Re: WTF Healy & Fulop...GET THE SIMPLE SH*T RIGHT - SORT OUT OUR SEWERS!
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Home away from home
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?? preserving historic homes and structures does not preclude maintenance or upgrading mechanicals, our old home has a toilet, running water, electrical and gas service....
while some due dilligence can forsee some problems, but who could imagine the poor state our city's infrastructure, dysfuntion and just flat out horrible governance. It is too unbelievable, until you live it. I couldn't. There is an article posted on this site from USA Today calling JC as a model of the urban future, a "glowing" example of planning / smart growth, with no mention of the problems. Should not broken sewers, schools, parks, streets, public processes be fixed? I do not see why not, if enough people care ..... vote...... participate ......
Posted on: 2007/4/16 20:32
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Re: Who's running for school board -- 11 candidates vie for three seats on JC Board of Education
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Home away from home
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Having anything less than the best possible school system is unacceptable. One would think this to be important to everyone.
I find it is easier to decide who not to vote for rather than whom to vote. Perhaps most important is to increase voter turnout and look to the future. The schools are a fast approaching $700m pie that everyone wants/ will want a piece of. We have many candidates and sitting board members that one way or another draw their income/family income from the city/county or related publicly funded agency, too many intertwined relationships with local governments. I cannot conclude that any of the candidates are truly independent employment or business-wise. I found none of the candidates articulated an understanding the recent third party audit of the schools at the Candidates Forum. I guess this round I would go for parents with children in the public school system. Next time, maybe we can get a look at candidates with the financial and administrative skills and experience to set and enforce policies warranted by an organization of this ?staggering? size. We will not get better until we start demanding it.
Posted on: 2007/4/16 19:51
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Re: WTF Healy & Fulop...GET THE SIMPLE SH*T RIGHT - SORT OUT OUR SEWERS!
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Home away from home
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This can / should be an election issue. Getting the funding to study the sewer system city-wide and create a plan to fix/improve/meet future demand etc.
To start with, ask the questions. Yes, a member of HPNA did a great deal of research on this issue and shared with others. Seems to me that it is our municipal government's job/responsibility to keep sewer water out of our homes.
Posted on: 2007/4/16 19:46
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Re: OPEN JERSEY AVENUE TO LIBERTY STATE PARK!!
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Home away from home
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The final PUBLIC MEETING for the Jersey City Regional Waterfront Access and Downtown Circulation Study will be on Monday, April 30 at 6 PM. The public meeting will be held at City Hall, 280 Grove Street, in the Council Chambers on the second floor.
Posted on: 2007/4/9 12:31
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Re: BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES PUBLIC FORUM ON APRIL 5TH
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Home away from home
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think of this as a good deed (or mitzvah) project. come out, show support for this new good schools group, listen to the candidates, see live in the flesh the famous/infamous Gerald McCann and former b-ball star turned property developer Terry DeHere, try to determine which candidates are in it for public service and improving the school system and VOTE!
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Posted on: 2007/4/3 2:15
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Meeting Dates
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Home away from home
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Is this the future of Hamilton Park - see these comments about Church Square Park in Hoboken - A Death in a Park
While Hoboken managed to keep the building heights including the recent "Center Field" consistant with the surrounding area (unlike JC with St. Francis), it seems to have turned what was a nice mixed use park into a "redevelopment zone" playground.... and has paved over most of the park.
Posted on: 2007/4/3 2:08
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Re: Do you as a citizen and resident of Jersey City feel represented by your elected officials?
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Home away from home
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You (and most of us) are preaching to the converted and it is not getting us far along....
Right now voter turnout is so poor, "we" are not voting any of them out of office. I think as part of any neighbor or community effort, voter registration and getting out the vote must go hand and hand. Whether in seemingly meaningless elections or elections where one is not happy with any of the candidates up for an office, we still need to demonstrate that there are votes that need attending to. Civic JC will be looking to put together a city-wide voter registration campaign that can then roll into a get out vote at election time. To start see this link for a pdf - voter-reg-form-2.8.07.pdf Let us know if you would like to help. Quote:
Posted on: 2007/3/22 19:07
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Meeting Dates
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Home away from home
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I agree with SF on this and go with your personal choice?..
