fire at a mattress factory at the intersection of Bergen and Schuyler Aves. creates a massive traffic jam on both streets. No injuries are reported but the building sustains smoke damage. In Nutley, Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli is sworn in as the township’s new mayor, replacing Commissioner Al Petracco. Scarpelli becomes mayor by way of getting the most votes in Nutley’s municipal election. In addition to the two aforementioned incumbents, Commissioners Thomas Evans, Mauro Tucci and Steven L. Rogers are all re-elected.
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Kearny firefighters work at a pesky mattress warehouse fire in May near the intersection of Bergen and Schuyler Aves.
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June At a meeting of the Kearny governing body, Second Ward Councilman Rich Konopka takes exception to the length of time it’s taken to complete the Kearny High School construction project. His comments prompt anger among some members of the Board of Education. “As a resident of Kearny, I was embarrassed,” he said. “That school’s a disaster. What is going on over there?” Longtime Harrison Councilman Victor Villalta dies at 67. Villalta was born in Lima, Peru, but served the United
States Marines in Vietnam. Shortly after Villalta’s death, his wife Ele becomes his replacement on the council, serving the Second Ward. In Nutley, a home burglary occurs on Hay Ave. as residents sleep. Residents realized they were burgled after awaking to find their home in disarray. Kearny Firefighter John Digravina wins a weight-lifting contest put on by the Linden FMBA. Officials in Nutley recognize Nutley Boy Scout Troop Continued on the next page
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Continued from previous page 147 for 95 years of service to the township. Awards are given to the adult leadership team and Scouts who earned the most merit badges in the previous 12 months. Meanwhile, PSE&G continues to warn residents of scams. Queen of Peace High School President (and parish pastor) the Rev. Michael Donovan announces the high school must raise $1 million in a one-month span to prevent the school from being shut down at the end of June. Donovan makes the announcement only weeks into his new role at QP. Reports say the high school’s finances were mismanaged for years. Rhudell Cruz-Snelling, 25, of Kearny, is arrested and charged in a June 3 shooting near the intersection of Wilson and Kearny Aves. A woman was shot in the hand, police say, and she’s treated and released the same day at University Hospital, Newark. In Harrison, a baby, 2, is still alive because of the quick work of the Harrison FD. A woman appears at HFD HQ with a lifeless baby, but Fire Capt. Joe Nichirco, Fire Lt. Joe Faugno and Firefighter Ray Tremer bring the baby back to live by giving breaths to the baby with “bag valve mask and supplemental oxygen.” Kearny Superintendent of Schools Patte Blood announces that 11 positions won’t be replaced in the next academic year. Two elementary school world-language slots, three elementary school teacher slots, five high school teacher slots and one special education teacher slot were the targeted positions. Meanwhile, in a column, we introduce to our readers Skyler Whitehead, an 18-year-old Kearny resident, who has been taking videos and photos for The Observer at fire scenes. Whitehead hopes to one day become a Kearny firefighter – and the young man is already well known to the KFD. Whitehead credits Deputy Chiefs Joseph Viscuso and Robert Osborn as two of his biggest influences on the KFD. Over the objections of several residents, the Township of Belleville adopts a formal affordable housing plan. Eternal township objector Vincent Frantantoni says he fears redevelopment will cause even more overcrowding in an already-crowded Belleville. Nutley experiences yet another burglary where residents were home. This time, it happens while residents aren’t just home – they’re awake. Meanwhile, the West Hudson Arts and Theatre Company (W.H.A.T.) puts on performances of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Several West Hudson residents – young and not so young – have roles in the musical. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark shares photos from a Me-
morial Day Mass celebrated in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, by outgoing Archbishop John J. Myers. Myers is to retire as he’s reached the retirement age for bishops – 75. Masses are celebrated at all other archdiocesan cemeteries to recall all those who lost their lives while in the military. The roof on the Davis Ave. Firehouse, Kearny, is on the verge of collapsing, Kearny FD Chief Steven Dyl says. As such, the station is closed and personnel and apparatus are moved elsewhere. Bids are sought for contractors to replace the roof on the 115-year-old building on Davis Ave. between Hoyt St. and Devon Terrace. North Arlington’s schools chief Ollie Stringham announces his retirement. An internal search for a replacement immediately kicks off, North Arlington Board of Education President George McDermott tells The Observer. Glen Glover of Lyndhurst, a former civilian DEA employee, is convicted after three hours of jury deliberations in a case that accused him of filing false paperwork concerning his ownership of a South Hackensack go-go bar. Regulations prohibit DEA employees from owning outside businesses. Harrison school officials tell The Observer a new school for primary grades will be open by 2019. The new school is expected to cost $35.4 million. In Kearny, Recreation Director Ralph Cattafi announces that chairs, cars and food won’t be allowed on newly turfed Veteran’s Field for the town’s 4th of July celebration. The new regulations are designed to keep the new field in top shape always. Kearny’s Farmer’s Market reopens in June. It’s the 11th year for the market under the leadership of John Peneda of the UEZ and founding Councilwoman Susan McCurrie. In Nutley, a woman drove her SUV into the Passaic River near the township crew launching site. A civilian rescues the woman and huge tow truck is used to pull the vehicle out of the water. Jason Moss, 30, of Secaucus is humbled by the attention he gets as a hero, but says he just did what anyone else would do in a similar situation. Meanwhile, Kearny school computers are “attacked” and “held hostage” by someone threatening to hold the computer system until someone paid “ransom.” Superintendent of Schools Patte Blood, however, says the district’s computers weren’t “hacked,” but instead were infected with “malware after someone opened an email attachment that contained that malware.” A Bergen County grand jury decides not to indict Lyndhurst cops in-
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
KPD: You can run but you can’t hide Kearny police are continuing a hunt for several young males wanted in connection with a theft at a local deli on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 18. According to the KPD, four individuals -- one wearing a ski mask -- entered the shop at Davis and Garfield Aves. shortly before 2 p.m. One made a purchase and put a dollar bill on the counter -- but when the proprietor opened the cash register, another (the masked marvel) reached over the counter, grabbed the money tray and fled on foot. The proprietor followed, chasing the thief west on Gar-
field and then south on Forest St., before returning to the store to call police. In the interim, the culprit’s buddies had “casually” left the premises, police said. Sgt. Brian Wisely and Officer Victor Girdwood responded to the scene, interviewed the proprietor and canvassed the area. On Forest St., they found the cash register tray, with $27 still in it. (How much money it originally contained is not known.) They also gathered information from a witness who saw three males enter a white vehicle on Forest. Det. Michael Farinola has been assigned to investigate
the case and, the KPD reports, he has developed “some very promising leads.” *** Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following: Dec. 15 At 5:15 p.m., a concerned citizen called to report seeing an apparently “highly intoxicated” individual enter and start a 2012 Nissan in the parking lot at Seabra’s market on Schuyler Ave. Sgt. Kevin Canaley, with Officer Sean Wilson as back-up, spotted and stopped the vehicle at Schuyler and Bergen Aves. and found it operated
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by Franklin Marinho, 63, of Kearny, who reportedly was unable to either locate his paperwork or remain standing. He was arrested and charged with DWI, DWI in a school zone, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. Dec. 16 Officer Daniel Esteves, on patrol at 2:30 a.m., reportedly observed a 2006 Nissan fail to make a complete stop at the intersection of Devon St. and Woodland Ave. Additionally, police said, it had its high beams on, and apparently those were the only operable lights on the vehicle.
Continued from previous page volved in a shooting in 2015 at the township’s library. Kevin Allen, 36, of Lyndhurst, died from gunshot wounds sustained in the library shooting. In Harrison, Ele Villalta becomes Harrison’s new Second Ward Councilwoman. She replaces her late husband, Victor, who died earlier in the year. Some 24 days into its fundraising efforts, Queen of Peace High School is still more than $600,000 away from its $1 million goal. As June ended, Harrison’s Eddie Acosta organizes a love walk from Kearny Town Hall
Esteves stopped the car at Schuyler Ave. and Devon Terrace and found it operated by Khabir Hughes, 24, of Newark, who police said had a suspended license and a $350 Newark traffic warrant -for driving while suspended. He was arrested for those offenses and also given a summons for careless driving, and Newark PD was notified. Police said a warrant check revealed that Hughes’ passenger -- Mario Henen, 26, of Belleville -- was also wanted, by Belleville for a traffic-related offense, $500 full bail. He was arrested, too, and Belleville PD was notified. -- Karen Zautyk to Harrison Town Hall in response to the heinous massacre at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando. Nearly 100 people join Acosta on the peaceful walk. Kearny’s Anthony Capitti is selected Kearny’s Veteran of the Year. QPHS inches closer to its fundraising goals with two major gifts ($250K and $200K respectively.) Retired Harrison Deputy Chief (and/or Capt.) Michael Green becomes Harrison’s new school safety officer. Green retired from the HPD on Dec. 1, 2015. Continued on the next page
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Continued from previous page July Belleville’s municipal governing body appoints Mark Minichini as the new township police chief. He replaces Chief Joseph Rotonda, who retired July 1 after serving in the post 16 years. Minichini, on the force since 1986, was named deputy chief in 2009. Kearny taps Suez Water to take over operation of the town water utility. The company gets a 5-year contract, starting at $1.8 million a year, plus the $344,000 a year it has been receiving for handling the town’s water billings. Suez agreed to absorb half of the utility’s six employees. After serving a year as high school principal, Stephen Yurchak is elevated to North Arlington superintendent of schools, taking over for longtime administrator Oliver Stringham who retired – with one year remaining in his contract – after 36 years as a district employee. Kearny High alumna Jessica Zelaya becomes the second woman to join the Kearny Fire Department, following pioneer Martina Smith who came aboard in 2009. Zelaya is one of eight newly appointed KFD rookies. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. visits Kearny to announce the award of a $221,000 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the KFD for new turnout gear. He previously helped steer AFG funding to the KFD for new air packs and computer software. And, last July, he helped the KFD get a $1,595,000 federal SAFER grant to pay salaries and benefits for 12 new firefighters for two years. North Arlington’s Queen of Peace High School, on the brink of closing due to fiscal woes, is saved after a successful fundraising drive that nets more than $1 million. Substantial donations by two 1980 alums – Sabre Corp. head Tom Klein and Hormone Harmony PLCC owner Jeanette Cerna – helped. Fifty-nine students from the Walker Middle School “graduate” from the Nutley Police Department’s Junior Police Academy, funded by the Nutley Municipal Alliance. The culminating activity was a visit to the USS Intrepid in Manhattan.
