Katrina victims .. The Paramus Finale
Tuesday, April 04 2006, 03:24 PM EDT
Contributed by: Mel Fabrikant
Click to view video
Many of you have been following our coverage of Hugo, Carla, Hugo, Jr., Oscar & Alfredo Gonzales. www.ParamusPost.com thought it would be nice to see how our town has helped these fine people and what they have done with their new home. With this in mind, we called Rotarian Marty Diamond, Councilwoman Wagner and Mayor Tedesco to accompany our tour. They responded promptly and positively.
We came across the family outside on a beautiful Saturday morning. Hugo was working a garden bed while Carla trimmed around the outside raking up some of the leaves that had accumulated over the winter. She shyly asked me if I spoke Spanish and I replied “Un poco .. muy poquitoâ€. To my rescue came Oscar who helped translate and gap the barrier. Both Hugo, Jr. and Oscar are now pupils in the Paramus School system.
After walking around the outside of the well cared for property, we were invited inside to see what had been done there. Marty had put in a lot of personal time, not only doing physical work, but getting fellow Rotarians and the town involved. If you check the back pictures in our gallery you will see him painting and doing installation work. He managed to contact local businesses with the help of the Mayor and Dr. Janice Dime, Superintendent of Schools, for donations of furniture and carpeting.
Katrina Victims - The Paramus Finale
The inside of the house represents a warm and friendly family. It shows that they live in their house and are appreciative of Hugo Jr.’s and Oscar’s needs. There is room for the boys to study away from the family gathering. The second floor is devoted to them for that purpose. Councilwoman Connie Wagner, a school guidance counselor, was impressed. Quite a far cry from having been displaced by Hurricane Katrina and living in their minivan until they could get settled.
Marty used his own vehicle to transport furniture from the Gonzales’ small Paterson apartment to their new Farview Avenue home. In constant touch with this wonderful family, Marty Diamond is already looking into the future when the town has to take back the house. It was donated to the Gonzales family for their use until Paramus starts construction on an expanded Community Senior Center. As one can see, with the progress they have made here, they would make excellent tenants if they have to move.
Their father works for the Board of Education and Carla is looking forward to employment at Care Plus headed by another Rotarian, Joe Masciandaro. Their shifts will complement one another so that one of them can be home at all times.
Paramus has become their adoptive home; they have become adopted by Paramus. Thank you Marty for having such a caring personality.
Comments (0)
Greater Paramus News and Lifestyle Magazine
http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20060404152454152
