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Re: 40-story tower planned for site of old JJ office (prj #3)
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It'll be fine. That huge structure adds 525 units. On an average weekday, 26,000 people use the Journal Square station. If we assume that the new building adds 1,000 trips, that's a 3.85% increase. shudder gasp Plus, capacity will increase in a few years, assuming they finish the signal upgrades.
Posted on: 2014/3/14 23:12
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Re: Fulop proposes 2014 budget with 2.1% tax cut, investment in Jersey City parks
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Nope. Healy stuck him with a 7.6% tax increase, that took effect about a week after Fulop took office. The city had already started spending per Healy's budget, so Fulop couldn't change it. http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... _tax_hike_on_the_way.html
Posted on: 2014/3/13 4:12
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Re: Christie Administration seeks to block Tesla Motors sales
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Why is it a job for the state to mandate the number and location of official service centers? Quote: I'm not sure such a big deal should be made over a car (with a huge Obama 'green' tax break) that costs over $70K, to enrich a billionaire like Elon Musk though. Yet more rationalizations. How special. If it isn't a "big deal," then there shouldn't be a problem offering them a waiver. I.e. it IS a big deal, because it can change the way cars are sold. It's also completely irrelevant how much the car costs, or who owns the company.
Posted on: 2014/3/12 19:15
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Re: Christie Administration seeks to block Tesla Motors sales
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Tesla already has service centers. There is no reason why this would be any different for Tesla than for any other car dealer. Quote: Or, GM, Chrysler, and every other manufacturer decides to go the Tesla route. Thousands and thousands of dealer employees lose their jobs. 1) Did you really not notice how the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies resulted in the closure of car dealerships, and the loss of jobs? 2) Should it be the role of government to mandate market inefficiencies, for the sole purpose of protecting jobs? 3) You do realize that Teslas still require sales and repair staff, yes? If you want to sell cars, you need to hire people -- regardless of whether you sell direct or through dealers. Quote: Again, why aren't the haters going after Sweeney? Sweeney didn't expedite a rule change that basically targeted Tesla. Christie did.
Posted on: 2014/3/12 19:11
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Re: JC Real Estate Taxes
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Disclaimer: I'm not an accountant.  A tax deduction is not the same thing as a tax credit. It may not be a 1-to-1 savings. I also don't think that developers get an extra benefit compared to condo owners. A deduction is a deduction is a deduction. Any difference would be due more to scale and to the way corporate and individual taxes are handled. If you use TurboTax or a similar tax program, you could try seeing the direct effect of a $2000 reduction in property taxes.
Posted on: 2014/3/11 19:55
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Re: Fulop proposes 2014 budget with 2.1% tax cut, investment in Jersey City parks
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Booker was obviously a careerist, and still managed to improve Newark. E.g. he presided over a notable drop in crime; he worked on cleaning up their watershed corruption issues; he secured a huge private donation for Newark's schools; he drew development to downtown. I'm also guessing (though I'm not sure) that he got rid of a bunch of Sharpe James' cronies, who certainly tried to thwart his agenda. We also have to keep in mind that these are Mayors, not dictators. Their power is limited by design. Quote: Hence why I'd respect him if he did something, ANYthing to challenge the port authority in a feasible way. And again.... http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... d_unfair_tax_agreeme.html
Posted on: 2014/3/11 17:20
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Re: Fulop proposes 2014 budget with 2.1% tax cut, investment in Jersey City parks
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Who cares? His ambitions and goals are not relevant. All that matters is whether or not he's doing a decent job. In fact, I'd rather have someone who cares about their reputation. I'd also prefer someone who plans to be in office for 2 or 3 terms, rather than 5 or 6. Quote: It's all superficial garbage which makes splashy headlines, and does nothing for the city. - 2.1% tax cut - paying into the pension fund - investing in the parks That doesn't sound terribly "superficial." (Nor is the budget the full list of what he's working on.) Quote: We have yet to see the kid mayor do something of value and fix something structurally wrong with Jersey City's situation (speak out/challenge the Port Authority on PATH issues, for example). He's suing PA for $400 million in unpaid taxes. I'd say that qualifies as "challenging PA." Quote: Until then, I'll be voting for whomever else is running against him. Suit yourself. I doubt anyone would do a much better job. Heck, at this point I'd settle for "less corrupt than the average Hudson County politician."
Posted on: 2014/3/11 15:23
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Re: Bike Share System
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You don't need bike lanes to be safe.
There was a huge multi-year study about bicycle safety in NYC a few years ago. One of many big findings were that mid-block collisions were rare, and that most collisions happened at intersections. Almost 40% of crashes were due to driver inattention; another 40% were due to cyclists ignoring traffic controls. There is also a fair amount of research which indicates that just getting more cyclists on the streets improves bicycle safety. The more cyclists are around, the more drivers expect to see them -- and yes, that matters.
Posted on: 2014/3/10 2:08
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Re: Teased about clothes, Jersey City man whacks friend across face with beer bottle
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I'm sorry, but I don't follow your line of reasoning here. A couple of guys get drunk, get into a fight, big deal, barely worth mentioning. It could happen literally anywhere in the world. It does happen almost everywhere in the world. Or perhaps you think JC ought to have more esoteric reasons for drunken fights? One guy beats the other too many times at "Missile Command" at Barcade, so the other conks him with a craft beer?
Posted on: 2014/3/9 20:39
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Re: Fulop to solicit proposals from for-profit companies to replace FOL in running the Loew’s theater
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I know how I feel: It sucks, it's petty, it's vengeful, it's BS. Most of all, it seems amateurish and unprofessional. They should have seen a requirement for real management coming a mile away, developed a real organization with experienced professionals, and prepared a real proposal for managing the theater. Instead, they act like they are entitled to run the place. Screw that. I also expect the city will remove the offer of allowing FOL to program 20 events a year. Hopefully, that will go to some other local arts organization. Quote: if it at least gets this whole project a little more time and more willingness from the Mayor for a more thoughtful, integrated, strategic approach, that will be a win for the citizens as a whole. I do think the submission period for the RFP's should be longer, but: a) I don't think this lawsuit will extend the deadline b) that clearly is not the goal of the lawsuit, which basically is looking for cash c) the possible-but-unlikely-consequences don't justify the means So while I'd like a little more time, I can't agree with your position here.
Posted on: 2014/3/9 14:29
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Re: Fulop to solicit proposals from for-profit companies to replace FOL in running the Loew’s theater
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Non-profits are having a tough time right now. Governments are cutting back funding, and private donations can't keep up. I don't know the theater world very well, but I do know that City Opera collapsed in part due to an inability to raise funds. That said, we don't know who is applying, so it's premature to assume that LiveNation already has a lock on a contract. The RFP does not specify that it's a non-profit, so any organization in the area that has been looking for space can submit a proposal.
Posted on: 2014/3/9 14:13
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Re: Fulop to solicit proposals from for-profit companies to replace FOL in running the Loew’s theater
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So again, does that mean that any arts or entertainment venue in NYC should refuse to hire someone who lives outside of NYC? Quote: I also find it very troubling that the city is looking at a MINIMUM of a 30 YEAR LEASE to the chosen company. So if we don't like what they are doing (we being the community), tough. If you don't like what the management is doing, then you don't patronize the venue. Regardless of whether they are for-profit or non-profit, if they can't get people in the seats, then they will not wind up controlling the venue for long.
Posted on: 2014/3/7 22:08
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Re: $4 minimum wage would cure jobless rates
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While that makes sense, I'd still hesitate to draw too strong a conclusion here. There are lots of other factors involved. NJ's law looks like a good idea, though -- annual wage hikes linked to CPI.
