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Re: HEALY MUST RESIGN
#31
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Quite a regular


http://onejerseycity.org/?p=690


Press Release - NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2009

NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE

Jersey City, NJ ? In the recent municipal elections One Jersey City and its group of candidates ran under a banner of reform, determined to bring transparency and accountability to the political process in Jersey City.

Now, in the wake of the massive corruption scandals that have undermined voter trust, this reform is needed more than ever. One Jersey City and former mayoral candidate Dan Levin are calling for immediate action to restore public confidence in our city government.

Given Mayor Jerramiah Healy?s confirmation that he is indeed the ?JC Official 4? cited in FBI criminal complaints, we call for his immediate resignation, as well as that of Council President Mariano Vega. The implication that both men have engaged in activities that compromise their ethical responsibilities to their constituents warrants their immediate removal from office.

We also call for the resignation of Councilwoman Nidia Lopez. She has committed tax fraud in the state of Florida and has not proved that Jersey City is her permanent residence. She has demonstrated a lack of the judgment and transparency needed in a political leader and, to restore public confidence in the office, she should step down.

To end the already pervasive damage that these charges have had on Jersey City, and to begin to restore public trust in our officials, One Jersey City calls for the following immediate actions:

* Adoption of the Redevelopment Pay to Play Reform ordinance written by Civic JC

* Application of the State of New Jersey?s Ethics Code in Jersey City

* The halting of all permits and approvals for new construction, development, and redevelopment until proper safeguards are in place

* The resignation of Mayor Healy, Councilman Vega, and Councilwoman Lopez

* The selection of interim mayoral and council replacement appointees from outside the existing political system

Levin said: ?Quickly implementing this punch list of reforms will help to restore the public?s confidence in the decisions made by our city government and the belief that our elected and appointed officials serve the public interest, not special interests.?

Posted on: 2010/2/2 14:40
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Re: Property taxes likely to go up again.... a lot!
#32
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Quite a regular


City Budget and Audit documents can be found here -

http://www.cityofjerseycity.com/pub-info.aspx?id=2430

Posted on: 2010/2/2 14:36
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Re: Audit urges major changes in Jersey City development deals
#33
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from One Jersey City -

Addressing Multiple Public Jobs and Other Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest obviously exist here in Jersey City when most Municipal Council members hold full-time county or other publicly-funded jobs. The best way to address such conflicts is to apply the state ethics code ? New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law ? to our local Jersey City Ethical Standards code.

Governor Jon Corzine recently issued an executive order to appoint a task force to recommend whether the New Jersey Local Government Ethics Law should be amended to conform with the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law, and whether enforcement responsibility should be shifted from the Local Finance Board in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to another entity focused solely on government ethics. The task force would also consider how to implement a training and compliance program for local ethics.

The Governor?s Ethics Reform Package includes much needed reforms that must be approved by legislation. Two specific restrictions are critical to improving Jersey City government practices and keeping the extraordinary powers of redevelopment law free from undue influence of contributors to campaigns and political organizations. These would:

* Ban contributions by county and local redevelopers and their consultants (modeled on a state-level ban to be established by Executive Order)
* Ban contributions by developers seeking development approvals

The citizens of Jersey City deserve these reforms. Restoring voter confidence in local government ? by eliminating the potentially corrupting influence of redeveloper dollars ? is critical to the health of our city and our democracy.

November 11th, 2008 | Category: Ethics Reform

http://onejerseycity.org/?p=105

Posted on: 2009/12/15 18:52
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Upholding the Integrity of the Ward C Election
#34
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Quite a regular


Upholding the Integrity of the Ward C Election

By Norrice Raymaker ? Dec 3rd, 2009

The day after the trial ended in Raymaker v. Lopez, Benjamin Lopez was quoted in the press as asking ?What right does someone who lost at the election box have to challenge this election??

