The Jersey City Independent "

- Epps Contract Confusion: With a public hearing on superintendent Charles Epps’ new contract on tap for tomorrow at 6 pm, local school officials say they can’t release the terms publicly until the county superintendent of schools signs off on the new pact. But county Superintendent Timothy Brennan says the public needs to weigh in first before he’ll review the new deal. Meanwhile, organizers of a “Jersey City, It’s Your Move To Save Our Children!” rally tonight say speakers will raise the question of whether it’s time to ask the federal government to review the last three budgets of the Board of Education.

- Port Authority ‘Copter Abuse: A Daily News probe finds the Port Authority has routinely used its police helicopters for nonpolice purposes, like shuttling its executives to Albany and showing VIPs around the area. Last month, the Port Authority announced it was grounding the choppers due to budget concerns.

- Union Leader Pleads Guilty: Dennis J. Giblin pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to taking $10,000 worth of kickbacks and stealing a $1,300 couch. The 37-year-old Jersey City resident and former president of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68 told a federal judge he hired a contractor in 2004 to install equipment for the union’s training program, accepting more than $10,000 in renovations to his condo in exchange.

- Downtown Grocery Store Planned: Downtown residents Mary and David Suliburk will soon open the Downtown Coop grocery store, specializing in affordable, high-quality, sustainable products, in the Hamilton Square building.

- Smith’s Pension: Bayonne mayor and Hudson County Democratic Organization leader Mark Smith could soon be hauling in a nearly $9,000-a-month pension payment for his time in the Bayonne Police Department, in addition to his $72,000 annual salary as mayor.

- NJEA Endorsements for Congress: Albio Sires was the only incumbent Congressman of the three representing parts of Jersey City that failed to win the endorsement of the New Jersey Education Association.

- Golf Course Progress: The new nine-hole public golf course in Lincoln Park is in the early stages of construction, but it will have to wait for the completion of two other projects.

- Murder Suspect Arrested: A 19-year-old Jersey City man wanted in connection with a June murder was returned to Hudson County yesterday after being arrested following a motor vehicle stop in Clifton Saturday.

- Nail Fungus Cure: A 33-year-old Jersey City man says he’s invented a cure for nail fungus called “No Fungus Now” after almost 20 years of experimenting.

Today’s Best Bets:

- There’s an opening reception for the new JC Portraits group show in City Hall’s Rotunda Gallery (6 pm), and the Crosstown Country Allstars will play a free show at the Lamp Post (10 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Christie May Not Take Education Aid: The Christie administration may not apply for $268 million in federal education aid up for a vote in Washington today. It’s been predicted that the money could save thousands of teaching jobs, but the administration is concerned about what kind of “strings” might be attached to the federal money. This comes as a new survey finds that more than 80 percent of New Jersey’s public schools will see fewer teachers when they go back to class in September due to budget cuts.

- ‘Choose Life’ License Plates: The antiabortion group that has waged a seven-year court fight against the state for refusing to produce license plates that say “Choose Life” made a direct appeal to Gov. Christie on Monday.

- Schools Meeting: The leaders of 16 high-achieving school districts will head to Trenton today to discuss budgets and spending. Education commission Bret Schundler has asked them to spend the day in a closed-door talk about what works in their schools, which have realized relatively high student achievement levels at relatively low cost, as compared to their peers.

- MVC Grace Period for Soldiers: The state’s Motor Vehicle Commission says it will renew a 2009 order granting all New Jerseyans who are active duty military personnel serving in the war on terrorism automatic extensions on their driver’s license, registration and inspection expiration dates.

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