Glad to see Skinner's is finally open. And it's good to hear that things seems to be going relatively smoothly.

The first week or two are always difficult for new restaurants, so it sounds like a promising start. I am looking forward to trying the place!

Tried Skinner's Loft last night, their first night open. Loved the menu and beer selection. The food was great (crab meat hush puppies). And what they've done to the place is amazing... check out the upstairs. It's very cool! So glad they're finally open!

Cops' 'victim' in court
To make change of venue request

Thursday, September 06, 2007
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Jersey City man injured by police officers responding to his call for help during a burglary filed complaints against the two officers in court yesterday, accusing them of assaulting him, officials said.

Based on the Aug. 20 incident, Mathias Bolton, 34, of Palisade Avenue near Bowers Street, filed complaints against Jersey City Police Officers Kevin Hill and Victor Vargas.

The officers assaulted Bolton "by punching and kicking" him "about the head and body" and by throwing him down his front steps, the complaints allege. Bolton said he suffered a black eye, injured foot, and many abrasions on his arms, back and shoulders. He said doctors told him his arm was fractured, although it was not in a cast yesterday.

"He was assaulted by the police officers and he needs to vindicate his rights," said attorney Raoul Bustillo, who represented Bolton in Jersey City Municipal Court with co-counsel John Burke.

The police report of the incident says Bolton was treated at a hospital for "minor scrapes."

Bolton, who has a master's degree from Rutgers University and is director of research for a labor union in New York City, was originally charged with aggravated assault on police officers and resisting arrest. When he made his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court on the charges only days after the incident, a judge downgraded the charges and sent the case to municipal court.

Yesterday Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Jackson granted Bolton a postponement until Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. so his lawyers can request a change of venue in order to have the case heard outside the jurisdiction where Vargas and Hill work.

As Bolton and his attorneys left the Summit Avenue courthouse, Burke said they were on their way to file an internal affairs complaint at police headquarters. Police said they have launched an investigation into the incident and Chief Thomas Comey asked that no one jump to conclusions until all the facts are in.

Bolton said that on the day of the incident he called police when he heard a noise on his roof and saw two men trying to break in. He then went down four flights to open the front door because there is no bell, Bolton said.

Bolton mistook the two men running toward him as possible burglars and plainclothes officers Vargas and Hill apparently thought Bolton was a fleeing burglar. The cops said they identified themselves. Bolton said they did not.

The officers grabbed him and told him they were investigating a burglary and Bolton replied, "So get the hell off me," and then fell trying to run away, kicking at Hill and Vargas while down, the reports said.

Bolton said he was knocked to the ground after one of the officers repeatedly punched him in the head.

The report said that when police cruisers arrived, Bolton said: "Get the (expletive) off me. Who are you guys?" and that after the uniformed officers arrived on the scene, Bolton said, "OK, I give up. I'm sorry" and was taken to the police station and then to the hospital.

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I cannot believe that is true. While downtown JC may not offer the same amazing value that it used to in even the recent past, it is by no means as expensive as Manhattan. Unless you are looking at the super high end deluxe condos popping up, which is kind of a rarified deal. But even then, the price per square foot is still less than a comparable NYC deal.

Whether that's still a bargain or not is in the eye of the beholder.

I have a great place available in Paulus hook. Just slightly above your budget but not too far.

let me know if you want to check it out. Brand new never lived in. Steps to Exchange Place. And much better then anything you would find in Newport

http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/abo/411012505.html

I hate how realestate punks try to use this site, and others for PR/ad purposses. Who came up with those numbers? Oh, the company trying to sell more units...It's a load of BS.

I'm pretty sure that if you took the Jersey City census, and looked at the average household income of Jersey City residents you will see that very, VERY few can afford these LUXURY condos.

500k for a 600sq. ft. studio on Newark ave. PLEASE!
THAT IS NOT FOR THE AVG JERSEY CITY RESIDENT!

I honestly don't even understand what will pull people to move out of NYC?? Its not like they will save money moving to JC, the prices are the same as NY...

Im still waiting for a billboard in JC to read "affordable housing"

These realestate snakes have lost their minds...

I find this so called love affair NY residents have with JC real estate as / is a load of crap - If 1% of NYC's population loved JC's real estate, we would need to build a siht load of more apartments and buildings to address that need.

This is just another cheap ass attempt to keep real estate on the 'front page' of discussion when there is an obvious turn in the market.

Its time for SOME agents on the real estate gravy train to find a new job - reality must hurt for some!

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I've done it many times the last 5 years, and there's always a cab if you don't feel like it. I've read a handful of reports over the years of people getting mugged walking home from the JSQ PATH, and it always happens on a side street pretty close to the Square, like maybe Vroom or Van Reypen. A mugger is not going to follow someone all the way down JFK or Bergen to Duncan, which is also a wide, decently-lit Avenue. It's safe.

Thanks GrovePath,

I don't typically read the Jersey Journal. I just recycle it.

But I think the article (advertorial?) is interesting and hopefully true. I think people who own have more of a vested interest in their neighborhoods than renters, and who better to own here than those of us who have already lived here in rentals.

I now own in downtown. It took me a long time to take the plunge. I rented all over JC, from Wayne street to the waterfront, before I could save the down payment to buy a place. Now that I have a place of my own, I am much more concerned about the local economy, safety, schools, politics, as well as the real estate market. Looking back, buying in JC was a great investment and I wish I had done it sooner. I have yet to meet anyone who is sorry they bought in JC.

