Debate footage now available online
Footage of the Secaucus Town Council debate has been posted to www.HudsonReporter.com and will remain on the website through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2.
The link to the debate can be found on the right-hand side of the webpage under the heading labeled “2010 Election Debates.” Follow the link that reads “Secaucus Council Election.”
First Ward Gary Jeffas and Robert Zych, 2nd Ward candidates James Clancy and Nancy Mateo, and 3rd Ward candidate Susan Pirro debated such issues as property taxes, development, labor contracts, and the Secaucus Recreation Center in a cordial debate that highlighted several differences in the Democratic and Independent slates.
Third Ward Mark Bruscino had a scheduling conflict and arrived at the debate toward its conclusion. He arrived in time to answer one question regarding development and affordable housing.
Zych, Mateo, and Bruscino are running together on the Democratic ticket. Jeffas, Clancy, and Pirro are running on the Independent Take Back Secaucus slate that’s being backed by Mayor Michael Gonnelli.
Four days of testimony begins in school employee case
Testimony before an administrative law judge has begun in the case of a Secaucus Board of Education employee who was suspended on sexual harassment allegations in January.
Administrative Law Judge Ellen S. Bass is hearing the case of Natalizia Busnelli Aljallad, a former administrative assistant in the board office, whom the Board of Trustees voted to terminate in June.
Four days of hearings began on Oct. 15, with a full day of testimony from Secaucus Schools Superintendent Cynthia Randina. Additional hearings have been scheduled for Oct. 26, Nov. 5, and Dec. 6, after which Bass will render a decision on the matter.
The matter is before the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law in Newark and no jury is involved in the case.
Busnelli, who has recently gone back to using her maiden name, was initially suspended with pay from her job as a tenured administrative aide in the board office on Jan. 21, following allegations that she sexually harassed school safety officer Reinaldo Cruzado, made false statements to the same police officer, and made slanderous statements against two Board of Education trustees.
The alleged incidents took place in December 2009, according to Busnelli and an affidavit from Schools Superintendent Cynthia Randina, which the Reporter obtained in April.
On March 30, Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor Patrick Sharkey “administratively dismissed” a criminal complaint against Busnelli that stemmed from these same allegations, according to a document from the prosecutor’s office.
Busnelli’s status was later changed to “suspended without pay” in April.
Busnelli, Cruzado, and the two School Board Trustees she allegedly slandered – Michael Makarski and Frank Trombetta – are all expected to testify before Judge Bass.
Meadowlands Commission donates computers to senior buildings
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission has donated 15 computers to the town, which will be installed in the Senior Center and the town’s senior buildings.
Volunteers will be on hand during some hours to provide computer training and to offer assistance. Seniors will be taught computer basics and given an opportunity to learn at their own pace.
A study released last year by the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal and Economic Public Policy Studies found that maintaining social contact with friends and family online cut depression among seniors by 20 percent.
Despite the apparent benefits, less than half – about 42 percent, according to the Pew Research Center – of seniors aged 65 and older use the internet.
Computer and online use is, however, rising rapidly among this age group.
Breuer leaving library
Jennifer Breuer, assistant director at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center, has been selected to be the director of the Glen Ridge Public Library effective Nov. 1.
A Rutgers University graduate, Breuer was promoted to assistant director in Secaucus two years ago following the retirement of longtime Library Director Kathy Steffens. Breuer became assistant library director when Jenifer May was promoted to replace Steffens.
Breuer recently served as the day-to-day point person for the Library Mini-Fair and Book Sale.
Ramos introduces bill to aid commuters
Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos Jr. (D-Hoboken) has introduced legislation to help commuters besieged by increased transportation rates. The New Jersey Commuter Pass Credit Act (A-3414) would provide a temporary gross income tax credit for 8 percent of the amount a taxpayer spends on qualified commuting passes up to $100 per taxable year.
“This bill is designed to provide some measure of financial relief to New Jersey taxpayers who rely on train, bus, or ferry to get to work,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). ”We also hope this will alleviate congestion and provide incentives for us to reduce our carbon footprint.
The credit would be available for the three taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1 following the date of enactment of the legislation. A qualified commuting pass includes passes for train, bus, or ferry service which taxpayers purchase for their use at a price of no less than $30. Qualified commuting is limited to travel between the taxpayer’s home and work, or terminals near those places, one of which must be located in New Jersey.
“This is a logical, short-term, three-year stimulus measure designed to help those that are struggling to stay afloat and allow us to see just how effective this policy will be in the long-run,” added Ramos. ”Hopefully this measure will help ease a little bit of the strain on the average commuter.”
The bill would also require the director of the Division of Taxation to complete a report on the credit, which is to be submitted to the governor and legislature in August of the third year of the credit in order to determine if the incentive should be renewed or allowed to expire.