PICK 6
By Dakota Smith - New York Post
March 25, 2006 -- FROM AFFORDABLE TO ULTRA-LUXE, WE GIVE YOU THE NEW HOTNESS
The blitz of new development in the city continues, with developers adding even more outlandish perks to buildings - Austrian pine trees, anyone? - or heading to up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Our guide to the latest crop of buildings includes pads that are distinctive either for location, price or amenities.

Happy home hunting in 2006.

WALDO LOFTS Jersey City

The expansion of Jersey City's Powerhouse Arts Center continues with the opening of Waldo Lofts, a conversion of a 12-story brick warehouse building at 159 Second St. The building's 82 units range from 700-square-feet studios to 2,400-square-feet duplex penthouses with spiral staircases; 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows give units a loft-like feel. Our favorite perk: washer/ dryers in every unit.

Prices at Waldo Lofts range from $390,000 to $1.5 million, not counting a handful of units being sold at below market price for artists who meet income qualifications. The sales office opened last month.

www.waldolofts.co

101 WARREN TriBeCa

Buyers at 101 Warren, a 228-unit luxury residence opening in TriBeCa, can choose from five different residential designs: loft-style, townhouse, sky home, rooftop home and duplex penthouse. All apartments will have 10- to 12-foot ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

The building will also house a fifth-floor elevated atrium - a forest of 101 imported Austrian pines trees. Additionally, the complex - which is being marketed as the Time Warner Center for the downtown set - will be attached to 170,000 square feet of retail space, with a Whole Foods already planned for the building.

Prices range from $1.2 million for a 923-square-foot one-bedroom to $13 million for a 4,145-square-foot penthouse. The sales office opened earlier this month. www.101warren.com

999 Bushwick

Yup, Bushwick is the new Harlem. Or the new Red Hook. Whatever - it's cheap! The first of five new developments planned for this 'hood, 999 - a six-story, 18-unit building at 999 Willoughby St. - will offer units priced from $289,000 for a 690-square-foot one-bedroom to $500,000 for a 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom with a 500-square-foot terrace. The prices are about $100 less a square foot than similar new units in East Williamsburg, according to Corcoran Group vice president Tom Le. Amenities include indoor parking and a gym. Sales begin in November.

www.corcoran.com

SKY HOUSE Madison Square

Want to live in the clouds? Purchase the 2,817-square-foot penthouse on the top floor of the Sky House, a 55-story condo building opening at 11 E. 29th St., near Madison Square Park. One of the tallest new buildings to open for sales this year, the 139-unit Sky House will offer just three units per floor, giving buyers memorable views of both the East and Hudson Rivers.

Prices are expected to start at $1,250 a square foot, according to David Perry, director of sales at the Clarrett Group, developer of the Sky House. Concierge service, gym, and a playroom are among the building's amenities. The sales office opens in April.

www.skyhouse condo.com

101 WEST END AVE. Upper West Side

Targeting the upscale stroller set, 10 West End Ave., a 33-story, 173-unit condominium located between West 59th and West 60th streets, opens for sales in May. More than half of the units in the development, being billed as a family-friendly building with a children's activity center, are two-, three- and four-bedrooms.

All residences have floor-to-ceiling windows (some as high as 11 feet), ensuring buyers views of either the Hudson River or Midtown.

Designer Nick Dine's interior finishes include Siberian marble countertops and walnut cabinetry in the bathrooms, and granite countertops with white-oak and etched-glass cabinets in the stainless-steel kitchens. Lucky residents at 10 West End Ave. also get valet parking, as well as concierge service, a playroom and a gym, complete with a glass-enclosed 50-foot pool.

Prices are expected to start at $750,000 for a 750-square-foot one-bedroom and top out at $4.5 million for a 2,600-square-foot four-bedroom. www.10wea.com

THE CALEDONIA Meatpacking District

Indulgent services can certainly be found at the Caledonia, a 190-unit building opening at 450 W. 17th St. Set at the tip of the glam Meatpacking District (steps from Del Posto and Morimoto) and near the new High Line Park, the Caledonia will offer an Equinox gym and spa, indoor parking, a library, a meditation garden, a sun deck and outdoor terrace, a pet spa and a children's playroom.

Interior finishes by designer Clodagh (pictured) include bamboo wood flooring throughout the units, while bathrooms come with quartzite slab countertops and stone-tile flooring. The lobby will have a cascading water feature and a bamboo garden.

Prices, as well as unit sizes, are still being determined for the Caledonia, a development from the Related Companies (whose properties include the Time Warner Center and who recently purchased Equinox). The building opens for sales in April.

www.thecaledonia.com

3 cops' suits against chief could cost city $2M-plus
Friday, March 24, 2006
By JARRETT RENSHAW
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Lawsuits accusing Jersey City's top cop of abusing his power could cost the city upwards of $2 million.

