Cast your ballot: Voters to make choices for mayor, council on Tuesday
The day of decision is at hand.
Next Tuesday, May 13, Bayonne registered voters will go to the polls to elect a mayor and five-member city council.
Mayor Mark Smith seeks to retain his seat. He is being challenged by Police Captain James Davis and businessman Anthony Zanowic.
Smith heads the Moving Bayonne Forward ticket; Davis the Moving Bayonne in the Right Direction slate; and Zanowic, the #Better Bayonne line.
There are also three ward races, with one seat open in each, and an at-large race, with two seats available.
The five current council members are aligned with Smith.
In the First Ward, Councilwoman Agnes Gillespie (Smith) hopes to best Thomas Cotter (Davis) and Daniel Herrera (Zanowic).
In the Second Ward, it’s Councilman Joseph Hurley (Smith) facing Sal Gullace (Davis), and Chelsea Jeskie (Zanowic).
The Third Ward is the most competitive race, with five people vying for one seat: Councilman Ray Greaves (Smith), Anthony Di Iorio (Zanowic), Gary La Pelusa (Davis), and independents Washington Flores and Michael Alonso. Many believe this race will wind up in a runoff in June.
The at-large race features six candidates competing for the two available seats. The incumbents are Council President Terrence Ruane (Smith) and Councilwoman Debra Czerwienski (Smith). They are being opposed by Sharon Nadrowski (Davis), Juan Perez (Davis), Leonard Kantor (Zanowic), and John Sebik (independent).
The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Last days to view airing of Rotary Club Mayoral Debate
The Rotary Club Mayoral Debate will be broadcast on Cablevision Access Channel 19 from now until the municipal election.
The debate will air on Wednesday, May 7 from 1 to 3 p.m., and Sunday, May 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.
May 7 to 13, it will also be aired additional times, as well as daily from May 11 to 13.
Free weekend shuttle service across the Bayonne Bridge returns
The Port Authority’s weekend shuttle service for pedestrians and bicyclists who wish to cross the Bayonne Bridge during its construction period has resumed.
Shuttles will run every hour and make two stops; one at the 214 West 1st St. (West 1st Street and Kennedy Boulevard) in Bayonne, and one at 209 Innis St. (Innis and John streets) in Staten Island. The shuttles are equipped with bike racks for those who want to bike while on the other side.
The shuttle will operate Friday through Sunday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. through October. Buses depart from Staten Island on the hour from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Buses depart from Bayonne on the half hour, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The shuttle service provides an alternative means of transportation for pedestrians and cyclists who cross the Bayonne Bridge on the shared-use walkway. In order to protect the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, the walkway will remain closed for the duration of the “Raise the Roadway” project, which will allow larger, more efficient ships to access the region’s port terminals.
The $1.2 billion Bayonne Bridge project is designed to raise the navigational clearance to 215 feet to allow larger, modern ships to travel under it and to provide commuters with a modern roadway with 12-foot lanes, shoulders, a median, and a 12-foot shared bike and pedestrian path.
Mother’s Day nature walk to be held in Ridgefield
The sixth annual Mother’s Day Walk through the Ridgefield Nature Center will be held on Sunday, May 11, at 10 a.m.
The free, two-hour event begins at the center and features a stroll around the 5.4-acre natural area and a visit to Skeetkill Creek Marsh, with a stop to see monk parakeets on the way.
The walk is hosted by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To register, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or (201) 230-4983.
Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates.