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MDM

Re: ‘Massive’ $120M budget shortfall is subject of special Jersey City BOE meeting

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Quote:

JCGuys wrote:

Perhaps a discussion for another thread but I never understood why children were placed in a grade based on their age, rather than ability. It probably is all about money as prodigies would quickly skip grades

My brother addressed the above issue by moving to a town that had a school dedicated to advanced kids. The oldest of his two sons has a genius level IQ. He basically "graduated" high school at age 15 and has been taking college level math and chemistry. Regular school was pretty much a prison of boredom for him.

I like the Montessori method which seems a good fit for my kid (at least for the first few years). We are already using the method at home with success. Both of us despised our early school years and want something better for our own. Me in particular.. Forced to sit in a chair and recite stuff written on a blackboard all day was torture. if I had been born 10 years later, I would have been poisoned with ADD meds.

Posted on: 4/4 20:02

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MDM

Re: ‘Massive’ $120M budget shortfall is subject of special Jersey City BOE meeting

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Quote:

Adonis wrote:
Spending $23,337 per student is outrageous, especially when you consider what they are getting.

That is about what it will cost me to send my kid to one of the Montessori schools here in Jersey City.

School costs is one of the reasons I lose tenants who have kids. As so as the kids grow out of pre-K, it's off to the suburbs or private school (most can't afford it). My one tenant headed out to somewhere near Dover for the exact same issue. His kid didn't hit the lottery for the charter so he ended up in the local public school. The kid was bored out of his mind because he is already doing fractions, divisions, etc. whilst the rest of the class is still learning adding & subtraction.

Posted on: 4/4 15:34

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MDM

Burglar on camera. Trenton st.

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Anyone recognize this guy?

https://neighbors.ring.com/n/4Q4Nq

Posted on: 4/3 14:51

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MDM

Re: JC historic commission to vote Monday on demolition of St. Peter’s school buildings

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Preservation Board tyranny.

Posted on: 4/2 16:04

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MDM

Re: ‘Massive’ $120M budget shortfall is subject of special Jersey City BOE meeting

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Quote:

brewster wrote:

Or maybe get rid of the district and go all charter like New Orleans. What we're doing is simply not working for anyone but the staff and contractors.

I am on board with this idea. Though the current governor is anti-charter. His administration put a block on new charters. We may actually see charters disappear.

I would add that parents should be allowed to 'roll over' unused funds (allocated annually) to be used on future education expenses (including college and trade schools). This would bring some financial accountability to the school via the parents, instead of a politicized school board.

Posted on: 4/2 13:31

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MDM

Re: ‘Massive’ $120M budget shortfall is subject of special Jersey City BOE meeting

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Quote:

bodhipooh wrote:
I used to have the numbers, but I can't seem to find them. The number of support and admin staff today compared to 30+ years ago is MUCH HIGHER, even though the student population was the same or smaller.

This was the case back when I was a student in a suburban public school back in the '70s and '80s. The high school had a superintendent, deputy superintendent, principal, vice principal, dean, and a plethora of admin support staff. This was during the Gen X baby bust, where the number of students dropped about half from the previous generation.

My parents used to wonder what all those people did all day. They pulled me out and put me in private school (that was perpetually underfunded) the last two years of my education. The improvement in education quality was astounding, primarily because the teachers were people who just wanted to teach. Public school the teachers were constantly doing work slowdowns, sick-outs, threatening strikes, or just overall hated their jobs.

Posted on: 4/1 12:48

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MDM

Re: Recommendations- Dumpster Rental

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Quote:

tern wrote:
Do any of these private places handle the dumpster street permit for you? Or you still have to do that yourself?

Robin.

Depends on the company. Call and ask. The last time I had a street dumpster (almost 20 years ago), the dumpster company handled it for an extra fee.

Posted on: 4/1 12:41

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MDM

Re: NJ Rates Your Public Schools - What's Your PS Score?

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After getting turned down last year, a group that is attempting to start up a K-3 Montessori focused charter have re-submitted their application. The Murphy administration has made it pretty clear they are not "Charter friendly", so I expect the latest application will also be rejected.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18 ... ects-latest-two-hopefuls/

Posted on: 3/31 13:10

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MDM

Re: The Heights push back against high rise

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That building from what I can see in the video looks interesting. Close to one of my buildings. Look forward to it being built.