I think that?s a great question, Mr. Lopez ? and here?s my answer:

I joined Jimmy King?s lawsuit because someone had to uphold the integrity of the Ward C election. We live in America. We can?t allow counterfeit candidates to hold office. We have to defend our right to authentic representation. As a candidate for the Ward C seat, I was in a unique position to stand up for the voters and for these democratic values ? that?s why I kept the suit going.

I joined the lawsuit because it was important to learn who Nidia Lopez really is and where she really lives. Whether we win or lose the lawsuit, now the people know. We know she never used the name ?Nidia Lopez? until January, 2009 when she decided to run for office. Up until then, she went by ?Nidia Boehringer.? As Nidia Boehringer she claimed Florida as her permanent residence in order to get a homestead rebate on Florida property taxes. As Nidia Boehringer she filed her taxes using her Florida address and consequently avoided paying any New Jersey state income tax for years. As Nidia Boehringer she held a Florida drivers? license, which she renewed in 2006 and which enabled her to pay Florida auto insurance rates (much lower than New Jersey?s) until June 2009. And then she changed her license after the election to get a city-paid car ? you know ? the one we taxpayers are footing the
bill for.

We know the woman who claims to be ?a 30 year successful New Jersey business woman? allowed her certificate of incorporation to lapse in 1995 in this state and never paid New Jersey income tax for her business in all the years since then. We know in 2003 she voted in Florida as Nidia Boehringer only a few months after voting in New Jersey as Nidia Rivera. We know she sues people when she slips on French fries and falls down in high heels. We also know her current husband is a former business administrator for Jersey City and the director of Family Services for Hudson County, positions which require financial acumen. But we also know that Mr. and Mrs. Lopez don?t file joint tax returns. I wonder, why not?

Nidia Lopez justified all this by claiming she didn?t know any better. But we know that this was not a onetime lapse in judgment. For nine years she claimed her Florida home as her primary residence, maintained her identity as ?Nidia Boehringer,? voted in two different states and avoided paying any New Jersey taxes. She didn?t know any better? Come on. A Democratic committee woman didn?t know any better? How gullible does the HCCO think we are? This was deliberate, ongoing and willful. It is clear to me now that Nidia Lopez is neither honest nor responsible, but she is very adept at playing the system to have it both ways.

And this is the person the HCDO and Mayor Healy chose to represent Ward C. Was this really the best they could do? The HCDO dumped Steve Lipski, a genuinely accomplished and fairly elected councilman, when he struggled with alcoholism. But the HCDO is hanging on to Nidia Lopez ? a tax avoider. This is evidently how little Mayor Healy and the HCDO care about us in Ward C.

I think it is shame that Nidia Lopez has tarnished this election. It is a shame that Nidia Lopez has never paid taxes to the state of New Jersey and yet feels entitled to hold elected office. It is shame that the HCDO recruited a candidate who claims Florida as her primary residence. It is a shame that the HCDO did not conduct a background check before placing her on the ticket. And it is shame that Mayor Healy has not demanded her resignation.

If the judge rules against us, Ward C will be stuck with Mrs. Lopez unless another agency steps in and investigates her obvious tax issues. Even if she is indicted, she may follow Mariano Vega?s lead and refuse to resign. In the meantime the administration has not introduced the budget and taxes have gone up 11 percent ? an increase Lopez supports. Apparently she doesn?t like paying taxes herself, but has no problem raising ours.

If we prevail in this suit, I will not be named as the new council representative for Ward C. Instead, the court will order another election and the voters of Ward C will get another shot at fairly electing the most qualified representative. The question before us, no matter what the outcome of this suit, is: ?Now that we know, what we do?? What do we take away from this experience? How do we prevent the HCDO from doing this again?

We must demand more from our elected representatives. And I mean sincerely, loudly, forcefully demand more. Mayor Healy, it?s not too late to rescue your administration from disgrace. Admit there is a problem and stop clinging to the outdated view held by the HCDO and its members that they are indomitable and above the law. Stop sidestepping: come out of the shadows and ask Nidia Lopez to resign.

