Something to keep in mind is that a revaluation is supposed to happen soon in the city - where tax rates on homes will be readjusted. Might want to check in to that a little more with your Realtor before you decide to purchase. I think there was a thread here on that topic as well.

Quote:

The current zoning allows people to raise fewer than 50 chickens, 25 feet away from neighboring homes.

And no roosters are allowed.

Try this one - the owner is really nice and they always have people in the store (when I've been there...).

PostNet Store NJ122
344 Grove street
Jersey City, NJ 07302

(201) 332-8828
[fax]
NJ122@postnet.com

Try TD Bank - there's a branch in the A&P shopping plaza. They have a very good notary policy.

+1 for Pillars of the Earth - I just watched that recently.

Here's another really good instant movie if you don't mind subtitles. Just don't be distracted and have a sizable box of tissues nearby if you are so inclined to weep at movies with children. This film was actually shot in Morocco using street children who were not actors - you would never know it, their performances are brilliant:

Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets

Ali, Kwita, Omar and Boukber are a group of urchins living on the hard streets of Casablanca, their everyday lives filled with violence, begging and indifference. To survive, the four youths create a bond of friendship and family among them, but that bond is soon cut short by a senseless tragedy. This highly acclaimed drama from Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch reminds us of the power of hope and dreams even in the harshest of circumstances.

Cool thread...my two favorites (besides mushy BBC 19th century romances):

HOUSE OF CARDS - THE TRILOGY
Set in Britain's Houses of Parliament, this political satire follows the career of a ruthless MP (Ian Richardson) whose election campaign has been plagued by a number of mysterious deaths. The politician's scheming knows no bounds, and he manages to ensnare a member of the royal family in his quest for power. This series was controversial in Britain for its close depiction of Prince Charles's actual life.


DOC MARTIN - (It will grow on you...)
Frozen by a newfound fear of blood, once-brilliant London surgeon Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes) is forced to abandon his city practice and start anew as a small-town country doctor in the Cornish hamlet of Portwenn. As the first season of this English sitcom unfolds, Doc Martin opens his office, only to find his waiting room impossibly full. But nobody in town is really sick ? they just want to meet their new neighbor.

Quote:

I agree with Dan. TECCS is a good school, championed by local parents who worked extremely hard for the charter to be put into place. I would send my children to this school.

In the case of this incident (which is horrible if it is true), this instructor was widely known and used in several schools throughout our area. Many times, perpertrators like this are not known until they are caught (unfortunately). Also, these predators work in packs, they are known to other predators, and have pretty intricate networks. Likely, authorities are trying to uncover the suspect's network of contacts (again, if this story is correct). (Remember the "Santa Claus" in Union City and what they discovered after his arrest?)

Dan is correct in asking, how did the school handle the incident? Were parents notified immediately? Were authorities notified? Was counseling available to the victims? Was the line of communication open and honest? What improvements have been made, if need be (kids alone with an instructor, cameras in the classroom, etc?)

If you're concerned about the school - call them and ask them specifically about the incident. Do they speak with you candidly and openly? Build your comfort level with facts.

I think this is a good opportunity for parents to be vigilient about asking questions of their kid's afterschool program organizers. Find out who is teaching them, what background checks have been done (ask to see the checks), are instructors licensed and professionally credentialed (like coaches, for example). Ask to see actual copies of the licenses or call the licensing agency to verify. Are instructors left alone with children at any time, do they drive them anywhere (like many coaches do). And drop in from time to time if you cannot stay near.

I've heard nothing but wonderful and positive things about this school - know a few alum and they are just wonderful kids, too!

Good luck with the open house.

