Kids First changes Hoboken Board of Education election ticket
HOBOKEN – The Kids First school board election slate has changed their ticket for the upcoming November election, sources said last week.
Kids First has added Tom Kleupfel, a founding member of the Elysian Charter School, after current board member Theresa Minutillo made the decision not to run.
Minutillo, an ally of Mayor Dawn Zimmer, was recently involved in controversy when she filed harassment charges against Matt Calicchio, a political operative who has worked for Zimmer’s opposition. Calicchio was found “not guilty” of the harassment charge in June, although the judge said he did not believe the testimony of both Calicchio and his witness.
Minutillo was also a contributor to our cover story exploring the issue of societal rifts in the mile square city, including old-timers and “Yuppies,” which ran last weekend and can be read on hudsonreporter.com.
Third Annual O’Connell’s Run to Cure Cystic Fibrosis to be held Sept. 15
The Third Annual O’Connell’s Run To Cure Cystic Fibrosis, a 5K run in Union City and Weehawken, will be held Sept. 15 to help raise money to fight this often fatal disease. Runners and walkers start the race from 2nd Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City at 9:30 a.m. Registration on the day of the event begins at 7:30 a.m. but pre-registration is encouraged.
O’Connell’s Run, started in 2010 by Union City residents Maria and Bob O’Connell to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis, is a fast course that provides a great day out for runners and walkers alike. All of the proceeds from O’Connell’s Run 2011 will benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.
Registration for the 5K is $20 prior to the race and $25 on the day of the event. Race fees are tax deductible. Participants can register online. The race takes place just a short walk from Hoboken.
A Kids’ Fun Run has been added to the 2012 event. Younger runners ages 5 through 13 will complete a half-mile out and back route starting at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.oconnellsrun.com.
Child advocate volunteers wanted
Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges, and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
Hudson County has nearly 700 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. For further information, call (201) 795-9855, email mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.