In heated Hoboken council election, Raia to drop from 3rd Ward race against Russo
To the surprise of some and the dismay of Hudson County politicos, 3rd Ward Council candidate Frank Raia has asked for his name to be removed from the ballot for the Nov. 3 municipal elections, Hudson County Deputy Clerk Janet Larwa confirmed.
Raia’s reason for no longer running was not immediately available as he did not respond to phone calls. Raia’s attorney contacted the clerk’s office and Assignment Judge Peter Bariso will next decide if the matter is worth a hearing.
Larwa said if removed from the ballot, Raia will face a fee for the mail-in ballots – which have already been printed – in an amount likely not to exceed $2,500.
When asked how Raia’s decision to no longer run will affect his campaign, 3rd Ward City Council candidate and incumbent Michael Russo, Raia’s only opponent in the race, said “not much.”
“The overall debate over what needs to happen in the 3rd Ward will continue to happen,” he said. “The residents in the 3rd Ward deserve to continue to hear what I’ve accomplished as a council member and my vision for the future.”
Russo said he still plans to do a campaign kickoff next week, attend the Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition next month and attend The Hudson Reporter’s debate next Wednesday, Sept. 30.
“To paraphrase the mayor, sometimes there are surprise candidates and this kind of thing isn’t unusual,” Russo added.
The comment may have a bit of bite to it, since Mayor Dawn Zimmer has heavily criticized Russo in the past, leading to questions about why she had not backed a candidate to run against Russo in that ward. Raia filed to run at the last minute, and has not always been an ally of Zimmer either. Zimmer is supporting several candidates in other wards. Zimmer also had commented in response to questions from the Reporter recently that a “surprise” candidate might run against Russo in the end, which is what Raia did by submitting his petitions late.
So was some sort of political deal struck among any of the candidates or any of their supporters? And did the two candidates’ intentions to run keep other possible candidates out of the race? The electorate may never know, but we’ll post updates if we get an explanation from Raia in the near future.
Fall Arts and Music Festival to take over Washington Street
The 22nd Annual Fall Arts and Music Festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 27 with over 300 vendors including Hoboken food vendors, restaurants, businesses, non-profits. On Third Street, children will be able to enjoy rides, giveaways, games, creative activities, sand art, balloons, and live performances.
The festival, which is mainly held on Washington Street between Observer Highway and Seventh Street, will introduce residents and visitors to local artists, musicians, crafters and businesses. The Hudson Reporter is among the sponsors for the festival.
Among the latest additions, the city and Hoboken Police department have partnered to allow residents to register their bikes at the festival free of charge (regularly priced at $10 per 10 year registration). Registrations will be limited to four per resident household.
Locals will also have a chance to browse through arts and craft displays including paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, metalwork, wood items, mosaics, glass, painted furniture, quilts, household items made from recycled materials, clothing and fashion accessories, hand knits, candles, jewelry, dried florals, soaps and body products, honey, herbs and teas, and more unique handcrafted items.
Food from various cultures will be available at the festival from India, Greece, France, Mexico and Italy and festival-favorites like sausage and peppers, cheese steaks, pulled pork, zeppoles, fried Oreos, crepes, gyros, crab cakes empanadas and mozzaarepas.
The performance schedule, which is subject to change, is as follows:
Observer Highway Stage
Noon – Twiddling Thumbs
12:45 p.m. – SYKA
1:40 p.m. – The Porchistas
2:50 p.m. – Nicole Atkins
4:30 p.m. – Willie Nile
Third Street Stage – Children’s area
Noon – Garden Street School of the Performing Arts
1:00 p.m. – Jason Didner & the Jungle Gym Jam
2:00 p.m. – Jason Didner & the Jungle Gym Jam
3:00 p.m. – Preschool of Rock
4:00 p.m. – Carol Lester
Seventh Street Stage
12:30 p.m. – All Saints Hip Hop with Jenn Eisenberg
12:45 p.m. – Hoboken High School Rockin’ Red Wings
1:05 p.m. – Annie Minogue Band
2:00 p.m. – Emily & the Ideals
3:00 p.m. – Deaf Rhino
4:00 p.m. – Glenn Morrow’s Cry for Help
5:00 p.m. – Frankie Morales & the Mambo of the Times Orchestra
City Council and Board of Education election forums
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition will hold forums for the 2015 City Council and Board of Education candidates on Wednesday Sept. 30, Monday, Oct. 5 and Thursday, Oct. 15.
During the forums, which are moderated by Bob Bowdon, audience members will submit their questions to a panel to be assessed and asked to candidates. In the past, the exchanges have covered a range of topics including policy ideas and opinions on issues.
The dates for the forums are as follows: Uptown Candidates Forum (Second, Fifth and Sixth Wards) on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, at 1005 Washington St., Board of Education Candidates forum on Monday, Oct. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace School Auditorium at Willow Ave. and 5th St,, Downtown Candidates Forum (First, Third and Fourth Wards) on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hoboken Multiservice Center, 124 Grand St.
Calling all alumni!
Stevens Institute of Technology will hold the first official gathering of alumni on Monday, Sept. 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on campus. According to the school, 650 former Ducks are in fact currently Hoboken residents.
The networking event, which will be held in the Hoxie House Lawn (rain location: Babbio Center Atrium) will give alumni a chance to mingle with fellow alumni, faculty, and staff. In the future, the school also plans to hold special lectures presented by faculty on campus and in the community. To learn about upcoming events and to register for the alumni event visit www.stevens.edu/events/HobokenFall.
