School Board election, budget vote Tuesday
Voters are encouraged to come out Tuesday for the Board of Education election. Running for election this year are current Board President John “Jack” McStowe, seeking re-election, and Patricia Belenski, Joseph Lewis, Salvatore Manente, Francis O’Keefe, and Mary Ann Weiner. Voters can vote for up to three candidates. The three candidates to get the most number of votes will each serve three-year terms on the board, beginning May 1.
Voters can also approve or reject the board’s proposed budget of $32.18 million for the 2010-2011 school year, most of which – $31 million – would come from taxpayers if approved. The budget calls for a 2.5 percent tax increase.
Polls will be open from 1 to 9 p.m.
NJ Transit fares going up, but some good news
Last week NJ Transit’s board of directors approved fare increases and service cuts throughout the system. However, some increases that had been planned were scaled back.
Rail fares will go up by 25 percent, while bus and light rail fares will see a 10 percent increase.
The cuts and fare hikes are part of the transit agency’s plan to close a $300 million deficit. About 200 transit employees also will be terminated under the budget-cutting measure.
The changes, which will take effect on May 1, will generate about $140 million in revenue, according to a statement from NJ Transit.
Learn to Live
There will be an exciting – yet non-intimidating – yoga demonstration at the Secaucus Senior Center on Monday, April 19 at 9 a.m. Come and learn about the lifelong benefits of a regular yoga practice. Secaucus Senior Center, 101 Centre Ave., Secaucus. For more information, call (201) 865-4422. Light refreshments will be served.
Baskin-Robbins to help firefighters
Thirty-one Scoop Night returns to Baskin-Robbins on April 28. That day, from 5 to 10 p.m., residents can get 2.5 oz. scoops of regular ice cream (or 3 oz. of soft ice cream) for only 31 cents, plus tax.
As part of the annual event, the ice cream chain will donate $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The foundation recognizes firefights killed in the line of duty by honoring their memories and by helping their survivors cope with their loss. To learn more about the foundation and its work, visit www.firehero.org. There is a three-scoop limit per person.