Who will be the next Bayonne Mayor will be decided by a runoff between incumbent Mark Smith and challenger James Davis on June 10.

Smith, who has been mayor since November 2008, is running for a second four-year term. Before becoming mayor, Smith served In the Bayonne Police Department for 25 years where he rose through the ranks to deputy chief.  He is married and has two daughters.

Davis has been on the police force for over 25 years, currently holding the title of captain. His work has included leading a task force from 2007 to 2008 that made a number of arrests while dismantling a burglary and motor vehicle theft ring, and later helping to shut down cocaine distribution network operating partly out of Bayonne. He is married and is the father of three sons.

The River View Observer posed questions to both candidates about dealing with a prolonged campaign season in the Peninsula City, strategies the cityâ€s highest office, and their respective plans for governing their hometown if one of them prevails.

Why do you think you ended up in a runoff with your opponent rather than had won the election outright?

 Smith: We always knew this was going to be a challenging race. While we won the popular vote, thereâ€s still some lingering effects from the national recession. People are still struggling. The outcome may have reflected a bit of that. We heard their concerns. Some people are still restless and we need to communicate our plan with them. Weâ€re going to show them that our team has the plan and the ability to continue revitalizing or community.

Davis: When you combat a war chest of $1 million collectively and numerous outside entities attacking from different flanks, I feel making it into the runoff was our first win. I am proud of what our team has accomplished and know our drive will pull us all over the finish line in the end.

What is one advantage that you believe you have over your opponent that will enable you to prevail in the runoff?

 Smith: Well to begin with, we have a plan thatâ€s working to bring Bayonne back. The facts support that. Weâ€re going to better communicate the successes we have had and the fact that all the work we have done getting our finances in order are starting to bear fruit. Weâ€ve delivered a zero tax increase this year, property values are up for the first time in nine years, and our bond rating has improved. We have a great story to tell and weâ€re prepared to get our message out.

 Davis: Our team’s honesty and integrity has shined since the first day we announced that we will run for office. We never instilled fear into the citizens of Bayonne like our opponent has. We delivered our message that unity in the City of the Bayonne will prevail.

Do you think you will be able to maintain enough of a cordial relationship with your opponent after the election that you will consult him on any issues if you become mayor?

 Smith: Iâ€ve known Jimmy Davis for decades. Iâ€m certainly willing to work with him and anyone else at any time to make our community better.

Davis: After we win, I am sure we will be able to converse civilly and do what is best for the City of Bayonne.

If you win, what will be the first issue(s) you will tackle within the first year of the new term?

 Smith: I think we will continue to work our plan to encourage new development on Broadway, the Peninsula and elsewhere in town. Our focus has been on getting Bayonneâ€s finances under control, controlling municipal expenses and developing more ratables so we can broaden our tax base to provide property tax relief for our citizens. We need to find a way to resolve the teachers†contract impasse in a way thatâ€s fair to both the teacher and the taxpayer.

 Davis: The first issue we will tackle is to review all land sales associated with the Military Ocean Terminal and the revitalization of Broadway.

What is the one major goal that you want to accomplish in the next four years as mayor?

Smith:I grew up in this town. I had a wonderful childhood here. I had the best job in the world working as a policeman. I met my wife and ow we’re raising out daughters here. I want for them, what we had growing up. I want a great community for all of our children.  I’m working hard to bring Bayonne back.

In everything that we do, Iâ€ve always had one eye on property taxes. By working to bring city finances under control, limit the growth of city spending and increasing our ratable base, we will finally see property taxes stabilize remain under control. I want to continue to build a great community while taking less money out of homeowners†and renters†pockets.

 Davis: One major goal is to unify Bayonne and bring back the feeling we had growing up in this great city, to insure quality services to all our residents, and to develop community centers for our senior citizens and our youth.

The River View Observer would like to thank Mayor Mark Smith and Jimmy Davis for taking the time out of their busy schedules to answer our five questions.

The post Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith and Mayoral Challenger Jimmy Davis Answer Our 5 Questions Before the Bayonne June 10th Mayoral Run-Off first appeared on River View Observer.

On Wednesday, February 12th Mayor Mark Smith of Bayonne and supporters gathered at the Chandelier Restaurant to kick off Smith’s 2014 run for Mayor.

