GWB --

Alas, addressing crime and public safety will not happen anytime soon, given the paralysis of Jersey City's municipal government, as the administration defensively crouches, awaiting the next, imminent round of federal indictments.

And while the elected/appointed leadership all huddle in full CYA-mode, the general public and the police will continue to run the gauntlet on streets that are less safe every day.

Sadly, an August monsoon is unlikely. And absent that type of meteorological intervention -- literally 31 nights of rain -- the E.R. at the J.C. Medical Center will be at capacity, or beyond, with the tensions brewing on the corner, and perceived lack of effective control by the P.D.

Be safe.

How awful. What will it take to compel change in this town? How egregious must the crime level become before we collectively say, "ENOUGH!" Ten wounded in a single shootout? Another martyred cop?

On Friday, we rightfully honored and mourned a brave frontline casualty in this war on society. Officer DiNardo's heroism touched everyone. But no sooner do the teary-eyed tributes end and the bagpipes fade, just hours later, then another round of gunfire rings out.

These violent incidents are getting worse. And our administration, and police brass, exude little/no confidence about suitable/meaningful answers. "Pray for rain" -- to keep the malcontents with firearms indoors -- is not a solution.

What will it take to improve matters? Better community-policing models, more programs, thinking-outside-the-box, and clear, strong leadership. Can Jersey City risk continuing to do simply the same, in its public safety? With regular headlines like "Five Wounded in Shooting," not for long...

As suggested by a prior post in this thread, this is the ideal time for Councilman Fulop to re-introduce the Redevelopment Pay-to-Play (Campaign Finance) ordinance that he proposed in January 2007. [The ordinance was originally crafted and requested by Civic JC, and presented by Dan Levin and Andrew Hubsch, who appeared before Municipal Council in June 2006.]

The (re)development crowd -- real estate developers, their lawyers, etc. -- is the single greatest source of local campaign dollars. And until tighter rules (and penalties) are in place, with increased transparency, that money will unduly influence the city's decisions about development: approvals, variances, abatements.

And only a Council-sponsored ordinance can address redevelopment law. So it's down to Fulop, and up to us, to seize the moment.

Three suspects involved in an armed robbery fired shots at city police officers early this morning, online media sources report.

According to the reports, police pursued the suspects along Communipaw Avenue at around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21st. The suspects jumped into their car, but not before one of them shot at the officers at least nine times, the reports said No one was hit, the report saids.

The suspects then rammed their car into a police cruiser, injuring four officers, the reports said. All three suspects were eventually arrested. All the officers are expected to recover.

as reported online Sunday evening (July 19th):

Woman beaten unconscious, left naked on Jersey City street

An unidentified woman was beaten unconscious and left naked on the sidewalk in Jersey City in a brutal robbery early this morning, police reports said.

Carlos Acosta, 18, of Manning Avenue, and Davon Gordon, 18, of Arlington Avenue were arrested two blocks from the scene and charged with robbery, aggravated assault and criminal attempt, reports said.

Police have not yet been able to identify the woman, who remained in critical condition at Jersey City Medical Center this afternoon, Jersey City Police Department Edgar Martinez spokesman said.

A 26-year-old man, who was robbed of $20 and his identity card, also suffered lacerations to the front left of his forehead and back of his head and was also treated at Jersey City Medical Center, reports said.

When police arrived at the scene at 5:37 a.m., they found a naked woman lying on the eastern sidewalk of Van Horne Street about 15 feet south of Communipaw Avenue., reports said. The woman was unconscious with several head wounds and blood coming from her mouth, reports said.

A witness told police he saw two men grab the woman, slam her head repeatedly on the pavement of the street and then drag her to the sidewalk at Van Horne Street. They then kicked her and removed her clothing, throwing it over a gate into an abandoned lot, reports said. The men then grabbed and fondled her, reports said.

The witness then said the men turned on the second victim who was walking north on Van Horne Street, punching and kicking him, leaving a large pool of blood on the sidewalk, reports said.

Police found the second victim bleeding from his head and walking south on Van Horne Street.
Police arrested the two suspects, who had blood on their clothing and sneakers, two blocks away on Communipaw Avenue near Manning Avenue, reports said.

Anyone with information that may help identify the victim should call (201) 547-5245.

Here's the politckernj.com article link:

http://www.politickernj.com/editor/31 ... n-accused-being-floridian

Can you imagine this now proceeding to depositions? Is that the creaking of Pandora's box opening up?

Xerxes --

My bad. I forgot to answer one of your specific questions.

The PILOT contracts for both the Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe buildings run 1988-2018. Identical in duration, timeframe, and terms.

Too bad the Tax Assessor's office at City Hall was less-than-responsive. Hope this helps.