Posted on: 2014/3/5 14:21
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Re: Clean sweep of NJ Transit's top brass continues
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That still doesn't really explain Gallagher, who ran the buses. Unless it's just that "the guy we're tossing hired her."
Posted on: 2014/3/5 0:30
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Re: Clean sweep of NJ Transit's top brass continues
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Hrm... I guess I can see tossing some of the rail management after Sandy happened, but over a year later? And Gallagher apparently did a good job, and is still getting the boot?
Smells like Christy Cronyism may be afoot....
Posted on: 2014/3/4 21:51
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Re: Concealed carry coming to NJ?
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There are no obligations whatsoever to allow concealed carry, let alone allow anyone who wants to CC. Gun ownership yes, CC no. Quote: And legally, many court decisions are coming in line with the 2nd Amendment.... You mean, the radical "anyone carry anything at any time" interpretation? Not quite. There's also a huge difference between the pre-Heller DC situation and NJ.
Posted on: 2014/3/4 1:32
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Re: Concealed carry coming to NJ?
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I seriously doubt NJ will be forced by the courts to allow concealed carry. Courts have repeatedly upheld NJ's laws.
I also am not too thrilled about other states interfering in New Jersey's laws. I cannot imagine they'd like it if NJ returned the favor. Though I guess it opens the door for Bloomberg's new org to work in whatever states he chooses.... In terms of its effectiveness, it should be screamingly obvious that CC does not reduce crime. In particular, NYC has strong gun restrictions, and the crime rate has been dropping steadily since the 1990s. NJ's crime rate has also fallen faster than national rates. There are also several legal options for self defense, such as mace and pepper sprays. CC is also tough to get, but still available in NJ.
Posted on: 2014/3/4 0:15
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Re: music restrictions for Exchange Place to be introduced by city council
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Thanks for the link. A direct link to the proposal:
http://candiceosborne.com/updates/wee ... to-the-festival-ordinance I'd say it makes a lot of sense, and is much more narrow than some people suggest. E.g. it won't affect other festivals in the city, it doesn't restrict the number of festivals at Exchange Place. It just shortens them by a couple of hours.
Posted on: 2014/3/3 23:35
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Re: Port Authority officials: Battle over toll hikes was all for show
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I concur. Business as usual, but should still be reported and discussed.
Posted on: 2014/3/3 18:18
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Re: Firefighters battle 3-alarm blaze at Islamic center in JC
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Again, there is no reason to treat this different than any other fire. The FBI are not going to target anyone for walking down the same street as a Muslim center. Quote: And with the wiring some people do not think when approaching something. We have no idea what caused the fire. Maybe the FD will explain it, maybe not. In any event, it doesn't really matter. It's just another building, another fire, another day.
Posted on: 2014/2/28 20:11
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Re: Firefighters battle 3-alarm blaze at Islamic center in JC
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I don't see any reason to treat this any different than any other fire.