While the subprime mess may make it harder for some to buy, especially those with blemished credit and lacking a 20% down payment, I believe the lending market correction is actually good in the long run for a place like JC, where many of the residents commute to higher paying jobs in NYC, and the growth boom in condos is really just beginning to take off. The correction will mean that the new condo purchasers are not moving into places they can't afford when rates adjust.

Even with brownstones topping the million dollar mark, and condos starting in the high $300s, I think the pricepoint in downtown JC is unbeatable.

Marz,

When do you need a place?

These disguised real estate ads are annoying.

Buy NOW...low interest , no down payment...deals won't last.

They don't belong in a discussion group and should be reserved for paid advertising space..


Of course, If GROVEPATH owns the web page then, of course he can post, tout, or SELL whatever he wishes.

I've thought about that neighborhood many times over the last 30 years.
I have always judged it unsafe and that was a reason that I moved from the HEIGHTS to Newport when it was built.

My standard has always been what is the situation walking home from Journal Square at 1 AM perhaps a little bit tipsy.

Maybe it's changed...maybe not.

OK, understood...
The exemption applies to those collecting SS or SSI regardless of age.
I wasn't sure if the youngsters got in on it.

Now what determines the DATE? The postmark? The date of receipt?

I guess if there is regular quibbling the landlord will wind up in court at some point.

Judges are usually ISSUE ORIENTED as in:
"Did you get the rent?"
"Yes!"
"Then why are we all here?"

And don't overlook DAYGLO PUCE!
A side-offset with matching Madonnas is always a nice additional touch...especially in Downtown JC.

Hey, it's still Jersey City where the last mayor put up lighted St. Josephs, Jesuses, and shepherds and sheep all over City Hall's lawn.

When you try to class up your row house with images of Independence Hall, sit down and relax a few moments chanting..."IT'S JERSEY CITY!"

Eeriegal-- Yes, I noticed your steps too... and it was nighttime when I went by! But, I'm posting to let you know that painters I contracted with and who work downtown all the time told me you do *not* need approval from the historic preservation office for painting, as long as you choose one of those historic colors. So, paint away and good luck with everything!

I dont' know anything about this particular thread. but i had to deal with a pissed off cop once. sadly the only thing you could do is arm yourself and hope you didn't get shot first. there isn't much you can do if the cops and their fraturnal order don't care for you. so slashing tires is the least of anyones worries.

Melhere2, please shut the F8ck up! Enough!

Well, you seem to think the JCPD are the ones who should be canonized.

Whatever makes you feel safe. Ignorance is bliss.

Guess again! You need to give people more credit then you are giving me. I'm sure the JCPD has nothing else to do but slash tires please give me a break. You can believe him all you want. I am starting to believe him less & less because of the reaction you are giving. And the way you are telling it someone better alert the Catholic Church because we have Saint right here in JC.

actually, it does. I know him, know what he's capable of; know that he has know reason to lie about it; know that he doesn't drink or do drugs, when the clutching-at-straws cops tried to smear his name by saying he was drunk or high; know that he's pretty beat up for no good reason; know that his girlfriend's tires were slashed the next morning; know that the JC cops have a history of impropriety.

And it's not that I WANT to believe him because he's my friend. I BELIEVE him because he's telling the truth. Period. You're just some troll message board pseudo pundit who just wanted to stir up controversy by addressing an issue she knows absolutely nothing about.

Just because you are friends with him does not make you an authority on this matter either!

But why do you assume you're right when you're not even close to being an authority on this matter?

No when I was insulted that is when I defended myself. If I felt I was wrong I would apologize without hesitation.

Man beaten by cops files complaint

by Michaelangelo Conte
Wednesday September 05, 2007, 11:45 AM


A Jersey City man who was injured by police officers responding to his call for help during a burglary in his Heights residence filed complaints against two officers in court this morning, accusing them of assaulting him, officials said.

Based on the Aug. 20 incident, Mathias Bolton, 34, of Palisade Avenue near Bowers Street, filed complaints against Jersey City police officers Kevin Hill and Victor Vargas, according to court papers.


The complaints allege the officers assaulted Bolton "by punching and kicking" him "about the head and body" and by throwing him down steps.

Bolton said he suffered a black eye, injured foot, and many abrasions on his arms, back and shoulders. He said doctors told him his arm was fractured but he was not in a cast this morning.

"He was assaulted by the police officers and he needs to vindicate his rights," said attorney Raoul Bustillo, who represented Bolton in Jersey City Municipal Court, along with attorney John Burke.

As they left the Summit Avenue court house, Burke said they were on their way to file an internal affairs complaint at police headquarters on Erie Street.

Finally, Bolton's lawyers were granted a postponement until Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. so they can file a request for a change of venue in order to have the case heard outside the jurisdiction where Vargas and Hill work.

The request was granted by Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Jackson.

The officers were not in court this morning.
See more in Courts,

Yes but apparently you don't have any sense of decorum. You don't go around insulting people's close friends. When someone does, normally one would apologize and just walk away. There's a right to opinion and then there's discretion about when to voice one's opinion. You seem to lack the latter.

As I said before it's not a personal attack that is how you are taking it

I'd like to ask a comment or two myself

And why do you choose to believe the police when you don't even know their side of the story. I'm saying I know the side of the story of someone I've known since second grade (nearly 30 years), whom I know to be an upstanding citizen, who never touched alcohol or any drug in his life and has no reason to lie.

What do you know about the cops who attacked him? I'm guessing nothing, as you've never spoken to them.

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LMAO

If by asking a comment I'm getting involved in the fight bring it on Please grow up!