Officer Marisa Johnston and Detective Mark Razzoli both stated in notices they have filed with the city that they are seeking at least $1 million each in damages.

Sgt. Valerie Montone, a third officer suing Chief Robert Troy and a host of others, refused to provide a specific amount in her tort claim notice, instead leaving the amount of damages to be determined by a jury at trial should she win her case.

Though all three officers have filed separate lawsuits, they all claim their job conditions suffered after they publicly supported Assemblyman Lou Manzo, D-Jersey City, in his run against Mayor Jerramiah Healy in the 2004 special election.

Montone, whose controversial police tenure includes a previous lawsuit against the city that ended in a six-figure settlement, also names Healy in her complaint.

Among other things, Montone claims Healy and Troy punished her for allegedly handing out naked photos of the mayor at Healy's daughter's wedding - she denies doing so.

Wednesday, the City Council unanimously approved a $50,000 contract with attorney Domenick Carmagnola to defend Troy and other municipal employees.

Carmagnola will be paid $125 per hour, with the total amount not to exceed $50,000, according to the resolution that authorized the contract. Carmagnola also will be reimbursed for a number of expenses.

Councilman Steven Fulop, who asked for Troy's resignation earlier this year, said despite his concerns about the Police Department, he supported the hiring of an outside attorney.

"I still have my problems with the running of the Police Department, but he's an employee of the city and it's our responsibility to support him," said Fulop.

DIRTY WORK
Ex-JCIA inspector admits shaking down trash hauler
Saturday, March 25, 2006
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

NEWARK - A former Jersey City Incinerator Authority worker pleaded guilty yesterday to extorting money from a contractor and running an illegal gambling operation.

Russell Fallacara, 38, of Keansburg, admitted in federal court yesterday that he demanded a $100,000 payment from Nacirema Carting and Demolition of Bayonne, which had a contract with Jersey City.

Wearing a white sweater and light slacks, Fallacara calmly answered the judge's questions yesterday as he pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy. He faces 27 to 30 months in prison when he is sentenced July 13.

The June 2002 contract was for cleanup work ordered by the Jersey City Environmental Task Force at a property on Lafayette Street.

Fallacara admitted using his position as a JCIA inspector to close down Nacirema job sites around Jersey City when company officials balked at paying him. Company officials paid at least a portion of the $100,000, according to federal prosecutors.

Fallacara also admitted directing, financing, supervising, and owning all or part of an illegal sports bookmaking operation that operated in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania from as early as 1997 through August 2005.

Fallacara was charged with 15 others in an FBI probe that netted Lawrence Dentico, 81, of Seaside Park, one of a handful of men accused of running the Genovese crime family since Vincent "the Chin" Gigante was convicted of extortion in 1997. The racketeering probe focused on betting rings operating out of Hoboken and Jersey City.

Yesterday morning, Joseph "Billy Nap" Napolitano, 34, of Belleville, also pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy based on the charge of operating an illegal gambling operation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Schwartz said.

Many of the original 16 defendants have pleaded guilty and U.S. District Court Judge William Martini ruled that three of the defendants facing less serious charges should be tried separately.

That means John Dennis, 48, and Michael Crincoli, 46, both of Jersey City, as well as John Grecco, 62, of Rutherford, and Joseph "Big Joe" Scarbrough, 66, of West Orange, are the only four remaining in the racketeering prosecution, Schwartz said. Schwartz said she expects additional guilty pleas before the trial starts on April 17.

The FBI's case is apparently based on more than 300 recorded conversations made by Peter Caporino as he operated his own gambling business and interacted with those charged. If all those charged take pleas and there is no trial, the recordings will not be entered as evidence for the prosecution and may never become public.

Jersey City getting an infusion of cash - and North Bergen sewage
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
By EARL MORGAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

NORTH BERGEN - In a multimillion-dollar deal announced yesterday, North Bergen will tie into Jersey City's sewage system, eliminating the need for North Bergen to build a $40 million sewerage treatment plant.

Jersey City will receive an initial $8 million as part of the deal, as well as additional fees for allowing the sewage to flow through its system, North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco said at a news conference yesterday at Township Hall.

North Bergen's effluent will ultimately be piped to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority facility in Newark.

North Bergen was under a mandate from the state Department of Environmental Protection to substantially upgrade its sewage treatment operation. The DEP must approve the agreement before it goes into effect on June 30.

Sacco, who is also a state senator, said the township will need to borrow $20 million from the DEP infrastructure fund to finance the project. North Bergen will also get a $3 million grant from the DEP.

"Since we're getting the funds through the infrastructure fund we will only have to pay interest on half of the money," Sacco said.

