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Voters reject NB, Gutt school budgets
North Bergen and Guttenberg residents rejected their districts’ respective budgets on Tuesday. In North Bergen, 3,918 voters voted against the North Bergen Board of Education’s $111.1 million 2010-2011 fiscal budget, which will collect $39.9 million in taxes to fund it, a 3.9 percent increase. Fewer than 800 people voted in favor of it.
Since the budget was rejected, it will be sent to the township’s Board of Commissioners, who with look for further recommendations, which normally mean more cuts. The district was already expecting around 30 layoffs due to state aid cuts instituted by Gov. Christopher Christie
Incumbents Charlotte DiGennaro, Miguel Hector and Edward LaTour all won reelection with 4,913, 4,707 and 4,706 votes respectively. Challengers Herbert Shaw, William Koehler and Cesar Vega received a few hundred votes each.
In Guttenberg, the Board of Education’s $13 million 2010-2011 fiscal budget was rejected by only 50 votes. However, only 310 residents came out to vote.
The budget’s tax levy increased by 7.5 percent to $9.4 million.
Now the budget will go back to the Guttenberg Council for their final decision. The single-school district was already expecting around 25 layoffs and discontinuing their athletic program.
Incumbents President Sari Zuckerman, Elsa Schwarz and Margarita Batista and running for newcomer Elaine Silverstone all won their unopposed seats.
Christie had asked voters to reject budgets that did not include pay wage freezes for teachers.
Donors needed for blood drive
On Saturday, May 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. a North Bergen community blood drive will be held in conjunction with the Community Blood Services at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store, located at 7801 Tonnelle Avenue.
According to Community Blood Services, every 2.5 seconds there is someone in need of blood.
All blood types are needed, especially Types 0- and 0+.
Those who wish to donate should be healthy, from the ages of 17 to 75, and weigh at least 110 pounds.
All donors should eat a moderate meal and bring identification showing their signature. They will receive a complimentary cholesterol and glucose screening with their donation.
To schedule an appointment, call (201) 251-3703.
Hospital to host free neck and shoulder pain seminar
A free health seminar for those who suffer from neck and shoulder pain is set for May 19 at the Palisades Medical Center.
The free event will recommend non-operative treatment and there will be information in both English and Spanish.
Free transportation will be available from 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will also be free parking at PMC, located at 7600 River Road.
Featured speaker Dr. Daniel Mendez will talk about conservative treatments, including exercises, mobilizations and education in posture that can help reduce and prevent pain.
The seminar will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, call Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.