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.