SEPTEMBER 2019 GUTTENBERGGuttenberg Brief is published monthly by the Town of Guttenberg Mayor: Wayne Zitt Got feedback? We want to hear from you. Write to Council Members: Richard Delafuente, [email protected] or the address below with Monica Fundora, John Habermann, comments or suggestions for topics you’d like to see in future William Hokien, Juana Malave issues. Also submit your photos of Guttenberg past or present. Writer/Photographer: Art Schwartz www.guttenbergnj.org Guttenberg Brief • 6808 Park Ave. • Guttenberg, NJ 07093 Former Councilman Police and Residents Party Al Caso Passes Away Together on Night Out Against Crime Former Guttenberg Councilman Alfonso “Al” Caso passed away on July 25 at Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, NJ. He was 75 years old. The Town of Guttenberg celebrated Night Out 2019 with a fun street party on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019 in the parking lot of GSL Bank on Madison Street. Born in New York City to parents Jennie (Modugno) There were plenty of free activities for kids, including three bounce houses and and Carmine Caso, Al proudly served our country in giveaways, while adults were treated to a live concert by the band Finish This. the United States Airforce from 1961 to 1965. He was a Guttenberg resident since 1993 and served on Mayor Wayne Zitt was on hand to greet attendees, along with Council Members Town Council from 2008 until Dec. 31, 2018, when Monica Fundora and John Habermann. And so were the members of the he retired. Guttenberg Police Department, building relationships and creating new ones with local residents. Mayor Wayne Zitt wrote on Facebook, “It is with great sorrow that I tell you we lost an amazing man from Guttenberg. Councilman Al Caso was an incredible National Night Out was founded 36 years ago as a way to forge a stronger person. Al was always looking to move Guttenberg forward. He will be greatly relationship between the community and the police officers who patrol the missed. No more suffering Al, we love you. R.I.P.” streets every day. Across the country, events take place on the first Tuesday in August with the goal of bringing police and residents together in a positive “Al from the moment I met him was a true gentleman,” said Councilman John environment. Habermann, who joined the town council a month after Al. “The most down- to-earth guy you could ever meet, and one of the most knowledgeable people. Also attending the event this year and providing handouts and giveaways were Always quick with a smile and a joke, with a little twinkle in his eye.” the Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC), and WellCare. The “Guttenberg Trolley” supplied “He was a great guy, a team player,” added Councilwoman Monica Fundora. “We hot dogs, and Mikey’s Ice Cream truck handed out free soft ice cream cones. learned a lot from him. He’s going to be missed.” Calling him a “great leader,” Mayor Zitt noted that Al “made sure the town was fiscally responsible for its residents,” and assisted former Mayor Gerald Drasheff in the complicated and protracted orchestration of building of the community center and Anna L. Klein School annex. “We will continue to move forward off his legacy,” said Mayor Zitt. Al Caso is survived by his sisters, Clara Arensman and Anna Caso, his brother, Joseph Caso, and many nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and -nephews. Mayor’s Corner Quality of life is something we take very seriously in Guttenberg, and for that reason we will be increasing our enforcement of regulations requiring trash to be placed in receptacles and not simply left on sidewalks to be picked up by the DPW. Loose trash is not only an eyesore, it’s an invitation to rodents and other vermin, and we are dedicated to keeping our streets clean and safe. Please be sure to use trash receptacles to avoid a potential summons. Inside this issue you can read about new safety regulations for smoke detectors, as well as the usual roundup of articles on recent and upcoming events. Summer may be officially over, but we still have one more concert in our annual summer series, and it’s a big one: Latin Night on Sept. 14. Sadly, in this issue we also pay tribute to former Councilman Al Caso, a truly great man who passed away recently. Al made a big mark on this town and we all owe him a tremendous debt. Hundreds Attend Resource Bon Jovi Tribute Band Center’s ‘Healing in Rocks Waterfront Park North Hudson’ Event The Bon Jovi tribute band “Slippery When Wet” had the crowd on its feet and cheering during their live performance in Waterfront Park on Tuesday, July 30. The The lower level of the Galaxy Mall was packed on Wednesday, July 31 with nearly 30 band played a solid set of Bon Jovi favorites, with the audience singing along and vendor tables and hundreds of local residents. The occasion was “Healing in North dancing to the big hits. Hudson,” a holistic health