Fatal Stabbing

HARRISON - Manuel Queiruga Romero, 51, was stabbed to death on Sunday night, Feb. 24, at 11 p.m. in his basement apartment on 218A North 2nd Street in Harrison, according Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.
Jorge Quintanilla, 65, was initially arrested by Harrison police, DeFazio said.
He said Quintanilla allegedly stabbed the 51-year-old in the throat "multiple times." He also said the two men were known to each other.
DeFazio said a neighbor was called by Quintanilla and she then called 9-1-1.
"Harrison patrolmen responded in a timely way, and apprehended the suspect as he left the scene of the crime," DeFazio said. "The investigation is continuing but we don't believe anyone else was involved."
See the March 5 edition of The Observer for more on the murder.

Superintendent Mooney onbeef recall in Kearny Schools

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture released a list of approximately 160 school districts in New Jersey that have received shipments of potentially tainted beef from the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing company and Kearny was on this list.

Obviously this is a concern to all of us and I just want to clarify some issues.

One of the first things we did was contact the Kearny Health Department for guidance and advice. Then, working in cooperation with Pomptonian, the district’s food service manager, all of our government-supplied food inventories have been carefully checked.

In early September, the district did receive twenty cases of taco mix. This taco mix, received in September 2007 was identified in February 2008 as being potentially tainted. All of the taco mix has been used prior to notification and fortunately to the best of our knowledge, no student became ill from this food.

The United States Department of Agriculture has deemed this a “Class II” beef recall meaning that the products in question had only a remote possibility of causing adverse health effects. Nationwide more than 143,000,000 pounds of meat are being recalled. Nationally there has been no illness reported related to this recall.

Without a doubt our State and Federal Government have had a good record protecting children from tainted food products. Unfortunately in this case the Kearny Public Schools was notified about the potential problem more than six months after the product was delivered. We can rest assured that these agencies are doing everyting in their power to guarantee that this situation does not repeat itself.

Additionally, I have asked our cafeteria management company to eliminate beef products from our menu for the next few days. This decision is based on parent and student comfort rather than the need to ban beef products at this time because there are no identified products remaining in our inventory.

Clearly there is no need for concern in Kearny at this time; however, please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, John Sarnas, Kearny’s Health Officer welcomes inquiries at 201-997-0600 or email jsarnas@kearnynj.org.

Robert P. Mooney

Superintendent of Schools

Ruling on eminent domain

TRENTON – Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen, left, today praised the Appellate Division’s landmark eminent domain ruling that guarantees property owners greater protections when their property is targeted for condemnation so it can be redeveloped by another private party.

In a published opinion, the appeals panel held that the “government has an overriding obligation to deal forthrightly and fairly with property owners.” The Public Advocate participated in the case as amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” and Chen personally presented oral argument to the court on February 4.

Under the New Jersey Constitution, a municipality may take private property from one owner and transfer it to another for redevelopment only if it is in a “blighted area.” The “public purpose” of such a taking is to stop the spread of the deterioration and clear up the blight.

The decision today in Harrison Redevelopment Agency v. DeRose makes clear that a property owner retains the right to challenge a blight designation until the last stages of the redevelopment process when the municipality exercises its power to condemn the property through eminent domain. The Township of Harrison, like many other municipalities around the State, had argued that property owners lose the right to make such a challenge years earlier, around the time when the area is declared to be blighted or “in need of redevelopment.”

The ruling applies to any challenge to eminent domain that is still active in the court system, and could lead to reopening disputes over blight designations in other pending cases.

The court held that, if a municipality wants to settle the legality of a blight designation earlier in the redevelopment process, it must go beyond the requirements of the current statute governing redevelopment and provide individualized written notice to all owners in the targeted area. That notice must inform the owner (1) that his or her property has been designated for redevelopment, (2) that this designation authorizes the municipality to take the property against the owner’s will, and (3) that the owner has 45 days to challenge the designation in Superior Court. Only owners who receive such notice may lose the right to challenge a blight designation later in the process, and even in such cases, the courts may exercise their discretion to extend the time “in the interest of justice.”

The rulings in the Harrison appeals reverse the trial court and gives three business owners the opportunity to contest the taking of their property for a private redevelopment project. The ruling also resolves conflicting unpublished rulings by appeals panels and trial courts as to what due process protections property owners have when their property is targeted for redevelopment.

EDITORS' NOTE: There will be more on this ruling in this weeks' edition of The Observer and an in-depth article in the March 5 issue.

