SHOUT OUT: Dealing with the worst heroin and prescription drug epidemics New Jersey has ever seen and making sure Jewish emergency response teams can get to victims on state highways dominated discussion yesterday during the seventh annual pre-summer community outreach confab.

Yesterday’s meeting at the Passaic County Police Academy in Wayne underscored how far leaders of law enforcement agencies from throughout the state and various religious faiths have come in understanding one another.

“The great collaboration has led to the resolution of many issues,” Rabbi Abe Friedman, one of the event’s organizers, told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

“We had people at all levels — from the federal Dept of Homeland Security to the State Police, along with county sheriffs, prosecutors and police chiefs — all together in one room talking about how to support one another,” Friedman said.

Bishops, rabbis, ministers and and others were among those in the crowd of 80 or so people who discussed their particular concerns at the 2014 NJ Law Enforcement Pre-Summer Conference.

Friedman praised State Police for becoming more responsive and accommodating to private Hatzalah ambulance service responses to car crashes and other incidents. Hatzalah has 1,200 volunteers — all licensed EMTS — who mostly work at the Jersey Shore and in Union County.

Hatzalah has “all the equipment in their car — heavy-duty equipment, medication, defibrillators,” Friedman said. “An ambulance then backs up the volunteer. They work closely with dispatchers to respond quickly and smoothly.”

In many instances, Hatzalah needs to get quickly to the victims so that the proper religious rites can be observed, he said. That can sometimes conflict with the need to preserve a fatal accident scene for an investigation.

“Hatzalah have to be given access immediately, rabbis must be contacted,” Friedman told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

A greater understanding on both sides of the respective needs has developed, he said.

The DEA and local prosecutor’s offices also talked about heroin — particularly how potent and inexpensive it’s become, leading to a statewide spike in overdose deaths — as well as the scourge of prescription drug abuse.

And the FBI discussed its citizens academy.

The outreach program was launched six years ago by now-retired NJSP Major Al Della Fave, who attended yesterday’s event as spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Della Fave “reached out to religious leaders so that both sides could understand one another better,” Friedman said.

The program has grown since then. Benefits have included not only better professional relations but also more personal involvement.

“In many instances, law enforcement members or their families are in personal need of help,” Friedman told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “God forbid that should ever happen, we are there for them.”

Della Fave, in turn, said Freidman doesn’t get involved in the politics of such a venture, amid those who “continually make shameful efforts to undermine or destroy the amazing inroads we have made over the years.

“There are individuals who have lost sight of the communities they serve and now look to serve their own selfish agendas,” he said.

Friedman, meanwhile, “has one goal and one goal only — to build bridges between police and all community leaders in order to bring positive change,’ Della Fave said.

For proof, he told CLIFFVIEW PILOT, observers need look no further than plans by the State Police for a larger meeting for later this year at its headquarters in Hamilton Township.

SHOUT OUT: Donations were being accepted for an Englewood firefighter whose house was destroyed by fire yesterday.

Kevin Wilson was among those who responded to the three-alarm blaze at his West Palisade Avenue home yesterday afternoon.

He remained with the pumper truck, fulfilling his assignment, as the fire blew through the attic and second floor.

Wilson, who lived on the first floor of the 2½-story, wood frame house, had upstairs tenants who got out in time.

Firefighters from several towns, including Bergenfield, Hackensack, Teaneck and Tenafly assisted.

IAFF Local 3260 is accepting donations:

Re: Kevin Wilson
IAFF Local 3260
PO BOX 8125
Englewood, NJ 07631

PHOTOS: Courtesy ENGLEWOOD FIRE DEPT.

TRIBUTE: Firefighter John Barnas, a Wallington native who lived in Jersey City, died earlier today after battling cancer.

Barnas’s father, Fire Capt. Gregory Barnas, died in a Wallington restaurant fire in late February.

John, Greg Barnas

He had been donating blood cells for John — whose brother, Kevin, is also a firefighter — as he underwent chemotherapy. He is seen in the photos here with John.

CLIFFVIEW PILOT will publish arrangement details as soon as they are available. Please check back.

SHOUT OUT: There’s time to register for this Saturday’s second annual Street 2 Street 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Tyrone Collins Memorial Park in Paterson.

Boys and girls 13 to 18 years old are eligible, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and games starting an hour later.