Did you know that CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America? If you don't have a working CO detector (only 27% of Americans do), get one! Here are some interesting, often overlooked facts about CO dangers:

* CO is a produced anytime a fuel is burned. Potential sources include gas or oil furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, barbecue grills, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, gas ovens, generators, and car exhaust fumes.
o CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. (Centers for Disease Control)
* Every year more than 10,000 people die or seek medical attention due to CO poisoning from home-related products. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
* More than two-thirds of Americans use gas, wood, kerosene or another fuel as their home's major heat source.
* 65% of CO poisoning deaths from consumer products are due to heating systems.
* Only 27% of homes in America have carbon monoxide alarms, according to the Hardware/Homecenter Research Industry.
o An idling vehicle in an attached garage, even with the garage door opened, can produce concentrated amounts of CO that can enter your home through the garage door or nearby windows.
o CO poisoning deaths from portable generators have doubled for the past two years, and many of these deaths occurred in the winter months and during power outages.
o A poorly maintained gas stove can give off twice the amount of CO than one in good working order.
Prevention
o Install at least one battery-powered CO alarm or AC-powered unit with battery backup on each level of your home and near sleeping areas.
o Do not use charcoal or gas grills inside or operate outdoors near a window where CO fumes could seep in through a window.
o Check all carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Do they use the most accurate sensing technology? Do they need new batteries?
o Replace CO alarms every five to seven years in order to benefit from the latest technology upgrades.
o Have a licensed professional inspect heating systems and other fuel-burning appliances annually.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH AWARD...

Bestowed upon any brave soul that got it in gear this morning and made it into work...

Quote:

Just in case you're not paying attention:

From NBCNewYork.com:

"This weekend we are at full force," Newark Mayor Cory Booker told an impromptu news conference just hours after a man and a woman were gunned down in one of the city's neighborhoods.

Booker says he has even called the White House in an effort to find any possible grants that can be used to beef up the struggle of New Jersey's largest city against a spike in violence that is being felt in other urban areas as well.

Meanwhile, Paul Loriquet, a spokesman for state Attorney General Paul Dow, told NBCNewYork, "If called upon, State Police have a contingency plan to provide assistance" -- an offer Booker suggested is not needed at this time.

The shooting of two people on the day before Christmas appeared to be retaliatory as the drive-by car used by the gunman was stolen, found abandoned a few blocks away.

"They were asking for help, saying I'm bleeding, I've been shot," said Alex Furman, a clerk at the bodega where the pair staggered into for help.

A man shot and killed Thursday night had a long criminal past and had survived a shooting last summer. Not this time, as the gunmen used an automatic rifle more at home in Iraq to fire 41 times at him, according to police.

And a gathering of five teens earlier may also be what Police Director Garry McCarthy termed "possibly retaliatory" as one of the juvenile victims who was wounded appeared to be trying to get to an Uzi submachine gun in a building just a few feet away.

Two of his buddies were killed and the other two, like him, survived with gunshot wounds.

Some have speculated that the surge in violence can be tied to the recent layoffs of 164 police officers.

Mayor Booker strongly disagreed, noting the spike began before the officers were laid off.

And he said that the police presence on the streets of his city is just as strong as it was before, with desks emptied and the spending of "hundreds of thousands of dollars on overtime."

In addition, a car jacking task force formed with other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, has had striking success since it was formed just two weeks ago.

Even the Essex County Prosecutor's office is skeptical that laying off officers has a direct connection.

"I think the layoffs have been too recent to have any impact on an increase in violence," said Thomas Fennelly, Chief Assistant Prosecutor.

But his Chief of Detectives, Anthony Ambrose, did say that most of this violence is caused by ex-cons recently released from prison who return home to no jobs and no alternatives.

"And they can do nothing but revert back to the criminal element," Ambrose said.

The Mayor meanwhile, who was out on the streets of his city at 3 a.m. on Christmas Eve Day, said he expected to be back out again as Christmas Eve gave way to Christmas Day in an attempt to keep his city focused on ending the violence.

Follow Brian Thompson on Twitter @brian4NY

From NJ.com:

Ten New Jersey managers have been ranked among the worst bosses in the country, according to EBossWatch.com.

