BLRA to discuss possible lawsuit with the U.S. Army
In a closed session scheduled for after the Jan. 20 meeting, members of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority will discuss pending litigation with the U.S. Army. The BLRA and the Army have been in dispute for several years over several financial transactions conducted by the BLRA, and whether these complied with the rules set by the Army allowing the City of Bayonne to take possession of the former Military Ocean Terminal. The BLRA has maintained it has fully complied with the terms of its 2001 agreement, but the Army has been seeking additional information.
The Jan. 20 meeting will also be a reorganization meeting starting at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on Avenue C, at which time members will appoint a chairman and vice chairman, as well as approve other services.
Parking meter, lot, and zone enforcement takes effect on Jan. 20
The Bayonne Parking Authority announced that it will resume enforcement of certain parking regulations again on Thursday, Jan. 20. On that date, motorists should resume paying for on-street parking meters and spaces in municipal parking lots. Parking Authority lots have pay stations that enable motorists to pay for particular numbered parking spaces.
On Thursday, the Parking Authority will also resume enforcement of residential permit parking zones. Enforcement officers will continue to honor permit stickers and hangtags from 2010 through the end of January. Permit holders are reminded to renew their permits this month.
The Parking Authority will not enforce alternate side of the street parking for street sweeping until further notice. Street sweeping will not take place until further notice, due to wintry conditions.
Veterans’ group not affiliated with Department of Veterans Affairs
Bayonne veterans have released a warning for people to be aware that a group, calling itself Veterans Affairs Services (VAS), is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in any way.
VAS is providing general information about veterans’ affairs, but is also collecting personal information about veterans it is contacting, according to Michael Daugherty, staff attorney for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Do not give them any information or pay them for any information about data on you or other veterans,” Daugherty said.
The firm apparently is using several internet sites.
“Also, be aware that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not randomly call veterans, nor does it ask veterans for information which it does not already have – like security numbers,” Daugherty said. “If you have not previously dealt with the VA – and in person – and all of a sudden you receive a call from someone saying they are with the VA or something similar sounding, hang up the phone. Also, do not respond to emails that suggest they are from the VA. The VA never conducts official business nor asks for personal information by email.”
VAS, he said, may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA and its seal.
“Our legal counsel has requested that we coordinate with the Department of Defense to inform military institutions, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by the VA.”
Royal Caribbean honored for reducing animal suffering
Royal Caribbean, which operates cruise operations out of Bayonne’s Port Liberty and other ports internationally, was honored for its work to improve the lives of farm animals by receiving the 2010 Humane Society of the United States’ Corporate Progress Award. The award recognizes companies that have made demonstrable progress in reducing animal suffering and advancing animal welfare in 2010.
“Royal Caribbean has helped pave the way for animal welfare improvements in the cruise industry,” stated Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS. “We applaud the company’s efforts to reduce animal suffering by moving toward cage-free eggs, and hope that others will follow its lead.”
In 2010, Royal Caribbean—the world’s second-largest cruise line—became the first cruise line to begin using cage-free eggs, prompting its top competitors to follow suit. Royal Caribbean switched 3.2 million eggs to cage-free immediately and committed to increasing its usage of cage-free eggs to 6.8 million within a year—sparing nearly 30,000 hens each year from being crammed inside tiny cages.
“Royal Caribbean was pleased to begin buying cage-free eggs in 2010,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO. “Our guests take their concern for animals with them when they travel, which is why we’re working to transition to only using cage-free eggs.”
Feral Cat Foundation holds pot luck dinner fundraiser
The Feral Cat Foundation will hold a St. Valentine’s Day Pot Luck dinner at the VFW Post 226, 16-18 W. Ninth Street, on Friday, Feb. 11, starting at 6:30 p.m. The $10 fee will help pay for spaying and neutering, vaccines, and micro-chipping feral cats in Bayonne. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call (201) 823-2363 or (201) 978-7443.