Hoboken suspends, fines two taxi drivers

A week after reminding residents that they can report suspected violations of city taxi and limo policies, the city suspended and fined two taxi drivers as a direct result of rider complaints. A widely violated rule requires that there be only one $5 fare per taxi. With the permission of the first fare, a second fare may join, but no more than two fares total are permitted.

On Thursday July 1, the Division of Taxi and Limousines received an email with a complaint from a Hoboken resident. After the resident entered the taxi, the driver waited for additional fares instead of departing or asking if an additional fare could join, according to a city spokesman. The rider asked to exercise her right to a single fare, and the driver replied that he would drop her off first if she would wait a few more minutes for another fare to join.

On Monday, July 5, a complaint was emailed to taxi@hobokennj.org to report that a taxi driver refused to take a passenger to Port Imperial. After informing the driver that he would report the incident, the driver kicked the rider out of the cab and swore at the passenger.

Both drivers will be suspended and issued fines. Drivers who are suspended three times will have their licenses revoked as part of Hoboken’s “three strikes and you’re out” policy.

Residents who believe there is a violation are urged to immediately contact Jennifer Boehm at the Division of Taxi & Limousine Licensing by calling (201) 216-1090 or emailing taxi@hobokennj.org and providing the time of the incident, the taxi number, and a description of what happened.

Hoboken Library plans ‘tween’ film review, book groups

The Hoboken Public Library is looking for kids ages 6 to 10 to join a Film Review Jury starting in September. The program will be led by Lois Gross, senior children’s librarian, who is an adult juror for the KidsFirst! Website. KidsFirst! publishes reviews of new films and TV programs on DVD based on the opinions of young jurors.

Films are previewed for appropriateness by the adult juror. The program will meet once a month at the library at 500 Park Ave. in Hoboken. Children should be able to express their opinions on the films that they see, and need to be committed to attending the program.

Another program in the planning stages for the same age group is a book group that would include book discussions, readers’ theatre, and work with tweens on the art of storytelling.

Parents interested in either group for their children should call Lois Gross at the Hoboken Library, (201) 420-2348.

Hudson County Chamber sponsors first-ever IZOD Liberty CEO Cup

The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Bayonne Golf Club, announced last week the 2010 IZOD Liberty CEO Cup, a golf competition between senior business teams from the local community. The event will be held on Monday July 12 at the prestigious Bayonne Golf Club overlooking New York Harbor.

The 2010 IZOD Liberty CEO Cup competition is a one-day tournament designed to test the competitive spirit of the most senior business leaders in the local community. Each team will contest for the prize and honor of winning the Liberty CEO Cup. eGolfScore will provide the real-time wireless event and leaderboard scoring coverage.

Currently IZOD, The Provident Bank, LibertyHealth, Virtua, Liberty National Golf Club, Overlook Hospital, and Christ Hospital have entered teams in the competition.

The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce has served the Hudson County business community since 1888. The chamber sponsors numerous events designed to encourage business activity in the community and to support the commercial interests of its members.

Call (908) 403-0464 or (201) 386-0699 ext. 27 to purchase golf and dinner tickets.

BCB Bancorp acquires Pamrapo Bancorp

BCB Bancorp, Inc. completed its previously announced acquisition of Pamrapo Bancorp, Inc. on July 6, finalizing the merger of two Bayonne banks, the company announced in a press release.

“With the combination of BCB Bancorp and Pamrapo Bancorp, we are the largest Bayonne-based community bank,” said Donald Mindiak, president and chief executive officer of BCB Bancorp. “We believe that the combined bank will be able to provide superior customer service and products to our customers.”

BCB Community Bank presently operates four offices, three in Bayonne and one in Hoboken.

Mark D. Hogan, chairman of the board of BCB Bancorp, commented on the completion of the merger: “We are pleased to welcome Pamrapo Bancorp’s customers and shareholders into the BCB Bancorp family. We look forward to continuing to provide excellent banking services to the Bayonne community.”

In accordance with the merger agreement, BCB Bancorp’s and the BCB Community Bank’s boards of directors appointed Robert A. Hughes and Kenneth D. Walter as directors. In addition, Walter joined BCB Bancorp’s management team as chief financial officer.