Correction
In an article published in the Aug. 10 edition of the Bayonne Community News under the subhead “Council awards a $500K contract to politically connected firm,” the story misidentified the president of In-Line Air-Conditioning as the campaign treasurer for Councilman Ray Greaves. Matt Dorans is the volunteer treasurer for the Ray Greaves Civic Association, a not-for-profit organization. The treasurer to Greaves campaign was Robert Breining, a CPA based in Hawthorne, N.J.
The error was the result of a misunderstanding when contacting Greaves’ associate to determine why Greaves abstained on the vote. Greaves was advised that Dorans’ role as volunteer treasurer could be construed as a conflict of interest for Greaves. This source, when contacted, later said the abstention was not based on any political connection to Greaves or the administration.
In a communication to the Bayonne Community News this week, Dorans said that his connection to the civic association is a personal obligation and an opportunity to give something back to the community.
“It is very personal in nature and is in no way indicative of the political views of my partners, my company, or my employees,” he said, noting also that his company bids on many public jobs in Bayonne and throughout the state.
City attorney Charles D’Amico said – as indicated in the article – the contract was selected as the lowest responsible bidder as required by state law.
The Bayonne Community News apologizes for the mistake in naming him as Greaves’ campaign treasurer when Dorans was not.
Missing ‘Mr. Turtle’ found unharmed
A dry land tortoise native to Africa has been found after it went missing from the Dennis Collins Park on Aug. 6.
Bayonne Business Administrator Steve Gallo said the city began searching for the 20-year-old tortoise local kids call “Mr. Turtle” after the Hudson Reporter Web site reported it being missing.
Owned for the last 10 years by Tom Cotter, who coaches for the Bayonne Little League, the 20-year-old tortoise had become a familiar face, often feeding in the high grass near one of the baseball fields at the foot of the Bayonne Bridge.
Gallo said the tortoise was on Port Authority property when employees were touring the property.
“They didn’t know how a tortoise native to Africa wound up there,” Gallo said. “So they called the Department of Environmental Protection Agency.”
According to Port Authority staff, the African Spurred Tortoise (Sulcatta Tortoise) was found sitting beneath the Bayonne Bridge. The tortoise was first identified by P.A. employees Tom Albach and Robert MacCutcheon on Aug. 7, and was estimated to be between one and one-half to two feet in length. After a few phone calls to environmental officials to identify the type of tortoise and assess its general health, the tortoise was gently removed and transported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection offices to find a permanent home in an area zoo until the city intervened. Tortoises generally have life spans comparable with those of human beings, and some are known to have lived longer than 150 years.
Gallo said Mr. Turtle will be returned to Cotter shortly so the tortoise can continue his role as unofficial mascot for the local teams.
Bayonne MUA to commence hydrant flushing program
Starting on Monday evening, August 15, at 10 p.m. and continuing for several weeks, the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority will be conducting a general flushing of the water distribution mains in Bayonne. The flushing program improves water quality and helps remove minerals and deposits that have settled in the pipes throughout the system.
Flushing will begin at 10 p.m. each night and last until 2 a.m. The program will begin uptown and work its way down to First Street. Residents may notice low water pressure during these times, and there may be some discoloration of the water supply between the hours of 10 and 6 p.m. Residents are asked to refrain from doing laundry after 10 p.m. while the program is going on and to observe the color and clarity of their water before use.
Flushing will take place from Monday through Thursday evenings. People may notice open fire hydrants with free flowing water in their neighborhoods. This is a normal part of the flushing program and there is no need to call the police department to report open hydrants. During the flushing program, all fire hydrants in the community will be tested and exercised to make sure they are in working order.
Residents with questions or comments about the program can call the authority at (201) 339-3200 during normal business hours.
Students act in film during summer acting program
Holly Lack, Octavia Banks, and Erica Verga worked very hard while filming “Practical Joke” over a two-week period in July for Neustein Entertainment’s Summer Film Acting Program. “Practical Joke” was shot entirely on location in Bayonne, and all interior shots took place at The Masonic Lodge on Avenue C and 40th Street. The finished film will be sent for viewing by various entertainment professionals and entered into film festivals. The film can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-sgJIyx15E.
“It is my intention to help my students through professional education and maximum exposure. That was the reason for this year’s Summer Program,” stated David Neustein, owner of Neustein Entertainment.
For more info, visit www.neusteinentertainment.com.
Concert held at Wallace Temple
On Thursday, Aug. 25, at 6:45 p.m., Wallace Temple A.M.E. Zion Church will present a concert featuring gifted spiritual soloist/vocalist Troy Smith of St. Andrew’s Music Ministry. The concert will also feature the choirs of Wallace, a solo by classical songstress Colette Jackson Bell, and other surprises.
“It will be a marvelous, spirit filled evening for all,” said Rev. Dorothy A. Patterson.
Advance tickets for the concert are available through a $10 donation for adults and $5 donation for children under 12 by calling (201) 339-2624.