Senate approves $15M for Amtrak tunnel from Secaucus to NY
The U.S. Senate approved $15 million in design and engineering funds for a new Amtrak tunnel that will reduce commuter congestion with two new rail lines from Secaucus to New York, according to news reports. The $13.5 billion project would take close to 10 years to complete and must be approved by the House in order to move forward. The plan has received bipartisan support from Gov. Chris Christie and from Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez.
“It is a great thing for our residents and for this entire region,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli in response to the new tunnel. “It can entice more businesses to come here [and] it can be a boon for that entire development area.” But he felt left out of the discussion.
“On the other hand, someone should have given us a phone call – it is our town,” he said. “We need to be kept in the loop of what transpires in our community.”
Gonnelli said that Secaucus is responsible for providing fire and EMS to the area and anticipates the new rail will have an impact on traffic.
“There will be more people getting to that station [and] more buses going to that station. The bulk of impact will go to Secaucus. We should be consulted at least to see if in fact the roads need to be upgraded,” said Gonnelli.
Secaucus settles Exxxotica lawsuit
Exxxotica, an erotic trade show, settled a lawsuit with the town of Secaucus on Tuesday that originated from the abrupt cancelation of the show in 2008. At that time, the town suddenly filed suit to ban the convention based on a town ordinance from 1996 prohibiting the serving of alcohol at any venue where there is nudity or where “sex acts” are being performed. The show had been scheduled for the Meadowlands Exposition Center. Exxxotica sued the town in 2010. The company was never refunded the $32,500 from Hartz Mountain Development Corp., owners of the Expo Center, but in the settlement, they received an undisclosed amount from the town, according to published reports.
In its federal complaint, Exxxotica sought punitive damages for breach of contract, breach of good faith, interference with a contractual relationship, and negligent, fraudulent, and intentional misrepresentations.
By entering into settlement, Exxxotica and the Town of Secaucus did not admit to any liability or to any wrongdoing or to any violations. According to articles, Exxxotica continues to persue claims against the Meadowlands Convention Center’s owners, Hartz Mountain and a management company.
Tuesday, Nov. 8 is Election Day
Hudson County voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8 to elect a number of county and state officeholders. The positions up for election are county executive, county register, three state Senate seats, all six state Assembly seats, and all nine Board of Freeholder seats. Only two of the current freeholders face competition.
Each state legislative district has one state senator and two assemblypeople. In the 32nd District, which includes Secaucus, Democratic state Sen. Nicholas J. Sacco is being challenged by Republican Edward T. O’Neil and independent Herbert H. Shaw. The Assembly incumbents are Democrats Vincent Prieto and Angelica M. Jimenez. Prieto and Jimenez are being challenged by Republicans Ronald F. Tarolia and Michael J. Barulovich, as well as independent candidate April L. Tricoli-Busset.
In heavily Democratic Hudson County, political races often get more heated during the June primaries, when Democrats face each other for the nomination. The winners then go on to the November race, but do not always face a challenge from the Republicans.
Countywide races include County Executive Thomas DeGise, a Democrat, facing Republican Stephen DeLuca for a four-year term as county executive.
Hudson County CASA recruits volunteers
Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of local abused and neglected children.
CASA and its trained volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for judges, and safeguard the interests of children within the foster care system.
An information session will be held Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 400 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Avenue, Jersey City. For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org, or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
Advanced Physical Medicine Center holds Thanksgiving food drive
The Advanced Physical Medicine Center of Fairview has announced the launch of its 19th annual Thanksgiving food drive to benefit the Fairview welfare department. Donations of non-perishable food items are being collected from Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Advanced Physical Medicine Center at 222 Bergen Blvd. in Fairview.
Dr. Arber and his team can be reached at (201) 945-BACK. For more information, visit www.201945BACK.com.