Mayor Davis confirms expansion of residential assistance program by PANYNJ
According to Mayor Jimmy Davis, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) is instituting a new installment of its Residential Assistance Program.
“This expansion of the assistance program includes reimbursement for air conditioning and air filtration costs of residents within the Bayonne Bridge impact zone” Davis said.
The Port Authority (PANYNJ) will reimburse eligible Bayonne residents up to a total of $500 for two (2) window air conditioning units per household. If a household currently has a window unit or central air conditioning, the agency will provide reimbursement for new filters at the start of each summer season for the duration of the construction work.
“The bridge construction has severely affected the resident quality of life in the impact zone. Our hope is that this expansion of the Assistance Program helps to bring a sense of normalcy to the lives of those affected by this project,” the mayor said.
Residents wishing to participate can contact Tai Johnson, External Relations Representative, at (718) 390-3003 to confirm eligibility prior to purchasing the units or filters. Participants will need to provide proof of residency and completed eligibility and waiver forms, as well as receipts for the purchased air conditioning units or air conditioner filters.
Most BMUA workers get raises
Four of five employees of the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority will receive 2 percent raises as a result of a vote taken by its board of commissioners in mid July. MUA Executive Director Tim Boyle was the only MUA employee not to receive a raise. United Water took over most of the operations of the MUA in 2012 at which time the number of city employees working for the MUA was reduced from 37 to 5. These raises come at a time when city residents are facing a 4 percent rise in water fees.
The race is on for Board of Education
The first election for Board of Education members since the 1970s has drawn a big field of potential candidates. The election will stagger terms for the nine-member board. Five of the nine seats are being contested with three groups of candidates seeking three different terms in office, with one seat for one year, one seat for two years and three seats for three years are being contested.
The list of candidates for one-year terms include Jack Butchko, Denis Wilbeck, Debra Segunda, David Soliri, Deb Peveler and Ramon Augusto.
For two-year terms the candidates are Thomas Howard, Gina Garofalo-Irizarry, Christopher Munoz, Christos Genes, Adam J Semanchick, Frank Pelliteri and Michael Alonso. For three-year terms, the candidates are John Cupo, Lenny Kantor, Christopher Piechoki, Joseph Broderick, Ava Finnerty, Nancy Solis, Mary Jane Desmond, Barry Kushner, and Patrick McManus.
Judicke’s Bakery to host a fundraiser for fire victims
On Saturday, July 11 a four-alarm fire ripped through a residential apartment building on 21st Street. The fire resulted in the deaths of two people and the displacement of residents. Judicke’s Bakery will be hosting a sprinkled-doughnut fundraiser from Friday, July 31 until August 2. Proceeds from all sprinkled-doughnut sales will be distributed to the victims of the fire and those in need. The bakery is at 763 Broadway on the corner of 34th Street and is open daily from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Please join us in supporting the community.
Bayonne’s got talent
The Bayonne Theater Company will present Bayonne’s Got Talent on Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge at 888 Avenue C. The event will feature various talents of Bayonne residents.
The judges will include Tony-nominated, Emmy-winning actress Tammy Blanchard; Vocalist and Lead Guitarist for Dr. Hook And The Medicine Show, George Cummings; former New Jersey Press Association Journalist of the Year, Al Sullivan; and super hero of the year and Bayonne’s champion, Captain Bayonne. Admission is a donation of $10, and food will also be available! For more information please call (201) 780-8378.
PSE&G Reopens newly renovated customer service center in Bayonne
The Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) has a newly renovated customer service center in Bayonne, which reopened on July 21. The customer service center, at 608 Broadway, provides area residents a convenient way to pay their electric and gas bills, and get one-on-one assistance from PSE&G representatives. The center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Last year, more than 90,000 people visited our Bayonne customer service center,” said Greg Dunlap, vice president of Customer Operations for PSE&G. “With the reopening of our renovated customer service center, we offer our customers a more comfortable and environmentally friendly facility where they can come to pay a bill, ask a question, or resolve an issue.”