The project will include converting the North Bergen sewerage treatment plant on West Side Avenue to a facility for pumping sewage into the Jersey City connection. North Bergen will also pay for repairs and upgrades on the Jersey City sewage connection the township will use.

The conversion of the treatment plant will save North Bergen about $1 million a year, township officials said. Further savings will be realized from a reduction in the staff operating the plant.

Sacco said the administration is hoping to phase out some of the staff through attrition and to find positions for others in other agencies.

Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority Executive Director Dan Becht and board president Eileen Gaughan, who attended yesterday's news conference, lauded the agreement.

Becht said the JCMUA will use some of the money to pay an unexpected $2.5 million hike in fees from the Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority.

Alternate JCMUA Commissioner Janet Gaita, however, voiced her opposition to the agreement.

"I don't think this is a good deal for the JCMUA and the taxpayers of Jersey City," Gaita said. "I believe we could have, and should have, gotten more lucrative terms than $8 million since North Bergen was faced with the choice of connecting to Bergen County's sewage system for a lot more money or building a plant that would cost $40 million."

Anyone read the news about JC taking North Bergen's sewage? Any thoughts?

I would cut and paste it but my computer is acting up.

Why are you telling everyone about your deal if you are trying to buy it?

Not worried others might jump in?

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Steve,

There are some really crazy people in Newport -- a hand full who are really active on their Newport message board -- are really nuts! Don't let them get to you. They always think there is some big plot against them. They must have a great rental deal or something -- I don't know, but it's that big fish little pond kind of thing for these active people -- only a few ever post and they seem to talk to themselves, then they get worked up and try to get other Newport tenants all worried about whatever their NEW issue is. I don't really know if your parking idea is good or not, but don't worry about their crazy personal attacks.

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I don't know about parking spaces but I do know that Newark Avenue needs to be paved. It is a mess, especially past Monmouth towards the turnpike.

Hey W,

I think jc_insominac didn't start this thread Pisces1979 did.

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I like Healy -- why is it mostly one time writers who want him recalled? Just curious but if he did leave the thankless job of Mayor and decide to go back to being a judge would that make Willie Flood Mayor?

I like indymedia a lot but it is odd to file a police report at 3 am on Saturday. Were they out drinking or partying? And where did they take the cab from -- seems that three 25 year old men could tell a cabbie no -- No dice -- not paying extra.

I don't have enough info but seems this story is one sided.

How about making a parking lot for downtowners with stickers on Jersey with a four hour limit in the interim. That will stop some from driving all the way over but will keep it a walk way.

Another thought -- what about a one way in road then it splits the difference and keeps the bottleneck from happening every fourth of july when people try to walk back after the fireworks.

Or make it a two way but have it closed during rush hours.

Sure you are "NEW" today but somehow feel the need to post all these posts - I think you are one of the well known jerks who keeps changing names.

Time will tell -- wish I could block you!

Hey GeorgeWBush being a duck are you worried about Cheney shooting you?

Or do you feel safe since he is a bad shot -- at least when drunk.

PUTZ

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Former Jersey City prosecutor indicted
Monday, February 06, 2006
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City's former chief municipal prosecutor was indicted last week on multiple charges related to an alleged confrontation with a woman who said he struck her with a gun during a jealous rage, then tried to arrest her boyfriend.

The indictment, handed up Tuesday, charges Abad Perez with three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of official misconduct and one count of false swearing, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Peter Stoma said.

"Apparently the grand jury found probable cause to believe that Mr. Perez abused his authority as a municipal prosecutor and retired Jersey City police officer," Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said.

Perez has denied the allegations, denied being romantically involved with the woman, Abigail Gonzalez, 30, and chalked up her actions to her being a deadbeat tenant who refused to be evicted.

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy suspended Perez without pay Sept. 27, 2005, a day after The Jersey Journal published an article about the Sept. 2 incident.

The city is still investigating the complaint against Perez, but it is expected to be wrapped up soon, city attorney Bill Matsikoudis said last week.

"There will then be a hearing before a hearing officer who will make a recommendation to the City Council regarding Mr. Perez's fate as a city employee," Matsikoudis said.

The incident occurred at Gonzalez's home in a Culver Avenue building owned by Perez. Gonzalez and her boyfriend, Yuri Rodriguez, 39, of Florida, were there at the time.

Gonzalez said she formerly had a sexual relationship with Perez, but broke it off. She said she then changed the locks on the home because he kept letting himself in and demanding sex.

On Sept. 2, Gonzalez said, Perez came to the house and began installing his own new locks. She said she tried to stop him and he attacked her, smacking her across the face with a gun. He then pointed a gun at Rodriguez and called 911, Gonzalez said.

