Fish dying in local lake
Tom McCann, director of Hudson County Parks, said dead fish were observed in one of the lakes at Lincoln Park in Jersey City, a county park, on July 23. People use that lake to fish.
Freeholder Bill O’Dea also saw the dead fish floating in the lake on Sunday, July 26.
McCann asked Knollwood Environmental, a private company, to determine the cause.
Freeholder O’Dea asked that the Hudson County Regional Health Commission also investigate the matter.
According to a letter from Knollwood Environmental, certain species require a specific level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water. For example, trout require a very high DO.
When the level is too low, they go “belly up.” DO is higher during the day and will progressively decline from dusk till dawn, and this can be extreme when significant algae blooms are present.
They said that when they studied Lincoln Park, DO levels were extremely low in the pre-dawn hours and the fish were jumping as if they were gasping for air.
Gary Garetano, Assistant Director of Hudson Regional Health Commission, said that his office received a copy of the letter from Knollwood Environmental to Tom McCann and agrees with their determination.
“They indicate oxygen depletion caused by an algae bloom is the likely cause of the fish die-off and that toxic substances were unlikely, since only one species of fish was affected,” Garetano said. “I also agree with their suspicion that goose excrement contributed to the algae bloom. Algae blooms are usually associated with an excess of nitrogen or phosphorous from sources such as fertilizer, and human or animal wastes. The Jersey City State study that I referenced previously found that ‘goose poop’ contributed more nutrients than all other sources combined.”
So the algae, fed by the “goose poop,” are helping kill the fish.
Freeholder Bill O’Dea asked that the fish be tested just to make certain that there is no other cause, since people fish in both lakes in the park.
Menendez, Lautenberg announce $415K for Head Start
U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg announced last week $415,405 in federal funding for the Jersey City Child Development Centers, Inc., a local Head Start program.
The discretionary grant, awarded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will assist children of pre-school age and their parents with educational and health services, nutrition, and social and disabilities services.
“Parents want their children to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and early childhood development is a crucial part of that,” said Sen. Menendez. “These tough times have made it even clearer that investments in childhood development and education like this not only help our children thrive, but also help our nation prosper in the global economy.”
“Head Start is one of the great success stories in American education,” Sen. Lautenberg said. “This funding will help level the playing field in Jersey City and make sure that all kids, regardless of income, can develop the skills they need to succeed in elementary school and beyond.”
Jersey City Child Development Centers, Inc. (Project Head Start) is a federally funded program for pre-school children from low income families with 13 offices that serve hundreds of children in Jersey City.
JC young people winners in contest
The New Jersey Parents Foundation today announced the winners of the state-wide essay/art contest, “What My Parents Mean to Me.”
Youths age 2-18 were asked to express their views on the outstanding dedication and sacrifice of their parents or primary care-givers. Over 100 applicants from throughout the state of New Jersey were reviewed and among the winners were the following Jersey City students:
Group I (2-9 years): Second Place – Suhani Patel, Jersey City Academy I.
Group II (10-14 years): First place – Esmirna Hernandez, Jersey City Public School No. 27; second place – Shelby Rhabb, Jersey City Public School No. 38; third place – Tiffany Nunez, Jersey City Academy I.
Group III (15-18 years): First Place – Maria Melgar, Jersey City Liberty High School; second Place – Brizette Drysdale, Jersey City Liberty High School; third Place – Saquoyah Alveranga, Jersey City Liberty High School; fourth Place – Alexxis Roberts, Jersey City Liberty High School.
Hudson County organization receives grant funding
The North Jersey Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has awarded grant funding to Hudson County’s Hoboken Family Planning, Inc.
Hoboken Family Planning, Inc. will use the Komen grant to provide breast health education and outreach to approximately 3,000 women and mammography screenings for 250 women at no cost to patients who meet age, income, and other requirements.
Seventy-five percent of net funds raised by the local affiliate ($11.3 million since inception) stay within the service region for breast health education, screening, and treatment programs. The remaining 25 percent ($5.1 million since 1997) are directed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program.
Child advocate volunteers needed
Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children.
CASA works through community volunteers to insure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move then toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact fingers for judges and safeguard the interests of children while they are in the foster care system.
An information session regarding the program will be held on Aug. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City. Enter through the rear door since the front doors of the administration building are closed after 5 p.m.
Hudson County has over 750 children in foster care.
For more information call (201) 795-9855 or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.