|
Re: HPNA neglects to hold Nominations for Elections
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
 
|
I am not clear as to what the criticism has become.
1) HPNA is criticized because new members do not immediately have voting rights that day/meeting? It would seem prudent to some kind of waiting period even if only one month. We cannot show up on Election Day to register and vote the same day. If permitted this would allow packing a meeting on a particular issue and overide the "real" membership. 2) HPNA is criticized for wanting officers; Pres., VP etc to have previously served as a Trustee/Board Member and met attendence requirements. This sounds reasonable, provides for continuity, board development, knowledge of both the issues and what is truley involved with the position of responsibility. The best I can conclude is that HPNA delayed elections to January to implement these changes, rather than do so earlier in the year, the changes were not on a published agenda of some type and newsletters are not always delivered to all. There are also complaints that meetings run long and the list of topics is also lenghty. Is this a gripe that there is alot to deal with or does this reflect the importance or relavence of these types of organizations. Has the HPNA published a full agenda in advance of general meetings in the past or just hightlights or guests? While not a member, I receive the HPNA monthly newletter by e-mail. Hand delivering of newletters to all of the residents of the area every month is a large task for a changing cast of volunteers. Even people who agree to help out with deliveries can "forget" or just not do it. Do the HPNA critics regulary volunteer to distribute newsletters? I do agree that major or controversial issues and votes should be announced in advance. So work on this issue. How does the "competing" Friends of Hamilton Park grant voting rights to members and nominate/elect officers? For what it is worth, when I contributed to the HPNA fund to replace the fence, I made my check payable to HPNA. However, when I looked at the FofHP website - www.friendsofhp.com - I see that contributions are requested made payable to "Cash". For that matter why is a supposed community group a dot com etc. I have been an advocate for strong neighborhood associations and hope that the "critics" will participate in the process as the means to have HPNA become more like what they may want. All that is involved is attending monthly meetings, volunteering some time, offering to join the board (if so inclined) - participate.
Posted on: 2005/12/10 15:46
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Mrs. Maria Skupien................
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
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.
Posted on: 2005/12/10 15:06
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Mrs. Maria Skupien................
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quite a regular
 
|
My condolences to you all. She sounds like she was a great lady, the kind of person who makes your day better and this city brighter.
I think everyone should write to Councilmen Lipsky, Fulop, the county executive and the Mayor about this street. (Newark Ave.) It's not acceptable in a city this size to let this go unaddressed. There are NO places to cross this street(Newark Avenue) safely between Palisades Ave. and about 4th or 5th Street downtown. There is a crosswalk under the turnpike with a sign that is IGNORED by drivers. Please contact your elected officials and ask something be done about this.
Posted on: 2005/12/10 14:48
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Mrs. Maria Skupien................
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
This is an absolute shock. I lived in Mrs. Skupian's building for about two years, so I know very well what a kind soul and sweet lady she truly was. I will never pass that corner again without thinking of her outside sweeping the sidewalk, tending to her beautiful garden and keeping a watchful eye on the neighborhood. The fact that it happened so suddenly and in such a senseless way is what shocks me the most. I add my heartfelt condolences to her entire family.
She will be missed by all who knew her. God bless.
Posted on: 2005/12/10 6:26
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Mrs. Maria Skupien................
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
I am so sorry to hear this, my deepest condolences to the family.
Newark Avenue is a dangerous place to cross. There are so many intersectiing streets where motorists can make sharp turns out of nowhere. Crossing north to south or vice versa is also generally a risk. There are far too many accidents waiting to happen on that street. Joshua
Posted on: 2005/12/10 1:49
|
|||
|
||||
|
Mrs. Maria Skupien................
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Newbie
 
|
We?ve learned of some very sad news.... Mrs. Maria Skupien was killed while crossing Newark ave.
