Ramos and Connors win 33rd District Democratic Assembly primary; Bhalla defeated
Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos Jr. (D-33rd Dist., including Hoboken) and Jersey City Board of Education member Sean Connors, with the support of the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) cruised to victory over Hoboken Councilman and challenger Ravinder Bhalla on Tuesday night, sending the two Democratic candidates to the November general election. They will face off against Republican challengers Fernando Uribe and Christopher Garcia for two Assembly seats in Trenton.
Each state legislative district has two Assembly representatives and one state Senator.
In the 33rd District, which covers Hoboken, Weehawken, part of Jersey City, and Union City, the state Senate candidate – incumbent Brian Stack – was unopposed.
Ramos and a group of supporters celebrated at an uptown establishment on Tuesday night after the election.
“I ran on the record I’ve established as Assemblyman and we ran a very positive campaign,” Ramos said. “Our team worked very hard in Hoboken and throughout the district. Now, it’s time to keep working and improve the quality of life for residents of the 33rd District.”
Ramos was the lead vote-getter, with 13,564 votes. Right behind Ramos was his running mate, Connors, who received 13,438.
Bhalla, a councilman in Hoboken, received 2,781 votes. He was backed by Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who had been at odds with the HCDO over this election.
Bhalla’s supporters knew the Hoboken councilman and attorney was a longshot to win the primary, but Bhalla said his candidacy was about “finally giving people an honest choice” compared to the many unopposed races.
“This is not the end,” Bhalla said. “This is just the beginning.”
Stack ran unopposed for re-election to his state Senate seat and received 16,338 votes. There were also 41 personal choices, or write-ins, for that race.
Zimmer’s allies lose control of Hoboken Democratic Committee
Last week’s primary elections also brought out voters to the polls for the Hoboken Democratic Committee races in each of the city’s voting districts.
Before the race, Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s allies held a majority of the seats and had voted Councilman Ravi Bhalla as chair. But that is likely to change because Zimmer’s allies lost the majority of seats on Tuesday. Candidates backed by the county organization, the Hudson County Democratic Organization, won more seats.
The upcoming reorganization meeting this Monday, June 13. Rumors say that Jamie Cryan will be named as chairman at the meeting.
NFL receiver Kenny Britt arrested in Hoboken
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt, 22, originally from Bayonne, was arrested in Hoboken Tuesday evening and charged with obstructing the administration of law, resisting arrest, and tampering with or fabricating evidence. He was arrested at approximately 6 p.m. at a car wash in uptown Hoboken on Willow Avenue.
Police say that plainclothes members of the anti-vice squad were having their car washed, and when they went inside the pay station, they detected a “strong odor of raw marijuana.”
While attempting to find out where the scent came from, police say they saw Britt allegedly holding a brown, hand rolled cigar leaf, which police say is commonly used to roll marijuana.
Britt walked behind the police and the odor became stronger, according to police.
One of the detectives identified himself as Hoboken police and grabbed Britt’s left hand and ordered him to open it, according to police. Britt allegedly clenched his fist and attempted to pull away, according to police, and then allegedly ignored several commands to open his hand.
Police say Britt then allegedly began to crush the hand-rolled cigar in his hand while pulling away from detectives. Police eventually wrestled Britt to the ground, and handcuffed him.
Police never recovered any drugs, but the incident is being investigated with nearby surveillance cameras.
Uptown Farmers’ Market underway
Hoboken’s Uptown Farmers’ Market began on June 2, and will run through October.
The market is open on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Hudson Street near 13th Street.
The produce for sale comes from farms that are certified “Jersey Fresh,” which ensures the customer is getting the best of locally grown fruits and veggies, according to a release.
For more information, look for the Uptown Farmers’ Market on Facebook and Twitter.
Big prize in Sinatra Idol contest June 16
On Thursday, June 16, at 7 p.m., the city will celebrate Hoboken’s own Frank Sinatra in the annual “Sinatra Idol Contest.”
The event will be held, of course, at Sinatra Park on Sinatra Drive between Fourth and Fifth streets. Prizes are awarded to the best Sinatra style singers, and admission is free.
The first place winner of Hoboken’s Sinatra Idol Contest will automatically be cast in the 2011 Sinatra Birthday Bash at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Dec. 9, according to a release.
The Sinatra Birthday Bash is a musical celebration of the life and artistry of Frank Sinatra on his birthday weekend.
The 16 registered contestants this year come from all over North America, with some contestants from Hoboken, and even one from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Hoboken to host ‘Fit and Fun’ Day on June 18
On Saturday, June 18, the city of Hoboken will present the first annual “Fit and Fun Day” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sinatra Drive between 1st and 11th streets.
The event will feature the New Jersey Devils Street Team, who will provide a street hockey rink for children all day, a bike safety instructional class for children and adults, soccer demonstration classes for toddlers, as well as other promotions for healthy living.
The program is inspired by New York City’s “Summer Streets” program, where Park Avenue is closed down for a day of outdoor activities.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit http://www.hobokennj.org/fitandfun.