EBossWatch.com assembled a panel of experts and put together its second annual list.

Orlando Pizarro, a former lifeguard supervisor at Newport Swim and Fitness in Jersey City ranked third on the list. He is accused of sexually harassing two female employees and retaliatory discharge in 2006 and 2007. In June the New Jersey state Division of Civil Rights Thursday issued a Findings of Probable Cause against Pizarro.

Englewood Department of Public Works supervisor Danette Adams is the highest ranking female on the list, checking in at No. 20

Adams was charged with attempted assault for allegedly trying to run over John Cioffi as she drove into the public works yard on Oct. 28.

The city truck driver had filed a racial discrimination suit against Adams in 2008.

The suit, which was settled in a 2009, claimed Adams, who is black, snapped her fingers at Cioffi, whistled and yelled, "Come here, white boy. Come here, white boy."

Read the complete list of the 100 worst bosses as ranked by EBossWatch.

The other New Jersey managers named were:

? Orlando Pizarro - Newport Swim and Fitness in Jersey City
? Raymond Montgomery, Jeffrey Chafee, Tim Kreischer - Harrah?s Resort in Atlantic City
? Pat Buckley - Dane Construction in New Brunswick
? Carmen Parisio, Wayne Tasaki - Avenel-Colonia First Aid Squad in Woodbridge
? John Wintermute - Petro-Lubricant Testing Laboratories in Lafayette
? Robert Cwik - Bridgeton High School in Bridgeton
? John H. Harris, Jr. - Galilee Baptist Church in Trenton
? David Ulanet - dentist in Little Falls
? J. Patrick Barnes - Hunterdon County Prosecutor in Flemington


WORST BOSS LIST 2010

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This is from the NJ Tenant website - hope this clarifies things a bit:

Notice to end a lease
To end a lease, either the tenant or the landlord must give the other a written notice before the end of the lease, stating that the lease will not be renewed. If this written notice is not given or is not given in the required time, then the lease will renew itself automatically, at least on a month-to-month basis, generally with the same terms and conditions. Cite: N.J.S.A. 46:8-10.

Ending a yearly lease. To end a yearly lease, unless the lease says otherwise, you must give the landlord a written notice at least one full month before the end of the lease. The notice must tell the landlord that you are moving out when the lease ends. Also, unless the lease says otherwise, the landlord must give you at least one full month?s notice before the end of the lease to terminate a yearly lease so that the landlord can raise the rent or change other terms of the lease. Remember, you cannot be evicted just because the landlord ends your lease.

For example, if your yearly lease ends on June 30, you have to give the landlord a written notice before June 1 that you plan to terminate the lease on June 30. Failure to give the proper notice may result in the automatic creation of a month-to-month tenancy. In that case, you may be responsible for at least an additional month?s rent. In this example, your failure to give notice may allow the landlord to charge you for July?s rent and to subtract it from your security deposit.

If your lease or a notice from your landlord says that you must either sign a new lease by a certain date or else move out by the date your present lease expires, your failure to renew your lease will put the landlord on notice that you intend to move out at the end of the lease period. If you object to changes in the lease, let the landlord know. Lease changes must be reasonable. See Chapter 9, The Causes for Eviction. If you then choose not to move out, you will become a month-to-month tenant. Cite: Kroll Realty v. Fuentes, 163 N.J. Super. 23 (App. Div. 1978) and Lowenstein v. Murray, 229 N.J. Super. 616 (Law Div. 1988). You will, however, be subject to eviction for refusing to sign a new lease.

Hi,

It sounds perhaps that your landlord is trying to be too clever. You have fulfilled your end of the bargain by notifying him - and further secured your obligations by sending this certified mail.

Keep firm records; a copy of your letter, the certified receipt, and a log of your telephone calls. Double check and make sure the address is correct on the letter - and your letter was dated. If he has a fax machine, you might want to send him a fax, too, just to CYA. This isn't necessary, but it's one more piece of evidence to use if he decides to be difficult.