Perez told police a different version: He said he was driving past the house and saw the doors open. He went inside to investigate, and Gonzalez told him she'd lost her keys, so he had to install new locks as the landlord. He denied ever having a relationship with her.

Perez said Rodriguez attacked him while he was working on the locks, so he called police.

A retired police officer, Perez reportedly told the 911 operator that an "off-duty officer needs assistance."

When cops arrived, Perez told them Gonzalez had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. According to the police report, she then slapped Perez across the face, and cops arrested her on a charge of simple assault.

Perez then tried to arrest Rodriguez, but Rodriguez was released from the South District precinct when the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office told police that Perez didn't have the power to arrest anyone.

Perez was appointed chief prosecutor one month before the incident.

Don't drive!

I drove my friend and...

Go out of Newark if you can -- saving a few bucks isn't worth it.

Cops order take out for two thieves
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
By CARLY BALDWIN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A savvy Chinese food delivery man in Jersey City fooled two would-be thieves who he claimed had robbed him several times before, police said.

Angel Hernandez, 20, of Williams Avenue, and a 16-year-old accomplice, were arrested outside of Hernandez's home Friday night after the delivery man tipped off the cops and an officer was waiting there to arrest them, according to reports.

The set-up occurred after the delivery man called the police and told them he feared he was about to be robbed, police said.

Hernandez called in an order at about 7 p.m. and the restaurant recognized his number, police said. Employees of the restaurant, China Garden on West Side Avenue, told police that orders from that number had resulted in robberies several times in the past, reports said.

According to reports, police set up surveillance outside Hernandez's home and an officer saw the two men approach the delivery man as he got out of his car. Both were wearing black ski masks and black gloves and held their hands in their pockets, police said.

The delivery man ran from the men and the two suspects were chased by cops and eventually arrested in an alleyway, police said. Cops found a five-inch folding knife in Hernandez's pocket, police said.

Hernandez and the 16-year old boy were charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, robbery, criminal trespassing and resisting arrest.

I think overall crime is going down downtown -- since last year. Fulop could put the last year 2005 on his map also -- then we all could know one way or the other.
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Sliwa's Jersey City visit postponed
Monday, February 13, 2006
By CRAIG GARRETSON

Yesterday was a day for snow angels, not Guardian Angels.

Curtis Sliwa and other members of the volunteer crime-fighting organization were due to come to Jersey City yesterday to speak to Downtown business owners and residents about plans to patrol the area, but the snow left Sliwa grounded in Florida, said Mike Principe, a member of the organization.

Principe, a Downtown resident, said Sliwa will likely come to Jersey City tomorrow, weather permitting.

Sliwa told The Jersey Journal last week that Downtown patrols would begin after he met with residents and business owners.

Sliwa, who founded the Guardian Angels in 1979, told The Jersey Journal he'd been considering a new chapter for Jersey City, but took action now because of two attacks on women last week in Downtown.

One of the women attacked was Sonia Vega, the wife of City Council President Mariano Vega; the other was Dixon Deli owner Mirna Moreira, whose husband, Mario, is a former Guardian Angel. Both women were robbed and assaulted, but neither was seriously injured.

JERSEY CITY TO JETS: LAND HERE
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
By KEN THORBOURNE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jets running back Curtis Martin could soon be practicing his moves in Jersey City, if the plan pitched by city officials for a new headquarters and practice facility is a touchdown with the team.

The New York Jets announced on its Web site earlier this month that the team has narrowed its search for a new practice facility to five places in New Jersey and Jersey City made the cut.

"I think it's an excellent marriage," Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy said. "We have the best location, all of the amenities, and access to New York City."

The team has its eye on a 28-acre area along Caven Point Road, next to the Liberty National Golf Course being built at Port Liberté and adjacent to Cochrane Field.

Nearly 18 of the 28 acres are owned by the Jersey City Board of Education, which purchased the land from the city for roughly $8 million six years ago. The Jets have already begun to negotiate a sale price for a privately-owned warehouse that occupies the other 10 acres on the site, said Carl Czaplicki, the mayor's chief of staff and the city's point person in the negotiations with the Jets.

A ferry ride away from Manhattan, one Turnpike exit from Newark Liberty International Airport - and with Lady Liberty visible in the distance - the location is just what the Jets ordered, city officials said.

"The Jets were impressed with the site's potential," Czaplicki said. "They saw everything would fit."

Jets officials, who said they intend to chose a site by March 1, didn't return phone calls for comment.

Since agreeing to build a new stadium in the Meadowlands with the Giants, Jets officials said they want to open the new training facility in New Jersey by summer 2007. The Jets currently practice at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

This facility, they predicted, would generate more than $10 million annually in new tax revenue for the state.