Each team is made up of four players, which allows for one subtitute. There will be two age divisions, 13-15 and 16-18.

Shirts, trophies, lunch and music will be provided.

Organized by Tony Browne, a senior vice-president with Merrill Lynch in Paramus, the tournament is billed as “an effort to end violence and have a positive impact on our community.”

Street 2 Street Paterson, a faith-based organization run by volunteers, is a mentoring program for Paterson youth between 13-18 years old.

“Street 2 Street is a great way to make a difference and provide the young people of Paterson with positive influences and learning experiences through the game of basketball,” said Browne, who also enlists guest speakers with inspirational stories to come in regularly to speak to the players.

This Saturday, Willie Alfonso, a team chaplain for the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets, will participate.

Street 2 Street receives 100% of its financial support from sponsors and donors.

It “provides a great outlet for young people and has a great impact on their lives,” said Tony Lupo, a Ridgewood resident who also is a volunteer coach.

“The kids are great,” Lupo said. “I learn from them as much as they may learn from me.”

To pre-register, or for more information:

Tony Browne: (201) 739-8531
Shawn Collins: (201) 658-4256

All players who are not currently Street 2 Street Basketball Players must fill out all registration forms.

SHOUT OUTS: Two Bergen County police chiefs got to present their offspring with certificates as 77 new officers were graduated from the Bergen County Police Academy’s basic training class yesterday.

“What a proud moment it was for my family and me,” Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler said after presenting the certificate to his daughter, Shayna, a new Bergen County Sheriff’s officer, during the graduation ceremony at Paramus Catholic High School.

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan, Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino (CLIFFVIEW PILOT)

Saddle River Police Chief Timothy McWilliams did the honors for his son, Christopher, who is joining the Ramsey Police Department.

Joining new members of the Bergen County Police Department, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and police departments within the county were graduates from those in Paterson, New York City, Hoboken, West New York, Riverdale and Essex County.

The newly appointed officers, who began Class 112 on Jan. 27, studied professional development, community relations, criminal law, emergency medical care and unarmed defense, among other topics.

They now enter field training with their respective departments.

SHOUT OUT: A Dumont native undergoing a stem cell transplant for Stage 4 cancer and her family could use a boost.

Barbara Reeves — whose brother, Richard Zdanowicz, is an Oradell police sergeant and former borough fire chief — has battled Hodgkin’s Lymphoma since a lung collapsed two years ago. She has undergone chemotherapy for more than a year.

Last June, Barbara, 42, had autologous stem cell transplant at Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick, but her cells didn’t respond. Since then, she’s gone for chemo treatments every three weeks.

RWJ Hospital found two stem cell matches for the transplant. They said Barbara would be in the hospital for 4 to 6 weeks.

She and her husband, Dan, have two teenage children.

A special GoFundMe page has been set up to help them meet medical bills not covered by insurance.

“These expenses are mounting and continuing to add stress to our family already dealing with the ongoing reality of this terrible disease,” said Zdanowicz, who established the page.

“Barbara would never ask for help,” he said. “However, I know that she and her husband can no longer handle this financial burden on their own.

“So by showing your support, you can help bring comfort to the everyday stress of her battle and give her the hope that she needs to continue to fight this disease,” Zdanowicz said.

“Every little donation and prayer can make a difference.”

CLICK HERE: Barbara’s Mission to Beat Cancer (GoFundMe)

TRIBUTE: A popular Hasbrouck Heights native was killed yesterday afternoon when she was ejected from her Harley after it hit a pothole on Route 287 in Montville.

Laura Rose Puglisi, 43, who recently lived in Braintree, Mass., was pronounced dead at the scene just after 1 p.m., a little more than 20 minutes after the crash, State Police said.

Puglisi was known among bikers and concert goers in New Jersey and beyond, as well as at various charity events and car-show meets.

She was graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School in 1988, studied at Rutgers University and worked for 18 years at the Fountain Spa as a cosmeologist, nail tech, waxing specialist, makeup artist and manager before moving to Massachusetts two years ago.

“If the goal is to make a difference in the lives of others, please know that you succeeded,” Kristine Burkhalter wrote on Puglisi’s Facebook page this morning.

