Autopsy on Bayonne baby inconclusive
An autopsy of a 20-month-old Bayonne boy who died from apparent injuries to his head last week was inconclusive, officials said.
As a result, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is continuing to investigate the situation.
Bayonne Medical Center’s Emergency Room received the baby on May 9, after Bayonne Fire Department First Responders could not revive the child. This prompted an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit.
Newark’s Regional Medical Examiner performed the autopsy last week, seeking to find the cause of death.
Bayonne to participate in Sustainable Jersey Program
Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that the City of Bayonne is joining Sustainable Jersey – a statewide certification program for municipalities that want to improve the environment, control costs, save money, and sustain quality of life.
Smith said, “The City of Bayonne looks forward to implementing the progressive ideas from Sustainable Jersey. During the coming months, my Administration will take steps that will put Bayonne on course for certification as a Sustainable Jersey community. Municipalities in the program are eligible for grants and technical assistance, and Bayonne is eager to qualify for funding to help our taxpayers.”
According to the Sustainable Jersey Web site, 334 of the state’s 566 municipalities have registered for the program. Of them, 74 have become certified Sustainable Jersey communities.
Sustainable Jersey defines “sustainability” in terms of “the three Ps” – prosperity, planet, and people. “Prosperity” requires supporting the local economy and using community resources. “Planet” involves practicing responsible environmental management and conservation. “People” means embracing equity and fairness.
The first administrative step required for the Sustainable Jersey program is the appointment of a “Green Team” to spearhead the effort. Mayor Smith announced that the members of the team will be Business Administrator Steve Gallo, Chief Financial Officer Terrence Malloy, Municipal Services Director Joseph Waks, Public Works Director Gary Chmielewski, City Planner John Fussa, and City Council President Terry Ruane.
Participating municipalities in Sustainable Jersey need to select two action options from a list provided by the program. After selecting these options, a municipality must take several steps in an action plan in order to receive the points required to become a certified Sustainable Jersey municipality. Certified communities must take steps in the following categories: improving energy efficiency; upgrading health and wellness; supporting smart land use and transportation; reducing waste; sustaining the local economy; protecting natural resources; and addressing diversity and equity. Action is also required to deal with greenhouse gases, green design, food, operations and maintenance, innovative demonstration projects, animals, and arts/culture/historic preservation.
Sustainable Jersey is an initiative of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future, the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Sustainable State Institute at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Rutgers Center for Green Building, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and a coalition of non-profit organizations, state agencies, and experts in the field.
The financial sponsors of Sustainable Jersey include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), the Church and Dwight Company, New Jersey Natural Gas, Covanta Energy, Nautilus Solar, Smart Energy Group, and Xerox.
For more information, visit the program’s Web site at www.sustainablejersey.com.
Chamber of Commerce holds general membership meeting
On Tuesday, May 24, the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce will be having a general membership meeting, which will be open to all past and present members of the chamber. The meeting will be hosted by newest business member LongHorn Steakhouse at the Bayonne Crossing Shopping Center, 907 Crossing Way on Route 440 in Bayonne. Registration will be held at 8:15 a.m., with the main program to begin at 8:30 a.m.
For further information on the event or on becoming a member, call (201) 436-4333 or email info@bayonnechamber.org.