Former Nickelodeon Star Drake Bell Found Safe After Missing Report
Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell was found safe on Thursday after being reported missing in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The Daytona Beach Police Department had issued an alert for the 36-year-old actor, who was last seen on April 12 near Mainland High School.
Bell Addresses the Situation on Social Media
Bell, whose legal name is Jared Drake Bell, took to Twitter to address the situation, saying, “You leave your phone in the car and don’t answer for the night and this?”
He did not provide further details about his whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding the alert. The police department later confirmed that Bell was in contact with Florida officials and was safe.
A Brief Overview of Bell’s Career and Personal Life
Drake Bell rose to fame as a child actor, with roles in Jerry Maguire, Seinfeld, and High Fidelity. He later starred in Nickelodeon’s “Drake & Josh” from 2004 to 2007, where he also sang the theme song and contributed to the soundtrack.
Since then, Bell has released several albums, including one earlier this year, and has continued to work as an actor and voice artist.
Legal troubles have marred bell’s personal life and struggles with substance abuse. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and disseminating matters harmful to juveniles stemming from an incident in December 2017. He was sentenced to probation.
Questions Remain About the Missing Report
While Bell is now confirmed safe, questions remain about the circumstances that led to the initial missing report. The Daytona Beach Police Department has not provided additional information regarding the situation.
Recent Developments in Bell’s Personal and Professional Life
In recent years, Drake Bell has faced several challenges in his personal life, including substance abuse issues and a rocky relationship with his wife, Janet Von Schmeling, whom he married in 2018.
The couple has a son together, but they have reportedly been separated for months. In January, Bell entered outpatient treatment for substance abuse.
As for his professional life, Bell has continued to work in the entertainment industry, appearing in live-action versions of the animated show “The Fairly Odd Parents” and lending his voice to Spider-Man in video games and TV series. He has also participated in reality TV competitions such as “Cupcake Wars” and “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars.”
Bell’s Previous Legal Troubles
Drake Bell has faced legal issues in the past, including two DUI arrests. In June 2021, he was charged with attempted endangering children and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles after he “developed a relationship” online with a teenager and sent her “inappropriate social media messages.” The case culminated in a December 2017 concert in Cleveland, Ohio, where a woman, who was then 19, claimed that Bell had sexually assaulted her multiple times when she was 15. Bell denied these allegations.
A former girlfriend, actress Melisa Lingafelt, also accused Bell of verbally and physically abusing her. However, Bell denied these claims, stating they were part of “a misguided quest for more money or attention.”
Continuing Investigation into Bell’s Disappearance
Although Drake Bell has been found safe, the Daytona Beach Police Department has not shared any further details about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
What led to the initial missing report remains unclear and why Bell was considered “missing and endangered.” For now, fans and the public can only speculate on the events that transpired.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has become a box office phenomenon, crossing the $500 million mark in global earnings. The animated adaptation of the iconic video game now boasts $260.3 million in domestic earnings and $248.4 million internationally, with a combined worldwide total of $508.7 million.
This massive success makes it the highest-grossing film of 2023 globally and domestically, surpassing “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” More significantly, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” now holds the title of the biggest video game adaptation in history, outperforming “Warcraft” and “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.”
A Collaborative Triumph
The film was produced by Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo, after spending decades in development limbo. Nintendo’s initial reluctance to revisit the Mushroom Kingdom on the big screen stemmed from the disastrous 1993 live-action adaptation.
However, the collaboration between Illumination (known for the “Despicable Me” and “Sing” franchises) and Nintendo, led by Illumination founder Chris Meledandri and legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto, ensured that the iconic plumber duo Mario and Luigi was done justice.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” features an all-star voice cast, including Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black.
With a production budget of $100 million, the movie was relatively economical for an animated film, as Pixar and Disney productions often cost twice as much.