YOU CAN LEAVE a tribute for Laura Rose Puglisi here:

CLIFFVIEWPILOT Facebook Page

TRIBUTE: A huge gathering in memory of a well-known Hasbrouck Heights woman killed in a crash in Morris County over the weekend is planned for tomorrow night at Rebar, a popular biker hangout in Hackensack.

Meanwhile, new details of the crash that killed Laura Puglisi, 43, have emerged.

“There are so many people who really care about her. This is a way for us all to honor her memory the way she would have wanted — with pictures and stories and song,” one of the event organizers, Jenny Pena, told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

The gathering will follow visitation from 5-8 p.m. at Costa Memorial Home, on Boulevard and Central Avenue in Hasbrouck Heights. Puglisi is being cremated.

“This is a chance to get together so many different people whose lives Laura touched, at a place she loved,” Pena said. “I read some media that made her look like a biker chick, but Laura was so much more than that.

Puglisi (l.) with Pena

“There are her friends from Hasbrouck Heights, the friends she rode with, the people she met at concerts and clubs, her faithful customers over the years, and so many more.”

They include the staff and patrons at the Fountain Spa, where the 1988 Hasbrouck High School graduate worked for 18 years. The spa is collecting money to help Puglisi’s family.

Her boyfriend, Joseph Truncali, as well as Pamela Biss, her best friend “sister” since both woman were 6, have been organizing tomorrow’s events.

They’re collecting a large montage of photos and videos of Puglisi over the years, as well as some of her favorite music — from Anthrax to 80s rock to Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks’ duet, “Stop Dragging My Heart Around.”

“We’ve gotten so much love and support from everywhere. The phone calls, the texts, the emails, the Facebook posts,” Truncali told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “We want this to be a fitting memorial for her.”

They’d begun dating six years ago, and last year Puglisi went with Truncali to Braintree, Massachusetts after he got a job there. She longed for home, however, and returned several months ago.

“She had her job here, her family, her life,” he said. “I’m so glad that she came with me, but this is really where she belonged. I knew that.

“She loved nature and was very active in helping animals and people,” added Truncali, who is taking care of Puglisi’s dog, Ozzy, and her Harley. “She volunteered at animal shelters and was involved in many causes.

“Laura was always upbeat and positive,” he said. “If she saw you in a bad mood, no matter what she was going through, she’d leave you smiling.

“She just loved life.”

Truncali created a roadside memorial at the spot on Route 287 in Montville where Puglisi was killed (photo, top). He also posted an online tribute in which he said that she “truly personified the ‘rock on’ mentality we have all come to know and live by.”

Laura Rose Puglisi

Puglisi was riding with a group of friends to the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta on Sunday for the “Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival,” featuring, among others, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, the Outlaws, and New Riders of the Purple Sage when her bike struck a chunk of rock or asphalt in the roadway.

Two others had swerved to avoid it just before her, witnesses said.

Puglisi was pronounced dead at the scene just after 1 p.m., a little more than 20 minutes after the crash, State Police said.

“I hope her death will be linked with highway maintenance negligence — and hopefully even start a movement to make the roads safer,” Pena told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “The police report said she hit a pothole, but those who were there know better.”

They include a couple of friends who were driving behind Puglisi in a car and witnessed the crash, as well as a rider who had his young daughter with him.

“She was a wonderful person and a shining star to many people,” Pena said. “You can be sure that there will be lot of people coming out tomorrow.”

Visiting hours are set from 5-8 p.m. tomorrow at Costa. The gathering at Rebar begins soon after.

Laura Rose Puglisi

The daughter of Joanne Zecca and James McCarthy and the late Vincent Puglisi, Puglisi is also survived by a brother, Vincent, of East Ruthherford, and a grandfather, Joseph Rosa of Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, Truncali and the family ask that memorial contributions be made to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge shelter in Oakland, where Puglisi worked as a volunteer, or to S.T.A.R.T. (Save The Animals Rescue Team) in Little Falls, or to any of your favorite animal organizations.

“We lost a truly beautiful woman but also gained an angel,” Truncali wrote in his tribute. “She will fly at our shoulders to keep us from harm’s way as we ride and journey through our lives.”

SHOUT OUT: Fair Lawn police are again issuing “tickets” for free ice cream and frozen yogurt at local businesses this summer to children spotted wearing helmets while on their bicycles, scooters or skateboards.

