Press Release

January 4th, 2012

Contact Information: Julio Tavarez, 862-262-8621, info@juliotavarez.com

LATINO ELECTED OFFICIALS OF PATERSON TO REMAIN NEUTRAL IN EXPECTED 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT PRIMARY

Paterson, NJ – The results of the New Jersey congressional redistricting process are flawed at best and proof that gerrymandering still prevalent at worst.  The latest edition of this process, which takes place every 10 years after the Census, has resulted in an unfair redrawing of New Jersey’s congressional districts.  The map that was selected by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission, not only divides communities of interests, but also favors ultra conservative right wing politicians and pins two great congressional leaders in a fight that will conclude with less effective, efficient, balance and just representation for the state of New Jersey.

Both Congressman Pascrell and Congressman Rothman have provided exemplary leadership and developed impressive support mechanisms for the issues that are important to our communities.  They are adamant supporters of Healthcare for all Americans, jobs for New Jerseyans, protecting our communities from terrorism, the DREAM Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  They are both great for New Jersey and the lost of either one will prove to be detrimental for our great state and nation.

As non-partisan elected officials, we hold great esteem and admiration for both of these Congressional Democratic leaders.

As a result of the state of affairs that has developed in our district, we have conducted a thorough analysis of the situation, consulted with our constituents and community leaders in order to arrive at a decision that would be optimal for our constituency; as a result of this, we have decided to respect the process and remain neutral in the upcoming primary election of our Democratic Party for the New Jersey 9th Congressional District.  However, we will be watchful and remain vigilant that partisan elected officials, at all levels of government, also respect the non-partisan elections process by not interfering in the upcoming local elections in the City of Paterson.

About the Latino Elected Officials of Paterson:

The Latino Elected Officials of Paterson is a caucus composed by all the current Latino elected officials in the city of Paterson, which include the following members: City Council Vice-President Julio Tavarez, MPA, Councilman-at-Large Rigo Rodriguez, Board of Education Vice President Alex Mendez and Commissioners Wendy Guzman and Pedro Rodriguez, MBA.

I would like to invite you to watch me on Meet the Leaders with Debbie DuHaime.

The program will air on Channels 118/78 on Cablevision

Air Schedule:

Sunday 12/4 Until Saturday 12/10 at the following times: 7:30AM, 10AM, 2PM, 6PM, 10PM.

Re-airing the week of 12/18/11 until 12/24/11 on the same times and channel.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

BY LINH TAT

STAFF WRITER – THE RECORD

PATERSON — C.J. Treeway, 22, and fiancée Sadie Santiago, 20, sat huddled at one end of a long table, conversing in soft tones and smiling amiably at their neighbors — mostly men in their 40s and 50s.

The couple may have been one of the few 20-somethings on Thursday to receive a free Thanksgiving meal at Eva’s Village, but they were emblematic of something new and troubling: Both regular clients and staff at the non-profit say that more young adults, as well as women in general and people with minimum-wage jobs, are coming for free meals year-round.

“We’re seeing more working poor. Before, it used to be the truly down-and-out, homeless,” said Joanne Fagan, spokeswoman for Eva’s, a non-profit in downtown Paterson that works to fight homelessness and poverty.

The organization recently expanded its kitchen and dining facilities to accommodate increased demand for services. From 2007 to 2010, the number of meals the organization served rose 20 percent, Fagan said.

Treeway, who’s applied for about 30 jobs since becoming unemployed in the summer when the cement company he worked for went out of business, said he’s not surprised that more young people are seeking help. Even with a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, the ex-Marine — who served in Iraq — said the job offers just aren’t coming.

“I served the country, and this is what I get,” he said.

Across the table, 41-year-old Akasha Akasha described his struggles to find work. Dressed in a buttoned-up blue-striped shirt, black slacks and leather shoes that looked fairly new, the Paterson resident spoke about losing his full-time job as an assistant manager for a company that makes hospital uniforms. Since the job loss six months ago, he’s been living off his savings — a safety net that will last just two more months, he estimates.

“I’ll work any job,” he said, his head bowed.

