Want to become mayor or a councilperson?
The deadline for filing to run for office in the upcoming May 11 mayor/council elections in Weehawken is Thursday, March 18. Weehawken Township Clerk Rola Dahboul said that as of Friday no one had filed yet, including the officials currently holding the seats that are up for election.
In Weehawken, the entire council slate is up for re-election, including two councilperson-at-large (one of whom will become mayor) seats, 1st Ward councilperson, 2nd Ward councilperson, and 3rd Ward councilperson. A person cannot run specifically for mayor, which is considered a part-time job in Weehawken, but can run for a council seat and be chosen by the council to be mayor.
Anyone interested in running for office must go to the clerk’s office their town to pick up petitions. For more information about running for public office in Weehawken, call the township clerk at (201) 319-6022.
NJ residents born in Puerto Rico need new birth certificate
Beginning July 1, New Jersey residents born in Puerto Rico will have to obtain a new certified copy of their birth certificate under a new law passed by the government of Puerto Rico. The law will invalidate all existing certified copies of birth certificates issued in Puerto Rico. As a result, individuals who do not obtain a new certified copy will be unable to apply for a Passport or other federal or state programs.
The new law was based on collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports, Social Security benefits, and other federal services.
Residents born in Puerto Rico need to contact the Office of Vital Statistics in Puerto Rico to obtain a new, certified copy of their birth certificate by calling (787) 767-9120 or visiting www.salud.gov.pr.
For additional information, individuals can also contact www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates for directions on how to obtain a copy of their certified birth certificate.
Correction
Maya Adasse’s name was incorrectly spelled in the Read Across America story in last week’s Weehawken Reporter as “Mya Adasse.”
Kids encouraged to come out and play for National Wildlife Week
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is encouraging kids to get outdoors and “take a walk on the wild side” for its “Be Out There” campaign during National Wildlife Week from March 15 through March 21.
According to the NWF, studies show that the modern child spends only four to seven minutes outside each day and more than six hours per day in front of electronics – leading to increases in health problems like obesity, depression and ADHD.
“Playing outside and exploring the world comes naturally to children,” says Dr. Jeremy Goodman, Director at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.
For more information about the National Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Week, please visit www.nwf.org/wildlifeweek.