Continuing a program that began eights years ago, “Hooray for Helmets” returns in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Fair Lawn.

Besides stressing the safety benefits of helmets, police want citizens to know that the law requires anyone under 17 to wear one when on a bike, scooter or skateboard.

The participating businesses:

Haagen-Dazs, 23-12 Fair Lawn Avenue, Fair Lawn
Cups @ Fair Lawn Promenade, Fair Lawn
Carvel, 12-72 River Road, Fair Lawn
Rita’s, 1020 S. Maple Avenue, Glen Rock

SHOUT OUT: The Bergen County Police Department celebrated the first anniversary of its Emergency Services Unit with a demonstration of its varied capabilities during training last week at the county Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah.

County Police Chief Brian Higgins established the unit after identifying “a need to provide enhanced patrol services to the residents in Bergen County.”

The ESU is primarily is designed to “assist in handling high-risk operations that don’t rise to the level of a SWAT callout” and “bridge the gap between patrol and the SWAT Team,” the department said.

It can work as “force multiplier,” with specialized equipment and training, “limiting the number of times the SWAT Team needs to be deployed,” the BCPD said.

The ESU has responded the past year to North Arlington, Dumont and Mahwah.

Five months ago, a North Arlington woman facing eviction barricaded herself and her dog inside her house. Authorities had no evidence of guns, so they sent two ESU members — one armed with a taser and the other a dog snare. Seeing this, the woman surrendered, authorities said.

The unit can handle:

•Tactical high-risk response
•Emotionally disturbed persons situations
•Minor hazmat incidents
•Water search and rescue incidents
•CED (taser) deployment
•Robotic/camera capability
•Animal control
•Medical/fire equipment
•Active shooter events
•Mass arrests
•Combat casualty care

Homeland Security funds paid for the ESU response truck, which contains equipment donated by the Bergen County Fire Academy, Bergen County EMS Training Facility and Bergen County Hazmat.

It also received equipment and other resources from the specialized county police units, including the SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Water Search and Recovery, Hostage Negotiators, Medical Examiners Unit, and K-9 Teams.

ALL PHOTOS: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY PD

SHOUT OUT: Shouts of “single!” are headed to Ridgewood and Mahwah for the very first time this weekend with the scheduled arrival of the Callahan’s hot dog truck, following a return stop tomorrow at Van Saun Park in Paramus.

Daniel DeMiglio — whose grandfather, Leonard “Artie” Castranni, founded the onetime landmark eatery on Palisade Avenue in Fort Lee — has brought the snappy dogs back in a brightly colored truck that bears the company slogan “So Big, So Good.”

DeMiglio (photo, above) has been making the rounds of Bergen and Hudson counties, and on Thursday comes to the Wild Duck Pond area of Saddle River County Park in Ridgewood from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Friday it’s Darlington County Park in Mahwah from noon to 7 p.m.

Tomorrow’s Van Saun Park visit runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the same as it was yesterday, outside the entrance to the zoo.

Saturday it’s Pier 13 on Frank Sinatra Drive in Hoboken from noon to 10 p.m.

And on Sunday, DeMiglio returns to what’s become one of his hottest spots, the Fort Lee Farmers Market on Inwood Terrace, also 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tell Danny CLIFFVIEW PILOT sent you.

SHOUT OUT: Allendale police officers will meet with citizens next week to discuss community issues, build relationships – and drink coffee.

The department encourages citizens to attend Coffee with a Cop, beginning at 8:30 a.m. July 19 (a week from tomorrow) at Bernie’s Bagels, 99 West Allendale Ave.

All community members are invited. The coffee is free.

Part of a massive effort by local police nationwide, Coffee With A Cop provides a unique opportunity for citizens to ask questions, learn more about the department’s work and build relationships in “an informal, neutral space,” Police Chief George Scherb said.

“We hope that residents will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers,” Scherb said. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations, the chief noted. Those aren’t always the best times for building relationships.

Some citizens may also feel that officers are too busy to be approached on the street.

Coffee With A Cop allows a relationship to develop one cup at a time. The national initiative is supported by the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

SHOUT OUT: In what is believed to be a first for any youth academy in the U.S., Bogota police cadets this Wednesday will receive intensive hands-on SCUBA training for search-and-rescue missions.