Former Kearny Councilman John Leadbeater is sentenced to five years in a federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Jerome Simandle for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a multi-million dollar home mortgage fraud involving oversold condominiums in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. PSE&G begins upgrading five miles of gas lines and mains in Kearny as part of a state-wide program to replace 500 miles of aging gas infrastructure. Thirteen Bigbelly solarpowered trash containers are installed at key points along the Kearny Ave. retail district. Kearny Health Director Ken Pincus hopes they will supplement his department’s crackdown on weekend litter. Development continues to change Harrison’s landscape as the former Lombardi Funeral Home on Cleveland Ave. is torn down to make way for three new 2-family homes and a former auto parts shop on Bergen St. is converted to a new Seabra supermarket. The N.J. Sports & Exposition Authority re-opens the William D. McDowell Observatory in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst following repairs. It is open to visitors on Wednesday evenings. Kearny PBA warns residents to be wary of “phishing” scammers operating on Craigslist by posing as home renters seeking to steal personal information from people responding to the fake ads posted. The 118-acre Roche property straddling the Nutley/ Clifton border is sold to PB Nutclif I, an arm of the Prism Capital Partners, a northern N.J. real estate investment firm. So far, the only new future occupant announced is a private medical school to be run by a joint venture of Seton Hall University and Hackensack Meridian Health. Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 from public and private schools participate in Belleville’s first-ever week-long Junior Police Academy, sponsored by the Belleville Police Department. Harrison settles a longstanding tax appeal dispute with Red Bull, owner of the professional soccer team that plays its home games at the Red Bull Arena. Under terms
of the settlement, Hudson County Utilities Authority, which sold $40 million in bonds to acquire, clear and clean the site, will own the land and stadium; Red Bull will pay an annual rental fee to HCIA and a yearly amount to Harrison (for 2017, HCIA will get $185,000 and Harrison will pocket $1,115,000); HCIA will issue a bond
11
website is rendered useless from July 7 to July 24 after an “attack” by hackers who were traced to California and who reportedly operated under a dozen different IP addresses. The town says no sensitive information was stolen. The revised website – townofharrisonnj.com – is a new
for up to $2 million for any stadium upgrades as needed and a Red Bull affiliate will pay the debt service on the bond; HCIA can use the stadium for up to 48 “public use events” during the year; and Red Bull waives its right to $18 million in property taxes it has paid Harrison since 2006. Harrison’s municipal
Continued on the next page
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aroundtown THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Belleville
The Belleville Health Department has free flu vaccine available for township residents. For an appointment, call 973-450-3394.
Harrison
The town hosts a blood drive Thursday, Dec. 29, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Harrison Community Center, 401 Warren St. All donors will receive a $5 Subway gift card. ••• Zumba classes are offered at Centro Romeu Cascaes, 308 William St. This onehour class meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays with Jesus Cruz Continued from previous page A 4-year-old Kearny boy is the victim of a hit-run driver on July 20. Police say the boy was struck while crossing at Belgrove Drive and Woodland Ave. at night. He was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries and released. Police later located the errant vehicle and charged the driver with drunken driving. Hudson County Superior Court Judge Peter Bariso Jr. rules that the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority can use eminent domain to take possession of the Keegan landfill and continue its present use because accepting solid waste is a legitimate “public purpose.” Kearny, which has leased the site to the NJSEA (and to its predecessor the N.J. Meadowlands Commission) tried to evict the agency when its lease expired June 30 but the NJSEA balked at that move. Kearny continues to appeal the ruling. August The Kearny Board of Education loses its secretary/ business administrator to the Cedar Grove BOE. Michael DeVita – whose contract had just been renewed by the KBOE – accepted an offer from the school board in his hometown for a comparable salary. Federal Judge Jerome Simandle, sitting in Camden, orders convicted felon John
and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays with Pinky Jiteshkumar. Walk-ins are welcome. Admission is $7. Bring a towel and bring a friend. For more information, call 201-401-0826 or email harrisonzumba@yahoo.com.
Kearny
St. Stephen’s Seniors, 676 Kearny Ave., meet every first and third Tuesday of the month in Hedges Hall. Refreshments are served at noon. After the 1 p.m. meeting, there’s a 50/50 drawing and then bingo. New members are always welcome. Several 2017 trips are being planned. For more informaLeadbeater and others to pay $3 million+ in restitution to lending institutions who, the feds say, were defrauded by multiple defendants in a multi-million dollar home mortgage fraud. Bloomfield resident Alan Faynzilberg, 19, is charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a May 27 fatal collision on Belleville Ave., between Cottage St. and S. Franklin Ave., that killed Luis Davila, 33, of Belleville. Faynzilberg also faces charges of aggravated assault for severe injuries to his girlfriend who was a passenger in his car at the time of the accident. A Roselle man leaps into the Passaic River to elude police on Aug. 3 and remains unaccounted for, according to authorities. Police say Keith Jean, 31, and another man, later ID’d as Aubrey Tucker of Bloomfield, were spotted casing parked cars at Second St. and Cleveland Ave. in Harrison, then sped away in an Impala. After they were pulled over by police at 900 Passaic Ave., East Newark, police arrested the driver Tucker on Newark warrants but Jean jumped out, ran behind Harrison Supply Co. and jumped into the river, reportedly telling cops he was “not going back to jail.” Jean, who was wanted on warrants from Orange and the Union County Sheriff’s Office, spurned police rescue efforts and, ultimately, swam to a storm water outfall on the west bank
tion, call club president Allan Henderson at 201-9914771.
Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst Public Library patrons are invited to sample the Mango Languages online language-learning system at no cost. More than 40 foreign language courses and 16 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are available. Mango Languages can be accessed through www.lyndhurstlibrary.org. Log in with a valid Lyndhurst library card number. Patrons can access this service from home. For more informa-
tion, call Library Director Donna Romeo at 201-8042478, ext. 7, or email romeo@ lyndhurst.bccls.org.
North Arlington
Queen of Peace High School's Home-School Association hosts its annual tricky tray Friday, March 10, at 6 p.m. in the QPHS Sonny Connors gymnasium. The entry ticket price is $15 per person and includes coffee, tea, dessert plus a tricky tray sheet for level-one prizes. The theme is "Under the Sea." Seating is reserved and tables will be assigned in the order ticket requests are
received. Tickets are limited and the event has sold out in the past. No admittance for anyone younger than 18. Text or email Cheryl Riley at 201-650-2961 or cheriley@verizon.net and see the QPHS. org web site for more details. ••• The Senior Harmony Club sponsors a New Year’s celebration at the Empire Club in Little Ferry on Thursday, Dec. 29. Enjoy a family-style meal, drinks and dance music. The cost is $60. For reservations or information, call Anna at 201-9392960.
Observer File Photo
The CEO of BJ's was on hand for the Kearny club's grand opening in August.
of the river. Despite searches by Coast Guard and Newark fireboat, Jean could not be found. Queen of Peace High School gets another gift of $500,000 provided through the Archdiocese of Newark from an anonymous donor to apply to its sustaining drive. A Mercer County homicide suspect, Carlos Ortiz, 50, is apprehended peacefully at the Belleville Motor Lodge. Ortiz is a suspect in the Aug. 16 killing of Rufina Castro, 51, in Ewing Township. He is accused of hitting her on the head with a bottle and then strangling here. A 28-year-old Kearny man is the reported victim of a hitrun drive-by shooting on Aug. 20 in Harrison. Police say he was shot in the leg while he
was standing in the area of Fifth and Hamilton Sts. Police recovered 12 bullet casings in the area and numerous bullets in three parked cars. M&T Bank on Lewandowski St. in Lyndhurst is robbed Aug. 16 by a suspect who displayed no weapon, according to police. BJ’s Wholesale Club opens as the anchor store for the redeveloped mall on Passaic Ave. in Kearny. Nearly onefifth of its 140 employees are listed as Kearny residents. Kearny municipal government authorizes a $3.75 million bond issue for water main and associated road repairs for sections of Devon St., Elm St., Peden Terrace, Forest St. and Davis Ave. Another $2.1 million bond ordinance will finance two
new fire rigs, air packs and computers for the KFD and renovations for the Health Dept. Harrison Police Officer Darren Raefski is credited with thwarting, at great risk, the theft of a tractor-trailer on Aug. 20. Police say Raefski – aided by a GPS unit in the truck – tracked the vehicle, swiped from a S. Second St. location, to Martin Luther King Boulevard and William St. in Newark where he pulled open the cab door and tried to get the key while the driver attempted a getaway but he prevailed and arrested suspect Kevin Hobbs, 48, of Newark, for theft. Harrison’s John Jarzbek, 27, is found guilty of insurance see REVIEW page
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
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fraud by Bergen County Superior Court Judge Susan Steele after falsely filing a claim that a used $139,000 Bentley that he and his parents purchased was stolen after the vehicle had been torched. His parents, Chester and Anna Jarzbek, are facing charges of falsifying a car loan application. A Nutley man is charged with carjacking, aggravated assault, resisting, assault by auto and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose after a nasty encounter with police on Aug. 25. Police say they were called to Cathedral and Passaic Aves. where Edgar Ordonez, 22, was accused by the driver of an SUV of trying to get into his vehicle. Police say Ordonez then began fighting one cop, then allegedly appropriated an NPD patrol car, ran over an officer and sped off, only to crash into an SUV in Clifton near the Rt. 3 overpass. After getting out of the vehicle, police say Ordonez then began fighting officers. The injured officer was treated for arm, leg and head injuries. September Bennett Construction Co. – a Kearny firm hired by the KBOE to complete the final phase of the long-stalled KHS construction project – begins the process of installing steel, thereby compelling school officials to delay the start of the high school’s fall term by about a week. Meanwhile, the KBOE must deal with a crossing guard “coverage gap” for some elementary schools triggered, in part, by the newly opened Hudson Arts & Science charter school schedule. Kearny and other Observer communities conduct Sept. 11 Remembrance Day ceremonies on the 15th anniversary of the tragic event. St. Stephen’s Church hosts an ecumenical service, featuring a viewing of an 18-foot-long pew from the Lower Manhattan-based St. Paul’s Chapel. The pew served as a resting place for first-responders who came to ground zero in the aftermath of the WTC attack. Trinity Wall St. Episcopal Parish consented to the pew’s transfer. Outside the church, Scout Troop 305 place 2,996 small American flags, standing for the estimated number of those killed in the attacks that day. Schuyler Savings Bank on see REVIEW page
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
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sports&recreation
Kearny, Harrison winning state sectional soccer tops local sports stories Nutley’s Watson All-American No. 2; Blue Tide volleyball great run No. 3 By Jim Hague Observer Sports Writer
T
he calendar year of 2016 produced its share of compelling local sports stories. Here’s The Observer’s Top 10 Sports Stories for 2016. 1-Kearny, Harrison win respective NJSIAA state sectional soccer titles on same day On the very same day, Thursday, Nov. 10, no more than a quarter mile apart, the Kearny and Harrison boys’ soccer teams did what they do better than any other programs in the state of New Jersey: They won an NJSIAA sectional championship. And both the Blue Tide and the Kardinals won their championships in similar fashions – winning via penalty kicks after overtimes. Harrison defeated Dover via PKs to capture the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group II championship. Standout defender Omar Sowe scored what proved to be the game-winning penalty kick. When Dover misfired, the Blue Tide secured the state sectional. “It’s always a goal of ours,” Harrison head coach Mike Rusek said. “We had a very good season. We just had that week where we lost three straight. John (Rusek, Mike’s brother and assistant coach) and I never experienced that before.” After winning the first 11 games of the season, the Blue Tide lost to Ridgefield, Dwight-Englewood and Dickinson in the second round of the Hudson County Tournament. Just like that, the Blue Tide seemingly went from state-ranked power to medio-
Photo by Jim Hague
Nutley High School senior Blair Watson celebrated being named a McDonald’s All-American at – where else? – a McDonald’s on the Belleville/Bloomfield border. Watson, shown here with head coach Larry Mitschow displaying her plaque, earned the No. 2 local sports story of the year for 2016.
