One of the problems with the dog run is the lack of concern that some dog owners have for their neighbors around Van Vorst Park. It is not fair to hear barking at 3:00 AM when some dog owners decide to walk their dogs. Sensible rules should apply.

For once I agree with Brewster. Amazing!

I invited both Sean Connelly and Esther Wintner to speak at the Wards C & D debates for 3 minutes each since they lost time campaigning compared to the other candidates. Here is their 3 minutes at the debate.

http://youtu.be/mb4wCMkIMKw

http://youtu.be/jz72m481v9Y

My first sentence says I am not giving Healy a pass. The problem is also compounded by the fact, rent controlled buildings cannot pass along a tax increase and receive relief by also filing appeals in tax court. Plus when tax abatement expires, the developer usually runs to tax court and win a tax appeal. It is the city debt that is ruining this city. We have been bonding for operating expenses as a matter of course since the fiscal year adjustment bonds, which was 1991. I was shocked when the city starting paying $20 million in the budget for debt service. We are now paying $60 million and debt service is outside the 2% cap imposed by the state. Yes, Healy did not manage the city as well has he should have but he also inherited a mess from Schundler and McCann.

I am not giving Healy a pass on raising taxes. 84% is outrageous but this tax increase must be share by former Mayor McCann who floated $128.9 million for Fiscal Year 1991 in which city was told to float bonds for missing state aid. McCann went beyond what was need, Bayonne only floated $10 million. We should have bonded perhaps for $30 million. This money went to pay police and fire including pension. We are still paying that amount. Mayor Schundler also financially destroyed the city. While many people here don't agree with me on abatements, he gave away the city through abatements and the ratable base fell. The ratable base under Schundler was as low as $5.1 billion. Under Healy some long term abatements expired and the city was close to $6 billion but it has slipped down to $5.7 billion. The higher the ratable base, the lower the taxes. Schundler also did a great deal of bonding. He structured many the bonds to pay interest while he was in office, and principal kicked in after 2001 when he left. There is enough blame to go around.

http://vimeo.com/67538706

Well here is the runoff debate, at times it seems like a wrestling match.

When several dozen people attack you for commenting on a fact, not an opinion, that is outrageous. Yes, I am glad the middle ages is over and my comment is protected by the first amendment.

Personally, I think some people are over sensitive. I made a comment I saw Fletcher at the council meeting and he was engaged at what was going on. That is a fact, then it dawn on me that the newly elected council person was absent. Even as a retired Catholic teacher I would go in early before school began to organize my class. This is similar, there are many items that you must know. After seeing Judge Bariso called candidates (the speaker phone was on) to ask if they wanted to move up and take Robinson's place, I was saddened to hear people say "No." People run because they are asked to run, others, like Fletcher, have a true interest. They do not need to win to represent their ward. I am sure that if it was legal, I would have been hung, drawn and quarter for speaking my mind to bloggers here but thank God that is illegal.

When a person votes on an ordinance or resolution, they are voting as a collective body, no councilperson can do anything without at least five votes or six for budgets. Every council person votes on matters that affects other wards. It does matter.

Please note- the debate is at St. Ann's Church, 255 Congress St. not St. Ann's on St. Paul and Tonnelle. It starts at 7:00 PM

I made one statement-the Ward E candidate won, therefore she has a job but she was a no-show while Fletcher was there. It is apparent some bloggers cannot take the truth. This reminds me of similar attacks when I scheduled the Ward C debate. I was told I was not being fair to Ms. Lopez and should have picked another day even though I had other debates in other wards. Well Ms. Lopez said she will not appear in the runoff debate against Boggiano. Attacking me doesn't change the fact. I believe Osborne does was not want the job compared to the candidates that lost in Ward E. I was in court when Judge Bariso called candidates to take Robinsons place on the ballot in Ward F. Since these candidates did not have the backing of their mayoral candidate, they said no to the judge. They really did not want the job.

Let's not divert from the issue. I do not believe in personal attacks. My comment was Fletcher attended the council meeting yesterday and where was the newly elected council person? Personal attacks don't count.

The only way you know she sees the council meetings on TV is if you are with her. Stop making excuses for the newly elected councilperson. She is a grownup.

When reval happens, (Fulop cannot stop it) you need a proactive council person there fighting for Ward E. I truly admire Fletcher being there speaking about taxes and other issues that affects Ward E. Unfortunately, people are picked to be on slates because they are the correct ethnic for that particular ward but since we don't pick our ethnic group, I was never impressed by that. Now we are also seeing people dropping out from other races. They were picked because of their ethnic group or they have ties to some organization. It is unfortunate good people are not chosen to be on major slates. When I said good, I mean a person who wants to spend their time learning about the issues and being proactive before they are sworn in. I wish Fletcher good luck if he has any future political campaigns.