Impressive Milestones
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has reached several milestones, including becoming the second-biggest animated film since 2019 regarding worldwide box office revenue. It now surpasses “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” ($494 million) and trails only “Minions: The Rise of Gru” ($942.5 million). As the movie continues to dominate, announcing a sequel or spinoff seems inevitable.
After just nine days in theaters, the film has already become the number-one release of 2023 globally. Furthermore, it has overtaken “Warcraft” and “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” as the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever.
The movie’s international success is evident, with top-performing markets including Mexico ($40 million), the UK & Ireland ($35 million), Germany ($21.5 million), France ($15.2 million), and Australia ($14.8 million).
With a clear path ahead and upcoming releases in the Middle East, Korea, and Japan, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is on track to break even more records.
A Beloved Franchise Translated to Film
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has managed to capture the essence of the beloved video game franchise, bringing the adventures of Mario and Luigi to life on the big screen.
The film’s success can be attributed to the careful collaboration between the movie’s producers, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the adaptation stays true to the original source material.
By blending nostalgia with contemporary storytelling and animation techniques, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has resonated with fans of all ages.
A Boost for the Video Game Adaptation Genre
The success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has not only broken box office records but also given the video game adaptation genre a much-needed boost.
As the highest-grossing video game adaptation in history, it demonstrates that with the right creative approach and collaboration, video game franchises can indeed translate well to the big screen. This success may pave the way for future video game adaptations, potentially inspiring studios to explore other popular franchises.
The Future of the Franchise
Given the record-breaking performance of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” it seems likely that the franchise will continue to expand.
The upcoming release of the movie in additional international markets, such as the Middle East, Korea, and Japan, indicates that a vast audience is still eager to experience the Mushroom Kingdom’s adventures.
As anticipation builds for a sequel or spinoff, fans can only hope the franchise’s future remains true to the characters and worlds they have come to know and love.
A tragic explosion and fire at the South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmitt, Texas, on Monday evening, resulted in the death of 18,000 cows and left one farmworker in critical but stable condition. The devastating incident in the Texas panhandle, 75 miles northwest of Lubbock, is considered the deadliest cattle barn fire ever recorded in the United States.
Explosion Possibly Caused by Malfunctioning Equipment
The state fire marshal is currently investigating the cause of the fire. Castro County Sheriff Sal Rivera suggested that the farm’s manure management equipment might have overheated, causing the methane to ignite and leading to the explosion and fire. County Judge Mandy Gfeller mentioned that malfunctioning farm equipment could have caused the disaster.
Massive Scale of Cattle Casualties
The 18,000 cows killed in the fire account for approximately 90% of the dairy farm’s total herd. To put the scale of the tragedy into perspective, the number of cows killed would cover 26 football fields if the animals stood 3 to 4 feet apart. Financial losses resulting from the incident could reach tens of millions of dollars, excluding the destruction of equipment and buildings.
Factory Farm Fires: A Surprisingly Common Phenomenon
Fires on large-scale animal farms or factory farms are more common than one might think. Over the last decade, at least 6.5 million farmed animals, mostly chickens, have perished in barn fires in the US, according to the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). The Dimmitt fire, however, was unusual in its scale. Allie Granger, a policy associate with AWI, noted that the South Fork Dairy Farm was among the country’s largest dairy farms, making the number of cows killed significantly higher than in other fires. Between 2018 and 2021, the largest number of cows killed in a single fire in the US was 548.
Future Concerns with Mega-Factory Farms
As mega-factory farms continue to grow and pack more animals into cramped warehouse-sized sheds, incidents with high death tolls may become more likely. Between 1992 and 2017, the number of US farms with 1,000 or more dairy cows tripled, while the total number of dairy cows remained relatively stable.
Addressing the Issue of Factory Farm Fires
While fires may not be entirely preventable, adopting the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code could help mitigate risks by requiring fire protection measures on farms. Proactive fire safety inspections, equipment maintenance, and employee training could be implemented by meat, dairy, and egg producers to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Joe Cubias, regional president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that the Hoboken office and a top-producing sales associate were recognized for outstanding sales performance at the regional level in December.
