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Jersey City hospital 'at risk of failure,' finance report says
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Jersey City hospital 'at risk of failure,' finance report says
Friday, October 06, 2006
BY ANGELA STEWART AND DEBORAH HOWLETT
Star-Ledger Staff

Despite "extraordinary infusions of state funding," both Jersey City Medical Center and its parent company, LibertyHealth, face growing financial losses, according to a consultant's report.

"Simply put, unless significant operations improvements are implemented, the entire system is at risk of failure," said the report, which was obtained by The Star-Ledger.

The report, which hospital officials called an early draft, is the same one that was presented to the hospital board last Thursday night and was followed the next day by the resignation of Jonathan Metsch, the 61-year-old hospital president and CEO and head of LibertyHealth.

"The system is dependent on, and will continue to be dependent on extraordinary state funding indefinitely," the report says.

The state provides $583.4 million a year to New Jersey hospitals for charity care, as well as $169 million a year to 30 hospitals as supplemental appropriations. Jersey City Medical Center received a $25.7 million supplemental appropriation in this year's budget.

Besides Jersey City Medical Center, the system also includes Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus and Greenville Hospital in Jersey City.

"The reason Jersey City Medical Center is in this position is because only 25 to 30 percent (of patients) have private health care insurance. The rest of them are either charity care or Medicaid," said Alan Marcus, a hospital spokesman.

According to the report, Jersey City Medical Center faces a $20 million gap this year before it could break even, and that amount is expected to grow to $32 million by 2008. If the hospital wants to achieve a 3.5 percent operating margin this year, it would have to close an even bigger budget hole -- $29 million.

As a system, LibertyHealth would have to close a $20 million gap this year before it could break even, and that amount is expected to grow to $33 million in 2008. To achieve a 3.5 percent operating margin this year, the system would need to plug a $33 million budget hole, and by 2008 a $42 million gap, the report states in its executive summary.

Recommendations made by WellSpring Partners of Chicago, the consultants who put together the performance review, include: layoffs, limiting purchases to a single purchasing organization, drastically reducing food costs and sending more medical devices out for reprocessing.

Two Assembly Republicans yesterday called upon hospital officials to publicly release what they described as the "private audit" that led Metsch to step down on Friday.

Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole and Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Morris) also asked Gov. Jon Corzine to immediately freeze supplemental appropriations to the hospital until officials at the institution give an accounting of how state money is being spent.

"(The audit) raises a lot of questions that need to be answered by those of us in state government," O'Toole told reporters at a Statehouse news conference.

"Certainly the fact that the CEO disappeared from the scene immediately following the presentation of the audit raises red flags," said Merkt.

Marcus, reacting to the comments, called the legislators' remarks completely "irresponsible," saying the hospital has already entered into a consent agreement with the state about how the supplemental appropriation is being spent. He said the agreement was signed on Aug. 18.

"In their rush to make political hay, they are wrong, flat-out wrong," Marcus said. "They either didn't do their homework, or are just wrong or dumb."

Gretchen Michael, a spokeswoman for State Health Commissioner Fred Jacobs, confirmed that an agreement was signed.

"Yes, there was a settlement agreement with LibertyHealth and it was tied to $38.1 million, $25 million of which was contained in a state appropriation and $13 million of which was a federal Medicaid match," she said.

Jacobs, who attended last week's board meeting, made it clear that allowing the hospital to fail "is simply not an option." Michael noted the hospital sought the consultant's report at the urging of the commissioner.

Marcus said the hospital so far has paid WellSpring $3,000 to $4,000 for the work, which is not yet finished.

"Our total focus is on the delivery of health care and stabilizing our fiscal situation," Marcus said. "Quality of care has never been an issue." _LINK

Posted on: 2006/10/8 15:58
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Planning Board approves two more Downtown buildings: Second Street & Grand Street get green light
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Here is an article on even more stuff going up:
==========================

Planning Board approves two Downtown buildings
Grand Street, Second Street residential projects get green light

Ricardo Kaulessar -Hudson Reporter - 10/07/2006

Hudson Exchange

The Second Street project, known as "Hudson Exchange," will build the units on a 60-foot high parking deck with 6,000 square feet of retail space designated for a restaurant. There will also 275 parking spaces. There will be a marina and a walkway along the Hudson River.