It?s the only moral, ethical, and responsible thing to do. If you don?t, Mayor Healy, you will only become more irrelevant and ultimately go down in history as just another Hudson County joke.

Next, we must demand that outgoing Gov. Corzine do something during his last days in office to overthrow this culture of corruption. Gov. Corzine, I ask you to sign an Executive Order changing campaign finance laws to stop candidates and elected officials from using money raised during their campaign to buy gifts for their constituents. That?s right, candidates and elected officials use campaign funds to buy tennis shoes and turkeys and make other ?charitable? purchases for their constituents. Clearly this is nothing more than old-fashioned vote-buying. Gov. Corzine, you have an opportunity to stop these politicians from using campaign funds to buy votes, and we ask you to take action.

Most importantly, we have to take our power back by getting involved. The new Party Democracy Act curtails the power of political bosses by enabling us ? regular voters ? to participate in how parties like the HCDO select candidates and carry out business. In the past, party chairs had vast power over ballot lines, campaign cash, and the filling of municipal vacancies and there was little county committee representatives could do. But under the Party Democracy Act this will change and the HCDO will no longer be ?the boss of you.?

So I am asking residents in Ward C and throughout Jersey City to please run for county committee. Join your local neighborhood association. Become active in at least one community group. Attend council meetings. Reach out to your county committee representative and communicate your needs and expectations. Read the newspaper and the daily blogs. Stay informed. Be hopeful. Seize opportunities. If we do this, we will reclaim our democracy and make the politicians work for us. Because it shouldn?t be ?them against us.? We are one Jersey City.

Norrice Raymaker is a former candidate for the Ward C City Council seat. A longtime community activist, in August she joined Jimmy King's lawsuit seeking to disqualify Ward C councilwoman Nidia Rivera Lopez from her position.

http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/ ... y-of-the-ward-c-election/

Posted on: 2009/12/4 18:06
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Its Not Over Yet - Call Continues for Healy, Vega and Lopez to Resign
#35
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Quite a regular


Its Not Over Yet! Healy, Vega and Lopez Must Resign Next city council meeting: October 14th Please visit - http://onejerseycity.org/?p=687

Posted on: 2009/9/29 15:57
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Re: Latinos shun Vega
#36
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Quite a regular


P2P Reform only a first step.

Little has changed, end business as usual.

Healy, Vega and Lopez must resign.

NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE

Posted on: 2009/9/14 14:10
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Re: Clean "sweep" at City Hall?
#37
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Quite a regular


a little bit cleaner, but still sweeping ..... next step - ending double dipping and other conflicts of interest by adopting the State of NJ's strict Conflict of Interest Law locally. see - http://onejerseycity.org/?p=105

Posted on: 2009/9/14 14:06
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candidate's statement
#38
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Quite a regular


I am running for mayor of Jersey City because I want to prepare our city for a future that works for us and for our children. As a husband, father, homeowner, small business owner, and your neighbor, I want to bring a clear, commonsense vision and sound management approaches to solve our problems and build upon our opportunities.

We face tremendous challenges ? starting with the unacceptable level and increasing fear of crime. Our sewers are crumbling; other environmental issues are not being addressed. In spite of a development boom of historic proportions, government spending, long-term tax abatements and rising school funding obligations mean that tax revenues fall short of expenses. Poorly planned, unsustainable development benefits a few without providing the jobs our residents need.

Our local government is dysfunctional and dominated by self-serving special interests. Many of our elected and appointed officials, as well as other mayoral and council candidates, are current or former city, county, or board of education employees. Owing to conflicts of interest, pay-to-play practices, patronage, cronyism, and lack of a strong ethical standards code, the career politicians do not represent the general public and fail time and time again to serve your interests. Instead, government should lead by example.

