UC Mayor and State Senator appointed to Red Tape Review Commission
Mayor and State Sen. Brian Stack was appointed by Gov. Christopher Christie on Wednesday to join a team of nine members for the newly-created Red Tape Review Commission, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
The commission, created by the Christie administration, is meant to help cut through the “red tape” involved with business activity in the state. It will review administrative rules and regulations and make recommendations to the governor in an effort to make job creation, economic growth, and investment less complicated for businesses.
“For far too long, New Jersey residents have been faced with layers of burdensome rules and regulations that make it difficult and expensive for New Jersey’s businesses to succeed,” said Christie. “Regulatory reform is essential for New Jersey to compete in the global economy.”
The commission will be chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and, in addition to Stack, will also include: Sen. Steven Oroho (R-Sussex); Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester); Assemblyman Scott Rumana (R-Passaic); Somerset Mayor Brian D. Levine; Edward B. Deutsch of Bernardsville, an attorney and managing partner of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter; John Galandak of Sandyston, president of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; and former Elizabeth councilman Tony Monteiro.
These direct appointments by the governor do not require Senate confirmation. More detailed profiles of the appointees are available on the state website.
Port Authority issues media advisory for weekend traffic changes
On Thursday, the Port Authority announced lane closings and service changes that will occur this weekend to accommodate construction and a training exercise. The Port Authority asks that travelers consider these changes when making travel and weekend plans.
From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Oct. 24, the Lincoln Tunnel will hold a training exercise in and around the New Jersey Toll Plaza. The tunnel will be open to normal traffic using the center and north tubes, and the south tube will be closed from 1 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the exercise. Detour signs will alert travelers for additional lane closures along JFK Boulevard and near the Toll Plaza.
Overnight construction will also be performed on the George Washington Bridge this weekend on the lower level and ramps. The upper level will be open in both directions.
On Oct. 23, the westbound lower level will be closed from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m.
The eastbound lower level will be closed overnight from 10 p.m. Oct. 22 to 10 a.m. Oct. 23, and again from 10 p.m. Oct. 23 to 10 a.m. Oct. 24.
During the construction, the ramp leading to Amsterdam Avenue and the Harlem River Drive South from both the upper level and lower level eastbound will be closed. Detour signs will be in place directing drivers to access Harlem River Drive South from the 178th Street exit, I-87 South and Jerome Avenue, during this time.
There will also be changes to services on the Long Island Railroad on Oct. 23 and 24 and Nov. 6 and 7. All weekend MTA/LIRR riders should consult special weekend schedules for more information before traveling. For more information, please visit: http://www.mta.info/lirr.
Learn tasty, healthy recipes for Thanksgiving
On Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. the community is invited to participate in the cooking class “Delicious and Healthy: Cooking with Ana Maria” being offered by the Union City Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church. The class will teach participants how to make dishes that are healthy but still tasty for Thanksgiving. Registration will be held on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. at 1908 Kerrigan Ave. in Union City. The cost for the class is $5. For more information, call (973) 955-0778 or e-mail vidasanayactiva@hotmail.com.
Bonus nature walk offered by NJMC and BCAS
A bonus free two-hour walk through Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus will be held by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society on Oct. 24 to see raptors, waterfowl, and ancient cedar stumps.
The group will meet at the trail’s entrance just off Park Plaza Drive at 10 a.m. Those interested in carpooling can meet at the visitors’ parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst at 9:45 a.m.
To RSVP, contact Don Torino at greatauk4@aol.com or (201) 636-4022. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates.
Jersey Cares saves room for dessert
Jersey Cares, a non-profit organization that matches busy North Jersey professionals with charities in the area that need a few hours of help per month, will hold an evening of sweets and success in service on Nov. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Chart House in Weehawken.
Guests 21 years of age and older are welcome to join for a dessert tasting that will feature an open bar, delicious hors d’ oeuvres, and an auction as some of the most notable people creating real change in the community are celebrated.
Tickets as well as auction, dessert participation, and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call (973) 424-1091.
PMC to host two seminars on women’s health
A free breast cancer education seminar will be held at Palisades Medical Center, 7600 River Rd. in North Bergen, on Oct. 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Medical professionals will be on hand to answer questions in a relaxed setting.
Registration will begin at 6 p.m., and free transportation will be available from 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue beginning at 4:30 p.m.
And on Nov. 2 from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m., a free health seminar on female incontinence and pelvic floor disorders will be held at the same location.
These conditions affect millions of women, cause discomfort and embarrassment, and it is estimated that more than 50 percent of women between the ages of 42-50 suffer from some degree of these problems.
This seminar will explain more about these conditions as well as the treatments available, including non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical interventions.
Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m., and free transportation will be available from 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Free parking will also available, and refreshments will be served at both events.
For more information on either of these events, contact Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.