Posted on: 2014/2/28 15:58
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Re: Fulop to solicit proposals from for-profit companies to replace FOL in running the Loew’s theater
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The JCRA put together the RFP; maybe you should ask if they hired a consultant to develop the plan. Regardless, it certainly doesn't read like it was written by a bunch of amateurs. Quote: It is crucial that a board of qualified performing arts and live events professionals be assembled as advisers on this project.... Why? The RFP and proposed programming requirements look pretty good. Plenty of cities build PACs without packing a planning commission with arts experts. All the city really has to do is figure out who can put together the funding, who has good experience, and who has a good track record. Quote: The City is not in the business of running a performing arts center, but you need residents who are qualified to advise and who are not affiliated with corporate money to balance out the decision making process on this/ So, theaters like the Beacon in NYC, or the Warfield in SF -- both former movie palaces -- ought to be operated exclusively by a non-profit packed with locals? I might add that if its programming doesn't appeal to the locals, the theater will not be a success. Quote: I'm very concerned that I don't see any requirement in the RFP that the chosen management company hire the majority, or even a portion, of the management & operations team from among the well-qualified Jersey City community. I'm not. They should hire whoever is the most qualified to do the job, period. We do not live in a fiefdom with a 6' wall surrounding the city, with a desperate need to protect "our" jobs. Not to mention that a significant portion of JC residents work in NYC, including in the arts. Should performing arts businesses in NYC refuse to hire New Jersey residents, in order to protect "their" jobs? Does NYC not have local communities to "protect"? Obviously, such a requirement would be absurd, counter-productive and harmful to all parties. Quote: The next questions surrounds the approach to turn this venue, which is extremely important to the community, over to a for-profit conglomerate.... Nothing in the RFP requires that the theater be run as a for-profit venture. We also don't know if any non-profits have applied yet. Quote: Why does this venue need to be turned over to an entertainment conglomerate when you have many qualified professionals right here in Jersey City.... So you're unemployed, eh? :D For-profit ventures are not run by robots. They will need to hire people (local and otherwise) to renovate and operate the theater. And those locals have had 10 years to put something together. If y'all can put together a proposal that meets the requirements, then more power to you. Quote: why is the administration not also considering creating a full operations team of qualified professionals via the Loews Board to manage the venue as a non-profit entity.... Because the city doesn't have the funds, or the inclination, to do it. There is no "Loew's Board" as far as I know. The city owns the building. The JCRA is handling the project. The Friends of Loew's is a volunteer group that has done its best to keep the theater going, but apparently doesn't have the wherewithal to submit a proposal. By the way, I have to point out that if the city runs it, someone is going to bitch mightily about it. E.g. if the city puts together a non-profit to run it, in 6 weeks it will be vilified as a project run by Fulop cronies who only care about money, ignores everyone, cozies up to businesses and treat the locals like crap. It doesn't matter if it's a for-profit or non-profit. What matters is whether the operator can execute, and keep a theater running year after year. May the best applicant win.
Posted on: 2014/2/27 14:00
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Re: Fulop to solicit proposals from for-profit companies to replace FOL in running the Loew’s theater
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I believe it's just a question of who has the experience, and is stepping up to make bids. " ?A number of nationally-recognized entertainment venue management firms have expressed interest in the Loew?s and we are looking forward to bringing an experienced and reputable firm to Jersey City as we bring the Loew?s to the next level,? Fulop said. The RFP specifies what the city expects. This will include at least 30 community performances or events from local artists, senior citizens, schools, lecturers, academic programs or cultural celebrations. The bid would also require at least 20 musical performances by nationally recognized artists, ten theatrical or other stage performance, ten comedy performances and 20 other performances or events. The contract would also allow for 20 events to be sponsored and produced privately by Friends of the Loew?s Inc. and would allow other private bookings as long as they do not conflict with other scheduled events." Read more: Hudson Reporter - Taking the next step Loew s could become Jersey City s PAC http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_s ... ecome-Jersey-City-s-PAC--
Posted on: 2014/2/26 21:59
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Re: Fulop to solicit proposals from for-profit companies to replace FOL in running the Loew’s theater
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Yes, and given their resources they did as good a job as anyone could ask. But that very line of argument confirms that they are not professionals, and as such should not be the ones to manage a full-scale, full-time, multi-million-dollar renovation and theater / performing arts center. How many of these people are going to quit their day jobs to work as management at the Loew's? How many of them have the kind of construction and programming experience required to turn the Loew's into a PAC? How many have professionally managed a PAC? We should be grateful for and respect the work they've done. That doesn't mean they have the skills to take the Loew's to the next level.
Posted on: 2014/2/26 21:47
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Re: Fulop to solicit proposals from for-profit companies to replace FOL in running the Loew’s theater
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Perhaps. FOL definitely saved the theater, and at least prevented it from getting worse. However, FOL has not shown much aptitude for fundraising or for programming. Opposition from City Hall should not have prevented them from making big strides in either of those respects. It was also the City that scored a $2.5 million payout from the Journal Square tower developers for the Loew's. We're also only getting one side -- an aggrieved side, no less -- of the discussion. I don't blame them for being ticked off, since they put in a lot of work and are now getting sidelined. But that also doesn't mean they are the best ones to manage the rebuilt theater.
