Newstracker: Bankruptcy judge approves $400,000 salary for St. Mary’s CEO

WHAT’S NEW: A federal bankruptcy judge Thursday approved annual compensation of $400,000 for the new president and chief executive officer of St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, Michael J. Sniffen, who took office Monday. Sniffen, who has executive experience at many New Jersey hospitals, succeeded Colene Daniel, who resigned after 14 months. St. Mary’s filed for bankruptcy on March 9, and is seeking to reorganize or find a buyer. It is the only full-service hospital in the city of Passaic.

Besides his base salary, Sniffen will receive a $50,000 bonus when St. Mary’s is sold or a reorganization plan is approved. If he does not take a position with the new owner or the reorganized hospital, his bonus will be $100,000.

BACKGROUND: Since filing for bankruptcy, the hospital has hired both a new chief executive officer and a new bankruptcy counsel. The previous law firm was disqualified because it also provided legal representation to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, which is a potential partner for St. Mary’s.

Unionized employees at St. Mary’s accepted temporary modifications to their collective bargaining agreement, while non-union staff agreed to a reduction in pay to trim expenses. The hospital has pressed its efforts to sell the buildings on Pennington Avenue that were vacated when it moved to the Boulevard campus.

WHAT’S NEXT: The new bankruptcy attorney, Robert K. Malone, of the firm Drinker Biddle & Reath, has asked for a three-month extension — until Oct. 7 — to come up with a reorganization plan or sale. The hospital is also asking for permanent changes in the collective bargaining contract with unionized employees. The current deadline for reorganization is July 9, and Malone said in a court filing that the complexity of the case, as well as progress made to date, warrant an extension. A hearing is scheduled Tuesday.

— Lindy Washburn

Jewish temple project on hold

CLIFTON – A proposed Orthodox synagogue in the city’s Rosemawr section that’s drawn strong opposition from neighbors has hit a snag.

The city Planning Board did not hear the application Thursday night, removing it instead from the agenda after the city zoning officer wrote that the project should be judged by the Board of Adjustment, which would postpone the hearing to July 15.

The reason given was that the site plan does not meet the conditional use requirements for parking.

But Frank Carlet, the lawyer for Congregation Shomrei Torah of Passaic/Clifton, argued Thursday night that the Planning Board should review the site plan because it met all requirements, including one for parking and interior landscaping.

“We’ll go to court,” he said. “They’re dead wrong.”

The Orthodox Jewish congregation is seeking to build a synagogue and ritual bath for women.

David Gross of Clifton, the congregation’s president, said the point was to construct something within walking distance of members, who live in that part of the city.

Orthodox Judaism forbids work on the Sabbath. From sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, observant Jews are not permitted to drive, and many families walk the stretch of Dwasline Road to attend Sabbath services in Passaic.

Initial plans for two buildings were changed to accommodate objections from residents. Sidewalks also would be constructed in the revised plans.

Gross said changes were meant to mollify residents, who have objected to the temple for a variety of reasons, including the size and scope of the project, and their view that the temple wouldn’t conform with the nature of the neighborhood.

But an attorney representing residents opposed to the project said it would not fit into the area.

“It’s totally inappropriate for the neighborhood,” Ira Weiner, who’s based in Montvale, said before the meeting. Weiner cited the size of the addition and parking as issues.

Fred Komarow, 50, of Virginia Avenue is one resident against the project.

“I’m pro-synagogue but I’m against one in this neighborhood, of this size,” he said.

The city planner had objected to the plan because its use would be too intensive for a residential neighborhood and because of lack of sidewalks on Dwasline Road.

E-mail: yoo@northjersey.com

Police chase thieves innocent bystander dead

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Police say an innocent bystander was killed in a crash by two suspects who were fleeing police in northern New Jersey.

Authorities say the incident began early Tuesday in Elizabeth, when three men suspected of breaking into cars were spotted and chased by police. One was apprehended.

Police say his two companions sped north into Newark, where their stolen sport utility vehicle collided with a car driven by 42-year-old Heather Clemens of Newark. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the suspects fled into nearby Weequahic Park and remain at large.

When will the police learn not to chase, last year a little girl from Fairlawn was killed during a police chase as well. PCJN

wcbs880.com

TRENTON: Training change for EMTs sought

Looking to ease demands on a training fund for emergency medical technicians from which $4 million is being taken to balance the state budget, state lawmakers are moving to extend EMT certifications from three years to five.

The New Jersey State First Aid Council, which supports the bill, says the change wouldn’t fix the dilemma looming for the training fund, which is projected to have almost no money remaining by next summer.