With the threat of a major snow storm looming an enthusiastic crowd of  supporters  were on hand to hear  Mayor Smith  announce his 2014 Council running mates which did not change from his current administration and to hear Former NJ Governor Richard Codey speak of  the accomplishments of Mayor Smith’s current administration and the promise to  “Move Bayonne Forward” for the next four years.

Photos by River View Observer photographer Steve A Mack 

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On a hot Tuesday afternoon Winners Bayonne the first off-track wagering facility  built and operated by Jeff Gural’s  New Meadowlands  Racetrack LLC opened to  a very enthusiastic  and jubilant crowd including Former NJ Governor Richard Cody, Mayor Smith of Bayonne, The Bayonne City Council, Senator Sandra Cunningham, Assemblyman, Jason O’Donnell and other dignitaries. Driver Brian Sears,  famous  Jockey Chuckie Lopez and – 2000 winner  Gallo Blue Chip, the biggest earning horse in standardbred racing history winning 4.2 million.Winners Bayonne branded as a sports  bar with action , the 25,000 square-foot venue boasts two large simulcast areas, a VIP room and a 38-seat bar and full-service restaurant operated by McLoone’s with more than 150 television screens, he facility aims to please horse players  and sports fans alike.

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith when asked by the River View Observer  “What this project means to  Bayonne,”  said, “The off-track wagering facility is a positive development for Bayonne. That is why our administration has been so supportive of this project from the beginning. The construction phase created jobs and generated local economic activity. The New facility will offer an attractive wagering operation and restaurant to the community. The off-track  wagering will provide much-needed employment for our residents.”

Built on a vacant lot on Route 440 in Bayonne. The Venue is an $18 million new construction that brings 100 jobs and an estimated $200,000 in property taxes to the city of Bayonne.  The location was originally selected by  the New Jersey  Sports and Exposition Authority  because of robust lottery sales, a large player database of hors players in the Staten Island market (Winners Bayonne is minutes from the Bayonne Bridge) and strong community support.

Also at the grand opening was restaurateur Tim McLoone owner of McLoone’s Bayonne Grille located in Winners Bayonne.  Tim McLoone also operates McLoone’s Rum Runner in Sea Bright his first restaurant and the brand operates eight locations with the addition of Bayonne. Other McLoone’s properties are McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch and National Harbor, Maryland, McLoone’s  Asbury Grille, Tim McLoone’s Supper Club and McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange.

SOSH Architects of Atlantic City , NJ designed Winners Bayonne. The firm’s myriad credits in the entertainment sector include Harrah’s Chester Casino  & Racetrack in PA and Tropicana – The Quarter in Atlantic City.

Wagering information, menus are available online at WinnersBayonne.com

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Pictured at the first annual Citywide Art Show at the Bayonne Community Museum at 229 Broadway, at the corner of 9^th Street is (far left ) Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, and  Joe Waks ( far right with blue shirt)Bayonne Municipal Services Director  and the many Bayonne artists whose works were on display.

The opening reception  which ran from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  drew many Bayonne dignitaries,  residents, and family and friends of the  artists who participated.

Light refreshments were served.

The show will be open to viewers on weekdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from Monday, April 16, through Friday, April 20, and again from Monday, April 23, through Friday, April 27, 2012.

Mayor Smith said, “I was looking forward to this inaugural show. Many talented local artists have showcased their works in this  beautiful setting at the Bayonne Community Museum. I invite the public to come and enjoy the art.  Art is alive in Bayonne”

The show  includes work by sixty-six artists who are residents of Bayonne. A jury of Bayonne residents headed by Anthony Sienkiewicz, painting instructor at the 4^th Street Senior Center Art Club, judged the entries and chose the works  exhibited. The jury organized the event in association with Municipal Services Director Joseph A. Waks. The display boards and lighting at the show were courtesy of the Department of Music and Art of the Bayonne Board of Education, Tim Craig, Director.

The post Bayonne Community Museum Opening Night April 13th, 2012 first appeared on River View Observer.

Yesterday, with the sun shining, the crowds smiling, Mayor Smith waving,  Bands and the Bag Pipers  playing; the 2012 Bayonne St. Patrick’s Day parade took place and our River View Observer cameramen where there- Enjoy!

SEE MORE PHOTOS.

More photos to come.

The post Bayonne St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Photos 2012 first appeared on River View Observer.

