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What's the point? Like Yvonne is going to read anything that doesn't support her point of view, and anyway it's all about WHAT HAPPENED TO TOLERANCE because you know, religion? (Which is hilarious, yes Yvonne, what did happen to tolerance, hmmm? Let us know if you find where you misplaced yours.)

And if someone is interested in learning more, feel free to google other places to find out more, and post it here for others.

Yvonne, you need to get some basic information on transgender issues before you go posting about the topic ANYwhere.

If you want to learn more about transgender issues and terminology, these are some good places to start:

Terminology: http://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender

Transgender basics: http://www.transequality.org/issues/r ... sgender-people-the-basics

Non-binary people: http://www.transequality.org/issues/r ... respectful-and-supportive

Issues: http://www.transequality.org/issues

The medical term used is GENDER DYSPHORIA, which means "the condition of feeling one's emotional and psychological identity as male or female to be opposite to one's biological sex".

Which leads us to something you posted earlier, GENDER does not equal SEX.

You don't understand anything about transgender issues, you don't wish to even TRY to understand anything, yet you're willing to post your pretty hateful views repetitively. And then cry victim when someone says something against your religious beliefs.

And DTJCView is right - attitudes like yours definitely engender hate and hateful acts. You should think on that.

I think he'll do well. He's a smart guy, no bullshit.

It's all about the zip code, baby. What would people think if she lived in (gasp) JERSEY??

Mana pushing for it is not a quiet rumor - they're really pushing hard for it, and I bet they're pushing for the "skip over JSQ" solution so the Manhattanites don't have to see non-downtown JC.

We also had Corrado do a tax appeal for us last year and I never heard anything back from them on it, despite repeated emails and calls to follow up. But the tax card I got today shows a reduced tax rate for 2014.

Two questions:
1. Can I expect to receive some sort of check from them/someone? Someone mentioned below that they would get 1/3 payment in Jan.

2. It's a 25% reduction in the assessment. Does that translate into a 25% reduction in taxes paid, or is there some other formula at work there? Just trying to figure out how much we'll be paying with the lower assessment.

Activism Request!

Hamilton Park has opened and so has the new playground! While it's a wonderful space, unfortunately it has no gates on the two entrances to keep it a securely enclosed environment. (The two dog runs of course have gates!)

I spoke with two planners yesterday at the opening about the need for gates, as did the heads of several preschools who will be using the space regularly. I can't say they were particularly responsive, but a call to the Jersey Journal reporter at the opening told me that the city is going to look into gates.

If you would take a moment to call or email the director of the Dept of Public Works and reiterate the need for gates, it would be greatly appreciated. His name is Rodney Hadley, rodney@jcnj.org, 201 547 4400.

Also needed are some lines painted around the swings to visually indicate where it's safe to walk by them. Today I saw two children get kicked in their heads for getting too close.


Please spread the word!

I have to chime in on Airaton as well - they are beyond dreadful. They installed our Unico system last year and what was specced out as a two week job turned into an EIGHT WEEK NIGHTMARE. They never showed up, impossible to get a hold of, etc etc. I complained repeatedly to the Unico outfit directly but they didn't care either. I can't scare you off them enough.

I have used Royal Heating for several furnaces/hot water tanks (in different houses!) and they are great. Really great. I don't think they do the Unico installs, but they did quote us regular central air in a minimally invasive approach. It was around 7-8K - half of the Unico install. But there wouldn't be vents in various hallways, bathrooms, etc. so we didn't go that route.

Unico vs. split system, I think Unico is more expensive and less noticeable once in- it's small holes in the ceiling or floor that the air comes through. The split system is more like a window unit in that it is a large box but it's in your wall instead of a window. We're getting that put in the first floor. You can control each unit individually - so you can have it on in one place and not the other, so it's probably more economical as well. I've used split systems on holiday and they work great.

ETA I don't know if you have a choice in an Unico install in this area. You could investigate Spacepak which is a similar product (miniducts).

I got a calendar with info about the JC Summer Fun program, and it had a list of pools with hours. I called the number listed there for "more information" and of course no one has called me back - any of the three times I've called.

Does anyone know anything about the pools available - not Pershing Field, but they had Dickinson High School listed, and I also saw that the former JC YMCA's pool is managed by the Dept of Recreation. I want to lap swim locally but can't get any info!

Thanks - I hadn't thought of yet another reassessment. When we bought this 2F it had just been converted into one, and we pay almost double in property tax than the same house next door - which is a 1 family being used as a two family. If I'm losing the income I was hoping to lower the taxes.

If you have a 2 family house that is being used as a 1 family, what tax rate do you pay? I know you pay more for a 2 family, but does it revert back to the 1 family tax rate if the property is used as a 1 family? If so, how do you go about getting the tax rate changed?

Thanks! I will call city hall too, but thought you might be able to give me some info here.

Oh, do include Journal Square. I don't know if the artist-hipsters are moving here but lots of people with young children are here - there are 3-4 people on my street alone who have just had a baby (self included). We have a really good neighborhood association if you want to talk to them and get a handle on the issues up this way. You'd have to include the non-responsiveness of the politicians in your article as everyone else has already mentioned.

We moved to JSQ 3 years ago after looking at Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Hoboken to buy. So far, so good. Lots more space at a decent price. Will I stay here and send my kid to school here? If things don't change for the better round here, no freaking way.

And PLEASE illustrate your article with my favorite photo of Our Mayor - naked and drunk on his front porch. PLEASE.

Commissions - When we sold our place, our listing agent did 4% commission if it was sold in-house (by one of the realtors at her office or herself) and 5% if it was sold by an outside agent. I think with the MLS it pretty much is a 50-50 split. Sounds like the realtor you spoke with was giving you a load of bs to try to talk you out of putting the property on the MLS. That way, all interested parties come through them, and they get the full commission. That is NOT in your best interest, though, so don't let them bs you!

PS The agent we've used for a few buys/sales has been great. We had 4 other realtors come look at the house we were selling, and she told us to put it on the market for 100K higher than any of them did. It sold at asking price - and we even had an offer over asking price. PM me and I'll put you in touch with her if you'd like.

ETA: Found this on the zoning site:
"The practitioner shall not utilize the services of more than one non resident employee."

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!! And I'll let my accountant handle any deductions for me - no audits please!

(for some reason it wouldn't let me edit my last post)

Thanks! You've all been very helpful. I called zoning and they said it was okay to have a home-based business. I am still reading through the zoning info posted earlier - a great help!

What if I had an employee working there with me (or an independent contractor)? Would that be allowed? I asked zoning and they kind of fudged the answer, saying no public disturbance, which I took to mean "as long as it's not obvious to everyone", but I prefer to stay on the right side of the law if at all possible!

I'd like to set up a home office to run my business from - not to telecommute to work for another employer. Does anyone know if JC allows this in a residentially zoned area? I have a 2 family and may take over the second unit as my office. It would just be me - no employees or customers coming by.

I'm going to call Zoning too to see what I can find out from them but haven't found anything on the net so far. Any help appreciated!