The Hoboken office, which is managed by Joe Greco, had the highest dollar volume and shared top honors for having the most revenue units and sales in the Weichert sales region.
Individually, Anthony Vetrano had the highest dollar volume in the sales region, which is comprised of offices throughout Hudson County and parts of Bergen County.
Invite these talented neighborhood specialists in to learn about the real estate services offered by Weichert, Realtors. They can be reached in Weichert’s Hoboken office at 1101 Hudson Street, or call (201) 653-8488 for more information.
Joe Cubias, regional president of Weichert, Realtors, announced that the Jersey City Downtown office, a top sales team and a top sales associate were recognized for outstanding performance in December.
Weichert’s Jersey City Downtown office, which is managed by Robert Sanchez, had the most listings in the Weichert sales region, which is comprised of offices throughout Hudson County and parts of Bergen County.
Among teams, the Nader Rezai Team led the Weichert sales region for dollar volume, revenue units and sales in December.
Dennis McGill
Individually, Dennis McGill had the most listings and shared top honors for having the most revenue units in the sales region.
Invite these talented neighborhood specialists in to learn about the real estate services offered by Weichert, Realtors. They can be reached in Weichert’s Jersey City Downtown office at 273 Grove Street, or call (201) 333-4443 for more information.
A West New York man was arrested prompting an investigation into child sex
abuse material being shared through social media, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
On January 10, 2023, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information that child sex abuse material was being created and shared through the social media platform Discord.
The investigation allegedly revealed Joseph Suarez, 31, was in direct contact with a 13-year-old boy out of state and allegedly instructed him to provide images and/or videos of himself committing sex acts on a 4-year-old girl, according to the report released by the Prosecutor’s Office.
Suarez is charged with a crime of the first degree with Endangering the Welfare of a Child/Facilitating Child Sex Abuse Material and a crime of the second degree related Endangering the Welfare of a Child/Distribution of Child Sex Abuse Material.
He was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance. The State has filed a detention motion in this matter.
Anyone wishing to report a sex crime should call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 201-915-1234.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Jordan Coll can be reached at [email protected].
Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez helps "Paint the Town Pink" for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Photo courtesy of the town.
West New York Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez is urging residents to apply for the NJ Division of Taxation’s Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) property tax relief program.
Governor Phil Murphy and the State of NJ recently extended the application deadline to February 28. The town along with the township of North Bergen and Mayor and State Senator Nicholas Sacco, a proponent of the program when it worked its way through the state legislature, have been promoting the program to residents since its inception in 2022.
“We want residents to know that the application deadline has been extended and we urge all of those who qualify to apply immediately,” Rodriguez said. “The ANCHOR program is eligible not only for homeowners but also our residents who rent their homes, so be sure to check whether you are newly eligible for these direct payments. My hope is that this larger investment in tax relief will help put more money into the pockets of the people and families of West New York in a year that has been fiscally stressful for so many of us.”
The ANCHOR program replaces the Homestead Benefit program and expands the amount of property tax relief while also boosting eligibility to twice as many homeowners, and also includes tenants renting their homes.
The Division will be emailing ANCHOR program filing information to homeowners who had requested their application be sent through email when they filed their 2018 Homestead Benefit application at the same time the physical mailers are sent out.
To be eligible, homeowners must have been a New Jersey resident; and
owned and occupied a home in New Jersey that was their principal residence on October 1, 2019; and paid the 2019 property taxes on their main home; and had 2019 New Jersey gross income of not more than $250,000.
Tenants must have been a New Jersey resident; rented and occupied an apartment or residence in New Jersey that was their principal residence on October 1, 2019; lived in a unit with its own separate kitchen and bath facilities (if the building had more than one dwelling uni); paid rent on their main home, which was subject to local property taxes; and had 2019 New Jersey gross income of not more than $150,000.
