Zanowic slate in upheaval; one candidate leaves, a second said to have left; one added
The ticket of mayoral hopeful Anthony Zanowic was in disarray on Tuesday morning, Feb. 25, as Third Ward candidate Washington Flores announced he had left the ticket and at large candidate John Sebik was said to have left.
“Over the last few months there’s been some internal friction and division,” Flores said. “The campaign hasn’t been going the way we originally planned, and this last incident with Peter (Franco) and the kid Demetrius (Terry) was essentially the final straw.”
Flores was referencing Franco’s alleged sending of profane and racially charged messages to Terry, a supporter of Mayor Mark Smith, according to published reports. Franco, previously a Zanowic aide, was fired from the campaign.
Zanowic is challenging Smith in his bid for another term as mayor on May 13.
Flores said both he and Sebik told Zanowic of their decision to vacate his ticket on Monday, evening, Feb. 24.
“We both spoke to Tony yesterday and told him we were leaving,” Flores said. “We explained why. We wished him luck and left with a handshake.”
Chelsea Jeskie, an intern for the Department of Homeland Security, had been announced a few days earlier as the ticket’s Second Ward candidate.
“Chelsea is an intelligent young woman who has her heart in the right place,” said Zanowic. “She cares about Bayonne and understands the problems which our residents face. I am proud to have her on our ticket and we know she would be a true representative in the Second Ward.”
Police Capt. James Davis is also opposing the mayor.
Midtown Community School hosting card party/tricky tray
Midtown Community School’s Parent Teacher Organization is hosting a card party/tricky tray fundraiser on March 28 at The Chandelier Restaurant.
In addition to prizes, there is a 50/50 cash raffle. All proceeds benefit Midtown Community students.
Tickets, at $35, are available by calling Joan Passariello, MCS PTO board member, at (201) 858-4491.
‘Hairspray’ being presented next month
The Bayonne High School Drama group will present “Hairspray, the Broadway Musical” next month on campus.
Performances will be held on March 28 and 29 at 7 p.m., and on March 30 at 2 p.m.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to bhsdramasociety.com.
Concerned Citizens holding awards brunch
The Concerned Citizens of Bayonne will be honoring three Bayonne residents at the group’s Appreciation Awards Brunch on March 23 at noon at The Chandelier Restaurant, 54th Street and Broadway.
The honorees are Rev. Joseph Barbone, Humanitarian; Phyllis Garelick, Community Activism; and Joan Hajducsek Rosen, Arts Advocacy.
Tickets are $55 each and are available from Jean Perrucci at (201) 858-1623 or from the three honorees.
“Hopefully you can join us and support the wonderful work of the Concerned Citizens,” said Rosen.
Hackensack Riverkeeper seeks the best, brightest, and greenest scholarship applicants
The Hackensack Riverkeeper is accepting applications for the 2014 Ron Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship. Now in its 14th year, the program was created to support college-bound high school seniors who excel academically while demonstrating a strong commitment to the natural world and environmental protection.
All who apply must either live within the 210-square mile Hackensack River Watershed or attend a school located within that region. Seniors at 66 high schools in Bergen, Hudson, and Rockland counties are eligible to apply.
Teachers and guidance counselors are invited to submit applications on behalf of deserving students, and each school may nominate one student. A panel will consider applicants’ academic achievements, environmental extracurricular activities, and future plans. The $1,000 scholarship can be used for any required purchases during the student’s first year at college.
Full scholarship application criteria are available at www.hackensackriverkeeper.org or by calling (201) 968-0808. A list of all watershed municipalities is available on the Links page of the website. For those living in “bi-watershed” communities like Jersey City, Paramus, or Ramapo, some additional investigation may be necessary to determine a student’s eligibility.
Applications must be postmarked no later than Earth Day, April 22, 2014. The winner will be chosen no later than June 1.
The late Ronald Vellekamp was a science teacher in Ridgefield. He also served as a Palisades Interstate Park ranger, Boy Scout leader, and was a founding trustee of the Hackensack Riverkeeper.
Science Center offering astronomy program
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission Science Center, 3 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst,
will offer a free cosmology event on Wednesday, March 5, from 3 to 4 p.m. for those of all ages.
Explore the history of the universe. Dr. John Sloan, director of the NJMC William D. McDowell Observatory, will guide participants on a scientific journey through the history of the universe from its birth through what we know about its possible fate.
Registration is recommended. To do so, go to www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec or call (201) 460-8300.
Child advocate group holding informational session
Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County CASA (court appointed special advocate) is recruiting volunteers to advance the best interests of abused and neglected children.
An informational session, addressing the program and the role of its volunteers, will be held on Tuesday, March 11, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 400 of the Hudson County Administration Building, 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.