When the issue of waterfront PILOTs flared a few years ago, right after Healy was first elected on a platform of "no more waterfront abatements," spent some time at City Hall, requesitioning ordinances and such. (The newly-elected mayor had reversed himself, supporting a PILOT for the "A" building on Washington Blvd., since "it wasn't on the water." By a block.) Anyway, the initial two Newport buildings, TJ and JM were awarded 30-year terms, expiring in 2018, in part because of the affordable housing units included in those properties. Since then, all other waterfront development, from Newport to Paulus Hook, east of Marin Blvd., has received PILOTs, but none have on-site affordable- or fair-housing components. 100% market-rate, with discounted property taxes. It will be sobering to see what unfolds, when all these buildings approach the end of their abatement calendars, and fall like dominoes.

For Xerxes' colleague at the James Monroe, s/he might breathe easier knowing that the building's PILOT runs until 2018. [As Yvonne likes to underscore, these are contracts. For JM and Thomas Jefferson, those contracts expire in 2018.] Which means, all those units will benefit from discounted real estate taxes for another 9 years. After that, though, the owners may collectively wish to run like hell.

The run-off elections for Council are incredibly difficult, especially for challengers, who need to maintain cohesion and then also build a coalition in just four weeks. "Voter fatigue" is palpable in J.C.; this was the 4th spring election day in 8 weeks. [Board of Ed; municipal; NJ primary; run-off.]

In fact, both of the challengers performed better, relatively speaking, than the Team Healy incumbents, comparing May 12th's results to June 9th's: Mike Sottolano was minus-15% (2,094, dropping to 1,776), and Viola Richardson was minus-26% (1,752, dropping to 1,303). Despite their HCDO manpower and monetary advantages, they lost ground.

In Ward A, Rolando Lavarro expanded his votes by 4% (1,281, increasing to 1,331). Somehow, he kept his supporters aware and engaged, and got them to go the polls, yet again. As well, in Ward F, Ron-Calvin Clark improved his results by 15% (670, increasing to 767).

Of course, neither challenger succeeded in their ultimate aim, which was/is heart-breaking, but they both performed very well. And they made the HCDO spend time and resources ($$$$) to retain the pre-existing status quo.

As for Andre Richardson -- a strong Council challenger in Ward A, who placed third on May 12th, just behind Lavarro -- he has long been wooed by the administration, and offered a series of possible positions. But, on principle, he has declined every offer thus far. [The Mayor's Action Bureau job offer was actually made in 2008, and declined.]

Disappointingly, Mr. Richardson was unable (for compelling, if personal, reasons) to become a public advocate for Lavarro in the four weeks before the run-off. Gratifyingly, he and Lavarro spoke at Lavarro's headquarters on Tuesday night. Here is hoping that both of these good men are committed to public service, together, in Jersey City, going forward.

Charged in shootings at Exchange Pl.
Saturday, May 30, 2009

A Jersey City man has been charged in the shooting of two men last week at Exchange Place -- putting six slugs into one of them -- and his bail was set at $1 million cash only yesterday, authorities said.

Terell Sandifer, 23, of Bayview Avenue, was arrested on Thursday at the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Bayview Avenue by Jersey City police and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated assault, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Moriarty said.

At about 2 a.m. last Saturday, the 19-year-old Montgomery Street victim and 20-year-old Bayside Terrace victim were hanging out with friends outside 70 Hudson St. when gunfire erupted, reports said.

The men ran, but the 19-year-old was shot twice in the ankle and also in the abdomen, upper left thigh, upper left buttock and upper right back outside 90 Hudson St., reports said.

The 20-year-old was shot once in the left leg, reports said.

Police are still looking for others thought to be involved in the shooting, said Moriarty, adding that the motive for the shooting is still unknown.

Sandifer is being housed at the Hudson County jail in Kearny. His bail was set by Superior Court Judge Michael Raven, Moriarty said.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Jersey City Police Department tip line at (201) 547-5245.

2 injured in shooting at Exchange Place

Two men were shot early Saturday morning outside 90 Hudson St. in Exchange Place on the Jersey City waterfront. One victim was shot six times and is in critical condition at the Jersey City Medical Center.

Two Jersey City men were shot just after 2 a.m. Saturday at Exchange Place, by the entrance to 90 Hudson St. on the Jersey City waterfront, leaving one in critical condition and one in stable condition, police said.

A 19-year-old who lives on Montgomery Street and a 20-year-old who lives on Bayside Terrace were injured in a hail of bullets that started at 70 Hudson St. and sent them running, Lt. Edgar Martinez said.

