PATERSON, NJ - The incumbents in five of the six Ward Council seat elections will hold the top spot on the ballot in May, according to the results of the candidate draw held on Monday.
In the First Ward, the ballot order stands with incumbent Mike Jackson securing the top spot, followed by Mohammad Mohan Houssain, Fannia Santana, Ramona Blizzard, Rodney Addison and Mosleh Uddin.
In the Second Ward, incumbent Shahin Khalique clinched the number one position, trailed by Frank Filippelli and Aheya Khan. In the Third Ward, incumbent Alex Mendex obtained the top spot, followed by Assad Akhtaruzzaman and William McKoy.
"With only three candidates, every position holds equal significance on the ballot," McKoy said. "I'm optimistic about voters recognizing integrity and proven results. "Despite the challenges of the past, I anticipate a successful outcome in 2024. Each vote matters, and I'm confident in a fair and decisive election."
In the Fourth Ward, incumbent Ruby Cotton emerged as top candidate on the ballot, followed by Kimmeshia Rogers-Jones and Justin Rucker. Meanwhile, in the Fifth Ward, Sebastian Mejia secured the top spot, followed by Jeyss Abreu, David Soo and incumbent Luis Velez.
"I feel really good about it [securing the top spot on the ballot]," Cotton told TAPinto Paterson. "I'll continue doing what I have to do. My work will always prioritize taking care of people, looking after residents. They may have their say, but I'm happy to be with everyone and ensure their needs are met."
Lastly, in the Sixth Ward, incumbent Al Abdelaziz took the number one position, followed by Abed Thabatah.
Election Day is May 14.
]]>HOBOKEN, NJ - The Hoboken Democratic Committee (HDC) has endorsed Mayor Ravi Bhalla in his run for Congress and Rep. Andy Kim in his run for the Senate before slamming the “undemocratic process” of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO).
The HDC made its endorsements ahead of the June primary elections in which the 8th Congressional District and a New Jersey Senate seat are being contested.
Local party officials criticized the HCDO, who had previously endorsed Rep. Rob Menendez Jr and First Lady Tammy Murphy for allegedly not giving them the opportunity to participate in the county wide endorsement process.
In the wake of the dispute, Chair of the HDC Rachel Hodes said she was resigning as a member of the Hudson County Democrats after announcing the local committee's endorsements Sunday night.
"I can no longer have my name associated with an organization as dysfunctional and antiquated as the HCDO," she said.
The latest endorsements came Sunday night, with the HDC choosing to back their mayor over Menendez — the current representative of the 8th Congressional District — with 73 percent of members backing Bhalla, while 25 percent backed the incumbent. Kyle Jacey, who is also running, received support from the remaining 2 percent of members.
Kim received overwhelming support with 83 percent of HCC members voting to endorse the congressman for Senate, while his closest rival, First Lady Tammy Murphy, received 6 percent of the votes. Six percent of the breakdown went to Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina, 2 percent went to Lawrence Hamm and 2 percent voted to endorse the controversy-embroiled Senator Robert Menendez.
In a press statement, Hodes congratulated Bhalla and Kim before asserting that the local party had “affirmed their commitment to fair elections” while rejecting “the undemocratic process undertaken by the HCDO."
“The committee executed a transparent and equitable process in which members were each given the same opportunity to have their voice heard. Today’s outcome is a product of our years-long fight for transparency and equity in the political process,” Hodes continued.
“The results of tonight’s meeting overwhelmingly demonstrate the will of our committee and the prospect that democracy can be alive and well in Hudson County,” she concluded.
Chair of the HCDO, Anthony Vainieri, said he was unable to ask Bhalla about the endorsements because of his run for Congress against the committee's candidate.
"I’m sorry she feels that way. I wish her luck," said Vainieri, regarding Hodes's resignation. "As far as the process goes, the HCDO chair always communicates directly with the mayors, many of whom are also the municipal democratic chairs. I have never made an endorsement without speaking to all of them, including the Hoboken mayor," continued Vainieri.
"It’s unfortunate that the Hoboken mayor decided to run for Congress against our candidate, and therefore, I could not ask him about the endorsement of Tammy Murphy and Rob Menendez," Vainieri added.
Hoboken's Second Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, a critic of the Administration, disputed the HDC’s assertion that they were acting in a democratic fashion and accused them of “hypocrisy."
“The Hoboken Dems squandered the chance to showcase democratic values Sunday night, instead choosing to mirror the corrupt practices they claim to oppose – a committee predominantly chosen and led by Team Bhalla insiders, a dubious secret ballot process, and even barring candidates, including sitting congressmen, from meeting committee members,” said Fisher.
“Mayor Bhalla’s involvement only underscores this hypocrisy, as he criticizes unfair processes at the county level while perpetuating them locally. Despite these advantages, it was clear to see support be revealed for Congressman Menendez's re-election in Hoboken,” Councilwoman Fisher concluded.
