Category Archives: Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com

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Bayonne Division of Recreation Buddy Baseball to Participate in the Guinness World Records and Yogi’s Big Catch Challenge!

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the athletes of Bayonne’s Buddy Baseball will have an opportunity to break a sports record.  They will join with other ballplayers in an attempt to break the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record for the Largest Game of Catch (baseball/softball).  This effort will require a minimum of 973 pairs – or 1,946 participants – playing catch simultaneously for five minutes.

How will it work?

On Sunday, September 21, the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt will take place in Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair, New Jersey, with pairs organized on the ballfield and concourse in assigned positions, three meters (9’ 10”) apart from one another.  The stadium is named for the late Yogi Berra, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Berra was a star catcher for the New York Yankees and a manager for both the Yankees and the Mets.   He was a longtime Montclair resident.   

Athletes from Buddy Baseball will have an opportunity to play catch with their teammate or a Buddy, or they can be spectators for the event.

Pete Amadeo, Bayonne’s Superintendent of Recreation, stated, “We are very excited for this opportunity for our athletes to participate in a record-breaking event.  They will be part of something special, together, that will be in the record books!”

For anyone interested in being a Buddy for Buddy Baseball athletes, please contact Pete Amadeo at 201-858-6129 or email BAYONNEREC@AOL.COM.

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Mayor’s Corner-Bayonne Mayor James Davis -The Bayonne Role in the Tunnel to Towers Run

Bayonne Mayor James Davis Column Mayor's Corner on role Bayonne played in the Tunnel to Tower Run each September

Each year, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation sponsors a five-kilometer run to honor the sacrifice of Firefighter Stephen Siller on September 11, 2001. On that day, following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Stephen Siller strapped on sixty pounds of equipment and rushed on foot through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the twin towers of the World Trade Center.  It was there that he gave his life while helping others.  He was one of 343 firefighters who perished after responding to the World Trade Center alongside 72 police officers.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the organization formed in Stephen Siller’s name, began by serving widows and orphans from the September 11 attacks.  Later, the foundation expanded its charitable aims to the survivors of military service members and first responders killed in the line of duty.  Tunnel to Towers also assists those who have been injured catastrophically.

The foundation covered the mortgage of Jersey City detective and former Bayonne resident Joseph Seals following his death in 2019. 

Four years ago, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation sponsored a walk across America.  On September 8, 2021, we were proud to welcome Frank Siller, Stephen’s brother, as he walked down the west side of Bayonne on his way to Staten Island in the run-up to September 11. 

For over a decade, Bayonne Fire Captain Michael Pelliccio has led a joint Public Safety team of runners from the Bayonne Fire Department and the Bayonne Police Department that has raised over $100,000 for Tunnel to Towers.  This year, the team will run the route of Firefighter Siller in honor of recently deceased Bayonne Firefighter Joe Coughlin Jr. Joe leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service to the City of Bayonne and his unexpected death is mourned by family and comrades alike. The event is scheduled for the morning of Sunday, September 28, 2025.

To support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and America’s heroes, you can make a donation, become a team member, become a team sponsor, walk or run with the team.  To show your support for the Bayonne Police and Fire Team in the run on September 28, please go online to https://nycrun.t2t.org/bayonnepdfd

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Mayor’s Corner -Bayonne Mayor James Davis-

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis Mayor's Corner

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

On Thursday, September 11, we are commemorating the twenty-fourth anniversary of one of the worst days in our nation’s history. On that day in 2001, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center burned and ultimately crumbled to the ground.  We also saw the Pentagon in flames and an airplane go down in Pennsylvania. Terrorists commandeered flights and took nearly 3,000 innocent lives. Here in Bayonne, twelve of our residents were taken from their families. The images from that day, the emotions we felt, and the pain that was inflicted on us will stay with us forever.

 I was still a police officer in 2001. I used to work from 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., and I was sleeping when the initial plane hit.  Then the second plane hit and that’s when a friend called me. My cell phone was ringing next to me. I picked it up and my friend told me what happened.

On September 11, 2001, there was an atmosphere of chaos and shock throughout the region. After the terrorist attacks, I worked all night, and then in the morning I went to Jersey City, signed in to join the emergency operations in New York, and got on a tugboat. I spent the next four days at Ground Zero. 

Before my police career, I worked on Wall Street, so Lower Manhattan was familiar to me. When I got off the tugboat that Wednesday, walking toward the World Trade Center, I had no sense of direction, because the buildings weren’t there anymore. Those buildings were so big, that no matter where you were in Lower Manhattan, you knew where you were.  When I got there the morning after, it was almost surreal. There was rubble like I had never seen before.

In the years since, the new World Trade Center has risen from the rubble.  It stands proudly today. We think about the sweat and toil that so many workers put in on that site to move past the dark days, and put in its place a towering structure that stands as a beacon of the strength and ingenuity of our workers, and our great nation. The neighboring memorials on the site of the original World Trade Center will always remind us of the people we lost on September 11, 2001. The new tower is a sign that we are determined to overcome that terrible day. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.   

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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.” 

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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. 

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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.

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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.