Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli still recovering from stroke
Throughout this past week, Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli continued to show improvement after his recent stroke Wednesday, June 8 around 5 p.m. in his home, town officials said.
The town website posted an update on Tuesday and said that the mayor was still hospitalized, but doctors remained optimistic about his ongoing progress. By the end of the week, officials said he had been moved to a rehabilitation center and was continuing to improve.
Officials could not say last week when Gonnelli would speak to the public or the press about his ordeal.
The website has stated that the family has asked residents to refrain from visiting him in the hospital. Send gifts or cards to the Mayor’s Office at Town Hall to be delivered to him.
Councilman Gary Jeffas has been filling in during this time.
Gonnelli is a lifelong Secaucus resident who served as the supervisor of public works before becoming mayor. His four-year term began in 2013.
Secaucus man rescues woman from drowning in river
A Secaucus man, Jason Moss, 30, saved a woman who accidentally drove her car into the Passaic River Tuesday, according to reports.
Reports said Moss left his gym in Lyndhurst around 8:36 a.m. and saw a 2008 Mercury Wagon head into the river. According to reports, he jumped into the water, saw the woman was unconscious, tugged the door open as the car was sinking, and brought her to shore as the emergency responders arrived.
The police advised him to get a tetanus shot, but Moss refused transportation to a hospital.
Reports stated Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumbolo said the water was over the roof of the car and she would have drowned if it weren’t for Moss. She was hospitalized and her injuries weren’t life threatening, according to reports.
Moss told a newspaper that the woman’s daughter contacted him on Facebook to thank him.
The crash is still under investigation, reports said.
Secaucus Illegal Dumping Team earns ‘Don’t Waste Our Open Space’ Enforcement Award
The Secaucus Illegal Dumping Team has received the “Don’t Waste Our Open Space” Enforcement Award from the New Jersey Clean Communities Council for its efforts on cracking down on illegal dumping in parks.
Last August, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection launched its program, “Don’t Waste Our Open Space,” in Secaucus to help eliminate illegal dumping. The team has helped yield several arrests, prompted by investigations of illegal dump sites.
The team works to raise awareness of illegal dumping through outreach and education, recruiting residents’ help in reporting suspects. NJCCC is a comprehensive, statewide litter-abatement program that has served New Jersey residents and visitors for more than 25 years.
Free outdoor concerts on Weehawken waterfront begin June 29
A diverse and eclectic program of summer concerts returns to the Weehawken waterfront as the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center, Inc. (HRPAC) presents Summer Concerts on the Hudson 2016. This series of free evening concerts starts on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. and will feature top artists from many different musical genres, including big band hot jazz, a cappella vocal, classic jazz, Latin, and Broadway.
“For over a dozen years, Summer Concerts on the Hudson has had the honor of presenting world class artists, free of charge, to the public,” said Bruce Sherman, HRPAC’s executive director. “We consider it a privilege to present great and diverse music in a spectacular riverfront setting for all to enjoy.”
All performances take place at Lincoln Harbor Park and begin at 7 p.m. Rain dates, if necessary, will occur the following night after each scheduled performance. The public is requested to bring a lawn chair or blanket and encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy the pastoral setting of Lincoln Harbor Park.
The Hudson Reporter is a co-sponsor of this series.
The Summer Concerts on the Hudson 2016 lineup includes:
Wednesday, June 29 – Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks. Grammy winner Vince Giordano and his renowned eleven piece band.
Wednesday, July 13 – The Persuasions. This legendary vocal group is one of the greatest a cappella ensembles of all time.
Wednesday, Aug. 3 – Centennial Tribute to Billy Strayhorn. Billy Strayhorn was a genius composer and arranger and right hand to Duke Ellington.
Wednesday, Aug.17 – The David L Band. David Lopez is a rising star and singing sensation in Panama, playing Latin Caribbean Funk.
Monday, Aug. 29 – Broadway on the Hudson. Join some of Musical Theater’s best (including Tony winners and nominees) performing some of Broadway’s most beloved tunes. Cast to be announced. This is a one-night-only event created just for Summer Concerts on the Hudson.