But the council says the change would allow time to replenish the fund, which is financed through 50-cent surcharges on all moving violations, by reducing demands to pay for EMT training for a few years and provide a window to figure out a long-term plan.

“While this bill will provide some help, it will not solve the problem,” said Howard Meyer, a 38-year EMT who is legislative director of the New Jersey State First Aid Council. He said additional laws will be needed within the next year.

“Other than having $2.4 million returned to the fund, there have been no other suggestions brought forward on how we can assist the volunteer EMT training community quickly, and quick action is needed now,” Meyer said.

Sen. Diane Allen, R-Burlington, said Gov. Jon S. Corzine ought to consider using part of the state’s unexpectedly large collections from its tax amnesty program — $617 million and counting, easily topping the $200 million expected — to avoid raiding the EMT fund.

“We know that we have $400 million more. Why not wait to see what’s going to happen in the budget as it is rejiggered to see if this is actually needed? Since it is based on the funds being stolen, maybe they don’t have to be,” Allen said.

The bill was approved 24-14 by the Senate last Thursday and is now before an Assembly committee. It requires approvals there, by the full Assembly and by Corzine before it can become law and wouldn’t take effect until more than six months after it is enacted. Thedailyjournal.com

Update in iran

CAIRO -Iran’s supreme leader says the government won’t give in to pressures over the disputed presidential election, effectively closing the door to compromise with the opposition. Iran also said it was considering downgrading ties with Britain, which it has accused of spying and fomenting days of unprecedented street protests over the vote. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a meeting with lawmakers that: “Neither the system nor the people will give in to pressures at any price.” Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi claims that hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the June 12 presidential election through massive fraud. He has called for annulling the results and holding a new vote.      ap.com

Passaic’s second kosher pizza store has a new owner

Izzy’s pizza store was sold to an unconfirmed buyer sometime last week.  The new owner is in the process of remodeling the store. We wish Izzy much hatzlocha in what ever he does. We at PCJN also wish the new owner much hatzlocha on the new pizza store. Check back for updates as we do more research pictures soon to come.

N.J. top court bans lawyer in Holocaust victims’ case – NJ.com

N.J. top court bans lawyer in Holocaust victims’ case – NJ.com.

Passaic teen to undergo counseling for posting inappropriate pictures on MySpace

CLIFTON — A 14-year-old New Jersey girl accused of  after posting inappropriate pictures of herself on MySpace.com has been ordered to undergo counseling but won’t face more serious charges.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office said the girl must undergo at least six months of counseling and stay out of trouble. If she does, all charges against her will be dropped.

The Clifton teen was initially arrested and charged with possession of child indecency and distribution of child inappropriate pictures. If convicted on those counts, she could have been required to register as a sex offender. NJ.COM PCJN

Protest in Passaic

A protest will take place on Saturday June 27 in front of City Hall at approximately 12pm in protest of police brutality. For an update on this post please check back often.

Passaic cop blames politics

CLIFTON — Officer Erica Rivera, one of the two Passaic police officers suspended in connection with a case of alleged police brutality, spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since a video was released of her partner striking an unarmed man with his fist and a baton. Buy this photo Rivera, who is seen on the video pacing around her partner, Officer Joseph J. Rios III, as he wrestled with the Passaic resident, did not speak about the incident itself but said her suspension was a result of political wrangling in City Hall. Specifically, she and her attorney, Miles Feinstein, said Mayor Alex D. Blanco suspended Rivera without pay because she is married to former Mayor Samuel Rivera’s son. “I think at this time, it’s personal, and Rios was suspended with pay for something more serious,” Rivera said in an interview at Feinstein’s Clifton office. “I think they should have looked at all the positive things I’ve done for the last six years and [I] should not have been suspended.” On May 29, Rios struck Ronnie Holloway in the face with his fist and used his baton several times, according to the video, which sparked a protest in front of City Hall against police brutality. The video shows Rios throwing Holloway against the hood of his cruiser and then throwing him to the ground, at which point he punches Holloway in the face and strikes him with his baton as Holloway lies on his back. Rios was first suspended with pay, but Blanco — under intense public pressure — changed his mind and issued Rios’ suspension without pay. Rivera was immediately suspended without pay and Feinstein believes it is because she is related to former Mayor Rivera, who is in federal prison on corruption charges. “The differential could very well be her last name,” Feinstein said. City spokesman Keith Furlong declined comment on the Rivera family allegations from Feinstein, but issued a statement from Blanco. “The administration is confident that they have taken the appropriate disciplinary action and we’re certain that all facts will come out in the ongoing investigation,” he said. Rivera declined to comment through Feinstein about whether she thought Rios acted properly or about her actions during the incident. Rivera did not physically get involved with Holloway, but she allegedly filed a false police report of the incident, saying she was struck several times with Rios’ baton by accident. The video appears to contradict that report. Neither Rivera nor Feinstein commented on the charges filed against her. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the incident. During Thursday’s interview, Feinstein said Blanco acted hastily when he suspended his client, which cast a veil of guilt in the public perception. “To take away the presumption of innocence is an absolute disgrace,” Feinstein said. “What concerns us at this point is the suspension without pay. It came at a time when she has not been charged criminally. She still has not been charged criminally.” Rivera’s interview on Thursday comes more than a week after Rios held a news conference claiming he did nothing wrong. “On behalf of Officer Rios, our position is that neither Officer Rios nor Officer Rivera did anything wrong and do not deserve to be suspended without pay,” Rios’ attorney, Anthony Iacullo, said Thursday. E-mail: macinnes@northjersey.com

