Campaigning for the community
Mayor Richard Turner and the Weehawken Township Council kicked off their campaign for re-election on Thursday evening after filing to run at the city clerk’s office at 4 p.m. The election will be held May 11. They were the only ones to file, and thus will enjoy another four years.
In Weehawken’s form of government, five people run for council and choose a part-time mayor from among themselves. Turner’s slate held a rally Thursday night, attended by approximately 300 people, to thank residents for their contribution to their neighborhood and begin planning for the future.
“We look forward to leading the community for the next four years,” said Turner last week. “They’re going to be tough years; it’s a tough economy. But we pledge to work as a team to get through these tough economic times.”
Instead of campaigning for themselves, the mayor said he and the Town Council plan to spend the next month and a half talking with residents to find out their goals, problems, and objectives for making Weehawken a great place to live.
Weehawken hit with school, town budget cuts
The Weehawken School District stands to lose nearly $1 million dollars in state school aid due to Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed public school aid cuts, which were announced as part of an address he gave to the state Legislature regarding the 2010-2011 $28.3 billion state budget on Tuesday.
The township also stands to lose 17.5 percent of its state aid for its budget, going from approximately $2.86 million this year to $2.36 million next year.
The cuts could have a profound effect on Hudson County municipalities and schools who in the past have benefitted from the aid.
During his address, Christie also touted Proposition 2.5 – a constitutional amendment that would go to the voters in November to cap the growth of property taxes at no more than 2.5 percent per year starting next year.
“No longer will we reward cities and towns who irresponsibly spend,” Christie said.
Other cost-saving measures Christie proposed including reform of the state’s pension plan and new rules for arbitration and employee benefits for school districts.
Christie said he plans to stop excess taxation or “tax madness” in New Jersey and called for the end of tax rebates, which he called “gimmicks,” in 2011.
He boasted about having made $13 billion in cuts already during only the first eight weeks since he’s been in office.
Annual Easter Party this weekend
All Weehawken seniors are invited to attend the annual Easter Party to be held on Saturday, March 20 at the Weehawken Elks Lodge on 51th Street and Boulevard East. There will be fun, good food, music and prizes for original Easter bonnets in the traditional Easter parade. The party starts at noon. For information about transportation or to sign up, please call the Senior Center at (201) 319-6060.
CASA hosts wine tasting to support volunteer efforts
Hudson County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will host its fourth Annual Wine Tasting event sponsored by Wine Library of Springfield on March 26 at The Atrium in Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm.
The CASA Wine Tasting reception will feature more than 80 wines from all over the world, live jazz by the Alan Quinn Trio, a silent auction, and a premium chocolate tasting compliments of Cyndi O’Keefe.
Fidelity Investments will be the evening’s honoree for it generous support of children in foster care.
Hudson County CASA is part of a national network of organizations that trains and supervises volunteers who advocate on behalf of foster children, with the goal of finding each child a safe and permanent home. Currently, more than 9,000 children are in foster care statewide with more than 1,200 of them found in Hudson County.
Advance tickets may be purchased for $65, and will be for sale at the door for $75. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Hudson County CASA at (201) 795-9856 or www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
Free women’s health seminar scheduled at Palisades Medical Center
On March 25 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. a Women’s Health Seminar on Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Disorders will be held at Palisades Medical Center, 7600 River Road in North Bergen. Incontinence and pelvic floor disorders affect millions of women and more than 50 percent of women between the ages of 42-50 suffer from some degree of these problems.
Symptoms of stress urinary incontinence can include sometimes leaking urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercising.
Pressure-like discomfort or problems with bladder control may indicate pelvic organ prolapse. The seminar, led by Sam Hessami, MD, will explain more about these treatable conditions.
Admission and parking is free and free transportation will also be available from 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m. Food and refreshments will be provided. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.
Free grant writing seminar for firefighters
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, FEMA and the Middlesex County Fire Academy will host a free grant writing tutorial for New Jersey firefighters and first responders next week.
The event will teach firefighters and first responders how to apply for federal funding for protective equipment, such as specialized vehicles.
On March 25 the first session will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the second session will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
It will be held at the Middlesex Fire Academy, located at 100 fire Academy Dire, Sayreville, New Jersey.
For more information, call Kellie Drakeford at Senator Menendez’s Newark Office at (973) 645-3030.