Testing center remains open in Braddock Park

June 25, 2021

07nbtesting01 — Mayor Nicholas Sacco speaks with staff at the COVID-19 testing site in Braddock Park.

While many municipalities in Hudson County have closed their primary COVID-19 testing sites, including Bayonne and Jersey City, one North Hudson township is keeping its testing center open to residents.

North Bergen’s testing center in Braddock Park remains open and available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.

The site is in the Bruin Stadium parking lot and accepts walk-ups and drive-thrus with no appointment necessary. Testing is free to residents with proof of residency, with no out-of-pocket cost, regardless of insurance status. Those without insurance will not be billed a copay or deductible.

Get vaccinated

While testing is still readily available, the township shifted its efforts from virus testing to inoculation this year.

Vaccinations are administered at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave. To register for ages 12 to 17, call 201-392-2084. Adults can register 24/7 at northbergenvaccine.org.

No appointment necessary, no health insurance required, and any form of identification is accepted.

For more information visit hackensackmeridianhealth.org/COVID19.

Where to get vaccinated

To register at North Hudson Community Action Corp. at 1116 43rd St., call 201-210-0200.

To register at MyCare Pharmacy at 6101 Kennedy Blvd., call 201-854-0800. To register at Novecks Pharmacy at 7823 Bergenline Ave., call 201-869-1235.

To register at Palisades Medical Center at 7600 River Rd., call 201-854-5000 or go to hackensackmeridianhealth.org/COVID19.

To get vaccinated at Hudson Healthcare Express Urgent Care at 9225 Kennedy Blvd., suite D, call 201-603-2550.

The state is working with home health agencies to administer vaccines to homebound clients. Call 855-568-0545 or visit https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/testing-and-treatment/how-can-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-if-im-homebound.

For more information, check the township Vaccination Site Resource Guide. Other vaccination sites can be found at covid19.nj.gov/finder or by texting the ZIP code to 438829.

Free transportation is available to and from vaccination sites. For more information visit bit.ly/3tkqPkh.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

North Bergen hires five new police officers

Hudson Reporter

June 25, 2021

07nbpolice01 — The township welcomed the new officers, bringing the total to 125.

Five North Bergen residents have become new members of the North Bergen Police Department. Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Chief of Police Peter Fasilis presided over the June 22 oath of office ceremony in township chambers, along with Commissioners Allen Pascual, Hugo Cabrera, and Julio Marenco.

Four of the new officers have prior law enforcement experience.

Martin Antelo, a 22-year resident of North Bergen, graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy in 2018 and currently serves as a SLEO II with the Community Policing Unit.

Christian Arcos, a lifelong North Bergen resident, will graduate from Rutgers University in the spring of 2022 with dual majors in criminal justice and sociology with a minor in computer science. He has been serving in the NJ National Guard with the rank of sergeant since 2014. He is the first in his family to serve in law enforcement and will enter the Hudson County Police Academy in July.

Mirroring community demographics

Freddy Au-Castillo has lived in North Bergen for three years and eight months. In 2007, he opened a trucking company servicing the NY-NJ ports. He graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy in 2020 and currently serves as a SLEO II for the NBPD in the Patrol Division Squad 3.

Christopher Bowen, a lifelong North Bergen resident, graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy in March 2020, after which he worked as a sheriff’s officer for the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department. His older brother Brendan Bowen is a police officer with the NBPD.

Catherine Cabrera, a lifelong North Bergen resident, currently works as a SLEO II with the NBPD and graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy. Her brother-in-law Santiago Hernandez is the sergeant of the Internal Affairs Unit.

North Bergen’s resident-only hiring policy has resulted in a police department that closely matches community demographics. These new hires bring the total to 125 fulltime officers, the most in the township’s history.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Weehawken man charged in death of girlfriend

Hudson Reporter

June 24, 2021

07weesuspect01 — Joseph Palacios. Photo via HCPO

Joseph Palacios, 22, of Weehawken, has been charged with the death of his girlfriend, Michelle Paola Castillo Siguencia, 24, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

On June 19 at approximately 6 p.m., the Weehawken Police Department responded to a medical emergency at 561 Hudson Ave., Apartment #1. Officers discovered a female in an apparent lifeless condition in the bathroom.

She was pronounced dead at 6:48 p.m. The cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner.

While Weehawken police were on the scene, they received reports that Palacios, the suspect in the crime, had barricaded himself in the Union City apartment of a family member at 112 33rd St., threatening to harm himself.

