Author: Mackensie Alvarez

‘Who cares?’ Wainstein camp implies Mocco involvement

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Politics

Early Saturday morning HudPost received another photo of Joseph Mocco, former township clerk who was sent to prison for official misconduct and illegal dumping, in front of the Larry Wainstein’s official headquarters.

In an earlier response, Larry’s spokesperson skirted Mocco’s involvement, “At the time of his [Mocco] arrest…Larry Wainstein was 14 years old.”

In a brief telling response Wainstein’s spokesperson replied with a simple “Who cares?” when we attempted to ask for clarification on whether Mocco is officially working with Wainstein’s camp.

It seems that Larry is done answering questions about the former township clerks involvement, and wants to stick to what he calls the “real issues in this campaign.”

So when it comes to Mocco/Wainstein- who cares?

Public Hearing on Application to the Green Acres Land Acquisition & Park Development Program

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

The Mayor and Board of Commissioners of the Township of North Bergen will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. during the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting.

The purpose of the hearing is to obtain public comment on a grant application to be submitted by the Township of North Bergen to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Land Acquisition and Park Development Program.

This application proposes construction of the North Bergen Recreation Center located at 1231 John F. Kennedy Blvd in North Bergen, New Jersey. The meeting will take place in Township Hall Council Chambers, located at 4233 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen, NJ 07047.

The Director of the Department of Recreation will make a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. All residents are encouraged to attend and participate.

Town Honors Doctor Who Saved Resident’s Life

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

Mayor Nicholas Sacco presented a plaque to local chiropractor Dr. Gerard Busacco on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 for helping to save the life of a North Bergen Housing Authority (NBHA) resident who had collapsed in her apartment.

Dr. Busacco has been visiting weekly with NBHA seniors since 2000 in a program initiated by Mayor Sacco and NBHA Executive Director Gerald Sanzari. When one of his regular attendees, 72-year-old Patrica Witzki, did not show up for a late January session at the Terrace Apartments, Dr. Busacco took notice and decided to look into it.

“We called her apartment several times but received no answer, so Leroy, the supervisor of maintenance, and I went up to her room and went in,” said Dr. Busacco. “She was lying face-down and unresponsive.”

Dr. Busacco quickly put a pillow under her head and had Leroy call 911. Holding her hand until EMTs arrived, Dr. Busacco spoke to Witzki the whole time, then explained her medical history to the paramedics, who transported her to Palisades Medical Center.

“When I spoke with the doctors there, they told me she would not have survived if I hadn’t had made it to her when I did,” Dr. Busacco said. “I have to thank the mayor and the North Bergen Housing Authority for making this program possible.”

“When you manage senior buildings, and we have four of them, there’s sometimes a very different ending than the one we had here, and we’re so glad this was able to have a happy ending,” said Sanzari. “For Gerry Busacco to make that stop to check on her, it’s not something everyone would think of.”

“We’re happy you showed the initiative that you did when you noticed a missing person from the group,” said Mayor Sacco. “All of North Bergen thanks you for what you did.”

Witzki was released from the hospital on Feb. 20. Her daughter is due to give birth to Witzki’s first grandchild in March.

Residents Remember Nevaeh Hernandez at ‘Walk to End-Fluenza’

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

A large group of volunteers and supporters braved the snowstorm on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 to gather at lakeside in Braddock Park and observe a moment of silence at 10:41, the time when Nevaeh Hernandez “became an angel,” in her grandmother’s words. The group then walked around the perimeter of the frozen lake.

Nevaeh’s mom, Stephanie Conteron, and grandmother Sandra Rivera joined forces with Rebecca Hendricks from the End-Fluenza Project to hold the remembrance event on the one-year anniversary of Nevaeh’s passing. The six-year-old North Bergen kindergartner contracted the H1N1 strain of flu during the 2018 outbreak. Her relatives, many of whom work in healthcare, planned the remembrance walk to honor her memory and to raise awareness of the vital importance of vaccinating children.

Hendricks founded the End-Fluenza Project after her own daughter, Scarlet, died from the flu in 2014. In addition to sponsoring walks, she regularly visits elementary schools to give talks to raise awareness of the dangers of the flu and the importance of hygiene in preventing the spread of disease.

The “Remember Nevaeh” event received strong support from the local medical community and the co-workers, friends, and family of Nevaeh’s parents. EMS and police vehicles and personnel from North Bergen and West New York participated, along with representatives from the North Bergen Health Department and North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC), who provided free flu vaccines to attendees.

After the walk the participants convened in the North Bergen Nutrition Center, where a raffle raised money for the End-Fluenza Project. Then, as a DJ played, everyone sat down to share a delicious meal cooked and donated by supporters and attendees.

For more information on the End-Fluenza Project, visit http://www.endfluenzaproject.org.

Trading bikes for burgers as Jimmy D's closes

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Jimmy D's Blue's Saloon

The establishment that once brought droves of leather jackets and Harley Davidsons to midtown North Bergen officially closed their doors on December 21st, 2018.

Jimmy D’s Blues Saloon was purchased in 1991, and built its reputation as a fun, neighborhood dive bar. But after 25 years, the owner put the building up for sale.

Realtor (and occasionally Jimmy D’s bartender) Vienna Bello facilitated the sale of the property, however, after 4 years on the market the Blues Saloonwas still up for grabs.

Bello, a lifelong Hudson County resident, decided to take a chance on the bar and re-open as “Hudson Burger & Beers.”

Why burgers?

“Before Jimmy D’s, the bar was named Ray’s Old Mill Tavern, and they were known for their burgers and cherry bombs,” says Bello. “I thought it would be great to bring that back to the neighborhood.”

Vienna says she is putting a lot of emphasis on building as a community.