Secaucus resident exhibits art from films and more at library exhibition
Nationally renowned artist Rich Moglia is exhibiting more than two dozen of his newest paintings at the Secaucus Public Library through the month of June. Included in the exhibition are paintings that have been used for motion picture conceptual art, book covers, collectible trading cards, and even a commissioned portrait of Kim Kardashian. Subject matter runs the gamut from spectacular fantasy scenes to his exceptional and highly sought-after Native American depictions.
Notable among his work is a portrait he recently completed of one of the town’s oldest residents, Connie Lombardi, age 101.
Secaucus resident Moglia opened the Mog Creations School of Art at 175 Front St. in the center of town earlier this year to teach the craft of painting to local residents. As a special treat Moglia is including standout work by about a half-dozen of his top students, ages 7-15, in the library exhibition.
There will be an artist reception on Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m. in the Panasonic Room on the second floor of the library, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd. The event is open to all, and is a great way to meet other artists, art lovers, and library patrons. Light refreshments will be served.
The exhibition runs through June 30. For more information call (201) 330-2083 or visit secaucuslibrary.org.
Secaucus High School graduates win honors
Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at Secaucus High School Brandon Halpin was honored at the Teterboro Airport Community Benefit Fund Scholarship Awards Luncheon on June 9. Halpin is headed to New York Univeristy in the fall. He was one of 10 students in the region who was presented with this award.
Teterboro Airport has funded scholarships for students who are in the top 25 percent of their class in order to promote higher education in the fields of aviation, engineering, or computer science related to this field.
The salutatorian Hannah Faye Canonigo is headed to Rutgers in the fall. Class President Fedah Mohammed is going to Pace University. Watch for a graduation story in a future issue.
Junior State of America chapter celebrates achievement at Outback Steakhouse
The Secaucus High School Junior State of America chapter was the recipient of the JSA National Civic Impact Award as the nation’s top chapter for 2016. The Secaucus JSA chapter and their advisor Michael Gehm received the award last month. The top JSA chapters from around the country compete annually for the National Civic Impact Award. The award recognizes the JSA chapter that makes the biggest impact on increasing the level of civic awareness and engagement at their school.
In honor of this prestigious award, the students were invited to participate in a celebratory dinner at Outback Steakhouse, courtesy of Mayor Mike Gonnelli. During the dinner festivities, congratulatory comments were made by Secaucus Councilman Gary Jeffas, JSA Advisor and Secaucus High School Teacher Mike Gehm, Secaucus High School Principal Dr. Robert Berckes, Board of Education President John Gerbasio, and Interim Superintendent Kenneth Knops. JSA President Iqra Ahmed served as master of ceremonies.
The evening was a fitting forum for the JSA members to celebrate their impressive award prior to the end of the school year.
Friends of the Library sponsor Summer Writing Contests
The Friends of the Secaucus Public Library are encouraging youth, teens and adults living or working in Secaucus to participate in this year’s summer writing contests. Local writers have until Friday, Aug. 19 to submit their unpublished, original short story with the entry form available at the library or at secaucuslibrary.org.
According to Friends president Karyn Lusskin, the writing contests are part of a larger initiative to celebrate the literary talent that exists in the community. “While we’ve always worked to showcase local artists and writers, we are putting a special highlight on literature and writing this summer as we lead up to our new and improved Mini-Fair and Literary Festival in September.” In addition to receiving a $100 Amazon gift card, the winner of each contest will be asked to read their work at the Mini-Fair itself, on Saturday, Sept. 17 as part of the marathon open mic event that will be happening at the library that day. If you are hesitant to read your own work in public, you can still enter the contest—but they might ask permission for someone else to recite your work during the festival.”