Posted on: 3/26 20:19

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MDM

Re: I got sanitation violations for garbage that someone illegally dumped

#10

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Quote:

brewster wrote:
tenants to screw with you.

As if I remember you had happen involving fire extinguishers.

Posted on: 3/14 17:19

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MDM

Re: its official: entire heights must buy resident parking permit

#11

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Quote:

jerseymom wrote:

I was in Hoboken yesterday. Used to be .25 for 15 minutes to park on the metered street. I paid what came out to be .05 minute - the meters aren't even marked with the going rate - it's all inked out. So what used to be a reasonable $1.00 per hour is now $3.00 an hour. And they're charging for plastic bags to boot. Death by 1,000 cuts.

My last real reason to go to Hoboken was to take the wife and kid to Turning Point for breakfast. Parking is just too expensive and too much of a hassle now.

Less need now that some decent places opened up in the Heights. Big difference from when I moved in years ago... back then it was all Chinese takeout, $0.99 stores, etc.

Posted on: 3/12 18:47

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MDM

Re: I got sanitation violations for garbage that someone illegally dumped

#12

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Quote:

animalrelated wrote:
I have a neighboring building who illegally dumps in front of my stoop. How can I report them?

Setup a good camera with motion detection and collect evidence.

Posted on: 3/12 16:37

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MDM

Re: its official: entire heights must buy resident parking permit

#13

Home away from home

Curious if JC will do what Hoboken did: Make the entire city pay parking for non-residents, which requires using a smartphone app.

I expect this at some point given the revenue potential.

Posted on: 3/12 15:25

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MDM

Re: I got sanitation violations for garbage that someone illegally dumped

#14

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Quote:

brewster wrote:

Did it take you 2 appearances each time, one for the arraignment and one for hearing? What was that "Minimum fine"? I recently went to court on this for 2 (they rescheduled twice), but when I saw the way it was going, I just paid it, $400.

Only one appearence.

My last time was pre-Fulop as mayor. Fine was $150. I guess it went up a lot since then. Paid $0 as the prosecutor let me off. The judge that time around required me to talk to the Prosecutor first if I was pleading 'guilty with explanation'. I guess the Prosecutor was in a good mood because he let me off.

I had an issue with the elderly-not-all-there-mentally mother of my tenant who was staying as a guest. She just kept putting out trash at random times on the curb.

Posted on: 3/11 16:39

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MDM

Re: I got sanitation violations for garbage that someone illegally dumped

#15

Home away from home

Not much you can do. As the property owner, you are responsible.

The last few times I ended up in court for same / similar, I pleaded "Guilty with an explanation". Two things happened:

1. Minimum fine with court costs waved.
2. Prosecutor dropped charges.

Usually #1 happened.

If you know who did it (and you have proof) you can take that person(s) to court and recover the cost of your fine.

Posted on: 3/11 15:04

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MDM

Re: Colonette Diner comes back to life as La Mexicana….

#16

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Given the bloodbath that has been brick and mortar retail these last years, who knows if the mall be even financially viable in the near future.

What happens if/when Sears and JC Penny close up?

Posted on: 3/8 20:08

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MDM

Re: 10 Best Cafes in Jersey City

#17

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I would nominate Griot Cafe on Central Ave in the Heights. Small menu but well prepared food and good coffee.

Posted on: 3/7 18:14

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MDM

Re: Colonette Diner comes back to life as La Mexicana….

#18

Home away from home

Quote:

brewster wrote:
Quote:

nafco wrote:
What I wish would be demolished is the awful suburban-style Newport mall thats an eyesore, divides downtown and takes up a huge swath of valuable land.

I wouldn't hold your breath! I bet the operator has like a 50 year lease. I guess people go there, though I can easily go a year without setting foot in it. Especially since the Cajun place in the food court went.

When the mall first opened (1989 if I recall correctly), with the exception of a couple of new high rise buildings, Newport was still rotting piers and moonscape with an adjacent neighborhood that was in poor shape. There was nothing nice around the area. You couldn't even drive to downtown because Washington St. terminated in the Waldo area. The road was blocked by a huge mound of dirt that used to be an elevated freight rail line.