Is 1pm on a weekday (forgetting the snow and all) a good time to meet? Seems like after work or on the weekend would make more sense -- lke this Sunday at 1pm. (I know it was moved but I hope there is enough of a turn out for them.

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That said, I'm not sure we can trust the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency to be the steward of this project.

I am still troubled by their going after the Golden Cicada tavern on Grand for St. Peters to gain land.

However maybe the city or the Jersey City Redevelopment Agenc could help the Friends of Lowes restructure and gain real sponsorship and management.
---------------------------------------------
Just keep in mind the info below:
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Jersey City Redevelopment Agency v. Cheng Tan, et al.

...The ACLU-NJ is representing tavern owner Cheng "Terry" Tan who is fighting the Jersey City redevelopment Agency's attempt to take his restaurant through eminent domain. Jersey City wants to take Mr. Tan's land to give it to a parochial school, St. Peter's Prep, for its football field...

Also you can search the DUMB name "Make MY Park" really poor choice of words -- It should be "Make OUR Park" or better

"Rails to Trails - Let's make a park"

Activits should change that name at once!

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Who pays the overtime? Who pays for the car and other equipment use? I assume you mean the taxpayers of that town are paying.

Quote:

"Downtown Letdown"

Isn't that an old jazz standard?

Again, as I have said before, the Loews and the old Armory should seek support from corporations like Goldman Saks, PNC Bank, the Hyatt etc -- we need to create something like BAM in Brooklyn or turn it over to someone with grant writting skills and connections to do it.

The Friends of Loews saved the place now let's see it fly! They should grow, expand and bring in lots of new blood.

http://www.bam.org/

i think since they are coming over from NYC maybe they should just get a chapter going downtown first -- they will expand if it works!

They are volunteer don't start telling them to do more -- at least just yet!

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So-Hot-----We-Hu!
said ironically
(South of Holland Tunnel, West of Hudson)

Quote:

Seaboard,
Since you listen to the show maybe you can call in and recommend he look at jclist for info on past crimes etc.


Quote:

Ricardo Kaulessar - Jersey City Reporter 02/03/2006
--------------------------------------------------------

Stevie...has exhibited serious incompetence'

Police chief and councilman trade barbs over crime rise

FACING THE PEOPLE – Troy (left) speaks during a community meeting last week at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center. Standing to his right is resident and community activist Virginia Miller.
After Councilman Steven Fulop called for Police Chief Robert Troy to resign two weeks ago in the wake of Jersey City's rising murder rate, Troy responded to the public with a three-page letter last week, and blasted Fulop in an interview.

"As a public servant, Stevie Fulop has exhibited serious incompetence," Troy said last week. "I say that because he offers nothing as far as solutions go. He has never once in his short tenure as a junior councilman called this office."

In his letter to the public, Troy complained that Fulop's comments "not only undermine the public's confidence in the Police Department, but also negatively affect the morale of the men and women who comprise the Jersey City Police Department."

Fulop had complained about Jersey City's 39 homicides last year, a 20-year record, and a rise in neighborhood violence.

Troy said that Fulop should have called his office if he was concerned, like Ward C Councilman Steve Lipski did recently.

Troy added, "Stevie grandstands, he embarrasses himself in front of the rest of the council."

Troy pointed out a number of accomplishments under his leadership, such the city's gun buy-back program that brought in 900 guns from the public, the success of the Street Crimes Unit, and various crime sweep operations cracking down on sexual predators, deadbeat landlords and training seniors to protect themselves.

Troy defends record

Advertisement

Troy is expected to retire sometime this year, but said he will not step down right now. He has been on the force for 25 years as of March 1. He has done 14 years of patrol and has been the commander of the department's Bureau of Criminal Investigations before his appointment as police chief in November 2004.

In his year and a half as chief, Troy targeted the growing menace of gangs and drugs within the city, with the JCPD Street Crimes Unit. The unit made over 3,200 drug-related arrests and approximately 290 gang-related arrests in the past 15 months.

Troy did agree with Fulop that the police chief had to be made accountable for the city's crime problem and there should be accountability on all levels. But Troy shot back at Fulop's lack of accountability in the matter.

"If Stevie applied that same accountability procedure to himself, he would remove himself from the council and do the taxpayers a favor," said Troy.

Fulop responds

Fulop responded to Troy's comments last week saying that he has called Troy's office a number of times but has not gotten a response back. He referred to his call for Troy's resignation as a "last resort" in dealing with a dire situation.

He also said that the murder rate wasn't the only reason for his comments.

"I believe he is making excuses," Fulop said. "There is an increase in crime everywhere, not just homicides, but also burglaries, rapes, robberies. When he was sworn as chief, he said, 'You can hold me accountable.' "

Fulop also claimed that his call for Troy's job has had an effect, as a number of plainclothes officers have been returned to walking posts in dangerous parts of the city.