Applicants can choose to receive their benefits either as a check or direct deposit and must file their application by Tuesday, February 28.
The online application, eligibility requirements, filing instructions, and paper applications can also be accessed at nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor. The automated telephone filing system, which will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during the filing period, can be reached at 1-877-658-2972. Text Telephone Service (TTY/TDD) for hearing-impaired users is at 1 800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300.
Rodriguez’ office is offering assistance to residents and renters who are attempting to complete their applications for the property tax relief program. Homeowners and tenants can bring their applications to the Mayor’s Office at 428 60th Street from Tuesday through Thursday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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].
The City Line Bayonne apartments finished construction and began occupancy around early 2022. Photo courtesy of City Line Bayonne.
Bayonne city officials have formally presented the results of the much-anticipated absorption rate study to the public.
The study was commissioned by the City Council at the request of Mayor James Davis back in July of 2022. After the study was commissioned, La Pelusa announced in November that it had concluded and the results and that the data was promising.
This likely means that redevelopment and the financial agreements that support it may be back on the agenda regularly fairly soon.
Preliminary data announced in November
According to Council President Gary La Pelusa, the absorption rate is the amount of housing stock a community has available to sell or lease, and how quickly it is being sold or rented.
The study looked at the total number of new residential dwelling units and multiple dwelling developments built in the city of Bayonne after January 1, 2015, the number of units occupied and unoccupied, new units expected in multi-unit developments over the next 24 months, the amount of tax and other revenue realized by the city as a result of multi-unit residential development completed after January 1, 2015, and the amount of tax and or other revenue the city would have realized if these properties were not developed.
An occupancy rate is the number of units being occupied over the total amount of units available. La Pelusa said that high occupancy rates show the demand for people wanting to live in that area. Since 2009, there have been 20 residential redevelopments constructed featuring 2,978 units. He said these buildings were 92.6 percent occupied.
This number includes buildings that are currently in their lease up phase, La Pelusa said. The average stabilization for buildings that have been leased up is about 94.6 percent occupied. According to La Pelusa, the lease up period is an indicator of the absorption.
The buildings currently in their lease up period are being leased “at a breakneck pace” of five to six months, La Pelusa said. Meanwhile, the industry standard is up to 12 months. He noted that in one example, a building was fully leased up within two to three months.
According to La Pelusa, the minimum occupancy rate per federal standards is 75 percent. Given the data, the city’s occupancy rate is way above that. La Pelusa said the current occupancy rate is even higher than its 10-year historical average of 91.372 percent, according to data from Rutgers University.
Financial advisor from NW Financial Mike Hanley presented the study findings to the council. Photo by Daniel Israel.
Official findings of Bayonne’s absorption rate study
At its January meeting, La Pelusa had financial advisor from NW Financial Mike Hanley come up to the podium in the chambers to address the council. Hanley presented the facts of the absorption study to the council and the public.
He explained that the city collected data from all the new developments in the city in recent years to determine if their was sufficient occupancy related to the residential projects. He said the empirical data collected looked promising.
“The results were very strong,” Hanley said.
Of the over 2,500 new units that were leased, the occupancy was above 95 percent. He added that many of them exceeded 97 percent occupancy.
“That’s good or better than you would look for,” Hanley said. “Additionally, a project that was currently leasing up at the time had reported 66 units in three months, over 20 units per month, which is excellent. A mean historical rate of 10 to 12 is something that you would consider good under-riding a project.”
According to Hanley, these are not unexpected results. He said the city knew anecdotally that the projects were doing well and that Bayonne and the region needed units.
Hanley also said Up for Growth’s 2022 Housing Underproduction in the United States study, that included Bayonne, echoed this. The study identified that there are 340,000 units shortfall in the New York metropolitan area, of which 200,000 are rental units and 140,000 are homes.
According to Hanley, low rates of home vacancy was an issue prior to COVID-19 pandemic but made even worse by it. He said that rental vacancy are also at a low not seen in decades.