I was around when development started so let me give you a history lesson. Dixon did not have an abatement. The first 4 Newport buildings did not have an abatement until then Mayor Cucci asked for affordable housing so LeFrak asked for an abatement. Colgate Redevelopment never asked for an abatement until Mayor Cucci asked Colgate to repay their taxes for the board of ed, so Colgate Redevelopment asked for an abatement. The developers saw how easy JC politicians were. These were the first abatements so stop changing history. Even Society Hill did not have a long term abatement. Personally, I believe Candice's job is to be ready to be a councilperson in order to make intelligent decisions. I should also mention Esther Wintner, a non-Fulop candidate also attended the meeting.

Why not? Don't you want a better informed elected official? I was amazed by Fletcher, he had a lot to say. By the way if you think you are not paying enough taxes, don't worry, revaluation will solve that problem. As it is, you are paying for the 30 year abatement for mixed used housing that was voted on tonight.

So downtown is underdeveloped? Could you please write a "letter to the editor" with your real name. I don't want to laugh but have you ridden the PATH lately? I know a person who nearly fainted from the number of riders in the car. She didn't have enough air. If you think downtown does not pay enough taxes, I personally know two building in the Van Vorst Park area that are paying $20,000 in taxes. I can only guess you don't own a car and was not stuck on Newark Avenue near the Grove Path Station for nearly 20 minutes especially when there are festival. 20 minutes on one block. By the way, the public is insulted when a newly elected official does not show up.

The budget was discussed which is the job of the council. An abatement was given, another job of the council. Another abatement was deferred which means it will return. The council job is to make decision on legislation. But, and this is an important but - you must have knowledge in order to make those decisions. The council does not represent the mayor, according the Faulkner Act, the council represent the public. The only person I saw from Ward E, speaking for the overtaxed citizen was Fletcher.

I went to the council meeting to ask Ms. Lopez if she would attend the debate. She never responded to my 2 letters, one regular mail and the other certified mail. The Councilwoman said she will not attend but did not say why. As a reminder, the debate is Friday at 7:00 for both Wards C and D at St. Ann's in the Heights.

You don't like the question so you dismiss the answer, how convenient.

One of the reasons I thought Candice was wrong for the council job - she does not attend council meetings. Now that she won, who did I see - Fletcher, and he spoke well on many issues. Dan Levin wasn't there but I am sure he will be back because Dan has a history of attending council meetings for many years. So the most overtaxed, overdeveloped ward had a missing councilperson to be. This doesn't surprise me because she will probably vote according to the mayor's wishes. By the way, Fulop is/was a great councilman but I am disappointed in his choice for Ward E. Let's not forget one important thing, the councilperson votes for the entire city, so even if you are not in Ward E you are affected by a council person who has no or little knowledge. What a shame!

The fact is that Nidia's husband, Ben Lopez, ran with Wally Sheil in 1981 and was the only candidate to win from Sheils' ticket when Sheil lost to McCann. Ben Lopez later served as Business Administrator under Mayor Cucci from '85 to '89.

The law allows people to move up if there is a death on the ballot. Judge Bariso ruled that this ruling should also apply to people who drop off the ballot. The city argued against this but the judge overruled the city. The judge also called people on Ward F since Robinson has also dropped out. Reyes said no and the court is giving Chantel Snow until by 10:00 am Wednesday. It she says no then Dr. King moves up. Dr. King told the judge she is willing to run. Congratulations to Sean Connelly and Esther Wintner.

247 Montgomery, the building with the large wall, extends to the rear of 266 Barrow. Then there is a one yard gap until the large wall of the apartment house at 258-260 Barrow which seals the rear to York. So if you want a better fix on the source of the noise go into the parking lot behind 258-260 Barrow (enter on York).

The first building facing Montgomery is a large multi-family that extends south to about mid block. Their wall is very high and there is no yard to speak of. Be more specific.

Correction! The debate for Wards C&D combined is Friday, May 31st @ 7:00 PM at St. Ann's Church.

If it is an outdoor affair during the summer I would try to rent the Pavilion at Liberty State Park. It is affordable, has clean rest rooms, electric outlets are available, and the place is gorgeous.
The dedication of the Pavilions video.
http://vimeo.com/51560096

There is an Eastern European restaurant on Summit Ave in the Heights called Mama Cuisine. There is a posting on jclist. The food is good. It just opened.

The city bonded Dec 2010 - $9,300,000 and Dec 2011 - $9,500,000 for terminal leave.

I guess the city, rather taxpayers (1 - 4 homeowners) will be sock with tax increases because the city must bond to pay terminal leave. It is all those comp days that must be paid out.