Fulop also wrote a letter to the newspaper about the issue.

"To me," Fulop wrote, "our poor performance not only jeopardizes the safety of our residents, it jeopardizes pro-perty value, and it jeopardizes our standing in the region. Now, if we agree that there is an increase in crime, which I think is fairly difficult to dispute, then the question that needs to be addressed is why, and who is accountable?"

He opined: "Sometimes you have to rattle the cage to get results."

Troy at community meeting

Blunt and plainspoken, Chief Troy has preferred in most cases to shun the limelight, except when to announce a tragic murder or a job well done by his fellow police officers. But with Fulop's call for him to resign, the Christmas Day deaths of JCPD officers Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen in an accident in which they drove off a draw bridge, Troy has had to contend with being in the public eye more.

Troy, along with Mayor Jerramiah Healy and a number of police personnel, appeared Thursday at a community meeting organized by Ward F City Councilwoman Viola Richardson where he answered questions and spoke on the state of crime in the city.

SIDEBAR

DOT criticizes accident investigation; Troy responds

Jersey City Police Chief Robert Troy responded last week to a recent report by the NJ Department of Transportation regarding their investigation of the accident Christmas Day on the Lincoln Highway Bridge that claimed the lives of Police Officers Shawn Carson, 40, and Robert Nguyen, 30.

Carson and Nguyen were traveling back to Jersey City the night of Dec. 25 after delivering flares on the Lincoln Highway Bridge, which connects Jersey City and Kearny. They were not aware that the bridge was up and the warning lights were out, and their Emergency Services Unit vehicle plunged into the Hackensack River.

There have been various theories as to why the accident occurred. It has been said that the police officers on the bridge were distracted by a false report of a civilian robbery, which diverted their attention from halting their vehicle in time. Another theory states that the officers were not informed that the bridge was up.

A 19-page report on the accident was released by the Department of Transportation, along with an eight-page report on the improvements needed for the bridge, on Jan. 27. It raised questions such as how Jersey City police officers who were already on the bridge, Michael Scarpa and Jane Louf, could not have been aware that the bridge was up, and why the two bridge operators on duty that night, Kenneth Cordano and Ali Alexandarane, were tested for drugs and alcohol when Scarpa and Louf were not.

The report also found that Cordano and Alexandarane were not in any way negligent on duty nor responsible for the accident that claimed the lives of two officers.

But the report criticized the JCPD for conducting an investigation that pressed the bridge operators to give answers "they wanted to hear," rather than recounting what actually happened that night, and rushing them to sign off on their statements without allowing them to read them beforehand.

Last week, Troy said the reason officers Scarpa and Louf were not tested for drugs and alcohol was because he and police officials determined that night that they did not need to be tested because they were not the "ones who raised the bridge."

Troy also said that in their assessment of the accident, the DOT was looking to "divert responsibility" and all the facts will come out early this week when the JCPD announces the results of their long-awaited investigation.

"We're going to lay out the truth, no matter where that road takes us," said Troy. "If the road takes us where we need to be critical of ours, then so be it."

Troy took issue with a suggestion in the DOT report that the JCPD investigators, led by Lt. Mike Kelly of the Major Cases Unit, were too harsh on the operators. He commented sarcastically that it "just breaks my heart."

"The investigators are some of the best in [Hudson] county and they just happen to be Jersey City police officers," said Troy. "We're more concerned about getting to the truth than hurting their feelings." - RK

Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com

Jersey city (we) are giving money and land for this place which mostly used for pit bull placement - 80%+!

Jersey City is getting over run with these killers -- There will be a law suit one of these days -- worse there will be a horrible attack on someone!

http://www.theunexpectedpitbull.com/donate.html
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Pit bull apologists, wake up
by C.W. Nevius - San Francisco Chronicle

Eighty-eight year old Mabel Wong was still in critical condition in John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek on Monday. She's been there since a week ago last Saturday, battling for her life, after a horrible mauling by a neighbor's pit bull near her Concord home.

In the aftermath, people wondered how it could happen. What did this little elderly lady do to trigger such an attack? The answer is simple and blunt. Nothing.

"This lady had interacted with this dog hundreds of times,'' said Lt. Abe Gamez of Contra Costa Animal Services. "She was just trying to get from one place to another.''

Whenever there is an account of a mauling by a pit bull, there is a howl of protest from those who love the breed. There are no bad dogs, just bad owners, they say. Or they ask how the media reporting the incident knew the dog was a pit bull. Pit bulls, they insist, are no more inherently dangerous than any other breed of dog.

That's not true.