“Both before COVID, and now it’s been exacerbated after COVID, the number of vacancies are at an all time low in new homes,” Hanley said. “Generally, there’s like 1 percent vacancy. It’s the lowest since 1957. As it relates to rental units, the vacancy rates are the lowest since 1984, and it’s because we’ve seen an influx in the population and we haven’t built quickly enough in the region.”
Absorption rate study echoes regional ‘Up for Growth’ study
Hanley said that the data in the absorption rate study was consistent with this. The new units built are mostly occupied, meaning the new redevelopment is warranted to supply more of much needed housing stock to accommodate the shortfall.
“The data that the city identified in its data collection is very consistent with what we’re seeing throughout the region,” Hanley said. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s Hackensack or Union Township or Weehawken. Everywhere has the same problem. Homes are very expensive. They are very few to even find. So people need opportunities and more affordable places to live. The city is obviously the most expensive, and as you go further out, people can get either more space or the same amount of space at a better price. That’s why institutions continue to invest in new units and Bayonne’s place in that marketplace is important. The results prove that to be true.”
La Pelusa asked about the scope of the Up for Growth study, which Hanley confirmed was of the New York City metropolitan area. He said that included New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, and that the results of the study are something that many people have experienced first hand when it comes to trying to purchase a home or rent an apartment.
“I think we all have experienced, either as ourselves or with friends or relatives etcetera, that buying a home is super hard and super expensive,” Hanley said. “There’s not enough rental units because they’re all snatched up very quickly. Adding to the housing stock is what will ultimately make the region more affordable.”
There was still some confusion on the council, with Second Ward Councilwoman Jacqueline Weimmer asking if the absorption study focused on just Bayonne, meaning that roughly 95 percent of recently constructed units are occupied. Hanley confirmed that while the other study related to the region, the absorption study was just about Bayonne.
“That high 90 percent range is where occupancy is and that is because there aren’t enough places to live for all people who need places to live,” Hanley said.
The City Council heard the results of absorption study at its January meeting after City Council President Gary La Pelusa (right) announced preliminary findings in November. Photo by Daniel Israel.
Confused council confirms correct count
Clarifying on the numbers, La Pelusa asked that if the housing shortage constituted 340,000 units and 200,000 were rentals, were the others for-sale homes. Hanley confirmed that was the case.
“Their study thought that the split between what was needed was of that 342,000, 200,000 of the need was rental and another 140,000 was for sale property,” Hanley said.
Weimmer asked if unit sizes were taken into account, noting many are studio units and one-bedroom units, with few two-bedrooms. Concerned about overcrowding in schools with new students brought in by redevelopment, she noted that the younger demographic isn’t looking to own a home as much as rent a space, and asked if those factors were considered as well as.
“Its a continuum,” Hanley said. “The shortfalls across all housing types as it relates to school children and their populations. That study doesn’t address it, but Rutgers University has studied that multiple times. They did an initial study, I believe in 2012, that identified multiplies for units and how many school children they tend to attract. Small units have very few. Particularly new ones, because they’re expensive and small. If you’re going to pay a lot and you have a lot of people living with you, you need more space.”
According to Hanley, these types of units, such as what was built in Bayonne, do not typically bring more school-aged children. He said that the aforementioned study on it was adjusted after such occurrences were noted.
“They even lowered the multiple in 2018 and 2019 because the newer units were producing fewer school children,” Hanley said. “So people that were going to places that were more transit-oriented, and also the type and the way the units were being built, created even fewer school children than the initial study had projected. So they redid the study at the behest of the towns and developers to more appropriately reflect what was going on.”
Davis touts Bayonne meeting housing demand
In January 2022, Mayor Davis placed a pause on most major residential redevelopment pending the completion of a study on the occupancy rate of the buildings constructed amid the redevelopment boom in Bayonne since Davis took office.
