Agreement on Wepner mural snafu coming
The manager of the department responsible for commissioning and then affixing a mural of Chuck Wepner to the side of a midtown building without the owner’s permission said the city is working to fix the problem.
“A resolution is on the way,” said Samantha Howard, assistant director of the Community Development Department. She said that Corporation Counsel Jay Coffey is involved and that the resolution could happen as early as next week.
The building owner’s attorney came to city hall to discuss the matter on June 15, the day after the mural was attached to the side of 737 Broadway.
“We are currently talking to them, and both parties are very understanding about the breakdown in communications and we hope to solve it soon,” Howard said.
Wepner, a former heavyweight boxer, was honored by the city for being a favorite son and for nearly going the distance against then-heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali in a 1975 bout.
Bridge to remain open entire holiday weekend
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that the Bayonne Bridge will remain open the entire Independence Day weekend, from 5 a.m. Thursday, July 2, through 9 a.m. Monday, July 6.
The bridge’s shuttle bus will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
“With traffic volume expected to be higher than usual, motorists are encouraged to allow extra time to reach their destination,” an authority spokesman said.
For real-time Port Authority travel alerts, commuters are encouraged to register at www.paalerts.com.
Kopacz named assistant superintendent
Kenneth Kopacz has been promoted to an assistant superintendent for the city’s school district, a Bayonne Board of Education official said on Monday, June 29.
He will become the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum effective July 1, according to Board of Education President William Lawson. The position also oversees student testing.
Kopacz had been principal of Washington Community School. His salary will increase from $117,000 to $156,000.
He also represents Bayonne on the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
NJ Transit workers ‘Rally for Respect’
Protesting against Gov. Chris Christie and proposed transit fare hikes, NJ Transit employees, commuters, and supporters held a “Rally for Respect” on Friday, June 26 outside NJ Transit headquarters in Newark.
A 9-percent NJ Transit fare increase, the fourth since 2002, has been proposed, as well as cuts in services.
“NJ Transit commuters already pay the highest fares in the country, and increasing fares will cripple the state’s middle class and working families,” said Ray Greaves, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) New Jersey State Council chair, representing NJ Transit workers. “Many of NJ Transit’s employees have been working without a contract for more than five years.”
“We have a governor who has no plan to fix the transportation crisis in our state. He’s turned his back on NJ Transit commuters, workers and the people of New Jersey,” Greaves continued. “We came together to expose the governor, and bring attention to the plight of more than 10,000 employees and hundreds of thousands of commuters who work and depend on NJ Transit.”
ATU has joined with New Jersey mayors and transit allies on the “Fight the Hike” coalition, an all-out campaign to engage riders and the public by hitting bus stops, transit centers, and streets to combat Christie’s cuts to NJT’s transportation budget.
GCT Bayonne wins ‘green’ award
Global Container Terminals has announced that all four of the company’s terminals have officially completed the Green Marine certification process, and that GCT Bayonne received the highest overall score.
“We received among the highest awarded to any Green Marine member, due to our innovative expansion project,” a Bayonne spokesman said.
The goal of the voluntary program is to go beyond the environmental levels set by government regulations for air, land, and water emissions.
“We are proud to be a member of Green Marine and these [companywide] scores reflect our ongoing commitment to the environment and community,” a spokesperson said.
Legal assistance for Hurricane Sandy survivors available
The Hudson Regional Health Commission is reminding residents that help is still available for Hurricane Sandy survivors.
The Legal Services of New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Legal Assistance Hotline is for New Jersey residents with civil/legal problems caused by Hurricane Sandy or the aftermath of the storm. For those who qualify, services are free.
Legal Services of New Jersey provides advice and other legal help in matters including flood and homeowner insurance claims, landlord-tenant disputes, home repair contractors, public adjusters, mortgage foreclosures, resettlement grants, welfare benefits, document replacement, tax implications of income from Federal Emergency Management Agency and other grants, and other civil/legal problems related to the storm.
The Legal Services of New Jersey Sandy Assistance Hotline, (888) 222-5765, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Legal services can also be applied for online at www.lsnjlawhotline.org. A response will be received within two business days, according to spokeswoman Monique Davis.
BergenPAC sponsors Arts Access Initiative
BergenPAC, the performing arts center that serves Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic counties and beyond, has created its Arts Access Initiative, which offers up to 200 free tickets for every show on the bergenPAC main stage to qualified non-profit charitable organizations.
Over the last 10 years, bergenPAC has committed to providing access to the arts to underprivileged individuals and organizations by offering free tickets to performances, scholarships to its performing arts school programs, and arts education in schools where budget cuts have eliminated those programs from the curriculum.
“Part of our mission is to make the arts accessible to everyone in our community,” said Edmondo Schwartz, bergenPAC Board of Trustees chairman and program creator. “I believe we are the first organization to implement this kind of program on such a large scale.”
The program has no end date. To apply for the program, interested parties and organizations should email chood@bergenpac.org for an application or call (201) 816-8160, ext. 15.
BergenPAC is located at 30 North Van Brunt St. in Englewood.