Divided Democrats pick Congressional candidates for November
In a Democratic primary election that divided Hudson County and a good portion of northern New Jersey, voters gave victories to Rep. Albio Sires in the 8th District, Bill Pascrell in the 9th and Donald Payne, Jr. in the 10th.
Unopposed, Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez was nominated for his third term and will face off in November against Republican state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, who handily defeated three challengers.
Sires received 28,784 over his challenger Michael J. Shurin who received 3,563 votes, clearing the way for Sires to run against Republican Maria Karczewski, a former Bayonne City Council member, in November. Sires, a former mayor of West New York and former speaker of the state Assembly, will run for his fourth term. Other independent challengers include Herb Shaw of North Bergen, Stephen DeLuca of Jersey City, and Pablo Olivera of Newark. DeLuca previously ran unsuccessfully for Hudson County Executive.
Payne overwhelmingly defeated four challengers in the 10th district, with about 37,000 district wide votes, to run for the seat vacated by the death of his father, Rep. Donald Payne, Sr. Newark Councilman Ronald Rice finished second with just over 11,000 votes, and Nia Gil, who won in the Hudson County portion of the 10th District, finished third with just under 10,000.
Payne, who had the support of the Essex County Democratic organization, where most of the voting took place, will face off against Republican Brian C. Kelemen of Bayonne in the November election. Joanne Miller of Newark and Mick Erickson of West Orange have filed to run as independents in the 10th district in November.
In one of the most watched elections in the state, Pascrell overwhelming defeated Rothman after the two eight-term congressmen confronted each other in the newly reconfigured 9th District. With just under 28,000 votes, Pascrell beat Rothman, who collected 15,283 votes.
Rothman, who had been sharply criticized for choosing a primary fight rather than take on a strong Republican challenge in a neighboring district, said it was unlikely that he would seek elected office in the future
Pascrell will face Republican Schmuley Boteach and independents E David Smith and Jeanette Woolsey in November.
Keeping kids out of the medicine chest
Prescription drug abuse among kids and teens is on the rise. Yet, many parents do little to keep prescription drugs in the household secure and off limits to family members who shouldn’t have access to them.
Thus, in an effort to educate parents on what they can do to keep prescription drugs safe, Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC), the Jersey City Public School system, and Partners in Prevention, will host the forum, “Prescription Drug Use: What Every Parent Should Know.”
The forum will take place on Tuesday, June 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin L. Williams Middle School (P.S.7).
A panel of four speakers will address the topic. The guest speakers include Orlando Ramos, director of the Giant Steps Program and HUMC; Lisa Canteno, senior primary therapist with the Giant Steps Program at HUMC; Sylvia Sanchez, a pharmacist at HUMC; Dr. Syed Ibrahim, a psychiatrist at HUMC; and Joseph Evensen, coalition supervisor with the Hudson County chapter of Partners in Prevention.
Transportation to the forum will be provided from the following Jersey City
locations: Dickinson High School, Ferris High School, Lincoln High School, and Snyder High School. Shuttles will leave from these locations beginning at 5 p.m. and will return to these locations after the forum ends.
All parents in Hudson County are encouraged to attend. The event is free of charge, but an RSVP is recommended. To RSVP, call (201) 418-2381.
Weehawken Recreation to hold summer registration
Weehawken Recreation will hold its 2012 Summer Program Registration at Weehawken Town Hall located at 400 Park Ave. June 11, 12, and 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. only.
Weehawken residents may register for 2012 summer trips, clinics, and all programs on a first come, first served basis. Proof of residency is required. Parents must register their own children and any fees must be paid at the time of sign-up.
The program is available online for viewing and planning. No online, phone, or in-person registration will be taken after June 13. For more information, call the Recreation Department at (201) 319-6061.
Weehawken Woman’s Club to sponsor food drive
The Weehawken Woman’s Club will be sponsor a township-wide food drive named “Operation Peanut Butter, Jelly and Beans” to assist the low-stocked food banks served by the North Hudson Community Action Corporation.
Donations may be made June 19 and June 26 between 4 and 8 p.m. at three locations:
• The Weehawken Elk’s Lodge located at 50th Street and Boulevard East
• The Senior Nutrition Center located at 201 Highwood Ave.
• The Community Room located at 525 Gregory Ave.
Please bring canned goods and non-perishables to any of these drop-off centers and help neighbors in need. For further information, please contact womansclubofweehawken@gmail.com.
Weehawken Weekenders to hold trips in summer, fall
The Weehawken Weekenders will take a trip to the Platzl Brauhaus in Ponoma, N.Y., on Wednesday, June 20, for a day of fun, food, and entertainment. The day includes breakfast and lunch, followed by dinner at 4 p.m. There will be music, dancing, and bingo, and there is a pool available for anyone who wishes to use it. The bus departs from the Weehawken Pathmark at 9 a.m. Tickets cost $70.
On July 11, they will see “The Real Husbands of New Jersey” at the Royal Manor in Garfield for $45 which includes lunch.
On July 18, Mayor Turner and the Township Council along with the Hudson County Office on Aging invites Weehawken seniors on a Hudson County boat ride aboard the “Spirit of New Jersey.”
On Aug. 12, they will visit Magnanini’s Winery in Wallkill, N.Y. for a wine tasting, dinner, and dancing for $75.
On Oct. 3, they will attend “Octoberfest” at the Royal Manor in Garfield for $45.
On Oct. 13, they will visit the Nordic Lodge with all you can eat Lobster and more in Charlestown, R.I. and proceed to Mohegan Sun Casino for $125.
The Weekenders are also planning an eight-night Canadian and New England cruise on the Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, departing from Bayonne on Aug. 31, 2013 and sailing through Sept. 8.
All trips include transportation and gratuities. Call the Weekenders office at (201) 319-6059 for more information or to make a reservation.
NHCAC announces registration for new programs
North Hudson Community Action Corporation celebrates National Community Action Month by announcing the beginning of its new programs.
They will offer two semesters of free English as a Second Language classes. The summer semester begins in June, and the fall semester in September. Call (201) 943-2410 for more information or to register.
They will also offer a financial literacy workshop series. Call (201) 866-9320, ext. 213, for more information. Both individual and corporate instruction is available.