Yearly Archives: 2021

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bayonne COVID-19 UPDATE 2/11/2021

  • Mayor Davis 2018 Inaugural
    Bayonne Mayor James Davis

Under the direction of Mayor Davis, OEM provides weekly updates on the status of Bayonne in relation to the COVID-19 Health Emergency. All efforts are now geared towards the vaccination process for our residents.   

To date, just under 5.000 Bayonne residents have received the Covid-19 vaccination (either at BMC, HC/Kearny, or RWJB). 

The Vaccination Rollout for New Jersey is currently in Phase 1A.  Any healthcare worker, first responder, senior over 65, or anyone 16-64 with a serious medical condition is qualified to be vaccinated at this time.

Anyone in Phase 1A who wants to be vaccinated can choose among four paths.  Please note that your second shot must be given at the same location of your first shot.

  • Bayonne – Call 201-858-6088 or send email to [email protected], leave your name, date of birth, and contact number.  A scheduler will call you.  Please do not call or email multiple times and please be patient, as it may take several weeks for an appointment.  Please do not call the hospital or city hall to find your place on the list or to ask to be moved to the front of the line.
  • Hudson County – Register at www.hudsoncovidvax.org to receive the vaccine at our County site in Kearny, NJ.
  • State – Register at www.covidvaccine.nj.gov to receive the vaccine at one of the State of New Jersey mega-sites.
  • RiteAid/CVS – These pharmacies are now vaccinating people.  You can make an appointment by visiting their websites.

Covid-19 Prevention – Positive cases of the coronavirus continue to decline in Bayonne.  We have less than 400 residents currently positive and only 9 Covid-positive residents are presently admitted to BMC.

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Mayor Fulop Announces 3rd Major Street Scape Upgrade; Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza

$6.7 Million Overhaul to make it One of NJ’s Premier Business Corridors  JNewark Ave Pedestrian Plaza Permanency Follows Major Streetscape Upgrades to West Side and Central Avenues that Commenced in 2021  

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Municipal Council announced today a $6.7 million upgrade to the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, finally giving it the permanency to create one of New Jersey’s premier destinations.  

 The Pedestrian Mall was first closed to vehicles in 2015 as an experiment to limit traffic and create a pedestrian destination. The plaza was expanded to a second block in 2018. Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was expanded further to Grove Street between Montgomery Street and Christopher Columbus Drive as well as 1st Street and Newark Avenue. 

“The creation of the Pedestrian Plaza was a risk our administration took when first elected as there was significant pushback, but I think over time it has become clear to everyone that the changes we made there have attracted more people, allowed more businesses to open, and created a destination spot for visitors and residents,” Mayor Fulop said.  

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UPS TO CALL BAYONNE HOME


Lincoln Equities Group (LEG) scheduled to seek site plan approval to build eight hundred eighty thousand Sq. Ft facility at the former Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne” MOTBY”

BAYONNE, N.J. – On February 9, 2021 the Bayonne Planning board will hold a hearing to approve amendments to LEG’s site plan to permit the construction of a distribution center to host United Parcel Service (UPS) as a tenant. The site consists of approximately 150 waterfront acres with direct access to Global terminals and the NJ Turnpike.

The UPS project is estimated to create over a thousand jobs for the area “” When I first became Mayor in 2014 the development of MOTBY and bringing jobs back to Bayonne were my top
priorities,” said Bayonne Mayor James Davis. “This project with UPS helps me accomplish both, and is not only good for Bayonne but for the entire region.

“This is a welcomed addition to the revitalization of the former MOTBY site and great news for Bayonne’s families,” said U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. “I applaud Mayor Davis and his council for their continued leadership in attracting new, good-paying jobs and economic opportunities to the city.”

MOTBY was transferred to the City in 1999 and under the Davis Administration has seen a flurry of development including residential and commercial sites such as COSTCO, Starbucks and Lid!. ” As the Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency under Mayor Doria, I always knew the potential benefits of MOTBY and today as a resident and elected official I can proudly say that the addition of UPS to our city is a win for all of us” said Assemblyman Nicholas
Chiaravalloti.

“This project is part of the City’s overall goal of promoting balanced development within our city that not only benefits the new businesses and investors but helps support the economy of the whole city.” Stated Council President Sharon Ashe Nadrowski Bayonne’s redevelopment continues to be a economic driver in Hudson County and throughout the state and region. The original site plan approved construction of 1.5 million square feet within in a four buildings between 150,000-477,000 square feet. The site also has direct water access with a wharf with roll on roll off capabilities that may permit UPS to create a water highway to New York city and beyond.

