Author: Mackensie Alvarez

Aimee Focaraccio Honored as One of Hudson County’s ‘Visionary Women’

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

Aimee Focaraccio, the coordinator of NB C.A.R.E.S., was the recipient of a highly prestigious honor when she received the North Bergen Woman Breaking Barriers Award on Tuesday, Mar. 19 at the historic Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City. Focaraccio was one of 13 “Visionary Women” honored at the county’s annual Women’s History Month celebration and award ceremony.

Amy DeGise, chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, presented the award to Focaraccio for her tremendous service to the local community, and read an impressive list of her accomplishments, including running NB C.A.R.E.S. for the past six years, coordinating North Bergen’s giveaways, drives, and events, and running the township’s relief center to assist fire victims and others.

Among the other recipients of the award was Guttenberg’s Rose Gunther, who just celebrated her 100th birthday and is still managing various real estate properties. She was presented with the Guttenberg Trailblazer of the Year Award by Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt.

A large crowd of local officials, friends, family, and supporters attended the ceremony on Tuesday, Mar. 19 and gave standing ovations to the recipients. Some of the presenters included Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise, Freeholders Caridad Rodriguez and Anthony Romano, and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner. Undersheriff Francine Shelton served as emcee.

North Bergen is NOT the 2nd hilliest town

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn The History of North Bergen

If you be from North Bergen, you’ve probably heard this, accepted it as truth, and repeated the following, “did you know North Bergen is the 2nd hilliest city in America next to San Francisco?” If you so, we’re sorry to break it to you, but this is FALSE.

“If we don’t have an official list, than how can anyone say what city is No. 1?” says Jennifer Runyon, geographer with the U.S. Geological Survey, a federal science agency. She said there is no list, and trying to determine the hilliest city is a “logistics nightmare.”

At HudPost, we’ve done our research….

All mentions of this myth appear with no credible citations. NJ.com Hudson Reporter The Tab

In fact, North Bergen isn’t even the only town claiming to be the “2nd hilliest.” Some residents in Yonkers, NY might debate you or the good people up in Fitchburg, MA.

We’re not saying our hills aren’t massive, we’re just suggesting some of our imaginations are as well.

38th & 40th Streets to Become One-Way on March 15th

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

The North Bergen Police Department, in coordination with the Department of Public Works, is changing 38th and 40th Streets from two-way to one-way thoroughfares on Friday, Mar. 15, 2019.

In order to improve traffic flow, 38th Street will be one way eastbound from Liberty Avenue to Grand Avenue, and 40th Street will be one way eastbound from Liberty Avenue to Grand Avenue.

These changes will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety in these areas.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the North Bergen Police Traffic Division at (201) 392-2135.

Magnolia Spa opens in uptown North Bergen

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Business & Real Estate

Mayor Nicholas Sacco welcomed another great business to our community on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 with an official ribbon-cutting at Magnolia’s Salon & Spa.

Located at 9252 Kennedy Boulevard, Magnolia’s offers a huge selection of options for health and beauty treatments, including massages, facials, hair services, nail care, waxing, and foot care. Coming soon are a sauna and body scrub.

Owner Magnolia Arango hails originally from Colombia, where she began her studies in holistic treatments. She continued her studies in the U.S., where she obtained her licenses in cosmetology and massage therapy, and opened her first spa in Edgewater, before moving to North Bergen to embrace its cultural diversity. Her beautiful Kennedy Boulevard location was designed in consultation with a feng shui specialist in order to be elegant, comfortable, and inviting.

Commissioners Julio Marenco and Hugo Cabrera were joined by Freeholder Anthony Vainieri and a group of employees, friends, and supporters to help cut the ribbon and launch the new business.

Magnolia’s is open seven days a week with a staff of five professionally trained employees eager to pamper customers and offer them an optimal spa experience. For more information visit http://www.magnolia-salonspa.com or call 201-917-5529.

JP Morgan Lends $52M to Refinance North Bergen Properties

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Business & Real Estate

Two warehouses in North Bergen occupied by global fashion industry distributor Bergen Shippers are being refinanced with $51.5 million from JPMorgan Chase, according to the Commercial Observer.

Cushman & Wakefield equity, debt and structured finance experts John Alascio, Mark Ehlinger and T.J. Sullivan arranged the debt for Bergen Shippers, along with industrial leasing specialist Bonni Heller.

The outlet reported that JPMorgan provided $44 million via a 10-year loan to refinance separate mortgages on industrial properties totaling 730,000 square feet at 5903 Westside Avenue and 7300 Westside Avenue in North Bergen. Cushman said 5903 Westside, a 600,000-square-foot fashion logistics center for Bergen Shipping’s Bergen Logistics, was built in 1987 for Liz Claiborne. The financing includes a $7.5 million line of credit.