The building achieved LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council by using design and construction prices that are environmentally friendly and reduce energy use. Renovations included installing energy-efficient windows, heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, and low-flow plumbing.
PSE&G customers can choose to pay their bills by mail, phone, online, or in person. For more information on payment methods and the locations of PSE&G’s 16 customer service centers throughout its service territory visit www.pseg.com/waystopay.
Carepoint Health enters into partnership with Reliance Medical Group
North Jersey healthcare leader CarePoint Health has entered into a partnership with Reliance Medical Group, it was announced by Dr. Jon Regis, President/CEO, Vince Papaccio, Executive Vice President/COO, of Reliance Medical Group, CarePoint CEO Dennis Kelly and Executive Vice President/CFO Gary Bryant.
The collaboration, which will operate under the name, CarePoint Health Partnering With Reliance Medical Group, will impact Atlantic City and the South Jersey region, stimulating employment and economic development while raising the quality of affordable, patient-centered healthcare. On its own, CarePoint Health is projected to contribute $750 million annually to the New Jersey economy between 2014 and 2017.
“This groundbreaking partnership will bring together two like-minded healthcare providers that are each committed to providing the people they serve with high quality, individualized, and affordable care,” said Kelly. “CarePoint Health has been wanting to expand its leading brand of healthcare into the South Jersey market. In Reliance Medical Group, we found a partner that would allow us to instantly do so, while maintaining all of our quality and affordability standards.”
CarePoint Health brings quality, patient-focused health care to Hudson County, New Jersey. It operates Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital, and Hoboken University Medical Center in Hudson County. Through these three centers for medicine and more than 100 medical specialty offices throughout North Jersey, CarePoint Health is able to provide advanced diagnostics and treatment across the complete medical spectrum.
“Today is a great day not only for our organizations but for the people and communities we serve throughout South Jersey,” said Dr. Regis, whose Reliance Medical Group is based in Pleasantville, NJ. “By partnering with CarePoint Health, we provide our patients with instant access to a variety of specialists and leading centers for medicine right here in New Jersey. This collaboration will also give us access to medical and business technology that will ensure Reliance Medical Group is providing its patients with the highest quality care.”
Reliance Medical Group has more than 30 office locations throughout Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Mercer and Ocean Counties. Reliance specializes in OB/GYN Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Family/Internal Medicine, Podiatry, Chiropractic and Geriatric Medicine. Reliance’s 25 physicians, 13 nurse practitioners, five physicians assistants, and 150 staff members care for more than 50,000 patients.
Reliance has seven offices in Atlantic, Camden, and Mercer counties that are Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Level 2 certified. Reliance’s Assistant Vice President of Quality, Cortney Ziegler, is one out of 22 people certified as a Patient Centered Medical Home Certified Content Expert (PCMH CCE) in New Jersey.
Reliance Medical Group is continuing to welcome new patients. Evening appointments are available, most insurance plans are accepted, and fixed fee-for-service is offered for patients without insurance. For an appointment, please call (800) 251-8464 or visit reliancemed.com for additional information and specific office locations.
Tax bill said to benefit N.J. commuters, businesses, and struggling homeowners
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez supported and voted this week on a tax bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee that extends 52 tax relief provisions important to businesses and families in New Jersey and across the nation. Specifically, the legislation extends these provisions for two years, retroactively for all of 2015 through 2016, and includes a nearly doubling of the tax benefit for transit commuters, mortgage debt tax relief for underwater homeowners, and a research and development tax credit to incentivize business and job growth.
“This is the kind of balanced tax policy that will both stimulate New Jersey’s economy and give those struggling to get by a break, said Sen. Menendez, a member of the Finance Committee. “This is money back in the pockets of transit riders in the face of rising fares. This is a lifeline to struggling homeowners trying to stay in their houses or escape from mounting debt. This is the shot in the arm businesses need to explore new frontiers, expand, and create good jobs.”