During the ceremony, Grandmaster Wright presented honorary black belts to Councilman Juan Perez and Loyad Booker for their 25-plus years of service in law enforcement and public service to Hudson County. Special awards were also given to Head Grandmaster Dennis Wright for his 70 years of worldwide martial arts dedication, as well as to Master Eulices Mateo and Sensei Joseph Bizarrouque for their outstanding achievements and leadership. The evening further highlighted U.S. National Martial Arts Team member champions under the direction of Grandmaster Wright Sr., who serves as the U.S. National and New Jersey State Martial Arts Director.

Administrative Assistant; Benazir Sheikh served as Master of Ceremonies, introducing each distinguished guest and guiding the evening’s program. Councilman Perez and Mr. Booker delivered eloquent remarks praising Grandmaster Austin Wright’s lifelong commitment to excellence and community service. Sensei Priscilla Wright gave a heartfelt introduction for her father under the theme of “Legacy,” reflecting on his spiritual faith, resilience, and his warrior indomitable spirit in building a martial arts institution from the ground up. The event concluded with awards for Team Member Champions, student Rising Stars, and new black belt recipients—an inspiring celebration of honor for a man whose four decades of leadership have shaped generations of martial artists and community members alike.

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The Bayonne St. Patrickâ€s Parade Committee has announced Gabrielle Figueroa is its 2023 Grand Marshal.  The Bayonne parade will take place on Sunday, March 19.  Gaby is the daughter of Nuala and Andres (Chico) Figueroa, sister of Kathleen and Michael, and granddaughter of 1993 Grand Marshal Kathleen Oâ€Keeffe. A lifelong Hudson County resident, Gabrielle is a proud alumna of Holy Family Academy.  She earned her Bachelorâ€s and Masterâ€s degrees at the College of New Jersey in Sociology and School Counseling, and works as a school counselor at Roosevelt Elementary School in Kearny.

The post Bayonne St. Patrick’s Parade Names Gabrielle Figueroa 2023 Grand Marshal, Plans Brunch Honoring Her on February 26 first appeared on River View Observer.

On Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 11am – 2pm, the Peninsula Womenâ€s Club will host their 2^nd Annual Women of Achievement Brunch.  The Brunch will be held at The Chandelier located at 1081 Broadway, Bayonne NJ and the cost is $35.00 per person.

The Clubâ€s motto is “striving for a better community” and the brunch honors a woman, as well as a young woman, who they feel lives this motto.  Madeline Lo Re, a local business owner, has worked within our community to bring awareness to others for various cancer treatments and precautions.  Briel Peters, a high school Junior, is involved with her community, school and Church with many different activities.  PWC celebrates these women for all they do for our community.

Ticket reservations are accepted via phone or email to Jean Styles 201-407-4250 or Jean424@aol.com.

The club is dedicated to bringing women together for the promotion of civic and philanthropic activities. They work to create an interest in education, fine arts and topics of public interest through cooperative relationships. We also build friendship and have fun while we are doing it.

Membership ranges in age from mid 20â€s to mid 70â€s, and include working women, retirees, college students and stay-at-home moms; single, married, widowed and divorced. PWC is non-political, non-sectarian and non-discriminating.

The GFWC Peninsula Womenâ€s Club (PWC) was established in Bayonne, in September 2011, and Federated with the New Jersey State Federation of Womenâ€s Clubs of the General Federation of Womenâ€s Clubs in 2012. The GFWC Peninsula Womenâ€s Club is affiliated with both the General Federation of Womenâ€s Clubs (GFWC) and the New Jersey State Federation of Womenâ€s Clubs (NJSFWC). This continues a long history of Federated clubs in Bayonne, dating back to the early 1900â€s.

Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. 7PM @56^th Street Senior Center, 56^th Street & Avenue B. The next meeting is Wednesday March 18, 2015. New and prospective members are ALWAYS welcome! There is no obligation to join at your first meeting. For more information, check out the Facebook Page www.facebook.com/GFWCPeninsulaWomensClub or call Mary Kay Tokar at 201-320-8403.

The post Peninsula Women’s Club Honors Local Women of Achievement 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 

The post Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith Kick Off Rally Wednesday, February 12th, 2014 Chandelier Restaurant Bayonne first appeared on River View Observer.

7,402 votes were tallied for the Smith column over Chiappone’s 2, 503 vote count -roughly  66% for Smith, 22% for Chiappone  and 1, 239 votes 11% were counted forLenoard Kantor.

(Photo Steve A. Mack. com )  

Smith originally won the Mayor ship 17 months ago to fulfill the remaining term of former Mayor Joe Doria who at that time left his position as Mayor to work in the administration of then Governor Jon Corzine as Commissioner  of the Department of Community Affairs.

Smith’s “Moving Bayonne Forward” campaign resonated with Bayonne voters especially in the areas of holding down property taxes, reducing city government through attrition which was a promise he made and kept and his campaign promise in the coming four years to preserve Bayonne’s small town charm.

The Mayor said in his closing remarks at his celebration party “Tonight we party and celebrate, tomorrow we get down to work in creating the dream to move  Bayonne forward”

Three  of Mayor Smith running mates Council at Large candidate and current Councilman Terry Ruane won re-election as did Debra Czerwienski and first time council candidate Joe Hurley won in the second ward, and Mayor Mark Smiths’ other two council picks Ray Greeves of the third ward will be in a run- off against current Councilman Gary La Pelusa and Agnes Gillespie will be in a run -off  with independent Candidate Thomas Cotter for the First ward.

The post Incumbent Bayonne NJ Mayor Mark Smith Wins Full Four Year Term as Mayor of Bayonne first appeared on River View Observer.