cre. “We made a few changes and got the team together,” Rusek said. “They all said that we weren’t going to experience another loss and they were right.” After that loss to Dickinson, the Blue Tide has rolled off nine straight wins. “Everyone has responded very well,” Rusek said. “When you’re on a run, you try to take advantage of it.” Kearny head coach Bill Galka was a lot more subdued with his championship. “It’s always special to win a sectional title,” Galka said. “But we’re not satisfied with it. We have more work to do. Our seniors Adrian Velasquez, Matt Farias and Joao Fernandes, made sure
that we were focused. I think they were so disappointed last year of getting knocked out early and they wanted to make sure they had a run in them.” Galka said that his team was playing well and that play carried over. “For some reason, we’ve kept playing to penalty kicks,” Galka said. “We were controlling the game and were the more creative team, but we didn’t score. We have not let up a goal in the state tournament. We didn’t want this game going to PKs, but it did. For the last few weeks, we’ve been practicing penalty kicks at the end of practices just to get ready. We tried to replicate what we might have and what it might be like.” Galka said that the scene
afterward was exciting. “The kids were elated, so it was good for the school, the principal and the administration,” Galka said. “Our team didn’t want to leave the field afterward. It took an hour or so to get everyone off the field. It was great to see the whole school behind us, supporting us.” It was great for both legendary soccer programs to secure yet another championship trophy. 2-Nutley girls’ basketball star Watson earns McDonald’s AllAmerican status Nutley senior Blair Watson became only the ninth girls’ basketball player in New Jersey history to earn the
distinction of McDonald’s AllAmerican. In March, Watson, currently at the University of Maryland on a basketball scholarship, went to the McDonald’s High School All-American basketball game at Chicago’s United Center to participate in the contest with the top 24 girls’ high school basketball players in the entire nation. But before Watson got on a plane and traveled to the Windy City, Watson had to enjoy a celebration with her family, friends, teammates and coaches. And the fitting place to hold such a party? McDonald’s, of course. Where else? That’s right. Watson went to the McDonald’s at the Belleville/Bloomfield border to have a grand old send-off, complete with Big Macs and balloons, happiness and hamburgers, proclamations and politicians, smiles and shakes. “I thought it was pretty cool,” Watson said. “Why not have it here? It makes sense.” Watson, who averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds per game this season for the Maroon Raiders, reached the 2,000-point plateau toward the end of the season and leaves her mark as the all-time leading scorer, both for boys and girls, in Nutley history. “At this point, you really can’t describe all of this,” Watson said. “I’m just very grateful. I’m ecstatic.” Watson was the lone player selected for the All-Star Game from New Jersey and the entire Tri- State area. Watson said that she ap-
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Continued from previous page preciated what she was able to achieve during her career at Nutley, leading the Maroon Raiders to the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group III state sectional championship last year “I’m pleased with what I was able to accomplish,” Watson said. “It’s all great. I never dreamed it could all happen. No one can ever take away our state championship. Some days, I think to myself and say, ‘Did I really live up to all of that?’” Nutley head girls’ basketball coach Larry Mitschow liked the McDonald’s concept. “I think this was great,” Mitschow said. “It’s very original. It’s a different experience for Blair and for all of us. Having the mayor and county executive come out and honor her. I don’t think anyone could ask for more. Blair’s one of the best players in the United States. She’s a McDonald’s All-American. It’s all definitely well deserved. It’s not too much of a surprise that she’s an All-American, but this was a surprise.”
one that counted most. “We made too many mistakes,” Landy said. “We never got more than a few points ahead. They got up by eight in the second set, then we ran six points, but it just wasn’t enough. Once you lose that first set, it’s tough to overcome. Talk about being right there.” Vega believed that the Blue Tide had a shot. “We went there thinking we had a chance,” Vega said. “It came down to the team who made the fewer errors. We made too many errors.” Vega said that he was trying to focus on the positive since suffering the loss. “I’m very proud of my teammates,” said Vega, who had 21 assists in the setback. “We did a lot for the program and got a lot of things accomplished that never happened before. We have to look at winning the league, the county, the state sectional. All those things never happened before we got there. We had a successful season, but we just didn’t come out with the last win.” Vega said that the season came with a ton of due diligence. “We put in a lot of hard work,” said Vega, who is headed to New Jersey City University to play in the fall. “All of us play club (volleyball), so that helps a lot.” Landy recalled his four seniors, a group that includes Vega and the greatest player
3-Harrison boys’ volleyball team goes to NJSIAA T of C finale Three years ago, Harrison High School boys’ volleyball coach Nick Landy brought his team in unison to the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions finale to watch the match together. “He said to us, ‘That’s going to be you some day,’” said senior setter Jimmy Vega. “We all thought he was nuts, but he was serious. So we started thinking that maybe it could be us.” Sure enough, the Blue Tide took the leap from being a good volleyball team to a great one. They first won more matches than any team in Harrison history. Then they won a New Jersey Interscholastic League divisional crown. Then they won the Hudson County Tournament for the first time a year ago and won it again this year. The Blue Tide rolled to heights in volleyball that no one could imagine. A year ago, they won their first-ever NJSIAA state sectional title
Observer file photo
Nutley wrestler Darwin Pena earned the No. 5 local sports story for 2016 by finishing fourth in the state at the NJSIAA championships in Atlantic City, also winning the 100th match of his career that same day. Pena is holding the 100 sign. (Story on next page).
and headed to the state’s Final Four. This year, it was more of the same, only the Blue Tide managed to defeat East Brunswick in straight sets to advance to the overall state championship, the Tournament of Champions finale against Southern Regional in May.
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The Blue Tide just didn’t have one more victory in them and they lost, 25-21, 25-21, in the T of C title game at South Brunswick High School. “It’s a mixed bag of emotions,” Landy said. “There’s the spirit of accomplishment for the whole team to get as far as they did, but we’re disappointed that we could get the four seasons a state championship. But we got beat by a really good team. I knew it was going to be a tough one.” The two teams met three times during the regular season. The Blue Tide, who finished the season with a brilliant 37-5 record, won the first meeting, then Southern won the last two, especially the big
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Continued from previous page in the history of Harrison volleyball. Piotr Namiotko ended his Harrison career with more than 1,000 kills, one of just 20 people in New Jersey volleyball history to reach the historic plateau. Namiotko had 15 kills in the title match. “I never saw anyone play like the way Piotr did this year,” Landy said. “He’s just an amazing player who got better. He was dominant and I can’t wait to see him dominate on the next level.” “Piotr is absolutely incredible,” Vega said. “He can do anything. He gets the whole team hyped. He’s just incredible.” Landy praised Vega. “He’s been our go-to guy for three years,” Landy said. “We depend so much on Jimmy.” 4-Formation of the New Jersey Super Football Conference, headed by Nutley’s Piro Throughout the course of 2016, a center of attention was the formation of the nation’s largest high school football league, the 119-team North Jersey Super Football Conference that combined five existing conferences into one super league, with the idea of getting parity among the league participants and getting more teams to qualify for the NJSIAA state playoffs. The new NJSFC was spearheaded by the man eventually named as the league’s first president, Nutley athletic
director Joe Piro. “Fortunately, I have some great coaches working with me and a great staff. I’m not the only guy putting it together. I’m just the guy in front.” The Super Football Conference was devised last December in order to level the playing field in high school football in New Jersey, designed to give every single school a fighting chance to qualify for the NJSIAA playoffs, to give every school a relatively equal schedule and to separate the public schools from the private schools. It was believed that the private schools had a much better chance to compete because they could draw students from all over the place, while the public schools had to stay within the borders established by the respective school districts. Piro was determined to be the organization’s face and voice. He coordinates league meetings and press gatherings. “Because of the nature of what we’re doing, I’m just leading the pack,” Piro said. “But I’m not doing it all.” Piro was quick to mention
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5-Nutley’s Pena wins 100th match; finishes fourth in the state on same day When Darwin Pena arrived in the United States in Nutley from his native Dominican Republic five years ago, he was intrigued in becoming a wrestler. “I knew a little bit about wrestling because my cousin
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(Kenny) started a year before I got here,” Pena said. “I knew about it coming into this country. Kenny told me about wrestling. I was always athletic and loved competing. I figured it was something I could do together with Kenny.” Pena said that he liked contact sports like mixed martial arts. “I liked tae kwon do and boxing,” Pena said. “I like combat sports. But I had to learn a lot about wrestling.” Amazingly, almost astonishingly, the kid who knew nothing about wrestling five years ago became Nutley High School’s most decorated wrestler in 35 years. In March at the NJSIAA state championships in Atlantic City, Pena finished fourth in the 152-pound classification, needing to win four matches on Saturday just to get to Sunday. Pena became the first Nutley wrestler to stand that high on the podium since John Monaco won the state championship in 1981 before transferring to Clifton High. In recent years, wrestlers like Bobby Trombetta, Joe Ferinde and Dante Montes
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enjoyed fine runs in Atlantic City, but only finished as high as sixth. Pena’s fourth place finish is the best since Monaco. One of those four wins on Saturday came against Steve Bonsall of Newark Academy, who defeated Pena in the Essex County championships, the NJSIAA District 14 championship and the Region 4 championships. Earlier that day, Pena won the 100th match of his career, making his trip to Atlantic City historical and memorable. 6-Queen of Peace survives and stays open with last-minute pledge push In June, the news was downright frightful. Queen of Peace school officials announced that they had to raise an astounding $1 million by the end of the month to keep the doors of the 83-yearold high school open. So the QP family rallied around the plea for financial assistance, doing anything and everything to raise funds. A GoFundMe page was continued on next page
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Continued from previous page was constructed on Facebook. Fundraising events were held practically every weekend. Finally, three benefactors stepped forward and donated over $200,000 between them to enable QP to stay open another year. It meant that the school’s athletes didn’t have to scurry to other schools. QP has excellent wrestling and girls’ basketball teams and both stayed intact. 7-Harrison grid coach Ferriero removed after DUI with township van In August, the news was also bad in Harrison, when newly hired football coach Tom Ferriero allegedly took a township Board of Education van and drove it under the influence and was involved in a series of crashes and accidents that left several cars totaled. Ferriero was subsequently removed from the position and replaced by Michael Hinchcliffe, who did a remarkable job in restoring sanity to the Blue Tide
program. 8-Kearny wins Hudson County Tournament girls’ soccer title for eighth straight year Maybe as a send-off to coach Vin Almeida, the newly hired athletic director at Kearny High, the Kearny girls’ soccer team won their eighth straight Hudson County Tournament championship in October, defeating Bayonne, 2-0, in the title game. Skyler Matusz and Bre Costa scored the goals in the title game that enabled the Kardinals to claim yet another county championship. 9-QP’s Joseph becomes school’s all-time leading scorer Queen of Peace has been a school with a rich basketball history, so that’s why it was newsworthy when Jeremy Joseph became the school’s all-time leading scorer In February, Joseph lived up to his bold prediction that he would become the school’s all-time scoring leader. Before he ever enrolled in a class at Queen of Peace Joseph ut-
Observer file photo
Queen of Peace basketball standout Jeremy Joseph became the school’s alltime leading scorer, breaking a mark that stood for almost 30 years.
