Serving Kearny & Its Neighbors Since 2000
Updated 5/11/2008
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Kearny Schools
Red Bull Construction Webcam (offline)
Mother's Day 2008
May 11, 2008. KOTW wishes every Mother, a Very Joyous Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day.
Help Wanted:
Community Calendar Events
May 11, 2008. KOTW is seeking your help in updating its Community Calendar. A new feature allows registered members to post Calendar Events much like posting to the Discussion Board. Give it a try. Visit the Community Calendar and click on the Add New Single Event located at the bottom right of the page. Your event will be reviewed by the moderator and then added to calendar. The Calendar Events appear at the bottom of the Discussion Board in the upcoming events section.
Coalition Against Heliplex Update
April 29, 2008. The Coalition Against the Newark Heliplex is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 5th at 6 p.m. in the Board of Health Building at 645 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, NJ. The meeting is open to the public and those interested in joining the group are encouraged to attend. For more information you can email Steve Ceragno at stopnewarkheliport@hotmail.com
McDonough Denies He Was Involved
April 29, 2008. Mayor Raymond McDonough denied again that he was involved in anyway with the theft of quarters by former Superintendent of Public Works William Tanski. This was the second time that McDonough denied any involvement with the theft. The Mayor seemed agitated by the questioning from Councilman Steven McCormick during the April 11th Special Council Meeting. William Tanski was a close friend of Mayor McDonough. McDonough was known to visit Tanski early in the morning at the Public Works garage to discuss town business. Rumors have been circulating for years that Tanski could not have stolen $100,000.00 in quarters by himself without the knowledge of town officials and/or town employees. One speaker at the Special Council meeting queried on how it was possible to move so many quarters, an admitted $100,000, without anyone noticing.
At a prior meeting of the Mayor and Council, Mayor McDonough went out of his way to state that he was instrumental in getting Tanski to make detrimental admissions about the theft which resulted in Tanski's guilty plea and sentencing. The Town of Harrison is still waiting to be reimbursed the proceeds taken by Tanski. Councilman Steven McCormick has also questioned the method the town uses to collect and account for parking revenues. McCormick has suggested that the town invest in centralized parking meters which provide accounting safeguards to insure that parking revenues are not diverted. To date, the Mayor and Council have not moved toward such a system but rather have opted to maintain the current system of separate parking meters.
Heliplex:
Making Noise Even Before It's Built
April 19, 2008. Most of the residents in vicinity of Midland Avenue in Kearny awoke this morning to a bright Saturday morning. The sun is out, the wind is calm and for those lucky enough to have someone already brewing the coffee, the smell of coffee arouses the senses. Local volunteer residents are conducting their annual Passaic River Cleanup. Kearny is a relatively quiet today but that may change soon. According to published reports, the Air Pegasus Helicopters LLC plans to construct a Helicopter Heliplex in Newark alongside Route 21 (McCarter Highway) directly across from Midland Avenue in Kearny.
According to Steven Trenk, Managing Director of Air Pegasus Helicopters, “This is an important project to bolster Newark’s plan to increase public safety and to help reinvigorate economic development in this community. I am proud that we are able to take the lead in a project that I know is right for the community, right for the Newark Police Department, and right for the City of Newark.” Trenk's statement did not comment upon the noise impact on the local community including the residents of North Newark or Kearny. A group of local residents however have organized in an attempt to stop the construction of the Heliplex. The relative quiet of their Saturday morning, the values of their homes, and their safety is at stake. So far the group has gotten the support of Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos and Congressman Steven Rothman. Both have stated their objection to the project and the need for further public hearings.
Air Pegasus's Heliplex is much more than a helicopter landing strip. The complex will include conventional aircraft storage/hangar facilities adequate to accommodate growth of the successful Police Aviation Unit as well as corporate and charter aircraft from the surrounding area. The heliplex will provide space for maintenance personnel and parts storage, pilot-briefing areas with direct access to the hangar including direct visual oversight, office space, locker room(s), a pilots lounge, sleep room, exercise room, bathroom and shower facilities, weather/flight planning facilities, kitchen, conference area and training area. The City of Newark currently operates two Police helicopters. Although Steven Trenk states that the Heliplex will benefit the City of Newark's public safety, the Heliplex will not increase public safety. The Newark Police already have helicopter operations. Residents can justify increased noise pollution caused by the Newark Police Department's helicopters. However, increased noise pollution from a private commercial enterprise is a lot harder to swallow. The area immediately surrounding the planned Heliplex are primarily residential in nature both in North Newark and Kearny. In addition, the Heliplex will be constructed next to a new Newark Police Station and Community Center. It is surprising to see such an ill conceived plan getting any support of Newark Mayor Cory Booker or the North Ward Center's Executive Director Stephen Adubato. There has not been much press on their official position with respect to the Heliplex. According to Kearny's Mayor, Newark's Northward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. has expressed his objection to the Heliplex. It would be interested to see what Stephen Adubato's position is on the project.