In their press statement, the HDC outlined that they “felt disenfranchised” following the Hudson County Dems’ announcements of their endorsements in the upcoming Primary, having allegedly not been given the opportunity to participate in any endorsement process.
Following their endorsements from the HDC, both Kim and Bhalla expressed their thanks.
“It’s an honor to have the support of the Hoboken Democratic Committee in this fight to restore integrity and deliver for working families,” stated Rep. Kim. “Democrats across Hudson County and New Jersey see that there’s a better way, and I know we can deliver change with their support, and the support of grassroots Democrats across our state,” Rep. Kim added.
“I’m so proud to have earned the endorsement of the Hoboken Democratic Committee tonight. My time in public service began as Democratic Committeeman knocking on doors 16 years ago and since then, it has been the privilege of a lifetime to represent this community - first on the City Council and for the last 6 years as mayor,” stated Bhalla.
“Now, as I run for United States Congress, having my local community's support means the world to me. Together, we’re going to deliver real change for Hudson, Essex, and Union Counties, and we’re going to offer our community a real, honest choice,” Mayor Bhalla added.
The HDC is made up of 69 elected individuals, and they cast their votes by a secret ballot, they said. According to the HDC, the committee contacted each announced campaign for the two federal offices and invited them to submit a statement seeking their endorsement. The HDC added that six of the candidates did so, and they were distributed prior to the meeting on Sunday.
]]>WAYNE, NJ – With the backdrop of women’s history month, a Wayne woman, Detective Captain Marla Saracino of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, made history on Wednesday when she announced her candidacy for Passaic County Sheriff, becoming the first female to vie for that office.
Saracino moved to Wayne 12 years ago, having been born and raised in Totowa, and is now in the process of retiring after serving 25 years in the county prosecutor’s office.
She talked about the hurdles she had to face as one of the first female officers in that agency, but also how quickly she earned the respect of her peers.
“I think being a woman in law enforcement, especially when I started back in 1999, was a little bit different than it is now because it's more prevalent to see a woman in the field of law enforcement today,” she said. “But when I started, I had to break into that ‘good old boys’ club.”
Having to constantly work harder just to prove herself added more stress to the job, she explained, and added, “When male officers joined, it was different for them, because they just fit right in. They didn’t have anything to prove simply because they were males in law enforcement, which tended to be a masculine profession.”
But it wasn’t every male across the board, and Saracino wanted to make that point clear.
“I would say that men that were closer to my own age were more accepting and open-minded to the idea of a female officer,” she said. “When I was a young detective or even a young sergeant, there were some supervisors that had 20+ years on the job…those were the ones that were harder to get through to.”
Saracino was promoted to Detective and transferred to the Narcotics Task Force just two years into her career and remembers, basically, being the only woman in her unit. She said that “there were some females who came in-and-out of the unit, here-and-there,” but for the majority of her 23 years in that division, she was the only one.
TAPinto asked her when she felt that she had crossed the line, so to speak, and was accepted as an equal by all her peers in the unit.
“When you get into a unit like that, it’s a baptism by fire,” she said. “I was thrown out there and was expected to be able to speak to people and handle myself on the streets. It was a ‘boots on the ground’ mentality, which fit me well. I think it was probably a few months in, that the other detectives started to see what I was all about, that I was really just about the job, and that I could do it just as good as anybody else. To me, that's when the barrier cracked, because then I began to be treated just like everybody else.”
Eight years later, Saracino is promoted to sergeant and is a leader of other officers, most of them men. Even then, she felt that she did “not get the same respect” as her male counterparts of the same rank.
“I still had to continue, if not more so, to work harder, which obviously causes more stress on me – just like any other female working in any other predominantly male workplace - because we had to work harder to prove ourselves. And then, especially when I began dealing with different types of agencies on a local, state and federal level.”
Once she proved herself as a leader a few months into becoming sergeant, Saracino said that was when she felt “much more comfortable in my skin.”
It was around then that her boss, current Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes was appointed to lead the office, becoming the first woman Prosecutor in Passaic County. Times were changing and Saracino had been a part of that incoming tide of women into Passaic County law enforcement.
The Detective Captain explained that she felt a “sense of pride,” that she was one of the women who helped blaze the trail for others in her profession.
“I believe that it gives women hope, in a sense, to see another woman rising through the ranks to a leadership position, in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field,” she said. “I hope that it makes them feel that, if they come in, keep their head down and do the job, that they will have the opportunity to rise through the ranks as well.”
“I say to my daughter all the time, ‘if you put your mind to it, you can do anything,’” she said, and has been setting the example since.
In 2016, she was promoted to lieutenant, and in 2019 was promoted to Captain, taking over leadership of the entire Narcotics Unit.
Now, after a 25-year career where Saracino has become the chair of the County Narcotics Commanders Association of New Jersey, she has broken another barrier as the first female candidate to run for Passaic County Sheriff. With her goal being to break an additional glass ceiling ,and be voted in as the first female sheriff in Passaic County.
