Mayor Davis releases 100-day report on his administration
Mayor James Davis released a report last week on his first 100 days in office, touting what he said were his administration’s accomplishments during that period.
“In our first 100 days we set the stage for a new era of government in the Peninsula City,” Davis said.
Davis cited resolving the teachers’ contract stalemate, putting an elected school board vote on the ballot, and securing $1 million in additional funding for the Veterans Stadium renovation project as major initiatives completed during his term thus far.
He also referenced his administration’s attention to the concerns of residents living near the Bayonne Bridge renovation work.
Since taking office, Davis has held two public meetings with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He has also appointed an environmental consultant to conduct an air quality study, reinstituted bi-monthly meetings with the Port Authority, and appointed a point person to handle constituent complaints.
“We’ve certainly moved the needle on issues pertaining to the construction of the Bayonne Bridge, “Davis said.
Judge Robert Mangum, founder and first president of 100 Black Men Inc., dies
The Honorable Robert J. Mangum, a retired New York State Court of Claims Judge, who served as administrative judge during his tenure, died on Oct. 2, according to granddaughter Sienna Hunter-Cuyjet. He was 93.
Mangum was a resident of Bayonne and Sag Harbor, N.Y.
Judge Mangum obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School, a Masters in Public Administration from New York University, a Master of Science in Administrative Medicine from Columbia University, a Bachelors of Law from Brooklyn College, Judge and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the City College of New York.
He also received an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters from St. John’s University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the City College of New York.
His many civic and community activities included, in 1963, founding and being elected the first president of The One Hundred Black Men, Inc. in New York, which grew into the 100 Black Men of America Inc., now comprising 116 Chapters with more than 10,000 members.
Comic art show to benefit children’s program
Comic Book Fans United is hosting an art exhibit emphasizing the significance of comics as an art form. The opening reception will be held at Manifest Comics and Cards at 762 Broadway, 2nd Floor, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.
The event is free, but organizers are asking that all attendees give a suggested donation of $5 or more to benefit these two causes.
The artwork on display will be auctioned off to benefit ArtWorks, The Naomi Cohain Foundation.
Anyone interested in purchasing art during the exhibition can make an offer at the opening night gala. The show will run from Oct. 16 to 18. All art that isn’t sold then will be placed on eBay for auctioning.
Based in Jersey City and founded in 2002, ArtWorks provides children and young adults battling chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and their siblings, access to creative and performing arts programming and materials, encouraging the use of the creative process as a vehicle for healing, communication, self-expression, and personal development.
For more information email splatizky@gmail.com.
Hudson County History Fair to be held this weekend
The Hudson County History Fair, celebrating the state’s 350th anniversary, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gilligan Student Union Building’s multipurpose room, New Jersey City University, 2039 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City.
Admission is free, as is parking (entrance on Culver Ave., just off the Boulevard).
“Where New Jersey History Began” is the theme, and the fair will feature exhibits, lectures, films, genealogy workshops, and children’s activities.
Among the 40 participating groups are Bayonne Historical Society, Bayonne Public Library, Joyce-Herbert VFW Post 226 Veterans Museum, according to Carmela Karnoutsos of Bayonne.
Support for the fair comes from a number of groups, including the Bayonne Historical Society and Provident Bank Foundation.
At 1:30 p.m., the fair will feature an engaging look at Hudson County through vintage postcards from the early 20th century by Cynthia Harris.
Visitors may bring small antiques for a free evaluation by one of three experts.
New Jerseyans abandoning suburbs in favor of urban living
New Jersey’s population has started to contract back toward its urban core for the first time since World War II ended, new research shows, in what could foretell significant changes to the fabric of the Garden State.
A new study published by the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University reveals that between 2010 and 2013, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, and Monmouth counties all suffered losses during this period. These counties all have one thing in common – they all exist on the far periphery of the metropolitan area – which researchers say is a signal that after decades of outward expansion, people are gravitating back to cities.
During the same period, New Jersey’s urban counties have been growing at a far faster rate. Hudson County, for example, has grown by nearly 25,000 since 2010 after losing more than 90,000 from 1950 to 1980. By contrast, Sussex County lost more than 3,000 people in recent years after posting gains of more than 80,000 from 1950 to 1980.
“The era of moving ever outward is probably now in the past,” said James Hughes, Bloustein School dean, and study co-author.
“It’s a potential threshold change,” said Joseph Seneca, study co-author and Bloustein professor. “And it carries a great deal of implications.”
Seneca said the shifts are being driven by lifestyle changes within the U.S.’s younger generations, which are rising to dominate the workforce as Baby Boomers continue to inch toward retirement.