The City of Bayonne has been working with the Bayonne Board of Education and various community groups to schedule events at the museum, which is located at 9^th Street and Broadway. Several dates have already been booked at the museum for this year. On February 25, the Bayonne Recreation Division will hold its annual “Recspys” Awards dinner at the building. The museum will also host the Recreation Divisionâ€s annual chess championship games. Details will be announced.

On May 2 and 3, a local string orchestra will use the building for rehearsals and a public performance. From May 7 through 14, the museum will host the annual Hudson County Alliance of Teen Artists Exhibit. On May 18 and 19, the annual Art Show of the Bayonne public schools will take place at the museum. As was announced previously, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will host several public meetings at the museum during the next few years. Those meetings will concern the reconstruction of the Bayonne Bridge. The Port Authority has donated chairs and tables for use in the building. Details of the Port Authorityâ€s meetings will be announced.

Recently, the City Council awarded a contract for the upgrading of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system at the building. Work is expected to start by late February. City officials said that the museum would still be available for various events during the construction.

Anyone interested in applying to use the museum building should contact Bernadette Nestico at the Bayonne Department of Public Works at 201-858-6070.

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The post City, Board of Education, and Community Groups Plan Events at Bayonne Museum first appeared on River View Observer.

       

  Bayonne  Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that a crew from New Jerseyâ€s Clean Shores program has finished clearing debris this summer from several waterfront locations in Bayonne.  The clean-up spanned a period of three weeks in June and July. Staffed by minimum-security prisoners who work under state supervision, the Clean Shores crew removed wood and other solid materials from shorelines across the state.  Mayor Smith said, “Operation Clean Shores is an outstanding program that is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).  The prisoners do work that is required by the state, and Bayonne benefits by getting cleaner shorelines.”

          The annual Clean Shores program began by Rutkowski Park on Newark Bay and extended southward to the Kill Van Kull. By the end of the project, the prisoners cleaned such areas as the shores behind Bayonne High School, Don Ahern-Veterans†Memorial Stadium, the Boatworks housing development, and Mayor Dennis P. Collins Park.   They also cleaned the South Cove area by the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor.

          The Clean Shores Program provided the inmate work crew, corrections officers, NJDEP supervision and woodcutters.  Bayonne provided breakfasts and lunches for the workers. The Clean Shores program worked in cooperation with the Bayonne Department of Public Works, with the assistance of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners.  Public Works Director Gary Chmielewski said, “The Clean Shores Program is a good deal for our waterfront parks and for the taxpayers.”

          According to the NJDEP, since its inception in 1989, the Clean Shores Program has removed over 127 million pounds of floatables statewide, and has cleaned and re-cleaned over 2,400 miles of New Jerseyâ€s shores.

          While the Clean Shores program was underway, Bayonne received additional help from a second program.  On Sunday, July 10, the Hackensack Riverkeeper, a non-profit organization, and volunteers from the Bayonne community cleaned up the shoreline at DiDomenico-16^th Street Park.

          Mayor Smith concluded, “The shorelines are major features of our community.  Every year, the Clean Shores Program helps clean up local waterways and the lands they touch. I would like to thank the NJDEP for continuing the Clean Shores Program in Bayonne this year.  I would like to thank the Hackensack Riverkeeper and local volunteers for their work by DiDomenico-16^th Street Park. I ask our residents to help keep the shores of Bayonne clean throughout the year.” 

 

 

 

 

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On January 24th Longhorn Steakhouse 300-seater and first full-service restaurant at the Bayonne Crossings Shopping Center, 907 Bayonne Crossing, Rt. 440, opened its doors to the public.

 Pictured for the opening in front row: 31st District Assemblyman; Jason O’Donnell, First Ward Bayonne Councilwoman; Agnes Gillepsie, Bayonne Mayor; Mark Smith, Bayonne At-large Councilwoman; Deborah Czerwienski, Bayonne 3rd Ward Councilman; Raymond Greaves, Jeff Mulchaey; Managing Partner of Longhorn Steakhouse.

Back row: Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilman; Joseph Hurley, Jeffrey Scott; Longhorn Director of Operations; and Bayonne -at Large City Council President; Terrence Ruane.

The new Longhorn Steakhouse brings a taste of the Southwest to the Bayonne area, with a full menu, and an open bar which is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends.

 

The post Dining -LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE NOW OPEN IN BAYONNE CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER first appeared on River View Observer.