Brian Fisher of Fisher Development, based in Jersey City, said at the meeting that he looked forward to starting construction.

"I like building in Jersey City and I have built here before," said Fisher. "And I want to get started as soon as possible."

The project is expected to break ground in spring 2007 with a two-year construction schedule. He said he could not give any cost figures for the project.

Grand and Marin part of Liberty Harbor North

The $75 million Grand Street and Marin Boulevard development will be a mixed-use complex that includes buildings of four stories, eight stories, and 12 stories. It is part of the $2 billion, 80-acre Liberty Harbor North redevelopment project on the waterfront.

When completed in the next five to 10 years, Liberty Harbor North will have more than 6,000 residential units, 775,000 square feet for retail, 175,000 square feet for school facilities, 1.1 million square feet for a hotel, and 4.6 million square feet for offices. It is been considered by some urban planning experts to be a "city within a city."

Longtime developer and attorney Peter Mocco and fellow developer Jeff Zak are overseeing the entire Liberty Harbor North project.

The Grove Street and Marin Boulevard section will have nearly 4,000 square feet of retail along with 353 parking spaces, a new lot, and street access for the project, which sits next to the Hudson County Boys and Girls Club on Grand Street.

Applied Housing of Hoboken is working on this particular project, along with veteran developer Jeff Persky. Joshua Wuestneck, vice president of development at Applied Housing, said the project has been four years in the making.

No name has been given for the complex at the present time. The project is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.

At Tuesday's meeting, Sottolano asked the developers to commit to a total of 353 parking spaces, which would require valet service, as opposed to the original proposal of 249 spaces without a valet.

At first representatives of the developer were opposed, but then changed their minds and agree to put in more parking.

'Real exciting building'

The Planning Board was unanimously complimentary about the Second Street project, particularly the sleek glass tower design of the building.

"This is a real exciting building," said Planning Board Commissioner Leon Yost.

Commissioner Phillip Matsikoudis commented, "Great professionalism, beautiful building."

However, Planning Board Commissioner Michael Sottolano, also a City Council member, brought up the issue of whether the building will block the views of New York City for other buildings located west, such as the recently opened 26-story Mandalay on the Hudson, also on Second Street.

But Jordan Gruzen, the architect for the project, said the building will be constructed in such a way as to not block much, if any, of the views from adjacent buildings.

Among the conditions the developers would have to adhere to as part of receiving approval is making a color map of the project showing where building cranes and other construction equipment will be placed and how streets will be blocked off.

According to Fisher, this is the third building his company is constructing that directly overlooks the waterfront, following in the steps of Liberty Towers and Liberty Terrace, both on Hudson Street.

Robert Antonicello, executive director for the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, was also at Tuesday's meeting. "This building, when completed along with the marina, will be one of the most desired locations in all of Northern New Jersey," said Antonicello.

Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com

Posted on: 2006/10/8 14:27
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Re: Liberty Harbor
Just can't stay away
Just can't stay away


I agree Alan, Liberty Marina is a gold mine - actually anything alongside the light rail especially near the Marina.

If I didn't have assets in Australia, I'd have a serious look at property or land south of Grand St from Paulus Hook right around that follows the light rail to Liberty Park Station (Light-rail). I think the Marina area is under-rated and once the Hotel is built between the Marina and the light rail station at Marin Blvd it will create another 'spike' in prices for the area.

I do understand the soil in those parts is toxic, but the way development is happening here (with all the cranes overhead) I would take the gamble so long as new 'toxic' proof piping was installed for water. People will always live anywhere if the conditions suit them.