The Hudson County Regional SWAT team was activated and entered the home. The SWAT team and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit arrested Palacios. He was taken into custody and transported to the Jersey City Medical Center for self-inflicted wounds.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, the Weehawken Police Department and the Union City Police Department for the investigation and arrest.

The above charges are merely accusations. Palacios is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

North Bergen flea market returns

Hudson Reporter

June 18, 2021

06nbmarkets24 — Residents shop the various wares at the flea market. Photo by Art Schwartz.

The North Bergen monthly flea market and collectible fair is back, a local staple since its launch and subsequent popularity in 2018.

This year the market will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month, except for September, when the market will be held on the third Sunday.

Dates include July 17, August 21, Sept. 19, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, and Dec. 18.

The market is on the sidewalk of Bergenline Ave. outside Braddock Park between 90th and 79th Streets. Find new items, secondhand treasures, collectibles, vintage items, craftwork, and more.

The flea market is hosted by North Bergen Community Policing. Proceeds are donated to the Special Olympics.

Farmers Markets opening too?

North Bergen is also preparing to open its farmers markets soon.

The Braddock Park Farmers Market is looking for new vendors. Email [email protected] for more information.

The market will be held Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m. beginning the end of June. The official start date and more information will be announced.

It’s not clear yet if the Friends & Family Farmers Market in front of Stan Newman Field, across 64th Street from the Recreation Center will return this year. The market launched in 2019 on the last Saturday of every month during summer and fall.

For more information, visit northbergen.org or check official social media pages.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Pompidou or ‘Pompidon’t?’

Hudson Reporter

June 18, 2021

2_Existing Building_Exterior Phcoto_web size — The Pathside Building in Journal Square is set to become the Centre Pompidou × Jersey City museum by 2024. Photo provided by the City of Jersey City.

The Jersey City Council adopted a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and French museum Centre Pompidou that would open a location in Journal Square.

But councilmembers and members of the public were apprehensive about the price tag associated with getting the new museum up and running.

“I’m absolutely appalled by this Pompidou thing. I think it should be called Pompidon’t,” said resident Jeanne Daly. “We can’t even afford our school budget. Why are we spending money on this vanity project?”

According to the agreement, Jersey City would pay about $5.6 million for the first three phases of the project.

The first phase will cost approximately $285,000. In this four-month phase, staff based in Paris will be recruited to operationally support the Pathside Project, as the city, JCRA, and Pompidou create a plan for the museum.

In the 10-month second phase, which will cost approximately $1,9 million, Centre Pompidou will create the organizational structure and governance as well as a broad business plan for the new museum. In this phase the Centre Pompidou will help create a high-level capability building plan, educational programs, an audience development roadmap, and communication strategy.

During the approximately, $3.3 million third phase the Centre Pompidou will help JCRA prepare for the grand opening.

During the 15-month phase, Centre Pompidou will “further detail deliverables handled during Phase 2” and assist with recruitment and staff from the Centre Pompidou to run training and coaching sessions for future local teams.

Phase four will start with the opening of the artistic and cultural hub. Over the next five years the city will pay Centre Pompidou approximately $5.9 million per year.

$$$***!!!

This $5.9 million includes a yearly branding fee of $2.3 million for the right of use of the name “Centre Pompidou,” a yearly fee of about $653,000 for the Centre Pompidou’s expertise and consulting, a yearly fee of about $2 million for works and contribution to the organization of exhibitions, and a yearly fee of approximately $831,000 for HR contributions.

Those annual fees could decrease over the five-year deal with the Pompidou, according to the MOU, but if the city were to pay the $5.9 million per year, that would amount to a total of about $30 million over the five-year time period not including money for the first three phases to get the project off the ground.

The above costs do not include the “material dimensions” of the exhibits, according to the MOU, including transportation, insurance, copyrights and related promotion rights, maintenance, or programming for performing arts; all of which the city or JCRA will pay for separately.

Nor do the costs cover renovations to the Pathside Building where the new museum will be located, which, according to council documents, could cost an estimated $15 million.

According to the city, the deal with Centre Pompidou could be offset with developer contributions and ticket sales, but as Councilman James Solomon pointed out, so far, the council has no idea what that looks like.

Solomon said “I’ve been very sort of torn on this issue,” before voting to adopt the MOU, noting that the city would now have six months to finalize an agreement with Centre Pompidou which should include more financial data and analysis.

