Newark Beat
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Newark/World Beat
We've all forgotten things in cars, but what about a $4 million violin?
After begging to borrow a prized violin for 18 months, Philippe Quint promptly forgot the instrument in a Newark cab. Quint, 34, is a Grammy-nominated violinist who said in a statement that he was "incredibly grateful" to have the violin back.
The cab driver, Mohamed Khalil, didn't realize the instrument was on the seat of his minivan cab until another driver asked him if anything had been left in his cab.
Khalil was honored by Newark Mayor Cory Booker in a ceremony and bestowed with the city's highest honor. Booker said, "Many times the cities are seen as places where people are selfish, rude and take advantage of any vulnerabilities. This is a moment when a cab driver in our city saw something awry and did not take advantage and did the right thing."
Isn't it ironic? Sixteen employees at NewarkWorks, a job center that helps Newark citizens, are now out of a job.
The layoffs are expected to save $1.5 million. Richard Brutton, director of Newark's Workforce Investment Board, said, "The main reason we made some tough decisions is based on federal cuts. There has been a 22 percent reduction in federal aid since 2005."
Despite the recent firings, the center is hiring two new workers, a chief financial officer and a one-stop administrator.
The Prudential Center's entrance plaza will not be completed any time soon.
The new entrance will most likely exceed its $6.5 million budget. The Newark Housing Authority is struggling to attain the final three land pieces surrounding the arena.
Bill Crawley, the chief operating officer for the Newark Downtown Core Redevelopment Corp, said, "What has been more expensive than we anticipated is property acquisitions."
Jeff Vanderbeek, the owner of the Devils, said, "We've been led to believe that everything will be done by May." The project is set to be completed by the fall.
Newark's annual Portuguese Festival is back on.
After begging to borrow a prized violin for 18 months, Philippe Quint promptly forgot the instrument in a Newark cab. Quint, 34, is a Grammy-nominated violinist who said in a statement that he was "incredibly grateful" to have the violin back.
The cab driver, Mohamed Khalil, didn't realize the instrument was on the seat of his minivan cab until another driver asked him if anything had been left in his cab.
Khalil was honored by Newark Mayor Cory Booker in a ceremony and bestowed with the city's highest honor. Booker said, "Many times the cities are seen as places where people are selfish, rude and take advantage of any vulnerabilities. This is a moment when a cab driver in our city saw something awry and did not take advantage and did the right thing."
Isn't it ironic? Sixteen employees at NewarkWorks, a job center that helps Newark citizens, are now out of a job.
The layoffs are expected to save $1.5 million. Richard Brutton, director of Newark's Workforce Investment Board, said, "The main reason we made some tough decisions is based on federal cuts. There has been a 22 percent reduction in federal aid since 2005."
Despite the recent firings, the center is hiring two new workers, a chief financial officer and a one-stop administrator.
The Prudential Center's entrance plaza will not be completed any time soon.
The new entrance will most likely exceed its $6.5 million budget. The Newark Housing Authority is struggling to attain the final three land pieces surrounding the arena.
Bill Crawley, the chief operating officer for the Newark Downtown Core Redevelopment Corp, said, "What has been more expensive than we anticipated is property acquisitions."
Jeff Vanderbeek, the owner of the Devils, said, "We've been led to believe that everything will be done by May." The project is set to be completed by the fall.
Newark's annual Portuguese Festival is back on.
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