Paterson, NJ- Fall is a great time to get involved with feeding the hungry. Move For Hunger has partnered with two Paterson High Schools, International High School and Garrett Morgan Academy, and Wade Odell Wade Moving and Storage Co. to collect donations for the Regional Food Bank Paterson, New Jersey. Starting October 1st food there will be collection boxes conveniently located at International High school and Garrett Morgan Academy: 200 Grand Street, Patterson, New Jersey 07501.

Students, faculty, parents, and all members of the community are asked to come together to donate unopened, non-perishable food items throughout the entire month of October with the goal of providing sufficient food for those in need upcoming holiday season. Wade Odell Wade Moving and Storage has generously donated all of the collection boxes and will also deliver the donations to the Regional Food Bank of Paterson aft er the event.
Of the more than 850,000 people in New Jersey who receive food assistance each month, forty percent are children. The students of International High School and Garrett Morgan Academy are committed to making a difference in their community; their drive and enthusiasm will surely inspire others in the community to join them in their fight against hunger.

“Th e students are concerned about the problem of hunger in their community, and they’ve decided to make a positive change before the holidays start,” says Move For Hunger’s executive director, Adam Lowy. “Th is food drive will help bring the community together and provide for those in
need.”

This Strike Out Hunger Food Drive is organized by Move For Hunger, a non-profit organization that works with moving companies to collect unwanted, unopened food from those who are relocating and delivers it to local food banks across the country. Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that works with moving companies across the country to pick up unwanted, unopened food from those who are relocating and deliver it to local food banks across the country. To date, Move For Hunger is working with over 350 movers in 43 states and has collected nearly 700,000 pounds of food. For more information or to find out how you can help support Move For Hunger, visit www.MoveForHunger.org and make an online donation to help our
hunger relief efforts.

Noted by Liandy Gonzalez

The roads surrounding Market Street were all closed and barricaded, for the 23rd annual Dominican Day Parade. Thousands of city residents, as well as nonresidents from all over, migrated to downtown Paterson, NJ to take part in the annual celebration of Dominican culture in the United States.

Spanish music sounded from parade cars and fl oats; many standing atop fl oats danced while waving the Dominican Republic flag. Some residents were sitting on their lawns watching everything unfold in front of their homes while most congregated along the market street parade route. Food vendors and local businesses took advantage by sponsoring the event. Many vendors had their own floats with massive banners hanging from them with their business names. Last year the parade’s organizers said the city was asking them for $100,000 to cover police protection and public works department clean-up costs. This may be a justifiable request; as each year there are numerous acts of violence, drunkenness and arrests that are made. This was the parade that almost was not because of the Mayor’s decision to cancel the many separate parades exhibited in Paterson. If not for the fighting hand of the President of the Dominican Parade Committee, Mrs. Elsa Mantilla who took on the mayor, Jeffery Jones and won.

Paterson is home to the third largest Dominican-American community in the United States, after New York City and Lawrence, Massachusetts. Paterson is listed as having the eighth highest percentage of residents listing themselves as being of Dominican American ancestry which is the highest population of any municipality in the United States and the third highest percentage in New Jersey. Once all the fl oats and cars had run their course at the end of Market Street by city hall, the party really began. Most patrons congregated. On a three block stretch from the intersection of Market Street & Memorial Drive, to Broadway and memorial. Food vendors lined the three blocks with food tucks, beverages and music. On the market street side, the music and crowd seemed to be for the older generation, and on the Broadway side the younger. Several artists performed on the two stages that were set up at each end of the respective roads. Partygoers consumed beverages, ate hearty, and danced until about 11:00pm, when the rain began to drizzle down and the crowd began to fizzle away.

Around Paterson, Dominican Republic flags could be seen everywhere; and children holding miniature flags on hands; all of which saying one thing: “We are Dominicans and we are proud of our culture, history, and heritage!”

By Andrew Thompson

Passaic - The African Parade in Passaic, NJ completed another year. It began at City Hall in Passaic and ended at Van Hounten Park with music and entertainment. The turn-out was low; possibly due to the weather and the fact that the city’s percentage of the Afro American population has vastly decreased.

