Bayonne Board of Ed candidates announced
The BBOED candidate for the November 8 election were announced this week, with 12 candidates running. Mary Jane Desmond, Dennis Wilbeck, and Carol Cruden are seeking re-election, this time for three-year terms. Challengers for the three-year terms will be Michael Alonso, who is part of the effort to recall Mayor James Davis, Alonso ran for a number of offices in the past, Gina Irizarry, a Jersey City English teacher, who ran in last year’s BBOED race, and former city council candidate John Milan Sebik. Also vying for a three-year term are first-time candidates Leonard Cantor, Sharma Montgomery, and George Vinc, Jr. Barry Kushnir, who would be running for a two-year term, is not seeking re-election. John Cupo, Charles Ryan, and Maria Valado will by vying for his seat.
Animal Control contract out for bid
The Bayonne City Council voted 4-1 to allow bids for the city’s animal control contract, which was awarded to New Jersey Animal Control and Rescue (NJACR) in November. NJACR, owned by Geoffrey Santini, had been given a two-year contract. NJACR sparked controversy when it was originally awarded the contract.
In 2015, when NJACR had a contract in Union City, the Union City Feral Cat Committee (UCFCC) argued against the NJACR because it is a for-profit company. They argue that non-profit organizations would be better suited for animal control due to their ability to apply for grants and attract volunteers.
Storm on Monday floods sections of Bayonne
A flash flood warning preceded real flash floods on Monday evening, stranding vehicles. Photos surfaced of stranded cars at the 22nd Street underpass, Avenue E and 13th Street, and the 8th Street underpass. The flooding water receded when the heavy rain abated. Light rail service was suspended temporarily between Danforth Ave. and 8th Street, due to a downed tree.
Funeral for man fatally stabbed
A funeral was held for Pablo Caamano, the 33-year-old Bayonne resident, who was fatally stabbed in Woodbridge last week, at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Saturday. More than 100 people came to pay their respects.
The Bayonne Renaissance Fair
The first annual Bayonne Renaissance Fair is set for 1 p.m. on July 30 at 16th Street-DiDomenico Park. Admission is free, and parking will be available at Veterans Stadium; free shuttle service will be available to and from the lot. Entertainment will include music, poetry, jugglers, and live-action role play. Vendors will be selling food, braiding hair, painting faces, and all kinds of fun Renaissance activities will take place.
Health Fair rescheduled to the fall
The Bayonne Health Fair was rescheduled for the third time due to extreme heat. Originally planned for July 8, it is now scheduled to take place Monday, September 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Park on Avenue C between 26th and 27th Street. The fair is intended to provide free screening by CarePoint Bayonne Medical Center for blood lead, HIV, and cholesterol. The temperature on July 8 was 95 degrees, on the following “rain date” it was 91 degrees, and the third rescheduled date turned out to be 90 degrees. It’s hoped that September weather will be more temperate. For more information, call the Bayonne Health Division Clinic nurses at (201) 858-6140.
Bridgemen last performance
The Bridgemen performed for the last time in Bayonne at Veterans Stadium on Saturday in conjunction with Fusion Core for the final Tournament of the Stars show. Their two last shows will be the DCI Eastern Classic in Allentown, Pennsylvania on August 6 and the DCI World Championship Semi-Finals in Indianapolis on August 12.