TAPinto asked why she decided to run, and while she admitted that as “someone who has never backed down from a challenge,” breaking this barrier appealed to her, added that it was much more about “making sure the job is done right.”
“I’m a cop’s cop,” she said. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was on the streets. So, I have a great grasp of, and a very good eye on what goes on in-and-around Passaic County. My philosophy of policing is built around having sufficient boots on the ground to stop crime and keep our community safe.”
She also mentioned her “unique perspective” as a female police officer.
“I am a law enforcement officer yes, and I am a woman, but I'm also a mom,” she explained. “And I feel that I have a unique perspective, and can look at this through an additional lens, that I don't feel my opponents have. And I feel that I want to take action to protect our families and our children just like any mom would want to do.”
It was because of the untimely death of Sheriff Richard Berdnik that a special election will be held In November, with a primary in June to determine Berdnik’s successor. Currently, Executive Undersheriff Gary Giardina (another Wayne resident) is Acting Sheriff.
Saracino is the Republican candidate for the Sheriff’s election and will take on the winner of the two Democrat candidates facing off in the primary which will be held June 4.
Both of these Democrat candidates are also from Wayne. Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Chief Tommy Adamo lives near Saracino and Paterson Police Director (and former county sheriff) Jerry Speziale has lived in Wayne for 12 years
A follow up to this article will be about the three candidates for Sheriff in the running (so far) are all from Wayne Township, with more details on her two opponents.
]]>If you are a qualified and registered voter of the State who wants to vote by mail in the Municipal Election to be held on May 14, 2024, the following applies:
You must complete the application form and send it to the Essex County Clerk (Hall of Records Room 247, 465 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Newark NJ 07102) or write or apply in person to the County Clerk where you reside to request a mail-in ballot. Instead, you may complete the application form electronically on the Secretary of State's website: nj.gov/state/elections/vote.shtml
The name, address, and signature of any person who has assisted you to complete the mail-in ballot application must be provided on the application, and you must sign and date the application.
No person may serve as an authorized messenger or bearer for more than three qualified voters in an election, but a person may serve as such for up to five qualified voters in an election if those voters are immediate family members residing in the same household as the messenger or bearer.
No person who is a candidate in the election for which the voter requests a mail-in ballot may provide any assistance in the completion of the ballot or serve as an authorized messenger or bearer.
A person who applies for a mail-in ballot must submit his or her application at least seven days before the election (deadline Tuesday, May 7, 2024), but such person may request an application in person from the County Clerk up to 3 p.m. of the day before the election.
Voters who want to vote by mail in all future elections will, after their initial request and without further action on their part, be provided with a mail-in ballot until the voter requests otherwise in writing, or beginning with the 2020 general election cycle, if the voter does not vote by mail in four consecutive years, then the voter shall no longer be furnished with a mail-in ballot for future elections and the voter shall be notified in writing of the change.
Application forms may be obtained by applying to the undersigned either in writing or by telephone, or the application form provided may be completed and forwarded to the undersigned.
Eleni Pettas, RMC, CMC
Municipal Clerk
Township of Nutley
One Kennedy Drive
Nutley, New Jersey, 07110
(973) 284-4955
WAYNE, NJ – He says he’s still deciding, but former Wayne Board of Ed Trustee Sean Duffy, son of current Passaic County Commissioner Terry Duffy, told TAPinto that he has support for a run for one of the three county commissioner seats that are up for election this year, and will announce his decision on March 22nd.
Sean Duffy, who says he’s been a loyal member of the Passaic County Democratic Committee for more than 20 years, felt shunned when he was told that he would “never get the line,” from his party.
“There's been numerous times that I've spoken with the powers that be in the Democratic Party, expressing interest in running for my father's seat as County Commissioner,” Duffy told TAPinto. “And I was told numerous times that I should not, because I will never be given the nod.”
He said that he had been told to “go back to my godfather Pete Murphy, who is the republican chair, and switch parties, because the Passaic County Democratic Committee will never give you the line."
County Commissioner Terry Duffy has one more year left on his term and is likely not to run again. His son Sean was planning to wait until next year and run for his father’s seat. But upon learning that he would “never” be given the line by his party, Sean Duffy’s plans changed.
"When Jerry Speziale told me that he was going to run off the line, and asked me to join his ticket, I decided to take my chances with the voters," he said.
Terry Duffy ran alongside Jerry Speziale in past elections, so the Speziale/Duffy ticket is not unknown, and Sean is looking to take advantage of the name recognition.
“I was told that this would probably be my best shot,” said Sean. “And there are a lot of people in Wayne and throughout the county that keep telling me that I should run. I’ve been thinking long and hard about this decision and will let the public know next Friday.”
Wayne resident and former Passaic County Sheriff, Jerry Speziale found himself in the same position, unable to even be considered to run on the democratic party line for Sheriff. So, he decided to run independently in the Democrat primary against the man chosen by his party, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Chief Tommy Adamo, who is also from Wayne.
