Author: Mackensie Alvarez

North Bergen holds 4th Annual Palestinian Flag-Raising

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

A large crowd of residents turned out to celebrate the 4th annual Palestinian flag-raising in North Bergen, on Friday, April 12, 2019.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco greeted the celebrants inside the Municipal Chambers, where Certificates of Recognition for their dedication and support to the community were given to long-time resident and member of the NHEIC Mosques women’s committee, Muna Razeq, and posthumously to Mohammed Ali Al-Hanooti, a respected Sheikh (religious leader) in the community who achieved the prestigious rank of Mufti in Washington.

Also receiving a certificate was Amel H. Fael, who sang the National Anthem at the event.

North Bergen, with its robust Arab Muslim community, was the second municipality in New Jersey to host a Palestinian flag-raising. Guest speaker, dancers and singers performed inside the chambers before everyone retired outside to raise the flag over town hall. Commissioners Hugo Cabrera and Julio Marenco were present to show their support, along with Freeholder Anthony Vainieri.

North Bergen DPW Unveils New Violations Trucks, 'Broom & Barrel' Program to Keep Township Streets Clean

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

The township’s Department of Public Works recently began two new initiatives designed to keep the community cleaner than ever before. Under the leadership of Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Frank Gargiulo, the DPW purchased three new violations trucks that are now accompanying the department’s street sweepers on their daily routes. Through a partnership with the North Bergen Parking Authority, the trucks are being used to enforce street cleaning parking rules as well as to carry additional cleaning equipment and to pick up bulk items left on curbs by residents.

In addition, last month the DPW began a new “Broom & Barrel” cleaning program designed to tidy up North Bergen streets. Six part-time employees have been hired to staff the program, which involves sweeping heavily trafficked commercial areas like Bergenline Avenue, Broadway and Kennedy Boulevard. Crews are also working to clean areas near township schools after dismissal, and are available for spot work in residential areas when issues are reported by residents.

“Protecting our quality of life is always a priority for our entire team, so I’m glad to see the Department of Public Works offer these new programs that are making our streets and sidewalks cleaner than ever,” said Mayor Sacco.

Two of the new violations trucks were paid for by Clean Communities grant funding, saving North Bergen taxpayers $50,000.

“We can count on our hardworking DPW employees to do whatever they can to keep our streets clean, and I commend our DPW Director John Shaw and his team for always doing an excellent job keeping North Bergen clean,” said Commissioner Gargiulo.

North Bergen DPW Unveils New Violations Trucks, ‘Broom & Barrel’ Program

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & EventsLeave a comment

The township’s Department of Public Works recently began two new initiatives designed to keep the community cleaner than ever before. Under the leadership of Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Frank Gargiulo, the DPW purchased three new violations trucks that are now accompanying the department’s street sweepers on their daily routes. Through a partnership with the North Bergen Parking Authority, the trucks are being used to enforce street cleaning parking rules as well as to carry additional cleaning equipment and to pick up bulk items left on curbs by residents.

In addition, last month the DPW began a new “Broom & Barrel” cleaning program designed to tidy up North Bergen streets. Six part-time employees have been hired to staff the program, which involves sweeping heavily trafficked commercial areas like Bergenline Avenue, Broadway and Kennedy Boulevard. Crews are also working to clean areas near township schools after dismissal, and are available for spot work in residential areas when issues are reported by residents.

“Protecting our quality of life is always a priority for our entire team, so I’m glad to see the Department of Public Works offer these new programs that are making our streets and sidewalks cleaner than ever,” said Mayor Sacco.

Two of the new violations trucks were paid for by Clean Communities grant funding, saving North Bergen taxpayers $50,000.

“We can count on our hardworking DPW employees to do whatever they can to keep our streets clean, and I commend our DPW Director John Shaw and his team for always doing an excellent job keeping North Bergen clean,” said Commissioner Gargiulo.

#Community

North Bergen Library Awarded H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

The North Bergen Free Public Library is the 2019 winner of the prestigious H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant. The award is presented annually to a library organization whose application demonstrates greatest merit for a program of staff development designed to further the goals and objectives of the library organization.

The H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant is an annual award consisting of $3,500 and a 24k gold-framed citation given to a library organization whose application demonstrates greatest merit for a program of staff development designed to further the goals and objectives of the library organization.

An announcement from the American Library Association reads as follows: “The North Bergen Free Public Library is committed to promoting lifelong learning and providing ease of access to resources for their community. They serve a densely populated urban area which is culturally and economically diverse, leading to a proven need for social services along with ESL and ELL services.

“The award jury was impressed by the library’s multi-pronged approach to addressing the needs of their community through the training of their staff. With the award, the library plans on addressing multiple areas of service to meet the needs of the many immigrants who call North Bergen home, along with addressing the needs of the community’s underserved population.”

The H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant will be presented at the ALA Award Ceremony and Reception on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Roger Quesada & Mahmoud Mahmoud Will Challenge Incumbents in 2019 NJ General Assembly Primary

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Politics

Roger Quesada and Mahmoud Mahmoud announced their candidacy for the 2019 NJ General Assembly election for the 32nd Legislative District under the campaign slogan will be People.

Democratic primaries in North Bergen are usually quiet, however, Roger Quesada and Mahmoud Mahmoud announced their candidacy for the 2019 NJ General Assembly election for the 32nd Legislative District under the campaign slogan; “People. Transparency. Action.” #PTA2019

They will be challenging incumbents Angelica M. Jimenez, who has served since January 2012, and Pedro Mejia who assumed office on April 2018.