We can only solve our problems and face our challenges if the people of Jersey City participate in making the decisions and are truly represented in their own local government. It is time that we change politics-as-usual. Government should work for you.

We are a city of unique neighborhoods, each of which contributes to a diverse city. If managed properly, this city can be safe, financially sound, and provide a sustainable quality of life for its residents. We must come together as ONE Jersey City.

My experience as a small business owner, banking manager, community organizer, and leader provide me with the skills, insight, and understanding to listen to people, evaluate policy alternatives, and collaborate and build consensus to move our city forward. Over years, through participation in hundreds of community, government, and public meetings, I understand the importance of ensuring the public a voice in their own government. I am not a career politician.

Together with your support, I will BRING BACK community policing and cops on the beat, CREATE and IMPLEMENT a financial master plan, END double dipping, BAN campaign contributions in city offices, REQUIRE developers to disclose campaign contributions, ENACT a strict ethical standards code modeled on the state?s code, IMPLEMENT a formal and open process for citizens to apply for positions on municipal boards, commissions, and authorities, ACTIVATE the non-functioning Environmental Commission, STOP the Parking Authority from booting cars on the first ticket, and ENSURE fair and just code enforcement for cleaner streets.

I will SERVE the public interest, not special interests.

Sincerely,

Daniel Levin
Candidate for Mayor of Jersey City
onejerseycity.org

Posted on: 2009/5/9 3:37
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Re: Embankment - Where do the candidates stand?
#39
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Quite a regular



Posted on: 2009/4/24 4:02
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One Jersey City Event - March 8th
#40
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Quite a regular


Meet the Candidates in the "Heights"

Sunday, March 8th, 6pm to 8pm at the Corkscrew, 61 Congress St. (4 short blocks from the 9th St. Light Rail Elevator)

Meet the candidates and learn more about our One Jersey City Campaign.

Join us and discuss your Jersey City with Dan Levin and city council candidates Andrew Hubsch, Emilio De Lia and Norrice Raymaker.

Cash Bar. Drink Specials. Light snacks provided.

Suggested contribution $25; however, a contribution of any amount helps us get our message out.

Posted on: 2009/3/3 14:08
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Re: Journal Square: City may not see revenue for decades - Tower developer asking for low-interest l
#41
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Quite a regular


video from Speak NJ - of city council first expressing their concerns and the developer's unwillingess to provide information to them and work with them - then voting yes, unanimously.

video link - Journal Square Tax Abatement Vote

note: reposting is at webmaster's request of our three posts on this thread.

Posted on: 2008/12/10 4:56
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Re: Journal Square: City may not see revenue for decades - Tower developer asking for low-interest l
#42
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Quite a regular


Link - Development, yes. This tax deal, no.

Development, yes. This tax deal, no.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

L ast week, the Jersey City administration of Mayor Jerramiah Healy did all but give away the first-born of every family in the city to make certain that the designated developers of the Journal Square Towers will realize an immense profit.

Two nights before Thanksgiving, the City Council set the table for MEPT Journal Square Urban Renewal LLC by approving the most generous tax abatement deal in the city's history.

What does one make of the fact that most of the City Council members voiced the opinion that the abatament is a bad deal for the city, and then voted to approve it? It is not a good deal for the city.

The 30-year abatements calls for annual payments instead of taxes to the city of 10 percent of gross annual revenues for the mixed-use 68- and 50-story towers. The city will receive $500,000 in the first year, with payments increasing in stages to $3 million a year - about $74 million over the life of the deal averaging nearly $2.5 million per year.

This is a result of original developer Lowell Harwood having to partner with a bigger player with deeper pockets. Maryland-based Multi-Employer Trust, an equity fund that is immune to the credit crunch, did not like Harwood's original tax abatement deal enough to justify it to shareholders - thus the renegotiation.

