Local teachers’ union takes vote of no confidence in Secaucus schools superintendent
The Secaucus Education Association (SEA), a local union, last week took a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Randina, the second vote of no confidence in two years. The first vote took place on June 24, 2010 and the SEA voted 176-27 or 86.6 percent against the superintendent. The second vote took place last week on Jan. 13 and the tally was 168-23 or 87.9 percent against the superintendent. The membership of the SEA is comprised of teachers, clerks, and custodians.
Robert Anderson, president of the SEA, planned to present the vote and a list of grievances at the Thursday, Jan. 19 Board of Education meeting, but the results were not available by press time. “The reasons behind [the vote of no confidence] are numerous,” said Anderson last week.
Union members have previously said that they believe the school district is on the wrong track ever since Randina’s appointment in 2008. Teachers have opposed many of Randina’s hiring and spending decisions, criticized her methods of communication, and opposed her emphasis on technology in the classroom.
Elwell sentencing postponed again
The sentencing of former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, convicted on corruption charges in July, has been postponed to March 6, according to news reports. The sentencing had previously been postponed to Jan. 18.
On July 6, a federal jury acquitted Elwell of conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion, but convicted him on bribery, in connection with a government sting. Federal prosecutors claimed that Solomon Dwek, an FBI informant posing as a real estate developer, gave Elwell $10,000 cash through Ronald Manzo in order to get favoritism on development projects. Elwell has said he saw the money as a campaign contribution rather than a bribe.
U.S. District Court Judge Jose L. Linares denied an attempt by former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell to have his bribery conviction overturned last year.
Prieto sponsors resolution to consider opening a casino at the Meadowlands
The New Jersey state legislature may evaluate the value of building a casino at the Meadowlands should a resolution pass that would establish a Casino Gaming Study Commission, according to news reports. Assemblyman Vincent Prieto is among the sponsors of the bill, along with a number of other Democrats including the main sponsor Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo and Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver, Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner, and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle.
If the resolution is approved by the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee, it then would have to be approved by the full Assembly and full Senate, and finally signed by Gov. Chris Christie. Past efforts to pass gaming resolutions have failed.
Casino gaming has been limited to Atlantic City since the state constitution was amended in 1976.
New chairperson named for Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce
The Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce (MRC) announced last week in a statement that it named its long-standing executive board member, David Meredith, as its new chairperson. The Allstate Insurance Agency owner succeeds Stephen Orenchuk of Wells Fargo Advisors. Orenchuk will continue to participate on the board of advisors as an ex-officio past-chairperson.
“While the Chamber attracts attention because of its advocacy for large projects and infrastructure development, its agenda is driven by small business owners,” said James Kirkos, chief executive officer for the MRC.
The MRC has over 1,000 members. Its current initiatives include advocating for the American Dream project, improving roads and public transportation, the Regional Economic and Job Creation initiative, and operating the Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau (MLCVB) to support destination travel and tourism. The MLCVB played a crucial role in bringing the 2014 Super Bowl to the region, and it continues to lead the public debate surrounding issues that will affect the growth of the region.
Library’s ‘Used Book Sale’ is Jan. 26 to Jan. 29
The Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center’s four-day Used Book Sale from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29 will take place in the first-floor lobby during regular library hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The library will sell used and donated books, audiobooks, DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs. Bags will be sold for $3 and can be filled with any combination of books or audiovisual materials. The proceeds will benefit the library’s programs and collections.
For more info, contact: (201) 330-2083.