Hamilton Park cannot (objective) and should not (subjective) meet the park and recreation needs of the influx of new residents alone. For that, more acquisition needs to be included in the T & M Recreation Master Plan, in fact, acquisition of land west of Enos Jones Park which could accommodate numerous tennis and multi-use courts AND another dog run or dog park was removed from the final draft plan. Should not the city include open space and recreation needs when creating redevelopment plans that increase the demand for open space, recreation and in this case playgrounds or money give backs be directly linked to park acquisition. Instead of ?paving? over more open space for recreation structures, maybe point the finger back at City Planning, the administration and nearby developers to find better solutions. Now, that damn PUTTING GREEN?.. Quote:
Posted on: 2007/3/21 16:16
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Meeting Dates
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Home away from home
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fyi, Its a little bit clearer on the HPNA Park Renovation site here - Hamilton Park Renovation
Sam, again, a PUTTING GREEN? where did this come from? Quote:
Posted on: 2007/3/21 13:13
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Meeting Dates
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Home away from home
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as explained, the text/renderings are dificult to read.
I cannot easily see any differences between Concept A and B. Notable changes from prior draft plan; it looks like the children's playground while currently large, get larger under all concepts. In comparision, the prior plans split the existing one in two. there is a small area, the width of a tennis court that is in the same location for Concept A and B, and is moved in C that I cannot deterime what it is. concept C eliminates a tennis court, but then perhaps could not the dog run be moved to that location, away from residential buildings on Hamilton Pl W and 9th St. (edited) lastly, a "PUTTING GREEN"????? where did this come from? Could not find any mention in the HPNA survey... all three concepts appear to lead to more active and fenced in elements in the park. Since, these concepts were not prepared by the city's consultants, T&M, why? and who is "Schoor and Depalma" the designer of these concepts working for - city or whom .... I like the Friends of Liberty State Park slogan - FREE AND GREEN
Posted on: 2007/3/20 22:11
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Re: Embankment- Update Thread
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Home away from home
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This vote is typically representative of politics as usual with the council and mayor stating support of a particular initiative, even making the policy decision, then not following through to make it happen.
Essentially, Mariano Vega also voted no. He is a three term councilman and council president. Council President Vega has alleged longtime support of the Embankment initiative. If he could not deliver the votes for this technical resolution, not policy, he should be held responsible for the rejection of the resolution. For those questioning the efforts of those who pushed the initiative forward, keep in mind that over the past 10 years, they have built city-wide support, obtained the support and endorsement of federal, state and municipal officials, state, regional and national green space/parks organizations, obtained full funding of acquisition and development (and the bridge loan). Again, this vote was on a technical resolution to follow through on approved policy.
Posted on: 2007/3/15 16:00
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Re: Developer Pay-to-Play Press Release- Steven Fulop
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Home away from home
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After reading Councilwoman Mary Spinello's comments on objecting to the bridge loan to be prepared to acquire the Embankment, I recalled her very vocal opposition to this initiative.
What I did not note at the time - her father, John Spinello is a commissioner on the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency.
Posted on: 2007/3/14 20:15
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Re: Embankment- Update Thread
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Home away from home
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The loan can only be used for open space (and not the portion of the property reserved for Light Rail). The loan is a bridge loan that will be repayed with already designated grant and earmarks, not the municipal budget. The loan does not lock in any specific open space / park development plans.
If the the Surface Transportation Board rules favorable that Conrail did not give the city right of first refusal, then the city must be prepared to purchase the property immediately and this loan is the way to DO IT. Keep in mind, this resolution is only to apply for the bridge loan, the city is not required to accept funding. Note to Councilwoman Spinello: The $30k spent in legal fees is a very small sum compared to the millions of dollars that would be saved by a favorable ruling. Now if the city is also serious about Light Rail on the Embankment (which NJ Transist is not as of yet), then where will the city get the money to purchase the balance the non-open space portion of the Embankment? The horse has been led to water.... Quote:
Posted on: 2007/3/14 19:49
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Re: Embankment- Update Thread
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Home away from home
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Like the project or not, we have a muncipal government that whether intentional or through inaction appears to be rejecting upwards of $10m to acquire and develop a park. A park that has the support of US Senator Menendez, our state elected officials and Hudson County Government.
What other city anywhere would turn this type of gift down.....
Posted on: 2007/3/13 15:05
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Re: Powerhouse vision has gotten blurry
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Home away from home
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Is this not the real problem at hand. Is this not zoning by varience or spot zoning?
Zoning is/should be done via a Master Plan process and then detailed in the city's Land Use Ordinance or an overlaying Redevelopment Plan. "Case-by-Case", is that really a term for by-passing law and making decisions on campaign funding and back room deals.... We are back to pre-redevelopment plan, re-zoning the area by variance and project, which leads to a break down and no zoning..... Quote:
Posted on: 2007/3/13 14:59
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Re: A 30-YEAR DEAL? Journal Square developer aims for massive abatement
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Home away from home
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Couple of questions....