The Newport PATH station was a disaster area, as it had been mostly abandoned since the Erie railroad station was torn down in the 1950s. I remember walking over sheets of plywood with mini rivers of water running under the sheets when exiting the station. The light rail was barely in the planning stages.

So I can see why the builder made it like a suburban mall. At the time, they expected people to drive there and take advantage of the 3% sales tax rate... which is what happened. NYC sent agents to the mall at one point, placing "reminders" on cars with NY license plates that anything purchases in NJ would require the payment of NY use tax.

I also miss the Cajun food place. That was my favorite food stop in the mall. I went to the mall a lot less when it left.

Newport circa 1987:

Resized Image

Posted on: 3/7 16:29

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MDM

Re: $7k DCA Inspection Penalties - HELP!

#19

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Quote:

brewster wrote:
Quote:

dtjcview wrote:
If not, simply tell the collection agency that you do not recognize the debt.

Isn't the change of ownership of the association irrelevant to it's debts?

I thought that the agency first needed to put a lien on a building before the debt would transfer with ownership. Hence, the debt would show up on the title search.

If it was the latter case, then the association needs to contact who did their title search.

Posted on: 3/4 20:45

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MDM

Re: PSE&G Supply Energy Question

#20

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Quote:

dr_nick_riviera wrote:

Who did you see this rate with and how long was the term? I need to re-lock my rate as well.

These are the best rates I have found so far:

Stream - $11.08 Fixed 12 month
Just Energy - $11.56 Fixed 36 months
AEP - $11.76 - Fixed 18 months
M Power Energy - $0.109 Fixed 3 months

PSE&G is billing me about $0.134 per kWh. My previous rate lock was just over $0.10 per kWh.

Posted on: 2/24 14:21

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MDM

Re: PSE&G Supply Energy Question

#21

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My latest rate lock expired. Anyone here know of offers rate locks for 2+ years under $0.11 per kWh? Best I can find is just under $0.12 per kWh

Quote:

MDM wrote:
My electric rate lock is expiring soon. I locked in at $0.0925per kWh which saved me some significant $$$ over the past few years.

Lowest rate (3 year lock) I have found so far is about $0.1089 per kWh.

Anyone know of a supplier with a lower rate?

Posted on: 2/22 20:00

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MDM

Re: Early Dismissal at 12:45pm on 2/20 for JCBOE

#22

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Early dismissal for 3" to 4" of snow? Pain in the ass for parents still at work with kids too young to be at home alone.

Posted on: 2/20 15:08

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MDM

Re: Plastic bag bans coming to Hoboken, Jersey City

#23

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A box of 1,000 bags is only $25. Figure I'll buy a box and keep a bunch in the car and my kid's stroller (which seconds as a shopping cart).

Posted on: 2/18 18:51

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MDM

Re: Have you evicted a non-paying tenant in Jersey City/Hudson County?

#24

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Quote:

brewster wrote:

Thanks, I''l check it out. Years ago a friend with a large management co gave me a lease but I thought it was over the top aggressive, like not guaranteeing appliances. Have you ever had anyone put off by your lease?

No. My lease isn't that aggressive. I have over time had to put in additional caveats:

No turkey fryers allowed.

Tenant will not demand that "humane" or "organic" pest control methods be used to treat the apartment and / or common areas.

Posted on: 2/12 20:05

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MDM

Re: Have you evicted a non-paying tenant in Jersey City/Hudson County?

#25

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Quote:

brewster wrote:
Quote:

MDM wrote:
I have it in my lease that I can collect these costs "As Additional Rent". If you don't have the quoted statement in your lease, you can't demand that these costs be reimbursed in landlord / tenant court.

I need a tighter lease. Where did you get what you use?

I took a generic one from a How to Landlord book I read back in the 1990s. My attorney then reviewed it and made some changes (adding in the "Additional Rent" clauses and revising my late payment penalty fees).

https://www.amazon.com/Landlording-Han ... =1-2&keywords=landlording

Posted on: 2/12 18:45

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MDM

Re: The SUV Phenomenon

#26

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Quote:

RichMauro wrote:
I can't understand why--with the tax revenue that surely should be pouring in--the city can't build a number of centrally located low cost or no cost parking desks for residents.

