Second gunshot suicide in Bayonne in recent weeks
A 39-year-old man shot and killed himself in a relative’s home on Avenue C shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, according to media reports. Police said they had been searching for the man because he had allegedly hit family members with a pistol in Jersey City, where he lives, a few hours earlier on Friday night.
The incident was the second gunshot suicide in a week in Bayonne, as last Monday, a man killed his estranged wife, the wife’s new boyfriend, and the boyfriend’s infant son in their house on Avenue A before killing himself. According to more recent media reports, the man in that triple-murder — Adespo Collado — had practiced shooting at a Pennsylvania firing range last month. He also left a note in his car saying he was in despair over the 6-month separation from his wife.
Heating system upgrade, energy efficiency in the works at City Hall
Mayor Mark A. Smith recently announced that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at City Hall is being upgraded, thanks to a $521,900 federal grant.
Smith said, “Thanks to an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the federal government, City Hall will have a more modern and efficient HVAC system by next spring. Members of the public and the municipal workforce should notice improvements in City Hall in the coming months.”
Smith continued, “I would like to thank U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who was instrumental in pushing for the energy block grant program in Congress. The block grant program is part of President Obama’s economic recovery package.”
Since its construction 40 years ago, City Hall has experienced the movement of several walls and the rearrangement of offices. This has redefined the spaces around the building, contributing to an imbalance of air and temperatures. After the completion of the project, the HVAC system will be monitored by a computer at City Hall.
Preparations for the grant application and related engineering began in early 2010. Construction work began in October 2011. Completion of the project is expected in March 2012.
Ramos and O’Donnell bill advanced by Assembly panel
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Ruben J. Ramos Jr. and Jason O’Donnell to create jobs and economic development by providing tax credits to small and medium-sized businesses that embark on or expand export activities was advanced by an Assembly committee.
The Export Promotion Tax Credit Act establishes corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for those small and medium-sized businesses that embark on or expand their export activities.
“With an unimpressive economic recovery being projected to continue in New Jersey, it’s important to find new and innovative ways to create jobs and economic growth, and this bill does exactly that,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “These tax credits would encourage New Jersey businesses to open new doors and earn revenue by promoting their goods and services to residents of foreign countries. We now live in a global economy, and we want New Jersey to compete.”
“Now is exactly the right time for us to think boldly and help incentivize New Jersey based businesses to grow and project themselves beyond our borders,” said O’Donnell (D-Hudson). “Export-led growth of New Jersey businesses would create jobs in New Jersey while enhancing income, wealth and tax receipts in our state. We would also help narrow the nation’s gaping trade deficit with the rest of the world. This is a great strategy for these difficult economic times. It is always the right time for our government to help create jobs for our citizens.”
The bill was released by the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.