Councilman Rolando Lavarro also said that so far there has been no financial analysis for the project showing how the new museum would benefit the city.

He said that when the city purchased the property in 2018 for $10 million, he was told the city could sell it for $25 million and receive a profit, but “With this $15 million, we are now essentially exceeding that $25 million cost,” Lavarro said

He said the city needs to get its priorities in order, noting that the money could be used for necessities such as school funding.

“This is again a vanity project we can’t afford,” Lavarro. said. “It is not to say we shouldn’t have it. We should have beautiful things. We should have beautiful art … but we have to get our priorities straight here.”

Lavarro was the lone dissenting vote. The resolution supporting the MOU was adopted 8-1.

For updates on this and other stories follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at [email protected].

Art House Productions Announces New Board Leadership

Hudson Reporter

June 18, 2021

1-RobinsonHolloway — Robinson Holloway, Incoming Board President of Art House Productions

Art House Productions, Jersey City’s home for the performing and visual arts for the past 20 years, has announced a transition of the leadership of its board of trustees. David Gibson, current board president, stepped down on June 13 after ten years on the board and seven years as president. The board has unanimously appointed Robinson Holloway to succeed Gibson as president.

“I’m thrilled to pass the torch to Robinson Holloway. She will be a stellar Art House leader through an exciting period in its history, as it takes up residence in a grand new home right in the heart of Jersey City,” says Gibson.

“David has led Art House through four different locations, successfully helped the organization manage the transition from founder to successor, and oversaw tremendous financial growth during his time as President of the Art House Board of Trustees. He’s leaving the organization at a time of great promise and in the very capable hands of Robinson Holloway. We’re all excited about what’s next for Art House under Robinson’s leadership, and are incredibly grateful for David’s service,” says Meredith Burns, Art House’s Executive Director.

“David Gibson has set a remarkable leadership example, and I am honored to be a part of the Art House Productions team as we move forward into our third decade,” says Holloway. “We’re in a period of exciting growth for the arts right now, as well as recognition of the importance of the arts as both a societal and economic engine. Art House is a unique arts organization, with strength in all disciplines, and its ability to engage both artists and audiences will only increase as we emerge from the pandemic and open our new theater and gallery space.”

Holloway began her career in sports journalism. Thanks to a tidy sum of money won on “Jeopardy!” when she was 22, she successfully pivoted from graduate studies in Medieval History to a career covering the PGA Tour. She started in print journalism for The Independent and other British newspapers, as well as at Sports Illustrated, and then moved to television, working for ABC Sports, ESPN and Golf Channel.

She transitioned to a career in the arts after founding and directing two non-profit art galleries, including Village West Gallery in Jersey City. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the London-based Association of Women Art Dealers, and is a member of ArtTable and the International Women’s Forum.

She was the founding Chair of the Board of Directors for the Jersey City Arts Council, and created Art Fair 14C while at the JCAC, stepping down from her role at the Arts Council in 2018 to run Art Fair 14C as its pro bono Executive Director. She currently serves as the Vice President for Communications for the Village Neighborhood Association in Jersey City.

Gibson is the co-founder of the New York City design consultancy known as Two Twelve. Mr. Gibson is internationally recognized as an advocate of “public information design” and for his work on behalf of cities, institutions, and corporations over the past forty-one years, since Two Twelve’s founding. He was named Fellow of SEGD in 2009.

He has served on the Art House Board of Trustees since 2011, succeeding Alicia Wright as Board President in 2014. Looking forward, he will be dividing his time between Jersey City and Rome, Italy where he and his husband are relocating.

The Art House Board of Trustees includes Joseph Bonifaz, Jeanne Brasile, Brad Fay, Michael Griffiths, Cynthia A. Hadjiyannis, Rachel Handler, Robinson Holloway, Annie Kessler, Michelle Lewis-Bellamy, Kristin Mountford, Sophie Penkrat, Jim Peskin, Erin Leigh Pierson, Shriti Rath, Mary Snyder, and Alysis Vasquez. The Art House Access Committee includes Krystle Allen, Millie Gonzalez, Rachel Handler, Stephanie Lubalin, John McGinty, and Colleen Roche. The Art House/NJCU Junior Board includes Tammy Brobeck, Tyvera Bryant, Alexis M. Castaneda, Zhnai Davis, Nicholas Geosits, Danette E. Sheppard-Vaughn, and Nelson Solis.