Fire in Lodi

LODI — Firefighters battled a smoky fire Tuesday night at a block-long abandoned industrial building on Garibaldi Avenue.The fire, at the former home of Interplast Universal Industries, was reported shortly before 5 p.m. Firefighters were still battling the blaze after 9:30 p.m.

“What we are doing is trying to put as much water as we can on it,” Lodi Fire Chief Lou Avola said.

Garibaldi and Columbia avenues were shut down as firefighters from the borough assisted by others from Hasbrouck Heights and Wallington try to extinguish the blaze. Interplast, which made vinyl-coated fabrics, is on the known contaminated sites list of the state DEP, but officials said the fire posed no threat. The two-story brick building was sold in October.

Late Tuesday, light towers were erected at the scene to illuminate the burned-out structure, said Bergen County Police Sgt. Robert Abrahamsen. Authorities also ordered parked cars off local streets so that heavy equipment could be brought in to clear debris.

Residents first reported smelling smoke, then seeing thick black smoke rise from the building.

“The smoke was really black. Black horrendous smoke,” said a resident who lives near the building.

The neighborhood is a mixture of residential two-story apartment buildings and industrial buildings.

Douglas Tucci, 34, who lives in an apartment one block away, said he called 911 after smelling, then seeing smoke.

“We came outside before there was any smoke, and we could smell it,” said Tucci’s wife, Debra, 44. “Within three to four minutes we could see a few puffs of smoke.”

Bergen County Hazmat units were at the scene but Avola said there was only a “bunch of wood” burning in the building.

“We have no idea why the wood was there or how much,” Avola said.

Authorities advised residents to close windows and shut off their air conditioners.

In a recorded message, police also advised residents they may experience low water pressure or brown water due to the fire.

Hatzolah Of North Jersey Passaic/Clifton division’s phone #

Hatzolah Of North Jersey’s 24/7 hotline has allways been 973-773-9988. It has been brought to our attention that certain individuals are trying to confuse people of the real phone number. If you would like stickers for your phone or information on Hatzolah contact the Hatzolah office in Passaic at 973-773-1884. Hatzolah Of North Jersey’s (PASSAIC/ClIFTON) division emergency hotline is (973)773-9988.

Video: Hatzolah of Passaic/Clifton EMS need’s CPR, it is dying!

Hatzolah of Passaic/Clifton EMS (not to be confused with Hatzolah EMS of North Jersey) just released a video. In the video, various people affiliated with their organization beg and plead with the community to please donate, so that they won’t have to shut down.

Dr. Rosen, their medical director (at 06:05), talks about how their communications system is terrible due to lack of money.

Then Moe Strashefsky, their equipment director (at 06:14), talks about how they don’t have enough defibrillators, and how they barely have money for oxygen masks, and can barely afford backboards (maybe that’s why they steal equipment from Hatzolah EMS of North Jersey)?!

Then Rabbi Cohen, their Rabbi (at 06:59), talks about how it’s members don’t have the right kind of equipment or support.

Then Rabbi Eisenman (at 07:15) talks about how they are not financially viable. (By the way, it was Hatzolah EMS of North Jersey that treated Rabbi Eisenman’s son, not Hatzolah of Passaic/Clifton EMS)

Then George Matygewicz (minus bowtie & tuxedo),  their executive director (at 07:28 ) says: “If we don’t get contributions and support from the community, unfortunately we would have to close our doors!”

