Tag Archives: Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis

Bayonne Mayor James Davis -PROGRESS TOWARDS A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

Mayor Davis 2018 Inaugural
Bayonne Mayor James Davis

          Last week, in our City Council Chambers, Bayonne residents had their first opportunity to view plans in person for the proposed 34th Street pedestrian bridge.  Once plans are finalized, that bridge will be constructed over Route 440 between the 34th Street Light Rail Station and the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor (the former Military Ocean Terminal).

          There is a clear need for better, safer ways for pedestrians to cross Route 440 than running across the highway.  Lives and public safety are at stake. Pedestrians have died in the Route 440 corridor in recent years. The need for safe pedestrian crossings has increased as economic development has taken place in the Route 440 corridor. There are various locations where pedestrian bridges could be placed along that highway.  We decided to start with the 34th Street Light Rail area because there is already a pedestrian overpass there linking the Light Rail station with the parking lot. This proposed bridge would connect directly to the existing Light Rail passenger overpass.  TY Lin, the engineering firm that has the contract for the bridge concept development study, has offered various options for solving the pedestrian safety problem around 34th Street and Route 440.  The engineers have presented options that include various types of bridges and upgrading the highway crossing without building a bridge. Let’s be clear.  We want a bridge.

The staff of TY Lin believes the best option or preferred alternative would be a single-span, prefabricated, steel truss bridge over Route 440.  This proposal would include fully enclosed stairs and an elevator building at the east landing of the bridge, across the highway from the station.  That plan would offer a sidewalk at the east landing that would connect to the sidewalk on Goldsborough Drive and at Port Terminal Boulevard.  They are major streets at the former Military Ocean Terminal. The engineers envision a twelve-foot-wide space inside the bridge to provide safe access for pedestrians and bicycles. At the public information session on August 2, members of the public suggested that the bridge be enclosed for safety reasons.  Several residents also called for more sidewalks in the Route 440 corridor.

At the City Council Caucus on Wednesday, August 9, at 6:00 p.m., TY Lin will offer a presentation about the proposed bridge to our City Council Members.  This Caucus meeting will be televised on Optimum cable Channel 78 and on Verizon Fios Channel 42.  We expect at least one more opportunity after that for the public to offer comments in person about the bridge proposal. 

This bridge project began when the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority awarded Bayonne a $550,000 planning grant.  Later, the City of Bayonne received more than $4 million in federal funds for bridge construction through the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.  The federal money came from the Liberty Corridor program, a transportation aid package that Senator Bob Menendez championed when he was still in the House of Representatives.  

Where do things stand now?  There is a concept for the bridge, along with a preferred option for building that bridge.  We have more than $4 million for construction.  After receiving more public input, we can move towards preliminary engineering, then to the final design of the bridge, and, ultimately, to construction. 

As we continue making progress on this project, I would like to thank all of our residents who have offered ideas and expressed concerns about the safety issues on Route 440.   If you would like to offer comments or suggestions to TY Lin about the proposed pedestrian bridge, please go to https://34thstbayonnepedestrianbridge.com/contact.

We look forward to working with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to provide more safe crossings in the Route 440 corridor.  

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Memorial Day Parade Back Again in Bayonne Monday, May 29

The Bayonne Memorial Day Parade will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023.  Last year, the City of Bayonne worked in conjunction with the veterans of the Memorial Day Parade Committee to bring the parade back after an absence of two years. Mayor Jimmy Davis said, “As the son of a proud Korean War veteran, I was very happy that we found a way to revive the parade in 2022.  I am glad to say that the successful collaboration between the veterans and the City of Bayonne has continued in 2023.”

Pete Amadeo, the Supervisor of the City of Bayonne’s Recreation Division, has worked with Barry Jones, the parade chairman, and the other veterans on the Memorial Day Parade Committee to invite various organizations to take part in the parade in both 2022 and 2023.   Mr. Jones is an Army veteran from the Vietnam era. 

There will be a ceremony at the traditional start of the parade on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m., at Fifth Street by the World War I Monument.   Immediately after the ceremony, the march will begin at 5th Street and will proceed up Broadway.   It will pass the reviewing stand in front of American Legion Post 19 and will end at 32nd Street and Broadway. 

The grand marshal of the parade will be Carlton Rhodes.  In 1990, he served as President of Chapter 151 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He has held the position of State Secretary-Treasurer of the Vietnam Veterans of America New Jersey State Council for 28 years.  Mr. Rhodes served as Commander of VFW Post 7470 from 1983 to 1984, and Quartermaster of VFW Post 7470 from 1984 to 1989.  He is the current Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 7470.  His volunteer experience has included volunteering at the VA Lyons Hospital, the Chapel of Four Chaplains in Philadelphia, the Memorial Day Committee of Bayonne, and Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Mr. Rhodes is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Catholic War Veterans, the VFW, and the American Legion.  Mr. Rhodes trained as an aircraft mechanic and an electrician. He was employed as a Maintenance Supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service.

