On Monday, January 20, we will observe the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday.  This day should remind us about his life’s mission – equality for all Americans. By backing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Dr. King fought for equal rights for all Americans, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. is not simply a figure from the past. Fifty-seven years after his death, Dr. King’s words and actions remain relevant to today’s issues.  Recent acts of violence that were rooted in religious and racial hatred reminded us all that Dr. King’s work remains to be fulfilled.  Across the country over the years, Americans have been killed, just because they were Black, White, Hispanic, Jewish, Asian, Native American, gay, or members of other groups. The hatred and the violence must stop. 

Now, more than ever, we need to respect each other.  Now, more than ever, we must become neighbors.  Now, more than ever, we must work together to become one nation.  As Americans, we have roots in many countries around the world.  As Dr. King said, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.”  We must not remain in our silos, caring only about ourselves.  Dr. King pointed out that “life’s most persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

During Dr. King’s lifetime, Americans tended to think about better community relations as having mostly to do with Blacks and Whites, Catholics, Protestants, and Jews.  Since his passing, our country has become much more diverse.  We have more people here now from many other ethnic, racial, and religious groups. The same principles I discussed above still apply to how we should behave towards each other, now with more groups than we had in the 1960’s.  Accepting each other, regardless of our ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds, and gender or orientation, remains the great challenge of American life. 

John Hume, a Catholic civil rights and political leader from Northern Ireland, was inspired by Dr. King.  Mr. Hume said, “Difference is the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth, and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.”

            The first step towards a better nation is to recognize everyone who lives here as our fellow Americans.

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          Inaugural Chair Jamie Davis, Bayonneâ€s First Lady, announced plans for the municipal inauguration, related events, and Independence Day fireworks that will take place on Friday, July 1.  Mrs. Davis said, “The 2022 Inaugural Committee and several municipal departments are working together on a day of ceremonies and entertainment that will celebrate the City of Bayonne and American Independence.  We invite the people of Bayonne to come together on this special day.”

          The dayâ€s public events will begin with an Inaugural Mass at St. Henryâ€s Roman Catholic Church at 1:30 p.m.  St. Henryâ€s is located across the street from City Hall at 28^th Street and Avenue C. 

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Ground-breaking ceremony for new 25^th Street pedestrian bridge in Bayonne: City Officials and Grade Construction, the building contractor, held a ground-breaking ceremony for the replacement 25^th Street pedestrian bridge.  The existing bridge was constructed in 1970. The new span will have elevators that will make it handicapped accessible. The older bridge will be demolished before the new one is constructed in its place. Project completion is expected in either late 2021 or early 2022.  Like the existing bridge, the new one will connect Avenue E and Prospect Avenue over the tracks for Hudson Bergen Light Rail and freight railroads. Pictured left to right: Fire Chief Keith Weaver, Ralph Diaco (President, Grade Construction), First Ward Council Member Neil Carroll III, Mayor Jimmy Davis, City Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski, Second Ward Council Member Sal Gullace, Public Works Director Tom Cotter, and City Engineer Rob Russo.  Drone photo courtesy of Consulting and Municipal Engineers (CME).

Soon after the Ground- Breaking Ceremony the heavy equipment came in and began to demolish the current 25th Street Bridge see photo on right

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          The City of Bayonne held a swearing-in ceremony for new police officers who have joined the Police Department in 2019, 2020, and 2021.  Their ceremonies were postponed as a result of the Coronavirus.  The group of new officers includes the departmentâ€s first Filipino officer and the first two Black female officers.  This event took place in the Bayonne High School Auditorium, which was large enough to accommodate the new officers, their families, City officials, and other guests. 

          Twenty-eight new officers were sworn in by City Clerk Madelene Medina.  The new recruits have replenished the ranks of the Police Department, which has experienced many retirements during the last two years.

          The new police officers are:  Shady Nasralla, Michael May, Bryan Cruz, Hany Kased, Robert Candelaria, Thomas Jurcisin, Jr., Alexis Ogbin, Jonathan White, Zachary Hyman, Marco Coelho, Kevin Sliwowski, Mark Hermosisima, Brandon Olander, Robert Cavanaugh, Jared Ensmenger, Jack Vreeland, Mina Saleeb, Ali Aboubakr, Perla Estevez, Erik Lyman, Febronia Botros, Joseph Cordato, Kevin Vazquez, Justin Rivera, Thomas McGuckin, Tanya Roberts, Brianna Rhodes, and Daniel Hampton.

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Source: The Office of Bayonne Mayor James Davis

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Environmental Tour of Bayonne:  Shawn LaTourette, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), met with Mayor Jimmy Davis and toured Bayonne to view progress on various environmental projects.  They are shown here at the former Texaco site where an environmental clean-up has been taking place.  Pictured left to right: Acting NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, Kerry Kirk Pflugh (Director, Local Government Assistance, NJDEP), and Alan Miller (Manager, Community Collaborative Initiative, NJDEP).

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Ribbon-Cutting at Grand Opening of Lidlâ€s Bayonne store:  Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis and City Council Members joined members of Lidlâ€s management for the ribbon-cutting at the storeâ€s grand opening on November 18.  The German-based grocery chainâ€s regional offices are located now in the same structure as the Bayonne store, which is located at 20 Goldsborough Drive by Route 440.  The store was constructed on the former Military Ocean Terminal.  Pictured left to right behind the ribbon: Baxter Burnworth (Director of Real Estate, Lidl U.S.); Cal Trew (Manager, Bayonne Lidl store); Mayor Jimmy Davis; City Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski; Third Ward Council Member Gary LaPelusa; and First Ward Council Member Neil Carroll.

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Mayor Davis and father place ballots in drop box: 

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis and father James Davis placed their completed ballots in the secure election drop box in front of City Hall at 630 Avenue C in Bayonne.  Mayor Davis said, “My dad and I voted this morning.  Please make sure you vote via the mail-in ballot.  Once you have filled out your ballot completely, you can drop it at the designated secure ballot drop box located in front of City Hall.”

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