This immediate area also has a relatively new hospital and primary school which has its benefits for investors and from what I see, these new buildings going up will be nothing like the highrise 'pigeon hole' apartments of Newport.
(I have little doubt that the developers will include a dog run for the area also)

Posted on: 2006/10/8 12:55
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Liberty Harbor
Just can't stay away
Just can't stay away


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/rea ... jzo.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Here's an interesting article about Liberty Harbor. IMEO, this is the project that will put Downtown on the map as a place to live. Interestingly, the article does not mention the fact that the light rail runs through the project and will make this development very accesible. Some of the brick row houses you can see along Grand look pretty interesting- the great grandchildren of the ones in the Historic Districts with some obvious non-relatives scattered around for variety. My recollection is that the main street will have apartments above shops - maybe this will become the retail drag many of us hope Newark Avenue will become. If Brooklyn gets AY and we get LH, both massive projects, I think we will have gotten the better deal.

Posted on: 2006/10/8 11:56
Yes,we have no bananas.
(Silver & Cohn, 1923)
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Re: Greenville's Rival Drug Gangs -- Mother Killed in Crossfire -- Cops Arrest Nine in Raids
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Home away from home


The Secret Service was established as a law enforcement agency in 1865. While most people associate the Secret Service with Presidential protection, our original mandate was to investigate the counterfeiting of U.S. currency--which we still do. Today our primary investigative mission is to safeguard the payment and financial systems of the United States. This has been historically accomplished through the enforcement of the counterfeiting statutes to preserve the integrity of United States currency, coin and financial obligations. Since 1984, our investigative responsibilities have expanded to include crimes that involve financial institution fraud, computer and telecommunications fraud, false identification documents, access device fraud, advance fee fraud, electronic funds transfers, and money laundering as it relates to our core violations.

Posted on: 2006/10/8 0:34
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Re: Greenville's Rival Drug Gangs -- Mother Killed in Crossfire -- Cops Arrest Nine in Raids
Just can't stay away
Just can't stay away


With the limited information given, I can speculate and suggest she might have been an informant.

Posted on: 2006/10/7 23:24
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Re: Greenville's Rival Drug Gangs -- Mother Killed in Crossfire -- Cops Arrest Nine in Raids
Home away from home
Home away from home


Quote:


He said the three were arrested by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office in coordination with Jersey City police, the U.S. Marshal Service and the Secret Service. He said he couldn't divulge why the Secret Service was involved.



Any ideas why the Secret Service would be involved in something like this?

Beats the Guardian Angels, that's for sure.

Posted on: 2006/10/7 23:19
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Re: Cars blowing through stops signs-Hamilton Park Area
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Home away from home


alls i know is, people had better learn what stop signs mean quickly so we can get this thing out of here. this big expensive reminder takes away one street parking space.

Posted on: 2006/10/7 16:09
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Re: Corzine says he wants the state's 9/11 memorial at Liberty State Park to go ahead as planned
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It's all about the money and how Corzine will look if he back pedals. Millions spent already. His handlers are thinking of what the press will write if he makes a stink about where this memorial is located - PERIOD. You can already read the headlines. "Corzine upsets 9/11 victims......"

Posted on: 2006/10/7 14:48
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Corzine says he wants the state's 9/11 memorial at Liberty State Park to go ahead as planned
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MEMORIAL CLASH
Gov says 9/11 monument will be built on LSP site

Saturday, October 07, 2006

By ALI WINSTON
Jersey JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Despite opposition from local lawmakers and residents, Gov. Jon Corzine says he wants the state's 9/11 memorial at Liberty State Park to go ahead as planned.

But the president of the volunteer Friends of Liberty State Park said he would file a lawsuit to prevent the construction of "Empty Sky" as planned.

Corzine, who met Wednesday with Hudson County lawmakers to discuss the controversial project, declared he wholeheartedly supports "Empty Sky" as it was drawn up.

The memorial will consist of two 30-foot high, 200-foot long stainless steel walls inscribed with the names of more than 700 state residents killed in the terrorist attacks. The memorial would sit on a 10-foot high hill on the park's waterfront next to the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey train terminal.

The proposed memorial has drawn opposition from the Friends of Liberty State Park and others who say it would block the spectacular views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and New York harbor.

Sam Pesin, president of Friends of Liberty State Park, called the memorial a "massive monstrosity" and said the governor was making a "colossal mistake" by supporting it despite the opposition of the park's users.