For your convenince, so that you don’t have to watch the entire boring video, we have cut those highlights and present them here for your viewing pleasure:

Hatzolah of Passaic/Clifton EMS is breathing it’s dying breaths. Their melava malka was a fundraising failure. The people who did come barely donated.  The community support they claim is a sham. The proof is in the way they have to lower themselves to literally beg for funds, and that they still barely received any funds even after begging. 

You just can’t make this stuff up!!!

To be continued in a future post…

P.S. To the webmaster – it was nice that you encrypted the webpage, but all you needed to do was right click on the video after it fully loaded in order to download it!

Siruv vs. Siruv

Let the games begin.

Passaic is the machlokes capital of the world.

Thought you’ve seen it all? You ain’t seen nothing yet!

I Have No Idea What This Is About, But I Thought It Might Be Interesting.

From a list of forclosed properties sold: http://www.pcsheriff.org/Sheriff-Sold.pdf

Click to enlarge.

Child Named Hitler Removed From Parents Home.

When we last heard the names Heath and Deborah Campbell, the Holland Township, New Jersey couple were looking to get their son’s name written on a birthday cake, only to be refused when the bakery employees decided “Happy Birthday Adolf Hitler” wasn’t a fun thing to write in icing.

Luckily, that story had a happy ending when Wal-mart came to the rescue, as it often does, with it’s low, low prices and sympathy for the plight of the Third Reich. However, this time around it looks like the Campbell’s will be more hard pressed for a similarly joyful conclusion, as their three children have been taken away and placed in the custody of the State of New Jersey.

Yes, Adolf Hitler, Joycelynn Aryan Nation, and li’l Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell were removed from their parents care Tuesday by members of the state Division of Youth and Family Services. While there’s been no official reason given for the action, we’re willing to bet that giving your children the name of one the world’s most hated dictators is seen as some form of child abuse . Hopefully the children will be rehabilitated from their ordeal and given new names – we recommend Simon Wiesenthal Campbell, Elie Wiesel Campbell, and Anne Frank Campbell.

(News Source: Blog.OneRiot.Com)

NYPD: Druken Jersey City Cop Mows Down Couple.

A Jersey City Patrol Car

NEW YORK — Police say a drunken off-duty New Jersey police officer mowed down a couple as they crossed a street in lower Manhattan, killing the women and critically injuring her boyfriend.

Police say 25-year-old Martin Abreu, of Jersey City, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and assault and driving while intoxicated in the death of 26-year-old Marilyn Feng.

Police say Feng was walking with her boyfriend near Battery Park City early Saturday morning when Abreu’s Toyota Camry slammed into them.

Feng was pronounced dead at the scene. The boyfriend was hospitalized in critical but stable condition with a broken leg.

Officials say Abreu, a Jersey City police officer since 2005, has been suspended

(News source: Nbcnewyork.Com)

The Video They Won’t Be Showing At The Melave Malka!

This just-posted video was sent to us by a reader. In it Rabbi Menachem Zupnik babbles incoherently about Hatzolah and response times, and a “ghost in his closet!” Also in the video Rabbi Zupnik publicly calls Rabbi Shmuel Meyer Katz by his name without the “Rabbi.”

It’s a must-see!

Three Events This Motzai Shabbos

(First a brief synopses, followed by the event announcements.)

1) Live Music at Kehillas Beis Yosef (”Rabbi Hirsch’s Shul”) with The “House” Band. (Featuring Nadav Serling, Bin Goldman, Ephraim Yablok, Ely Jaffe, and special guests.) Refreshments! (Suggested donation $18)

2) PTI-Neve Melave Malka for women.

3) YBH-PTA of Passaic third annual Purim Costume Superstore.

 

Live Music for Shabbos Shira!

 

Kehillas Beis Yosef (”Rabbi Hirsch’s Shul”) invites you to join us on Motzei Shabbos Shira, February 7th, at 8PM for an evening of music with The “House” Band. (Featuring Nadav Serling, Bin Goldman, Ephraim Yablok, Ely Jaffe, and special guests.) Light refreshments will be served. The shul is located at 580 Broadway at Brook Ave. in Passaic. Suggested donation $18

 

Neve-PTI Melave Malka

Melave Malka open to all women in the community. Motzei Shabbos Shira, February 7th. For more information, please click on this link: http://ptiweb.org/nevepti.html or please contact Mrs. Shuli Mintz at 973-773-1215 or nevePTI@gmail.com.

 

YBH Purim Costume Superstore

YBH-PTA of Passaic is proud to announce its third annual Purim Costume Superstore, which will be selling costumes and accessories for all ages – even adults. Sizes Newborn-Teen.