The pause came amid the run up to the May municipal election which Davis narrowly won, largely in response to the now-approved 18-story Silk Lofts tower on Avenue E, and also saw a pause also placed on the financial agreements that support them. However, some projects were granted approval regardless, which officials defended was due to prior planning approvals.
Regardless, there was some sort of slow down on residential redevelopment until the study was completed. Meanwhile, the city began the redevelopment process of the massive Constable industrial area in the city, comprising 20 percent of Bayonne.
After the meeting, Davis told the Bayonne Community News that the study confirmed what many already knew. Bayonne is a hot spot for renters and that the smart growth of the community will continue to meet the housing demand while preserving the character of the city.
“The absorption study confirmed that Bayonne is a popular real estate market for renters,” Davis said. “Bayonne’s growing supply of housing is keeping up with the demand for it. Our convenient location in the heart of the metropolitan area has made Bayonne an attractive location for New York commuters. We must take care to have smart development while maintaining the fabric of our community.”
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].
Assemblyman William Sampson of the 31st Legislative District. Photo courtesy of the assemblyman.
The Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor has denied a motion to reconsider the recent removal of Bayonne’s State Assemblyman for the 31st Legislative District William Sampson from the waterfront as a longshoreman and revocation of his crane operator license.
Sampson had been employed as a port worker at Global Container Terminals in Bayonne.
On Jan. 18, the commission voted unanimously to reject his appeal, 2-0. The Waterfront Commission initially ruled on Dec. 21 to remove Sampson from the waterfront and revoke his license due to “excessive absenteeism” due to his other job in the state legislature.
He was removed for failing to meet the work and work availability requirements in January to June of 2022. The Waterfront Commission rules dictate that longshoreman must work or be available to work for a minimum of 90 days in every half-calendar year, including a minimum of 15 days in five out of six months during that period.
Sampson, a 33-year-old Democratic legislator first sworn in back in 2022 to the applause of local Democrats, represents the district encompassing Bayonne and parts of Jersey City as part of the trio of African-American lawmakers including State Senator Sandra Cunningham and State Assemblywoman Angela McKnight.
He is the first African-American person from Bayonne to hold the position and replaced then-Assembly Whip Nicholas Chiaravalloti, who had an unspecified falling out with Mayor James Davis, who has final say over the official Hudson County Democratic Organization endorsement for that Assembly seat.
Regardless, Sampson vowed to keep his job as longshoreman while working in the part-time legislature as is allowed and as many lawmakers do, he told the Bayonne Community News during a phone interview from the cockpit of the crane he was operating at the time in 2021. However, that is now no longer possible for him.
The Waterfront Commission reaffirms its initial ruling
Sampson was removed from the workplace and his crane operator license was revoked for failing to meet the work and work availability requirements in the first half of the calendar year in 2022. According to the Waterfront Commission, he claimed that his attendance at particular meetings or events in his capacity as a New Jersey State Assemblyman was “good cause” for his absences.
The Waterfront Commission rejected Sampson’s claim of good cause for a number of reasons. They cited that commitments to outside employment, which prevent a longshoreman from meeting the work requirements at the pier, are “inconsistent with the Commission’s mandate to eliminate casual workers from the register.”
The Waterfront Commission said that Sampson’s employment as a New Jersey State Assemblyman does not insulate him from his responsibilities as a longshoreman.
According to the Waterfront Commission, Sampson failed to present any evidence to justify his absences in February 2022. They said Sampson also testified that he had “no particular reason” for not working or making himself available for work on Saturdays.
The Waterfront Commission said that Sampson failed to present sufficient evidence that attendance at particular events was mandatory to serve as a New Jersey State Assemblyman. They said he also acknowledged a possibility that, on certain dates, he could have attended the events and still worked later on those days as a longshoreman. Sampson also misstated his role as a speaker at one event, according to the Waterfront Commission.
Citing “excessive absenteeism,” the Waterfront Commission argued that there was no excuse for Sampson’s repeated absences in 2022 and made their decision in December of last year. For all of these reasons and others, the Commission unanimously denied Sampson’s request to be retained on the longshoremen’s register in the Port of New York-New Jersey.