They both, separately, expressed the same point about being left out of the screening process by the county democrats.
“There's a process that has gone on for years and years, where certain people get asked to go and screen,” explained Duffy. “To me, I'd rather have 10,000 people come out in the June primary and decide, rather than 30 people in a room telling you that you're the guy, or you're not the guy.”
In a live press conference, announcing his decision, Speziale said, “All the current system does is take power away from the people and give it to party bosses and machine politicians. I will not participate in a screening process that is based on a rigged, unfair system."
When asked what would make him decide to officially announce his off-the-line candidacy for County Commissioner, Sean Duffy said, “I've been approached by numerous Wayne residents and people throughout the county who are unhappy with John Bartlett as the County Commissioner. They ask me, ‘‘why is he a commissioner, and not you?’"
Because Sean Duffy and John Bartlett are both Wayne residents, Duffy added: “This is a Wayne issue.”
He’ll take another week to consider all options before deciding about running for County Commission and will announce his decision on March 22.
The primary election is scheduled for June 4, 2024, and in-person voting for the general election will be held on November 5, 2024.
]]>MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — This county's influential Democratic Organization has endorsed Tammy Murphy to replace embattled and criminally-indicted U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) when his sixth term ends in January 2025.
Democrats here – in one of New Jersey’s most influential counties – picked Murphy over rival Rep. Andy Kim (D-3rd Dist) by a show of hands at their convention on Thursday, March 14th.
Middlesex County is home to 241,000 registered Democrats and is the state’s sixth-largest party stronghold to line up behind Gov. Phil Murphy’s wife to succeed Menendez, now 70, who faces 18 federal criminal charges that allegedly include accepting bribes.
Party endorsements will give Murphy a coveted ballot spot in the June 4th primary, which political analysts say is an advantage for registered voters.
Tammy Murphy, 58, has already received Democratic endorsements in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties.
Three big counties – Camden, Gloucester and Essex – have not yet made endorsements. Democrats in Morris County are to convene today, March 16th, and in Atlantic County on Sunday, March 17. Kim, 41, is reportedly the favored choice in both.
Tammy Murphy has already racked up nearly 200 endorsements from municipal and county elected officials; from unions and faith-based groups; six congressional members; and from Emily's List.
Rep. Andy Kim has, so far, earned party endorsements in Burlington, Hunterdon, Mercer, Ocean, Sussex and Warren counties.
Middlesex Democratic chair, Kevin P. McCabe did not address the Murphy-Kim rivalry, or mention Menendez, in a prepared statement to TAPinto Woodbridge-Carteret.
Instead, McCabe said: “2024 is a critical year for our country. Either we go back to the dark days of the Trump era or stand strong with President Biden and Democrats in New Jersey and Washington.”
“Given the importance of this (election) cycle, we are fortunate to have such a strong slate of candidates who will continue to bring stability to Middlesex County and represent our Democratic values in the upcoming June 4th primary elections,” said McCabe, chairman since 2013.
“Our candidates have proven track record(s) of standing up to ring-wing extremists, and fighting for the future of working families,” McCabe’s latest statement said.
McCabe voiced early personal support for Murphy in November 2023, saying: “Tammy delivered meaningful progress on issues of maternal and infant health and climate change.”
“I believe she will be a strong advocate on the important issues in Middlesex County: affordability, investing in strengthening our local economy and the future of the region’s workforce, keeping our families safe, and protecting the freedom for a woman’s right to choose.” McCabe wrote at that time.
Candidates who also received Middlesex Democratic endorsements for the June 2024 primary are:
● Joseph R. Biden, for President of the United States
● Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., 6th Congressional District
● Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, 12th Congressional District
● Ronald G. Rios, Board of County Commissioners
● Shanti Narra, Board of County Commissioners
]]>TRI-BORO, NJ - On Wednesday, March 13th, the United States House of Representatives convened to vote on a bill that would ban TikTok.
The legislation was approved by a 352-65 vote.
Tri-Boro's representatives, Mikie Sherill and Josh Gottheimer, both voted "yes" to the ban.
The remaining 10 house representatives voted as follows:
Norcross: Yes
Van Drew: Yes
Kim: Not voting
Smith: Yes
Pallone: Yes
Kean: Yes
Menedez: Yes
Pascrell: Yes
Payne: Yes
Watson Coleman: Yes
]]>MERCER COUNTY, NJ - The Mercer County Board of Elections is seeking Election Board workers for the upcoming June Primary and November General Elections. Election workers are tasked with checking in voters during elections and assisting in the Election Day process.
Mercer County residents who undergo a required training session to serve as Election Board workers can make up to $300 for a full day shift. Half-day shifts are also available for $150.
Bilingual election workers who speak English, as well as Spanish and Hindi, are especially needed.
Anyone interested in applying to be an election worker can click here to learn more or here to apply to become an election worker.
