At the county’s annual Latino Heritage Celebration on Sept. 28 in Newark are, from left, honoree Ramon Rivera of West Orange, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and honoree Sue Ortiz-Hands of Belleville.
NEWARK, NJ — At the county’s annual Latino Heritage Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 28, in the Hall of Records in Newark, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. presented the county’s 2017 Estrella del Condado de Essex, or Stars of Essex County, Awards to Sue Ortiz-Hands, director of the Essex County Division of Community Health Services, and Ramon Rivera, partner at Scarinci Hollenbeck law firm, for their commitment to improving the lives of all residents, their leadership and dedication to public service.
With an array of colorful flags representing 22 Latino countries as the backdrop, DiVincenzo led a spirited celebration to pay homage to the rich culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to the Spanish-speaking nations of Europe, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
“We are honored to recognize Sue Ortiz-Hands and Ramon Rivera,” DiVincenzo said at the event. “Our cultural celebrations give us the opportunity to highlight the achievements of individuals from many different backgrounds, and learn about their heritage as well.”
“Sue Ortiz-Hands and Ramon Rivera are both well-deserving of this honor,” former Assembly speaker Sheila Oliver said at the event. “Sue Ortiz-Hands is an unsung hero in the county and Ramon Rivera is following in his father’s footsteps, upholding his legacy and I know he is looking down on him and very proud.”
Ortiz-Hands, a resident of Belleville, currently serves as the director of the Essex County Division of Community Health Services; for the past 33 years, she has worked in various county departments. In addition to her work, she serves as the county’s liaison to the township of West Caldwell and as a member of the Essex County Prevention Coalition Team for Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
“I am truly honored and humbled to accept this award and join the other past honorees who I look up to,” Ortiz-Hands said. “I have been really fortunate to work for the county all these years, beginning through the work-study program in the Essex County Vocational School District.”
Rivera, a resident of West Orange, focuses much of his law practice on labor and employment matters in both the public and private sectors on behalf of management; mainly on resolution of employment disputes, collective bargaining, employee grievances, EEOC complaints and other workplace issues. He has represented numerous municipalities and public entities both as general counsel and special counsel in various areas of the law and represents several municipalities as labor counsel. Ramon also represents numerous boards of education as board counsel and in labor matters, tenure hearings, collective bargaining negotiations and related matters.
“I am truly humbled by this recognition. Thank you to my wife and children for all of their support and my parents for supporting me and being great examples and role models in my life,” Rivera said. “On this day, I also encourage everyone to come together and support the efforts to help Puerto Rico and the other areas that have been affected by natural disasters.”
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