Thank you Amy for keeping an open mind. You are right that a lot in JC don't. I agree with you about the value of walking one's dog, and I too believe that animals should be kept on leash in public spaces.

Dogs are like children in the way that they have a lot of energy to burn, energy that can't be burnt simply by a long walk. They are also social pack animals that need a chance to freely relate to one another. That is why dog runs are an all-around good idea. They really are a win-win. A win for the animal that gets what it needs, a win for the owner who can take proper care of their animals, and a win for non-owners who are not tripping over other people's animals because they have nowhere else to go. I think it is worth noting that some of the strongest opponents of the VVP run when it was first proposed are now its' most vocal supporters.

Amy

WHen VVP was closed the city built a temporary dog run - one significantly larger than what we are requesting now.

Hi everyone.

I usually don't comment on JCList. As this thread demonstrated, people are a little quick to assume each other's motives and behaviors.

As one of the original members of the committee that negotiated for the runs in VVP and HP and one of the sponsors of the petition I'd like to clear a few things up.

A petition for a temporary facility in a park is not looking a gift horse in the mouth. If without that petition you are not able to use the park as you always have - as a place to walk your dog, then what exactly is the gift?

The concept that we are also being accommodated is false. Enos Park is not an accommodation. We could walk our dogs on that lawn now, but we do not. Why? The freight train noise is painful to the dogs, the various leagues that play there make it too crowded and noisy even when a train is not going by, and at night it is frankly not safe enough.

So what is it we are asking for? Simply put, we are asking to be allowed to share with our neighbors something meant for the whole neighborhood, and paid for by our tax dollars as much as anyone else's ( the city is footing the bill). We are asking to not be a burden on the next door neighborhood, Van Vorst Park, as their run is already small and just meets their needs. We do not want to overrun it. We are asking to be included with our neighbors in HP, not segregated from them.

What are we not doing? We are not asking for anything more than what we have now with the tennis court - a temporary place to take our dogs off-leash in a secure environment. We are not making demands of the developer. We have spoken with the developer and they have no problem with this, but it is the city's plan - not the developers. We are not kicking and screaming for an entitlement, we are petitioning our government based on our grievance - a time honored way of doing things in this country.

In the end we, a rather large number of your neighbors, are just asking to be included. What is the possible harm in that?

PLEASE CROSS-POST

Fellow Animal Lovers -

We desperately need your help.

For several weeks now we have been receiving assurances from Richard Censullo, the Health Officer for both Union City and North Bergen that he was doing all he could to make sure that Hector Carbajales , the disgraced President of the HCDSPCA, was replaced as Animal Control Officer for both towns. Now, according to Friday's Jersey Journal, Mr. Carbajales is being allowed to bid for the very contract that was stripped from his old organization after they were exposed for cruel, inhumane treatment of animals!

Mr. Carbajales has submitted a much lower bid than market rates - easy to do when you supply none of the legally required services - to undercut other bidders. At the same time, his bids would give him a $66,000 a year RAISE over what HCDSPCA made for the work last year.

In Union City alone, several animals have been taken home and fostered by local police after Mr. Carbajales has failed to show up for DAYS to pick them up. This puts any escaped animals OUT OF REACH of their owners who may be trying to find them.

Meanwhile, Mr. Carbajales is the subject of a criminal investigation by the State Attorney General that could lead to criminal charges and even jail time. In their filing with the court this past week the State Department of Consumer Affairs cited evidence that Hector and Zoe Carbajales may have embezzled over $90,000 in just the last two years, as well as $12,000 in the month of April alone!

Please take the time tomorrow - the earlier in the day the better, to call the Mayors and Commissioners of each of these towns and tell them to say NO to Mr. Carbajales!

A Sample call would go something like this:

"Hi. I am calling Commissioner/Mayor ___________ to state how vital it is that Hector Carbajales NOT be allowed to contract with Union City/North Bergen to provide Animal Control. Mr. Carbajales has a proven track record of Animal Cruelty and abuse and is currently the subject of multiple State Attorney General Investigations. His current handling of Animals in Union City is already in violation of State Animal Control Law. Hiring him is a blemish on your good name, and those who support him will be held accountable at the polls and in the courts. Again, I urge you for the safety of Union City/North Bergen's Animal Population and the legal protection of Town Governemnt NOT to award your Animal Control Contract to Hector Carbajales."

Both towns will make this decision by a vote of the Mayor and Commissioners. Their names and numbers are:

NORTH BERGEN
Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco
Public Affairs
(201) 392-2005

Comm. Hugo Cabrera
Revenue & Finance
(201) 392-2012

Comm. Theresa Ferraro
Public Safety
(201) 392-2032

Comm. Frank Gargiulo
Public Works
(201) 392-2161

Comm. Allen Pascual
Parks & Public Prop.
(201) 392-2062

UNION CITY
Mayor Brian Stack
Public Safety
(201) 348-5754

Comm. Lucio Fernandez
Public Affairs
(201) 348-5735

Comm. Christopher F. Irizarry
Parks & Public Property
(201) 348-5744

Comm. Maryury A. Martinetti
Revenue & Finance
(201) 348-5748

Comm. Tilo E. Rivas
Public Works
(201) 348-5737

Thank You - and PLEASE email me with how many calls you made so we have an idea what impact we are having. AND PLEASE CROSSPOST!!

Thank You,

David Norman
President
Hudson Animal Advocates A NJ Nonprofit Corporation