“Our elections rely on citizens who are willing to serve as Election Board Workers; and we appreciate their dedication and service," Jill Moyer, Mercer Board of Elections Chairwoman, said.
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PATERSON, NJ – The issue of early voting in Paterson came under scrutiny during Tuesday’s council meeting. Confusion arose when the item to vote on early voting in the city was removed from the agenda after Council President Alex Mendez received information from the Passaic County Board of Elections suggesting that early voting was already in place and no further vote was needed.
Initially, there was a plan to vote on an Ordinance confirming the ongoing effect of Ordinance No. 22-026, which authorized non-partisan early voting in the City of Paterson under the advice of Corporation Counsel Aymen Aboushi
“We initially received communication from the Board of Elections suggesting that we needed to pass an ordinance to opt in for early voting,” Aboushi said. “However, both Madam Clerk and I have agreed and have been working closely together on this matter, ensuring there were no misrepresentations or misstatements. We sought further clarification from the Board of Elections regarding whether opting in was necessary, but have not yet received anything in writing. Therefore, out of caution, we drafted an ordinance to opt in, which was on the agenda.”
According to Aboushi, it has since been confirmed by the Board of Elections, though not in writing, that Paterson is already opted in and no ordinance is required.
The uncertainty surrounding early voting sparked debates among council members, many of whom expressed their support for the initiative. However, they raised concerns about the limited number of polling sites, with only two wards designated as early voting locations.
“My concern is why early voting locations are only in the Second and Third Ward,” Councilwoman-at-Large Dr. Lilisa Mimms said. “As Councilwoman-at-Large, I represent the entire city, and it’s important to consider every resident’s convenience. While I support early voting, it should be accessible to all wards, not just a select few. I’ve reached out to the superintendent of elections for clarity, and I expect a response that can be shared with all council members. We need to ensure fairness and equal access to voting opportunities across the city.”
While the council can recommend polling site locations, the final decision rests with the Board of Elections, which has, so far, maintained the restriction to two sites.
The City Clerk is expected to receive clarification from the Board of Elections regarding the status of early voting in Paterson. If confirmed, early voting is scheduled to take place from May 10 to May 12 with details about polling locations to be announced.
Election Day is May 14.
]]>President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clinched the presidential nominations for their parties Tuesday, a full three weeks before New York State holds its presidential primary.
When the primary takes place, voters in Cattaraugus County will see changes in the way they can cast ballots from home and when they can vote early and where.
Cattaraugus County Election Commissioners Kevin Burleson and Cortney Spittler announced the changes Tuesday.
This year, for the first time, any registered voter may apply for an early mail ballot. Each person must apply for themselves. It is a felony to make a false statement in an application for an early mail ballot, to attempt to cast an illegal ballot, or to help anyone to cast an illegal ballot.
Ballots may be requested through an on-line portal found on the New York State Board of Elections website: (https://elections.ny.gov/request-ballot). A paper form can be downloaded from the state board of elections website, printed and mailed to the county board of elections. Forms must be received by March 23.
Ballot requests after March 23 must be made in-person or by designating another person to deliver the application in-person to a local county board of elections to obtain the ballot.
Applications to receive an absentee ballot by mail must be received by the board of elections no later than 10 days before the election. For absentee ballots to be received in-person, applications must be received by the board no later than the day before the election.
Early in-person voting for the presidential primary will be available on eight days for nine hours each day. No early voting will be available Easter Sunday, March 31. Because voters will have one less day to vote early, each of the days will be extended by one hour – from the usual eight hours to nine. This statewide change was approved by the state legislature and signed into law by the Gov. Kathy Hochul in September.
Cattaraugus County will have two locations for voters to cast their ballots: one in the gymnasium at the former Little Valley School building, 207 Rock City St. and the other in the Community Room in the College Center at the Cattaraugus County Campus of Jamestown Community College, 260 North Union St., Olean. The Olean location was used for early voting in 2019. Both locations are accessible to all voters.
Hours for both sites are:
To be eligible for early voting or to vote on Election Day, new voters must be registered in either the Republican or Democratic parties by March 23. The deadline for voters who were previously registered and wish to change their party enrollment has passed.
Eligible voters may vote early, but those who register on March 23, the first day of early voting, will have to vote by affidavit ballot. Persons who vote during the early voting period are not eligible to vote on Election Day or on a subsequent day of early voting.
To prevent double voting. New York State voters are no longer permitted to cast ballots on a voting machine if they have already been issued an absentee ballot for that election. Voters who have already been issued an absentee ballot can still vote in-person using an affidavit ballot.
More information is available at www.CattCo.org/Board-Elections or by calling the Cattaraugus County Board of Election office 716-938-2400
]]>ROBBINSVILLE, NJ - Robbinsville voters said “yes” on Tuesday, by a margin of 1,549 to 1,364, to a measure that would allow the Board of Education to raise an additional $2,750,000 for the 2024 to 2025 school year in addition to that year’s budget.