tered the words after looking up at the banner that graced the QP gym for ages. Joseph looked up at a banner in the school’s gymnasium, honoring all the 1,000-point scorers that the boys’ basketball program had produced. Joseph saw the total of 1,418 points tallied by
Thank you for all of your generous donations this year for our annual toy drive.
Happy Holidays.
1985 graduate Guy Indyk and promised to anyone within an earshot that he was eventually going to surpass that record. By scoring 27 points in a 6424 victory over Leonia on Feb. 18, Joseph surpassed Indyk as the all-time leading scorer among boys’ basketball players at Queen of Peace. 10-Harrison makes NJSIAA football playoffs for first time since 1989 New Harrison High School football coach Michael Hinchcliffe could performed magic
this season, leading the Blue Tide to the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group II playoffs for the first time since 1989. That alone is borderline miraculous for a program that hasn’t won five games in season before this year since 2003 and haven’t been to the playoffs in 27 years. There was a lot of losing in between. A lot of losing. In fact, since the 2003 season, the 5-5 version of the Blue Tide, Harrison had posted a 20-93 combined record, including two winless campaigns. So Hinchcliffe didn’t know what to expect, after he was thrust into the head coaching position. “I wasn’t sure if the kids could play well,” Hinchcliffe said. “I wondered, ‘What are my chances of getting something done?’ But the kids never wavered once. They all knew they had a chance to do something special. I thought the hardest thing was going to be for the kids to lose that losing mentality. But they got rid of it before I got there. They just knew that they were all in to do something special.” Hinchcliffe, an alumnus who played on the last team to go to the state playoffs in 1989 and was a freshman
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Continued from previous page when Harrison won the North Jersey Section 1, Group II team for Ralph Borgess in 1986, said that he told the kids about earning a berth in the postseason. “I told them that I knew what it was like,” Hinchcliffe said. “I was also a coach at
Ridgefield two years ago when we faced Hoboken. I told them that the first thing they had to do was to get to 4-0. Once they achieved that, winning the first four games, then they put themselves into position to believe.” Others of note: Kearny soccer legend John
Deli robbery suspect was in a pickle By Karen Zautyk Observer Correspondent KEARNY – A man who allegedly assaulted a local deli owner and then tried to abscond with the store’s cash box found the tables turned when the victim trapped him inside the shop, where he was conveniently available for prompt arrest, Kearny police reported. It was shortly after 10 p.m. last Wednesday, Dec. 21, when the KPD received a report of a robbery in progress at the deli on Davis Ave. near Hoyt St. Sgt. Anthony Limite, Det. John Fabula and Officers Mina Ekladious, Victor Girdwood and Ben Wuelfing arrived at the scene to find the proprietor outside, bleeding from injuries to his hands and legs. Police said the victim told them he had been locking up for the night when a man knocked on the door. When he opened it to advise the “customer” that the deli was closed, a struggle ensued at
the entrance and then spilled onto the sidewalk, where the proprietor was thrown to the ground but managed to break free from his assailant, police said. The attacker then ran into the store, but the quickthinking victim immediately pulled down the security gate, locking the perp inside. Police said that when they searched the premises, they found a ski-masked Nelson Ramos, 33, of Clifton, in the rear of the shop. Also found there was the cash box – containing $117 – that he allegedly had taken from the register. Ramos was arrested for robbery and on three outstanding criminal warrants: Wayne, $1,000 bail, shoplifting; Nutley, $250, drug-related, and a $1,000 one from Newark for “peering.” He was remanded to the Hudson County Jail. Authorities said the 57-yearold deli proprietor suffered only superficial injuries in his encounter with the accused.
DeMartino gets Prep Spirit Award
Spirit Awards are the highest non-academic honor a student at St. Peter’s Prep can receive. They were presented to students recently, continuing a 35-year Prep tradition of recognizing the unsung heroes of the school community. Nutley resident Alexander De Martino, son of Stephanie and Pasquale De Martino, was recognized for being an excellent leader, teammate and friend whose energetic personality and friendly nature makes all feel welcome. He is an exceptional student who is characterized by academic curiosity and humility. From l., Prep’s Dean of Student Life Anthony Locricchio, President Kenneth Boller, S.J., Alexander De Martino, ‘17, and Principal James DeAngelo.
Millar retired as athletic director, ending a 44-year tenure as a teacher, coach and administrator; Millar is named to the NJSIAA Hall of Fame; Kearny’s Amber Crispin wins The Observer Female Athlete of the Year award and Lyndhurst’s Petey Guerriero was named The Observer Male Athlete of
the Year; Kearny wrestling legend Tony Carratura dies of cancer at the age of 57; the North Arlington boys’ soccer team won the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference championship in the first year of the playoff system; Kearny baseball coach Frank Bifulco resigns to become the new athletic director in Millburn;
19
former girls’ soccer coach Vin Almeida named new athletic director at Kearny; the Kearny softball team won the Hudson County Tournament; All in all, it was another fine year in local sports, all documented here in the pages of The Observer. Happy New Year and thanks for reading.
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
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201-991-0905 Manchester - $125,000 LAND - 3.35 Acres Zoning Permitted Use as Residential - Close to beaches and Jersey Shore.
Kearny - $499,000 2 Fam. - 4 Bdrm - 3.5 Baths M EIK’s - Lr’s - Dr’s - 2 Car Garage w/driveway parking Pool - Yard - Full Basement.
Barnegat - $342,000 1 Fam. - 2 Bdrms2 Full Baths - LR - FDR MEIK - Fam Rm - Office Att. 1 Car garage w/ Driveway.
E. Orange - $ 198,888 Colonial - 3 Bdrms 1.5 baths - LR - DR - Kit Finished basement w/ Rec Rm - Wet bar, and laundry Det. 2 car garage.
Kearny - $ 378,900 1 Fam. - 3 Bdrms 2.5 Baths - LR - DR - MEIK Fin. Basement - Large Yard w/ outdoor grill - Att. 1 car garage.
Nutley - Duplex Left: $290,000 - 2 Bdrms - 2.5 baths - MEIK - LR - Finished basement w/ laundry room Det. 1 car garage w/ driveway. Right: $285,000 - 2 Bdrms 1.5 baths - LR- MEIK - finished basement w/ laundry room Det. 1 car garage.
Kearny - $399,000 1 Fam. - 3 Bdrms1.5 Baths- LR- DRLrg EIK - Finished basement Att. 1 car garage.
Kearny - $439,000 1 Fam. - 4 Bdrms - 2 Full Baths Lg. LR - Lg. DR - Lg. M Kit - Full basement w/ FAM Rm - Dry Bar Wine cellar & laundry - Det. 2 car garage w/ driveway.
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Kearny - $305,000 1 Fam. - 2 Bdrms - LR FDR - EIK - Sun Rm Full bath - Full basement Att. 1 car garage.
Kearny - $479,900 2 FAM. - 6 Bdrms 3 Full bath - LR’s - EIK’s - Full basement- 2 oversized car garages w/ parking for 5+ cars.
KEARNY
KEARNY
Banquet hall with full bar liquor lic, adjacent lot with 2 family and parking for hall Asking $999,900
New Construction 2 Fam 6 Br 5 Bath Roosevelt School 50 x 190 lot Asking $749,900
KEARNY
KEARNY
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No. Arlington - $1,700 2nd Fl. - Renovated 2 Bdrms - Lr - Dr - H ardwood Fls - MEIK 1 Car Parking
No. Arlington - $298,000 Professional condo features large reception area 6 rooms - kitchen/lounge area - 2 baths and storage.
Kearny - $1,900 2nd Fl.- 3 Bdrms Lr - New Kitchen w/ granite - Hardwood Fls - Full bath -1 Car garage parking.
Kearny - $1,200 2nd Fl. - 2 Bdrms 1 Bath - LR - EIK hardwood floors.
Kearny - $1,400 2nd Fl. - 2 Bdrms Lr - EIK - Full Bath Use of Yard Ht/Hw Inc.