Until such fortunes change, volunteers who helped serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal of sliced turkey, stuffing, baked potatoes, green beans and cake or pie to the roughly 400 diners said they felt privileged to help those less fortunate.

Maria Moroz, who’s volunteered at Eva’s for five years, said she’s noticed the clientele has become more racially diverse and that not everyone who comes for a free meal are “loafers.”

“The economic situation hit everybody — women, men, all backgrounds, all cultures,” she said.

For Passaic resident Juana Torres, the soup kitchen has helped relieve some of the struggles of being a cash-strapped student. At 43, Torres recently enrolled in a nursing program. She does not qualify for financial aid and must pay the $400-per-semester tuition herself.

“I go to nursing school because it’s something good for me, and it’s stable,” she said.

“[But] sometimes I have no food in the house, so I come here,” she added.

About two dozen volunteers, including several government officials, helped serve Thursday’s meal.

Among those who helped serve meals were the state’s U.S. senators, Bob Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, and state Assemblyman Thomas Giblin. Also in attendance were Paterson Mayor Jeffery Jones, City Councilmen Julio Tavarez and Andre Savegh and Passaic County Freeholder-elect Theodore Best.

Citizen confidence in our local government is evaporating. Accountability, integrity and transparency have all come into question and the City Council’s ongoing investigation will address these issues and more.

Our probe will focus on who received overtime compensation and why. We also intend to uncover how individuals received checks and to implement measures to prevent this from happening again.

We will thoroughly review the log of all timesheets and all signatures affixed to those timesheets and checks. Moreover, we will investigate who delivered the timesheets and who issued the checks and under what authority.

A fair and full investigation into potential overtime abuse is what we owe to our constituents.

We strongly believe that an audit of all overtime information should be performed by an independent agency. Taxpayers deserve honest answers and corrective action.

Faith in government must be restored and the way government does business must be reformed.

Andre Sayegh

Julio Tavarez

Paterson

The writers are members of the Paterson City Council.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/131436983_Herald_News__Letters__October_10__2011.html?mobile=1&c=y

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2011, 10:46 AM

BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN

STAFF WRITER

THE RECORD

PATERSON — The city became the first New Jersey municipality to require competitive bids on all city insurance contracts when the Council approved an ordinance following a spirited debate Tuesday night.

Voting 6 to 2 vote with one member absent, the council also required insurance brokers to work exclusively for the city rather than accept a commission or fees from the insurance companies involved in the bidding.

The measure was based on a model ordinance recommended by the Citizens Campaign, a Metuchen-based group that trains residents on how to get things done when dealing with their local government.

So far, the Perth Amboy and Toms River school boards have adopted similar ordinances, but no cities had done so, said Heather Taylor, a Citizens Campaign spokeswoman.

A spokesman for the New Jersey State League of Municipalities said last month that he was unaware of any other city adopting such an ordinance.

Councilman William C. McKoy cast one of the dissenting votes, objecting to a provision that forbids brokers from accepting pay from the insurance company or any third party other than the city.

McKoy argued that restriction could backfire by limiting the pool of bidders and thus driving up the costs for the city. He also asked for more proof that the measure would work.

“I don’t want Paterson to be in a unique minority position,” he said, later adding, “I haven’t seen any industry trends. We’re speculating that we’re going to get a better price.”

Councilman Andre Sayegh said he and fellow Councilman Julio Tavarez decided to co-sponsor the measure after hearing about it at a cost-cutting forum in May.

During the debate, Tavarez said the ordinance would eliminate a potential conflict of interest by the insurance brokers.

“It’s really about who are they working for, us or the insurance company?” Tavarez said. “At the end of the day, they’re not looking out for us. They’re looking out for their employees.”

After the vote, Jesse McCaskill, an insurance broker and a Citizens Campaign member, predicted the new measure will make the process more transparent. He said it will encourage more brokers to participate.

Citizen Campaign organizer Charles Kratovil said his group hopes other municipalities will pay attention to what happens in Paterson.

“This is a chance for Paterson to lead,” he said.