The funds, officials pushing the measure said in the past weeks, will aim to maintain teachers and instructional assistants, current programs, facilities, the current level of courtesy busing, and the current level of funding for athletics and co-curricular activities.
With the approval, the average homeowner is expected to pay an additional property tax payment of just $16.19 per month in 2024 and $32.54 per month in 2025.
The positive response from voters is a reversal from a previous result in November when a question asking to raise school taxes by $4.8 million was rejected.
Following that electoral failure, the Board of Education issued a statement, vowing to explore other options, including another public question to address the funding gap while considering “the community’s collective voice.”
In his own statement, Superintendent of Schools Brian Betze echoed that the district needs additional funds and that work will continue with the board to explore solutions “to maintain our exceptional staff, diverse programs, valuable resources, vibrant athletics, and enriching clubs.”
On Tuesday Betze thanked all the voters who participated in the second referendum.
“Regardless of how you voted, we appreciate the time and effort it took for you to learn about the serious financial issues facing the Robbinsville schools,” Betze said. “It is my hope that this process encourages many more residents to get involved in the schools, if you have children enrolled or not.”
“The school district is an amazing asset for this community and we want all to celebrate its success,” Betze concluded.
GREENWICH TWSP, NJ – Voters went to the polls March 12, 2024 to vote on a series of three questions on the ballot. The referendum questions, which would have bonded for repairs to the schools, needed to pass the first question, for the others to pass as well.
As of 9:00 PM,. March 12, 2024, unofficial results posted by the Warren County Elections website showed the measure failed to pass.
With turnout larger than anticipated, the special election had 898 ballots cast, with 19.56% voter turnout. When asked at the Monday Phillipsburg Board of Education meeting, all expected turnout to be light.
The questions were tiered. For Question 2 to pass, Question 1 must pass. For Question 3 to pass, Questions 1 and 2 had to pass.
According to the district website, “In the event Question 1 does not pass, the longevity of SMS will be in jeopardy. “ The full loan amount was $10,657,000.00 for all three questions, which is a 20-year bond.
The unofficial vote tallies were as follows to approve the bond to make repairs and necessary work on the buildings at Greenwich Township Elementary School and Stewartsville Middle School.
Bond Proposal Question 1
Yes 332
No 565
Total Votes Cast 897
Bond Proposal Question 2
Yes 309
No 586
Total Votes Cast 895
Bond Proposal Question 3
Yes 286
No 608
Total Votes Cast 898
Read more:
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CUBA, NY — Jason Morrison and Jerome Swift are running unopposed for two seats on the Village Board of Trustees.
On the ballot, both are on the Democratic and Republican lines, according to Lori Sweet, the deputy village clerk/treasurer.
The election will take place on March 19 at the First Baptist Church, 17 South St., from noon until 9 p.m.
Morrison, an incumbent appointed by Mayor Jim Barnes in 2023, is a Democrat.
Swift is an Independent.
More information is available at 585-968-1560.
]]>PATERSON, NJ - Fifth Ward Councilman Luis Velez celebrated the grand opening of his campaign headquarters for the upcoming 2024 municipal election.
"Today marks a pivotal moment for the Fifth Ward," Velez said. "As we open our headquarters, I'm grateful for the support of my colleagues and community. Our actions speak louder than words, from revitalizing properties to improving parks like Roberto Clemente. Let's continue our journey together, making a difference one step at a time."
Election Day looms on May 14, and Velez's supporters, which include Passaic County Director and Deputy Director John Bartlett and Sandi Lazzara, Mayor Andre Sayegh, Councilwoman-at-Large Maritza Davila, Second Ward Councilman Shahin Khalique and Sixth Ward Councilman Al Abdelaziz, who are both up for re-election, gathered in full force to show their unwavering commitment to his candidacy.
"Through our concerted efforts, we've invested $100 million in enhancing our parks, a testament to our aligned vision for a better community," Mayor Andre Sayegh said. "Most notably, the roads primarily resurfaced in the Fifth Ward owes much credit to Councilman Velez's relentless advocacy. He tirelessly champions the needs of his constituents, consistently demonstrating his dedication to public service. Councilman Velez is a man of action, whose unwavering commitment to the Fifth Ward residents is reflected in his daily efforts."
In a show of support and solidarity, various community leaders and colleagues took to the stage to express their endorsement of Velez's re-relection campaign. Among them was Deputy Mayor Maria del Pilar Rivas, who urged Fifth Ward residents to cast their votes on May 14.
"It is crucial for those who seek change to participate fully in the electoral process," Pilar Rivas said. "We need leaders who not only make promises but also fulfill them, addressing the needs of our community without hesitation. Together, we can make our choices heard and pave the way for a brighter future."