No. Arlington - $1,600 1st Fl. - 3 Bdrms 1 Bath - LG EIK - LR laundry hookups in unit.
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No. Arlington - $1,800 Office Space 1,400 SQ - Reception area 5 Separate Offices Parking
No. Arlington - $2,000 2,044 Sq.Ft. - large reception area. - Kit lounge area - 2 baths - storage.
Kearny - $21,000 3 story building w/ total floor area of approx. 36,000 SqFt. 15 classrooms, office space, KIT, cafeteria, & restrooms.
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4 Brs, 2 baths, 1 car gar, cent air, pool, fin bsemnt, front porch Asking $395,000
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Completely renovated manor colonial 3 br 1.5 bath hardwood floors, new gas heat, central air, custom kitchen.
Exclusively listed at $415,000
1 family 3 br 1 Full Bath Driveway Asking $249,000
758 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032 • 201-991-0032
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
21
SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.
Semiao & Associates
213 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032
201- 991-1300 Ext. 410 Cell: 201-679-3785
neno-rosa Agency
Frank Riposta CDPE, SFR Sales Associate
Each office is independently owned and operated
FEATURED HOME
1.
NUTLEY
2.
nEW LIStInG!
KEARNY
UNDER CONTRACT
nutley - 1 Family - Large Colonial. 1st Floor w/Open Front Porch, Entrance Foyer, Living Rm, Dining Rm, Modern Eat in Kitchen & Half Bath. 2nd Floor w/ 3 Good Size Bedrooms, Den & Classic Bath w/ Tub. Walk Up Finished Attic w/ Full Bath. Full Open Unfinished Basement & Large Private Yard. Parking for 2 Cars at Street Level. Asking $362,000
4.
Kearny - 1 Family - Colonial w/ 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths, Sun Porch, Living Rm, Dining Rm & Eat in Kitchen. Unfinished Basement w/ Laundry Area. Newer Gas Furnace, Hot Water Tank & Windows. Private Driveway & 1 Car Garage. Asking $255,000
HArrISOn
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BELLEVILLE
Harrison - 3 Family - Apartments on 1st & 2nd Floor w/ Living Rm, 3 Bedrooms, Kitchen & Bath. 3rd Floor w/ Living Rm, Bedroom, Kitchen & Bath. Thermal Windows & Small Paved Yard. Short Walk to Path Train. All Apartments Fully Rented. Asking $449,000
7.
Belleville - 2 Family - 1st Floor w/ Living Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen, Full Bath, Bedroom & Laundry Area. 2nd Floor w/ Living Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen, Full Bath, 1 Bedroom & 2 Extra Bedrooms on 3rd Floor. Finished Basement & Extra Large Lot w/ 2 Car Detached Garage. Asking $309,900
BLOOMFIELD
8.
REDUCED!
Bloomfield - 2 Family - 1st Floor w/ Living Rm, Dining Rm, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen & Bath. 2nd Floor w/ Living Rm, Dining Rm, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Bath & Extra 2 Bedrooms & Bath on 3rd Floor. Semi-Finished Basement. Central Air & Many Updates. Close to Transportation. Asking $289,900
RUTHERFORD: Builders Dream!! Large 50’ x 137’ Property on desirable Ridge Road. $299,900
KEARNY: Don’t miss this Beautiful One Family Center Hall Colonial Style Home in Manor Section! All Large Rooms! This Custom Built Home features 3 Bedrooms, 1 Full and 2 Half Baths! Hardwood Floors Throughout! Central A/C! Great Screened in room overlooking private back yard! Full Finished Basement with walk-out to yard! Large 50’ x 100’ lot with plenty of parking space! A must see home!! $399,900
UNDER CONTRACT
10.
KEARNY
CEDAR GROVE: Well Established Deli, Grill and Catering business. On busy main street, extra income from NJ lottery, ample parking spaces in rear of building. $129,500
KEARNY
3.
6.
BLOOMFIELD
Bloomfield - 1 Family - 1st Floor w/ Living Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen & Sun Room. 2nd Floor w/ 3 Bedrooms & Bath. Walk-up Attic on 3rd Floor. Full Partially Finished Basement. Private Driveway & Detached Garage. Centrally Located. Asking $199,900
9.
KEARNY
KEARNY
REDUCED! Kearny - 1 Family - 1st Floor Has Foyer, Living Rm w/ Front Porch, Full Dining Rm, Den & Eat in Kitchen. 2nd Floor Has 3 Bedrooms & Ceramic Tiled Bathroom. Finished Walk Up Attic. Full Semi-Finished Basement & Detached 1 Car Garage. Wood Floors & Oil Heat (Tank in Ground). Asking $241,250
12.
REDUCED!
KEARNY
REDUCED!
LyndHurSt
Kearny - 1 Family - First floor w/ Living Rm, Kitchen & Full Bath. 2nd Floor w/ 2 Bedrooms. Full Unfinished Basement w/ Half Bath & Laundry Area. Pulldown Attic. House Renovated Early 2014. Central Air & Forced Air Heating. Asking $239,000
14.
REDUCED!
KEARNY
Kearny - 1 Family - Nice 1 Family w/ Good Sized Living Rm, Dining Rm & Eat in Kitchen on 1st Floor. 2nd Floor has 2 Bedrooms & Full Bath. Central Air & Unfinished Basement. Close to Transportation-Bus Stop on Corner. Asking $239,900
15.
UNDER CONTRACT
Lyndhurst - 1 Family - Colonial w/ 2 Bedrooms, Living Rm, Dining Rm, Modern Eat in Kitchen, Foyer & 1.5 Baths. Unfinished Basement. Driveway for 2 Cars. Above Ground Pool Motor is Broken. Oil Tank is Above Ground in Backyard. Asking $292,000
16.
LyndHurSt
Lyndhurst - 1 Family - Colonial w/ 1st Floor Master Bedroom, Large Kitchen, Dining Rm, Living Rm, Bath & Entrance Foyer. 2nd Floor w/ 3 Bedrooms & Ceramic Tile Bath. Hardwood Flooring, Steam Heat & Private Yard. One Block from Ridge Road. Asking $315,000
UNDER CONTRACT Kearny - 4 Family - 3 Apartments w/ 2 Bedrooms, Living Rm, Kitchen & Full Bath. 1 Apartment w/ 1 Bedroom, Living Rm, Kitchen & Full Bath. All Separate Utilities. Laundry and Storage in Basement. 2 Car Detached Garage. Asking $485,000
11.
Kearny - Well Kept Single Family - First Floor w/ Living Rm, Dining Rm, Modern Eat in Kitchen & Full Bath. Second Floor w/ 3 Bedrooms & Full Bath. Finished Attic & Central Air. Finished Basement w/ Office Space, Laundry Rm & Bath. All Remodeled in 1999. New Roof, New Electric, New Hardwood Floors, New Siding & New Garage. Asking $355,000
13.
KEARNY: Great Ranch Style One Family Home in desirable section of Kearny! Hardwood Floors! New Windows! Gas Heating System and Central A/C! Full High and Dry Basement! Large Back Yard! Private Driveway and Over-sized Garage! $299,900
Broker/Owner
REDUCED!
UNDER CONTRACT
KEARNY: Location! Location! Location! Beautiful and Well Maintained One Family Home in desirable Manor Section. Hardwood Floors Throughout! All Large Rooms! 4 Bedrooms! 3 Full Baths! Living Room with Fireplace! Formal Dining Room! New Windows! New Timberline Roof and Siding! Full Finished Basement with Family Room, Office and Full Bath! Full Finished Attic with Bedroom and Office! Great Deck off Living Room!(handicapped accessible if needed) Large 50’ by 100’ Lot! Long Driveway and 2 Car Detached Garage! Close to Schools, Shopping and ALL Transportation! Just Steps away from NY Buses! A Must See Home! $429,900
Augusto Neno
551-553 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032 www.RosaAgencyHomes.com • 201-997-7860
Kearny - 1 Family - Left side of Duplex w/ Foyer, Living Rm, Dining Rm & Eat in Kitchen on 1st Floor. 2nd Floor w/ 2 Bedrooms & Tiled Bath. Wide Driveway and Backyard. High SemiFinished Basement. Easy Walk to West Hudson Park and Local Shopping. Asking $174,900
KEARNY
17.
KEARNY
KEARNY
REDUCED! Kearny - Heather Glenn Condo - Second floor Condo w/ 2 Bedrooms, Living Rm, Modern Eat in Kitchen, Modern Bath, Laundry & Parking for 1 car. Balcony off Living Rm. Asking $189,000
18.
KEARNY
UNDER CONTRACT Kearny - 2 Family - 1st Floor w/ 2 Bedrooms, Living Rm, Eat-in-Kitchen & Bath. 2nd Floor w/ Bedroom, Living Rm, Eat-in-Kitchen, Den & Bath. Semi-Finished Basement w/ Rec Rm, Utility/Laundry Rm, Den & Bath. Asking $279,000
KEARNY: 1 Fam, Colonial Style on dead end block, 3 BR, 1.5 Bath, Hardwood Floors, Fireplace, One car garage, new gas heating system. $289,900
MONTCLAIR: Location! Location! Location! Mixed use building in the heart of business district consisting of large storefront and 4 one bedroom apartments! $699,900
UNDER CONTRACT
Kearny - 1 Family – Updated Cape w/ 3 Bedrooms, Dining Rm, 2 Full Baths, Kitchen & Nice Deck. Hardwood Floors, Central Air & 2 Car Garage. Basement w/ Large Rec Room & Laundry Rm. Asking $310,000
Kearny - 2 Family – 1st Floor w/ Living Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen, 2 Bedrooms & Bath. 2nd Floor w/ Living Rm, Large Eat in Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, Bath & Additional 4 Rooms & Bath on 3rd Floor. Full Unfinished Basement w/ Laundry Area. Separate Utilities. Home Sold “As Is”. Asking $275,000
$500 CLOSING COST CREDIT AT CLOSING! This offer is for Veterans, Police Officers, Firefighters, Teachers & Union Employees.
