Five Board of Ed trustees to be chosen
Decision day is almost here for the 20 Bayonne residents seeking to sit on the Bayonne Board of Education for terms from one to three years. Voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The reason for the large number of candidates is the district’s changeover from an appointed board, which it had been for at least 35 years, to an elected board, which was approved by a public referendum last year.
A week from today five people will have been chosen to serve; three for new three-year terms, one for an unexpired two-year term, and one for an unexpired one-year term. The unexpired terms are the result of early resignations.
The race for the three three-year board seats features the most candidates. Nine are running. They are Joseph Broderick, John Cupo, Mary Jane Desmond, Ava Finnerty, Leonard Kantor, Barry Kushnir, Patrick McManus, Christopher Piechocki, and Nancy Solis.
The contest for the lone two-year seat features Michael Alonso, Christos Genes, Thomas Howard Jr., Gina Irizarry, Christopher Munoz, and Frank Pellitteri.
Those vying for the single one-year seat are Rafael Augusto, John Butchko, Deb Peveler Segura, David Solari, and Denis Wilbeck.
Two incumbents are among those running; Piechocki, who was appointed to the board last year by Mayor James Davis, and Desmond, appointed February of this year by the current board.
The five candidates elected will begin to serve their terms in January, when the board holds its reorganization meeting.
This year’s Election Day also features the selection of two state assembly representatives for the 31st District, which consists of all of Bayonne and a portion of Jersey City. Read the story by staff writer Al Sullivan about that race in today’s issue.
In addition, County Executive Thomas DeGise, a Democrat, will seek to retain his seat. He is being opposed by Republican Ivan Sutherland.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Port Authority approves agreement allowing construction of Port Jersey express rail line
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Board of Commissioners on Oct. 22 approved an agreement that will allow construction to proceed on a major ship-to-rail facility adjacent to GCT Bayonne.
Under a lease supplement with GCT USA, the terminal operator agreed to complete the final design and build the new ExpressRail Port Jersey facility in Greenville Yard. In return, the Port Authority will reimburse GCT up to $56 million to cover the costs of construction of the facility. The project, as with other ExpressRail projects in the harbor, is contingent on continued funding provided by the Cargo Facility Charge, a per-container fee assessed on cargo shipped through the Port of New York and New Jersey to cover the costs of critical road, rail, and security infrastructure projects.
Once the ExpressRail facility opens in 2018, GCT will be responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the facility, which is expected to reduce truck traffic and result in significant environmental benefits for the region.
Cargo coming on and off ships at GCT Bayonne today is transported to and from its final destination by truck or by truck to another ExpressRail facility. The new facility will allow for the loading of containerized cargo from ship to rail, offering ocean carriers and their customers a more efficient and environmentally friendly option for goods movement. The facility will have an initial capacity of at least 125,000 container lifts a year.
CarePoint-Bayonne Medical Center receives recognition
CarePoint Health, an integrated healthcare system that provides patient-focused healthcare to Hudson County, announced that it received the second half of its quality achievement award from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s (BCBSNJ) Hospital Recognition Program.
Under the program initiated by Horizon BCBSNJ in 2006, and one which distinguishes hospital care based on quality scores earned from the nationally-known Leapfrog Hospital Recognition Program, CarePoint-Bayonne Medical was cited by Horizon for quality based upon its “A” safety scores as part of the 2014 Leap Frog Hospital Survey. The recognition and financial reward acknowledges Horizon BCBSNJ network hospitals that perform well against key national measures for care quality, patient outcomes, safety, and reporting.
The annual Leapfrog Hospital Survey assesses hospital performance based on national performance measures and practices that cover a broad spectrum of hospital services, processes, and structures.
Next CASA orientation set for Nov. 10
Are you interested in helping foster children? Hudson County CASA (court appointed special advocates) is currently recruiting everyday people to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children.
CASA volunteers ensure that assistance and needed services are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA volunteers get to know a child and his or her circumstances, make recommendations in the child’s best interest to the court, and serve as a consistent, trusted adult.
An information session to learn more about CASA and the role of its volunteers will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building, 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail fmendez@hudsoncountycasa.org, or visit hudsoncountycasa.org.
Free Sunday nature walk at Meadowlands
The First Sunday of the Month Nature Walk at Meadowlands will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus.
This free walk, led by the Bergen County Audubon Society, features raptors, waterfowl, and fall migrants.
“You’ll have an opportunity to see the dozens of stumps of Atlantic white cedars in the marsh, the last vestiges of a primeval forest that once covered a third of the Meadowlands for hundreds of years,” said spokesman Brian Aberback.
Walk participants should meet at the entrance to the Mill Creek Marsh Trail, the Park in Mill Creek Mall, next to Bob’s Discount Furniture.
For more information, email greatauk4@gmail.com or call (201) 230-4983.