The 19-year-old was shot six times: twice in the ankle and once each in the abdomen, upper left thigh, upper left buttock and upper right back, police said.

When police arrived at the scene, he was found face up, conscious, and responsive, telling cops he is unsure of who the shooter was, police said. He was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center, where he is now in critical condition, police said.

The 20-year-old was shot once in the left leg, police said. He told officials that he, the other victim, and two other friends were hanging out near 70 Hudson on the waterfront, police said. They heard gunshots and tried to run away.

The 20-year-old ran west while the 19-year-old ran north, police said.

The 20-year-old, who said he didn't know where the shots came from, was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and is in stable condition, Martinez said.

Eight 9-mm shell casings were recovered and the glass door to the 90 Hudson Street building was shattered, police said.

An employee of the Information Booth at Exchange Place, George Kmec, was surprised to hear of the shootings this afternoon but noted that while the area is busy during the day, at night it's a "ghost town."

"That doesn't happen around here,'' he said. "It's so nice. People even pick up their garbage around here. You don't expect to see that."

Please, come and check out the Council candidates who wish to represent greater downtown Jersey City. An informed electorate is essential to democracy.

Rubber meets road: Ward E's 29,000 registered voters hold tremendous power in next week's municipal election, should they storm the polls. Above and beyond the Ward E race, Downtown voters have the ability to influence -- to determine -- the outcome of the mayoral and at-large Council races, just by participating.

May 12th -- NEXT TUESDAY -- is nearly here. Tell a friend. Take a friend. Then register your opinion at the ballot box, choosing this city's representative leadership.

So, make noise at the polls, or shut up for the next four years.

During most every mayoral candidate debate/forum, Mr. Levin has repeatedly pointed to the troubled PPG site and the present-tense (and long-range) concerns of the residents on Garflield and Randolph Avenues, and how the Healy administration is trying to fast-track a settlement that absolves the toxic polluter from future claims, rather than protecting the health and well-being of its citizens. Case in point: the City's Environmental Commission is defunct. For Mr. Levin, re-establsihing that important body (with GRACO adn ICO members aboard) would be a priority, giving citizens a direct voice in whether any proposed remediation plan is satisfactory for the community.

Today's PolitickerNJ.com contradicts Mayor Healy's assertion at Thursday night's mayoral debate:

Jersey City fundraising race is not even close
by Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy has raised 10 times more money than his closest opponent, according the latest filings with the State Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

Healy?s campaign has raised a total of almost $3.1 million and has spent just shy of $2.3 million for his reelection in this city of 240,000, along with another $443,000 in donations to other campaigns and local non-profits. Of the total raised, $620,000 was left over from Healy?s previous campaign, while $2.49 million was taken in during the current cycle.

To my knowledge, only once have all five mayoral candidates appeared at the same event, at the Heights Coalition forum (like two weeks ago). Video was shot that night, by one or more folks, but I've yet to see any full or excerpted postings online.

GP is misguided in his apparent inference about CIVIC JC, a co-sponsor of the 4/23 mayoral forum. They remain a determinedly neutral, non-partisan, citywide non-profit, an advocacy group for policies, not people. While Dan Levin did found it (in '04?), he formally resigned from the board in August 2008, when announcing his candidacy. Valerio Luccio (sp?) is the longtime president of CIVIC JC, and a straight shooter. Ridiculously ramrod straight. Heck, he'll cross the street to avoid interacting with Mr. Levin, to avoid any conflicts of interests, or even the appearance.

As for the incumbent mayor, he would likely earn more respect (and votes) if he chose to participate in every forum and debate. The public deserves the fullest possible discussion and defense of Mr. Healy's administration. But an empty chair - again and again, debate after debate - is looking more and more like a metaphor.

Props to Vigilante, who posted the same idea, faster and shorter...
For those who are tired of the endlessly re-tread local political plankton, pause to consider Dan Levin and the One Jersey City movement:
onejerseycity.org
As the JJ wrily noted the other day, the website is the classiest on offer, by any contender.
Amazing to envision an activist reformer setting the agenda. Transparent, responsive, RESPONSIBLE government? Fresh faces and fresher ideas? Here? If you want a worthwhile alternative to the same old three-card monte cast of characters, you have to act, go to the polls on May 12th, and actually vote for the change.
Next Monday night, January 19th, Dan Levin and his One Jersey City teammates will be at the Golden Cicada, Grand Street and Marin Blvd. See for yourself, starting at 7 pm.

Glad to report that, no, Dan Levin has no relatives in Jersey City (or Hudson County) government, nor does he intend to hire any family members for gov't jobs, once elected. Imagine that -- somebody who simply aspires to serve the public, not dole out patronage. How radical. How hopeful...