Cadets at the Bogota Police Department Youth Emergency Services Academy “will experience the use of SCUBA as a component of water search and rescue activities,” under the tutelage of Sgt. Craig Lynch, the program director, officials said.

The Bogota program prides itself on being on the cutting edge of academies through the unique experiences it offers. All are aimed at “encouraging volunteerism and community involvement and developing leadership, confidence, competence, integrity and self-esteem.”

The eight-day program began last week.

WATCH:

VISIT: http://www.bpesya.com/

Wednesday’s SCUBA training at the Bogota Swim Club on Feller Place begins at 9 a.m.

SHOUT OUT: Although a street shrine for the killer of 23-year-old rookie Jersey City Police Officer Melvin Santiago was torn down last night, two more have taken its place — one just blocks away and the other online.

A group was in the process of assembling thousands of online petition “like”s to convince Facebook to remove the “Memorial Support Page” for the man who killed Santiago and then was slain himself in a gunfight with police over the weekend.

As the number of likes swelled past 7,000, the “memorial” page was taken down — only to replaced by another.

“This page is a disgrace and needs to be shut down immediately,” Danielle Quintino of Hasbrouck Heights wrote on the original “memorial” page. “Facebook needs to do the right thing.”

James Bohan, administrator of the popular Northern Jersey All Incidents page, called on users to “click on the page and REPORT it to Facebook so we can get this garbage out of here. Thank you.”

Unfortunately, Facebook has told those trying to remove the page that it “doesn’t violate our Community Standards.”

Why it came down was unclear.

“This page is shameful,” added retired North Carolina Police Officer John T. Mood. “Police officers are people too, and [the killer] died during a felonious assault on several police officers resulting in the death of a fine young man.”

Jersey City’s Randee Lerner Cassidy also wrote to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg: “I, along with many others, have registered a complaint with Facebook concerning the memorial page set up by friends and family of [THE KILLER], the man responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Police Officer Melvin Santiago, in Jersey City.

“Many have requested that this page be removed and all were denied. Unfortunately, Facebook does not list a category for hate mongering or the assault of moral decency. Facebook should be ashamed that it is supporting this public display of hate mongering. I think you should give your posting policies another look.”

Created last night, the page included images of a smashed rear window of a Jersey City police car and a cartoon of an officer riding a pig. The profile photo was of the killer, as is the profile shot on the replacement page: [Killer] Memorial Support Page).

“This page is to support those against police racial profiling and for supporting anti police brutality!!,” wrote the creator of the new “[Killer] Memorial Support Page” — who, like his predecessor, who isn’t identifying him- or herself.

* * * * * *

A PUBLISHER WRITES: Loved ones of the maniac who shot and killed a 23-year-old rookie Jersey City police officer were free to put a temporary memorial in his neighborhood — the same as any of us were free smash it to bits. Which is apparently what happened. READ MORE….

* * * * * *

“We are here to support the Campbell family in this time of need,” the first post reads. “Also dedicated to the thought that not everyone calls ‘police’ ‘heroes.’ We peacefully demand the police to disarm, and live in a world where rights don’t just exist for the swine.”

It also calls police various vulgar and hateful names.

Among the other pages it likes are the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), The Thin Blue Line, (Jersey City Mayor) Steven Fulop, SSG BOWE Bergdahl: American Hero and Survive the Street: A Page for Cops.

To go to the new page that aims to have it removed, click here: Petition to take down The [Killer] Memorial Page

SHOUT OUT: As we hit the height of home improvement season, state Division of Consumer Affairs authorities have hit 68 contractors with violations, seeking a total of more than $1.3 million in civil penalties and consumer restitution.

Five are in Bergen County — Brownies Tree Service in Garfield, Durango Travertine in Ridgefield, Medina Floor and Construction in Palisades Park, Agnello Construction in Mahwah and Home Care in Oakland (SEE LIST BELOW).

The notices were filed based on complaints and referrals from consumers across New Jersey, state Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said this morning.

“Home improvement disputes are consistently the number-one consumer complaint category the Division of Consumer Complaints receives year after year,” Hoffman said.

While demanding the more than $1 million in restitution for consumers who paid for work that wasn’t done, state authorities are also giving contractors “the opportunity to come into compliance with the law,” he said.

Hoffman also reminded consumers to protect themselves “by conducting basic research before hiring a contractor.”