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snowy owl in bayonne park

By Joe Calamito

How did you get here?

How far did you fly?

All speckled white and large with big yellow eyes

It is easy to see you don’t belong

In a city park with not much going on

Your majestic, and regal and you know it, you do

Watching from a high as they take pictures of you

Long lenses, snapping, snapping away

And I wondered as I watched, did you eat today?

The tundra, I read, you’re chosen spot, but here you sat

occupying a light post in a Bayonne park , parking lot

You made me laugh when you’d turn your head

Their eyes in their lenses their faces of dread

Hoping you wouldn’t move, for the perfect shot

And when they clicked you turned, you turned a lot

On purpose I guess, a small price to pay

To watch and observe a snowy owl today

The crowds are gone now they had their fill

And the media, well, just like the media always will

News today, and gone tomorrow

Yet I feel a sense of deep lasting sorrow

Not knowing your destination

Or if you survived

 The piece of pizza

I left for your flight

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bayonne covid 19 update for 2/4/2021

  • Mayor Davis 2018 Inaugural
    Bayonne Mayor James Davis

Under the direction of Mayor Davis, OEM provides weekly updates on the status of Bayonne in relation to the COVID-19 Health Emergency. All efforts are now geared towards the vaccination process for our residents.   

The Vaccination Rollout for New Jersey is currently in Phase 1A.  Any healthcare worker, first responder, senior over 65, or anyone 16-64 with a serious medical condition is qualified to be vaccinated at this time.

Anyone in Phase 1A who wants to be vaccinated can choose among three paths.  Please note that your second shot must be given at the same location of your first shot.

  • Bayonne – Call 201-858-6088 or send email to [email protected], leave your name, date of birth, and contact number.  A scheduler will call you.  Please do not call or email multiple times and please be patient, as it may take several weeks for an appointment.  Please do not call the hospital or city hall to find your place on the list or to ask to be moved to the front of the line.
  • Hudson County – Register at www.hudsoncovidvax.org to receive the vaccine at our County site in Kearny, NJ.
  • State – Register at www.covidvaccine.nj.gov to receive the vaccine at one of the State of New Jersey mega-sites.

Covid-19 Prevention – The current COVID-19 positive case count in Bayonne has been decreasing over the last few weeks, as evidenced by an increase of only 194 new cases this week (contrasted by ~350 – ~400 new cases a week for the last several weeks).  Our current Covid-19 Positive Resident count is down to approximately 400.  Please continue to practice “Covid-Sense” in all you do. Please get vaccinated whe

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Update from Mayor Bhalla on COVID-19 (2/5), residents urged to take precautions ahead of Super Bowl Sunday



Update from Hoboken Health Department

The Hoboken Health Department has reported the following, new COVID-19 cases:

January 30: 19
January 31: 15
February 1: 24
February 2: 22
February 3: 29
February 4: 18

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 2,833 known, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hoboken, along with 39 total fatalities. Hoboken University Medical Center reports treating 20 patients with COVID-19, which include four Hoboken residents.

Please get tested for COVID-19 before any Super Bowl gathering

I know for many, the Super Bowl is a time to gather with friends and enjoy the final weekend of the football season. Unfortunately, we continue to remain in the midst of a pandemic where indoor gatherings with multiple households could turn into super-spreader events. Like we advised during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I urge residents to avoid large, indoor gatherings with multiple households to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If you do end up making the decision to attend an indoor gathering with multiple households on Super Bowl Sunday, please consider keeping groups small, and getting tested prior to Sunday – even if you don’t have symptoms. Please also consider asking any other individuals attending, outside your household to get tested as well. Riverside Medical Group currently has rapid COVID-19 testing available on Saturday, while Prompt MD has testing availability today (8:30 am – 2 pm, 605 Jackson Street), and Medicine Man Pharmacy on Saturday (9 am – 1 pm, 605 Jackson Street). Prompt MD and Medicine Man have been getting PCR testing results back quickly from Star Labs, sometimes within 24 hours.

To sign-up for an appointment and view testing options, please visit www.hobokennj.gov/testing.