Death on GSP

Roads are very slippery with drivers fishtailing and driving too fast for the treacherous conditions, according to early morning news.
Be safe out there, if you have to go out.
Last night during rush hour at around 4:30 p.m., a man was killed in a crash near exit 145 in a 3-car crash on the Garden State Parkway. Northbound lanes experienced delays up to 12 miles since two lanes were closed.

As of 8 a.m., Friday, Feb. 22:
New Jersey Transit
NJ transit trains, buses & light rail cross honoring system wide due to the weather.
Delays up to 20 minutes: in both directions on the Raritan Valley line due to a stalled train.

Some traffic incidents on New Jersey Roads
Accident in car lanes on NJ Turnpike southbound before I 287
Disabled truck partially blocks the ramp on Rt. 440 southbound at Industrial Avenue

New York City subways
Rail service irregular

ALL AREA SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED

Wisniewski’s alternativefiscal restructuring plan

Leaving door open for
state reduction debt options

Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee Chairman John S. Wisniewski, left, unveiled his alternative on Feb. 20 to Governor Jon S. Corzine’s fiscal restructuring and debt reduction plan.

The Wisniewski alternative would implement a combination of toll and motor fuels tax increases that would bring New Jersey’s per mile toll and per gallon gas tax more in line with national averages and neighboring states.

To finance capital improvements to our toll roads, the plan would require the following toll increases along each of New Jersey’s three toll roads:
• an immediate 25 percent increase in tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike, followed by 25 percent toll increases in 2012 and 2016
• an immediate $.15 increase in tolls, to $.50 on the Garden State Parkway, followed by a an increase to $.75 in 2014
• an immediate increase in tolls to $0.75 on the Atlantic City Expressway, followed by an to $1.00 in 2014

These increases would allow for widening projects to move ahead and for much needed improvements to be made to our crumbling infrastructure on an ongoing basis, without the creation of a private or semi-private agency.

Specifically, the Wisniewski alternative endorses the first three elements of the Governor’s fiscal restructuring proposal, with some minor changes. Under the plan, state spending would be frozen at 2008 levels, requiring between $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion in cuts to the budget.

Future spending increases would only be permissible when accompanied by a recurring revenue source, with further savings to be found by encouraging adoption of the remaining recommendations from the 2006 special legislative session on property tax reform.

Also, there would be restrictions on the length of newly issued debt so that the debt payments do not exceed the useful life of the capital improvements being funded.

To finance the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, the Wisniewski alternative would implement a $0.18 gas tax increase at a rate of $0.06 per year over the next three years, constitutionally dedicated to the TTF.

Thereafter, the gas tax would be adjusted annually for inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index. The plan also would require increasing the rent for all toll road rest stop gas and concession stations, as well as exploring the possibility of selling or leasing the air rights along all three toll roads.

These measures would create a recurring revenue source in excess of $1.6 billion annually, which would allow the TTF to fund projects on a 60/40 split between pay-as-you-go and bonded revenue.

The Wisniewski alternative also would investigate options for paying down substantial portions of the state’s existing $32 billion debt burden through a potential sale or lease of the state lottery and the implementation of a water consumption tax.

A sale or lease of the state lottery – a non-infrastructure asset – could net up to $10 billion, which could be used to pay down existing state debt, without significantly impacting the day-to-day lives of New Jersey motorists.

Finally, the Wisniewski alternative would create a permanent Commission on Fiscal Oversight, comprised of Executive, Senate, and Assembly members, which would further investigate reforms that have the potential to create continued sound fiscal policies for the future.

EDITOR'S NOTE: To find out what your ride would cost as per Corzine's current plan see the following Web site: http://www.nj.com/news/bythenumbers/.

Illegal apartment in North Arlington

NORTH ARLINGTON – On Feb. 14, Dara Pletsch was arrested on 10 outstanding warrants, five traffic and five crime, by North Arlington police, according to Lt. John Hearn. The woman was living in uninhabitable conditions in an illegal studio apartment that had an illegal heating unit, at 20 Ridge Road, he said. Police reports state that her infant daughter was given to relatives in Morristown.

A 9-1-1 caller alerted the police to the situation, Hearn said. Fire official and construction officer Robert Kairys issued a summons to the landlord, a Mr. Wurtenberg, after he deemed the apartment in violation of construction code, according to police reports. The caller, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that Pletsch was intoxicated, and DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services) was called. The child also allegedly was dirty and had a bruised forehead. The caller also said there were two cats in the apartment and that there was fecal matter “all over.”

Pletsch was checked at Clara Maass emergency room and then transported to the Bergen County Sheriff’s office by North Arlington police. She is now in Bergen County jail in lieu of bail, Hearn said.