"This decision shows total disregard for the democratic process, Liberty State Park, and the people who use it," he said, adding his organization would file a lawsuit later this month to try to block the project from going forward.

"I thought that once he read about the sensible reasons for the opposition, he would realize how right it would be to relocate the memorial. I really am surprised and extremely disappointed," Pesin said. "This is like a slap in the face to the Statue of Liberty."

Assemblyman Lou Manzo, D-Jersey City, who has said he's in favor of a 9/11 memorial but in another location so as not to obscure the view, expressed disappointment with Corzine's endorsement.

The unobstructed views of where the Twin Towers once stood, Manzo said, would be the "most fitting way to remember the victims of Sept. 11." He suggested the memorial be placed alongside the park's Grove of Remembrance, also dedicated to the state's victims of 9/11, which is along the cobblestone road (Audrey Zapp Drive).

Manzo, Pesin and others also have complained about the lack of public input in the process. Though "orientation meetings" were held during the open submission stage of the memorial design in which 350 proposals were submitted, once the six final designs were chosen by a jury of 12 family members of 9/11 victims, there were no further public hearings until the final design was announced.

Elaine Makatura, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, which is overseeing the project, welcomed the governor's support.

"It's been five long years and we need to remember the residents of New Jersey who died on this tragic day," she said.

Asked whether enough public hearings were held to discuss the placement of the memorial, Makatura said she "didn't want to rehash old issues," but that "this has been an open process all along."

Posted on: 2006/10/7 12:38
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Journal Square: As buildings move up, memorial moves out
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As buildings move up, memorial moves out

Saturday, October 07, 2006

By EARL MORGAN
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Journal Square 9/11 memorial fountain memorial and the "Circle of Heroes" around it may have to make way for the proposed development of two high-rise buildings on the block once occupied by the Hotel-on-the-Square, Jersey City Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Bob Antonicello said.

Antonicello said the fountain, which has the names of Jersey City residents killed in the 9/11 attacks engraved on it, and the "Circle of Heroes" paving stones around the fountain, may have to be removed temporarily so construction workers can gain access to utility lines buried under the site.

"If the fountain has to be temporarily removed and stored it will be at the developer's expense," Antonicello said.

However, Lowell Harwood, the Journal Square businessman who was designated in March as the developer for the project, refused to comment as to where the fountain and paving stones will be located once the project is completed.

Harwood signed a contract to purchase the property in January from New York real estate investor Ralph Tawil Jr., who owed the city millions in fire and building code fines. The Hotel-on-the-Square, a burned-out hulk that had been an eyesore for years, has been demolished, as have several other buildings on the square.

Harwood's project will include high-rise apartments, with retail stores at street level and an underground parking garage. The development might also include a hotel next to the Journal Square Transportation Center, Harwood said.

The fountain, a kiosk and gazebo, were built on the square a decade ago, using funds from a $14 million federal grant the city received with the stipulation that the facilities constructed would be maintained in perpetuity as open space.

Harwood reportedly said he hopes to begin construction by January. According to Antonicello, construction could take between 18 and 24 months, and will likely cause a considerable disruption to pedestrian traffic.

Posted on: 2006/10/7 12:33
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Re: Greenville's Rival Drug Gangs -- Mother Killed in Crossfire -- Cops Arrest Nine in Raids
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3 men arrested in shooting

Saturday, October 07, 2006
By CRAIG GARRETSON
Jersey Journal - ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

Three Jersey City men have been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the shooting death of a 26-year-old mother outside a Martin Luther King Jr. Drive nightclub, authorities said yesterday.

Calvin Clark, 19, of Fulton Avenue; Lamont Martin, 25, of Clerk Street; and Dennis Reid, 31, of Randolph Avenue, were arrested yesterday and charged with murder, Hudson County First Assistant Prosecutor Guy Gregory said.

The men are accused of killing Adia Reid, 26, of Monticello Avenue, who was shot to death on the morning of Aug. 6. According to police, Reid and a girlfriend were trying to get into the club - then known as Rendezvous, now known as Penthouse - when two rival groups began shooting at each other. At least 25 shots were fired, police said.

Gregory said he didn't know if Adia Reid was related to Dennis Reid.

