Cut out $3 Starbux for 25 business days per month ($900 annually); Keep cable but downgrade (Fios is $50 less than Xfinit)i x 12 ($600 annually); Get in the habit of bringing lunch to work 3x a week. I work in TriBeCa, so my savings is $45 each week, ($2160 annually). This alone = $3660. My tax bill increased $2,500. It's called tightening your belt! Tax bill problem solved!

I reviewed the .pdf of the 1/24 spreadsheet... and noticed that the highest percentage of 'proposed' increases are all buildings built after about 2000. An older building (like mine) built in 1900 (then rebuilt in 1925 after a fire) tells a different story. I own a small one bedroom condo on 8th St on Hamilton Park, which has not made it into the tables yet; however when comparing sq. foot of my condo vs. surrounding streets and the looking at about the same year the building was built as mine, it seems like the proposed tax increases are 10%-20% vs. much higher percentages on newer buildings/properties. Again, this is just something I noticed, and not sure if anyone else thought the same thing.

Today, two of Symes volunteers (2 women), buzzed all buzzers in our building until someone buzzed them in. They knocked on my door, confirmed my name like they were my best friend (yes they have a list) and are belligerent about telling you about the special election. When asked to leave our private condo building, they kept talking about the election. I had to physically walk them out the door and asked them to leave four or five times. They clearly were going to each door in our apartment building on Hamilton Park. When asked to leave, again, they remained in our vestibule, called their supervisor until I said 'you both have to leave now or I'm calling 911". Then, one of the volunteers handed me her phone (whose supervisor was on the phone), and I said the same thing to her 'supervisor' - they are not leaving. They finally left after several more times telling them to open the door and leave our building or I'm calling 911. They then stood in front of our building and talked on the phone about the situation to someone for about 20 minutes. Then, they went to the building next door. Long story short, these two women are apparently ringing every doorbell, walking to every unit once they gain access to building and AGGRESSIVELY to canvass. I called Rebecca Symes who was very apologetic and promised this would not happen. This is an FYI to all.

Not only are their prices better, but I commend their management. They sent a mailer with a coupon for $10 off of a $100 order at checkout - actually two $10 offers for different time frames. The cashier scanned the wrong timeframe, and when I got home, I realized $10 was not taken off. I called the store and the manager, Frank, was super nice about coming back and getting a $10 credit on the spot. I went back and was credited $10, no questions asked. To me, I am sold on the place.

On July 18th our condo building (13 units) received the same letter with seven 'violations' to correct. I wrote to and spoke with the Mayor's offfice. I actually am glad we are forced to ensure that our standpipe, signs, fire escape, smoke & CO2 detetectors are being required to be inspected. My issue was with the process, not the protocol. To send a letter of "Violations and Order to Correct" without technically inspecting the building, and giving us three weeks in the middle of the Summer to hire contractors was unrealistic. We were granted a small extension, and have a reliable board and good property manager so we can be ready for inspection. I personally wouldn't appeal this. Just think what would happen if these items were NOT inspected and up to code and something happened...Then, you'd really need attorney(s)!

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Good for you. For seven minutes of my day on a train that doesn't smell it's still worth my $547.

I have been taking the PATH to WTC each workday since 2001. I can count about four or five times (minus Sandy and 9/11) when the service was completely shut down. On very very cold frigid days, and extreme weather, anyone has to expect delays, especially on the line that starts at Newark - it's a given. However, I am rarely late to work due to a PATH problem. If drove myself in, I'd be paying $12 for the Holland Tunnel and at least $30 a day to park my car.

So, let's see.. a 40 trip (one month) PATH Smart Link pass is $84. To drive in would cost $240 (tunnel) plus $600 = $860. For $776, I'll take the PATH, and it's (very) occasional hiccups.

It's in the hands of our Property Manager, now. I work full time Monday-Friday 8:30-5 and, to be honest, the amount of time it would take for me to do MORE research, make MORE phone calls, etc. is so not worth it. Like I said, the 'fee' is nominal, the communication was unclear, and I have absolutely no interest in playing Norma Rae with Jersey City. :)

Working in nonprofit, Federal and NYC-funded programming - I'm not at all surprised that the letter he received was not crafted in detail, and a call need to occur for clarification.

There's no use fighting JCity Hall, and the fee is nominal. Yes, the communication is incredibly unclear as well as the forms (the Director had to walk me through what questions were relevant and needed to be answered- and my daily job function involves writing policies and procedures!). But like I said, I get government.

Thanks much for your help, though. I see from the other thread that it's not just our condo association being targeted.

I called back and spoke to the Director of the Dept. All condo associations are now required to complete this information and send the fee. It's actually in response to Hurricane Sandy - the City wants to have a database of all condo owners - as they couldn't get a hold of many of them during and after the storm. This falls on the condo associations unfortunately.

When I asked why the $10 per unit fee, he said it's because this project is expensive. Um ok.

I get the database, (I'm in public health administration in NYC)... but not in agreement with the fee.

Thanks for the reply. I called the JC Dept. of Housing this am about the letter and was told that our condo association has to pay the $10 per unit - regardless of if the unit is owner-occupied or not.

It's not so much the $ issue for me, as it will come out of our fund, but the principal - as well as the the ordinance that I don't understand.

