Freeholders To Approve $31.1 Million In Borrowing

UNION COUNTY – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to approve $33.4 million bond ordinance to construct a stairwell at the county courthouse and make various other improvements to county property. A public hearing and final reading will take place at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9.

 “The new bond ordinance will enable the county to move forward with measures that protect the public welfare, and continue to meet the demand for high quality public services,” said Freeholder Chairman Angel G. Estrada. 

The exact amount of the authorization is $33,441,260.  The debt authorized by the ordinance will be $31,137,894.  The difference between the two figures is the result of $750,000 in state grants, and a down payment of $1,553,366.

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NJCU Softball Coach To Be Inducted Into Carteret Hall Of Fame

Bridgette Quimpo

CARTERET—New Jersey City University head softball coach Bridgette Quimpo will become the first female inducted into the Carteret High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 25, as part of that school’s second induction ceremonies.

Quimpo, a four-year, three-sport varsity standout in softball, basketball and tennis for the Ramblers from 1993-97, will be one of 16 inductees in the 2008 class, which will include individuals dating to 1926. The festivities will open with a special ceremony at halftime of the Carteret High School football game on Oct. 24, with the induction dinner held on Oct. 25.

Quimpo, beginning her sixth year at NJCU, said: “To be inducted, period, is already an honor in and of itself. There were many great female athletes before me that are just as deserving as I am. It is very special to be the first female, therefore I feel very honored. I’m just happy because being inducted is a huge honor.”

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Health Department Warns: Be Wise About Antibiotic Use

STATE—As cold and flu season approaches, Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Commissioner Heather Howard cautions against the misuse of antibiotics.  Antibiotics only help infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, strep throat, and some ear and sinus infections when these illnesses are caused by bacteria. They do not work against viruses, which cause colds, bronchitis, the flu or most sore throats.

Taking antibiotics for the wrong illnesses results in overuse of these medications.  Over time this misuse causes some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotics designed to treat them.  When this occurs, treatment becomes more difficult.

“Antibiotics are powerful drugs when used correctly, but we need to be deeply concerned that they will be less effective in the future if people continue to take them when they don’t need them,” said Howard.  “Antibiotic resistance can cause significant harm and suffering for children and adults who have common infections that were once easily treatable with antibiotics.”

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Community Access Unlimited Team Walks The Walk

ELIZABETH—Dozens of walkers braved the elements Saturday, Sept. 27, to take part in the 2008 Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Ira Geller Walk-A-Thon to help the agency’s ongoing mission of supporting people with disabilities.  CAU members, staff, friends and representatives of businesses partnered with the agency to raise more than $23,000.

 

Former Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs leads calisthenics at the Community Access Unlimited 2008 Walk-A-Thon held Sept. 27 in Rahway River Park.

CAU provides support to people with disabilities and youth through a variety of programs, including housing, life skills, employment, money management, socialization and civic activities.  Funds raised through the 2008 Walk-A-Thon go toward supporting these programs and CAU’s mission of helping its members achieve more fulfilling lives as productive members of the community.

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Woodbridge Golden Bears And More Sports Memories

By Diane Norek Harrison

WOODBRIDGE-Here are some great sports memories from former area resident Harold Miller: “Diane, I thought I would write about the Woodbridge Golden Bears for the years I played for them from 1947 to 1954 when they were disbanded. I graduated Woodbridge High School in 1947. I am most proud that the two years our team played Perth Amboy High School we won both games with the score of 7 to 6. While growing up I played sandlot football with the Fords Silver Streaks and the Fords Rinkidinks. I loved the football season.

“After the 1946 season football season Woodbridge’s (Legion) football field was taken by the New Jersey Turnpike. I even got to work as a carpenter on the Howard Johnson’s Restaurant when it was built in the late 1940s.

“Because the Bears had lost their field, our coach Tony Cacciola made arrangements to play their home field schedule in Roosevelt Park. He also made arrangements to store our uniforms at the Knights of Columbus building on Main Street in Woodbridge. We got dressed there and were bussed to Roosevelt Park. For the eight years I played, practices were held every Tuesday and Thursday night at Number 11 School on Amboy Avenue and every Sunday morning in August until the season started.

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