He refused to provide further information, citing an ongoing investigation. In addition, he said, those arrested yesterday "do not represent everyone who is under investigation."

He said the three were arrested by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office in coordination with Jersey City police, the U.S. Marshal Service and the Secret Service. He said he couldn't divulge why the Secret Service was involved.

Last month, nine people were arrested and drugs and guns were seized when police carried out raids they said were connected to the investigation into Adia Reid's death.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Prosecutor's Office at (201) 915-1345.

Posted on: 2006/10/7 12:27
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Re: Cars blowing through stops signs-Hamilton Park Area
Not too shy to talk
Not too shy to talk


There is now a speed monitoring sign from the police department at Coles and 8th Street...again, I guess this is a temporary fix to the problem.

Posted on: 2006/10/7 12:06
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Re: Embankment- Update Thread
Just can't stay away
Just can't stay away


Great idea, 4bailey. I've been to Lucca, but I never made the connection between the wall and our Embankment. Here are some pics courtesy of Google.

Resized Image

Resized Image Resized Image
Credits: http://www.mimno.org/images.php?subject=Lucca, Fotosearch.com, http://www.afn.org/~savanna/florence.htm

Posted on: 2006/10/6 16:39
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Re: Jersey's high cost of housing tops nation - Ownership eats up residents' incomes
Newbie
Newbie


to answer your questions, my property is assessed at next to nothing. it is 13x65 i think, so not a big footprint. But it has four usable floors and is a nice house, hardwood floors, yard etc..
we have been here for less than five years, but the house has been here according to maps since pre 1900. still has those gaslight fixtures in some rooms (not working of course).
don't know if or when they plan to reassess or how that will work. in DC that had a law that you can't increase property taxes by more than a certain percentage each year no matter what happens with assessments. Do they have anything like that here?

Posted on: 2006/10/6 15:10
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Re: Embankment- Update Thread
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I've always wondered what that raised area was - figured it was an old train way. The top picture isn't really plausible because there is a Bed, Bath, and Beyond at that far corner of Marin. It would be an expensive undertaking to bring the pathway down to street level at that point, in my humble opinion. I think the idea is great and I put my comments in on that survey. I have this odd love for trees ... Friends say I mention them and appreciate them more often than is normal .. Though I'm not a crazy who is going to hang around the PATH stations crying about it.

I hope this gets done, but ya know how it goes - $$$$$$$

-Mark

Posted on: 2006/10/6 14:54
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Re: Embankment- Update Thread
Home away from home
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I was just looking at the doctored photos of what the Embankment could look like and it finally ?clicked? where I?ve seen something like this before. DUH!...

Has anyone ever been to Lucca in the Tuscan region of Italy? Surrounding the city is a high medieval wall whose original purpose was defensive. Today, the top of the wall is a municipal park ? elevated and tree-lined. If you?re at the bottom, the wall is nothing great to look at, just old rocks and mortar ? but at the top, it?s absolutely magical.

I?m at work now and we have content filtering enabled, so I can?t browse for photos to illustrate what I?m talking about.

Two points that dawned on me from this:
1.) the concept of an elevated municipal park isn?t all that new at all.
2.) Something sort of ugly at the bottom can be made into a real jewel at the top.

I?ve always thought the Embankment Park was a good idea, but with Lucca as an example, it hit me that this thing has TONS of potential.

Posted on: 2006/10/6 12:29
"Dogs are our link to paradise." - Milan Kundera
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Re: Jersey's high cost of housing tops nation - Ownership eats up residents' incomes
Home away from home
Home away from home


Quote:

jcdowntownie wrote:
i'm in a single family house downtown and my taxes are less than 3,000 a year- i can't be the only one who pays what i think are pretty low taxes here. (not that the taxes i do pay are being put to the best use by our local govt.)
i know some people who bought newly built stuff around the corner and are paying like 15,000 a year- that seems insane.