"What I usually say is that it is not uncommon to spend thousands of dollars breeding a good hunting dog,'' says Gamez. "With a good hunting dog, that is not something you teach -- he's got it in his genes. The pit bull is bred for fighting.''

"You can't make a German shepherd stop herding,'' says Merritt Clifton, editor of the Washington-based Animal People magazine. "You can't make a Chihuahua stop barking.''

It is at this point that everyone starts yelling at each other and pointing fingers. My pit bull, someone says, plays with my children every day. He's the cutest, most affectionate pet we've ever had. Pits are no more aggressive or dangerous than beagles.

That's not true.

According to a study by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, covering the years between 1979 and 1994, pit bulls were involved in 57 fatal attacks -- well over twice the number for the next breed on the list, rottweilers, with 19, and more than German shepherds (17), huskies (12) and malamutes (12) combined. A 2000 study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association concluded that pit bulls "were involved in 65 fatal attacks between 1979 and 1998 ... twice that of rottweilers and more than three times German shepherds.''

Even more damning are the statistics kept by Clifton, a dog activist who has been keeping meticulous records since 1982 of dog attacks severe enough to have been reported in the media. It should be noted that Clifton excludes attacks by guard dogs, police dogs and trained fighting dogs and does not chart cases where the breed is uncertain.

The numbers are stunning. As of last week, meaning Mabel Wong's mauling would be included, pit bulls were cited in 831 attacks. The next closest was the rottweiler with 373. No other breed made it out of double digits.

"They are off the charts,'' says Gamez. "If you look at the fatals and severe bites, you will see the majority are rottweilers and pits.''

But that's just part of the story. If you've been to an animal shelter lately, you know that it seems like half the dogs there are pit bulls. Naively, our family thought that was because families were not adopting them.

Actually, it is the result of a population boom in pit bulls. In the three days before the Fourth of July holiday, Clifton contacted 22 animal shelters, and compared the results with a study he did 11 years ago. In a sample of 2,918 dogs, he found that the number of rottweilers and pit bulls had increased five times, including an "astonishing'' four times more pit bulls. And, it is important to note that with spay and neuter programs, the number of animals of all breeds in shelters has actually been decreasing.

"I've been in this business since 1975,'' Gamez says. "In those days, we used to pick up lots of types of dogs, Irish setters, Afghans. Now you walk into a shelter, and every other dog is a pit bull. This has been going on for 10 years. It may appear to be exploding, but it has been happening exponentially.''

The result is more opportunities for that sudden, unexpected moment when a pit bull loses control. Gamez says he always cautions his officers to keep an eye on pit bulls when capturing them.

"They don't growl,'' says Gamez, who was also part of the team investigating the Shawn Jones mauling case in Richmond. "It usually just comes right after you. These dogs can just go off. And when they do, they cause tremendous damage.''

What can be done? Gamez says it is important to report incidents of menacing or intimidating behavior by dogs in your neighborhood to animal control. As in the Diane Whipple case in San Francisco, where people came forward after the fatal attack with accounts of having had earlier concerns about the dogs, Wong's neighbors are now reporting having had problems with the dog that attacked her.

And some cities and states are considering "breed specific'' legislation, passing a law to keep pit bulls and rottweilers out of populated neighborhoods. The idea has encountered a firestorm of opposition from owners and dog organizations.

"The human community has been in denial for 20 years,'' says Clifton. "There's only hope where we begin to recognize the problem. We need to get that layer of denial lifted.''

In the meantime, if you encounter a pit bull or a rottweiler, keep an eye on it no matter how often its owner says it is the sweetest little pup you've ever seen. That's especially true if it is a "rehabilitated'' dog, which has supposedly had its breeding curbed by good training.

"Rehabilitated,'' says Gamez, "means it hasn't bitten anyone lately.''

Again I just want to stress -- Pit-Bulls and dogs bred to fight might be good with their owners but may not be good with their owner's children or with other people oout in the world - not to mention other dogs and animals. If these breeds get "set off" they are very scarey! They have killed and maimed countless people! It is an on going and daily problem across america -- just look, any random time, at the news. LAS should not be adopting these breeds out to older people, or to people with children -- maybe they shouldn't be adopting them at all! I think JC should look into a ban of these breeds, as many other cities are already doing. I know the government should not be supporting this in any way! Spay & Nueter and put them all on a remote secure farm somewhere -- Lovers of these dogs can donate to this/these farms and we can let the bred die out naturally -- but don't ask children and adult victims to pay the high price of keeping these breeds out and about.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned ... l+attack&btnG=Search+News

Quote:

Why is the Liberty Animal Shelter (LAS) so big on placing pit bulls and dogs bred to fight into homes in Jersey City. It seems like this is over 80% of what the LAS does. These dogs can hurt children and other people -- every day there is another news story about some poor person mauled or killed by these type of dogs.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=dog+attack

It is only a matter of time till someone in JC is hurt or killed by a dog from LAS.

