Revenge of the peep show pros
It has been two years since Secaucus officials huffed, puffed, and blew out of town a sex industry trade show that was dubbed “too hot for Secaucus.”
But just like the villain in a B-movie sequel, the trade show organizers are back for revenge. And in their dictionary, revenge is spelled l-a-w-s-u-i-t.
Back in September 2008, Victory Tradeshow Management was gearing up for its Exxxotica NY trade show, which was scheduled to take place from Sept. 12 through 14 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Veterans on the porn expo circuit, Victory had already hosted successful trade shows in other states and assumed Exxxotica’s New York-area debut would come off without any problems.
However, upon learning that the “Jewel of the Meadowlands,” as Secaucus refers to itself, was about to play host to strippers and porn stars and their enthusiastic fans, Secaucus town officials went to court to block the show from coming to town. The town used an ordinance passed in 1996 – which prohibits the serving of alcohol at any venue where there is nudity or where “sex acts” are being performed – to block the sex expo from coming.
At the last minute Victory was forced to move the show to the Raritan Center in Edison.
Fast forward to 2010. According to Adult Video News – which the Reporter reads solely for research purposes – Victory is now suing the Town of Secaucus, former Mayor Dennis Elwell, Town Administrator David Drumeler, Hartz Mountain, which owns the Meadowlands Exposition Center, and others for alleged breach of contract and interference with a contract.
Among Victory’s charges are allegations that Hartz refused to return a $32,000 deposit paid to book the Expo Center.
Drumeler said of the lawsuit last week, “One judge has already ruled in our favor, so I have no reason to think we wouldn’t win again. Their real complaint appears to be with Hartz.”
Berckes named high school principal
The Secaucus Board of Education last night appointed Dr. Robert Berckes as principal of Secaucus High School. Berckes will replace outgoing Principal Deidre Ertle, who will retire from the position on Sept. 20.
Berckes was one of three finalists interviewed Tuesday night by board members.
In 2006, Berckes ran for the 3rd Ward Town Council seat on the Independent Take Back Secaucus slate alongside 1st Ward candidate Gary Jeffas and 2nd Ward candidate Michael Gonnelli. Jeffas and Gonnelli won their races against incumbent Democratic candidates and joined the council in 2007. Berckes was, however, defeated by incumbent 3rd Ward Councilman John Shinnick.
According to a bio on Berckes released by the Board of Education, he earned a BS from Montclair State University and a MA in supervision, leadership, and administration from New Jersey City University. He also holds state certifications for biological sciences, phys ed, and principal/supervisor and superintendent.
He began his teaching career in 1975, and much of his work as a teacher over the past three decades has been in the parochial school system.
According to one source, Berckes received the support of most board members. One member, however, questioned whether he has enough experience in the public school system to lead Secaucus High School
Local assemblyman joins effort to protect jobs and discourage outsourcing
Assemblymen Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. (D-Hudson) and Nelson Albano (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland) are pushing legislation to protect jobs at home and discourage the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries with bill A998, which would prohibit business entities from eligibility for state contracts or state grants if the business eliminates jobs performed by its employees in the United States and assigns those functions to workers in a foreign nation.
“Now more than ever we need to be conscious of the businesses New Jersey invests in,” said Ramos in a released statement. ”We should be using every resource at our disposal to help retain and attract jobs to our country, and our state, in particular.”
Prior to receiving any state contract or grant, a business entity will be required to certify, in writing to the state agency awarding the contract or grant, that it is not prohibited by the bill’s provisions from entering into the contract or receiving the grant, and must agree that during the contract or grant, it will not engage in conduct that would make it ineligible.
The proposed bill also prohibits state funds or funds under the custody or control of the state from being invested in the securities of ineligible businesses.
The measure is currently awaiting a hearing before the Assembly State Government Committee.
Help support the Class of 2011
The Secaucus High School Class of 2011 is asking the community to support the many fundraisers the class plans to hold throughout the upcoming school year. One of the biggest fundraisers will be its Heart of a Champion “tricky tray.” Proceeds for the event will help pay for or defray the cost of the senior yearbook, caps, gowns, and other senior student needs.
Class advisors Keith Schneider and Amanda Jones are asking the community for monetary donations of any size. Donations are tax-deductible. Anyone interested in making a donation is asked to call SHS at (201) 974-2033.