What is your property assesed at? When did you take posession of the property or has it been in the same name for many years? How big is the lot? I don't get this. My next door neighbor has a single family for maybe 25 years and he pays around 5K. I have a 2 family with a non standard small lot and pay about 6.5K. I have a long time elderly tennant on sec 8 and would never consider raising her rent which is quite low. I don't know what this place is worth right now and don't really care since I have no intention of selling but if there is a reassesment and my taxes skyrocket, I am on the street.

Posted on: 2006/10/6 3:57
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Re: Jersey's high cost of housing tops nation - Ownership eats up residents' incomes
Home away from home
Home away from home


My understanding of it, based on previous posts, is that assessment doesn't change on turnover. That is, someone can buy an existing place and pay a lot less taxes than similar new construction (despite there being a new real market value to assess).

If someone's $10K place went to $300K they could easily get a home equity loan to pay the taxes forever or they could sell at a huge profit - in neither case would they "lose" their home. It seems that we have the current system because it doesn't make waves by annoying folks who underpay their taxes.

If existing houses have not been reassessed in 20 years, that puts a whole new perspective on real estate taxes here. I'm happy to be corrected and hopefully someone more informed can chime in...

Quote:

brewster wrote:
What's the right answer?

There are people around here who bought a town house in a drug infested area 25 years ago for $10k, who would be paying that yearly if they were accurately reassessed. But many couldn't afford that and would lose their homes.

Should the assessement only be changed on turnover, or continually using a computerized comp system like Zillow? Neither seems fair, so we end up with the sloppy system we have.

Posted on: 2006/10/6 2:42
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Re: Jersey's high cost of housing tops nation - Ownership eats up residents' incomes
Home away from home
Home away from home


What's the right answer?

There are people around here who bought a town house in a drug infested area 25 years ago for $10k, who would be paying that yearly if they were accurately reassessed. But many couldn't afford that and would lose their homes.

Should the assessement only be changed on turnover, or continually using a computerized comp system like Zillow? Neither seems fair, so we end up with the sloppy system we have.

Posted on: 2006/10/6 1:22
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Re: Jersey's high cost of housing tops nation - Ownership eats up residents' incomes
Home away from home
Home away from home


Most likely this will change the next time there is a reassessment. People who are paying way more for a similar place just because it is new construction (and therefore has a well defined market value and not one based on ancient history) will only put up with this for so long. Eventually either their pressure or a court decision will result in a reassessment and things will become fairer (to your detriment, I guess).

I heard that the last time JC did a reassessment was 20 years ago. Does anyone know for sure how long it's been?

Quote:

jcdowntownie wrote:
i'm in a single family house downtown and my taxes are less than 3,000 a year- i can't be the only one who pays what i think are pretty low taxes here. (not that the taxes i do pay are being put to the best use by our local govt.)
i know some people who bought newly built stuff around the corner and are paying like 15,000 a year- that seems insane.

Posted on: 2006/10/6 0:59
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Re: Epps check to school board member raises eyebrows
Just can't stay away
Just can't stay away


Write letters to the newspapers, and call or write your local Assemblyman and State Senator to continue to pressure Epps to resign from both his posts. The man is an embarrassment to Jersey City and to Democrats everywhere, and needs to be indicted on embezzlement and corruption charges asap.

Write to your state representatives here. Remember, JC is split into 3 legislative districts (31, 32, 33) with different assemblymen and senators for each.

Posted on: 2006/10/5 19:41

Edited by MCA on 2006/10/5 19:58:03
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Re: GOP, and some Dems, put heat on Epps -- Calls for his resignation
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More great news from Charlie.

Hell, at this point I think MIKE Epps would be better in this position.

Posted on: 2006/10/5 19:22
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GOP, and some Dems, put heat on Epps -- Calls for his resignation
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GOP, and some Dems, put heat on Epps
Calls for his resignation
Thursday, October 05, 2006
By JARRETT RENSHAW
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City School Superintendent Charles T. Epps Jr.'s questionable campaign contribution to a school board member, and the continuing controversy over his dual role as a state assemblyman, has drawn the attention of Republicans.

"I am not surprised that a man who used taxpayer dollars to travel to London, ride in a limousine and eat expensive dinners would find nothing wrong with writing a campaign check to someone who evaluates his job performance," said Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, R-Morris County.