News report from the Jersey Journal For those who knew her, will share our shock and sadness for those who did not, she was one of those very special ladies that made Hamilton Park a very unique place to live. She was the woman who lived on the corner of West Hamilton Place and Pavonia who had that amazing garden; she had become a single mom with 11 children and raised them with love and an iron fist. Every day for 12 years like clock work, I?d walk my dog and she would be outside tending to her property. She greeted me for 12 years with a cheerful good morning and for 12 years I would say ?good morning Mrs. Skupien? Never calling her by her first name (it was a respect thing) she was such a cheerful lady and it was always wonderful to start the day being greeted by such a kind soul . She was from Poland (just like my Grandma who passed away years ago) and her perogies were just like my Grandma?s and always gave us care packages. Sundays at the Skupiens looked liked a scene from a movie all the kids, and grandkids eating dinner at mom?s house. That corner had so much life and love pouring out of that house. She embraced all of us young silly newbie?s and welcomed us with open arms, She comforted all of us when P.O. Infantes was taken off life support, she comforted all of us during those dark days of Sep 11th. When my dad passed suddenly she came to my home and kissed me on the forehead and held me like I was one of her own children, it was a comfort during one of my saddest moments in my life, for many of us who moved to HP came from outside Hudson County and she was our surrogate, mom, grandma, and one of the reasons why Hamilton Park was not just where I lived but my home. I will miss her terribly and my prayers are with her family.
Posted on: 2005/12/9 23:20
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
Quote:
Were the lawyers that medfever555 referred to the two HPNA board members (lawyers) that craftily changed the bylaws to protect HPNA from the alleged ?carpet baggers?? Regardless of what he/she meant, at the last HPNA meeting on 12/7/05 there were 15 eligible voters present at mid meeting. HPNA total membership is about 45, and half to a third of those members (includes the HPNA trustees and officers) actually participate during the year, so 15 or 20 people ARE the HPNA. There are over a thousand people in the HP neighborhood eligible to join the association. Since the bylaws were changed they (the HPNA which for all practical purposes is the board) have the ability to put into office whomever they choose. Don?t expect people with independent views to be elected to trustee position, and certainly not to officer positions.
Posted on: 2005/12/9 17:38
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Not too shy to talk
 
|
Quote:
Thank you Kermit. I thought I was the only one who found Bright Moment's graphics irritating, and provide neither value nor humor.
Posted on: 2005/12/9 16:51
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Just can't stay away
|
Quote:
Yeah I couldn't figure that out either.
Posted on: 2005/12/9 16:07
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quite a regular
|
medfever555:
Since you're obviously thinking of something specific, would you mind being specific? If you're going to call people hypocrites for supporting one thing while opposing another (without, by the way, identifying any particular person who supports one while opposing the other), you should spend a few words showing how those positions are inconsistent. I can't even tell which side is pissing you off. And Bright Moments: would you mind doing a little less of that? It makes the threads harder to follow and rarely adds anything.
Posted on: 2005/12/9 15:47
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Newbie
|
What hypocrites! When these "backroom" deals were supposedly carried our by Fulop & company during the ROZ ordinance fight certain people on this list were very vocally opposed and even wrote letters to the media. When the same techniques are used in a neighboorhood association powerplay all i hear is silence or lame platitudes....
you all got what you deserved; once the lawyers got involved the party was over. can't wait for this spring's fight over what to plant in "hamilton park gardens!"
Posted on: 2005/12/9 7:17
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
Quote:
Well, here's what that statement of the HPNA deeming anyone "unworthy", is really about:   
Posted on: 2005/12/9 0:32
|
|||
 Help US Sue Spectra! Join OR Donate! |
||||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quite a regular
|
What do you mean "deemed them unworthy"? They run afowl of the sparkling new requirements?