“We are going to purchase our meat from Pat LaFrieda, our buns from Hudson Bread, and our beer from NJ Beer Co. All North Bergen based companies.”

But before the decor and sign changed, the bar will open for one “last hoorah” as Jimmy D’s on Friday, 1 March 2019

“Please join us as we celebrate over 25 years of memories one last time as Jimmy D’s Blues Saloon,” Bello invites the public. “Complimentary buffet style food provided while it lasts. Bring your cameras. Look forward to seeing you there!”

Trading bikes for burgers as Jimmy D’s closes

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Business & Real EstateLeave a comment

The establishment that once brought droves of leather jackets and Harley Davidsons to midtown North Bergen officially closed their doors on December 21st, 2018.

Jimmy D’s Blues Saloon was purchased in 1991, and built its reputation as a fun, neighborhood dive bar. But after 25 years, the owner put the building up for sale.

Realtor (and occasionally Jimmy D’s bartender) Vienna Bello facilitated the sale of the property, however, after 4 years on the market the Blues Saloon was still up for grabs.

Bello, a lifelong Hudson County resident, decided to take a chance on the bar and re-open as “Hudson Burger & Beers.”

Why burgers?

“Before Jimmy D’s, the bar was named Ray’s Old Mill Tavern, and they were known for their burgers and cherry bombs,” says Bello. “I thought it would be great to bring that back to the neighborhood.”

Vienna says she is putting a lot of emphasis on building as a community.

“We are going to purchase our meat from Pat LaFrieda, our buns from Hudson Bread, and our beer from NJ Beer Co. All North Bergen based companies.”

But before the decor and sign changed, the bar will open for one “last hoorah” as Jimmy D’s on Friday, 1 March 2019

“Please join us as we celebrate over 25 years of memories one last time as Jimmy D’s Blues Saloon,” Bello invites the public. “Complimentary buffet style food provided while it lasts. Bring your cameras. Look forward to seeing you there!”

#Business

North Bergen's Amanda Pace wins first ever NJSIAA Girls Wrestling Tournament

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Sunday, February 17, 2019, was a historic day for NJ High School Athletics. This was the first year of the NJSIAA Girls Wrestling Regional Tournament.

Female wrestlers from New Jersey High Schools throughout the state competed in this event. This was a special day for NJ female athletes including those from North Bergen HS.

Emelin Aguilar, Sujeydy Gonzalez and Amanda Pace are the first-ever to compete in the NJSIAA Girls Wrestling Tournament.

Special recognition and congratulations to Amanda Pace, who won the tournament and captured the gold medal. Amanda is North Bergen’s first girl’s regional wrestling champion. She will travel to Atlantic City where she will represent NBHS in her quest to capture a championship.

North Bergen’s Amanda Pace wins first ever NJSIAA Girls Wrestling Tournament

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen SportsLeave a comment

Sunday, February 17, 2019, was a historic day for NJ High School Athletics. This was the first year of the NJSIAA Girls Wrestling Regional Tournament.

Female wrestlers from New Jersey High Schools throughout the state competed in this event. This was a special day for NJ female athletes including those from North Bergen HS.

Emelin Aguilar, Sujeydy Gonzalez and Amanda Pace are the first-ever to compete in the NJSIAA Girls Wrestling Tournament.

Special recognition and congratulations to Amanda Pace, who won the tournament and captured the gold medal. Amanda is North Bergen’s first girl’s regional wrestling champion. She will travel to Atlantic City where she will represent NBHS in her quest to capture a championship.

#Sports

Woman dies after incident in North Bergen

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

On Monday, February 18, 2019, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the North Bergen Police Department received a 911 call reporting a body lying in the roadway on 43rd Street in the area of Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen.

Upon arrival, responding North Bergen police officers observed an unresponsive woman, Darlene Westbrook, age 34, lying in the roadway at that location. The woman was treated at the scene before being transported by Emergency Medical Services to the Jersey City Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at approximately 2:40 a.m. on February 19, 2019.

The initial investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department has determined that a motor vehicle was involved in this fatal incident. A suspected vehicle being sought by investigators is described as a 2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Minivan that is light in color, possibly silver.

The Minivan is missing both front hub caps and was last observed traveling north on Kennedy Boulevard from 35th Street on Monday, February 18, 2019, between 8:15 and 8:20 p.m. Investigators are asking the public for assistance in finding this vehicle.

Anyone with information about the vehicle is asked to contact the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

New park opening & renovations happening in town

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn North Bergen Community News & Events

A long awaited new public park on Paterson Plank Road is now scheduled to be built this spring as part of a total revitalization of the area. Alongside the planned Hudson Mews development – a luxury residential complex that is currently under construction – the park will dramatically improve the neighborhood. Township officials negotiated an agreement with the developer of the adjacent residential complex to assist in building the park, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction costs.

Below are some of the great improvements coming soon to North Bergen parks:

New Downtown Park on Paterson Plank Road

Children’s spray park, playgrounds with rubberized surfaces for 2-12 year-olds, two sets of swings, new decorative lighting, several parking spaces, benches and passive areas and more.

28th Street Park
Repairing walkway adjacent to the park from Grand Avenue to the footbridge over 495
Construction begins: summer 2019

Policeman’s 38th Street Memorial ParkChildren’s spray park, playgrounds with rubberized surfaces, swing sets, basketball court, dog runAnticipated completion: July 4, 2019

43rd Street ParkUpdated basketball courtConstruction begins: spring 2019

64th Street Softball Field
Synthetic turf, new LED field lighting, new bleachers, dugouts with bullpen attached

Anticipated completion: late spring 2019

88th Street Park
Updated basketball court
Construction begins: spring 2019

North Bergen Pool
Updated basketball and volleyball courts, pool replastering
Anticipated completion: Memorial Day 2019