Costumes starting at $5.

The store will be open:

Motzei Shabbos on Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 March 7 from 8:30 pm-10:30 pm
Sunday Feb. 8, 15, 22 March 1, 8 from 10am-4pm
Monday, Tuesday March 2,3 from 8am-2pm
Monday, Tuesday Nights March 2, 3 from 8:30pm-10:30pm
Ta’anis Esther, March 9 from 8am-2pm

There will also be a full line of Mishloach Manos supplies, by Prizes & More, to coordinate costumes and themes all at great prices.

The store is located at Yeshiva Beis Hillel 270 Passaic Ave. For more information, please call 973-777-0735

Mystery Sweet Smell In Manhattan Solved.

 N.Y.- A strong odor has once again been attributed to New Jersey by New Yorkers, but this time it’s sweet.

 A maple syrup scent that has occasionally wafted across the metropolitan region over the last several years came from a North Bergen fragrance and flavoring plant, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The smell has never been a health hazard and the company, Frutarom USA Inc., has not violated any air quality regulations with its sugary-smelling emissions, Bloomberg said.

However the company has a history of polluting, which culminated in an almost half-million dollar fine in 2007 to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Thursday’s announcement ends a mystery that began when residents of Manhattan’s Upper West Side and Morningside Heights started inundating New York officials with complaints of the syrupy scent in 2005. Based on wind conditions on the days the scent was detected, officials believed the source was somewhere in Bergen or Hudson County.

The smells drifted through much of northern Manhattan most recently on Jan. 5 and Jan. 29. The incidents prompted scores of calls to emergency officials.

New York officials and the DEP took three air samples in New York and one near the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee on Jan. 29. The monitors detected traces of fenugreek CQ seeds, which are used in the production of flavoring for artificial maple syrups. It is not harmful if inhaled.

The only plant using the seeds was Frutarom’s block-long facility at 9500 Railroad Ave. in North Bergen, officials said.

 “Given the evidence, I think it’s safe to say that the Great Maple Syrup Mystery has finally been solved,” Bloomberg said a news conference.

In a statement, Frutarom said it was surprised by Bloomberg’s announcement.

“Fenugreek is a natural product that has been produced here for over 30 years in compliance with all laws and regulations,” the company said in a statement.

A receptionist at the North Bergen facility said executives would not answer questions.

In 2007, Frutarom was fined $463,500 in 2007 by the DEP for repeatedly polluting a tributary of the Hackensack River and failing to monitor its air emissions.

The state cited the company for failing to monitor air emissions of volatile organic compounds, chemicals that can lead to headaches, dizziness and other health ailments. The company also altered equipment without getting the required approval from state regulators, the DEP said.

Its plant released a variety of pollutants into nearby Bellmans Creek, the state said, including oil and grease, petroleum compounds and soil and sediment. The DEP alleged 58 water violations between April 2001 and October 2006.

While the department didn’t cite specific damage to the creek, the releases violated Frutarom’s state permit and put water and wildlife at risk, the DEP said at the time it issued the fine.

Frutarom, headquartered in Israel, is among the top 10 fragrance and flavoring companies in the world with $368 million in revenues in 2007, according to the company’s Web site. Its North Bergen facility houses a flavors and fine ingredients division, which processes aroma chemicals, essential oils and natural extracts.

Officials investigating the syrup smell had previously focused on the Naturex laboratory in South Hackensack after residents in Hackensack, River Edge and Oradell noticed a sweet smell in the air similar to maple syrup in March 2007. Bloomberg said he could not rule out other contributors to the maple scent.

When asked if the announcement perpetuated a stereotype of New Jersey as an emitter of noxious fumes, Bloomberg said it “was totally unfair.”

“It’s a beautiful state,” he said.

(News Source: NorthJersey .com)

Federal Government to Expand FamilyCare By 100,000 In N.J.

Washinton D.C.-A massive expansion of the federal-state program that subsidizes health insurance for 130,000 children in New Jersey was approved by the House today and President Obama will sign it this afternoon.

New Jersey officials expect to be able to provide coverage for an additional 100,000 children with the increased funding the state would receive. The program’s costs are split, 65-35, between Washington and Trenton.

The $33 billion expansion will be funded by increasing the federal cigarette tax by 61 cents a pack, to $1.

Known in Washington as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, and marketed as FamilyCare in New Jersey, the program and is designed for families who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford to buy their own insurance.