Posted on: 2014/2/26 19:02
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Re: The JC School Board want to limit public comments
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Ugh, what nonsense.
Nothing about the new policy prevents people from speaking. Setting limits on time in a public meeting is not illegal. These people are obviously just wasting taxpayer dollars by dragging this into litigation.
Posted on: 2014/2/26 15:28
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Re: JC business accepting bitcoin
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Apparently, it's still a surprise to a lot of people, especially those who kept their BTC at Mt Gox. Quote: How is it a blow to bitcoin and shows that it was not ready? An unregulated exchange has apparently melted down. It shows how vulnerable this system is, it shows how BTC are not a good store of value, and if you go into the trenches (e.g. Reddit) you see how complicated it actually is to keep your BTC secure. Here's a typical piece of advice: " "Don't ever use brainwallets" is popular advice but based on a profound misconception. "Don't ever generate brainwallets using your own seeds" is good advice, but using electrum seed phrases as brainwallets is arguably quite a good method (all the more so because of deterministic wallets), and an extremely powerful technique when combined with the air-gapped machine for generating private keys." How is the owner of a pizza place supposed to decipher any of that? Quote: If bitcoin was not ready, why are other exchanges thriving? How do we actually know whether or not any of the other exchanges and services are actually "thriving?" We may know that their volume is up or down, but that doesn't actually tell us anything about the health and/or security of those entities. Quote: Gox being insolvent is clearly not a flaw in bitcoin. It may not be a flaw in the programming involved in Bitcoin, but it is clearly linked to flaws in the underlying financial and economic structure and mission of Bitcoin. As far as I know, no one can actually control the supply of BTC, and as noted this will continue to cause deflationary and speculative cycles. There is some evidence that less than 50 people own 30% of currently existing Bitcoins, including -- surprise! -- the unidentified creator of the currency. If any one entity is responsible for mining too much Bitcoin, that entity can wreak havoc with the currency, and the only fix is to beg such entities to slow down their mining efforts. Keeping your Bitcoins secure is undoubtedly beyond the abilities of the average non-techie. And of course, when disaster strikes, the evangelists refuse to acknowledge that anything's wrong. Some of these issues can be fixed; others cannot. Also, some are BTC-specific, others are not. Dogecoin, which is basically a joke, is actually a better currency in some respects. It's good for digital tipping and micropayments, it's fun, it's unlikely to incur any major security risks, and it's your own fault if you take it too seriously. But the idea that "unregulated unbacked non-government digital currencies will save the world, so retailers should get into the game now!" just really does not make sense. At least, not today. ;)
Posted on: 2014/2/25 13:34
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Re: JC business accepting bitcoin
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I very clearly said that Gox halted trading, might be insolvent. Their website is supposedly now offline. Prices are dropping at all exchanges. Feel free to spin the news like a top. The simple reality is that this is a major blow to Bitcoin, and shows that this wholly unregulated digital currency is not ready, and as such JC retailers will be just fine without it.
Posted on: 2014/2/25 4:36
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Re: JC business accepting bitcoin
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Trading halted at Mt Gox; heavy hitters believe Gox is insolvent.
http://www.businessinsider.com/report ... -halts-all-trading-2014-2 Hopefully, the halt is temporary. Either way, I still say "not ready for prime time."
Posted on: 2014/2/25 3:44
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Re: Domino's
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Even when I was flat dead broke, and living in a place with absolutely nothing resembling decent pizza, I couldn't stand Dominos. By the way, I saw tonight that one of the Dominos delivery cars is a BMW. Talk about gentrification. ;)
Posted on: 2014/2/23 23:53
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