Contact Us for More Details! VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT
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KEARNY: Level buildable Lot for sale in residential area of Kearny. Measures approximately 25’ x 92’. $129,900
NORTH ARLINGTON: Well maintained 1 family in desirable section. 3 br, 1 full and 1 half bath. Hardwood Floors, new windows, newer roof, central a/c, Private driveway and built in 1 car garage! 299,500
Tel: (201) 997-7860
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
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Real Estate
DIRECTORY
To advertise in this directory CALL 201-991-1600 761 Ridge Rd. Lyndhurst, NJ 201-460-8000
Semiao & Associates
213 Kearny Ave, Kearny, NJ 201-991-1300 572 Kearny Avenue Kearny, New Jersey 07032 Ph: (201)991-5719 F: (201)991-8860 www.midrealty.com
MID-REALTY, INC. Jarlynn Hyde Broker/Owner
“OUR SUCCESS HAS BEEN BUILT ONE SATISFIED CUSTOMER AT A TIME...”
The Bixler Group
The Bixler Group
Real Estate & Insurance Since 1891 758 Kearny Ave., Kearny 201.991.0032 BixlerEST1891.com
LLC
Keypoint Mortgage
North Arlington, NJ 201-998-9050 Rob@keypointmortgage.com
Arlington Real Estate Owned & Operated by the Capobianco family since 1924
201.991.0905
636 Kearny Ave., Kearny • 201-997-7000 424 Valley Brook Ave. Lyndhurst • 201-939-8900 info@cocciarealty.com
SCHUYLER SAVINGS BANK
Schuyler Savings Bank Mortgage Loan Dept. 20 Davis Ave. Kearny • 201-991-6078
14
Davis Ave., Kearny, is robbed on Aug. 25. No report is issued on how much was taken. Two armed robberies are reported, within minutes of each other, in Harrison on Sept. 4. In the first incident, three men in a BMW take cash and tobacco products from the Delta Gas Station in the 500 block of Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. S. In the second, two men, one reportedly carrying an Uzistyle machine gun, rob jewelry and an iPhone 6+ from an adult couple on the 300 block of Essex St. Belleville public school teachers get a new 3-year contract running through June 30, 2018, providing no raise the first year, 4.5% the second year and 2.7% the third year, including normal pay increments but East Newark teachers are stalemated in their efforts to win a new pact. Harrison’s Eddie Acosta is feted by Jersey City LGBT Pride Festival with a Young Activist Award in recognition of the lad’s effort to organize a “Walk For Love” through West Hudson communities in the aftermath of the killings at the Orlando, Fla., nightclub Pulse. Suffering from shaky finances, Harrison American Legion Post 282 sells its two-story post hall to the Harrison BOE but post commander Bob Gerris pledges that the post will remain active in town. For the fifth year in a row, the 15W Picnic for Those That Grew Up in Kearny in the ‘60s and ‘70s is conducted in Riverbank Park in Kearny on Sept. 24. For the second time in two weeks, Schuyler Savings Bank in Kearny is robbed again, on Sept. 8. KPD Officer Steven Hroncich, responding to a broadcast alert, encounters a possible suspect “dripping in sweat” driving northbound on Schuyler, a few blocks from the bank, and pulls him over. After he sees the driver bend down to move something, he tries reaching inside for the key but ends up being dragged as the driver begins accelerating. Hroncich pulls free in the CVS lot. Lyndhurst hires five new cops, including Matthew Dudek, son of the township’s Revenue & Finance Commissioner Theodore Dudek; Brian Kapp, son of Gail Kapp, the recently retired secretary to the police chief; and Elizabeth Hollenbeck, who becomes the second woman to join the LPD. Kearny’s John Leadbeater, previously sentenced to a 5-year prison term for his alleged role in what the feds characterized as a huge home mortgage fraud conspiracy by multiple defendants, reports Sept. 19 to do his time in the U.S. Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pa. A Sept. 15 fire at a two-story plus attic residential building at 851 Penn-
sylvania Ave. in Lyndhurst leaves its occupants homeless. Five members of the KFD are promoted to fire captain on Sept. 13. They are: William Crockett, son of a retired KPD captain; Matthew Mitchell, son of a retired North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue firefighter; and Kevin Becker, whose brother Patrick is a KPD officer. Ten KPD members join with 270 police colleagues for the four-day Tour de Force bike-a-thon, from Washington, D.C., to New York, in tribute to the 9/11 victims and to honor all police officers killed in the line of duty. The 10 are: Capt. Scott Macfie, Capt. Timothy Wagner, Lt. Paul Bershefski, Lt. Michael Ryan, Sgt. Michael Gonzalez, Det. John Fabula and Officers Richard Pawlowski, Jonathan Dowie, Jason Rodriguez and Mina Ekladious. One of two suspects reportedly involved in a Sept. 16 shoplifting incident at the Walmart in Kearny is shot while fleeing by a Kearny police officer. Sources say suspect Ramon Martinez, 43, of Newark, was driving away from the store at the same time an unidentified Kearny cop – who had heard an alarm broadcast on his car radio and who happened to be nearby – responded to the Walmart and, after heard a description of the suspect’s vehicle, fired at that vehicle and, in the process, striking the driver, who managed to get away. Sources say a tip subsequently led police to a Newark auto repair shop where they found, and arrested, Martinez on charges of eluding, receiving stolen property and shoplifting. Despite a big loss of property-tax revenues after an unsuccessful tax appeal involving PSE&G, Harrison avoids having to pass along a big tax increase on property owners after the state awards the town $1.36 million in transitional aid for 2016. However, the town is still under state pressure to accept a plan for the Newark Fire Department to take over fire protection services as part of the terms of a still-unsettled labor contract with the local fire union. October A suspect in the Sept. 8 robbery of Schuyler Savings Bank of Kearny is arrested Sept. 23 after unsuccessfully trying to evade a police stakeout and pursuit ending with him crashing his vehicle near the Lyndhurst bridge. As it faces an order to revalue all township properties for 2018, Belleville hires an outside law firm to challenge the tax-exempt status of Clara Maass Medical Center. Several KHS students in a thirdfloor classroom are overcome by toxic carbon monoxide fumes after their teacher inadvertently opens a window, exposing the room to the fumes streaming from a generator on Continued on the next page
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
To submit an obituary: fax: 201-991-8941
obituaries@theobserver.com
obituaries
23
To submit an obituary: fax: 201-991-8941
obituaries@theobserver.com
Doreen Ballantyne Doreen Ballantyne (nee McLean) died Dec. 19. She was 70. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, she lived the last 40
years in North Arlington. Visiting was Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. The funeral service was
Thursday, Dec. 22, at the funeral home. Cremation was private. Doreen was the wife of the late Duncan Ballantyne and is survived by her son
Mark and his wife Lauren, and two granddaughters Ainsley and Braelyn. Doreen had been the head secretary at Johnston Communications for many
years. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Bergen County Animal Shelter.
Continued from previous page
ally designates HC Development, an affiliate of The Hampshire Companies, to undertake redevelopment of a portion of the Porete Ave. Redevelopment Area in the borough’s industrial section. Harrison’s Delta Gas Station is again the target of robbers on Oct. 12. Two armed men rough up the attendant and take cash and a Samsung tablet. East Newark passes a bond ordinance to provide for, among other things, acquisition of the St. Anthony’s Social Center but the Archdiocese of Newark, the property owner, says no sale. The KPD and KFD come to the rescue of a 51-year-old Irvington motorist on Oct. 13 after the driver’s Chevy Impala crashes into the rear of a truck hauling a 100-pound propane tank on the Belleville Pike east of Schuyler Aves. Sgt. Glen Reed and Officer
Victor Girdwood are credited with extricating the driver who had apparently passed out. A monument in tribute to Belleville’s role as a welcome host community for Chinese immigrants in the late 1800s, along with the former Dutch Reformed Church, is dedicated at the historic church site where the remains of an unknown number of Chinese lie buried under the church in a crypt. Dignitaries of the People’s Republic of China are among the guests at the event. Kearny Bank in Harrison is robbed of $1,500+ by a man wearing a jacket marked “Security” on Oct. 21. Raptors are at risk when alighting at the Kingsland landfill in Lyndhurst, as a result of methane flames singeing their feathers and tails. The NJSEA, owner of the landfill, is working with a consultant to devise a remedy.
A golf tournament at the Minebrook Country Club in Hackettstown to raise funds for next year’s celebration of Kearny’s 150th anniversary nets $30,337 to help offset expenses associated with the celebration. Belleville resident Victoria Horvath, 44, is sentenced in Newark Federal Court on Oct. 30 to 92 months in prison af-
ter she’s found guilty of leading a conspiracy to illegally obtain and distribute oxycodone in the state between Feb. 3 and Aug. 13, 2014. An Oct. 25 fire at a 3-family home at 90 Johnston Ave., Kearny, displaces 13 residents. Phyllis Stewart, who, with her late husband Alastair, ran
the pavement below where welders were working. All recover. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces plans to undertake a $100 million+, 4-year design study for the cleanup of the lower Passaic River. The actual job will take an estimated six years and $11 billion to execute. Former Belleville Library Board chairman Richard Yanuzzi, principal of Sarroween Inc., is indicted by a state grand jury Oct. 3 for his alleged failure to pay $442,000 in state sales taxes and tobacco product taxes from two cigar stores he owns in Lyndhurst and West Caldwell. The KFD hires 13 new firefighters, including KHS alumna Haley Girdwood, the third woman to join the fire department; and Steve A. Dyl, son of the department’s chief. North Arlington condition-
Novena to St. Jude
Observer File Photo
Kearny is selling this souvenir ornament to help defray costs associated with next year’s sesquicentennial. s
TheObserver.com
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. Please grant my request. Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the 9th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. R.I.
see REVIEW page
26
Mulligan Funeral Home 331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison
Licensed Funeral Director serving your needs:
Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221 Private Parking at 10 Frank Rodgers Blvd. North
973-481-4333 visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com
Shaw-Buyus Home for Services
Mario Teixeira, IV, Manager, NJ Lic. #3757
Mario Teixeira, Jr. Director, NJ Lic. #2542 • Monique Teixeira, Director, NJ Lic. #4048 Newly renovated family owned and operated funeral home with multiple locations. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Handicapped Accessible.
138 DAVIS AVE. • KEARNY, NJ 07032
(201) 991-2265 www.buyusfuneralhome.com
WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS FUNERAL HOME Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916
You will feel as if friends of family have taken over when you entrust funeral arrangements to the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home. The family-owned firm has been in business for 100 years, serving generations in West Hudson and South Bergen. Its beautiful facilities, in a setting reminiscent of a colonial mansion, reflect the graciousness and tact of its understanding personnel.
Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home
596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657
24
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
www.theobserver.com
The Observer is not responsible for typographical errors. Credit for errors will not be granted after the next week’s publication. $10 fee for changes. No refunds.or Credits. Deadline for classifieds is Monday by 3:00 PM.