FamilyCare covers children in low- and middle-income families and some low-income parents. New Jersey came under fire in Congress for having some of the most generous eligibility standards in the country.

Some members of Congress said federal assistance should be focused solely on children from the neediest families, and attempted to trim subsidies going to New Jersey because its plan allows children in a family of four making as much as $74,200 to get a subsidized HMO plan for $128 a month.

New Jersey officials argued the state’s high cost of living justified the high income thresholds. They also noted that traditionally New Jersey gets less back in federal funding from each dollar paid in taxes because of strict income-driven formulae, and states needed flexibility to serve their residents.

President Bush, citing generous benefits like New Jersey’s, vetoed to earlier attempts to expand the program in 2007.

(News Source: North Jersey.com)

Building In The Middle of Route 80 Closes Highway

The pre-fab structure that toppled from a westbound trailer on Route 80

PARSIPPANY —

A pre-fab structure toppled from a westbound trailer on Route 80 in Parsippany this morning, closing at least two lanes while the building was pushed off to the shoulder.

Right around 10 a.m., the structure fell across the right two lanes of westbound Route 80, just past Exit 43. Police and emergency crews responded.

The flow of westbound traffic was quickly restored when the building, which resembles a mobile home, was pushed out of the way and onto the right-hand shoulder.

By 11:30 a.m., only the right lane on Route 80 remained closed as workers continued securing the displaced structure.

No other cars were struck when the structure fell and no injuries were reported.

State police warned of possible backups on northbound Route 287 due to cars en route to westbound Route 80.

(News Source: Central Jersey.com)

Major U.S. Jewish Organizations Unite For a Cause

North Jersey-N.J. (PCJN)-In an effort by leading  Jewish organizations to help those who have lost their jobs, this Shabbos thousands of synagogues across the United States will be participating in a “Nationwide Emergency Parnossa Appeal”.

                   In each Synagogue, the Rabbi is to make an emergency appeal on behalf of those who have lost their jobs. In comparison to other such appeals, this one is backed by; Agudath Israel of America, The Orthodox Union, Young Israel of America, Council of Jewish Organizations, Borough Park Community Council, and the Rabbinical Alliance of America.

                      In many Jewish communities across the U.S. there are thousands of Jews who have lost their jobs, and now face losing their homes.

           All monies that are to be raised, are to be given out by each Rabbi of each shul to the ones in the community who need it most.

New Law: Move Over Or Risk $500 Fine.

Trenton-N.J. Drivers can be fined up to $500 if they don’t veer away from police and other emergency vehicles on the shoulder of roadways under a new law signed by Gov. Jon Corzine last week.

The “move-over” law was co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, D-Jersey City. New Jersey joins more then 40 states in enacting the law, which took effect Jan. 27.

Under the law, drivers must move into an opposite driving lane while emergency vehicles are stationed on the side of an interstate or intrastate highway reporting to an incident or emergency. Fines range from $100 to $500.

The law came about because of the fear that drivers can accidentally hit emergency crew members while getting in and out of vehicles and standing on the side of the road.

“For our department, we operate mostly on Route 280,” Harrison Fire Chief Tom Dolaghan said. “Cars travel 70 to 80 miles per hour and it doesn’t take much for a worker to be clipped by a car.”

A State Police officer was struck on Route 80 in November and it might have been avoided if this law was in effect, Dolaghan said.

Earthquake Shakes Morris County

Morris County-N.J. A magnitude 3.0 earthquake that rocked several towns in Morris County Monday left no reported injuries or significant damage so far, authorities said. But the quake left many residents shaken up after they felt the floors underneath them move and heard what sounded like an explosion. “It was unbelievable. I was sitting on the couch watching the TV, and it felt like an explosion right in my fireplace,” said Hans Karl of Mabro Drive in Denville. “You could actually feel an impact. I have never been in one before, so I didn’t know how it felt.” United States Geological Survey The epicenter of the quake was about five miles west-northwest of Morristown, said Richard Buckmaster, a geophysicist with the United States Geological Survey. The USGS said the quake occurred at 10:34 p.m. and “it was widely felt,” Buckmaster said. State Police Sgt. Stephen Jones said he received a slew of 911 calls immediately following the quake, but there were no injuries or major property damage reported. Morris Plains officer Jeffrey Hochman said there were no significant reports other than a few homes that lost internet service and Candlewood Suites losing television service. Ron Morano, spokesperson for Jersey Central Power and Light which services the area, said no power outages were reported. Peter Rowland, a spokesman for Picatinny Arsenal, a weapons research and testing facility in Rockaway Township, said he is still verifying with all of the base departments, but arsenal officials do not believe that the tremendous boom that many people heard came from the Army post. Geophysicist John Bellini, with the United States Geological Survey, said reports of loud noises are common in earthquakes below a magnitude 4.0. “They’re hearing the vibrations, generally caused by the building shaking,” Bellini said. Since 1974, there have been about 50 seismic events within 100 kilometers, or about 62 miles, of last night’s quake, Buckmaster said. The most recent one, a magnitude 2.1, occurred July 28, 2008, according to Buckmaster and the USGS website. The largest one since 1974 was a magnitude 4.0 on Oct. 19, 1985. “You can have an earthquake in almost any state, and New Jersey is no exception,” he said.