"Assemblyman Epps should have never been permitted to continue serving as both superintendent in a state-run school district and legislator at the same time," she said in a press release labeling Epps as the poster child for the Republican argument against dual office-holding.

In the light of Republican complaints, some Democrats - including Union City Mayor and Assemblyman Brian Stack - are advising him to give up his Assembly seat.

"I think Charlie Epps, who I like a lot, would serve the children of Jersey City better if he just dedicated his energy to the school district, especially with the problems," Stack said.

Assemblywoman Joan Quigley said she supports Epps continuing to serve in both roles as "long as he does both effectively."

Assemblyman Lou Manzo said: "It's been a strain on (Epps) considering the type of job he has and it's a school district that needs a lot of attention. It's a decision that Charlie needs to make in the next couple months."

State Sens. Joseph Doria, Bernard Kenny and Nick Sacco would not comment on the issue, and Assemblyman Albio Sires could not be reached for comment.

The comments come on the heels of a Jersey Journal article that detailed a $750 contribution Epps made from his legislative war chest to Jeff Dublin's campaign fund in May. Epps has refused to comment on the donation - or on any matter - but Dublin said it did not affect his objectivity in evaluating Epps.

Dublin and other board members must submit evaluations of Epps on an annual basis and forward them to the state commissioner of Education, who uses them to help determine whether or not Epps has met certain benchmarks and to set the level of his salary increase.

The state Department of Education called the donation "inappropriate," but said there is no law barring it. A spokesman for the acting state Education Commissioner, Lucille Davy, said it would be inappropriate for her to comment about Epps's performance as the appointed superintendent of the state-run district.

The state Department of Education is considering new restrictions on hiring and campaign contributions in Abbott Districts, but the Education Law Center, which spearheaded the Abbott legal battle, wants the state to go further and add restrictions on "high-level" administrators from holding elected office.

"The fundamental reason is to ensure that these school districts, given the mandates that they are upon to run effectively, efficiently and to improve school achievement, it's important that they dedicate 100 percent of their attention to education and are not distracted in any way by holding other positions," said David Sciarra of the Education Law Center.

Posted on: 2006/10/5 19:13
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Re: Downtown Jersey City Watch-Updates Thread
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This was relayed from Harsimus Cove Assn, originating from East District Commander Captain McDonough & PO Dina Reilly:

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND PASS ALONG TO ALL.

The JCPD, East District, has received two complaints
stating that on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, in the
area of Third St. between Coles and Monmouth, an
unknown male was ringing doorbells and asking if
occupant (without stating name) was home, did not
provide further information, and appeared suspicious
in his manner.

In report #1 the unknown male is described as follows;
slighty heavyset, with short blonde hair and was
wearing a gray jacket, brown colored jeans and a large
gold chain with a cross around his neck.

In report #2 the unknown male is described as follows;
light skinned with a pinkish face, blondish short
hair, thin build, 5'7" - 5'8", wearing a light brown
plaid jacket, brown shirt and light khaki pants.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO AND ADVISE ALL TO REPORT ALL
SUSPICOUS PERSON(S). Please do not give out
information to unknown individuals regarding yourself
or your neighbors. And, as always DO NOT allow anyone
you do not know or anyone you have not scheduled to
come into your home.

If anyone has further information please contact the
JCPD at 201-547-5477.

Regards.

P.O. Dina Reilly

Posted on: 2006/10/5 17:15
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Re: Downtown Jersey City Watch-Updates Thread
Home away from home
Home away from home


Dear Neighbors,

A reminder that the next meeting of the Downtown Jersey City Watch is scheduled for Monday, October 9th, 7PM at Grace Church (39 Erie Street). Please send any incidents or items you wish to discuss to this address before then. Here is the agenda for that meeting and upcoming events. Look forward to seeing you on the 9th.

