Charges filed in Wallace School crash
According to a press release from the Hoboken Police Department, Alessandro Mautone, age 23, of Holmdel has been charged in relation to a car crash outside of Wallace Elementary School on Thursday evening, Oct. 26, which injured a 13-year-old boy. Moutone allegedly drove a pickup truck into the school playground. Debris hit a Hoboken Middle School student but his injuries were not life-threatening.
Mautone was charged with two counts of assault by auto, possession of CDS heroin, being under the influence of drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He also received several motor vehicle offenses include driving under the influence, DUI in a school zone, unlicensed driver, failure to observe signal, reckless driving, and having drugs in a motor vehicle.
The release stated: “Officers responded to the area of 11th Willow Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle accident. Officer Albert, Sgt. Rotondi and Sgt. Olivera arrived to find several other agencies assisting a driver who was trapped inside his vehicle. The driver of a 2005 GMC struck a metal fence near the school playground after colliding with 2016 Honda on Willow Avenue. The GMC came to rest partially on the sidewalk while the rest hung over onto the playground area several feet off the ground. The Hoboken Fire Department along with Port Authority and EMS were able to remove the driver from the vehicle. Once removed from the vehicle, Sgt. Rotondi was able to observe several wax folds of suspected CDS Heroin in the vehicle. These items were retrieved as evidence. The driver was then transported to the Jersey City Medical Center for treatment. The Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit assisted in the investigation.”
“Those injured due to the accident were a 13-year-old boy and the driver of the Honda. They were both transported to Hoboken University Medical Center where they received treatment for their injuries. It did not appear that either injured party suffered serious injuries and were expected to recover. The mother of the juvenile was contacted and advised of the incident.”
“Officer Zeszotarski, a Drug Recognition Expert, was advised by Sgt. David Olivera to perform several tests on the driver in order to determine whether he was under the influence of any narcotics. Officer Zeszotarski performed several tests and concluded that the driver was [allegedly] under the influence of a narcotic while driving. Once treated at the hospital, he was transported to headquarters where he was processed. A warrant complaint was generated and he was later remanded to the Hudson County Rehabilitation Facility.”
Hoboken and Jersey City mayors sign matching executive orders
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop signed matching executive orders together at Hoboken City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 24, that expand upon previously-adopted policies to help support women and minority-owned businesses. The new orders include businesses owned by veterans, members of the LGBT community, and people with disabilities.
These businesses will now have additional access provided to them through partnerships that will provide independent mentorship and leadership training, scholarship programs, development and networking opportunities, and other business development tools.
Businesses can receive certification from one of various third parties, indicating that at least 51 percent of the business is owned by a woman, a racial or ethnic minority, a veteran, a member of the LGBT community, or a person with a disability. The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is designated in the executive orders as the third party certifying LGBT-owned businesses.
Charges upgraded in death of Hoboken man in Jersey City
On Wednesday, Oct. 24, charges against Joshua Espada, 29, of Jersey City were upgraded to reckless manslaughter in the death of Hoboken resident Luis Rivera, 38, on Oct. 20 in Jersey City.
According to a press release from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Rivera was pronounced dead on Oct. 21 at approximately 4:10 a.m. after being the victim of an alleged assault. On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head, and the manner of death to be a homicide.
On Oct. 20 at approximately 3 a.m., Jersey City police officers were dispatched to the area of First Street and Marin Boulevard on a report of a street fight. Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive Rivera lying with apparent facial wounds on the ground.
Rivera was treated at the scene by Emergency Medical Services before being transported to the Jersey City Medical Center and later pronounced dead.
On Oct. 21, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Espada. He was arrested at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 23 and initially charged with aggravated assault.
The Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department are actively investigating the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at (201) 915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Prosecutor’s Office official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.
Former Director of Welfare for Hoboken dies age 90
Hoboken resident of 65 years and community activist, Jerry Forman, passed away on Oct. 21 at Hoboken University Medical Center at 90 years old.
Forman was the former Director of Welfare for the city from 1955 until 1977.
Jerry served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Airforce.
He was a member of the Hoboken Lions Club, the Jewish War Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign War, and the Hoboken American Foreign Legion.
He is survived by wife Elizabeth nee Miranda, four sons: Aaron, Hovie, Mark, and Miguel Quinones as well as three daughters: Esther Forman, Elba Lopez, Victoria Maarleveld and sister Rena Forman.
Veterans Day essay contest submissions are due today
Hoboken students in grades 5-8 are invited to participate in the 2018 Veterans Day Essay Contest. Submissions are due on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 12 p.m.
Essays should be no longer than 500 words and answer the question “Who is a veteran, past or present, you admire and why?”
The winning student will be presented with a framed certificate and recognized before the City Council. The student will also have the opportunity to read their essay during the annual Veterans Day ceremony in Hoboken. Second and third place winners will receive recognition from the city.
To enter, email your essay to jbuonarota@hobokennj.gov or print it in blue or black ink and mail it to: Hoboken City Hall, Office of Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla ,94 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030. For more information, call (201) 420-2000 ext. 1003.
New murals unveiled
Hoboken unveiled two new murals at the end of last month.
The first is a soccer mural. The Red Bulls and the city partnered for the art on the walls surrounding the field located at 1600 Park Ave. Designed by New York City-native Ori Carino, the mural portrays buildings in the Hoboken/New York Tri-State area, along with fan imagery showing the passion and excitement of Red Bulls fans.
The second celebrates Hoboken icons such as living legend Maria Pepe, who fought for her right as a female athlete to play Little League baseball in Hoboken. Jersey City artist DISTORT created the mural.
The mural, at 1312 Adams St. on the wall of CubeSmart self storage, also includes other prominent Hoboken women, such as Depression-era photographer Dorothea Lange, African American nightclub fixture Dorothy McNeil, and two dock workers.
“It is a blessing to be able to be a part of and to experience seeing a mural that reflects on Hoboken’s history and commitment to provide so many recreational opportunities to all children living here today,” said Pepe. “I am so thankful for all the support from my coach Jimmy Farina, my parents and family. I hope it inspires all children to believe all things are possible in Hoboken.”
City’s constituent affairs office officially opened
On Monday, Oct. 22, Mayor Ravi Bhalla officially opened the Office of Constituent Affairs, located on the first floor of City Hall. This office is run by the Hoboken’s new Chief of Constituent Affairs, Caroline Caulfield, a fourth generation Hobokenite and former aide to U.S. Sen. Cory Booker.
The Office of Constituent Affairs exists to help residents with quality of life issues, with a special attention paid to the needs of Hoboken’s seniors, low-income tenants, and residents with disabilities.
In an effort to make sure all resident concerns are heard, the office will hold mobile office hours at various times and locations across the city. Caulfield can be reached by calling (201) 420-2000 ext.1311 or by emailing ccaulfield@hobokennj.gov.
Author brunch to be hosted at the United Synagogue of Hoboken Nov. 4
On Sunday, Nov. 4 local author Dawn Raffel will speak about her latest book, “The Strange Case of Dr. Couney,” at a book brunch held at the United Synagogue of Hoboken.
Attendees can learn how “Dr. Martin Arthur Couney,” born “Michael Cohn” in Poland in 1869, saved thousands of premature American infants by placing them in incubators in sideshows and hiring skilled nurses to care for them.
Attendees will also hear how Couney also signed numerous affidavits to help rescue European Jews.
The United Synagogue of Hoboken is located at 115 Park Ave. The brunch will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tickets are $18 for members and $25 for nonmembers. RSVP to office@hobokensynagogue.org or call 201-659-4000.
You can read the Reporter’s story on Raffel and the book here.