(News Source: NJ Dot Com)

                                                                                                            Trenton N.J.-Sharon Harrington will always remember the long snaking lines outside the state Motor Vehicle Commission’s regional service center in Wayne after non-citizens with temporary visas were restricted to getting driver’s licenses only at a handful of locations.

The commission, which Harrington heads, responded four years ago by spreading that task to a bunch of its agencies around the state. The result: shorter lines and happier customersBuilding on that idea, the commission plans to close its four regional service centers in Wayne, Trenton, Eatontown and West Deptford starting next month and distribute the operations among its 43 local agencies. It’s a move officials said should save the state money and help all New Jersey drivers.

“It’s an opportunity to actually do our business differently and serve our customers better,” Harrington said. “We’re decentralizing. We’re going to the customers.”

Established nearly 20 years ago, regional service centers were once considered a convenience to drivers who until that time could only go to the motor vehicle office in Trenton to restore their driver’s license, pay surcharges and take care of the more complicated, time-consuming services. The local agencies at that time could only handle basic services such as issuing licenses and registrations.

But the centers couldn’t keep up with the increasing number of New Jersey drivers who found themselves still having to go long distances. It also seemed absurd that a driver who suddenly learned at a motor vehicle agency that his license was suspended would then be expected to travel to one of those regional centers — and possibly drive illegally to get there, Harrington said.

Plans to close the four regional facilities have been in the works for the past two years. First up will be the busiest one: the Wayne regional center, which served 131,346 customers last year. Prompted by a dispute over the lease for the center’s building on Route 23, the facility will close on March 6.

The services will immediately be handled at the nearby motor vehicle agencies in Bayonne, Newton and East Orange. The agencies in Newark, Paterson and Wayne’s Route 46 facility — which will remain open — will begin handling those services on March 16.

Harrington said closing the Route 23 facility will save the commission the $800,000 annual lease payment.

All 66 employees at the Wayne regional center will be moved to the local agencies, said Daniel Sullivan, assistant chief administrator for agency services.

He said the commission would have preferred to start with closing one of the smaller centers, like Eatontown, which handled slightly more than 55,000 customers last year.

“We’re going to look at the Wayne experience. We think it’s going to be successful,” he said. “If the lease situation was different, we wouldn’t have started with the busiest one.”

By the end of the year, all the regional centers should be closed and their services divided among the motor vehicle agencies in their respective areas, Sullivan said.

The commission was also hampered from making the change sooner because of its outdated computer system, Harrington said. It wasn’t until last year that the agencies started taking credit cards.

“They’ll get a much quicker turn-around time,” Sullivan said. “It’s certainly going to be much more efficient and helpful to the drivers.”

 

(News Source: Nj.com)

Your Taxes Are Going Up!

Passaic’s Mayor Alex Blanco released the following letter today.
He’s trying to break the news as gently as possible before the elections, but the bottom line of the letter is:

YOUR TAXES ARE GOING UP! AGAIN!

Nebach, how desperate Moshe Raider & Crew are!

Moshe Raider & Crew published the opinion below on their blog. There is no need for us to comment, as the opinion piece he wrote speaks for itself!  We present the post unedited for your enjoyment:

It is important to note that this David Kaplan is the same person who has shown a tremendous amount of Chutzpah (disrespect) in public against our community’s Rabbonim and elected officials. This Chutzpah continues to manifest itself in many ways as time goes on. Kaplan has no interest in helping anyone other than himself. For someone who refers to himself as a “Hasidic Jew”, his behavior belies any God fearing person.

If you will recall, as reported here, Kaplan is heavily involved with Vinny Capuana who ran against Mayor Blanco. Mayor Blanco was supported by the community’s leadership and with the community’s support, won the election.

