Secaucus FD rescues trucker stuck up to his shoulders in ‘pig swill’
Secaucus used to be known for its pig farms, but after the Turnpike extended to the town, they began to disappear. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t other pig-related industry going on around here.
On June 17, the Secaucus Fire Department responded to a report of a man stuck in a container at 8:48 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, Daniel Leblanc, 56, buried up to his shoulders in pig swill and trapped inside the trailer of a dump truck. Pig swill is discarded bakery waste that is used to feed pigs.
Leblanc, from Montreal, Canada, was inside the trailer supervising the loading of the swill to bring back to Canada, when he lost his footing and became partially buried. Firefighters were able to remove Leblanc using harnesses and a backboard within 50 minutes. Meadowlands Hospital and Jersey City Medical Center EMS evaluated the victim at the scene but he refused any further medical attention.
Since Mr. Leblanc only spoke French, the firefighters were fortunate to have David Hayashida from the Plaza Firehouse on scene, who spoke French fluently and translated for emergency personnel. Ladder 1, Rescue 1, Engines 1, 2, and 3 responded to the incident, along with the Secaucus Police Department. Battalion Chief Carl Leppin was assigned rescue operations, while COD Bryan Schoch was incident command.
Once rescued, Leblanc was able to complete his journey back to Canada with his load.
Fulop joins transit union in opposing NJ Transit fare hike
Mayor Steven M. Fulop along with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) and a group called New Jersey for Transit issued a statement on July 15 condemning New Jersey Transit’s decision to raise fares by nine percent and eliminate six bus lines and two train lines, which was approved despite viable immediate and long-term solutions presented by the “Fight the Hike Campaign.”
“While I am disappointed in today’s decision by the NJ Transit Board members, I am not surprised as this has been the pattern of leadership at the agency,” said Mayor Fulop. ”NJ Transit should be exploring the expansion of transit and building the strong transit system commuters deserve to create long-term sustainability as we outlined. Working families in Jersey City don’t need an added tax and there are alternative measures to fixing NJ Transit’s budget issues.”
The latest fare hike by New Jersey Transit is the fifth since 2002 and will affect the 47.3 percent of Jersey City residents who rely on mass transit to get to and from work, Fulop said.
Mayor Fulop in partnership with ATU launched in May an aggressive campaign called “Fight the Hike,” a non-profit entity, to raise awareness around NJ Transit’s fare hike and service cut proposal.
The Fight the Hike Campaign presented a three-pronged approach to eliminate the $60 million NJ Transit budget shortfall. The measures outlined included requiring NJ Transit to sell all vacant parcels of land owned by the agency statewide, establishing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in urban areas as well as suburbs, and expanding bus and train capacity as ridership increases.
Summer is here – stay safe
The mayor and Town Council along with the Secaucus Board of Health remind residents that summer is here, so there are more people outdoors than in any other season. Follow these tips to stay safe this season:
School’s out, so drive carefully. Stay hydrated in warm weather. Wear light colored, loose clothing. Assist a senior. Prevent heat stroke in pets. Use repellent to avoid bug bites.
Avoid leaving children and pets in your car, even for a little while.
Municipal survey of waterfront parks and recreation available online
The environmental department in Secaucus has put together a survey to discuss waterfront parks and recreational facilities in town. To take the brief nine-question survey and provide your comments and feedback, visit the town website at secaucusnj.gov.
Show off your garden on the town website
Is your garden amazing? Do you have a serious green thumb? Is your garden the envy of your neighbors?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then show it off. Email a picture of your garden to anesheiwat@secaucus.net and see your garden featured on the town website and Facebook page. Pictures of this week’s featured garden can be found at secaucusnj.gov. For more information call (201) 86-GREEN (47336).
Moths in the Meadowlands presentation on July 20
Learn about moths, the amazing, lesser-known cousins of butterflies, on the Fourth Annual Meadowlands Moth Night, Monday, July 20 from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Representatives of National Moth Week will give a presentation on these spectacular yet misunderstood creatures. Industrial-strength lamps and white sheets will be set up and “sugaring” will be used to attract moths. This family-friendly event is co-sponsored by the Bergen County Audubon Society and National Moth Week. The event is free at Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.
Nature walk special event features birds and butterflies on July 21
Look for swallows, herons, and other birds of interest as well as butterflies and plants that attract them on the Third-Tuesday-of-the Month Nature Walk Special Event: Birds and Butterflies. The free event, held on Tuesday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to noon in DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, is sponsored by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To register, visit www.njmeadowlands.gov and click on “events.” For more information call (201) 230-4983.
Inti-Illimani to headline Summer Concerts on the Hudson
Chilean band Inti-Illimani will appear in concert on Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Harbor Park in Weehawken. Named after the mountain at La Paz, Bolivia, Inti-Illimani means “Sun of the Illimani,” in the Aymara dialect. The founding members of this legendary group explored the indigenous cultures of Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Argentina. Some 48 years since its founding, Inti-Illimani continues to tour throughout South and Central America, Europe, Australia, and North America. In November 2014, Inti-Illimani released “Teoría de Cuerdas,” the ensemble’s 36th studio album.
Inti-Illimani’s music has become Latin America’s visceral link between pueblo and people, exemplified by Nueva Canción (new song). Nueva Canción is not only the name of the early Inti-Illimani recording which propelled the group into global recognition and popularity, but is also the name of the socio-political, artistic movement of the 1970s and ‘80s throughout Latin America, which sought to resurrect and celebrate the traditional folk sounds of Latin culture while delivering messages of social change and revolution.
Free parking is available and public transportation, including NJ Transit bus from Port Authority and Light Rail, will bring concertgoers to Lincoln Harbor. The park does not have an address so, if using GPS, use 1600 Harbor Boulevard in Weehawken, the address for the new residential building located directly across the road from the park.
Enjoy a night out with the British Invasion on July 24
Get your tickets now for the July 24 concert and barbecue to benefit The Secaucus Emergency Fund. There will be live music, food, and a cash bar. The event begins at 5 p.m. at the North End Municipal Parking Lot (across from Huber Street School). Ticket price is $25. Call Lisa at (201) 921-7678 for tickets.
Sixth Annual Butterfly Day is July 26
The highly-anticipated Butterfly Festival is back. Join a fun-filled day of butterfly walks and identification techniques, plus many free activities for the kids on Sunday, July 26. Children 12 and under can join a butterfly costume contest. Butterfly Day is co-sponsored by the Bergen County Audubon Society and the North American Butterfly Association.
This free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.