This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Booker: 'Leading Newark Is the Greatest Challenge of My Life'

Cory Booker says community collaboration is the secret to Newark's progress, in this series sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. As the mayor of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, Cory Booker says he understands the importance of leadership. But he especially acknowledges the importance of inspiring and engaging local leaders to assist in achieving community goals. Q. PATCH: What is the biggest challenge you’ve taken on?   A. BOOKER: Leading Newark is the greatest challenge of my life, but it’s not a policy challenge.  I’m proud we’ve notched victories — fought to improve education, create jobs and cut crime. But the challenge has been the…

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County News: Chaos Breaks Out at Newark City Hall Following Controversial Vote

Police subdue angry members of audience following attempt to replace Payne on council

  The Newark Municipal Council meeting ended in chaos Tuesday after Mayor Cory Booker tried to cast the deciding vote in favor of a replacement for former Council President Donald Payne, who was elected to Congress earlier this month. One man, Earl Best, a community activist known as Street Doctor, was hospitalized after being sprayed by police with pepper spray, he said after being released from University Hospital. South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka said his mother had also been sprayed. Baraka said North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos called for a vote on Shanique Speight. Baraka, Councilwoman-at-Large Mildred Crump and Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif then left the dais after Ramos failed to acknowledge a motion by Baraka. West Ward …

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FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Opens

One-stop center in Newark has information on assistance for homeowners, small business owners

The FEMA Disaster Recover Center opened its doors Monday to assist those still dealing with the mess left behind by Super Storm Sandy. Located at the Willing Heart Community Care Center (555 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Newark), the center is a one-stop shop for all Sandy and nor'easter Athena recovery resources. Residents can apply for disaster and recovery grants on site, as well as obtain information on things like homeowner mitigation, disaster unemployment and low-interest disaster loans for small businesses. "We want to make certain all those who sustained losses or damages from the recent storms understand exactly what they have to do in order to determine if they're eligible for aid – and that they receive that aid," said …

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PHOTOS: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Newark

Annual walk attracts thousands to city for fundraising walk

Military Park in Newark Sunday hosted the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk for the 13th consecutive year. The Brick City walk helped raise more than $180,000 for breast cancer research through the initiative. Last year, the popular walk attracted more than 12,000 people and raised more than $345,000 to fight cancer. Click through the photos above to see more.

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Newark Muslims Reflect on Sept. 11

Residents describe mixed reactions toward Islam following 9/11 attacks

For Fateen Ziyad, Newark fire director, the 9/11 attacks cut both ways. Firefighters like himself died in the smoldering wreckage of the World Trade Center 10 years ago. And as a Muslim, Ziyad felt he was under attack by people who conflated his religion with the horrific acts done by extremists. He said he didn't feel like he got the cold shoulder from firefighters within the department who know and respect him. But he encountered questions like, "How could you be part of that?" from outsiders, he said. For Newark Muslims like Ziyad, who have been interviewed for this article, their experiences after 9/11 have been a mixed bag. Some negative, some positive - but many of them colored by the large impact and rich history Islam has had in …

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