Roger Quesada is member of the Progressive Democrat coalition, and is a digital marketing professional in New York City. He started a community organization 2 years ago called NoHu Collective along with his partner of 12 years and close friends.

“Roger has worked with Hudson County over two years to start a community garden in Braddock Park and has organized several events through his organization to create community pride,” says their campaign spokesperson. “Roger believes that the district he seeks to represent needs to strive for social solidarity and a pursuit of greatness. His mission is to embolden the people of his district to believe in change by encouraging and inspiring civic participation.”

Mahmoud Mahmoud is a community organizer who is focused on “affordable housing and youth mentoring as well as resettling refugees and assisting immigrants in a transition to self-sustainability.”

Mahmoud gathered 3,658 votes in his unsuccessful run for the United States Congress against Congressman Albio Sires last year.

“His work with the United Nations and travel to 40 countries has given him a worldly perspective of events and human life,” says the Quesada-Mahmoud 2019 camp. “Mahmoud is running due to his early life experiences and his love for helping the community and giving hope to the hopeless.”

“The primary issues for our campaign will be Climate Change, Universal Healthcare & Affordable Housing.”

Hair salon opens in North Bergen

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Business & Real Estate

North Bergen has a gorgeous new full-service hair salon. Mayor Nicholas Sacco, accompanied by Commissioners Hugo Cabrera and Julio Marenco and Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, cut the ribbon on at the grand opening of The Hair Den at 9025-27 River Road.

Monique Fitzgerald, who spent the last six years as a hairstylist in Hoboken after shedding her first career as an accountant, put 16 month into completely gutting and rebuilding the interior of The Hair Den along with her husband Sharif Elsaid, and the care they put into the place shows in its beautiful design and amenities.

A native of the area and the daughter of a hair stylist, Fitzgerald always dreamed of opening her own salon here, and when she spotted the available location in her old “stomping ground,” she jumped at the chance.

The Hair Den offers all services for men, women, and children, including cutting, coloring, extensions, and much more. Call 201-282-2020 or email thehairden925@icloud.com for an appointment.

D.E.A. National Take Back Initiative Will Take Place on April 27th, 10AM – 2PM

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Emergencies and police, fire, and EMT news.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration provides citizens with a safe, convenient, and responsible means for disposing prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse.

The Hudson County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community is eagerly anticipating the event as the Coalition focuses on reducing youth substance use in Hudson County. Prescription drug take back days are a great way to help improve the quality of life in our communities.

This is a safe way to dispose of unused and expired prescription medications so there is less access for potential misuse and abuse. This service is free and anonymous.

The H.C.C.D.F.C. is encouraging people to bring their unused, unwanted or expired medications to one of the following participating locations around Hudson County:

  • Hudson County Sheriff’s Office at 257 Cornelison Avenue, Jersey City

  • Guttenburg Police Department 6808 Park Avenue, Guttenburg

  • North Bergen Police Department at 4233 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, North Bergen

  • Secaucus Police Department at 1203 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus

  • West New York Police Headquarters at 428 60th Street, West New York

  • Union City Police Department 3715 Palisades Avenue, Union City

  • Kearny Police Department 237 Laurel Avenue, Kearny

  • Bayonne Police Department 630 Avenue C, Bayonne

To check for other locations near you please visit the DEA website.

The Hudson County Coalition is encouraging residents to take inventory of their prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. Some helpful tips include:

  • Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed, do not share prescriptions.

  • Secure medicines in a locked chest; this will help curtail theft from those who might abuse or sell the medicine.

  • Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

The Coalition appreciates and wants to thank all of the Hudson County municipalities that are making it a priority to participate in the April 27th DEA Take-Back Day.

For additional information about Hudson County Coalition please visit HudsonCountyCoalition.org.

North Bergen Police Participating in Distracted Driving Enforcement and Education CampaignUDrive. UText. UPay. April 1 – April 21, 2019

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

NORTH BERGEN, NJ — Law enforcement officers from the North Bergen Police Department will be cracking down on distracted drivers during April as part of New Jersey’s UDrive. UText. UPay. enforcement campaign.

Beginning April 1 and running through April 21, the high visibility law enforcement initiative will target motorists who engage in dangerous distracted driving behaviors such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving.

“Distracted driving is a serious safety issue that can cause injuries and even death to drivers and pedestrians, and it’s important that all drivers understand that this behavior will not be tolerated in North Bergen,” said Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual. “Our North Bergen Police Department will be participating in this program to make sure our community stays safe for our children and all residents.”

Eric Heitmann, Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, points out that New Jersey is one of only four states nationally (along with Maine, Connecticut, and Oregon) to qualify for and receive dedicated federal grant funding to combat distracted driving.

“This is clearly one of the most critical traffic safety issues that we face today,” Heitmann said. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2016 alone, 3,450 people were killed in distracted driving crashes and an estimated 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.”

In New Jersey, driver inattention was listed as a contributing circumstance in 53 percent of the state’s crashes in 2016. Driver inattention was in fact listed as a contributing factor in crashes at a rate nine times higher than that of the next highest contributing factor (speed).

The campaign is being carried out during the month of April, which the National Safety Council has designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The New Jersey campaign is modeled after similar successful high visibility enforcement programs such as Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.