And I know, I've heard it all before! "Your Pit Bull is different!" "It's not the breed it's the owners!"

Well all I can tell you is read the news!

Talk about JC getting sued!

Let's turn the Goldman Sachs Building into an arts district -- haha

The book is cheaper at the Strand

http://www.strandbooks.com/qsearch/?quick=mysteries+of+my+father

I couldn't locate the thread on this but this is an interesting story:
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$9M TAG: NOW THAT'S RICH
Saturday, January 14, 2006
By JARRETT RENSHAW
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

What can $9 million get you in Jersey City?

An entire block, or two maybe, in Greenville or the Heights, some prime office space in the Goldman Sachs building or perhaps a seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom, single-family home Downtown.

That's what Hong Kong-born artist turned Manhattan general contractor Simon Chan wants for his posh, 11,000-square-foot-plus blend of modernism, Feng Shui and 21st century bravado.

The hefty price tag is believed to be the highest listing price for a single-family home in the city's history, and may represent a turning point, as the market attracts a more eclectic group of builders willing to invest in lavish homes with an urban flare.

"This type of building used to be reserved for Manhattan and Bergen County," said Chan's real estate specialist, Gershon Adjaye, of Keller Williams Realty. "Based on properties selling in places like Edgewater, the quality of the construction and the square footage, we came up with the price."

The luxurious loft-style home, which has already been looked at by several hip-hop artists whom Chan wouldn't name, is on the 300 block of First Street and sits on a modest, blue-collar block lined with row houses and a few used cars. Its pizzazz lies in its interior, hidden behind the house's frosted glass.

With heated marble floors, a spiral staircase crafted from imported Chinese white jade tile and an indoor pool, the historic building has come a long way since its days as a smoked meat factory and later a general store.

But Chan went out of his way to keep some of the building's historic elements, rebuilding the exterior with the original bricks and keeping the original bluestone columns.

Several pieces of furniture - which Chan said can be negotiated along with the house - were built using original pine wood, a contrast to some other furniture, such as a computer chair built from a Ford truck bumper, which offers a more modern feel.

However, the historic flare quickly gives way to modern technology. Among other detailing, the house features more than 300 light bulbs that are tied into digital dimmer switches, as well as a computerized bathroom glass door that turns from transparent to foggy when closed.

Maybe the toniest part of the house is a series of skylights that run from the ceiling to the ground floor, including one on the second-floor that also serves as a foot bridge. While the skylight adds some eye-catching design, like most items in this house, it also serves a function.

"If you got a pool in the basement, you need some sun," said Chan, referring to his 490-square-foot, 5-foot deep pool.

Chan takes advantage of the home's urban environment with a dazzling, 1,000-square-foot roof deck that provides views of the Jersey City skyline, with its staggered high-rises and numerous buildings under construction.

And what used to be the uncommonly large chimney has now turned into Chan's self-described "penthouse" suite, currently occupied by his daughter.

Chan bought the building several years ago for about $400,000 before turning it into his own art project. The house is currently assessed at slightly less than that, according to city records.

This will not be Chan's last project in Jersey City. He bought some property in Port Liberte and has similar plans for it.

"Jersey City has so much room to grow, and its history can be converted into some fantastic places," said Chan. "And I plan to do that."

I think they should show art and have spoken word nights.

Somebody is smoking something -- $900,000 might seem a little low but $9 million -- I don't think so!
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Jon Stewart Purchases $5.8 Million Manhattan Loft

Jon Stewart has purchased a $5.8 million Manhattan loft, according to The New York Observer.

John Stewart recently bought a 6,000-square-foot Tribeca spread in the building that once housed the Wetlands Preserve, a nightclub with an environmental bent. The duplex penthouse has exposures on three sides, a 600-square-foot terrace and a private rooftop.

Prudential's Douglas Elliman had the listing.
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Quote:

How terrible -- Newark Avenue is like a speedway for buses and trucks. The traffic lights when they are actually working, are often ignored! That whole stretch on Newark from Brunswick all the way up the hill to Dickinson High School is a free for all. Right where she was hit, trucks, buses and cars race up and down the hill at all hours. It is unreal at rush hour!

I agree with swooshy -- " I think everyone should write to Councilmen Lipsky, Fulop, the county executive and the Mayor."

I am deeply sadden by your loss -- it could have been ANY of us on Newark Avenue.

I would love to know if Downtown really could do this.

But what could we call it? I think it should be called the area Jersey Town or Hudson City.

Trenton State College changed it's name, It stole Princeton U's first name College of New Jersey.