Posted on: 2005/12/8 19:06
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
Dan,
I guess we in HP are just not true believers in the Historic Purity Ideal. When the Silverman Bros presented us with their first designs for the St Frances site which were explicitly designed NOT to look faux victorian, in accordance with your philosophy, the concensus of the HPNA attendees was we preferred a faked historic look. The next design they brought http://jclist.com/modules/newbb/viewt ... 0&forum=11#forumpost36839, combining elements of classic prewar apartments buildings with mansard roofs and other period features, elicited general praise from the crowd. Basically, it seems we would rather things fit in than be authentic. We would prefer a inauthentic period fence to a rusty chain link one, or even a pristine but modern looking one. It's the latter that would have visitors to our neighborhood saying "what were they thinking?!!" Your attitude reminds me of the people admonished on Antiques Roadshow for having reupholstered the shredded covering on an 18th century chair. It may have been more valuable intact but they loved it and wanted to live with it in their dining room, as we want to live in our historic neighborhood, rather than just relish the "Historically Pure" elements. Quote:
Posted on: 2005/12/8 17:52
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Does the HPNA represent the community?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
At last nights HPNA meeting:
The NID were not on the newsletter and Q&A took up a huge chunk of time. Steve Fulop gave us an update. Brunswick & Ninth LLC developers showed their project plans and again, Q&A ran very long. For the third time, Home Depot was back on the agenda. The HPNA felt it was a better use of our time to have the Home Depot representatives present at the Nov. meeting, and hold off voting until the Dec. meeting. Another huge chunk of time was spent rehashing it again and after more fear and scare tactics, some 14 people (including themselves) were against the retail giant. No time to discuss Historic Preservation. With 7 minutes left and before the security guard kicked us out at 10 pm? nominations were crammed in. I nominated a long time member for President and another community group leader for Vice President. They both accepted their nominations. Then the HPNA president denied them the opportunity to run for officers. The HPNA deemed them unworthy! Perhaps we should take up a collection and send SamS to a Dale Carnegie class in meeting management. It was embarrassing.
Posted on: 2005/12/8 16:10
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Taqueria
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Newbie
|
My girlfriend and I the chicken enchiladas rojas and a fish taco last night. both were absolutely fantastic and I'll be back at Taqueria very soon. delicious mole
Posted on: 2005/12/8 15:12
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
The example sited hightlights the education and communication problems.
Using a period fence is not appropriate (especially in this instance) and blurs history. This building is adjacent to 5 or 6 other homes with the exact same original fence and across the street from 6 more homes with the same original fence. A period, but not original design fence would compromise the historic integrity of the block. This becomes the Disney version of history. However, the homeowner is not forced to spend money to replicate the original fence, he can replace the chain link fence with something that is contempory, but clearly delineates that it was not the original fence. At the point that I heard the example cited in Brewster's post, the homeowner had not taken any application to the Historic Commission and had only seeked or explored a Certificate of No Effect from the Historic Preservation Officer. The regulations are part of zoning and property owners both within and outside historic districts are subject to zoning regulations and restrictions. Quote:
Posted on: 2005/12/8 13:49
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
While I don't have a dog in this fight, as I live some 40 feet outside the district, I have heard some of the arguments and much of it sounds reasonable. On the other hand what sounds unreasonable is being told the only way to replace an ugly rusting chain link fence is to convince your neighbor to "loan" you a section of his fragile old cast iron fence and spend $40k having a custom mold and fence sections cast from it , when perfectly attractive period looking iron fence can be had at a fraction of that price. But the commission said since an old photograph exists showing that pattern fence, that was what he had to do. There were lots more crazy stories, but that one I remembered clearly for being over the top.
Here's an excerpt from a recent document from the HPNA committee, it's hardly a repeal of the historic zone, despite the hearsay. I will say that in my opinion Warren and colleagues should have raised some more public support from other districts before presenting their case. Excerpt from HPNA Historic Preservation FACT Sheet: What has HPNA recommended? Based on the past year of review and meetings, the HPNA provided the following recommended changes to the Historic Commission: ? Historic Paint Colors HPNA recommended that homeowners be allowed to choose paint colors from historic color charts as opposed to having the color dictated by the HPO. ? Routine Maintenance and Repair HPNA recommended that historic review not be required for projects that meet the definition of routine maintenance and repair. Since maintenance and repair projects do not alter historic features, such projects have no historic effect and should be allowed to proceed without historic review. ? Existing Conditions HPNA recommended that homeowners be allowed to repair and maintain existing conditions that are not historic. Homeowners should not be required to correct existing conditions in order to obtain a Certificate of No Effect. Allowing these conditions to continue does not have historic impact. ? Missing Historic Features The Design Standard currently allows existing exterior features to be replaced with a "style and finish of the period." Yet, the standard for missing features requires the "accurate duplication of features." HPNA recommended that the design standard be modified to allow the replacement of missing features with a style and finish of the period instead of accurate duplications. ? Financial Incentives HPNA recommended that the City provide financial assistance and incentives for restoration efforts. Many historic ordinances have provisions to freeze property taxes, and provide low-interest loans or grants for homeowners who undertake costly restoration projects. What are the benefits of these changes? The proposed changes would strengthen historic preservation in Jersey City by: o Addressing and correcting homeowner confusion and frustration; o Expediting the maintenance and repair of historic properties; o Reducing the cost of replacing missing architectural features; and o Encouraging restoration through financial incentives including tax abatements, low-interest loans, and grants.
