We stand corrected
Two recent columns and one news story that appeared in The Hudson Reporter contained factual errors. The columns and story were about an alleged rape by a campaign worker in Phil Murphy’s gubernatorial campaign.
Katie Brennan has accused Albert J. Alvarez of allegedly raping her in April 2017 in Jersey City after a campaign event. Alvarez has denied the charge, claimed the encounter was consensual, and has not been charged with a crime.
The errors appeared in a news story on Jan. 24 by Al Sullivan and in his columns on Feb. 7 and 14.
The column speculated on Feb. 7, stated as fact on Feb. 14, and amplified on material reported in a Jan. 24 news article – erroneously in all cases – that someone in the office of Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez had communicated with Peter Cammarano, Gov. Murphy’s soon-to-be-chief of staff, about pending charges against Alvarez and, later, that Cammarano had a role in the decision that no charges would be filed.
Testimony by Cammarano before the Legislative Select Oversight Committee indicates this was not true. Another issue raised in the Feb. 7 column – suggesting someone in Suarez’s office kept her in the dark about the case, yet had the political savvy to communicate with the governor’s chief of staff – was based on that error of fact. Cammarano has testified he was not in contact with Suarez or anyone in her office.
His testimony was corroborated by Murphy’s Deputy Chief of Staff Justin Braz, a friend of Brennan, who also testified before the same committee that he told Cammarano about the pending charges based on information from Brennan.
WNY seeking board members for election
The Town of West New York issued a public notice stating that anyone who is a registered voter in Hudson County and wishes to be a board worker for the West New York municipal election that will be held on May 14 should contact the Town Clerk’s Office at the municipal building at 428 60th St.
Call 201-295-5090 for more information
Senate passes standardized testing bill
The New Jersey Senate passed a bill on Feb. 21 that would allow for different rules regarding standardized tests administered by the state and required for high school graduation.
Previously, the state administered standardized PARCC exams; passing the 10th Grade English and Algebra 1 exams was required in order to graduate. Students were required to take these exams in 11th grade.
On Dec. 31, a state appellate court ruled that this procedure was illegal.
Now, a bill passed with a 21-7 vote allows for a state standardized test or tests as a requirement for graduating from high school, but the requirement that students have to be in the 11th grade to take the tests has been scrapped.
Dominique Peterson named to Dean’s List
Dominique Peterson, a Union Ciy resident, was named ro the dean’s list at Georgia State University in Atlanta. To be eligible for the dean’s list, degree-seeking students must have earned a GPA of at least 3.5 for a minimum of nine semester hours of academic credit taken at Georgia State, with no incomplete courses.
Energy bill assistance available
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications for financial assistance with heating and cooling costs. The LIHEAP program is run by New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs.
LIHEAP eligibility is based on the most recent monthly household gross income and household size. To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant’s household gross income must meet the monthly income guidelines.
Under LIHEAP, those who qualify may receive an average of $300 toward their heating bills and $200 toward medically-necessary cooling costs.
For more information, to download a LIHEAP application, or to find out where to apply, visit nj.pseg.com or call 1-800-510-3102. Applications and copies of all requested documents must be submitted by mail or in person to the designated LIHEAP intake agency by Aug. 31.
The LIHEAP application is also an application for the Universal Service Fund ( USF). USF is a program created by New Jersey that can lower the amount low-income households pay for gas and electric bills with a monthly credit. Applications for USF are accepted year-round.
NJ DEP prescribed burn program is underway
The state Forest Fire Service is setting prescribed burns to reduce undergrowth and other forest floor materials that have the potential to fuel wildfires.
Prescribed burns are carried out to protect property, lives, and infrastructure by creating defensible space and strategic fire breaks near developed areas. This can help prevent wildfires, reduce the intensity of fires, and make fire suppression more effective.
While prescribed burns take place, nearby residents should expect to see large plumes of smoke and may experience temporary impacts from smoke. Motorists should use caution when approaching areas where prescribed burns are taking place.
Prescribed burns take place when weather is appropriate. They generally occur during late winter months to reduce the amount of smoke produced, and because weather conditions tend to be more predictable for safer controlled fires.
To sign up for text or email notifications of prescribed burns, visit public.godeliver.com/accouns/NJDEP/subscriber/new.
Mike Montemarano can be reached at mikem@hudsonreporter.com.