Originally posted on therealdeal.com

Sacco collects 10,000+ petitions; exceeds total votes from previous election

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Politics

In case there was any thought of Sacco’s support diminishing in North Bergen, the incumbent mayor and his team filed their nominating petitions for the May nonpartisan election today. Sacco collected over 10,000 petitions in what the township claims is a “record-breaking number” in North Bergen.

“The Sacco Team has collected 10,492 signed nominating petitions in all, adding to a total count of 52,460 signatures between its five candidates, a breathtaking total that has never before been seen in the municipality known for spirited local elections,” says Sacco spokesperson Phil Swibinski. “The campaign will continue to collect additional signatures until the filing deadline on Monday.”

“This outpouring of support from all over our community is a testament to the hard work our team has done not just in the last month gathering petitions, but in the last four years building on our past success and continuing to lead North Bergen forward,” said Mayor Sacco. “I am honored to receive this unprecedented level of support and I thank each and every one of the residents who signed our petition and agree that we must continue moving North Bergen forward.”

In 2015, Mayor Sacco received 8237 votes in a contested election. This year’s election will be held on May 14th, 2019.

Mayor Sacco appeared in North Bergen Township Hall today accompanied by Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Frank Gargiulo, Allen Pascual and Julio Marenco along with Campaign Chairman Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, Co-Campaign Managers Rishi Mehta and Adamarys Alonso Galvin, and North Bergen Democratic Chairman John Belluardo.

Three NBPD Officers Promoted

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

Three veteran officers in the North Bergen Police Department were promoted to leadership ranks in a public ceremony on Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2019. Sergeant John Stahl was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Detectives Joseph Gorrin and Thomas Yfantis were both promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco swore in all three officers with the assistance of Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, in front of a crowd of family members, friends, supporters, and fellow officers.

Police Chief Robert Dowd spoke about the many honors and achievements of the three officers, noting that they are among the most senior officers in the department and serve as front-line supervisors, leaders, mentors, and role models to younger officers.

Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Frank Gargiulo, and Julio Marenco attended the promotion to show their support, along with Freeholder Anthony Vainieri and many township officials, administrators, and employees. Also sharing his congratulations was Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari.

HCCC Students Tour NBPD Headquarters and Learn About Police Work Firsthand

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

Police Chief Robert Dowd and members of the North Bergen Police Department met on Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2019 with students from Hudson County Community College to discuss various aspects of law enforcement and to tour the NBPD headquarters.

Professor Richard Walker brought 18 students from his Ethics & Criminal Justice class to get some firsthand exposure to police work. Chief Dowd kicked off the visit with an in-depth presentation on the challenges and responsibilities the officers face on a daily basis, followed by a Q&A session in which the students posed numerous tough and thoughtful questions.

One of the highlights for the students was the tour of the facility, led by Lt. Thomas Ferrari and Sgt. Anthony Caramucci. The visit took the students through the cells, the property/evidence room, the CCTV monitoring room, the detective bureau, and more, introducing them to different officers along the way, who explained the details of their jobs and experiences, providing valuable information and insights about real-life police operations.

Police Dept. Honors Retiring Lt. Jesus Fernandez

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

North Bergen Lt. Fernandez

Chief Robert Dowd and the North Bergen Police Department held a “walk out” ceremony for retiring Lt. Jesus Fernandez at the completion of his last shift on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Lt. Fernandez was hired by the NBPD in January of 1996, after working since 1993 in the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office. As a North Bergen police officer, he served in community policing, the bicycle patrol, as a school resource officer, on the street crimes unit and patrol division, and finally in the municipal court. His certifications include Street Gang Expert, advanced SWAT Officer, and Crisis Intervention. He is a highly decorated officer who has received numerous awards including the Life Saving Award.

After one final field inspection in the township, Lt. Fernandez walked out of police HQ past a long line of fellow officers, who each saluted and thanked him for his 23 years of service. Chief Dowd then offered his appreciation to Lt. Fernandez for a long and successful career and congratulations upon retirement.

INVESTIGATORS SEEK DRIVER IN FATAL HIT-AND-RUN IN NORTH BERGEN

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

On Monday, March 4, 2019, an arrest warrant was issued for Monica D. Ippolito, age 49, of Paterson, for her role in the fatal hit-and-run collision which occurred on February 18, 2019, at approximately 8:15 p.m. in North Bergen. The collision resulted in the death of 34-year-old Darlene Westbrook who was found lying in the roadway on 43rd Street in the area of Tonnelle Avenue.

Ippolito is the suspected driver of the gold Chrysler Voyager Minivan observed on surveillance video recently released to the public by this Office. She has been criminally charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Collision Resulting In Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1.

Investigators with the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department are now asking the public for assistance in locating Monica Ippolito.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Monica Ippolito is asked to contact the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Prosecutor’s Office official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.

All information will be kept confidential.