Category Archives: Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com

Mayor’s Corner-Bayonne Mayor James Davis

LABOR DAY 2025

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis Mayor's Corner

On Monday, September 1, our nation will observe Labor Day, which is an occasion to honor all of America’s working people.  The concept for the day began with the trade union movement in the late 1800’s.  The federal government adopted Labor Day as a national holiday in 1894.

Labor Day is a good time to reflect on the rights of workers.  In many countries, workers are not allowed to organize trade unions or to bargain with their employers.  In some dictatorships, no independent labor unions are permitted; only labor front organizations operated by the ruling party are allowed to exist.

 In the United States and other advanced democratic countries, working people have the right to establish independent labor organizations that are not controlled by the government.  That is why there is a strong connection between free labor movements and democracy.  Unions help improve democracy by giving workers a voice in the workplace.  There are dozens of labor unions in the United States.  Most American unions belong to one of two major labor federations: 1) the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations), or 2) the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), which was formerly called Change to Win ).  The AFL-CIO was founded in 1955 when the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged into a combined labor movement.  The Strategic Organizing Center was founded as Change to Win in 2005 as an alternative to the AFL-CIO.

American labor unions have been responsible for a variety of reforms such as the eight-hour workday, overtime pay, paid vacations, worker health benefits, employee pension plans, workplace safety regulations, and grievance procedures.  By gaining strength in the 20th century, American labor unions raised the living standards for millions of people.  They helped raise workers from poverty into the middle class.  Rising wages enabled American workers to buy homes and cars, to take their families on vacation, and to send their children to college. When unions were strong in the 20th century, they helped raise wages and living standards across the country for union and non-union labor alike.  We need to raise the American standard of living again in the 21st century.

In Bayonne, union members work in a variety of trades and economic sectors, such as building & construction, petrochemicals, maritime, education, healthcare, transportation, retail, and government.  

We should respect the contributions that all American workers make to our families, our communities, and our national economy.  Let’s all work together to improve wages, working conditions, and economic opportunities in the years to come. 

India Flag-Raising Ceremony in Bayonne

India flag raising standing proud in front of Bayonne's City Hall

The City of Bayonne held its first India flag-raising ceremony at City Hall to commemorate the 78th anniversary of India’s independence from the British Empire.  India began to function as an independent country at midnight on August 15, 1947.  City officials joined members of Bayonne’s Indian-American community at the ceremony. 

Bayonne:  Backpack donations to needy Bayonne students from Veolia Water and the Shauger Group

Backpack donations for Bayonne children in need: The Shauger Group and Veolia Water have donated 75 backpacks to the Bayonne Board of Education.  The backpacks are filled with school supplies. They will be distributed to needy children.  Pictured left to right: John Libitz, Program Manager, Veolia Water; Dr. Dennis Degnan, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction, Federal and State Programs, Bayonne Board of Education; Kim DeMedici, Supervisor, Special Services, Bayonne Board of Education; Suzanne Cavanaugh, Director of the Department of Municipal Services, City of Bayonne; and Donald Shauger, Executive Vice President, the Shauger Group.  Veolia Water manages Bayonne’s water-sewer utility.  The Shauger Group works in construction, maintenance, and underground utilities.   

Bayonne’s New Health Officer Sworn in Tina Siciliano

Bayonne’s New Health Officer: Tina Siciliano was sworn in as Bayonne’s new Health Officer at the City Council meeting on August 13.  City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oath of office.  Pictured left to right in the foreground:  Gary Parlatti (Building Inspector, City of Bayonne), the Health Officer’s husband; McKayla (Ms. Siciliano’s daughter), and City Clerk Medina.  Pictured left to right the background: City Law Director Jay Coffey; City Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker; Second Ward Council Member Jacqueline Weimmer; Assistant City Attorney Karla Garcia (with camera); City Council President Gary LaPelusa; and City Council Member At-Large Juan Perez. In New Jersey, a Health Officer is responsible for evaluating health problems and planning appropriate actions to address those problems.  A Health Officer must have either a doctorate or a master’s degree in a health-related field.  A candidate for Health Officer must have at least two years of full-time employment, which provides administrative experience in three of five recognized public health activities.  A successful candidate for Health Officer must pass a state-administered, two-part examination.   Ms. Siciliano, who served previously as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, earned a master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) at William Paterson University.  Ms. Siciliano said, “I am very excited to assume the duties of Health Officer.  I look forward to working with colleagues in Bayonne and around the state to safeguard the health of our residents.” 

Mayor’s Corner -Bayonne Mayor James Davis -A Great Summer Activity

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis Mayor's Corner

          Summer 2025 has been a highly active season for the Bayonne Recreation Division.  Our various summer camps and programs had a combined registration of 2,095.  Bayonne kids took part in more than 50 programs and camps, which covered everything from sports and other physical activities to vocational skills.