If the revenue realized is greater than the projections included in the tax abatement application, will the PILOT payment increase? As rents and revenues increase over time or due to market changes, will the PILOT payments increase? or is the 10% PILOT payment based only on projected revenues?
Posted on: 2007/3/13 14:50
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Re: I.M. Pei in Jersey City
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Home away from home
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Check some of the data on the traffic study website, I believe that even with the most optimistic scenario, JC's excess commercial / office space will not be absorbed within a decade or more.
Right now we have 1/2 a pie (or Pei) with the existing GS tower. Since the redevelopment plan was changed during one of the all day summer council meetings up on King Dr. (at the same time as the 111 settlement's redevelopment plan changes) I do not remember well, but these renderings may only satisfy requirements of the changes to the GS plan. Now that GS reconfigured the developement plan including the elimination of the pubic atrium, do not be surprised if they flip the property or it ends up as residential. I'll put up two cents that this design will not be built. Quote:
Posted on: 2007/3/6 18:46
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Re: I.M. Pei in Jersey City
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Home away from home
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actually old warehouses and bicycles sound like a liveable neighborhood to me, so you are definitely speaking about me, though I think we are referring to high density or higher density.....not everything, everywhere....
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Posted on: 2007/3/6 18:28
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Meeting Dates
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Home away from home
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No the T&M draft is not the lastest plan for Hamilton Park, perhaps Councilman Fulop can post the plans on his website in advance of the meeting
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Posted on: 2007/3/6 17:52
Edited by DanL on 2007/3/6 18:19:50
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Re: Embankment- Update Thread
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Home away from home
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Then think of the park as a way to save and preserve the embankments.
The Embankment initiative was formed in response to initial development ideas and threats of demolition. At this point in time, I believe that if it does not become a park, it will be housing (and demolished). The property is presently in the hands of a private developer (though not known for building anything). The money for the city to acquire the property if the sale to the developer is reversed by the Surface Transportation Board or via eminent domain will be funds earmarked or grants for open/park space. There are no resources that would allow it to remain domant and given development pressures if it does not become a park, its is likely not to remain. If the Embankment Coalition had not been able to formulate a viable plan to make it a park (which I believe they have), then I also would agree to leave it dormant until such time as it could be developed as open space. It is time for the city and elected officials to put their words of support into actual actions or the embankments will really be history. Quote:
Posted on: 2007/3/1 0:03
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Re: 111 First Street - the teardown
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Home away from home
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What brings you to this dismissive conclusion of historic preservation efforts in Jersey City? If you are truly serious, it certainly is discouraging and if this is a broad perception then it adds another obstacle to any preservation effort of historic resources in Jersey City.
All of the major historic preservation initiatives currently underway involve adaptive re-use of the historic resources, all are promoted by public constituencies and all meet the current accepted standards of historic recognition: ? Powerhouse (commercial and retail) ? Warehouse District (retail and residential) ? Whitlock Cordage (residential) ? Embankment (recreation, park and linkage to East Coast Greenway) ? Bergen Arches (same as Embankment) ? Reservoir #3 (passive park and natural preserve). A major component of the preservation community?s efforts has been the adaptive reuse of our historic resources and its positive impact on quality of life rather than just for the sake of saving historic relics. Nowhere in Jersey City do I see a ?garden of ruins? as the result of historic preservation efforts and Jersey City has lost much more than has been saved (and reused). Again, why do you (and I have to assume others) not perceive that current historic preservation and conservation efforts as part of our city?s evolution (or the change referenced below). Quote:
Posted on: 2007/2/17 23:37
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Re: 111 First Street - the teardown
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Home away from home
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The warehouse district had been previously declared eligible for historic designation by the state.