The story must be an original prose piece with a central theme, but may be fiction or narrative non-fiction. A grand prize winner will be chosen in each of the following age groups: youth ages 10-13, teen ages 14-17 and Adult 18 and older. Youth entries must be no less than 500 words and no more than 2,000 words. Teen and Adult entries must be a minimum of 1,000 words and a maximum of 5,000 words. The age category is determined by the age of the author as of June 1 regardless of how long ago the work was written.”
The contests are open to any person who is over 10 years old as of June 1 and resides, works or attends school in Secaucus. Participants must consent to read or have their work read publicly at the 2016 Friends of the Library Mini-Fair and Literary Festival. Additional rules and regulations are included on the contest entry form, which must be completed by everyone who submits a story.
Those interested in entering the contest can call the library director, Jenifer May, at 201-330-2083 extension 4011 or email may@secaucus.bccls.org for more information.
High School senior Iqra Ahmad received High School Citizenship Award June 15
Secaucus High School Senior Iqra Ahmad was honored at the Board of Education’s Showcase of Success on June 15 for being named the Secaucus High School Class of 2016 Citizenship Award. Each year the recipient of this award is selected by a vote of the Secaucus High School Faculty.
Iqra served in the capacity of President of the Secaucus High School Chapter of the Junior States of America this past school year. In this role she has traveled to universities such as Princeton for debates on a number of State and Federal issues. She also has authored a number of congressional bills that she presented at a Mock Congress in Washington, DC, and has won several Best Speaker awards. As President, Ahmad organized a number of JSA events including a St. Jude’s donation drive, a Cricket Tournament to raise money for a JSA Summer School Scholarships, and volunteer work for the Wounded Warrior Run, and volunteer work for a local political fundraiser. Under Ahmad’s leadership, this past year the Secaucus JSA Chapter won designation as the 2016 National Civic Impact Award as the top JSA chapter in the nation.
In addition to her academic record of achievement, Ahmad also held leadership positions as Tennis Team Captain and JSA Mid-Atlantic Cabinet Director of Logistic; as well as serving an internship at a local dentist’s office, a career she aspires to.
Seton Hall dormitory fire survivors present ‘After the Fire” at Secaucus High School
On June 1, at the Performing Arts Center at Secaucus High School, Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simmons recounted the Seton Hall Dormitory fire they survived 16 years ago. Although Llanos and Simmons survived the fire, three of their classmates perished in the fire. Llanos and Simmons visited Secaucus High School to share their story of survival, perseverance, inspiration, hope, courage and friendship.
Llanos and Simons have spoken about their ordeal of being college burn victims nationally at high schools and colleges across the country, as well as fire safety training and conferences as part of their “After the Fire” presentation.
Secaucus band plays for over 10,000 people at Organ and Tissue Sharing Network 5K
Over 10,000 walkers and runners were welcomed to the sound of bagpipes and drums by the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band USA at the annual New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network 5K Celebration of Life.
The NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit organization responsible for facilitating organ and tissue donations in NJ and also is dedicated to spreading the importance of the important cause. For over ten years, Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan has been devoted to spreading the importance of organ and tissue donation, as many of our disciples have needed and received transplants, as well as donated.
SwamiBapa Pipeband is North America’s first and only Indian American bagpipe band. The band is based in Secaucus. They were invited to start the annual 5K walk and race in New Providence, NJ.
The band started the race with an honorable tribute to all donors and their families with Amazing Grace. The band continued with playing American patriotic tunes such as God Bless America and America the Beautiful in addition to popular tunes such as Yankee Doodle and We Will Rock You. In addition, the band played traditional religious melodies and Bollywood fusion tunes, and added the Indian ‘dhol’ drum to cheer on the participants.
Despite the rain, thousands of walkers, ranging from donor families, recipients, transplant professionals, and local community leaders, danced and cheered to bagpipe music, as they commenced their walk. Jami Abes, RN and Transplant Coordinator for RWJBarnabas Health, said, “What an amazing performance! The bagpipes are so very rare to hear – all the walkers were stopping in their tracks to take a listen. The players were all extremely talented! The music was beautiful and went along perfectly with such a moving event.”