Although it was an African American parade, participants of other ethnicities were involved. There were different groups of people, different races, people of different religions; it was excellent. What slowed down the planned activities was the weather. Sporadic down pours of rain happened throughout the event. The city vendors were prepared with tents that helped keep the crowd participation up. It was important to them that the event continued. Children playing, adults laughing as they shared their time with neighbors and friends and family. Later, a talent show was organized with singers, dancers, and local bands. The city councilman, Terrence Love was one of the organizers of the parade and park entertainment. “Every ethnicity that shares our great city has something unique to off er to the city and should be celebrated. We look forward to the summer celebrations of the various ethnicities”, said Mr. Love

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Woodland Park – Mayor Keith Kazmark is hoping to get his message across to his tax payers. “As I am sure you are likely aware, the bankruptcy of 1225 McBride Avenue – the new medical building and former Kearfott site – had a devastating effect on this year’s municipal budget. This property was delinquent over $425,000 at the time the budget was introduced and at present owes nearly $1 million in back taxes to the Borough. As such, there has been real concern on the part of my administration, as to how this would affect the 2013 budget if they continued to fail to pay their property taxes. With that in mind, we have been vigilant in monitoring the bankruptcy and have had our legal staff attend hearings on behalf of our taxpayers. On Monday, I was asked to attend a hearing in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Newark with our Borough Attorney.

I’m very pleased to report that the Judge heard our arguments and understood the impact this bankruptcy was having on Woodland Park taxpayers. The Judge granted the town an order which will allow us to put the property out to tax sale in October and collect the delinquent taxes! This is a rare type of court decision, but due to the outstanding amount relief was granted. This is a huge victory for our taxpayers and will go a long way in helping our 2013 budget!

Many of you have asked me how this will ultimately affect next year’s budget. I’ve asked our finance staff and municipal auditor to provide me with a budget forecast for 2013, based not only on the recuperated funds from 1225 McBride Avenue, but also based on FEMA reimbursements following last year’s flooding, our general revenues and where we stand year to date with the 2012 budget. Once all the numbers are in, we will have a better idea of what 2013 will bring.

Rest assured, my administration is committed to reducing the impact on our taxpayers and will work hard to prepare a spending plan that does just that.” Communication with your base is always wise for any politicians that plan to seek re-election. Wood lawn Park city officials have become more visible in the media because they too understand the power of media.

Shirley Robertson was age 76, was born in Bishopville, SC. She resided in Paterson, NJ most of her life. She was a member/worker at The Second Baptist Church, Paterson, NJ. Mrs. Robertson departed this life on Friday, July13, 2012. She was employed by The Paterson Task Force since 1968. Up until her death by cancer, Mrs. Shirley maintained her 48 years of employment. During her 48 years of community service, Mrs. Roberson endured the loss of 4 sons, yet she managed to keep a positive attitude about life and continued to provide services to all she could help. She was the mother of 10 children. She is survived by 4 daughters and 2 sons.

Mrs. Robertson was a great supporter of the Passaic County Pulse. She cared about her community as could be seen through her participation in political campaigns and city community organizations that answered the call to serve those who were less fortunate. She shall be greatly missed. “They’ll be cool sounds coming down on the “Night Shift” just for you Mrs. Robertson.

“This is some of what makes me tick. Those of us who roll with the punches, who grin, who dare to wear foolish clown faces, who defy the system–well, we do it, and bully for us. Of course, there are those who do not, and the reason I think is that (and I say this with some sadness) those uptight, locked-in people who resent and despise us, who fear us and are bewildered by us, will one day come to realize that we possess rare and magical secrets. And more–love. Definitely words I have lived by all of my life

I was well into adulthood before I realized that I was an American.

Of course, I had been born in America and had lived here all of my life, but somehow it never occurred to me that just being a citizen of the United States meant I was an American.

On Aug. 26, 2012 at the Paterson Museum, a Mustard Seed Communities organized a Meet & Greet to present their amazing progress in building an local organization that could reach across country borders. Mustard Seed is an international non-profi t organization that provides a home for abandoned children with physical and mental disabilities. There are 14 homes throughout four countries; Jamaica, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, and the Dominican Republic.

This local chapter began Mustard Seed Children/DR in 2009 with 30 members from various towns in Southern and Northern New Jersey. “The first function with 40 people produced $1,200.00; the year aft er $7,000.00 with a new re-committed group of members. Also in the second year, they raised $20,000.00 in goods and services. We are currently at $62,000.00 in funds and charitable donations” said Director, CyYannarelli. Their biggest goal for the year is to raise enough money to build 4 cottages for the orphanage: a separate kitchen, bedding, recreation and administrative office. As of now, everything is in one cottage. The organizations are hoping for collaboration from other organizations to achieve their goal.

In an interview with Mr. Alex Cruz, President of the Paterson Police Benevolent Association, the Pulse was introduced to the local law enforcement at its best.

Alex Cruz began with the Paterson Police at a young age. He worked 18 years as a patrol officer for Unit #15 under the Community Policing Safe Haven Program quotation marks. These were known as the front line officers. Just about all of the years were done in the 4th Ward. We interacted daily, walking and riding through the community. Those years of experience has educated me to do the job that I now do; to address the needs of the officers who serve this city with dedication and honor. Their needs are really small, but they matter a lot.