By getting himself on the Board of Education, Kaplan is apparently trying to wedge himself back into the greater Jewish Community (where he is already semi-excommunicated) by having people that need assistance with the School Board come to him for help. He is certainly not a representative of the Jewish community.

As for his “ambulance service”, a new volunteer ambulance service was founded in November of 2007 with broad community support from all Rabbi’s and elected officials. This new ambulance service, called Hatzolah of Passaic / Clifton EMS effectively and completely replaced his.

Ms. Keller; it is important that you realize that this Kaplan is a charlatan and publicity monger whom no one in Passaic’s Jewish Community wants anything to do with. He does not represent any segment of the Jewish community, and is in fact, an embarrassment to us. If you care about accurate reporting, you will not use him as a source of accurate information.

To the Jewish Community; while we abhor giving Kaplan any publicity, we encourage everyone to call the interim County Superintendent of Schools Robert Gilmartin at (973) 569-2110 and ask him not to allow this rasha (wicked man), as Kaplan was described by numerous pulpit Rabbi’s, to get anywhere near a public office.

David Kaplan’s “volunteer ambulance service” hard at work
Kaplan loading groceries into the patient compartment on Friday, January 16, 2009 at approximately 2PM (submitted by a reader)

Where’s The Reception Committee?! Where’s the “Community Support”?!

Follow up to the article “Where’s Chaim Wolf?   Where’s Duvi Gross?“

Since we reported here about the machlokes and subsequent disappearance of Chaim Wolf and Duvi Gross from the Melave Malke reception committee, posters have been hung in Passaic announcing the Melave Malke, but without the names of the reception committee!

Here’s the story: After we broke the last story, many members of the reception committee decided to resign in protest of the affront to either Chaim Wolf or Duvi Gross, depending who’s side they are on.

The reception committee would look foolish missing even more names, so it was decided to drop the reception entirely.

Where’s the community support?

The organization calling itself “Hatzolah of Passaic/Clifton EMS” (founded in Dec. 2007) that is making the melave malka claims that all the shuls (and Rabbis) unanimously support their organization. But are their claims true?

Would a shul supporting an organization make an event the same night? I think not!

• Kehillas Beis Yosef (Rabbi Hirsch’s Shul) just announced that they will be having a melave malka the very same night!
• PTI (Rabbi Singer’s shul) recently announced that they will be making a melave malka for women the very same night!

So, do they really have the “community support” they claim? I leave it to you, the reader to decide!

 P.S. if you are aware of any further details of these stories, please let us know using the comments, thank you.

Rabbi Ron Eisenman Takes on Top Kashrus Experts

K.A.J. & Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, two highly respected Kosher certifiers in America recently released statements concerning the Kashrus status of raisins.

K.A.J. states that “no raisins of any brand or hashgocha may be used at the present time.” Similarly, Rabbi Teitelbaum states that “…we had our mashgichim check the Mispacha brand Raisins, which are under my hashgacha and they were found to be part of the problem. We hereby request that you return this product to the store for a full refund.”

Both kashrus supervisions have much to lose and nothing to gain by reporting infestations in their own products.

Rabbi Yudel Shain, famed kashrus expert, also reports that “Just about all raisins are infested with insects that are נראה לעין and should not be used at this time,including all those with a hashgocha as well. Tests were done on the Dole and Sun-Maid brands as well. In a 15 oz package there were found in excess of 50 insects.”

Today, Rabbi Ron Eisenman released the following statement: “As of this moment- I do not believe that raisins with a proper hechsher have to be avoided. I will update all as soon as I have more information.”

Any thinking person would need to ask the following questions:

1. Three respectable kashrus experts, who’s entire days are spent dealing with kashrus issues say that there is problem with the kashrus of a product, who is Rabbi Eisenman, a man with minimal Kashrus expertese to disagree without at least quoting one reliable kashrus expert?
2. Rabbi Teitelbaum specifically states that he had mashgichim review the raisins under his hechsher and that they were found to be infested, and that the raising should not be eaten. How can Rabbi Eisenman then claim that: “I do not believe that raisins with a proper hechsher have to be avoided.”
3. Rabbi Shain and Rabbi Teitelbaum state specifically that raisins were inspected and were found to be infested. How can Rabbi Eisenman state that raisins are okay to be eaten, without mentioning any testing or inspections done?
4. Is Rabbi Eisenman questioning the validity of the testing done by the agencies involved, who have nothing to gain from prohibiting their own products?

We welcome a response from Rabbi Eisenman, which we will be glad to publish for all our readers.

Letter from Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum

Letter from K.A.J.

Blog entry from Rabbi Yudel Shain