The Division has directed 62 of the contractors to pay a total of $1,046,978 in consumer restitution, in amounts ranging from as little as $378 to as much as $185,000.

The State has assessed a total of $276,250 in civil penalties against the 68 contractors, for a combined total assessment, including civil penalties and consumer restitution, of more than $1.3 million.

Those notified have either failed failing to complete work that consumers paid for in advance, failed to refund deposits or violated state consumer protection laws in some way.

The Division has cited all 68 contractors for violations of New Jersey’s Contractor’s Registration Act, such as failure to provide consumers with detailed, written contracts for home improvement projects costing more than $500.

In addition, 44 of the companies have also been cited for operating without being registered as home improvement contractors in New Jersey.

“When contractors fail to comply with the law, or the terms of their contracts, consumers can be left with costs in the tens of thousands of dollars and a house full of unfinished improvements,” Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Steve Lee said. “Our registration laws help place consumers on equal footing with the contractors they hire, and help ensure that those contractors can be held accountable.”

The Division of Consumer Affairs received 1,434 consumer complaints about home improvement contractors in 2013, easily the largest consumer complaint category last year, Lee said.

New Jersey law requires that all individuals or businesses who solicit and/or perform home improvement work must obtain registration from the DCA. The registration application requires demonstration that the contractor has a legitimate street address and at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

For home improvement projects costing more than $500, the contractor must provide the consumer with a written contract with specific, detailed information including the project’s agreed-upon price, the starting and ending dates, the scope of work; the contractor’s business name, address, and registration number; and other required information.

Each of the contractors receiving a Notice of Violation has the opportunity to contest the assertion that he or she has violated the law, or the opportunity to correct the violation by desisting from any practices in violation of the law, paying a civil penalty and/or consumer restitution where required, and submitting an application for registration, if not registered. Each contractor also may contest the Division’s assessment of consumer restitution.

Investigators Joseph Iasso, Jared O’Cone, Donna Leslie, Juan Odio, Michelle Davis, Cullen Church, and Michael Meola, led by Supervising Investigator Jen Micco of the DCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, handled the case.
WHEN HIRING A CONTRACTOR (courtesy NJDCA):

· Learn about any contractor before deciding to hire them. It is ideal to work with a contractor who is recommended by people you know. It also is advisable to ask the contractor for references and speak with those references about the contractor’s work.

· Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs to learn if the contractor is duly registered to perform home improvement work in New Jersey, and learn whether the contractor has been the subject of consumer complaints and/or legal action by the Division. You can call the Division at 800-242-5846 or use the Division’s website, www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov.

· Before hiring the contractor, demand a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance policy and contact the insurer to learn whether the policy is valid.

· Obtain a written contract. Contracts for home improvement projects costing $500 or more must be in writing. They must include the legal name, business address, and registration number of the contractor as well as a start date, completion date, description of the work to be done, and the total price.

· Make sure all warranties and guarantees are in writing, and that the contract states the name brands or quality/grades of the materials to be used.

· Ensure that all applicable construction permits are obtained from the appropriate municipality.

· Remember that it is customary not to pay for the entire project in advance. The general practice is to pay for one-third in advance, one-third halfway through, and one-third upon completion.

· Additional tips can be found in the Division’s Consumer Brief on “Hiring Home Improvement Contractors,” available in English at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/brief/improve.pdf and in Spanish at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/brief/improve.pdf .

THE LIST:

Ronin Construction Group, Inc., Hammonton, NJ

TRIBUTE: The 9/11 U.S. Honor Flag was placed today amid the photos, flowers and other tributes to slain Jersey City rookie Police Officer Melvin Santiago at the department’s West District precinct after arriving at Newark International Airport from Dallas.

The flag first flew during recovery operations at Ground Zero and has since traveled more than six million miles to honor fallen firefighters, police officers and members of the U.S. armed forces at more than 1,000 events.

JCPD Melvin Santiago (CLIFFVIEW PILOT photo)

It also flew aboard the final NASA space shuttle mission, circling the Earth 215 times.

Today it was accompanied by a full procession from Newark to Jersey City, including officers from Fair Lawn and Saddle Brook.

