OBITUARIES

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) on July 12 announced federal action to combat the spike in car thefts and violent carjacking in North Jersey, the tristate area, and nationwide.

Nationally, auto thefts increased 16.5% in 2021. In New Jersey, there were more than 14,000 vehicles reported stolen in 2021 — a 22% increase from 2020. As of this May there was a 37% increase in auto thefts in New Jersey year to date.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that, as of 2020, thousands of vehicles were stolen or carjacked across the tristate area to be illegally exported to Africa from the U.S. through terminals located in and around the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Federal action Gottheimer is pushing for includes: • A National Auto Theft Task Force — led by the Administration to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts focused on combating interstate and international carjacking and auto theft. •Immediately increasing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) security at ports — utilizing Customs and Border Protec Calls to ‘cut off the head of the snake. And the head of the snake is at the ports…’ National Auto Theft Task Force to coordinate federal, state, local law enforcement efforts

Rep.Josh Gottheimer (D-5) is joined in Allendale on July 12 by (left to right) Westwood Police Chief Michael Pontillo,Upper Saddle River Police Chief Patrick Rotella,Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz,and local car theft victim Matthew Mazon (at microphones).(Photo via Gottheimer’s office)

tion (CBP) and other DHS agencies to strengthen law enforcement presence and improve inspections at ports to intercept more stolen cars before they are loaded into containers and shipped overseas. • Tracking proceeds of stolen vehicles to take down interstate & international criminal rings — led by the Treasury and Justice Departments, along with the FBI, to track the proceeds of stolen vehicles when they land overseas, to examine if funds are financing drug trafficking, gangs, or terrorism, and to target heads of the car theft rings. •Increasing prosecution by the United States Attorneyʼs Office of car theft and carjacking crimes — to further crack down on interstate and international car theft rings. •Congressional hearing from the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security — to examine the role of DHS in responding to and investigating car theft at ports. • Congressional hearing from the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy — to examine the possible national security impacts of interstate and international car theft rings, and their use of the proceeds from car thefts.

“Every other week, we read about yet another carjacking or stolen car literally taken out of someoneʼs driveway as they slept or, brazenly, in broad daylight. Then, these cars are chopped up for parts or they pull into the Port of Newark where they are put into a container, then on a ship, and sent overseas,” Gottheimer said in a statement provided to Pascack Press on July 12.

He said, “Our local police chiefs have asked that we do everything we can at the federal level, as they put it, to cut off the head of the snake — and the head of the snake is at the ports. … We canʼt just let criminals steal cars and drive them right out of the country. We need to crack down and cut the engine on carjacking and car theft.”

Joining him outside Allendale police HQ were Allendale chief Mike Dillon, Upper Saddle River Police Chief Patrick Rotella, Westwood Police Chief Michael Pontillo, Ho-Ho-Kus Police Chief Mike LaCroix, local Bergen County car theft victim Matthew Mazon, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Allendale Council President Amy Wilczynski, and local law enforcement.

Rue

ABDELHAK

Rue Abdelhak (née Peek), 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Rue was 91 years old and was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Peek and Opal Branom Peek from Commerce, Texas. She is survived by her beloved husband, Edmund Abdelhak, and her cherished sister, Anna Beth Kennedy.

She was a devoted mother to Nancy (William) Haines, Catherine (David) Muniz, Carol (David) Hart and Judy (Alan) Wagner. She was Mimi to 14 grandchildren: Christopher, Carolyn (Chris), Leah (Tim), Lauren (Paul), Kaiya (Dan), Jeremy, Miranda, Taylor, Peter, Eliza, Jason, Amanda, Brett, Erin, and two great grandchildren, Bryce and Nolan.

Rue was born and raised in Texas where she went to school and earned a degree in music education. In 1955, she moved to Park Ridge when she married Ed, her husband of nearly 67 years.

Rue was a gentle, brave, strong and loving spirit who adored her family and cared deeply about social justice for all. Rue was an eternal optimist who saw the potential in everyone. She loved all the arts, especially music and theater. She played the piano and was active in commu-

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nity theater for many years. Rue also had a passion for British mystery books and programs.

