Applicants for Piechocki board seat named
The names of the 12 people who have applied to fill the seat of recently resigned Bayonne Board of Education Trustee Christopher Piechocki have been released.
They are: Michael Alonso, Rafael Augusto, Mitchell Brown, Jack Butchko, John Cupo, James (Jim) Deveney, Lina Drillman, Christos Genes, Gina Irizarry, Barry Kushnir, Sharma Montgomery, and John Sebik, according to Board Secretary Gary Maita.
The board committee will only meet with Deveney, since he’s the only new candidate, according to Maita. The others had applied for either the seat of Ava Mitchell or Will Lawson when they resigned.
Each candidate will address the full board at its public meeting on Monday, March 21.
Bayonne Chamber holding second annual gala
The Bayonne Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2nd Annual Peninsula Gala on Thursday, March 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bayonne Golf Club.
Last year’s event was hugely attended and this year’s is on track to surpass last year’s attendance. Honorees from Bayonne’s business community this year include Bayonne Schools Superintendent Patsy McGeehan, the Dan Kane Legends Award; H. Mickey McCabe, Business Man of the Year; McCabe’s Ambulance Service, Business of the Year; and Mary-Ann Rowland, Bayonne Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award.
Tickets are on sale. Interested parties can register by going to www.bayonnechamber.org.
Prime Cycle hosting benefit for Hudson County CASA
On Saturday, March 12, Prime Cycle will host a Spin for Kids! fundraiser to benefit the Hudson County CASA. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., ride with one of your favorite Prime Cycle instructors while supporting the cause. Enjoy a selection of wines and cheeses following the event.
The cost is $50 per bike, which includes shoes.
To register, email Alexa DeRose at alexa@primecycle.com or call (201) 795-0900.
All proceeds directly benefit Hudson County CASA, a nonprofit organization advocating for local foster children.
CASA and its trained volunteers work to improve the quality of life for these children. They also ensure that needed services are available, while helping to secure safe and permanent homes for each child.
Bayonne movie company seeking more funds for film
Narrow Bridge Films is seeking contributions for its newest production, “Yellow Scare,” which has added new locations and therefore needs additional funding, according to line producer Jenna Kildosher.
“We are running an Indiegogo campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/yellow-scare-the-final-push#/) for the next month or so to get some extra funding,” Kildosher said.
The company has a $10,000 goal for this additional drive, and has so far raised about $1,500.
Yellow Scare is set during World War II.
“It is a Mel Brooks-style comedy and we will be filming most of it in Bayonne,” Kildosher said.
For more information, or to donate, email yellowscare@gmail.com.
The company previously raised $10,000 in its initial fund drive for the film.
Menendez introduces amendment to fight drug epidemic
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez on March 1 joined Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in introducing an amendment to President Barack Obama’s budget request to provide for $1.1 billion in new funding to address the opioid and heroin use epidemic.
The measure was introduced as an amendment to the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (S.524), which is being considered by the full Senate.
“When it comes to fighting the growing crisis of opioid abuse that is hurting our families and communities, it’s time for Congress to put its money where its mouth is,” Menendez said. “That’s what this amendment does by providing the funding and investment for our local treatment and healthcare providers, first responders, and justice systems.”
Consistent with the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget, the amendment includes $1 billion in new mandatory funding to expand access to treatment and recovery services for opioid use disorders, support the placement of substance use disorder treatment providers in the communities most in need of behavioral health providers, and continue to build the evidence base for effective treatment programs.
Freeholders approve grant funding for transportation
The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders on March 1 approved an application for $3,452,000 in grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The purpose of the grant is to fund various county road, bridge, and traffic signal improvement projects.
The grant term is for fiscal year 2016.
“Chairman Tilo Rivas and the Board of Chosen Freeholders are committed to providing the necessary resources needed for county transportation improvement projects,” said spokesman
Edgar Martinez.