Art House Productions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to the development and presentation of the performing and visual arts in Jersey City, NJ. Art House Productions presents theater, performing and visual arts festivals, art exhibitions, and provides adult and youth art classes.

Art House Productions is generously supported by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, SILVERMAN, The Princeton Foundation, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, The Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Alliance of Resident Theatres / New York.

Art House Productions is committed to accessibility and inclusivity in all public programming. Art House Productions produces work with a shrewd sense of social responsibility. For more information about Art House Productions, please visit our website at www.arthouseproductions.org. Follow us on social media @arthouseproductions @arthouseprods. To sign up for Art House’s mailing list, please click here: http://eepurl.com/hd1FCj.

Guttenberg Arts Gallery presents Long Story Short

Hudson Reporter

June 17, 2021

Guttenberg Arts Gallery presents Long Story Short, an exhibition of work by Dahlia Elsayed, on view from July 8 to August 8th at the Guttenberg Arts Gallery with an opening reception on Thursday July 8, 7 – 9 p.m.

Guttenberg Arts Gallery is open by appointment only Tuesday – Saturday, 10a.m. – 4 p.m. and virtually on their website. Patrons can schedule their visit or view the virtual gallery by going to www.guttenbergarts.org/exhibitions.

The exhibition consists of a recent series of ceramic sculpture dioramas by Dahlia Elsayed. She explains, “The small-scale sculptures conjure figures or architectural shapes and are arranged together within colorful graphic backgrounds, suggesting dreamy and strange landscapes.”

Dahlia Elsayed is an artist and writer who makes text and image based work that synthesizes an internal and external experience of place, connecting the ephemeral to the concrete. She writes short fictions for created landscapes that take the form of narrative paintings, print and installation.

Her work has been exhibited at galleries and institutions throughout the United States and internationally, including the 12th Cairo Biennale, Robert Miller Gallery, BravinLee Programs, The New Jersey State Museum and Aljira Center for Contemporary Art. Her work is in the public collections of the Newark Museum, the Zimmerli Museum, Johnson & Johnson Corporation, the US Department of State, amongst others. Dahlia has received awards from the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the Edward Albee Foundation, Visual Studies Workshop, the MacDowell Colony, Women’s Studio Workshop, Headlands Center for the Arts, and the NJ State Council on the Arts.

She received her MFA from Columbia University, and lives and works in New Jersey. Ms. Elsayed is Professor of Humanities at CUNY LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, NY.

Schedule your visit by going to www.guttenbergarts.org/exhibitions. For more information please contact [email protected] or 201-868-8585. To view more work by Dahlia Elsayed, please visit https://dahliaelsayed.com/.

Guttenberg Art Gallery is free and open to the public by appointment only. Guttenberg Arts programming is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas a. Degise, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

North Bergen municipal pool opening soon

Hudson Reporter

June 15, 2021

The North Bergen municipal pool will be open to North Bergen residents only beginning Saturday, June 26, Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Parks Commissioner Hugo Cabrera have announced.

Like last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no annual memberships. Instead, the township will issue daily passes for individual three-hour sessions.

The first session will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This will be for seniors only ages 62 and older. Admission is free; no younger guests. Only the lap pool will be open.

The second session will run from 12:45 to 3:45 p.m. The third session will run from 4 to 7 p.m. During these times, the pool will be open to all ages.

Register in advance

Residents must register in advance using the online pool portal at https://etrak-ne1.com/etrak/portal?org=26. After entering the required information, registrants will receive an approval confirmation. This may take a day or two to process.

Registered users must sign up through the portal for a specific time period. Signup will be allowed for sessions within the next 24 hours only, one session per day. Residents must sign up online. No walkups will be allowed.

The cost is $5 per adult, ages 16 and up; $4 per child; and $3 per senior for the afternoon and evening sessions. Kids under one year are free.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

North Bergen judge faces judicial complaint for an alleged groping incident

Hudson Reporter

June 10, 2021

06nbjudge17 — Falcone was arrested and charged with criminal sexual contact, but the case was dismissed after his cooperation with the Pretrial Intervention Program.

Nino Falcone, a part-time municipal court judge in North Bergen, now faces additional charges stemming from an allegation that he groped a woman at his private office two years ago.

Falcone faces a four-count criminal complaint from the Supreme Court of New Jersey’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct.