RELATED:

Killer of Jersey City rookie police officer predicted he was ‘going to be famous’

Memorial to Jersey City cop killer? The mother of all insults

Appalled citizens fighting back against memorials to killer of Jersey City police officer

TRIBUTE: It’s the final roll call today for a Port Authority Police veteran who made international headlines after his trusted partner — a bomb detection dog named Sirius — became the only canine to die in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.

Lt. David Lim leaves the department after 34 years of distinguished service.

He takes with him many fond — and some not-so-fond — memories.

Sirius (ALL IMAGES: Courtesy PORT AUTHORITY PD)

The morning of the attacks, Lim put Sirius in the basement kennel at Tower Two with the promise: “I’ll be back for you.”

He then dashed to Tower One and ran up 43 flights of stairs to help in the evacuation.

Lim had reached a lower floor with a woman he was carrying down Stairwell B when the building collapsed, burying them.

“It was like an avalanche,” he said. “We were just waiting there to die.”

Rescuers got to Lim about five hours later — making him one of only 16 survivors of the Tower One collapse (along with a dozen firefighters and three civilians).

Efforts so secure the area prevented Lim from getting back to Sirius, however.

Gov. Christie, Lt. Lim

He then tried joining the search and rescue team, but doctors stopped Lim out of concern for his emotional health.

After being found four months later, the 4-year-old yellow Labrador retriever had a hero’s removal — complete with a prayer, a salute and an American flag over the body bag — and funeral.

“All the machinery was stopped—the same thing that is done for human police officers and firefighters,” Lim said. “I thought it was very nice.”

After Sirius’ cremation, Lim held a ceremony at Liberty State Park in Jersey City that featured a 21-gun salute, as handlers and their dogs filed by a wooden urn and medal dedicated to him.

Lim cried when he was handed Sirius’s metal bowl, recovered from the wreckage.

Everything stops at the Port Authority Police Department precinct at LaGuardia Airport in Queens at 2:30 this afternoon. This time it’s for Sirius’ best friend.

TRIBUTE: He was a unique, beautiful creature, with fatal flaws and riotous inner demons juxtaposed against compassion, caring and love not seen often enough in this world.

Hunter Thompson would have lumped Michael in with “God’s own prototypes” — a “high-powered mutant, never even considered for mass-production.”

He rarely half-assed anything. If worth doing at all, it was done full-tilt with consequences always an after-thought. I admired his ample testicular fortitude and stood often in awe of it.

His amateur stand-up performances on holidays and random backyard barbeques weres legendary. No tale too racy or raunchy, no punchlines pulled — because the giggles and groans were worth the risk.

The Author

He loved making people laugh, and toed the line of ‘good-taste’ with the hopes someone would wet themselves in the process. It was brilliant to watch, and a blessing to be part of.

His crowning comedic achievement, in my opinion, was the t/roast he gave at my wedding that held nothing back and nearly made me soil my white linen suit. Regrettably, no recording exists, but witness accounts reported it as a mass slaying, no humorous left unscathed.

He often spoke of burning out young, not fading away, and so he lived his life in the murky quagmire between sanity and civility. His zeal for the finer things led him towards his latest endeavor of Kairos Time Pieces, and a career catering to a clientele engulfed in swaggy apparel and timepiece porn.

As a salesman Michael was surgical while slinging mid-range ski equipment for Princeton Ski Shops. I witnessed the birth of true genius as he massaged his customer from a simple small purchase to a thousand-dollar complete re-fit — and was thanked heartily for it. He loved the game and played it with the grace and ease of a mid-20s Jeter.

Although I lost many years with Michael to his demons, I always hoped we’d find the time to explore and adventure in our later years.

This was not meant to be.

Sadly it was neither demon nor self-infliction that took Michael from us, but the selfish carelessness of a complete stranger. His life cut far too short, he’s left behind the grieving masses to question, mourn, celebrate, and cherish the Michael whom we each knew and loved.

As another glaring example of how unfair life is, Michael had found peace and happiness in recent times, with goals and aspirations for success he previously never thought possible. I would have loved to see where he took it.

Wherever you are, may there be great music, ample air-conditioning, access to chest deep powder, and above all else the love and happiness you most certainly deserve.

I miss my brother, will do so from now to the end of my days, and will never truly be whole again without him.