You will move out on the day you intended, leaving the premises in broom-clean condition. Take photographs and video as you leave. Turn the keys in to your landlord or representative and have a receipt signed that you did indeed turn in the key (a simple letter that states you returned the key). Do not engage in any arguments with the landlord - it's completely not worth it as you are in the right.

Your security deposit cannot be kept if he comes back to you and states that you didn't give enough notice. As long as the premises are clean/not damaged by your neglect, that security comes back to you.

The courts lean to the tenant in many landlord/tenant cases. The courts in Hudson County for this matter are pretty easy to navigate if the landlord keeps your security.
Here's a good link with information about your specific situation.

Good luck, don't stress, and concentrate on the joys of moving!

This looks like a great day out for the family! If someone goes with children, please let us know how the set-up is.
It isn't really clear on the website what the $18.00 fee for kids gives them (ie; how much racing time).

I'm really sorry this happened to you. We had thefts and car break-ins when we lived in the Heights. My daughter was young at the time, but it left such a negative impression upon her even to this day. Even the "small" quality of life crimes that seem to be dismissed often really do add up - and they can impact our children deeply. Yes, it's a part of city living and I teach resiliency but enough is enough already.

I hope you find your vehicle soon.

From NJ.com

Former state Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith was acquitted today of accepting $15,000 in bribes that he insisted were campaign contributions.

The not-guilty verdict is the second consecutive trial defeat for the U.S. Attorney?s Office since Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez was acquitted of all charges in October. Until that acquittal, federal prosecutors had a 10-year streak of corruption convictions.

Smith, 61, was accused of accepting two cash payments in 2009 from disgraced developer Solomon Dwek, who was secretly working with federal investigators and posing as developer David Esenbach.

During his three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Jose Linares in Newark, Smith insisted the cash was campaign contributions, initially for what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid for mayor of Jersey City. A one-term assemblyman, Smith had announced before his arrest that he did not plan to seek re-election.

The Hudson County Democrat was charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, money laundering, two counts of attempted extortion and two counts of bribery.

Smith?s attorney, Peter Willis, had argued his client was set up and that federal investigators pursued him even after he told Dwek he doesn?t take money in return for favors.

This was the first trial in which Dwek, who secretly worked for federal investigators for two years, did not testify. Instead, prosecutors called as their key witness Edward Cheatam, a friend of Smith?s and a former Jersey City housing official and school board member who took bribes from Dwek and introduced the developer to Smith. Dwek videotaped conversations and meetings with dozens of political officials and religious leaders who were arrested as part of the state?s largest public corruption sting that netted 46 people.



http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010 ... yman_harvey_smith_is.html" rel="noopener external" title="">Story Continues Here...NJ.com

Just wondering if there have been any updates on this story. It seems to have quietly gone off of the radar screens of the city.

And here's a quick primer on when and how a landlord can enter your apartment (speaking of REALLY breaking the law...)
-----------------------------------------------------
Entering the tenant?s dwelling unit
All leases, whether written or oral, give the tenant ?exclusive possession? of the dwelling unit. This means that only the tenant, or members of the tenant?s household, or people the tenant allows in the house or apartment, have the right to be there. The landlord does not have the right to come into the house or apartment whenever he or she wants. In a written lease, the landlord?s duty to not enter the tenant?s house or apartment is called the covenant of quiet enjoyment. This covenant (promise) means that the tenant has control over who can or cannot come into his or her apartment or house. Cite: Ashley Court Enterprises v. Whittaker, 249 N.J. Super. 552 (App. Div. 1991).

When can a landlord enter?
The law allows the landlord or the landlord?s workers to go into the tenant?s dwelling only in a few special situations:

* If the tenant invites or asks the landlord or one of the landlord?s workers to come in.