Mayor Davis stated, “From the American Revolution to the present, more than 42 million Americans have served in our military during war.  Of them, more than one million died in the service, whether in battle or elsewhere during wartime.”  Mayor Davis concluded, “Veterans often remind us that ‘freedom is not free.’ That means that America’s fighting men and women have purchased our freedom with their sacrifices since 1775.  We owe our freedom and our way of life to them. Please show your gratitude for those who gave their lives for our country by coming to the memorial ceremonies and to the parade.”

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State to Launch Arrive Together Program for Sherif’s Officers and Mental Health Professionals in Bayonne

          Speaking at a press conference at the Bayonne Community Museum on April 20, state, county, and municipal officials discussed the start of Arrive Together in Bayonne, a joint program for law enforcement officers and mental health professionals.  Started as a program in Cumberland County, New Jersey in 2021, Arrive Together is expanding gradually to other parts of New Jersey.  The program pairs mental health professionals with law enforcement officers to respond to emergency calls for service involving persons with mental health issues. 

          Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said that she was “very excited” about this pilot program, which will operate initially two days a week in Bayonne with Hudson County Sheriff’s Officers and mental health professionals. 

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Bayonne Holds Ceremony to Celebrate Federal Grant for Special Needs Ballfield 

            On Saturday, January 28, the City of Bayonne’s Recreation Division held a ceremony to celebrate the $1 million federal grant it will receive to construct a ballfield for the Buddy Baseball program at 11th Street and Avenue E.  Buddy Baseball, a popular activity for young people with special needs, was established in Bayonne seven years ago. 

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Bayonne to Hold Opening Ceremony for Phase II of Dennis P. Coins Park Renovations

Bayonne Mayor Dennis P. Collins

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne will hold an opening ceremony for Phase II of Dennis P. Collins Park renovations on Tuesday, November 1, at 4:00 p.m.  The ceremony will take place at 1st Street and Avenue C.

          Phase II of the park renovations has included the construction of several new facilities.  They include a hockey rink, a multi-purpose, elevated seating area, a playground for ages 2-5, a playground for ages 5-12, basketball courts, an exercise and training area, and a large gazebo.

The play area for the younger children has an amusement park theme. It includes a “Miltyville” ticket booth that is a tribute to Uncle Milty’s, the amusement park that stood on a portion of today’s park property in the 20th century.  The kiddie play area has a roller coaster theme. 

The multi-purpose, elevated seating area can be used an outdoor classroom or as an audience area for games or performances.

The gazebo measures fifty feet across.  It will include tables for sitting.  The gazebo is located between the hockey rink and the playground area.

The Gorman Field parking lot will be repaved.  Another parking lot has been expanded.  Gorman Field has received new sod, along with new fencing and a sprinkler system.   The field is not yet ready for use, but will be opened in the spring.  The new sod requires time to develop roots.

The park is named after Dennis P. Collins, who served four terms as Mayor of Bayonne from 1974 to 1990.  Mr. Collins was a City Council Member before that from 1962 to 1974.  Following his twenty-eight years in elected office, Mr. Collins worked as an Aide to Congressman (now Senator) Robert Menendez, Sr. and to former Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr. 

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Detective Seals Memorial Celebration Set for Saturday, September 17

Detective Joseph A. Seals

Event to Feature Music, Food Trucks, and Inflatables

          Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne will host a memorial celebration in honor of the late Detective Joseph A. Seals at DiDomenico-16th Street Park in Bayonne on Saturday, September 17, from 2:00-8:00 p.m.  The event will feature bands, food trucks, and inflatables.  Joseph A. Seals, a Jersey City police detective and a former Bayonne resident, was killed in the line of duty in Jersey City in 2019 after encountering two subjects who were linked to a homicide.  Mayor Davis said, “I urge everyone to come out for this event to pay tribute to Detective Seals and to support Garden State Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).  Detective Seals gave his life after eighteen years of outstanding service in law enforcement.  Let us honor him as a community on September 17.” 

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Bayonne Switching to Night Recycling Pick-Ups Effective October 4

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne is switching to night-time pick-ups of recycling effective Tuesday, October 4.  The new schedule will cover cans & bottles and mixed paper & cardboard.  Mayor Davis said, “The major reason for the change is that night-time traffic is lighter than morning traffic.  The recycling trucks will have an easier time getting around without commuter vehicles and school buses on the city streets at the same time.”  Mayor Davis continued, “It will be easier to identify missed pick-ups, if they are still on the streets in the morning.”