This newspaper has been clamoring for Journal Square development for years. It is potentially the most important first step in defining the above-the-Palisades-city for the 21st century. It is so significant that it was this opinion that the city is trying to ram a "vision" of Journal Square area redevelopment down the throats of its taxpayers solely to improve financing for certain projects that are on the drawing board, including the Journal Square towers.

One other item: The invasion of trade union members at the City Council meeting was a crass display. This was pulled in Bayonne to intimidate government decision making on use of the former Military Ocean Terminal. In Jersey City, these decisions are so momentous to a large neglected part of the city that unless more than 50 percent of these construction workers live here, they should have stayed home.

?2008 Jersey Journal
? 2008 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.

Posted on: 2008/12/10 4:51
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Re: Journal Square: City may not see revenue for decades - Tower developer asking for low-interest l
#43
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Journal Square ? the-once-and-promised future city center, a true downtown ? remains a hole in the heart of the city, with development once again stalled. The failure to seek proposals from developers nationwide experienced in mixed-use projects of this scale has left us with a no-bid redevelopment contract in its latest version proposing two 10-story parking garages with 50- to 70-story residential towers above, limited and reduced retail space, which will minimize this project as a destination. Prior to the financial meltdown in October, the developer sought tax abatement terms that would cost the city $500,000 per year. We will never know if the current plans are the best use of one of the regions premier redevelopments sites, adjacent to a PATH station and the county transportation hub with 8 million annual commuters passing through. When will the city rein in no-bid development contracts of this scale and clean up the redevelopment process banning pay to play campaign contributions to city officials responsible for approving redevelopment plans and tax abatements? Link-The Hotel On The Square Redevelopment
Landuse and Zoning: Hotel On The Square Redevelopment from One Jersey City on Vimeo.

Posted on: 2008/12/10 4:48
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Re: Lafayette section: SUFFOCATING DILEMMA -- dank smell of smoldering piles of wood chips
#44
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Quite a regular


Open-air wood mulching continues where zoning law requires recycling activities to be conducted in an enclosed structure, causing smell and dust. Why can?t city officials enforce its laws and protect the environmental safety of its residents? link - Open Air Recycling
Landuse and Zoning: Open Air Wood Mulching from One Jersey City on Vimeo.

Posted on: 2008/12/10 4:45
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Re: Dan Levin tosses hat in Jersey City mayoral ring
#45
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Quite a regular


Campaign Kick-Off Party at the Lex Leonard Gallery The Lex Leonard gallery was an appropriate hosting-place for a fundraiser and gathering on behalf of Dan Levin?s nascent mayoral campaign. Like Lex Leonard, Dan Levin has been involved in community affairs and advocacy work for years. They?re both Downtown fixtures, and they?ve both proven their resilience by taking their lumps in public forums and coming back swinging. They?ve both often been underestimated, too. While they?ve got no problem trafficking with the local establishment when they need to, they?re reformers at heart, and they?re both driven to make Jersey City a better and more interesting place. In his speech at the Gallery, Levin asked an enthusiastic crowd to judge him on his accomplishments: the local entrepreneur and long-time community organizer and activist had more to do with the recent passage of the Pay To Play Initiative than anybody else in town. Many of Levin?s (mostly) young supporters still carry the glow of exuberance from Barack Obama?s win, and are now looking to bring the ?change? theme home to 280 Grove Street. The campaign team didn?t dodge the association ? more than one speaker at the Gallery touted Levin?s independent thinking and reform credentials. Musical entertainment was provided by New Beetle Reunion: local rocker Otis Ball?s tribute to Sgt. Pepper and the Fab Four. Ball, too, has been a Jersey City resident for many years; like Dan Levin?s, it?s a safe bet we?ll be hearing more of Ball?s voice in the months to come (New Beetle Revue plays at the Cutting Room on January 14th). - TMC
11/22/08 : Campaign Kick-Off Party at the Lex Leonard Gallery from One Jersey City on Vimeo.

Posted on: 2008/12/3 21:58
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