Hoboken did something like that in the early 2000s (but it wasn't low cost). It was an automated parking garage that would stow your car using a lift system. The original plan was to not have attendants. It was to be 100% automated.

The system when it was first implemented kept making headlines of having destroyed people cars. One example I remember is some poor guy's trunk opened up and the lifting system caught it and launched his car off the lift, dropping it down multiple stories.

https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/30/nyr ... -a-garage-goes-wrong.html

https://hoboken411.com/archives/87561

Posted on: 2/12 17:41

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MDM

Re: Have you evicted a non-paying tenant in Jersey City/Hudson County?

#27

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I did an eviction about 8 years ago. I took them to court multiple times, but couldn't evict because they would come up with the money on the court date, including court and my attorney costs. I have it in my lease that I can collect these costs "As Additional Rent". If you don't have the quoted statement in your lease, you can't demand that these costs be reimbursed in landlord / tenant court.

The final court visit, they did a no-show and I was given a default judgement to have them evicted. The eviction process takes a while. The Sheriffs office will "take possession" of the apartment by changing the locks. The tenant will then have to arrange to pick up their personal items. After a certain time (don't recall the length) the Sheriffs office can move the personal items out of the apartment to the curb. Once the tenant's possessions are gone, the apartment is returned to the landlord.

The tenants in my case did a midnight move-out, which made the Sheriff intervention unnecessary.

Years before that, I took another tenant to court over a dispute over repairs and rent. My attorney informed me that unless the tenant put the rent into an escrow account, the court will not look kindly on the tenant's claims. In this case, never made it in front of the judge. The tenant, after consulting an attorney, paid up.

Posted on: 2/12 16:58

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MDM

Re: The SUV Phenomenon

#28

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Quote:

Test drive a Soul. Great car, dirt cheap, and the base model comes with tons of stuff like bluetooth that's higher trim on other cars. You'll swear there's a spacewarp that makes it bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. It's wide, so you can probably get 2 kid seats in plus another passenger. I know we had 2 boosters and another kid. Plus you can get nice aftermarket roof rails and shlep sheets of plywood or drywall.
/quote]

I'll check it out. I have a bias against Korean made cars I need to reconsider (from several bad experiences many years ago). Right now I have been looking at used mini vans, just in case we end up with twins (albeit very unlikely).

Posted on: 2/1 15:02

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MDM

Re: The SUV Phenomenon

#29

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Having multiple little kids is another reason to get one.

If you have more than kid that requires a car seat, forget about driving something like a small hatchback.

Car seats have gotten so beefed up, you could probably drop a kid from orbit in one, and he would survive. The downside is they take up a lot of room. Add to the fact that in NJ, the car seat has to be rear facing until age two**. This takes up even more room.

I am looking at turning in my trusty, easy to park, wonderfully easy to drive hatchback if/when #2 kid comes along. If I put two car seats in my existing vehicle, the driver seat will be too forward for me to fit in the car (I am not a tall dude).

So it will be minivan, crossover, or SUV.

**NJ allows front facing before 2 if the kid is 30lbs or more. There is however, no exception granted for height. My poor kid knees are in his chest as a result. He is super tall for his age.

Posted on: 1/31 19:09

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MDM

Re: New Jersey-New York area lost 5,700 millionaires in 2018

#30

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What happens when one billionaire moves to Florida: David Tepper blew a hole in the state budget.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/ ... budgeteers_the_audit.html

"Billionaire David Tepper, who Bloomberg estimated is worth $10.6 billion, relocated to Florida last year. Tepper moved his hedge fund, Appaloosa Management, to Florida this year."

"The acting treasurer said he'd read a media account that Tepper's tapping out of New Jersey could produce a $50 million hit to the budget. He didn't remember where he read it.

"This reality -- with such a small segment of the population driving (gross income tax) revenues and so much of the revenue collected so late in the fiscal year -- creates heightened volatility in tax receipts, severely increasing the complexity of the annual budgeting process," he said. "

Posted on: 1/23 15:15

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