She was an active member of the United Methodist Church. Rue was always curious about people and places and was an avid world traveler.

She loved to host family gatherings at their home in Park Ridge. Rueʼs greatest joy was spending time with her family; she was happiest when everyone was together.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Park Ridge United Methodist Church. A lunch reception will follow. Rue loved bright colors: attendees are invited to wear cheerful colors to celebrate her life.

Donations may be made in her honor to Heifer International or Church World Service. Arrangements by Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., rsfhi.com

Margaret M.

GIUMETTI

Margaret M. Giumetti (née Parrillo), 79, of River Vale passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 4, 2022. Beloved wife of Alex for 59 wonderful years. Dear sister of Marion Frederick and the late Amelia Browning. Loving aunt of Joanne, Charlene, Ida, Annette, Marie Dore, Jeanine, Toniann, Amy, and Karen and their families.

Before retiring, Margaret was an administrative assistant for Standard Brands Co., New York City for nine years. She cared for those she loved in sickness and in health. She never forgot a birthday or holiday, always sending well wishes. She was a true lover of life.

Margaret was a devout parishioner of St. Catharine of Alexandria Parish.

Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 15 at the Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge. Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 16 at St. Catharine of Alexandra Parish, 523 Western Highway, Blauvelt, N.Y. with interment to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, the Bronx, N.Y.

Arrangements by Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., Park Ridge, rsfhi.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, cancer.org, or Alzheimerʼs Foundation of America, alz.org.

Jordan

FRAGIACOMO

Jordan Fragiacomo of Park Ridge passed away on July 12, 2022. Born in Manhattan, N.Y. in 1936 to Giordano and Amelia Fragiacomo.

He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Fragiacomo, his brother Richard Fragiacomo (Genevieve) and sister Patricia, his sons, Jordan Fragiacomo (Theresa) and Michael Fragiacomo (Jeanette), his grandchildren Christina Rynearson (Anthony, Alyssa, Jordan and Susan, great-grandfather of Antonio. After moving to Park Ridge in 1995 he joined the Park Ridge Golden Age Social Club. He was a big baseball fan and never missed a Yankee game on television. He loved his radio programs and has a recording of almost every one.

He was his familyʼs world and undoubtedly the best grandfather and great-grandfather. He was so loved and will be immensely missed.

Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 at the Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge. rsfhi.com.

Funeral Mass 11 a.m. on Monday, July 18 at Our Lady of Mercy R. C. Church, Park Ridge. Private cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jordan may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, giving.mskcc.org.

P Pa as sc ca ac ck k P Pr re es ss s

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obstruction and discrimination on the boroughʼs part while the borough charges the redeveloper with false allegations, delay, and failing to fulfill its contract to build the massive downtown project in a timely manner.

McCann said both sides are conducting discovery and continue to interview witnesses to further bolster their cases.

He said maybe by the end of summer or early fall both sides will finish taking depositions and move to trial or continue possible further negotiations.

Last summer, McCann had said he anticipated a revised redeveloperʼs agreement to soon be finalized between the borough and redeveloper.

However, that did not occur, he said recently.

Also, last summer the Superior Court appointed a Mount Laurel implementation monitor to help expedite the 29 units of affordable housing approved as part of the mixed-use complex: including 22 on-site units and seven offsite units.

McMann told Pascack Press on July 11 that there is no construction schedule yet set nor an updated agreement signed between the borough and Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal.

He previously said that there was no timeline or construction schedule included in the original agreement signed late in December 2018 by the prior administration, helmed by Mayor Louis Lamatina.

Instead, he observed that construction continues on the parking garage and foundation elements of the 147-unit luxury apartment and retail complex abutting the downtown train stop.

About a month ago, Mayor Danielle DiPaola — who voted against the scale of the project while on council and ran for mayor against “overdevelopment,” only to inherit the agreement — observed that work was occurring regularly and that then the second floor was going onto a slowly rising parking deck.

In March, McCann had reported that the borough had asked nine questions of the redeveloper following a presentation they made requesting that 129 Kinderkamack Road be rezoned for seven offsite units of affordable housing.