Posted on: 2005/12/8 4:18
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
Quote:
.... Laughing out loud. Do you REALLY think Mr. Curtin did not know he was moving into a historic district? Please. That is just not credible. But, I agree with you. The regs should not be changed. All of this nonsense is just part of a long running feud between Curtin and "you know who" in Historic Preservation. Steve Fulop, and the other neighborhood associations rightly reject this attempt at putting lipstick on a pig. --Warren -- time to move on buddy. Live and let live. Reconciliation in this holiday season. But Nooooo, you just gotta twist the knife in again, huh? Way to go bucko! -M
Posted on: 2005/12/7 23:17
|
|||
|
I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.
W. C. Fields |
||||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
I say nay to changes in the ordinance!
While I have not seen the final proposed changes, I have seen an earlier draft, observed an HPNA meeting on this subject, heard many of the HP complaints and heard many of the arguements including a few conversations with Mr. Curtin. The problems appear to me to be education (lack of understanding requirements/procedures) and people (communication) related and not with the ordinance. Unfortunately, many people do not "discover" that they live in a historic district and its requirements until they begin to do some exterior work. There is no information on the municipal website, there is insufficient municipal staffing and a general lack of understanding. Some ideas- 1) Require that realtors disclose that a property is in a historic district in its listing. 2) Require the designation is on municipal tax bills. 3) Require an annual seminar or town meeting on historic district requirements and responsibilities (this could be done by DCNA or a neighborhood association). The Historic Preservation Officer has been a guest at HCA meetings to describe the process and answer questions; there were no complaints from members or residents. 4) The City Planning Department needs more staffing. I believe that it was reported that the Historic Preservation Officer heard in excess of 300 application in 2004, no wonder some have complained he can be hard to reach. Yes, we can grumble about additional time, effort and cost involved, but as Council President Vega explained during the Warehouse Historic Designation votes, the highest per square foot prices in the city are not on the waterfront, but in the historic districts. The ordinance also protects you from your neighbor doing something that could compromise your property, block or district. Lets not change or weaken what has worked, but improve the process to work with the existing ordinance. Daniel Levin 3rd St.
Posted on: 2005/12/7 23:12
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
My apologies. Steve was in fact correct. According to the letter, 3 association presidents (VVP, HC and PH) killed the proposed changes, and VVP Pres. Bill Donohue "claimed that a vote by Van Vorst Park Association rejected the attached changes."
I just re-read the letter and noted that Warren is urging the recipients to pass it on to friends and neighbors, so I am posting his letter here, hopefully without any objection from him. The proposed edits were also attached to the email I received, however, this is a 21-page .pdf file and I don't think it would be appropriate to post that here. If anyone else wishes to see the proposal, I recommend that you contact Warren directly at wacurtin@aol.com. On a side note, I, too, agree with Warren's proposed edits to the Ordinance. Could someone from the VVP association confirm that there was in fact a vote on this proposal? I live in VVP and do not remember seeing any meeting announcements with this particular item on the agenda. Quote:
Posted on: 2005/12/7 20:59
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
Steve is correct. Van Vorst, Harsimus Cove and Paulus Hook association presidents were ALL against changes to the ordinance. While I could understand them not agreeing to all of the proposed changes, the fact is that they didn't agree to any of them. Nadda.