Bergen County animal shelter officials said they took the two cats and have them at their facility in Teterboro.

Go tell it to the Governor

TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine unveiled a new tool yesterday on his Web site, allowing New Jersey residents to suggest spending cuts in the upcoming State Budget.

During the initial 21 town hall meetings, Corzine heard numerous suggestions on how to cut spending.

So far, Husdon and Bergen County has not been scheduled, according to Corzine's press office.

Now there is a new tool will give more citizens an opportunity to voice their opinion in an effort to help shape the upcoming FY09 State Budget. The Web site is part of the Governor’s wish to have an ongoing discussion with residents about the financial future of New Jersey.

The one of the biggest gripes is the proposed toll hikes on our highways.

To express your opinion, the web tool can be found by going to www.nj.gov/governor and clicking on the “Direct Citizen Input on Reducing Spending” top button in the middle of the page. Be prepared to provide your name and email address as well as town and county of residence, before submitting a suggestion.

Lyndhurst police catch suspectsin attempted burglary

On Friday, Feb. 8 at 1:05 p.m. a resident from the 700 block of Page Avenue called police stating that someone had just attempted to force entry into his home. The resident reported that he saw an unknown man ringing his front doorbell and trying the door handle. This person returned to vehicle parked across the street. The vehicle made a u-turn and pulled up in front of the victim’s home.

Two men exited the vehicle and approached a side door to the home. The homeowner reported hearing and seeing someone trying to kick-in the side door. The homeowner yelled and ran out the front door and chased the two alleged suspects west on Page Avenue, eventually losing sight of them, police officials said.

The victim telephoned police with the license plate number and description of the suspects. The plate number was put out over the air and monitored by Officer Vincent Auteri who had been on Stuyvesant Avenue near Fern Avenue in his personal vehicle. Auteri contacted police headquarters and followed the suspect vehicle onto Rt. 21 north and eventually Rt. 3 west, according to police reports.

Detective Michael Failace caught-up to Auteri in his police unit and signaled for the suspect vehicle to pull over. The vehicle pulled into an Exxon service station on Rt. 3 in Clifton where the driver and passenger suddenly jumped out of the car.

Both were then taken into custody. While they were being placed in custody, one or both of the rear seat occupants then jumped into the drivers seat and fled the scene, police reports said.
The suspect vehicle was described as a black two-door Honda Civic, with dark black tinted windows all around.

Later in the evening, Lyndhurst detectives went to Newark, searched around and eventually located the suspect vehicle and towed it back to Lyndhurst police headquarters where it was processed for fingerprints, reports said.

Both suspects were charged with attempted burglary. Further investigation yielded the identity of a third suspect and an active warrant for his arrest has been issued. The investigation is ongoing and Lyndhurst police expect to identify the fourth suspect and charge him as well.

Kearny resident Daniella Deoliveira, 20, was arrested and charged for attempted burglary. Newark resident Victor Perez, 20, was charged and arrested for attempted burglary and possession of a weapon (knife). Bail was set for both of them at $ 10,000 and they were released on their own recognizance.

The third suspect’s identity being with held at this time. An active warrant was issued for attempted burglary, as well as charges for eluding police.

Remembering Veterans at St.Stephen's

St. Stephen's Parish remembers the four Chaplains that went down together on the USS Dorchester, when the vessel sank after a German U-Boat during WWII.

The ships four chaplains - one a Catholic Priest, one a Rabbi, and two Protestant ministers were among the first on deck and began handing out life vests to sailors. When the jackets ran out, the four chaplains removed their own life jackets, and gave them to the sailors, according to Web sources.

Each year the Catholic War Veterans and the many Veterans from Hudson County join together at St. Stephens to pay special tribute to Father Washington who served at St. Stephens. From left to right, Rev. Richard E. Cabezas, Mayor Santos, Bishop Marconi, JoAnne Burneeti, (Father Washington's niece) and Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle.

Tri-State Transportation Campaign on toll hikes

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign applauds Governor Corzine’s effort to address New Jersey’s state debt and provide long-term funding for the state’s transportation system.

However, as state legislators consider the Governor’s proposal, the Campaign urges them to examine his priorities for transportation funding. Specifically, Governor Corzine has proposed to use significant portions of the projected toll revenues for expanding the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, as well as the Atlantic City Expressway.

The highway expansion projects are a leap backwards for a state that has become nationally recognized for its smart growth policies. According to New Jersey Turnpike Authority documents, portions of the newly widened Parkway will be filled with traffic within years of the project’s completion, while the Turnpike widening project itself will induce huge increases in traffic.