THE OBSERVER
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
HARRISON HARRISON 1 Large BR condo, w/parking & laundry. HT/HW included. $1,400/month. 1 1/2 months security deposit. Avl. Now. (973) 7151941.
REMINDER: We will be Closed on Monday, January 2nd, Deadline will be Friday December 30th, before 2pm. For week of 1/4/16 For more info. Please
call (201) 991-1600
HARRISON Studio, near PATH. No pets. Call After 4:30pm. (908) 472-8061.
HARRISON 2 & 3 BR’s, 1st & 2nd Fl. Avl. Jan.1st Call John (973) 714-2368.
KEARNY KEARNY (382-386 HIGHLAND AVE UNIT #203, $1,400): GREAT UNIT! 2 BR, 1 FULL BATH, LARGE MODERN EIK, HT INCLUDED, OWNER WILL CONSIDER 1 CAT, CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND TRANSPORTATION TO NYC
Century 21 Semiao & Associates 201-991-1300
Pre-pay and take advantage of these deals:
CLASSIFIEDS APARTMENTS FOR RENT KEARNY (382-386 HIGHLAND AVE UNIT #102, $1,300): GREAT UNIT! 2 BR, 1 FULL BATH, LARGE MODERN EIK, HT INCLUDED, OWNER WILL PERMIT 1 CAT, OWNER WILLING TO PAINT AND REDO FLOORS, CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND TRANSPORTATION TO NYC Century 21 Semiao & Associates 201-991-1300 KEARNY 2nd Fl. 2 BR’s, sunroom, LR, DR, EIK. No smoking, no pets. $1,200/month + 1 month security. HT/ HW included. (201) 9975853. KEARNY Newly renovated, hardwood floors. Laundry onsite. HT/HW included. 2 BR start at $1,200. 1 BR start at $975. Jr. 1 BR start at $925. (201) 289-7096
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
KEARNY office/retail, center of town, ground level $650/month. Call for details. (201) 997-2341 or LYNDHURST Newly (201) 538-1319. Renovated 2 BR, LR, DR, Kitchen w/Granite countertop. $1,800/month. N.ARLINGTON Prime 1 month security. W/D. location on Ridge rd., Dishwasher. H/W floors. 2,500sq. ft. Can be used. AC. Close to NJ/NY TransRetail/office/medical portation. Avl. jan 1st. space. On Ground floor. (973) 234-3323 or Off street parking call for (201) 719-0883. detail (201) 538-1319 or (201) 997-2341 LYNDHURST 1 BR, LR, DR, Kitchen. $1,400/ KEARNY Office Space on month. Pets Welcomed. Kearny Ave. Completely No Laundry. Avl. now. Renovated. 2nd fl. $600/ (201) 933-1695. month + utilities. (201) 538-1319 or (201) 997N. ARLINGTON 2341
CLASSIFIEDS: Items for sale, RFR, AFR, parking, house for sale. Pay 2 weeks, get the third free!
N.ARLINGTON 1 BR’s, Kitchen, W/D, 1 month KEARNY Professional security. Avl. Jan. 1st. office space on Kearny (732) 501-4649. Ave. 1 1/2 months security. 1,000sq.ft. Proximity to PATH & Bus lines. Avl. Now. (201) 362-5028. NEWARK
STORE NEWARK 1 BR, LR, Kitchen, Bathroom. $900/ FOR RENT month + 1 month secuKEARNY 2 BR, 2 Bath, rity. HT included. Avl. Jan. newly renovated. Hard1st. (973) 477-0925 or KEARNY 842 Kearny Ave. wood Floors, granite Store for rent Avl. Imme(973) 202-5103. countertops. $1,450/ diately. (973) 229-2786 month + utilities. 1 1/2 ROOM months security. Avl. RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT Now. In Nice section of Kearny. Call (201) 704FOR RENT 7821. HARRISON Large room for rent, AC included. Kearny prime corner Family oriented. $700/ location on Schuyler Ave. month Avl. Now. 2500sq.ft. off street parkKEARNY 1 BR apt. in Ar- (201) 772-2197 ing. can be used for retail, lington Section. LR, Kit. repair or detail shop. on 1 1/2 months security. No dogs. $900/month + FURNISHED ROOM ground floor call (973) 985-3286 utilities. Leave Message. FOR RENT (201) 998-1095. BELLEVILLE Clean nice furnished room for rent in my home. No smoking. KEARNY 6 rooms, Shared kitchen & Bath. supply own utilities. no pets. (201) 997-8867. Laundry. A/C. Light cooking. Utilities supplied. Parking. $850/month (negotiable). 1 month KEARNY 2nd fl. 2 BR, security. Nice NeighborLR, DR. $1,100/month + hood. (201) 687-0580 utilities. 1 month secu- Leave message. rity. Avl. Jan. 1st. (201) 640-2673.
Agencies: Please call for pricing. Add color for a small charge. Call (201) 991-1600
PARKING SPACE FOR RENT BELLEVILLE 3 car garage for rent. 25x19. $500/ month. 1 month security. Available Now. Good for parking cars, storage, boats, contractors. Safe location. (973) 951-6315
TRUCK PARKING FOR RENT
KEARNY 2nd fl. 2 BR, LR, /Nutley Truck Parking in Belleville, kitchen, C/A, 1 month se- BELLEVILLE curity. Avl. Jan. 1st. (201) Border, 2 BR, 2 bathroom, secure lot. Fenced in for 259-0689 call after 3pm. Ranch. Finished base- 10 trucks. Avl. immediment, large backyard, ga- ately. (201) 310-4433 rage parking. $227,000. KEARNY 5 1/2 rooms, Negotiable Must sell. No 2nd fl, Arlington section. realtors. Karen (973) 747$1,250/month + utilities. 7654. Avl. Jan. 1st. Call (201) 998-5137.
HALL FOR RENT
LYNDHURST
HOUSE FOR SALE
HELP WANTED: Pay first week, get second week 50% off!
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT
BUSINESS FOR SALE
KEARNY 545 Chestnut St. Studio. $900/month. HARRISON BBQ HT/HW included. restaurant for sale 30,000 201-889-4436 or Call (973) 485-4800. (973) 465-0166 .
To place an ad call: 201-991-1600 classified@theobserver.com ITEMS FOR SALE
PERSONALS
Perfumes, Christmas doll & doll collectibles , pocket books, furniture, Bar Table w/2 chairs, Clothes and much more, all at reasonable price. (973) 5834298 (862) 888-1641
54 white male, retired, Looking for young lady 42-99 Long term relationship. Drama free, respectful & trustworthy. Expect the same. will not answer blocked calls. (862) 900-5835 Thank you and Happy Holidays.
8 Parakeets, toys, food, complete cage 62x30x18, Moving need good home, $180. (973) 216-1146. Hall Available Mid week special. Price Break-Call Parties, Business Meeeting, & Functions (201) 991-9865 (201) 893-2280 Max 80 people.
Your Ad Here! REFLEXOLOGY
THE LOTUS Spa & Tea
by Lemarx Specializing in Traditional Eastern • Foot Reflexology • Deep Massage Aromatic Herbal Teas 613 Bloomfield Ave. Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 559-1193 www.THELOTUSSPATEA.COM
EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED
EMPLOYMENT/ HELP WANTED
Office furniture installers needed No experience necessary Please contact us at 908-237-0179
Newark NJ Company is looking for experienced printer in flexo post printing and hot stamping paper and poly bags. Send resume to ramflexo@gmail.com
$$ NOW HIRING! $$ Property Inspectors FT/PT in your area. Free training provided. msangelabove@ comcast.net. (732)766-4425
FT Warehouse/ Helpers MUST be fluent in English and Spanish a MUST work early hours, experience required Basic math skills Email resume or call (201) 997-7689 x1104 virginiao@familyfooddist.com
What an ad on Craigslist gets you ... • A free ad | • No-shows | • HEADACHES | • People from other regions of NJ | • SCAMMERS
What an OBSERVER CLASSIFIED gets you ... • Local readership | • Local buyers | • Access to thousands of people who support our advertisers | • Placement in a 129-year-old newspaper (and on our website) that people still read loyally each and every week. Truth is, nothing can compare to our Classified Section. Why take the risk with Craigslist? Try The Observer’s Classifieds ... and see results right away. Call us today to place your ad.
(201) 991-1600
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
www.theobserver.com
The Observer is not responsible for typographical errors. Credit for errors will not be granted after the next week’s publication. No changes or refunds. Deadline for classifieds is Monday by 3:00 PM.
CLASSIFIEDS
A.A.
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
LANDSCAPING & DESIGN
PAINTING & DECORATING
A.A. Drinking Problem? We can Help? Call A.A. 24 Hours. 1-800-245-1377
•Concrete • Brick work • steps • Stone Walls • Drywall •Tiles, ALL types of Masonry Free Estimates (973) 943-2254
G & R Builders
MARIO ESPOSITO LANDSCAPING LLC Clean-Up Lawn maintenance Top Soil • Mulch Free Estimates
Painting & Decorating Andreas Painting
Professional HousePainter 165. Interior & Exterior Printing - Plastering - Taping Free Estimates
201-438-3991
Speak slow in answering machine please
CLEANING SERVICES
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Lic. #13VH02536200
MASONRY SERVICES
PEST CONTROL
Giuliano Turano
(201) 893-0656
Retaining Walls, Brick, Block, Stone Work, Patio, Roof, Siding. Handyman & All type of Masonry Work. Free Estimates. Fully Insured. 30 years Experience
(973) 803-0556.
PEST CONTROL Exterminating Fast Service • Roaches • Fleas • Ants • Bed Bugs Call 973-932-2092 Licensed & Insured
Manny Vidveiro Masonry
PLUMBING & HEATING
Annie’s cleaning service
Homes, Offices. Move In-out cleaning. Avl. also to clean up your next party or event. Gift Certificate Avail. Excellent references. 973-667-6739 862-210-0681
Fatima Cleaning Services Apartments, Houses, Office. References Avail. • Efficient • Reliable •Affordable. Free Estimates (201) 428-7147
SUSAN CLEANS
I am available to clean Saturdays and Sundays. I provide own supplies and equipment. Reasonable rate and great references. Call Susan any day at (973) 743-2039.