And only one owner in our building received the notice (ever!) - his unit happens to be the first unit - so I assume the City just looked up the first unit in our building, and addressed it to him. I was offered the opportunity to call back and speak with the Director of the Department, but I'm going to ask our Property Manager to.

Has anyone else received a (threatening FINAL NOTICE) notification from City of JC Dept. of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce about 'registering' property with them, and paying an annual fee of $10 per unit (if you have over 5 condos in the building)?

An owner in our building received the letter and it stated that failure to register within 14 days will result in a $1250 fine and or imprisonment (well not more than 90 days luckily)...

It seems like Jersey City is looking for ways to introduce something new (I've owned my unit for 11 years and we never saw this before) to generate some revenue.

If anyone has insight, please chime in. Thanks.

A Direct Energy 'rep' buzzed this evening. He was giving a shpiel about some rate on my PSEG bill, and how they could provide a fixed 9% rate vs. a variable 11% rate now, and it's good for a year. I went to the door and didn't let him in. He asked me for my bill, and I said I pay online, and he asked for an old bill, and I said I don't save them. I was not about to let anyone in... After his shpiel, I asked him for material to review, and in his disorganized portfolio, he had no material, nor a business card. This was my first clue that this is a scam. He was trying to get me to sign up immediately and I said I'd take his number and do research and if I decide, I'd call him. No person, in their right mind, would automatically sign up for something that sounds too good to be true, and that's what I said to him. He asked if I'd let him into the building to knock on doors, to which I replied "sorry, you'll have to stand out here and ring buzzers to talk to people".
Total scam!!!!!

Call Theresa at 212 920 5585. She's a mobile cat groomer- and works in Jersey City. I got her name from Fussy Friends. She's very good. My cat (who is 13 and hates her backside touched), needed a grooming 'back there'. Theresa did a good job, and most importantly, did it at my house.

Has anyone else in the area been plagued with a persistant leak from their roof to top floor units? Our condo association has been attempting to fix it for almost 2 years now. Contractors have even water tested - and sealed a leak, and it has not been corrected. Any advice?

I ordered a cake from Cocoa's this wekend, and it was excellent. It was a chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream and cookie crunch in the middle. The cake was extremely moist, and the frosting was smooth, and full of flavor. All six of my friends were in agreement that it was a hit!

I went to the Parkside Bistro last night (Saturday). The nice thing about this restaurant is that the menu is diverse enough that you can order anything from a full entree meal, to a burger.

I remember when this place was "Deep Blue"- which never felt like a neighborhood place. Parkside Bistro's management gutted this place, painted it with bright colors, and made the right decision to serve good food, price it correctly, and ensure that patrons feel welcome, and will want to keep coming back.

Good Work!

Whatever the reason, it's good they are doing it. I've almost been pummeled at the corner of 8th and Erie, while crossing the street in front of Basic, on the way to the PATH. Commuters are in such a rush to get to the tunnel, they bypass that stop sign constantly.

There is no water until AT LEAST 8pm for some residents on 8th Street on the Park. I called United Water and was told this. Our building has no water and we're at 8th and McWilliams.

Does anyone know why the boarded up funeral home is still boarded up on 4th and Jersey Ave? Who owns it and are there plans to get rid of it? It's such an eyesore and when I happen to walk by it , it smells terrible.

Can anyone suggest a good heating contractor? I have 2 units that are heating and a/c (heat pumps) - I just need to have some routine maintenance. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I called yesterday (Sunday 10/14)- was told that the inspection is today (10/15) and they plan to open by the end of the week. I signed up in August! But the gym is extremely large and alot of new equipment. Once it is opened, it will certainly take alot of the business from the gyms in the area that are 1/8th the size.

Do people really swim in that pool at Newport Swim? I remember that it looked sketchy, and germy kids flailing around in it.

Brickhaus is cheaper then NYSC btw. And all brand new equipment, a whole floor devoted to cardio and a juice bar. Plus the hours are extensive.

No one got a description of the burglar.

Yes, this is an apt building. The outside front door was locked and forced open. Then, once inside the vestibule area, the person began to literally kick the 2nd door in (which was locked )and break the frame until the noise got too loud and we came out to see what was going on.

On Friday, August 10th, at 3AM, a burglar gained access to our residence on 8th Street, between Erie and Jersey Ave. The burglar gained entry to one entrance and as he kicked the 2nd entrance in, he fled, as the sound awoken a few of us in the building.

Police were called and a report was filed.

I use Mary Sweats. She is a good puppy watcher

When I first moved here, I saw Dr. Cohen. Since he specializes in cosmetic dentistry- he was good in persuading me to get a few things done that I didnt really need- and one time, the cleaning hurt so bad that I had to go back and get pain killers.
I use a dentist in the city- Joseph Sachs- 18th and 7th. They take alot of insurance plans and the staff is terrific, cleanings are pain free and convenient to PATH.

Just go in- and ask for Michael- he is one of the owners

It is on the corner of Newark and Barrow. It's about 3 times the size of NYSC in JC. There are triple or quadruple the number of treadmills/elyptical machines, steam and sauna (NYSC in JC doesnt have), brand new machines, juice bar and the hours are mon-fri 5am to 11pm and weekends 7am to 9pm. NYSC is open mon-fri 5:30 am to 9pm and closes at 4pm on the weekends. Needless to say, I joined this week and the initiation fee was waived and $69 per month vs NYSC $82 per month.