By MATTHEW MIKTUS

Michael Miktus

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ARRANGEMENTS:

Visiting hours: 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Allwood Funeral Home, 660 Allwood Road, Clifton

Funeral: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Graveside service, Holy Cross Cemetery, Ridge Road, North Arlington

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SHOUT OUTS: A Westwood husband and wife will both be sworn in tonight as Bergen County Police Department officers.

Wendy and Christopher Tinio both served in the U.S. Marines before settling in his native New Jersey following honorable discharges two years ago.

Christopher Tinio, 25 (Badge #308), was born in Jersey City and was graduated from Dickinson High School. He enlisted a year later.

A motor transportation operator, he completed a tour of Afghanistan in 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Wendy, Christopher Tinio

After leaving the Marines in 2012, he worked at Immigration Custom Enforcement for a year while attending the State Corrections Academy in Sea Girt.

He was graduated in February and has been working as a State Corrections officer at East Jersey State prison.

Tinio met his future wife during basic training in North Carolina. Both were later stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, CA.

Wendy Tinio — who turns 27 tomorrow — was born in Camden Ark., and grew up in Mendon, Mich., with her parents and eight siblings.

She got an associate’s degree in general education at Kalamazoo Valley Community College before enlisting as an ammo tech and is now an honor student in criminal justice at Bergen Community College. She’ll wear Badge #309.

The Tinios, who’ve been married five years, have two children: 4-year-0ld Charlotte and Theodore, 3.

The Tinios, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan (IMAGES: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE)

Also sworn tonight were another Marine and a U.S. Army soldier.

All four join more than 100 other recruits who begin the 113th county police academy class on Friday. Graduation is set for Dec. 19.

David Michael Dombrowski, 27, was born in Hackensack and grew up in Rutherford.

He followed his grandfather’s footsteps into the U.S. Marine Corps after being graduated from high school, was deployed to Fallujah and participated in training an Iraqi police unit while conducting combat patrols during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After returning from Iraq, Dombrowski was awarded the position of team leader and selected to attend the advanced infantry training battalion’s squad leaders course.

Prior to receiving an honorable discharge, Dombrowski was awarded a good conduct medal for his faithful service to the Marines.

James Farrar was born in Lamesa, Texas and grew up in a law enforcement household in San Angelo.

After he was graduated from high school in 2000, Farrar
enlisted in the U.S. Army, with which he served as an MP in various units worldwide.

While at West Point, he met his wife, Diana, a Bergen County native. The two were married in May 2006.

Farrar, 32, was deployed to Baghdad from June 2006 to September 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the mission of training Iraqi police in proper law and order procedures and protocols.

In 2011, he earned an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from the University of Phoenix.

After receiving his honorable discharge in 2012, he took a job in retail security in Paramus while pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Being hired by the BCPD is the fulfillment of a lifelong goal, Farrar said.

IMAGES: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE

UPDATE: Despite a $10,000 reward, a year has passed with no breaks in the case of a Washington Township police officer who was knocked down by a speeding SUV on a dark street.

Officer Heather Castronova’s anniversary of sorts went largely unnoticed, in large part because of the recent tragedies that befell Waldwick Police Officer Christopher Goodell, killed by a tractor-trailer driver while on a radar enforcement detail, and Jersey City rookie Officer Melvin Santiago, who was murdered by a mad gunman.

Both deaths came nearly three months after a drunk driver critically injured Bergen County Police Officer Daniel Breslin when his department SUV was rammed from behind on Route 46 in Lodi.

This past weekend, another overnight incident raised concern when a drunk driver crashed his vehicle into a DWI checkpoint trailer on Route 46, injuring an Elmwood Park police officer.

Castronova said she still has to deal with back pain from her incident.

“I have good days and bad days, but it could always be worse,” she told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. “I’m very lucky considering what the law enforcement community has suffered recently.”

Castronova said she was walking back to her police car after issuing a summons to a car on Fern Street early last July 20 when a dark-colored vehicle pulled around the corner too fast and clipped her, then took off.

The 12-year veteran, a former Bergen County Police Department dispatcher who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, was released from the hospital the next day.

The first reward was posted within hours of the incident, and more contributions quickly followed.

The Washington Township Knights of Columbus, Hillsdale PBA Local 207, Bergen County PBA Local 49, Bergen County PBA Conference, Washington Township Police Department and PBA Local 206 have all kicked in.

Although more than a year has passed, Castronova said she’s not giving up hope.

“Maybe someone told someone,” she said.