State legislators must also take a hard look at the Governor’s proposal to create a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) to collect toll revenues and manage and maintain the toll roads. While the Governor has promised that this PBC will be subject to strict performance measures and government standards, the Campaign worries that under this structure the public will be cut out of the decision-making process and the state will be left with limited oversight authority.

EDITOR'S NOTE: On Thursday, the Sierra Club of New Jersey, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and the New Jersey Environmental Federation announced that they were opposed to Gov. Jon Corzine’s increasing highway tolls to fund future transportation projects, which includes using the fare increase funds to help reduce the state’s debt.

Codey on toll increases

TRENTON — Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) pushed forward last month with a framework for a commuter discount program for frequent drivers. The plan would be used to help subsidize the cost of increased toll fees should the Governor's proposed toll plan become law.

"If there is going to be a toll increase to pay off our state’s debt and fund transportation projects, we must couple it with a frequent user discount plan to ease some of the burden that will be placed on our drivers," Codey said. "The Governor has indicated that even if his proposal does not become law, he intends to raise tolls to help address some of our fiscal needs. Keeping that in mind, we must be prepared to move forward with a way to help offset the cost to those who will be hit hardest.

Codey said that establishing a framework now will help spark a discussion to move the plan forward.

In doing, so he enumerated a number of details that could provide both a simple and cost-effective means for softening the blow on commuters.

"The goal here is to create a realistic and equitable framework to guide us as we move forward. Granted, we have many more miles to go, literally and figuratively, before this plan may be needed. But, if we’re going to ask our residents to take on such a heavy lift, we have to be prepared to shoulder some of the weight and this has to be a permanent commitment on our part. If tolls are going to continue to rise contractually, then residents have every right to insist that their discounts not be arbitrarily revoked at some point in the future," he said.

The senate president proposed making the discount plan available to drivers of two axle vehicles and motorcycles who participate in the E-Z Pass program. Anyone wishing to apply for the program would only have to sign up once either through the E-Z Pass Web site or by completing an application that would be mailed to every New Jersey E-Z Pass tag holder. Membership in the program would automatically be renewed each year.

"By limiting the discounts to E-Z Pass participants, we will hopefully encourage more people to sign up for electronic tolling, effectively easing congestion and eliminating countless hours that the average driver spends sitting in traffic each year,” Codey said.
He suggested a four-tiered system that would offer frequent motorists up to a 20 percent discount based on their total monthly charges for driving New Jersey's toll roads.
Codey suggested that those paying $200 or more each month could qualify for the 20 percent discount. Other motorists could qualify for a 5, 10 or 15-percent discount based on lower tiers that would be established once the toll increases have been determined.

An example of how the discount would affect drivers would be based on the above framework. A person that commutes five days a week on the Turnpike from New Brunswick (Exit 9) to the Holland Tunnel (Exit 14C) presently pays roughly $124 per month. In the year 2010 when the Governor's first toll hike would go into effect, the same driver would be subject to roughly $212 in toll fees per month Under Sen. Codey's discount plan, the driver would only pay roughly $170 per month in the year 2010.

Codey stressed that this proposal is merely a framework and the actual numbers would be determined based on conversations with the Legislature and the Governor’s Office. He also said that spending thresholds for the discounts would have to be revised every four years when the tolls increase.

Attempted Robbery in Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst dispatchers received a call for an alleged attempted robbery on Monday, Feb. 4 at 2:32 p.m.
Patrol units were sent to J&J Liquors at 39 Ridge Road because of an activated panic alarm. While in route to the scene, the owner of the store called Lyndhurst headquarters at 367 Valley Brook Ave. on and told dispatchers that a man attempted to rob the store with a gun and already fled the scene.
When the police arrival, the woman owner of the store said a man approached the counter and began to fumble around with a plastic bag. When she asked if she could help him, he pulled the weapon partially out of a bag to show it to her, saying, “I’m holding you up”.
The owner then activated the silent panic alarm. Upon seeing her do this, the alleged suspect fled the store on foot, west on Sixth Avenue, according to police reports.
No one was hurt, no money was lost and there was none in the store at the time, besides the owner.
A witness who was on Sixth Ave at the time did see the alleged suspect running down the street but did not think anything of it, and did not call police headquarters.
The alleged suspect is described as being an older white male, 50 to 60 years old, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds. He was wearing brown sunglasses with dark lenses, a black-hooded sweatshirt with light gray or white sleeves.
A surveillance video recorded the event. Lyndhurst police are in the process of the video downloaded. Above is a captured photo of the alleged robber. The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the attempted robbery called Det. Capt. John Valente at 201-939-2900, ext. 271.