Holiday Hudson Reporter editorial and advertising deadlines
Because of the Labor Day holiday, some of the Hudson Reporter newspapers will have special advertising deadlines.
For the Sept. 8 edition of the Bayonne Community News, the display ad deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2. The classified deadline is noon on Friday, Sept. 3.
For the Sept. 9 edition of the Midweek Reporter, the display ad deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2 and the classified deadline is noon on Friday, Sept. 3.
The office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 for the holiday. It will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 7. If you have questions about these deadlines or any other issue, please call (201) 798-7800. Also check www.hudsonreporter.com.
Port Authority to fund the raising of Bayonne Bridge
Raising the Bayonne Bridge to accommodate the expected traffic in larger shipping and assure the future vitality of the Newark Bay port area got a $1 billion boost today, thanks to a deal brokered by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Trustees for the Port Authority traded agreements to help fund reconstruction of the World Trade Center towers in exchange for a commitment to rehabilitate or rebuild the bridge.
Gov. Christopher Christie had threatened to veto the World Trade Center project if the PA did not approve funding for the Bayonne Bridge as well
Bayonne Bridge construction is facing a tight deadline, since new large container port ships are expected to begin passing through the reconstructed Panama Canal starting in 2015. These ships cannot fit under the bridge as it currently stands.
In 2009, the Army Corp of Engineers issued a report saying that the bridge needs to be raised by about 60 feet to a height of about 215 feet.
The problem with raising the bridge, however, is that it would require access ramps in Bayonne and Staten Island to be expanded as well, threatening to wipe out whole blocks of residential housing.
Gov. Christie fires Schundler from education post
Gov. Christopher Christie issued a statement Friday that he has fired state Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler, the former Jersey City mayor.
A NJ.com report said Christie fired Schundler Friday morning after Schundler “refused to resign” in the aftermath of the state losing out on $400 million in federal funds after a mistake was made on the application for the funds. In particular, Schundler was seen on a video showing him unable to give an answer to correct the mistake on the application.
Christie issued the following statement about Schundler’s dismissal:
“I was extremely disappointed to learn that the videotape of the Race to the Top presentation was not consistent with the information provided to me by the New Jersey Department of Education and which I then conveyed to the people of New Jersey. As a result, I ordered an end to Bret Schundler’s service as New Jersey’s Education Commissioner and as a member of my administration.”
Schundler, 51, was appointed to the state’s education’s commissioner post in March. He had previously served as Jersey City mayor from 1992-2001. Before he took over the education commissioner post, Schundler was the COO of Kings College, a private Christian college in Manhattan.
Schundler could not be reached for comment on his dismissal.
Council hires lobbyist to fight gas pipeline
The Jersey City Council at its Wednesday meeting approved a resolution to hire Boston firm O’Neill and Associates for $32,500 to lobby federal officials and coordinate opposition to a natural gas pipeline project to run through Staten Island, Bayonne, and Jersey City to customers in New York City.
Spectra Energy is applying to the federal government for approval to run through these towns, but the company is facing opposition from top city officials, including Mayor Jerramiah Healy, who say the next six months will be important for this issue, because the final route for the pipeline will be determined before the end of the year.
Mayor Healy, in supporting the O’Neill hire, said the city needs help from a firm with experience dealing with federal agencies on the project. The firm’s contract would reportedly require them to issue regular reports to the city on their efforts.
City residents Dale Hardman and Stephen Musgrave also oppose the pipeline, which would deliver 800 million cubic feet of gas per day to New York. The two have launched a website, www.nogaspipeline.org, to disseminate information about the project and provide a focus for the fight against it, and also addressed the council before they voted on the resolution.
Marist announces meals/milk program
Marist High School announced today that meals/milk will be available to all children enrolled, and will be provided free or at a reduced price to children from households whose gross incomes are at or below those shown on the federal income eligibility guidelines. Applications are sent to households of all enrolled children that have not been directly certified. Foster children may be eligible for free or reduced price meals and/or free milk.
Application forms are available at your child’s school, and application can be made at any time during the school year. If a household member becomes unemployed or the household size or income changes during the school year, parents should contact the school so that all children receive the proper benefits.
For the school officials to determine eligibility, the household must provide the following information listed on the application: names of all household members; household income listed monthly by the amount received by each household member and the type of income it is; and the signature and social security number of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct.
Households receiving assistance under the Food Stamp Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for their children will be notified of their eligibility for free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving assistance under Food Stamps or TANF should only submit an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by a specified date determined by the school.
The information provided by parents on the application will be kept confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. Also, the names of those receiving free or reduced price meals will be kept private. Children who receive free or reduced price meal benefits are treated the same as children who pay for meals.
The school will advise parents of their child’s eligibility within 10 working days of receipt of the application. Any parent dissatisfied with the eligibility determination may contact the school to request an informal conference or may appeal the decision by requesting a formal hearing. A hearing can be arranged by calling or writing Robert M. Slaski, Marist High School, 1241 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, (201) 437-4545.
Parents may call Olivia B. Olson at (201) 437-4545 for further information on the program.
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD0 or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Lillo’s Lullaby plans Pasta Night
The Joseph Lillo Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation for Children is holding their second annual Family Pasta Night at Robbin’s Reef Yacht Club on Pavonia Court in Bayonne on Sept. 25 at 4 p.m.
Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for children over five years old. There is no cost for children five years old and under. Price includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, dessert, coffee, and soft drinks. There will be a 50/50, raffles, popcorn machine, cotton candy, face painting, and fun for the kids. Mark Byrnes and the Love Hijackers will perform live at the beach bar, and DJ Fabbz will be on the patio.
Complimentary vans from the A&P parking lot will be provided beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets will be sold at the door; however, advance tickets sales are also available. Call (908) 230-5626 for reservations and information. If you are unable to attend the event, but would like to make a donation, send checks payable to The Joseph Lillo SMA Foundation for Children, P.O. Box 774, Bayonne, NJ 07002.
For additional information on Spinal Muscular Atrophy, visit www.lilloslullaby.org.