event co-sponsored by the Guttenberg Resource Center Mayor Wayne Zitt and the Guttenberg Town Council were joined by Sen. Nicholas and the North Hudson Partnership. Sacco in introducing the concert. Also welcoming the crowd were Freeholder Anthony The event was organized to bring together representatives from the many different Vainieri and Assemblypersons Angelica Jimenez and Pedro Mejia. government, public, and private community organizations throughout the five Food trucks were on site to provide tasty snacks while residents enjoyed the concert municipalities of North Hudson that provide health and wellness options for residents. in the amphitheater or played in the children’s playground. Specifically designed as a “stigma-free” event, it targeted mental health among the top priorities for personal well-being and development. The North Hudson Partnership, comprising many of the participating organizations, already collaborated over the summer with the North Bergen Free Public Library to host Mental Health Meet & Greets on the first Wednesday of each month, with similar events taking place on subsequent Wednesdays in West New York, Weehawken, and Union City. Since July had a fifth Wednesday, a “capstone event” was planned, according to Troy Mack from Weehawken Human Services, who coordinated the event. The goal was to bring together all varieties of specialization for a one-stop opportunity to access local health options, including such components as addiction, substance abuse, suicide prevention, homelessness, LGBTQ+ issues, and more. A free photo booth allowed attendees to contribute their anonymous silhouettes to a group project entitled “Mental health has no face, just a heart,” and to take home their own silhouette photo. The Resource Center provided everyone with free empanadas, sandwiches, wraps, drinks, and snacks. The participating organizations were Clear Captions, Council on Compulsive Gambling, Family Partners of Hudson County, Galaxy Yoga and Meditation, Guttenberg Resource Center, Hackensack Meridian Health - Palisades Medical Center, Hudson County Consumer Protection Office, Hudson County Department of Family Services, Hudson County Mental Health Administrator, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson Partnership CMO, Hudson PRIDE, Hudson SPEAKS, Inter-County Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency, New Jersey Judiciary, Hudson Vicinage, Nikita’s Salon, North Bergen Health Department, North Bergen Public Library, Northeast New Jersey Legal Services, North Hudson Community Action Corporation, North Hudson Partnership, Our Team Works, Inc., PACO Agency, Palisades Family Success Center, Swag Fitness, Tilton Gym, Urban League of Hudson County, and Weehawken Human Services. Slippery When Wet is fronted by Jon Bon Jovi lookalike Jason Morey and has played over 1500 shows throughout the U.S., plus Africa, Mexico, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. They have headlined on over 60 cruises on the Royal Caribbean cruise line and played the pre-game of Super Bowl 48 in MetLife Stadium. This was the fourth concert of the 2019 Guttenberg Summer Concert series. Still to come is the much-anticipated Latin Night at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. The show will take place on the big stage at 70th Street and Boulevard East. mask-making, balloon art, slime, calligraphy, clay sculpture, bookmarks, Dozens of Activities Put book art, and demonstrations of makeup, henna, and temporary tattoos. Residents played with musical bananas (!), virtual reality, and tried their luck Smiles on Faces for 1st spinning the “BeanBoozled” wheel for a chance at tasty jellybeans – or not- Annual Makerfest so-tasty flavors like stinky socks and dead fish. Volunteers from the town staffed additional booths with more activities and handed out free cotton candy, popcorn, water, and snacks. Also on hand was The Guttenberg Resource Center celebrated its first anniversary by holding Elisabeth Smolarz to sign up attendees for free “portrait art” photo sessions a “Makerfest” that filled the entire lower level of the Galaxy Towers mall through Guttenberg Arts, and a photo booth from flashyphotoboothsnj.com, with games and activities for kids and families. Hundreds of residents from complete with goofy props for residents to pose for unique photos that they Guttenberg and North Bergen attended the four-hour event and left with could take home for free. Visit the town website and click on “Gallery” at the souvenirs, snacks, and big smiles. top of the page for a collection of colorful pictures from the event. Mayor Wayne Zitt attended with his family and met with many of the residents who came out to enjoy the wide variety of activities. Councilwoman Monica Fundora proved to be an accomplished hula-hooper, while fellow Council Members Richie Delafuente and John Habermann and Town Administrator Cosmo Cirillo cheered her on.