Round Table Breakfast: ‘Let’s Talk Parking’
The Hoboken Chamber of Commerce will host a round table breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 1 with the theme “Let’s Talk Parking” featuring three speakers. The breakfast, which will be held from 8 to 10 a.m., will be held at Amanda’s Restaurant at 908 Washington St.
The featured speakers include Margaret Newman, an architect in New York City for over 15 years, James F. Murphy, a 14-year veteran in innovative technologies and Sergio Fernández de Córdova, an internationally recognized entrepreneur and philanthropist born in Peru.
Admission for the event is $15 for members and $25 for general admission.
To register email Anthony Chinni at achinni@hudsonchamber.org.
City honors ‘local hero’ with dedicatory plaque at municipal garage
Lifelong Hoboken resident Fred “Freddie” Moret was honored this past Monday, Sept. 21 with a dedicatory plaque at the municipal garage on Willow Avenue between Newark Street and Observer Highway.
Moret, who began working for the city in 1977, served as the supervisor for the Division of Environmental Services until his passing on May 24, 2013 at age 54 while vacationing in Italy. Moret was on a trip to Italy organized by his parish, St. Francis’ Church, when repeated asthma attacks led to a fatal heart attack, said a City Hall employee.
“Growing up, every little girl thinks their father is a hero. I know mine was,” said Moret’s youngest daughter, Stefanie Iannacone, 27, at the ceremony.
In addition to Moret’s friends and family, members of the police and fire departments were present, as well as Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Director of Health and Human Services Leo Pellegrini, and various City Council members.
The plaque says throughout his years of service in the city Moret served as the union president of the Hoboken Supervisor Employees, was active in the Office of Emergency Management, and was a member of the Hoboken Elks.
Moret was also commended by the mayor for his heroics during Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy.
“It fills me with immense pride to see my dad being recognized thusly by the town he loved. I speak for my family when I say we are truly honored to be standing here today,” added Iannacone. “We always knew he was the best and now the rest of the world [knows] too.”
As the ceremony came to a close, those in attendance applauded Moret’s dedication and sang happy birthday to his older daughter, Angela, whose birthday happened to fall on the day of the ceremony.
“This Is My Brave: The Show” comes to New York City in collaboration with The Depressed Cake Shop
One in four people face mental health issues. Nearly every family in America has been touched by this treatable challenge. Yet, the conversation on the subject still remains muted and the sufferers closeted. ”This Is My Brave – The Show” raises the volume of conversation around mental health, one powerful story at a time.
The lauded, groundbreaking concept, which has received rave reviews and has been touted as “healing for humanity,” is coming to New York for one night only, Sunday, Oct. 4, at Hunter College’s Kaye Playhouse, 695 Park Ave., just in time for Mental Health Awareness Week beginning Oct. 11. “This is My Brave” will feature fourteen individuals whose first act of bravery was auditioning for a role in this very unique evening. The cast will share their true stories about living with, or loving someone with a mental illness, through comedy, poetry, personal essays and original music.
Depressed Cake Shop’s gray baked goods will be on sale with all proceeds benefitting “This Is My Brave’s” mission of ending stigma through storytelling. Jennifer Marshall and Anne Marie Ames launched the 501(c)3 non-profit in 2014 to create a safe community and a platform to speak out about stigma associated with mental illnesses. Both had been impacted by mental illness and wanted to fight the isolation and disconnection by giving people from the community a chance to share their stories onstage.
The performance is Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/kayeplayhouse/calendar.
For info on all shows, visit www.thisismybrave.org/events/.Twitter: @ThisIsMyBrave Web:www.thisismybrave.org
‘All that Jazz’ at the Hudson School
Award-winning pianist, actress and writer Pamela Ross, along with some friends, will present “All that Jazz” at the Hudson School on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m.
The show will feature an afternoon of jazz, tangos and other styles of dance to Broadway classics as well as music by Paul Schoenfield, Astor Piazzolla, Schumann, Brahms.
The free event will be held at the school’s theatre space located at 601 Park Ave. For information call (201) 424-6213 or email Danoly@primereg.com.
Rock the BBQ festival
The team at Rock the BBQ will kick-off their two-day festival on Oct. 24 at Hoboken’s Pier A Park with BBQ-style food, a fireworks display, and live entertainment.
“Our event promises food, music, and activities that can be enjoyed from the youngest children to the oldest adults in attendance,” said event organizers in a statement.
The festival will include 20 craft vendors selling unique artisanal goods, 20 food vendors serving an array of BBQ-style dishes such as slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork, grilled chicken and brisket. Five desert chefs will also serve deserts that range from Belgian waffles to homemade ice cream.
The musical lineup will include rock & roll, jazz, blues and country, with a large-scale fireworks show planned over the Hudson River overlooking the Manhattan skyline for Saturday, Sept. 24.
Children will also have a chance to partake in face-painting, pony rides, animal petting, and a bouncy house.
The event will be held Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission, which is free for children 10 and younger, costs $8 per person, with discounts for larger groups.
Live music, giveaways and more at Hoboken block party
Hoboken held a block party at Church Square Park on Saturday, Sept. 26 with an array of activities including live music, kid’s activities, yoga for all ages, photo booths and giveaways.
The event was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park. Live characters from Disney’s Frozen were also in attendance, with other activities available as well like face painting, balloon art, a bouncy house, lawn games, a raffle and ambulance tours courtesy of McCabe Ambulance.
Attendees also had a chance to pie a doctor in benefit of the March of Dimes foundation – a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.