          The Bayonne Recreation Division’s summer camps and programs included: the Special Needs Walking Club; Project Coin Camp (financial literacy); Youth Triathlon; Silent Disco; Summer Theatre for Everyone: Special Needs Camp; Special Needs Open Swim; several sessions of Swim Lessons for Grades 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 to 8; Special Needs Sports Camp; Special Needs Swim Lessons; Introduction to Content Creation: Social Media, Marketing, and Public Relations; Welding Camp (Introductory); Buddy Baseball; 16th Street Day Camp; Mary J. Donohoe School Day Camp; Washington School Day Camp; Robinson School Day Camp; Ultimate Sports Camp; Pre-K 4 Arts and Crafts Camp; six Skateboard Camps; four Culinary Camps; two Carpentry Camps; two Fashion Design Camps; Automotive and Mechanic Camp; two Intermediate Chess Camps; and two Grassroots Basketball Shooting Camps.

          On behalf of the City of Bayonne, I would like to thank Recreation Superintendent Pete Amadeo, the staff of the Recreation Division, and our camp directors and seasonal employees for offering such an outstanding range of activities in Summer 2025.  The City of Bayonne is proud to offer a great mixture of activities, so that our young residents can find something fun and positive to do before school starts again in September. 

We look forward to more great programs from the Recreation Division in future summers and throughout the year. 

Arena-Relive the Rock at Bayonne Summer Sounds by the Bay, August 6, 2025

ARENA Relive The Rock is The Hottest Arena Rock Tribute – Music Experience. Relive the songs that filled arenas. Capturing the big sound and power of some of the Greatest Rock Bands of our time. Boston, Journey, Kansas, Heart, Pat Benatar, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Rush, Foreigner – just to name a few.

Bayonne Police Department to Launch Daily Online Google Map of Road Work Zones

Bayonne Police to Lauch Daily online google work load zones

Bayonne Police Chief Robert Geisler announced that the Police Department’s Traffic Unit will begin a daily dissemination of a Google map that will show the location of scheduled road work sites occurring in Bayonne that day.

The Google map program for Bayonne will operate Mondays through Fridays, beginning on Monday, July 28.  The map will display a worksite’s location and the scheduled work times.  The program will also indicate whether a road closure is planned. The goal is to have the information disseminated no later than 7:00 a.m. each weekday.  Chief Geisler said, “The Bayonne Police Department is presenting this Google map program, so that Bayonne residents and visitors will have useful information before they drive around the community.”  He continued, “This new program reflects the service-oriented mission of the Bayonne Police Department.  We hope the Google map will help people to limit any inconvenience as they plan each day.”  

The following link will lead to the Google worksite map and related information:

An advisory from the Police Traffic Division states, “This notification contains an interactive map that shows areas that will be affected by work zones.  Driving through these areas may affect your commute in the City of Bayonne on this date. Please note that certain work zones may move throughout the day and that all work zones are subject to last-minute changes. These moves and changes may not be reflected on the map.  Any issues or concerns regarding a work site should be addressed to the Bayonne Police Department Traffic Unit @ 201.858.6969 or emailed to traffic@bayonnepd.org.”

The link to the worksite map will be available on the Facebook pages of the Bayonne Police Department and the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management (OEM), on the City of Bayonne’s website, and other locations on the web.

Bayonne Swimming Pool Center Avenue E and Linnet Street Demolished

A Bayonne staple for over 45 years, owned by the Caposello family serving the Pool buying community in Bayonne, was demolished on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Located at 9 Avenue E. After nearly five decades of dedicated service, Bayonne Swimming Pool Center, a family-owned business in Bayonne, New Jersey, has closed its doors.

Soul Machine Will Play Top 40, Yacht Rock, R&B, and Motown in the Bayonne Summer Sounds Concert Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that Soul Machine will present Top 40 songs, Yacht Rock, R&B tunes, and Motown music in the Summer Sounds by the Bay concert on Wednesday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m.   Be ready for a memorable night of singing and dancing.

The concert will take place at the amphitheater on the lower level of DiDomenico-16th Street Park.  The concert site is located below the foot of West 16th Street, between Avenue A and Newark Bay. The Recreation Division urges members of the audience to bring their chairs.  No chairs will be provided.

On music days during the summer concert season, in the event of inclement weather, please call 201-471-7590, visit www.leaguelineup.com/bayonnerec, or view the City of Bayonne’s Facebook page to check on the status of that night’s performance.

For more information about the concerts, please contact Pete Amadeo at 201-858-6129 or email BAYONNEREC@AOL.COM.

MAYOR’S CORNER-CELEBRATING AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis

       

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis Mayor's Corner

   This week, we are celebrating the 249th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. This year, our national holiday will be on Friday, July 4. In Bayonne, for the evening of Wednesday, July 2, we have scheduled children’s amusements at 6:30 p.m., a concert at 7:00 p.m., and fireworks at about 9:15 p.m., in DiDomenico-16th Street Park, weather permitting. The rain date is Thursday, July 3, with events at the same times shown for July 2. There are good reasons to celebrate our great country on any or all of those days.