CarePoint proposes to divide Jersey City on ambulance service
For months, a debate has raged in Jersey City over which provider to use for 911 ambulance service. One local hospital company said in June 18 letter to the City Council that splitting the city into two zones may work best.
Peter Kelly, senior advisor for external affairs at CarePoint – a company that runs three local hospitals – has proposed splitting ambulance service between McCabe Ambulance and Jersey City Medical Center’s EMT unit, which currently provides the service.
This proposal, Kelly said, would help offset possible financial losses JCMC claims it would suffer if the contract was given solely to McCabe.
“We propose that the city embrace the strengths of both CarePoint and JCMC and create an ambulance system that maximizes the strengths of both organizations,” Kelly wrote, noting the JCMC used McCabe as a backup support in Jersey City 238 times in 2013.
“The best way to facilitate such cooperation is to create two EMS zones, one covered by CarePoint Christ Hospital and its partner McCabe Ambulance, and the other by Jersey City Medical Center, with dispatch activities by both parties monitored by an independent entity appointed by the city.”
CarePoint is encouraging the city to convene a meeting between Christ/CarePoint and JCMC to produce such a system.
School district data is safe, officials say
Jersey City school officials said that recently some public school students received mailings from METS Charter School, raising concerns that METS Charter obtained the student names and addresses from the school district’s data systems. After an investigation into the matter, school officials said the charter school had used a list it obtained three years ago. The current leadership of METS Charter has stated that it did not know how that list was obtained. Additional checks of the district’s data systems also indicated that there was no breach, nor could METS Charter school staff have accessed district information from the district’s current system. Public school officials have directed METS Charter to stop using the list immediately and to turn it over to the district. Officials said the district does not share information about students with any organizations and is vigilant about its data security, and has reported the matter to the Department of Education.
Summer food program coming in Jersey City
The Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the Food and Nutrition Services of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 2014 Summer Food Program, which provides healthy breakfast and lunch for qualified camps, daycares, not-for-profits, and faith-based organizations during the summer. The program will run from June 30 to Aug. 15. For more information on how your organization can participate in the Jersey City Summer Food Service Program for Children contact Alita Carter, Coordinator-SFP, at (201) 547-5279.
Community give-back day in Jersey City
This month, Hoboken Grace Community Church is launching its give-back day, called 1Day, on June 21 at 10 a.m. in Hamilton Park in Jersey City. Volunteers will come together at Hamilton Park and then spread out throughout Jersey City to spend a few hours working on projects for various organizations serving the city. To participate in 1Day, sign up at http://www.hobokengrace.com/1dayjerseycity.com or go to at Hamilton Park on June 21.
Farmers market to open in Lincoln Park
The West Side Community Alliance (WSCA) is sponsoring a farmers market which will be open every Sunday from June 22 to Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A ribbon cutting will be held in Lincoln Park on June 22 near the fountain off West Side Avenue. Participating growers include the Country Stand Farm of Oxford and RH Farms of Hackettstown. Other vendors will include Jersey Buzz, Jaker’s Pickles, Raritan Bakery, and Honey Bakery.
St. Michael Singers to perform
The St. Michael Singers and Friends will present “In Pastures Green: Music of Faith and Joy,” on Sunday, June 22 at 4 p.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church, 252 Ninth St. For further information, please call (201) 653-7328.
Fundraising flea market and summer camp at St. John’s Lutheran Church
An outdoor flea market to benefit the food pantry and children’s summer program will be held on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of St. John’s Lutheran Church Summit Avenue and North Street. For more information call Rose at (201) 214-5300 or Debra at (201) 589-1781,
Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center Day Camp for kindergarten to 6th grade will run from July 20 to July 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. John’s. This will include Bible study, worship, games, art and other activities. For more information call (201)798-0540 or go to the website
www.stjohnsjerseycity.net
Art Show hosted by Union Republic
Freshly Baked Gallery will curate urban contemporary artists and other rising stars at a show at Union Republic, 340 Third St., 9 to 11 p.m. on June 26.
St. Paul’s summer program to start
St. Paul’s Summer Program (38 Duncan Ave.) is open to children 5-12, June 29-Aug. 8, except July 4, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with aftercare until 6 p.m. available for an additional charge. Led by Walter Bleuler and caring staff, the program features daily swimming and other activities, six field trips, and a children’s musical directed by Gail Blache-Gill. Photos and details at www.StPaulsJC.com; info and application materials at (201) 685-7965.