* If the landlord needs to inspect the apartment, but only:
o at reasonable periods of time?every day is unreasonable, every few months might be okay;
o at a reasonable time of day?4 a.m. is unreasonable, 4 p.m. might be okay, depending on whether the tenant will be home at that time; and
o only after giving the tenant reasonable notice that he or she is coming to inspect. Reasonable notice usually means a written notice. It also usually means that the notice must be given at least one day before the landlord wants to come in. For buildings containing three apartments or more, there is a regulation requiring one day?s notice before a landlord can come into an apartment to make an inspection or do repairs. Cite: N.J.A.C. 5:10-5.1(c).

* If the landlord or one of the landlord?s workers needs to go into the apartment to do maintenance or make repairs. If the repairs are not an emergency, they can only enter the house or apartment at a reasonable time and after giving reasonable notice.

* If the landlord or the landlord?s workers need to go into the house or apartment to do emergency repairs. Under this circumstance, the landlord may not have to give one day?s notice?or even any notice?if the emergency is really serious or dangerous, for example, the apartment is on fire or water is rushing out of a broken pipe and pouring through the floor. But even in the case of an emergency, the landlord should try to give some notice if he or she can, even if the notice is just a phone call.

What if the landlord won?t stay out?
If the landlord or one of the landlord?s workers enters your house or apartment and does not have your permission or does not have one of the other reasons discussed above, he or she is breaking the law. You should send a letter by certified mail to the landlord complaining about what happened. Keep a copy for your records. You can also call the police or go to the police station or local court and file a complaint for ?trespass? or ?harassment? against the person who entered without your permission. You might be able to file a trespass or harassment complaint because, even though your landlord owns the building, he or she has given you the right to possess the apartment.

I'm pretty sure when a yearly lease is up and you don't have a new lease, it renews "automatically" as a month-to-month. Maybe a real estate expert here can chime in.

Nevertheless, your cause is not lost. I would definitely, moving forward, make sure you put all of your communications in writing to your landlord in case you need to go to court. Be civil in all of your dealings. Try to meet with him and discuss your needs and his needs and see if you can work something out together.

This site may help you:

NJ TENANT'S RIGHTS

I think the city also has a division that helps with tenant/landlord issues. Try the Mayor's Action Bureau number and see if they can connect you to some more information:

City Hall, 280 Grove Street
Room 105
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Tel: (201) 547-4900/5555

Good luck!

What does your lease stipulate? If you're on a year's lease and leaving early, you are liable for the full term of your lease unless you can prove that your landlord had you living in substandard conditions and did not work to repair the issues. I successfully sued a former landlord because they refused to fix my heat - I moved out early and recovered my security deposit.

If you rent month to month, you're liable for the full month unless you can prove that your landlord and you had a definite agreement.

There should be a stipulation in either your monthly or yearly rental contract. Did you have a written agreement with your landlord that you could live in the apartment for half of a month?

From his standpoint, it's tough to rent an apartment in the middle of the month so he's likely to lose 50% of his monthly rental income. From a civil standpoint, the burden of proof is yours to prove you had an agreement to live in the unit for half of a month. This isn't "illegal" like the cops can come arrest you for paying 50% rent - but you could face a lawsuit if he decides to sue you.

Perhaps you can both work out an amicable agreement as you have a month left?

From NJ.com (link below)

The son of Jersey City Councilwoman and Hudson County Register Willie Flood was arrested again today after a confrontation with a uniformed school security guard who told him to move his car out of a school no-parking zone.


Phillip T. Flood II, 32, of Wayne Street, was charged with aggravated assault and making terroristic threats after the 8:17 a.m. incident at School 29's Clerk Street annex, reports said.


He has previously been charged with drug dealing and theft of unemployment insurance, officials said.


Today, the 48-year-old Jersey City Board of Education security guard told police a man parked a 2003 Mercedes in the school no parking zone and he told the driver he could not park there because it is a posted no parking zone during school hours, reports said.