THE OBSERVER
PLACE YOUR NEXT AD WITH US! (201) 9911600
25 years experience Twin Electric Quality Work. Good affordable prices. Senior discounts. Fully Insured. Bonded. Lic.#16158 (973) 715-4150 (201) 562-5985
HANDYMAN SERVICES DO IT ALL Interior Exterior new & repairs. All types of carpentry. Reasonable rates, quality work, reliable, experienced. 13VH06620900 (201)991-3223
Fernando Ferrer European Experience Ceramic Work Carpentry, Painting (201) 428-4477 HEATING & COOLING
Roofing, Siding, Windows, Doors, Decks, Painting, Tiles & Masonry, Sheet Rock. All types of Carpentry. Free Estimates 20% Senior Citizen Discounts
FM Property Home Repairs & Improvements • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Doors • Floors • Windows • Painting • Decks All types of repairs Lic. # 13VH05674000 Fully Insured
201-428-7160
FENIELLO CONTRACTING LLC. BASEMENT RENOVATIONS NO MORE WASTED SPACE. Baths, Kitchens, Deck, Painting. All types of Home Improvement. Quality work Fair prices Fully insured. Lic# 13vh03006100
(201) 906-2422
Troy Heating and Cooling Installed Fully Insured Hot Water Tank & Furnace All types of repair & Services only. Sewer Cleaning (908) 290-1281
First Time Advertisers Pay for 3 weeks Receive 3 weeks Free. 1x1: $81 / 1x1.5: $124 / 1x2: $162 AD COLOR FOR AN EXTRA CHARGE! (Cleaning service, Construction, Masonry, Handyman, etc.)
Plus Free Internet Exposure. Call us for more information! Ads must be emailed or faxed! Place your ad online www.Theobserver.com Click on Classified then click on submit classified here
• Blocks • Concrete • Bricks • Flatwork • Basement
Waterproofing • Tiles.
(908) 456-8016 MOVING
(201) 997-0706
JOSEPH V. FERRIERO Plumbing & Heating Kitchen and bath remodeling. Carpentry. Hot Water Heaters. Fully Ins. Lic# 165
(201)637-1775
JR Trucking Moving and Delivery Service Inc. We can Save Time & Money Commercial & Residential Free Estimate. Ask for Will
Courageous Plumbing HVAC LLC LIC. # 11103 • Plumbing • Heating • Air Conditioning • Hot Air Furnaces • Sewer Drain Cleaning • Video Sewer Inspections •Oil Tank Removal No money up front, Finance up to 115 payments. (201) 206-4845
The Handy Van Guys Moving & General Contracting Free Estimate Ask for Raul (862) 368-8847
J. Hugroy Plumbing & Heating LLC Boilers, Hot Water Heaters, A/C, Water & Sewer Lines, Pumps, Sump pit, Sewer Ejectors, French Drain, Backflow Testing. 1(877) 766-4778. NJ Lic. #08865
(973) 477-1848.
ROOFING & SIDING
New + Re-roofing • Flat roofing Window installation • Siding • Gutters Free estimates Fully insured (973) 343-1167 (201) 528-8350 Lic#13VH04302300
RUBBISH REMOVAL A1 affordable Rubbish Removal Attics, Basements, Yard Cleaning. We Haul or You Can Rent 10-15 Cubic Yard Containers. We Accept Visa/MasterCard
(201) 998-1262. ANDRIELLO CLEANOUTS
Removal, Yards, Garages, Basements, Attics, Real Estate, Rubbish Removal/ Demolition Lic.13VH04443200 (201) 726-0287
SEAMLESS GUTTERS D. FITZGERALD
Seamless Gutters Installed LLC • Gutters Cleaned • Yankee Gutters Repaired & Relined • Slate Roofs Repaired • Flat Roofs Sealed & Coated “Save Plenty“ Call Dennie” 1-800-479-3262
www.jhugroyplumbingnj.com
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Are you between 18-35? Join our growing team and learn how to take ownership of your life, your health, your dreams, and lead an extraordinary live and help others do the same. I am looking to directly work with a few young leaders. If you are serious and coachable. Email: opportunity@ lmfmarketing.com
SNOW REMOVAL Interior painting Residential, Snow removal. William J. Mcguire Cell (201) 955-2520 Home (570) 369-3141. WANTED TO BUY Estates Bought & Sold Fine Furniture Antiques, Accessories, Gold & Silver.
Cash Paid (201) 920-8875
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To place an ad call: 201-991-1600 classified@theobserver.com
Investigating serious crash KEARNY – Local and N.J. State Police have been investigating a “serious” Dec. 18 head-on crash between a truck and an SUV on the Newark Turnpike at the eastern end of Harrison Ave. The SUV driver and a passenger were trapped in that vehicle and had to be extricated by the Kearny Fire Department. When the accident report came in shortly after noon, KPD units from both uptown and South Kearny responded to the scene, securing it and detouring traffic. Authorities said investigating KPD Officer Philip Finch obtained and viewed security video from the area and determined that, as the eastbound, Pennsylvania-registered Volvo truck was approaching a traffic light, the driver applied the brakes and the vehicle “began to spin out of control.” The truck reportedly veered to the left, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the westbound SUV. Rescued from the SUV by the KFD were the driver, a 32-year-old Newark woman, and her passenger, a 35-year-old man from Cleveland. Both suffered bone fractures and were transported by Kearny EMS to University Hospital, Newark, where they were reported in stable condition. Police said the trucker, a 51-yearold Linden man, remained at the scene, and, as of press time, no charges had been filed. Finch and the KPD Traffic Unit are continuing to investigate, as is the N.J. State Police Crash Investigation Unit. The state officers were contacted to do an inspection of the truck in an attempt to determine if the crash was due to mechanical failure or driver error. -- Karen Zautyk
26
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
REVIEW from
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her late husband Alastair, ran Stewarts Scottish Market on Kearny Ave. for decades, dies Oct. 27 in Florida. November Eight months after it opened its door, Harrison’s Dr. Stanley J. Siwek Health Center has yet to be issued a Medicare registration number by the U.S. Health & Human Services Department so it cannot be reimbursed for provided, uncompensated care. However, it has continued to see all patients while absorbing the lost revenue. Lyndhurst voters approve a public referendum by a 2-1 margin authorizing the Board of Education to spend nearly $20 million on physical upgrades to its four elementary schools and the high school. It will also proceed, separately, with construction of a new $53 million junior high on Matera Field. Despite reservations voiced by members of the governing body, Kearny applies for a N.J. Department of Transportation grant for a “bicycleshare/bike lane” project. A Kearny physician, Dr. Mudasser Sharif, 41, owner of Garden State Primary Care, is sentenced in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia to five and a half years in prison for illegally dispensing prescription painkillers. A municipal election in North Arlington sees Democrats pushing out two GOP incumbents to break up an all-Republican voting bloc on the governing body. Democrats Mark Yampaglia and Jean Williams will take the seats occupied by Republicans Rich Hughes and Marijo Karcic Jr. Super Fresh takes over the former Pathmark in Belleville’s Silver Lake section. Pathmark, a subsidiary of A&P, closed last year as a casualty of its parent company’s bankruptcy and reorganization. Super Fresh also is operating out of the old A&P store in Bloomfield. Former Rutgers University football standout Eric LeGrand, paralyzed from the neck down following a mishap on the gridiron, visits Kearny’s Washington Middle School on Nov. 18. Now a motivational speaker, LeGrand talked to kids from Washington and Garfield Schools about the importance of being the best they can be. Hudson County government announces the award of $10 million in state DOT aid for improvements to torn-up roads in South Kearny’s industrial section, including sections of Pennsylvania Ave., Fish House Road and Central Ave. East Newark’s licensed water operator Richard Ferraioli resigns and is replaced by Robert J. DeBlock. Ferraioli, who previously stepped down as Kearny’s water operator, continues in that post for Harrison. A woman motorist involved in an
accident on the northbound lanes of Rts. 1&9 on the Passaic River bridge in South Kearny on Nov. 26 suddenly hurls the center median, running through southbound traffic, climbs over a bridge guardrail and jumps into the river, eventually drifting to the Newark side. After spending about 20 minutes in the frigid water, she is pulled out by KFD members. Seventeen Kearny tenants are forced out of their apartments on Nov. 23 when a fire strikes their 3-story residence at 197 Kearny Ave. They are treated to Thanksgiving-eve meals, courtesy of Tops Diner. Queen of Peace High School is the beneficiary of a $50,000 sustainability donation by Investors Foundation. A Nov. 23 fire, determined to be arson, ruins two rowing shells owned by the Passaic River Rowing Association at a storage facility in Bergen County Riverside Park South in Lyndhurst. Benjamin A. Pezzolla, brother of Observer GM Robert Pezzolla and of Frank Pezzolla, owner of Frank’s GMC of Lyndhurst, dies at age 82 on Nov. 30. December Kearny unveils its 150th anniversary commemorative ornaments, offered for sale at $20 apiece. The Belleville Historical Society launches a $75,000 GoFundMe drive on behalf of the historic Dutch Reformed Church (now known as La Senda Antigua) to preserve the structure against the ravages of a severe winter. North Arlington’s Schuyler Co. 2 firehouse marks its centennial, paying tribute to founder George A. Eckardt and other locals. Lyndhurst resident and Jersey City jewelry store owner Vinod Dadlani, 53, is sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He was alleged to be part of a global scheme to fabricate false IDs and create false credit cards that led to defrauding businesses of $200 million. Nutley Public Safety Commissioner Steven L. Rogers announces his candidacy for governor of New Jersey. He plans to run as a Republican. Newark resident Jermaine W. Mason (AKA Asim Harris), 39, is charged Dec. 6 with the Nov. 29 robbery of Provident Bank in Kearny and is additionally charged with robbing Kearny Bank in Harrison on Oct. 21, PNC Bank in Jersey City on Nov. 3, Popular Community Bank in Newark on Nov. 17 and Provident Bank in Jersey City on Nov. 18. Authorities say Mason had been on federally-supervised release for bank robbery convictions dating from 2006 to 2007. The N.J. Attorney General’s Office, in conjunction with the N.J. State Police, present a public forum in Belleville on Internet Safety for Parents and Students.
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Happy New Year! from all of us here at
39 Seeley Ave. | Kearny, NJ | 201.991.1600
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Wishing all our friends, current, past and future clients and vendors…
Happy, Healthy & Prosperous
New Year!
From Our Family to Yours!
KEARNY • 636 Kearny Ave • 201-997-7000 LYNDHURST • 424 Valley Brook Ave • 201-939-8900 RUTHERFORD • 11 Park Avenue • 201-939-0001 Info@cocciarealty.com