Some of the recent accomplishments of Velez and his council colleagues include advancing two major initiatives aimed at enhancing the cleanliness of the city. Firstly, they have hired a cleaning company to maintain all commercial corridors, ensuring a cleaner environment for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, the council has authorized the procurement of 90 solar-powered trash receptacles, which will be strategically placed throughout the city to promote proper waste disposal and environmental sustainability.
Furthermore, the council has been proactive in securing support from the County for various initiatives aimed at improving local parks and recreational areas. Notably, funding has been secured for the renovation of Roberto Clemente Park.
"I see these candidates for who they truly are," Princess Reaves, a resident said. "Having known him [Velez] before his political career, I can vouch for the integrity of Councilman Velez. A good councilperson's work speaks for itself, demonstrating leadership and dedication to the community. It's essential to assess the track record of elected officials, particularly regarding critical issues like affordable housing and public safety. As we strive for progress, let's evaluate each candidate's contributions and make informed decisions on Election Day."
Velez is set to faceoff against Sebastian Mejia, Jeyss Abreu, and David Soo.
]]>A social justice activist for more than 50 years, Newark native Lawrence Hamm, chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress (POP), is living history.
Hamm, 70, witnessed first-hand Newark’s 1967 uprising, first protested as a high school student in 1971, and he continues to rally against police brutality. On Saturday, March 9, he will release a book detailing his life of activism, POP announced.
“I thought it was important to tell the story of some of the struggles I have been involved in during the past half century and some of the lessons I have learned from them,” Hamm said in a news release. “This is not just my story. It is the story of many, many people with whom I have worked with side by side to try to bring about change at local, state, national and international levels.”
Hamm, who is running for the U.S. Senate, will release the book, “Lawrence Hamm: A Life In The Struggle,” written with Annette Alston, during an event on Saturday, March 9, at the Newark Public Library, organizers said.
Besides Hamm and Alston, the program will include other speakers who contributed to the book, including the Rev. Dr. William Howard, former pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, Dr. Norman Finklestein, author and activist, and Zayid Muhammad, a community organizer, poet and author, organizers said. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka has also been invited to deliver remarks, organizers said.
The book explores Hamm’s participation in the Black Power movement after his appointment at age 17 to the Newark Board of Education by the city’s first Black mayor, Kenneth A. Gibson, making him the youngest school board member in the nation, and looks at the three tumultuous years he spent on the school board, according to the announcement.
The book also discusses the influence of writer and activist Amiri Baraka on Hamm’s political development and the struggles in which they both participated. Hamm was the youngest elected delegate to the 1972 National Black Political Convention held in Gary, Indiana, and spearheaded by Baraka, organizers said.
The book talks about his role in the campus anti-apartheid movement to get Princeton to divest its stock holdings in companies doing business with the racist apartheid regime in South Africa, organizers said. It also delves into the struggle to build POP, an all-volunteer grassroots organization working for racial, social and economic justice.
POP will observe its 42nd anniversary this year, organizers said. POP has been active over the past 40 years around a wide range of issues affecting the Black community, and working and poor people. POP has been especially active on the issue of police brutality.
The book examines other movements in which Hamm participated, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential campaign efforts in New Jersey, organizers said. It will also discuss the organizing and mobilizing efforts for the Rainbow Coalition and the Million-Man March in New Jersey, the announcement said.
It will also explore his involvement and that of POP in police brutality struggles, especially that of Earl Faison, a young Black man who was killed by police in Orange. This was the only time in the state’s history where five police officers were simultaneously convicted in connection with a police brutality case.
“I owe an immense debt of gratitude to Annette Alston for this book,” Hamm said. “It would not have happened without her. She urged me to write the book and volunteered to work on it with me. She saw it through from an idea to actual publication.”
Even though publicity around the U.S. Senate race has largely focused on New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy and U.S. Rep. Any Kim, Hamm is in the running for the 2024 New Jersey Democratic primary.
His policy aims include the expansion of affordable housing, laws to stop police brutality and an increase in the federal minimum wage.
“We need to immediately raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour,” Hamm told TAPinto Newark recently. “We used to say $15, but inflation has moved that dial up, and we need a living wage.”
If you go
The book launch for “Lawrence Hamm: A Life In The Struggle” by Lawrence Hamm with Annette Alston will take place on Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at the Newark Public Library, James Brown African American Room, 2nd Floor, 5 Washington St. in Newark. To pre-register for the event, visit the Newark Public Library website.
TAPinto Newark Editor Mark J. Bonamo contributed to this article.
]]>PATERSON, NJ - The stage is set for the upcoming municipal election in Paterson, scheduled for May 14, as candidates have been certified to appear on the ballot in all six of the City's wards. With a mix of incumbents and newcomers vying for positions, the outcome of the races can have a major impact on Paterson's political landscape.
According to the Paterson City Clerk's Office:
In the First Ward, incumbent Mike Jackson will face challengers Mosleh Uddin, Mohammad Mohan Houssain, Fannia Santana, Ramona Blizzard and Rodney Addison. In the Second Ward, incumbent Shahin Khlaique faces opposition from Aheya Khan and Frank Filippelli.
