O’Donnell tapped to replace Chiappone in state Assembly
JERSEY CITY AND BAYONNE — Democratic committeepeople from the 31st District voted Monday night to unanimously to name Jason O’Donnell to replace Anthony Chiappone as state assemblyman. The 31st District includes all of Bayonne and a large portion of Jersey City.
Chiappone resigned on July 26 after pleading guilty to misreporting campaign money from his 2005 campaign.
Lisa Cerbone-Gallo from Bayonne nominated O’Donnell, seconded by Jersey City Freeholder Jeff Dublin, in a vote at Bayonne Public School No. 14 that lasted less than 10 minutes.
In a brief interview, O’Donnell said he would seek to get up to speed on the issues.
“I have a lot of reading to do, beside what I’ve already read in the newspapers,” he said.
O’Donnell was sworn in minutes after the vote. He is expected to run to keep the seat in a special election in November.
Hoboken and Weehawken to share site near border for garage storage
HOBOKEN AND WEEHAWKEN — The city of Hoboken, which needs to move its municipal garage on Observer Highway by mid-August, entered an agreement this week with the city of Weehawken to use a site at 17th Street and Willow Avenue, near the border of both towns, for both towns to store equipment.
According to a press release: “The day after Hoboken’s City Council voted to approve the closure of Clinton Street between 15th and 16th Streets for the storage of municipal vehicles, an opportunity arose that appeared to meet the needs of both municipalities. In the past, the same location had been discussed as a potential joint use location by the administrations of Weehawken and Hoboken. Mayor [Dawn] Zimmer and Mayor [Richard] Turner immediately began negotiations to move forward together to share services between the two municipalities. The agreement is for joint use and equitable sharing of storage space at 1714-16 Willow Ave. Freeholder Anthony L. Romano assisted in helping to identify the site as a potential location.”
On Friday, July 23, the City of Hoboken entered into an agreement with Willow Avenue Enterprises, LLC for vehicle and parts storage services at the proposed joint services site, which is within Hoboken city limits on the north end of the Willow Avenue bridge. As a result of this agreement, Clinton Street will not have to be closed to vehicular traffic at this time.
“The initial period of the agreement is for 60 days but can be extended by both municipalities for two additional 180-day periods,” said a press release. “The cost is $15,000 per month. Hoboken and Weehawken will use this period to determine whether extending this arrangement for a longer term is in the interests of both municipalities.”
“The location includes both an interior garage and parts storage space and an exterior parking area for both municipality’s vehicles and salt storage. No garbage will be stored at the facility. Vehicular traffic will be routed in such a way as to avoid residential neighborhoods.”
For more on this agreement, see this weekend’s Hoboken Reporter newspaper.
One arrest in Alleged bias attack on Asian man in Hoboken
HOBOKEN — At 2:39 a.m. Sunday morning in Hoboken, police aided a man who was apparently knocked unconscious near First and Newark streets in Hoboken. The man and two of his friends were visiting the area from Florida.
The man’s two friends told police that they were minding their own business when a Toyota pulled up with four men inside, at least one of whom allegedly yelled anti-Asian slurs at the victim, who is Vietnamese, according to the police report. According to witnesses, one of the men in the car got out, allegedly struck the victim, got back in, and sped away.
The victim was found bleeding from his head. He woke up and said to police that “first thing I know, we were having a good time and the next thing I know my friends were standing over me trying to wake me up….. I remember nothing,” according to the report.
The victim was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he received stitches.
The victim’s friends got the license plate number, which came back to a vehicle in Bayonne owned by a woman.
Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Charles Lee of Bayonne. According to the police report, “Once at Headquarters, Mr. Lee said that he was sorry for [allegedly] punching the victim and didn’t mean for him to get hurt.”
Lee, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and bias intimidation.
Bomb sniffing dogs at NBA building in Secaucus
SECAUCUS — Bomb-sniffing dogs from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the NBA building, located at 450 Harmon Meadow Blvd. in Secaucus, Monday morning. As of 10:30 a.m. no bombs had been detected, but the local police and fire departments closed all roads leading to the building.
The fire department activated its OEM command, according to Fire Chief Michael Gonnelli. Gonnelli, who is also the town’s mayor, said he believes local authorities were tipped off by a phone call.
By the end of the day, no bomb had been found.
Judge orders ‘Cake Boss’ TV show to change name
HOBOKEN — The 16-month-old reality TV show “Cake Boss,” which follows baker Buddy Valastro and his staff at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, may have to change its name. The Hollywood Reporter reported last week that a federal judge has ordered TLC to stop using that title, because a company called Masters Software has been selling a program of the same name since 2007 to help professional bakers with business management.
On the hudsonreporter.com website, readers have suggested new names, and one asked if it would be okay to call the show “Cake Boss…Hoboken.” Got a suggestion? Go to www.hudsonreporter.com!