Notice of intent to recall the mayor was filed at the city clerk’s office
A group in Bayonne was at City Clerk Robert Sloan’s office on Monday to file a notification of intention to recall Mayor James Davis.
The group filling the petition includes Michael Alonso, Donald Baran Jr. and Patrick Desmond, according to an online news report. They represent members of the Bayonne community who oppose many local development plans, most notably the Muslim Community Center, according to published reports.
Mayor James Davis acknowledged the group’s right to challenge his seat, but says “My feeling is that this is nothing more than a publicity stunt.” Despite the criticism, he expressed assurance in his ability as mayor. “I am confident with the progress we’ve made during my time in office so far, and I am further encouraged every day I come to work as we pursue a brighter future for the city. I get a great feeling from many of the people and groups in the community.”
The New Jersey State Constitution states that a petition to unseat a mayor needs to be submitted within 160 days of filing, and needs signatures from 25 percent of the total number of registered voters.
That means that Michael Alonso has until September 11 to convince 8,178 people to sign the petition to remove the mayor.
Wall collapses; high winds may have been a factor
A wall collapsed at a construction site at 302-304 Broadway at 8:42 a.m. on April 3, according to published reports
Fire Chief Keith Weaver told reporters that the collapse forced seven children and 16 adults from their homes the night of the incident.
He said the five-story residential complex is being built by Skye Development LLC. While some bricks fell into the empty construction site, others landed on the roof the Sunflower Adult Medical Day Care Center at 300 Broadway, which was unoccupied, according to Weaver.
At the time of the incident, 23 residents in the surrounding area were temporarily evacuated from their homes.
Fire officials set up a collapse zone, and no injuries were reported, according to online news reports.
The remaining section of the wall was to be inspected by structural engineers for the Bayonne Building Department and Skye Development, according to Weaver.
Whether the remaining wall can be used or torn down will be determined, Weaver said.
The collapse occurred during a period of heavy wind gusts. Though the cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, Weaver said that high winds may have played a role in the collapse.
Chamber of Commerce holds gala
The Second Annual Peninsula Gala was held on March 31 at the Bayonne Golf Club. School Superintendent Dr. Patricia L. McGeehan received the Dan Kane Legends Award, given in honor of the late Daniel Kane of CarePoint Health, the first Gala Honoree, who died last year after a courageous battle with ALS.
“Dr. McGeehan exemplifies the spirit of the award through her many years of dedication to the students and staff of the Bayonne School District,” said Bayonne Chamber of Commerce President Matt Dorans.
H. Mickey McCabe and McCabe Ambulance Service were recognized as Business Person and Business of the Year. Said Dorans, “There are not many who live and work here in Bayonne who do not know Mickey and his son Michael and their service to the community.”
The first Bayonne Chamber Hall of Fame honoree was Mary Ann Rowland. Recently retired from the Chamber Board of Trustees, she is the first Board Emeritus Trustee.
Dorans acknowledged the launch last year of the Bayonne Junior Chamber of Commerce and welcomed members to the gala. “These students may very well be some of our future honorees,” he said.
Dorans pronounced the gala successful and very well attended. “It was a very good example of the Bayonne business community coming together,” he said. “One of the key goals of the gala is to highlight the accomplishments of the business people within the community. We look forward to continuing it year after year and making it a tradition.”
Hudson County Board of Freeholders urges New Jersey Transit to provide overnight service on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
Jersey City-The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders urges New Jersey Transit to provide overnight service on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.
Mass transit is vital to the residents of Hudson County in that it takes thousands of residents to work, school, recreational venues and other important destinations. It also reduces pollution and traffic congestion and saves energy.
The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail provides daily service to Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen. It has stations at Newport, Exchange Place Hoboken Terminal to provide commuters connections to the Path system.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System does not provide service from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. This nightly period of closure imposes an undue hardship on its commuters who do not have accessible mass transit alternatives to and from New York City and their homes during the hours of closure. Freeholder Chairman Tilo Rivas and the Board of Chosen Freeholders urge New Jersey Transit to provide continuous, overnight service on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail so that commuters during the hours of 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. are not unduly burdened. If New Jersey Transit does not provide continuous service to commuters than it should provide bus shuttle service alternatives for commuters during the hours of 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser set for April 16
The Bayonne Theater Company will host a Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser on April 16 at 6 p.m. to benefit the Bayonne Theater Company’s upcoming “Bayonne’s Got Talent Competition,” “Free Monthly Movies at the Museum,” and “Shakespeare in the Park.” The fundraiser will be held at the Bayonne Community Museum at 229 Broadway. Tickets are $40 per person, which includes pasta dinner, soda, dessert, and the show. To sponsor the event or for more information, call Adam Semanchick at (201) 780-8378. Facebook.com/Bayonne TheaterCo.
PSE&G work on JFK Blvd. could divert traffic
During the week of April 4, PSE&G crews will work at the following locations on John F. Kennedy Boulevard for the Bergen-Linden Corridor (BLC) electric transmission reliability project, www.pseg.com/blc:
–conduit installation between West 3rd and 7th Streets
–conduit installation between West 14th and 20th Streets
–test pit excavation in the south bound lane of John F. Kennedy Boulevard between West 58th and 63rd Streets
As the project crosses intersections, a Bayonne extra-duty traffic control officer will assist motorists who need access to their homes.
For questions about the project, email to richard.dwyer@pseg.com or call PSE&G’s BLC customer service telephone number at 1 (800) 541-9020.
Visit www.pseg.com/blc and a Bayonne specific link is listed under the heading “What’s Happening in Your Town.”
Updates are also provided on the “Bayonne Traffic” FaceBook page.
Hudson County Board of Freeholders will hold a “County Government for Day” program for students of County Prep and High Tech High Schools
The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold a “County Government for Day” program for students of County Prep and High Tech High Schools.
Freeholder Chairman Tilo Rivas and the Board of Chosen Freeholders as well as County Executive Thomas DeGise will sponsor the event. A mock freeholder meeting consisting of students assuming the roles of the nine Freeholders, the County Executive, Clerk to the Board, Deputy Clerk to the Board, County Administrator, County Counsel, County Clerk, County Surrogate, County Register, County Sheriff, and Chief of Staff to County Executive.
The mock business of the Freeholder Board will consist of Resolutions addressing issues that affect the County of Hudson.
Reports will be given by the County Executive, County Clerk, County Surrogate, County Sheriff and County Register.
After additional discussions by the board the meeting will be adjourned.
This event will take place on Tuesday, April 12. The students will arrive at 12:30 p.m. for the meeting. The Mock Meeting will start at 1.
“This is a great way for our future leaders to learn how county government works and how they can make a difference, says Freeholder Chairman Tilo Rivas.”