E-mail: ensslin@northjersey.com

Mold can cause adverse health effects

Editors: FEMA’s Sept. 18 News Release NR-030, “Cleaning Up Mold – How To Get Rid Of It,” serves as a sidebar to this release.

NEPTUNE, N.J. –– Mold is an ever-present problem following storm flooding and can be a significant health risk if care is not taken, state and federal officials warn.

“People are anxious to get on with their lives after a flood,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William L. Vogel, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s top official in New Jersey, “but if you had flood waters in your home, take the time to clean thoroughly so problems don’t arise later that affect your home or your health.”

Officials urge residents and owners of flooded property to take action now and not wait until inspectors arrive.

“Local and state health officials have a wealth of information to share on this topic,” said State Coordinating Officer Lt. Paul Miller of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. “We urge the public to take advantage of these resources.”

Health officials say problems from exposure can follow if mold is disturbed through cleanup procedures. Also, mold is easily transferred from one surface to another. Infants, children, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions (allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma) and the elderly appear to be at higher risks for adverse health effects from mold.

Symptoms include nose and throat irritation; wheeze, cough, asthma attacks in individuals who have asthma; and lower respiratory tract infections in children. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions also may be susceptible to more serious lung infections. It is important to identify mold early and take steps to clean it up and prevent more mold activity.

Identifying Mold

Mold growth is a common occurrence in flood-damaged homes. It can become a problem in your home if there is enough moisture available to allow mold to thrive and multiply. Dampness in basements, walls, carpets and wood provides an environment for mold to flourish.

Microscopic organisms are found everywhere and develop easily into mold in the presence of water or dampness. Mold discoloration comes in a variety of colors from white to orange and from green to brown or black. Whatever color, it characteristically gives off a musty or earthy smell.

Mold Prevention Tips

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold spores in the indoor environment. But there are many ways to help control moisture and mold growth. The basic rule is to identify any moisture sources if you can see or smell mold and to remove the mold before health problems develop.

Care must be taken to clean and completely dry any areas of the home that have gotten wet from floodwaters to prevent structural damage and adverse health effects from mold.

The following are a few suggestions to help in preventing mold:

Stop the Water

• Fix leaks in pipes and in any damp area around tubs and sinks.
• Rebuild, or retrofit, with water-resistant building materials such as tile, stone, deep-sealed concrete, galvanized or stainless steel hardware, indoor/outdoor carpeting, waterproof wallboard and water-resistant glues.
• Prevent seepage of water from outdoors into your house. It is important to have rainwater from gutters or the roof drain away from the house. Ground around the house needs to slope away to keep basement and crawl space dry.
• Cover dirt in crawl spaces with plastic to prevent moisture from coming from the ground. Ventilate the area as much as possible.

Keep It Clean

• Clean curtains and upholstery often and keep them dry, because soil promotes mold growth.
• Store clean fabric items in well-ventilated areas.
• Consider having air ducts cleaned and inspected professionally or replaced if you suspect mold exists on the inside surface of the duct or if duct insulation has been wet.

Keep It Dry

• Reduce the moisture in the air with dehumidifiers, fans and open windows or air conditioners, especially in hot weather. Do not use fans if mold may already exist; a fan will spread the mold spores.
• Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent.
• In moisture-prone areas, choose carpets of man-made fibers.
• Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces by insulating.

Disinfect It

• Routinely check potential problem spots. Disinfect often with a 10 percent solution of bleach – about 1 1/4 cup of bleach to a gallon of water. Don’t add ammonia, which will create toxic fumes.

For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/mold.shtm or http://www.epa.gov/mold.

# # #

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

September 14, 2011

Joint Field Office: Neptune, NJ

DR-4021-NJ NR-020

FEMA News Desk: 732-918-4431

State: 609-963-6818

SBA: 404-387-8670

NEPTUNE, N.J – Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to self-employed residents or individuals who worked in New Jersey and are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Irene, according to state and federal officials.

The application deadline for DUA in Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic and Somerset counties is Oct. 3.

The application deadline for DUA in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, Warren, and Union counties is Oct. 7.

