July 4 fireworks information
For the second year in a row, Hudson County’s waterfront cities will be treated to a front-row seat when Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show returns to the Hudson River on Sunday, July 4, at 9:20 p.m.
But Weehawken and Hoboken’s mayors have expressed a concern about the large crowds they expect to fill their waterfronts that evening. Weehawken sent out a letter to residents last week apprising them of street closings, security measures, and various prohibitions.
In Weehawken, the town has addressed certain issues in a letter that was mailed out to residents:
• Public consumption of alcoholic beverages will not be permitted.
• No fireworks, including sparklers.
• Barbeques on balconies or terraces are not permitted.
• Use of rooftops for viewing of fireworks or any activity is prohibited and will be strictly enforced. Landlords and/or property owners are responsible for keeping rooftops clear of people.
• Boulevard East in Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen will be closed to traffic by 7 p.m. on July 4.
• Port Imperial Boulevard and River Road in Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen will be closed to all but emergency vehicles from Baldwin Avenue to the Bergen County border at approximately the same time as Boulevard East.
For other specifics, look for the letter or contact Weehawken Town Hall.
Volunteers sought to help abused and neglected children
Hudson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
Information sessions regarding the program and the role of its volunteers will be held on July 13 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Avenue in Jersey City.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mveenhof@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
Stack’s hospital bill approved by Senate
A bill introduced by NJ State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack earlier this month related to hospital disclosure – after his mother had problems with a hospital during her radiation treatment – was approved on Monday by the full Senate.
The legislation will require hospitals to hold quarterly public board meetings with time set aside for public participation.
“Hospitals, especially those receiving taxpayer funding, should be accountable to the community members they serve,” said Stack in a press release statement. “The board meetings required under this bill will ensure just that, giving residents more regular access to top hospital officials and providing them an opportunity to ask questions or voice concerns about care.”
Stack introduced the bill (S-2020) after discovering first-hand the difficulty of getting answers from a local hospital, that cancelled his mother’s radiation treatment for lung cancer the morning of her appointment.
After making several phone calls, the senator learned he was unable – in his individual capacity – to address board members at Hackensack University Medical Center to inquire about hospital policy. Stack said he believes countless others are experiencing similar problems at hospitals across the state.
“I’m particularly concerned about some of our most vulnerable residents who have nowhere to turn when they encounter roadblocks in their attempt to get information,” said Stack in the release. “Attending a public board meeting would be a last resort, but at the very least it would provide a method of recourse for people who are stonewalled.”
Current state law requires hospitals to hold just one public meeting a year. The bill would require all hospitals receiving state or federal funding to hold a quarterly public meeting of their boards of trustees. They would have to provide public notice of the meeting at least 14 days in advance by posting a written notice in a public location of the hospital and on the hospital’s Web site.
The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 36-3. It now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
Blood drives throughout Hudson County
July will be a big month for blood donations in Hudson County. New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, will co-host four blood drives throughout Hudson County.
On Thursday, July 22 at 3 p.m., New Jersey Blood Services will co-host a drive at 111 River St. in Hoboken along with John Wiley & Sons.
Eight days later on Friday, July 30 there will a blood drive at 9 a.m. at Jersey City’s Newport Tower, 525 Washington Blvd. That same day there will be another drive at 3 p.m. at Schuetzen Park, 3167 Kennedy Blvd., in North Bergen. Finally, on Saturday, July 31, New Jersey Blood Services will co-host a drive at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple at 200 Penhorn Ave. in Secaucus at 9 a.m.
Every two seconds someone needs blood in America and one out of every three people will need a lifesaving blood transfusion at some time in their lives. One single blood donation can help save the lives of three people.
To schedule an appointment to give blood at any one of the drives, call (800) 933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org. There is a particular need for donors with O-negative blood.