No answers have been provided to those questions, McCann said, which were necessary and needed to help the borough understand issues surrounding 129 Kinderkamack Roadʼs purchase for future affordable housing.

He said itʼs likely the nine questions may be asked to certain individuals that the borough interviews for its legal case against the redeveloper. “We really need to know that information (about 129 Kinderkamackʼs purchase). This demonstrates to the court that theyʼre not cooperating. Instead theyʼre operating out of some developerʼs playbook,” he charged.

He said as both sides depose individuals they suspect of having information relevant to their case, the trial stage moves closer and closer.

“For now everythingʼs status quo,” said McCann, noting there was little updated information to report on. He said being in the discovery phase means both sides are working hard to put their cases together before going to trial.

He said as depositions continue, the two sides may find it beneficial to meet together, possibly in a case management conference, to assess before Superior Court Judge Gregg Padovano where the other stands, and their status in moving towards a trial.

The borough is suing the redeveloper over $500,000 the borough believes it is owed in construction services to build a new ambulance corps. The borough deeded the ambulance corps property at that value to the redeveloper as part of the original project agreement.

The redeveloper alleged the borough did not provide final construction designs by Dec. 31, 2019, a deadline initially agreed to, thus nullifying its obligation to reimburse the borough for the property.

The borough has challenged the negotiated deadline, claiming the redeveloper knew it could not be met.

“The wheels of justice turn slowly,” said McCann, noting both sides are working but that nothing can yet be reported publicly.

Borough waiting on answers

In March, McCann told Pascack Press the redeveloper “asked the council for a favor to change the zoning.”

Citing two of the nine questions submitted by council that the redeveloper has not yet answered, he said, “But did you know what it was zoned for when you bought it? Whatʼs the basis for your request?”

McCann also had asked the redeveloper when it closed on 129 Kinderkamack Road; where else in town the seven off-site affordable units could be located; the date the redeveloper knew that Emerson knew it intended to use 129 Kinderkamack for affordables; whether the redeveloper knew that 129 Kinderkamack was not zoned for multifamily housing; how many alternative sites were considered; and when the redeveloper decided not to partner with Habitat for Humanity in constructing the off-site units.

“Weʼre disappointed that they havenʼt got back to us on those questions. We just wanted to report those to the residents,” McCann told Pascack Press.

In October 2021, we reported that site work had been suspended after toxic soil contamination from perchlorethylene, a common dry cleaning agent, had been discovered at the site of former Ranch Cleaners at 190 Kinderkamack Road.

Calls and emails to attorney Joseph B. Fiorenzo, of Sills Cummis & Gross, P.C., representing the redeveloper, were not returned by press time.

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WESTWOOD

Construction on Emerson Station’s parking garage (in background) and foundations steams ahead July 12,2022. The site,on Kinderkamack between Linwood and Lincoln,with implications for the borough’s volunteer ambulance headquarters and related affordable housing, and zoning questions,are at the heart of dueling lawsuits. John Snyder photo.

TWOLANDCHARITYGOLF OUTINGSCHOLARSHIPS

The Westwood Charity Golf Outing will hold its 26th annual Outing on Thursday, Sept. 15, the second Thursday after Labor Day, at Valley Brook Golf Course.

The WCGO Committee reports this yearʼs Outing will not conflict with the first day of school, enabling more golfers to attend the event looked upon as an anticipated fall tradition.

Over the past 25 years, the WCGO has raised and distributed more than $125,000 for our local charities. Since 2006, it has been presenting college scholarships to deserving Westwood resident high school seniors who are Westwoodʼs future leaders.

The results of last yearʼs Outing permitted organizers to give out two $1,500 scholarships to a senior from the class of 2022. This yearʼs winners are Madeline Risbud of the Academy of the Holy Angels and Catherine Grob of Westwood Regional High School.

The Committee plans to distribute its annual letter to former participants and local merchants in early July, however, if you would like an application or information about the WCGO, please write westwoodcgo@gmail.com.

The WCGO organizers want to maintain the Outingʼs positive momentum, thank everyone for their continued support, and look forward to a successful 2022 Outing.