            Bayonne’s existing three zones for garbage and recycling will remain the same. 

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Bayonne Library Offers Free Afternoon and Evening Summer Movies

Jennifer Lopez Stars in Marry Me

            Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the Bayonne Public Library is offering a series of free afternoon and evening summer movies on Wednesdays from July 6 through August 31 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the O’Connor Gallery on the second floor of the library.  The building is located at 31st Street and Avenue C.  

All of the movies scheduled for the library have been released in the last two years. The films to be shown include movies for adults in the afternoons and films for children and families in the evenings. Youngsters attending the children’s films must be accompanied by an adult.  No children will be admitted for the R-rated movies. 

The following films will be shown on Wednesdays.  They are listed with their dates, ratings, and running times: 

Afternoon films at 1:00 p.m.:

July 6 – Marry Me. Rated PG 13. 1 hour 52 minutes.

July 13 – Silent Night. Rated N/A. 1 hour 32 minutes.

July 20 – The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Rated PG 13. 2 hours 6 minutes.

July 27 – A Journal for Jordan. Rated PG 13. 2 hours 11 minutes.

August 3 –Memory. Rated R. 1 hour 54 minutes.

August 10 – Moonfall. PG 13. 2 hours 10 minutes.

August 17 – Firestarter (2022).  Rated R. 1 hour 34 minutes.

August 24 – Death on the Nile (2002). Rated PG 13. 2 hours 7 minutes.

August 31 – House of Gucci. Rated R.  2 hours 38 minutes.

Evening films at 6:30 p.m.:

July 6 – Turning Red. Rated PG.  1 hour 40 minutes.

July 13 – Spider-Man: No Way Home.  Rated PG 13. 2 hours 28 minutes.

July 20 – Sing 2. Rated PG. 1 hour 50 minutes.

July 27 – Dog. Rated PG 13.  1 hour 41 minutes.

August 3- Encanto. Rated PG. 1 hour 42 minutes.

August 10 – The Bad Guys. Rated PG. 1 hour 40 minutes.

August 17 – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Rated PG 13. 2 hours 6 minutes.

August 24– Clifford – The Big Red Dog. Rated PG 1 hour 36 minutes.

August 31 – The Lost City. Rated PG 13. 1 hour 52 minutes.

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Bayonne Hometown Fair Set for Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5

Fun Event for the Entire Family Returns to Bayonne in 2022

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the 2022 Bayonne Hometown Fair will take place on Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5.  This will be the sixth fair in its current format.  The event did not take place in 2020 or 2021, due to the Coronavirus. On Saturday, the fair’s hours will be from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  On Sunday, the fair’s hours will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.  The fair will be located along Broadway, from 21st Street to 26th Street. The 2022 fair will feature food, games, rides, vendors, and musical entertainment.   Mayor Davis said, “We are happy to welcome back the Bayonne Hometown Fair after a two-year hiatus. Local organizations, businesses, entertainers, and volunteers are working to make sure that this year’s fair is a great event.  We can all look forward to the 2022 Hometown Fair.”

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BAYONNE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE TO RETURN IN 2022

Bayonne Memorial Day Parade 2016 RVO photo

Bayonne Memorial Day Parade to Return in 2022

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne, in conjunction with the Bayonne Memorial Day Parade Committee, have organized the return of the Bayonne Memorial Day Parade, on Monday, May 30, 2022.   The parade has not taken place since 2019, due to concerns about the Coronavirus in 2020 and 2021. 

Mayor Davis explained, “The parade has been a Bayonne tradition since 1918. We call upon the patriotic residents of Bayonne to turn out for the parade’s return on Monday, May 30.  We look forward to seeing people out on Broadway again for this parade.”

Pete Amadeo, Supervisor of the Bayonne Recreation Division, has been working on the parade with the veterans on the Bayonne Memorial Day Parade Committee.  Barry Jones, an Army veteran, chairs the Memorial Day Parade Committee.  Michael Wilson, a Navy veteran, will be the Grand Marshal of the 2022 parade. 

The parade will assemble at 9:00 a.m. on East 5th Street between Broadway and Isabella Avenue, and will commence at 10:00 a.m. There will be a brief ceremony at the start of the parade to honor our deceased veterans and to place a wreath at the World War I Memorial. The parade will proceed north along Broadway and will then pass a reviewing stand setup in front of American Legion Post 19 and will end at 32nd Street and Broadway.

For more information, please contact Pete Amadeo at 201-858-6129 or email BAYONNEMEMORIALDAYPARADE@BAYNJ.ORG.  If any group or organization is interested in marching, please contact Pete immediately.

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