Freeholders look for a name change for pro sports teams
The appearance of the New York Giants in this year’s Super Bowl had the Hudson County Freeholders up in arms again at the Jan. 26 meeting over the fact that the Giants’ and Jets’ football teams reside in New Jersey, and the Red Bulls soccer team is located in Hudson County – yet, the three teams still use New York as part of their name.
Freeholder Bill O’Dea has proposed contacting freeholder boards and other governmental entities from around the state in making a united push for a name change so that New Jersey is part of these teams’ names.
“Hudson County taxpayers funded the building of the Red Bull stadium parking lot,” O’Dea noted. The stadium is located in Harrison.
Marist Hall of Fame seeking nominations
The Marist High School Hall of Fame Committee is accepting written nominations for 2012 candidates. The 2012 Marist High School Hall of Fame Induction event is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2012.
A Hall of Fame candidate typically may either be a Marist alumnus/alumna, a faculty or staff member, or friend of Marist who has made a significant personal impact of recognition or benefit to Marist High School.
Written nominations should describe the person being nominated and why he/she/they should be considered for any one of the awards.
Candidate criteria is as follows:
Professional Achievement Award – This honors an alumnus/alumna whose contribution to his/her professional field offers a noteworthy example for fellow alumni and current Marist students. Fields of endeavor may include, but are not limited to, academia, business, clergy, communications, science, engineering, law, medicine, public service, and social work.
Spirit of Marist Award – This honors either an alumnus/alumna or friend of Marist who exemplifies a selfless and passionate devotion to MHS.
Distinguished Service Award – This honors an alumnus/alumna or friend of Marist who has had a profound impact on his/her community through charitable service.
Athletic Achievement Award – Not limited to athletes and coaches, this honors an alumnus/alumna or friend of Marist who exhibited extraordinary athletic accomplishment while at Marist and continued athletic achievement after graduation from MHS.
Team Achievement Award – Not limited to athletic participants, this honors those teams that exhibited extraordinary service and accomplishment during a particular year at Marist.
Nomination letters may be submitted by email to development@marist.org. To ensure your email will be accepted, include “Hall of Fame Nomination” in your subject field. You may also mail nominations to Marist High School Hall of Fame Committee, 1241 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002. All nominations received until the March 10, 2012 deadline will be considered.
Upcoming scheduled meetings
The Bayonne Housing Authority will hold its monthly meeting on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. in the Community Room at 50 East 21st Street. The Board of Trustees for the Bayonne Library and Cultural Center will hold their meeting on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the conference room at the main library, 697 Avenue C.
Labor committee approved Cunningham bill for unemployed training programs
Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Sandra Bolden Cunningham to fund basic skills training to help displaced and disadvantaged workers return to the workforce was unanimously approved by the Senate Labor Committee.
The law would allow the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to request additional funding from the state to provide the training.
“Many of New Jersey’s displaced workers and unemployed are unable to find work because they do not possess the skills needed in the changing global workforce that relies more heavily on computers, technology and math skills,” Cunningham said. “The programs offered by the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development provide opportunities for New Jerseyans to enhance and grow their skills, making them more marketable in today’s economy.”
Currently, the Consortium receives 13 percent of all funds appropriated annually to the Supplemental Workforce Fund for Basic Skills (SWFBS) to provide basic skills programs to New Jersey’s displaced or disadvantaged workers and unemployed.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.