Bayonne Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that the Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Bayonne a Tree City USA for the eighteenth consecutive year.
Tree City USA municipalities must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive urban forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.
Mayor Smith said, “I would like to thank the Arbor Day Foundation for recognizing Bayonne’s continuing commitment to trees. Planting trees is good for the environment. Trees also increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify residential neighborhoods.â€
John Rosenow, President of the Arbor Day Foundation, said, “We all benefit when communities like Bayonne place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation’s most beautiful resources.†He continued, “Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic, and social benefits. We applaud Bayonne’s elected officials, volunteers, and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.â€
Mayor Smith urges all residents to plant trees and help support the tree program of Bayonne’s Forestry Division. For information on the municipal tree program, please contact Danielle at 201-858-6070.
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Students at Bayonne High School recently participated in a Cablevision Power to Learn Black History Month event that explored the legacy of the Greensboro Four. Participating in the event, which was presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian Channel, was original Greensboro Four member Joseph McNeil who spoke with students about the civil rights movement, along with Assemblyman Charles Mainor, Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell and Mayor Mark Smith. Pictured (l. to r.) with participating students are Bayonne NAACP President Al Strickland, New Jersey NAACP President James Harris, Assemblyman O’Donnell, Principal Richard Baccarella, Mayor Smith, Teacher Deidre Hurley, National Museum of American History Director of African American Culture Christopher Wilson, Greensboro Four Member McNeil, Assemblyman Mainor, Cablevision Vice President of Education Trent Anderson, Bayonne BOE Director of Language Arts, Social Studies and Service Learning Dan Ward, Smithsonian Channel Representative Lakeisha McCoy and Cablevision Director of Government Affairs Don Viapree.