The most recent Jersey City Master Plan, the document that guides land use, zoning, development/redevelopment resulting from study and public process by City Planning, consultants, property owners and approved by the Planning Board and City Council called for the creation of the historic district. There are two national landmarks in the district, 150 Bay St ? A & P Warehouse and the H & M Powerhouse. The area had been previously zoned light industrial / warehouse. An overlay zoning called WALDO that permitted 50% market rate 50% artist live and work space failed to spur development. This area was never targeted for skyscrapers, or even high rises (more than eight stories). A redevelopment plan to create an arts and entertainment district that called for the creation of a historic district was based on a study that included input from all stakeholders including property owners, preservationists, educational organizations, nearby residents, arts groups, areas of municipal government and a national consulting organization was unanimously passed four times by the City Council which included Mayor Healy, Council President Vega, Councilmen Brennan, Gaughan and Lipski and Councilwoman Richardson. A notable key ingredient identified as essential to the plan?s success would be leadership from the top of Jersey City government to guide and fight off subsequent development pressures. This plan, PAD already included compromises necessary for approval including those amenable to most developers. As posted on this thread and else where, the plan was designed to benefit the city as a whole not just one area or the resident artists. While some artists bought into this idea, many were turned off by the commercialization of the area. The settlement with the owner of 110 / 111 First Street certainly does not appear to meet the definition of settlement. Many believe the settlement was used to break down the zoning laws of Jersey City and create precedent for other up-zoning throughout the city in conflict with the master plan. Keep in mind the public redevelopment process resulted in designating this area a historic district and a non-public process tore it apart without checks and balance or ensuring compliance with redevelopment law. With regards to those who believe that the property owner has the right to build what they want to build on their property, if you at least except some form of land use law, the owner of 111 First St. never had ?as right? the zoning to build a skyscraper. There are many things that I am sure people would not want built on that site. The changes to the redevelopment plan to meet the terms of the negotiated legal settlement only now give this as right. While I can understand that there are members of the public who like the idea of a skyscraper designed by a ?world class? architect (if his design is what is ultimately constructed) to replace a historic structure (by current accepted standards), while that benefits of the arts and entertainment district in historic buildings can be objectively made, the aesthetics are subjective. However, what I do not understand is accepting the city?s end run around the legal process and land use law to do so. At some point, the problems of Jersey City may affect you directly. You can view Civic JC?s objection to the 111 legal settlement here - Powerhouse Arts District to be Gutted by Legal Settlment
Posted on: 2007/2/14 22:54
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State of the City Address - Mayor Healy
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Home away from home
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The info has been placed on the calendar awaiting approval-
Mayor Healy will be making a State of the City Address on February 20, 2007, 6pm at PS4 Conwell School, 107 Bright St. For more info call 201.547.4836.
Posted on: 2007/2/12 15:40
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Re: Safety, our children, stop signs and speeding downtown
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Home away from home
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yep, trees are good, anything that visually narrows the street.
Regarding narrowing intersections (bumpouts), the curbs can be low to allow emergency vehilces and fire trucks to make the turns. Narrowing the intersection provides a physical limitation preventing cars from parking right at the intersection, along with keeping intersections free for emergency vehicles. This is not "rocket science". The renderings for the streetscape improvements on Newark Ave by the Downtown SID illustrate the potential use of traffic calming. Perhaps, the St. Francis Development could be driver for improvement with two preschools in it along with Cordero, PS 37 and almost 700 students across the street. We need to be careful, speed bumps (especially the rubber ones in Hoboken) might be the quickest, cheapest fix, but have the downsides of noise and vibrations (also annoying to bicyclists), where as raised intersections or widened sidewalks provide many benefits. Quote:
Posted on: 2007/1/30 22:46
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Re: Safety, our children, stop signs and speeding downtown
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Home away from home
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Sound advise. The problems and solutions are not invented in Jersey City....
First step, go the monthly Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association meeting the first Wed of the month. Raised intersections are an excellant suggestion and they do not cause noise or vibration problems. Also, intersections can be narrowed, creating shorter crossing distances and the visual impact causes drivers to slow. DCNA committee (mainly Harsimus Cove and Hamilton Park Assocs) started traffic calming efforts and prepared a draft report of problems from a survey and possible solutions. The effort ran out of "gas", also there was no receptiveness at the city level. The draft can be found at www.harsimuscove.org (look in documents). Speeding, running redlights and stop signs would seem to be a mutually exclusive problem to pedestrians crossing against a light or not crossing at the corner. One the lesser appreciated benefits of living in the historic districts is the fewer curb cuts for driveways, making it much safer for you children and seniors to walk. Quote:
Posted on: 2007/1/30 19:19
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Re: Developer Pay-to-Play Press Release- Steven Fulop
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Home away from home
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First, thank you everyone here on jclist for reading the information about this initiative and especially for coming out to the council meeting to show support. I would peg the number around 200-250 people, others can affirm.