Update on vaccines in Hoboken

We continue to make as much progress as possible in vaccinating our most vulnerable residents. As before, the issue is supply – we only have a limited amount of vaccines provided to us from the State each week. This week, we were provided 200 vaccines through the New Jersey Department of Health, all of which we will administer by the end of today. I’m hopeful for a greater supply of first-dose vaccines next week and in the weeks after, and trust that when Governor Murphy and the State have more to provide to municipalities, they will do so. So far, we’ve given 1,500 first-dose vaccines to those in the 1A and 1B categories through the Hoboken Health Department, thanks to our partnership with the Hoboken University Medical Center. The Hoboken Health Department did receive a shipment of 500 second dose vaccines, which are currently being scheduled for next week.

Additionally, I extend my thanks once again to Dr. Raj Brahmbhatt and his team at Riverside Medical Group, along with our Health Department and Office of Emergency Management for administering another 120 first-dose vaccines to our seniors this past Sunday. Their partnership has been invaluable and we are grateful to Riverside for utilizing additional vaccine doses for our residents.

As before, if you’ve signed up on our pre-registration lists, you will receive a call in the coming weeks once our supply is able to administer more first-dose vaccines. I know it has been difficult, and I completely understand the frustration many have about not yet getting scheduled. Please know that we will continue to work as quickly as possible, and that ultimately, anyone who wants a vaccine, will get one. I thank everyone for their understanding and patience.

Vaccine options with Hudson County and the State of New Jersey

The majority of vaccines from the State are being provided to the Hudson County site in Kearny, with over 1,000 administered there a week. To check and see if appointments are available, please visit https://www.hudsoncovidvax. org/. To consider vaccine appointments if available in other parts of New Jersey through the State’s vaccine registration options, please visit https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/.

Clarification on Riverside Medical Group

I’ve received feedback from some residents in the 1B category (seniors, those with chronic, high-risk conditions) who have called Riverside, and their staff has mentioned they may be unable to vaccinate populations other than their patients. The way our relationship works with Riverside, is that when Riverside have an excess supply of vaccines, they coordinate with our Health Department to gather a list of names and contact information from our Hoboken pre-registration lists, and schedule vaccine appointments. If you qualify for the vaccine and sign-up on our pre-registration list, you may be provided an opportunity to get vaccinated at either the Hoboken University Medical Center or Riverside – depending on supply. Neither location takes walk-in appointments.

Hours of operation for bars and restaurants

Earlier this week, Governor Murphy lifted the 10 pm state-wide curfew for bars and restaurants beginning today, citing lower infection rates and recent analysis from the New Jersey Department of Health. Based on guidance provided by Governor Murphy and the State of New Jersey, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and I have made the joint decision to follow Governor Murphy and the State’s recommendations, to allow bars and restaurants to operate during normal, regular business hours within our cities. Businesses must continue to follow capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements put forward by the State.

More recent analysis from our health departments, as well as new information provided by the New Jersey Health Department suggests that fewer recent cases are coming from bars and restaurants. Mayor Fulop and I believe that this time around, a coordinated regional approach is the best way to implement safety measures, when necessary. Hoboken public safety officers and City staff will be monitoring all bars and restaurants during overnight hours, to ensure COVID-19 safety precautions are being taken at all times. If not followed, any bar or restaurant will be subject to immediate penalties, including but not limited to closure. We thank the large majority of business owners for continuing to take the necessary precautions to keep our residents and visitors safe when patronizing their establishments.

For residents who may be concerned that an establishment is not following social distancing guidelines, please email [email protected] in real time so our teams can follow-up with the business.

New 35% capacity at bars and restaurants

In addition to lifting the state-wide curfew, Governor Murphy has made the following modifications, effective today:

-35% capacity indoors at bars and restaurants

-The prohibition on seating at indoor bar areas will remain in effect, as it creates the danger of close and prolonged proximity between patrons, bartenders, and servers.As a reminder, all consumption of any food or beverage at a restaurant or bar must take place while seated. Any individuals standing indoors at a restaurant or bar must also be wearing a face mask (ie when entering or leaving, going to the restroom).

Additional businesses increased to 35% capacity

The State is now permitting the following businesses to increase to 35% capacity starting today:

-Indoor performance venues (maximum 150 people)
-Indoor gatherings that are religious ceremonies/services, wedding ceremonies, political activities, and memorial services/funerals (maximum 150 people)
-Indoor entertainment and recreation areas – including casinos and gyms
-Personal care businesses 

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HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPEAKER SERIES EVENT TO FEATURE BREONNA TAYLOR’S mom

HCCC requests members of the community submit questions
 for Ms. Palmer by February 10.
 February 5, 2021, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will host Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s mother, during a College Speaker Series event at 12 noon on Thursday, February 18, 2021.
 