Unemployment insurance claims filed after the deadlines may be ineligible for payment.

The first step is to file for unemployment insurance benefits by calling a New Jersey Reemployment Call Center. Individuals who need DUA may call any one of the numbers below, from any county, and a DUA specialist will provide assistance.

Union City: 201-601-4100

Freehold: 732-761-2020

Cumberland: 856-507-2340

If it is determined that a worker or self-employed individual is not eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI), the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program may pay benefits to those whose work has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster.

DUA is designed to cover workers and self-employed individuals such as artists, farmers and farm workers, freelance writers and photographers, and others who normally would not be eligible for UI.

“If anyone has lost their job because of a disaster, I urge you to apply for the Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Don’t hesitate. Let the Department of Labor and Workforce Development determine your eligibility,” said Lt. Paul Miller, state coordinating officer of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance information is available in Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). Residents can find the DRC closest to them online at: http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm . For information on all New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development programs and services, visit http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/index.html.

# # #

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter. com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

It is unbelievable, but true.  There are no bike racks at Pasaaic County Community College so you to have secure your bike to whatever you can find.

I think that for college of this size and with the many challenges students encounter trying to find parking; it would make sense to have bike ranks all over campus.

Oh yeah, and its also better for the environment.

Go green!

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Board of Chosen Freeholders of Passaic County hereby announces that applications will be accepted for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8 ) Waiting List. Applications will be available at the following locations starting July 14, 2011: 100 Hamilton Plaza, Suite 510, Paterson, NJ 07505, Northeast New Jersey Legal Services Inc., 152 Market Street, Paterson, NJ 07505, and Senior, Disability Services and Veterans Affairs Office, 930 Riverview Drive, Suite, 200 Totowa, NJ 07512

Applications will also be available at the following Municipal Offices:

• Borough of Bloomingdale, 101 Hamburg Turnpike, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403
• Passaic County Clerk’s Office, 1237 Ringwood Avenue, Wanaque, NJ 07465
• Borough of Haledon, 510 Belmont Avenue, Haledon, NJ 07508
• Borough of Hawthorne, 445 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
• Township of Little Falls, 225 Main Street, Little Falls, NJ 07424
• Borough of North Haledon, 103 Overlook Avenue, North Haledon, NJ 07508
• Borough of Pompton Lakes, 25 Lenox Avenue, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
• Borough of Prospect Park, 106 Brown Avenue, Prospect Park, NJ 07508
• Borough of Ringwood, 60 Margaret King Avenue, Ringwood, NJ 07456
• Borough of Totowa, 537 Totowa Road, Totowa, NJ 07512
• Borough of Wanaque, 579 Ringwood Avenue, Wanaque, NJ 07465
• Township of Wayne, 475 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
• Township of West Milford, 1480 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480
• Borough of Woodland Park, 5 Brophy Lane, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
• Applications can be printed from our website at: www.passaiccountynj.org/housing-section-8

All applications must be mailed. Applications postmarked after July 22, 2011 will NOT be accepted as the Waiting List will be closed after that date until further notice. Only one application per envelope. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE HOUSING AGENCY.

Applications should be mailed to:

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age.
• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or other eligible non-citizen.
• Must be income eligible.

Household Size Maximum Annual Income

1. $32,700
2. $37,350
3. $42,000
4. $46,650
5. $50,400
6. $54,150

Applications are placed on the Waiting List in chronological order of the date and time they are received. Preference in tenant selection will be given to applicants who are Veterans or residents of the Agency’s service jurisdiction. Applicants who work in the service jurisdiction will be considered as a resident. The Agency’s service jurisdiction includes: Bloomingdale, Haledon, Haskell, Hawthorne, Little Falls, North Haledon, Pompton Lakes, Prospect Park, Ringwood, Totowa, Wanaque, Wayne, West Milford and Woodland Park. (Note: Clifton, Passaic and Paterson are not part of our service jurisdiction).

We will notify you by mail if you qualify for placement on the Waiting List. If you do not qualify, or if our application is incomplete, your application will be returned to you.

Click on the link to print application: paterson-section-8