The result was disappointing, but certainly not surprising. We did not ask nor expect everyone who came out - to stay to the end of the meeting. I do have to mention that "Althea", who is 8 eight months pregnant with her 3rd child and her husband stayed to end (12 midnight) to not only speak as Ward C residents, but also to discuss further with their council member. Yes, Civic JC sees the road on this issue leading to a public referendum. We need to do some home work and will be looking to work with groups and individuals to take on what will be a tremendously challenging and daunting project. It does not necessary need to be our organization taking the lead, it can be Councilman Fulop or others. However, we will not let the initial rejection of the ordinance deter our goals. For those interested in getting involved now, please contact me at dlevin@civicjc.org Since, the public could not speak on the first reading of the Redevelopment Pay to Play ordinance until the Open Speaking portion of the meeting, I will post below, the comments that I made on behalf of Civic JC to the city council: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Both at the state and municipal level we?ve seen a growing movement in NJ supporting pay to play laws. In Washington DC and across the river in NY, we?ve seen ethics take center stage. Jersey City is the first municipality in NJ to reject this ordinance at first reading. It?s time for Jersey City to join this movement. It?s time to make a clean break with the past and to state loud and clearly that JC has changed, that it will no longer be known as a backwater of patronage and back room deals. That it embraces the future with clean, transparent government. We at Civic JC wholeheartedly support Councilman Fulop?s proposed Redevelopment Pay to Play Reform ordinance which bars certain campaign contributions by developers. Jersey City is experiencing a redevelopment boom of historic proportions. Redevelopment decisions made today will impact the quality of life for Jersey City residents and the financial future of the city for generations. Specifically this ordinance is needed because - The Mayor 1) Influences redevelopment through appointing planning board commissioners and the Director of HEDC. 2) Signs off on the plans/ordinances and tax abatements. The City Council 1) Negotiates and approves redevelopment plans many which are crafted for a specific developer and plans that have been written by a developer or their consultants. 2) Negotiates and approves changes or amendments to redevelopment plans that can increase height and density or reduce public benefits that can result in financial windfalls for developers. 3) Negotiates and approves tax abatement agreements and other financial incentives. By any reasonable standard, it is a conflict of interest for the mayor or city council members to accept campaign contributions from developers participating in the redevelopment process. We now need to make it illegal. Why the arguments opposing this proposed ordinance are not valid- The mayor and Council President have argued that the inability to take money from developers will put candidates of modest financial means at a disadvantage when running against well-heeled self-funded candidates. We ask you to reject this argument. Using one?s own money cannot be equated with using the money of a developer with millions of dollars riding on your decisions and the mayor?s decisions as office-holder. The mayor also says that developers should not be excluded from the political process. We agree. Let them come here and before all political bodies and influence office holders with the power of their plans, not with the power of money. Many of you have stated over and over that you believe that the money does not influence your decisions and that you vote your conscience. However, we challenge that it is not possible for redevelopment decisions to made be based on thorough study, law, rational planning and best practices when this type of conflict of interest exists. Government must not only be clean. It must appear to be clean as well. -----------------------------------
Posted on: 2007/1/26 17:16
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Re: Fulop: Vega and Lipski rake in developer $$$
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Home away from home
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GrovePath-
I have wondered where your optimism that things in JC are going great comes from. I too am optimistic, but in a different way. I believe we can fix things. Andrew Hubsch, now Civic JC Vice President, made a last minute effort to get on the ballot in this past mayoral election. In an interview by Tris Mccall, he describes why he did it and how the current system places huge obstacles for a candidate outside the current political system. He also outlines how the mayoral field was cleared for Mayor Healy who in effect ran unoppossed. Now regardless of Healy's merits, one might think that in a city approaching 250,000 people, there would be some opposition. Please take some time to read the interview. THE REFORMER: ANDREW HUBSCH TAKES ON CITY HALL Quote:
Posted on: 2007/1/24 18:58
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Re: Developer Pay-to-Play Press Release- Steven Fulop
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Home away from home
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There has been plenty of time for the council to discuss and research this issue. At least 7 months.
On behalf of Civic JC, I presented a similiar model ordinance to the City Council on June 14, 2006. Two other Civic JC officers along with myself introduced, discussed and offered to meet with any and all council members in an effort to move this initiative forward. Only Councilman Fulop and Councilwoman Richardson spoke to us after the meeting. We followed up and spoke at the June 28th meeting offering again to meet with and do whatever we could to help the council advance it. I wrote each councilmember with a copy of the proposed model ordinance mid-October 2006 asking for their comments and position, requesting response by December 1, 2006. No response was received. The ordinance has not faced a legal challenge to date in other towns that have passed it. Citizen's Campaign is not aware of any pending challenges. Quote:
Posted on: 2007/1/24 17:37
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Re: Jersey City's Parks and Open Space Master Plan
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Home away from home
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As per the consultant at the Recreation Master Plan draft meeting this evening, Plan B, ballfield is out.
The Reservior Alliance is likely the best source to confirm, Quote:
Posted on: 2007/1/24 4:23
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