The guard said the driver began arguing with him, refusing to move the vehicle and at one point threw a crumpled up piece of paper that struck his face, reports said.

He said the driver then said, "You don't know me and my boys. I carry guns. I run this side of the street. You and the 'po po' can't touch me," reports said. The driver then reached around his waist band as if to gesture that he was armed, reports said.


The Mercedes pulled away but the guard got the plate number and responding officers found the car was owned by Willie Flood, reports said. The guard was still at the South District Police Station filing a report when Flood II walked in and he identified him as the driver of the Mercedes.


In 2007, Flood II was charged with selling marijuana out of his mother's Mercedes at Wayne and Barrow streets and he was charged with offenses including dealing drugs within 1,000 feet of a school and within 500 feet of a park, reports said. The matter was later downgraded to municipal court.


In 2006, the state charged Phillip Flood with unlawfully collecting $13,000 in unemployment insurance and he paid back the money and entered into a pretrial intervention program, officials said.


In early 2008, Willie Flood was inducted into Channel 5's "Hall of Shame" after veteran reporter Arnold Diaz aired a story about her hiring Flood II as her council aide and as a data processing systems programmer in the register's office. He gave up the $15,000 city job but kept the $40,000 county job, officials said.


Flood II could not be reached for comment. Reached at her home last night, Willie Flood said "He is the most wonderful son I have ever met in my life -- ever."


Jersey Journal Story Here

Can't afford a lawyer...trying to do this myself.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm getting ready to sue a Jersey City private Catholic school who did not pay for work completed. This was a contract agreement.

I have kindly and professionally provided every opportunity to resolve the situation to no avail. The amount is over $5000.00 so I have to sue in special civil part.

My question is specific; how do you know WHO to name to ensure proper service of the complaint when the complaint is directed at a private school? Does it go to the person who assigned the contract or does it get directed to the school as a whole? Or, since it's a Catholic school, do you sue the Archdiocese?

Help is appreciated!

IMHO, I think there is a big difference between "revenge" and justice. Why just consider the needs of the sexual predator who plied his sick perversion onto a child? What about the needs of the victim and his family in this instance?

I think it's deplorable to send a message that it's okay for a teacher to masturbate in front of a child in a Jersey City public school if it's your first offense, because your lawyer can convince the judge you really are a nice guy - and it'll cost the taxpayers a load of cash to keep you jailed.

Sorry - I see NOTHING perfect about a teacher, convicted of a sex crime at a school with a child getting absolutely no jail time. It speaks volumes about how we treat our children in this town's school system. What message are we sending? You can get one free ride as a first time offender? Disgusting.

Link to Story on NJ.com

A suspended teacher at Jersey City's Ferris High School charged with performing a lewd act in front of a 15-year-old boy in a school faculty room has pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a minor, officials said today.

"This was a perfect example of school officials and the prosecutor's office working together to immediately remove a threat from our classrooms," said Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Dill of the guilty plea entered by Peter Riquelme, 41, of Brooklyn, on Tuesday.

The prosecutor said "The victim was a very brave young man. By courageously coming forward a predator has been banished from our schools."

Riquelme, who authorities say masturbated in front of the boy, was originally charged with endangering the welfare of a child, criminal sexual contact, and official misconduct following the March 16 incident at the Downtown school where he taught ninth and 10th grade English and American History, officials said.

He was hired in March 2007, has tenure and earned $51,000 a year, said Jersey City Board of Education spokeswoman Paula Christen.

Riquelme was suspended without pay following his arrest and the Jersey City Board of Education is waiting official notification of his guilty plea before making a final determination on his status, Christen said.

Under the terms of the plea, Riquelme will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law, undergo community supervision for life, be evaluated to determine if he is a repetitive offender, and surrender his teaching certificate, Dill said.

