As part of a longstanding commitment to improving transportation between Northern New Jersey and Manhattan, senators Robert Torricelli and Jon S. Corzine, along with Rep. Robert Menendez (D-13th Dist.), announced on Sept. 26 the release of $4.9 million to study the environmental impact of several plans expanding access to Manhattan from Secaucus Transfer Station.
The funding comes from the Department of Transportation and will be used by the New Jersey Transit Corporation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
"The funding will build towards the success of a seamless regional public transportation system that I have championed and supported for so many years," said Menendez.
The grant for the "Access to the Region’s Core Major Investment Study," also known as the Trans-Hudson Midtown Corridor, would study access to midtown Manhattan with both near and long term alternatives.
"New Jersey’s economy is intricately connected with New York City’s, with so many of our residents traveling to Manhattan on a daily basis for work," said Corzine. "Now, the added security precautions at our tunnel and bridge crossings will make an already dense traffic situation even more difficult. It is all the more imperative that we study ways to improve access to New York, even as we strive to ensure the safety of our commuters."
Several near-term alternatives focus on expanding the capacity of Penn Station in New York, while potential long-term alternatives would create a new two-track Trans-Hudson commuter rail tunnel to connect Penn Station. The third phase of an environmental impact study already underway is expected to be complete by December.
Torricelli and Corzine release federal emergency funds
More than $5 billion in aid for individuals, businesses, hospitals and municipalities affected by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was released on Sept. 21, the first installment of a $40 billion Emergency Response Appropriation Fund passed by Congress. New Jersey residents and organizations will be eligible for some of these funds.
"New York and New Jersey are linked both socially and economically," said Torricelli. "Not only are our families devastated by the loss of their loved ones, but also businesses and communities are struggling to maintain financial viability in the wake of this disaster."
The New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services, which will administer the funds, has about $126 million available. These funds will provide assistance for the health-related needs of the disaster-affected areas. The money can be used for health care providers, community health centers, mental health and substance abuse services and several other services.
"The devastation that was visited upon the World Trade Center affected hundreds of families and businesses in New Jersey," Corzine said. "The terrible tragedy that occurred on Sept. 11 took an incredible toll on the people of our state and we must now begin the difficult task of reimbursing our communities."
Health Care providers in Hudson County are among those eligible for the funding.
Schools get grant to help kids cope with disaster
The U.S. States Department of Education is providing $15 million to New Jersey’s Department of Education to help students and teachers directly impacted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
The funds can be used to provide counseling for students and teachers, hire substitute teachers, add security, clean up damaged schools, retain experts in long-term crisis planning and rent space or transport students if needed. The grant will also help schools deal with the crisis on an immediate and long term basis and help students cope with the crisis.
"Thousands of New Jersey residents lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center," Torricelli said. "The unspeakable violence is hard for most adults to comprehend, must less children. Aiding the families and children who lost loved ones in the disaster is my highest priority right now, and this grant will greatly assist in that task."
The grants are part of the Department’s Project School Emergency Response to Violence, created to provide assistance such as counseling services to local school districts that have experience a traumatic event.
Allied Junction CEO establishes four-year scholarship fund
George W. Newman, the principal partner and chief operating officer in the commercial element of Allied Junction project in south Secaucus, has established a $60,000 four-year scholarship in his name to Caldwell College in Caldwell, N.J. for a Secaucus student.
"It is my distinct pleasure to be able to render assistance to a worthy student to achieve a college education at a first-rate institution like Caldwell College," Newman said. "Those of us who have been fortunate enough in life have an obligation to give others a better chance to achieve their potential and success."
To be eligible, a graduating Secaucus High School senior must meet at least two of the following three academic criteria: 1000 points or more on the SAT, 3.0 grade point average, or ranking in the top third of his or her class.
In addition, a student must have participated in school or community activities and must be involved in one or more athletic activities. The student must complete a Caldwell College application for admission along with the free application for Federal Student Aid.
The student must have the unconditional support of the Secaucus High School administration, as well as four recommendation letters, one from a guidance counselor, a teacher, a community leader and an athletic director/coach or employer.
Last May, Newman received an honorary degree from Caldwell College at commencement. He also presented the college with a $1 million cash gift, the largest single donation in the college’s history. Newman and his wife, Amy, have donated millions of dollars to help support the arts, healthcare and education in the Garden State.
In a statement issued in response to the announcement, Mayor Dennis Elwell thanked Newman for the scholarship.
"Since taking office, I’ve tried to work closely with our business community to urge our corporations to invest in Secaucus and our people, and to develop public-private partnerships," Elwell said. "Mr. Newman is one leader of our business community who has risen to the challenge."