Having been through the "black headache" experience, I find it terribly hard to believe that only residents in Hamilton Park were having problems, and meanwhile, residents in other downtown neighborhoods were "praising the system". I suppose there is only one way to find out if residents in the other neighborhoods had any problems...... to ask! I agree with Curtin... the guidelines are nebulous. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?ne ... =461&dept_id=523586&rfi=6
Posted on: 2005/12/7 19:52
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quite a regular
|
Wait a second. jc_insomniac references the letter saying only VVP dissented, and Steven Fulop (who was at this meeting) says everyone dissented EXCEPT HPNA and FofHP. Which was it? Am I missing something?
Posted on: 2005/12/7 18:42
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Just can't stay away
|
 You guys got a problem with Warren tryin' to regulate?
Posted on: 2005/12/7 18:08
|
|||
|
"Contemplate this upon the Tree of Woe."
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: Taqueria
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
Picked up 6 pork tacos last night for a quick dinner. I think they may even have increased the portions of the taco filling. With 3 tacos each, the hubby and I were very satisfied.
Posted on: 2005/12/7 15:33
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Just can't stay away
|
Thank you for your quick and succinct reply to my question.
Posted on: 2005/12/7 14:39
|
|||
|
Yes,we have no bananas.
(Silver & Cohn, 1923) 
|
||||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Just can't stay away
|
Unfortunately, I have not been privileged to the letter as of yet but I have been told the gist of it. I can anticipate where this conversation may head without all the background so in the interest of avoiding this issue being spun I would like to clarify where we are up to this point.
Warren Curtin and some on the HPNA board have had a difficult time with the parameters set by the ordinances that govern historic districts. At the time this was brought to my attention, I said that I was not averse to changing the ordinance if it was something that was supported by all the historic communities downtown (I thought a fairly reasonable approach as they would be impacted the most). Subsequently, I set up a meeting in city hall that included me, the Presidents of Harsimus Cove, Van Vorst, Paulus Hook, Hamilton Park, FofHP, and three members of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) - Yost, Gucciardo, Russell. The end result was that the HPC, and each of the community group presidents with the exception of Hamilton Park and FofHP were adamantly opposed to changing the ordinances as suggested. The rationale to this decision is that the ordinances have been crucial in creating the fabric of the community downtown. It was pointed out with pictures of developments downtown (including one on the western side of Paulus Hook) that were built during the Cucci administration when he loosened the Historic Preservation Ordinances. These are tangible strong examples of the development risk that has happened in the past when these ordinances were loosened. All agreed that while we are certain that the individuals who support the changes to the ordinance at the aforementioned meeting have Jersey City?s best interest at heart and would develop their properties consistent with a historic district, by changing the ordinance loop holes would be opened for developers who don?t care about the best interest of Jersey City. There is clearly a risk and history to show this as a possibility. Hope that is helpful as background Steven Fulop Councilman Ward E
Posted on: 2005/12/7 14:13
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: Taqueria
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Newbie
|
Dropped in for some tacos yesterday. Great, fresh, flavorful. Friendly staff. Plan on going for Sunday brunch (10 - 2). I'm very happy to have them on Grove.
And long live the taco truck...Good Food!
Posted on: 2005/12/7 11:32
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
I know a lot about it, because I was at that meeting. Of course, the HPNA fail to mention that part.
I saw the newsletter, but I didn't receive the attached letter from Warren. Can somebody post it here! I also noticed that at the wee bottom of the newsletter, that it mentions a dirty little thing called NOMINATIONS! 
Posted on: 2005/12/7 2:15
|
|||
|
||||
|
Re: What's this letter from Warren G. Curtin about?
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home away from home
|
I received this letter as well. It's about the ongoing dispute between downtown homeowners and the historic preservation.
The letter didn't really provide details on that vote that took place, and the reason(s) why, of all the neighborhood associations, only VVP voted against the proposed amendments to the ordinance. If anyone is interested in seeing the letter, PM me.
Posted on: 2005/12/7 0:16
|
|||
|
||||