Who’s in the local races
On Monday, the seven remaining Hoboken mayoral candidates got the order in which they’ll be posted on the ballot. Unless someone else drops out, it will be: Patricia Waiters, Beth Mason, Frank Raia, Nathan Brinkman, Everton Wilson, Dawn Zimmer, and Kimberly Glatt.
Since the Nov. 3 election is taking place concurrent with the gubernatorial, there will likely be a larger turnout than for most municipal elections. Also, many local legislators will be on the ballot, but the incumbent Democrats are favored to win, considering Hudson County’s past record and a lack of strong Republican opposition locally.
Also, Secaucus is having a council and mayoral election on the same day, but no one is opposing mayoral candidate Michael Gonnelli. (Former opponent Dennis Elwell dropped out when he resigned his mayoral seat after being arrested in July with 43 other pols and religious leaders.) There are two sets of council people opposing each other: Gonnelli’s team, and Elwell’s team.
Bayonne also is having council races the same day.
Study finds most JC residents struggling in tough economy
Despite all the talk about Jersey City being the “Gold Coast” and “Wall Street West” and the presence of numerous luxury condos, a new study finds that much of Jersey City’s population are struggling on many levels.
The study, “Working Hard and Still Poor on New Jersey’s Gold Coast,” by the Garden State Alliance for a New Economy, a northern New Jersey coalition of unions and community organizations, made the following key findings based on analysis of the U.S. Census 2008 American Community Survey:
-Nearly 50 percent of renters in Jersey City spend more than 30 percent of their incomes on rent alone.
-While it took approximately $46,000 for the average Jersey City household just to “make ends meet,” an overwhelming 44.3 percent of Jersey City’s population had annual incomes of only $50,000 or less in 2008.
-49 percent of Jersey City’s employed population work in traditional full-time jobs, the other half of the city’s workers are engaged in non-standard work arrangements – which often lack key benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation.
-The median household income for African Americans and Latinos were $44,769 and $36,601, significantly lower than $72,383 for White residents and $84,327 for Asian residents. – RK
Become an advocate
The New Jersey Dept. of the Public Advocate, Division of the Elderly, is looking for dedicated, committed, and caring people to be volunteer advocates for nursing home residents in Hudson County. After completing 32 hours of training in communication, observation, and trouble-shooting skills, the advocates visit nursing facilities in their communities for a minimum of four hours a week. Their role is to visit and address concerns regarding living conditions, daily activities, and quality of care. For additional information, call Volunteer Advocate Coordinator Sue Rosenkranz at (973) 226-1041.
Help the hungry
Still hungry after Meadowlands Restaurant Week? Fear not, the Third Annual “Taste of the NFL” is coming up on Monday, Oct. 19 at Giants Stadium. Hosted by Antonio Pierce, the event will feature a sampling of favorite dishes from area restaurants and silent and live auctions which will benefit ShopRite Partners in Caring, a year-round community-based hunger fighting initiative.
Several current and and former New York Giants players will also be on hand for the event. VIP tickets are $400, with general admission tickets selling for $250. To purchase tickets, visit www.giants.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Giants Stadium is located at 50 Route 120, East Rutherford, NJ.