The Third Ward race features incumbent Alex Mendez defending his position against challengers William McKoy, who served as Third Ward Councilman in previous years, and Assad Akhtaruzzaman, a former member of the Passaic County Board of Commissioners. Meanwhile, in the Fourth Ward, incumbent Ruby Cotton competes against Kimmeshia Rogers-Jones and Justin Rucker for the seat.
The Fifth Ward sees incumbent Luis Velez going head-to-head with Sebastian Mejia, Jeyss Abreu, and David Soo, while the Sixth Ward contenders include Al Abdelaziz and Abed Thabatah.
]]>The following are marketing options available to all candidates for the 2024 elections. To discuss marketing on TAPinto Morristown, please contact us at morristown@tapinto.net
Site Advertising:
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Any of the above, only if purchased for 1 month or more, includes unlimited publication of press releases, candidate statements, and event listings during the length of advertising campaign up through the day before the election.
Note: Candidates cannot sponsor Sections or TAPinto newsletters.
Daily Newsletter Advertising:
Exclusive Leaderboard (600 x 74 pixels): $1,200 per month (or $350 per week) per TAPinto site (ad will appear in the morning newsletter Monday through Saturday, no rotation)
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Email Marketing:
Dedicated Exclusive Email Blast to Subscribers of a TAPinto site:
$400 per Email Blast per TAPinto site (only one Email Blast is available per week, up through the Friday before the election)
Exclusive Saturday Email Blast before the Election: $500 per TAPinto site
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Press Releases and Candidate Statements:
Campaign press releases and candidate statements can be submitted for publication at any time up through the day preceding the election. Press releases are $75 and candidate statements are $50 per piece per TAPinto site and will not be published if they are defamatory. Candidate statements can only be submitted by candidates or their campaigns, and must have the candidate’s name or the campaign name as the byline.
They will be published in the order in which they were received. Publication is at the sole discretion of the editor of that town’s site and the editor may require documentation for assertions made. Should they not be published, payment will be refunded.
Press releases and Candidate Statements MUST be submitted directly through the site by clicking on Login/Register, creating an account, then clicking Submit Content. From there, choose the content type you wish to submit and select the “Political Campaigns & Advocacy” option.
To discuss advertising on TAPinto, please contact your local TAPinto site owner/publisher or click here.
]]>MONMOUTH COUNTY – County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is advising residents that the Early Voting locations for the June 4th Primary Election have been announced by the County Board of Elections. Voters may cast their ballots early in person at any one of the County’s 10 designated early voting locations from Wednesday, May 29 through Sunday, June 2.
“A few of our Monmouth early voting locations have changed,” said Clerk Hanlon. “It is important for voters to be aware of the updated list as early voting locations can change from one year to the next.”
The 10 Early Voting Locations for Monmouth County for the 2024 Primary Election are:
Colts Neck Public Library, 2 Veterans Way, Colts Neck
Monmouth County Library - Hazlet Branch, 251 Middle Road, Hazlet
Church of St. Veronica (Gymnasium), 4219 Route 9 North, Howell
Woman's Club of Little Silver (Main Lobby), 111 Church Street, Little Silver
Brookdale Community College - Long Branch Campus, 2nd Floor, 213 Broadway, Long Branch
Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan
Croydon Hall (Assembly Hall), 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo
Neptune Township Senior Center (Fitness Center), 1607 Corlies Avenue, Neptune
Cornelius V. Kelly Community Center, 902 Ocean Road, Spring Lake
Hope Fire Company #1 (Meeting Room), 82 Route 526, Allentown
Voters can also choose to vote by mail or at their designated polling location on Primary Election Day, which is June 4, 2024. Visit MonmouthCountyVotes.com for more information or download Monmouth County Votes, a free mobile app for Android and iPhone.
Questions about voting or the elections process can be directed to Jesse Estlow of the Monmouth County Clerk’s Elections Division at 732-431-7790, ext. 7794, or by email at Jesse.Estlow@co.monmouth.nj.us.
Questions regarding the County Clerk’s Office should be directed to Rochelle Miller, Director of Communications and Outreach at the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, at 732-431-7324, ext. 8735, or by email at Rochelle.Miller@co.monmouth.nj.us.
About your Monmouth County Clerk:
Above: Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, Esq.
The Office of the Monmouth County Clerk consists of five divisions handling property recordings, elections, archives, passports and records management. The County Clerk’s Office also provides resident, veteran and Gold Star Family identification cards to county residents, administers oaths to notaries and public officials and performs wedding ceremonies. The Monmouth County Clerk is a constitutional and administrative officer elected to a five-year term by the voters of Monmouth County. Christine Giordano Hanlon, Esq. was elected Monmouth County Clerk in November 2015 and was re-elected to a second term in November 2020. The County Clerk's website has all the updated voting information including the easy to download app. Check it out HERE.
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