HCCC Assistant Professor of History, Dorothy Anderson, and HCCC Director of Cultural Affairs, Michelle Vitale, will co-moderate the discussion with Ms. Palmer. The live Zoom event will open with a performance by Jersey City Poet Laureate Rashad Wright. The event will conclude with a virtual tour of the exhibition, “Azikiwe Mohammed: ‘Tales from Fold Out Chairs,’ and Rashad Wright: ‘in heaven’s Wakanda’,” which has been curated by Ysabel Pinyol Blasi and is being presented in partnership with Monira Foundation in the HCCC Benjamin J. Dineen and Dennis C. Hull Gallery.
 
In keeping with HCCC President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PACDEI) practices, the College requests that members of the community participate by submitting questions they may have for Ms. Palmer by February 10, 2020 to [email protected] with the subject line “Breonna Taylor.”
 
Breonna Taylor became a lightning rod for the Black Lives Matter movement when she was shot and killed by police in her Louisville, Kentucky home on March 13, 2020. The 26-year-old Black Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) was roused from her sleep when police, suspecting that Taylor’s ex-boyfriend was storing drugs in her home, used a battering ram to execute a search warrant. No contraband was found.
 
The incident fractured Louisville and led to national protests. Taylor’s family settled a wrongful death civil suit, and the three police officers involved were fired. Louisville passed “Breonna’s Law,” which bans “no knock” warrants that allow police to forcibly enter a residence without warning, and requires body cam use during searches. Many social justice activists are calling for police reforms that address systemic racism on a national level.
 
Those who wish to access the Speaker Series event featuring Ms. Palmer on February 18, 2021 may do so by registering at https://tinyurl.com/HCCCTamikaPalmer.
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About Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College serves more than 18,000 credit and non-credit students annually. The College offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs, including award-winning English as a Second Language, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Fine and Performing Arts. The HCCC Culinary/Hospitality Management program was ranked number six in the U.S. by Best Choice Schools. Over 94% of HCCC Nursing program graduates passed the NCLEX first time out, placing the program’s graduates in the top tier of two- and four-year nursing programs nationwide. In 2017, the Equality of Opportunity Project ranked HCCC in the top 5% of 2,200 U.S. higher education institutions for social mobility.
 
HCCC has partnerships with every major four-year college and university in the greater New Jersey-New York area and beyond, accommodating seamless transfer of credits for further undergraduate and graduate education.
 
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HEART HEALTH FOR HUDSON COUNTY RESIDENTS

Dr. Pragnesh Gadhvi

The benefits of living in Hudson County are numerous, from proximity to New York City and a vast public transportation network to great neighborhoods filled with restaurants, bars and shopping.

But living in one of the most densely populated counties in the United States can also take a toll on cardiovascular health.

While most people are aware of the common risk factors risk for heart disease, such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, age and family history, there are lesser-known risk factors that can cause cardiovascular problems.

Among the risk factors that come with living in Hudson County are loud noises and air pollution, said Dr. Pragnesh Gadhvi, a board-certified specialist in adult cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at Jersey City Medical Center — RWJBarnabas Health.

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Art House Productions Announces Black Tom Island Radio Play

Art House Productions (Meredith Burns, Executive Director) is proud to announce their first audio play, Black Tom Island by Martin Casella available starting Monday, January 18 at 10:00am EST. This free audio play will be available for download on www.arthouseproductions.org and www.youtube.com/arthouseproductions. A free virtual panel discussion about the actual event featuring historians and the play’s creative team will take place on Sunday, February 7 at 3:00pm EST on Zoom.

Based on an actual incident that took place in Jersey City in 1916, Black Tom Island explores the first documented terrorist attack on American soil through the lens of a fictionalized Slovak immigrant and his wife who may or may not be involved in the attack. Funded in part through the Hudson County Historical Partnership Grant, the original project was imagined to include in-person readings on location in Jersey City, however, to adapt the project to the current safety guidelines, Casella’s play has been adapted as a radio play directed by Darren Lee with sound design by Megumi Katayama. The cast includes Michael Stewart Allen, Damian Buzzerio, Mason Hensley, and Jenna Krasowski.

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