According to the complaint brought by ACJC, Falcone violated four canons of the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct “which requires judges to observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the Judiciary may be preserved;” “which requires judges to respect and comply with the law;” “which requires judges to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety and to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary;” and “which requires judges to conduct their extrajudicial activities in a manner that would not demean the judicial office.”

The complaint continues: “By his treatment of A.C. as detailed above, resulting in a charge of criminal sexual contact… [Falcone] demonstrated a failure to conform his conduct to the high standards of conduct expected of judges and impugned the integrity of the Judiciary.”

He knew her

Faclone was first charged by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in 2019 with criminal sexual contact in relation to an incident that occurred in his law office. Falcone, 78 at the time, was arrested after allegations that he grabbed a woman’s breast without her consent.

To preserve her identity, she is referred to in the court documents only by her initials: A.C. Falcone knew A.C. and had represented her in personal matters in the past, the complaint said.

The alleged incident occurred at his private law office at 7807 Bergenline Ave, the complaint said. A.C. went to Falcone’s office around August 19, 2019, on behalf of her employer, a physician with whom Falcone had a professional relationship for years.

Groping alleged

According to the complaint, after discussing business with Falcone, A.C. attempted to leave his office. But Falcone allegedly pulled her into him and began rubbing her back.

A.C. tried to push Falcone away, but he held her arm, squeezed her breast, and told her to “let me touch you, let me play with you,” the complaint said.

As she continued to push him away, Falcone allegedly grabbed A.C.’s wrist. He then released her wrist, and offered her what he allegedly called “birthday money.” A.C. refused, left, and returned to her employer’s office, according to the complaint.

A.C. told her employer, coworkers, and husband following the incident. According to the complaint, A.C. and her husband went to the Teaneck Police Department, which referred the case to the HCPO.

Caught on recording

Using a recorded undercover telephone line in a station house interview room, A.C. placed a call to Falcone, according to the complaint. During their conversation, he allegedly admitted to A.C. that he touched her “inappropriately” and apologized to her.

Falcone was arrested and charged on September 12, 2019, by complaint summons with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. After being processed, he was released.

Falcone was suspended without pay in 2019. He retired in August of 2020, according to the Township.

In March of 2020, Falcone was admitted into the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI). After complying with the conditions of PTI, the matter was dismissed.

The complaint from the ACJC breathes new life into the case.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Kennedy Dancers Inner City Youth Pre-Professional Program featured at the Hispanic Youth Showcase

Hudson Reporter

June 9, 2021

The troupe will perform choreography from Kathryn Reese and feature dancers Ebone Verde and Joyce Najm Navarro. Both dancers are 17 years of age and have been students of The Kennedy Dancers Inner City Youth Pre-Professional Training Program for the past three years.

The show will air worldwide on NJPAC Online, Thursday June 17, 2021 at 6:00PM

See the stars of tomorrow shine in this unique, multi-disciplinary showcase featuring many of New Jersey’s finest young Hispanic dancers, musicians, and singers. The program is held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and has propelled its winners to successful careers as recording artists, Broadway actors, and movie stars.

William Sánchez serves as the executive producer/director of Images/Imágenes, a cultural and public affairs show. His work on Images / Imágenes and the Hispanic Youth Showcase, a talent competition for New Jersey’s Latino youth, has garnered Mr. Sánchez multiple Emmy awards. He also received an Emmy for his work on Sembrando El Futuro, a television special focused on parenting skills for the Latino community.

Diane Dragone is the founding director/choreographer/teacher for the Kennedy Dancers Repertory Company and the Kennedy Dancers School since 1977. The Kennedy Dancers is a non-profit corp. Diane Dragone created the Dance curriculum for the Hudson County Schools of Technology. She taught the gifted and talented and special education dance programs at Hudson County High Tech and Hudson County prep schools as well as classes at the Hudson County Juvenile Detention center. She was also a returning guest teacher of dance at Hudson County Community College. Ms. Dragone is a certified teacher of dance in the state of New Jersey. During her career she has performed and created countless choreographies for many regional dance, theater, and opera companies.

The Kennedy Dancers have performed in over 400 grammar schools, high schools, and universities and performed in theaters up and down the eastern seaboard including the White House as well as U.S.O. tours. The Kennedy Dancers are 6-time award winners of Citations of excellence from New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Artistic Director Diane Dragone is the executive producer of the 8-time award winning cable television program “Dance Vista” seen on assorted cable television systems throughout and beyond 22 states.