He will also be barred from public employment for life, said the prosecutor, noting that as a first-time offender, Riquelme faces no prison time.

Riquelme will be sentenced by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable on Jan. 14 in the Hudson County Administration Building on Newark Avenue in Jersey City.

This might be a long-shot, but Staples does a good job of recycling several different kinds of items. There's a collection bin at the front of most of their stores for different types of electronics.


Staples

Newport Plaza, 613 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City - (201) 217-9900

Route 440, Hudson Mall, Jersey City - (201) 435-7911

Jay - is this what you mean? It's not a complex, per se, just a multi-purpose field:

From 10/29 NJ.com/The Jersey Journal

Hudson County?s plans to fund installation of a synthetic turf field in the Union City side of Washington Park came under fire during a public hearing on open space grants.

Roughly 50 people attended Thursday?s Board of Freeholders meeting where a handful of people spoke against installing a multi-use turf field in Washington Park 3.

Washington Park Association President Mory Thomas was not present, but had a letter read on his behalf. The organization, which has 80 members, said it was not consulted about the field.

?Park 3 itself was historically a rose garden, that rose garden was removed to accommodate the current ball field,? Thomas rote. ?Now Washington Park has four ball parks, including two recently installed synthetic fields. While the WPA promotes athletics and sporting events in the park, we are opposed to turning the park into a dedicated sports complex.?

Mark Albiez a spokesman for Union City Mayor Brian Stack said the mayor has offered to meet with the association several times and is disappointed the group spoke against the field.

?We?re happy to work wit them just as we have with many other associations over the years. It?s the mayor?s duty to accommodate all resident groups and he won?t be bullied by one organization,? Albiez said. ?There are 15,000 children in Union City who need ball fields and positive outlets such as recreation leagues.?

Residents said 17 shade trees would need to be removed to accommodate the new field, which would include building a wall along Palisade Ave. Residents said the field would likely be gated and locked, like a small soccer field that has been erected in some of the passive recreation space at Park 3.

?The passive areas in the park are going to be greatly diminished,? WPA Secretary Nick Caballero said.

Residents also said that their neighborhood would be adversely impacted by increased traffic, noise and litter as a result of increased use of the field.

The multi-use field would be used for soccer, football and baseball. Park 3 only has a baseball field, which is used seasonally. While in use, residents said coaches and parents drive along the walking paths and park on the grass in the park because there is not enough street parking to accommodate residents and event attendees.

Resident Joseph Duronio who lives near the synthetic turf fields on the Jersey City side of the park said the artificial fields have impacted storm water run-off and caused sewage backups in his home. He suggested a new, natural field, with proper drainage replace the ball field in Park 3.

?I think it can be done in a way that is beneficial, using a natural field,? he said. ?I do want investment in the park.?

Freeholders will not vote on the recommendations for at least 45 days.

Jersey City Freeholder Bill O?Dea defended the field saying many youth groups are turned away because there aren?t enough fields to accommodate them. He said the turf fields on the Jersey City side of the park are used by Jersey City teams and Union City needs its own field.

?There are a lot of coaches that have probably kept kids out of jail because they were able to get them involved in competitive sports rather than going another way,? O?Dea said.

Freeholder Director Tilo Rivas, who is also a Union City commissioner, said the city is committed to planting three trees for every one that is removed.

The hearing was on a $6.3 million plan to fund 17 projects in the county. The freeholders voted to add two additional items, they took $16,250 from the $133,000 for installation of a portion of the Berlin Wall in Jersey City and allocated it to the Historic Jersey City Harsimus Cemetery for a historic study. The board also voted to allocate $50,000 ? which was not taken from another project ? to fund stabilization of historic structures at Reservoir 3 in Jersey City.

Thrifty - sent you a PM

Jmom

Thanks everyone - all of your replies were tremendously helpful. At least I have a jumping off point for some more discussions.

Kitcat - I pm'd you.

Much appreciated!

JM