Earlier in the year, Sampson filed a request with the Port of New York-New Jersey to remain on the longshoreman’s register and keep his crane operator license. This decision by the Commission denied that request.
Sampson fought hard but fails keep longshoreman job
Sampson first argued in a statement to the Bayonne Community News that the Waterfront Commission was taking its anger out on Sampson over issues that are above his pay grade. New Jersey, under Governor Phil Murphy, has sought to withdraw from the Waterfront Commission, founded in the 1950s to combat organized crime at the ports.
However, New York has sued to stop the withdrawal, sending the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court, and a support brief from the United States has been filed in support of New Jersey’s decision. Sampson said that he was getting caught in the crossfire over the Commission’s dissatisfaction with the situation.
Following that, Sampson put out another statement to BCN that he was appealing to the Waterfront Commission to change their minds and that his work as a State Assemblyman justified his absenteeism. He said he had received approval from the Global Container Terminals of Bayonne and the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1588 before running for State Assembly, and that they never asked him to reduce any of his responsibilities at the State House to work more on the waterfront
On January 4, Sampson’s attorney Robert Flagella further argued that Sampson’s duties in the General Assembly are also part of serving his union, according to a PoliticoPro subscriber exclusive story. The argument comes after the Waterfront Commission wrote in their initial ruling revoking Sampson’s license that his duties as a state legislator did not meet “good cause” for repeated absences for his job as a crane operator at Global Container Terminals.
Amid the battle to stay in his longshoreman job, Sampson saw the support of the local union where he is a member and held the position of political director. The International Longshoreman’s Association Local 1588 voted on Jan. 4 at an emergency meeting to approve a resolution to assist him to the tune of $50,000 for legal and public relations support for the issue.
The Waterfront Commission previously said it would handle the matter by the end of the month. That has come to fruition with the Jan. 18 ruling reaffirming their original decision.
Local union backs Sampson, but Waterfront Commission not convinced
According to the New Jersey Monitor who broke the story, Waterfront Commissioners Paul Weinstein and Jennifer Davenport did not say why they voted against the motion to reconsider Sampson’s ouster. However, commission staff said the body would release a memorandum of decision outlining their reasoning at a later undetermined date.
Sampson nor the ILA Local 1588 responded to BCN requests for comment.
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].
A faculty member at Bayonne High School has been arrested for criminal sexual contact, according to Bayonne Police Captain Eric Amato.
61-year-old Ricardo Rodriguez was taken into custody at 9:40 a.m. on Jan. 18 at Police Headquarters, Amato said. His arrest stems from an investigation into a reported incident that occurred on Jan. 9.
On Jan. 10, an employee of the Bayonne Board of Education and assigned to Bayonne High School, reported that Rodriguez had allegedly touched her inappropriately on Jan. 9 at 7:55 a.m. inside of Bayonne High School. According to the police, the victim is a 51 year old female.
According to the victim, after unlocking a door for Rodriguez inside of Bayonne High School, he allegedly reached to her and hugged her. While doing so, Rodriguez allegedly grabbed her buttocks and chest without her consent.
The Police Department Detective Bureau immediately investigated the incident. That led to Rodriguez being charged with criminal sexual contact.
Rodriguez is not only a history teacher at BHS but a former Bayonne High School football head coach for nine years from 2001 to 2004 and again from 2011 to 2015. Having worked for the school district for about 26 years since February of 1997, public records show he currently earns $109,330 per year.
According to a statement by Superintendent of Schools John Niesz, Rodriguez has been place on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. He said that on the advice of the school district’s attorney, he cannot comment on any criminal and or legal proceedings involving an employee as a matter of policy.
“We take any accusation of impropriety very seriously and take every precaution to ensure our employees and students are always safe,” Niesz said. He also noted the incident did not involve any students, but did not comment further.
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].
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