Quote:
Unless you live on the far west end of Newark Ave. meaning west of Kennedy Blvd.

I was going to go, but got held up at work.

Did anyone discuss littering and graffiti? Also, I wanted to submit a proposal...no pajama pants in public after 12pm...did anyone discuss that idea?

thanks to The Heights Coalition for setting this up! It was great - and we learned more about the candidates than we could've imagined....

a note to Amy Sara Clark from the Journal.. there were WAY more than "More than 100 people attended" - you should say over 200 - that room was packed!

Face off on crime, taxes

Friday, April 03, 2009
By AMY SARA CLARK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

All five Jersey City mayoral candidates faced off last night in the second forum for the 2009 municipal election.

More than 100 people attended the event, sponsored by the Heights Coalition, at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, at 167 Hancock St.

The candidates - Jersey City Police Detective Phillip G. Webb, 60; Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, 60; former Assemblyman Louis Manzo, 54; civic activist Daniel Levin, 46, and Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, 58 - agreed on several issues, such as the need for more parks and more community policing. But they clashed on tax abatements and crime prevention.

Webb came out strongly against tax abatements, while Healy argued for them, saying developers need long-range guarantees about what kind of taxes they would pay.

"The money wouldn't be lent (for development projects) if developers had to rely on the vagaries of the tax system," he said.

On transportation, Healy touted his transportation master plan, which calls for an extension of the Light Rail across Route 440 and his efforts that convinced NJ Transit to extend the No. 123 bus to Christ Hospital.

But Levin criticized Healy for failing to step in before service was cut and for focusing on "pie-in-the-sky" Light Rail extensions instead of improving bus service. Manzo argued that Jersey City should create its own bus system instead of relying on state agencies and private companies.

On schools, Manzo suggested the creation of two new high schools, one for performing arts and one for trade and technology, while Levin called for more charter schools.

And on crime, Manzo touted his sponsorship of "Operation Ceasefire" in the state legislature and promised a "zero-tolerance" approach to enforcement, while Webb and Smith called for more social programs, such as job training for ex-convicts and substance abuse programs.

"We have to change the way we look at social issues," Smith said, advocating a drug rehabilitation center for Jersey City.

Webb agreed. "There has to be a holistic approach to stopping crime," he said. "Most of the people we arrest have problems with drugs. If you're not doing rehabilitation, if you're not upgrading education, no matter how many cops you put on the streets . the crime will persist."

Those surveyed after the debate said they were most impressed by Manzo and Levin.

"I thought Lou Manzo did a pretty good job and Dan Levin was good, too" said Elmer Andal, a 37-year-old financial analyst who said he came to the debate undecided. "The other two, they seemed like they couldn't do the job . and Mayor Healy - it's the same old story, I don't quite buy it."

Michael Santasieri, a 75-year-old retired dock worker, said Manzo seemed "good and honest."

And Doris Cappelluti, 75, said she is supporting Manzo for his record in the Assembly. "All the things he did in the Assembly, think of what he'll do as mayor," she said, adding that she liked Levin, too, but that "to get anything done in Jersey City, you need a political following."

Yes - this is a real Forum sponsored by several Heights organizations. It is TONIGHT so please come at 7PM at 167 Hancock St. While it will focus on The Heights, many of the issues are common throughout the City.

Got a flyer in our mailbox earlier this week. Assuming it's all valid information - two mayoral "forums" in The Heights this month.

Here's the information as it appears on the flyer:


The Height's Coalition Presents
"Responding to the Issues: Taxes, Crime, Transportation, Education, Quality of Life, Zoning"

2 Candidate Forums:

MAYORAL FOURM
Thursday, April 2
7 PM

CITY COUNCIL FORUM - WARDS C & D
Thursday, April 16
7 PM

Public fourms held in preparation for May's Municipal election. Hear candidates speak on local issues that matter most to you & your family!

BOTH NIGHTS
Time: 7 PM to 9 PM
Location: Christa McAuliffe Elementary School (P.S. 28) Auditorium
167 Hancock Avenue
Jersey City Heights

The Heights Coalition:
Washington Park Association of Hudson County, Riverview Neighborhood Association, Inc., Heights Hope Neighborhood Association, The Hope Center, Pershing Field Garden Friends, Central Avenue Special Improvement District, New York Avenue Block Association, PS 8 Neighborhood Block Association, AARP, Heights Community Relations Council

id be down to go for that.

The Heights Coalition, an informal coalition of Heights community groups, is sponsoring a Mayoral Forum on Thursday evening, April 2nd at 7PM at PS 28 (Christa McAuliffe School) 167 Hancock St. (Bowers& South).

All are welcome.

All 5 candidates have agreed to participate. Questions were culled from the sponsoring organizations memberships and the Forum will be moderated, timed.

We do hope you can make it. The more voices the better!

FYI, all five candidates have agreed to participate including Healy, Manzo, Smith, Levin and Webb.

This is NOT the same as the debate being held at the Loew's on 4/1. This is 4/2 in the evening and all candidates have agreed to participate.

The desire for better government always brings high hopes and excitement to May?s Municipal elections. For local residents, talking politics and participating in the election process is part of the City?s rich culture.

In preparation for it, the neighborhood and business community in the Heights Section of Jersey City are working together as The Heights Coalition, a non-partisan group of community organizations, to coordinate two forums in which residents have an opportunity to hear candidates speak on the local issues that matter most. The forums are opened to the public and scheduled as follows:


Mayoral Candidate Form

Date: Thursday April 2, 2009
Time: 7PM to 9PM
Location: Christa McAuliffe Elementary (aka PS # 28) School Auditorium
167 Hancock Avenue, Jersey City

Ward C & D Council Candidate Forum

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Time: 7PM to 9PM
Location: Christa McAuliffe Elementary (aka PS # 28) School Auditorium
167 Hancock Avenue, Jersey City
?Unlike other debates and forums in previous elections, attendees can look forward to a slightly different format,? says Nick Caballero of the Washington Park Association. The Forums will be moderated with strict rules and regulations for both candidates and audience alike. Candidates are being asked to speak clearly on the issues while steering away from accusations and taking cheap shots at the other candidates.