-Jennifer K
Downtown Jersey City Watch Member
"We watch out for each other."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Downtown Jersey City Watch

AGENDA for Monday, October 9th 2006

7:00-7:20

Featured Guest Speaker: Frank Rizzo from ADT Home Security

7:20-7:40

Community Relations & Activities

- update from 9/21 patrol in Bergen Lafayette/Greenville

- tentative city-wide Blockwatch on Monday, 10/30

7:40-7:45

Five minute recess for Q & A, updates to incidents


7:45-8:15

Harsimus/Van Vorst Police Report


8:15-8:45

Any other business


CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS


NEXT MEETING

Monday, November 13th, 2006 @ 7pm

Grace Church (enter from 2nd street through main red doors NOT through Erie St red doors!)

--
This email was brought to you by the Downtown Jersey City Watch ( downtownjcwatch@gmail.com). "We watch out for each other."

Please send in any information about suspicious events or crimes to this address.

Posted on: 2006/10/5 17:11
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Re: Ode to Parkman
Home away from home
Home away from home


Quote:

4bailey wrote:
Ode? nah! Not my style ? now, if it?s a ?Friar?s Roast? , I?m there.

Here?s my parkman?s "greatest hit":

Quote:
parkman wrote:
?When I lived in Manhattan, I planted my front yard and had so many plants stolen that I even put chains on the replacements and planted poison ivy, hoping to at least make the thief very uncomfortable. I finally set up a video camera that caught a homeless man stealing the plants and selling them on the corner?


Surveillance cameras!! Deliberately planting poison ivy!!...

You?re on-the-edge and one crazy @ss cracker,? but that level of commitment is what we dig about you!

I know we?re going to continue to disagree on all kinds of things, but I appreciate the dedication.

All the best,
another crazy @ss cracker
4bailey,
I don?t mind you classifying me, as ?one crazy @ss cracker, but let?s not take my comment out of context.
Below is what I said.

?I finally set up a video camera that caught a homeless man stealing the plants and selling them on the corner. All I could get myself to do was to threaten him with arrest if it happened again; fortunately it did not. ?

Posted on: 2006/10/5 3:27
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Re: Ode to Parkman
Home away from home
Home away from home


Parkman is going to be in... Hamilton Park on Saturday for FoHP's garden cleanup/planting which I have yet to put on Dan Falcon's event calendar. Come by and say hello to Parkman yourself. He likes to chat.

But I have plans for Parkman... I'm going to hand him a shovel and put him to work in the gardens. Did I tell you he likes to chat?

Posted on: 2006/10/5 3:16
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Re: Ode to Parkman
Home away from home
Home away from home


Ode? nah! Not my style ? now, if it?s a ?Friar?s Roast? , I?m there.

Here?s my parkman?s "greatest hit":

Quote:
parkman wrote:
?When I lived in Manhattan, I planted my front yard and had so many plants stolen that I even put chains on the replacements and planted poison ivy, hoping to at least make the thief very uncomfortable. I finally set up a video camera that caught a homeless man stealing the plants and selling them on the corner?


Surveillance cameras!! Deliberately planting poison ivy!!...

You?re on-the-edge and one crazy @ss cracker,? but that level of commitment is what we dig about you!

I know we?re going to continue to disagree on all kinds of things, but I appreciate the dedication.

All the best,
another crazy @ss cracker

Posted on: 2006/10/5 3:10
"Dogs are our link to paradise." - Milan Kundera
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Re: Ode to Parkman
Home away from home
Home away from home


Quote:

rory_bellows wrote:
Parkman, I'm appreciative of the work you've done for the dog run. I feel like I missed something though (maybe since I was on vacation for a while). Last I heard the dog run construction was going to begin in August (as per the sign in the park), and then early Fall. Now it's not going to start at all? Why was the public told that contstruction would begin if plans weren't final?

How much money is needed to make this happen? Has there been any sort of drive to pull the money together? I know there are a ton of dog owners in the neighborhood, myself included, who would be happy to chip in some cash to make this a reality.

Welcome back from vacation.
Please see the thread; ?VVP Dog Run Begins, now it?s up to the community?.
The dates given were in good faith. The delay was a result of last minute City politics, which have since been resolved. The initial construction has started, with the removal of a number of trees. If all goes as planned, excavation will begin next Tuesday.
Again, please see the above thread to donate.
Thank you.

Posted on: 2006/10/5 2:58
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