A Heliplex is not a terrible idea. Its placement adjacent to a new Police station and community center and in a predominately residential area is a terrible idea. A better location would be to place the Heliplex in South Kearny. Air Pegasus should explore the purchase of property in South Kearny. The current planned location of the Heliplex is approximately 3 miles from downtown Newark. Placing the Heliplex in South Kearny would enable passengers to be approximately the same distance from downtown Newark and neighboring Jersey City and New York City.
A group of local residents have started the circulation of a Petition to Stop the Heliplex which contains a signature sheet. The residents have also put together a flyer objecting to the Heliplex. The organizers currently do not have a website but are working to put one together. You can join the discussion on the KOTW Discussion Board.
The following are some links to articles and postings on the Heliplex:
Contract Awarded for Newark Heliport
Rendering of Proposed Heliplex
We Fly High: Newark Heliport/Heliplex
Friends Against Newark Heliplex
Relatives of Mayor Booker's Former Law Partner to Open Newark Heliport
Other Related Articles:
West Side Heliport Must Go, Park Advocacy Says
Heliport Floats Barge Idea, But Critics Not Aboard
Angry Buzz Grows About Illegal Heliport in Hudson River Park
Santos, Stevenson & Campbell
Win Kearny School Board Election
April 16,2008. Virginia Santos, David J. Stevenson,Jr. and John J. Campbell won seats on the Kearny Board of Education last night. Santos and Campbell were incumbents* and Stevenson previously sat on the school board from 1993-2005 when he was defeated at the polls. Santos received the most votes at 741, Stevenson received 659 votes, and Campbell received 612 votes. The vote count does not take into account Absentee Votes. Paul Castelli received 573 votes. It is possible if there were over 40 Absentee Votes in favor of Castelli that he could overtake Campbell. John Frasca, who ran on the Santos & Stevenson slate, received the least amount of votes at 513.
As usual a very small percentage of voters decided who will sit on the Kearny School Board. The School Board budget makes up over 50 percent of the property tax bill in Kearny. There has been a call to move School Board Elections to the Primary Election Day or the General Election Day to save election expenses and increase voter turnout. Both the Primary and General Election historically have larger voter turnout.
*(Corrrection of 4/19/2008. As pointed out by one of readers, John Campbell was not an incumbent as we reported. John Campbell had previously served on the Kearny School Board before being defeated and was re-elected to the Board. Thanks to our reader for pointing that out.)
Harrison Special Meeting:
Will There Be Fireworks?
April 11, 2008. Mayor McDonough and the Harrison council are making it a routine to cancel regularly scheduled council meetings and replacing them with Special Council meetings. The latest Regular meeting of Tuesday, April 1, 2008 was cancelled and replaced by a meeting for today Friday, April 11, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. For those who had plans for Friday night, cancel them and come to the Harrison Council meeting. Don't spend the money you've saved because rumor has it that your going to need it to pay increased property taxes and rent.
If your attending the meeting, be sure to arrive early as to not miss the meeting. Harrison's meetings are infamously short and this meeting's Agenda is short on content. Mayor McDonough is under pressure from town workers including Police and Fire as rumors circulate that each department has been asked to cut personnel in anticipation of a large town budget deficit. In addition, the Mayor has come under fire as redevelopment efforts have been stayed by the courts. The Mayor stated at the last special council meeting that the redevelopment would move ahead at full steam. The steam however escaped out a large hole created by three long-time property owners, Anthony DeRose, Steven Adler and Manny Amaral, who are challenging the taking of their properties.
It should be interesting to see who comes out to the meeting and who gets up to ask questions. For more information on Harrison's Mayor and Council meetings, visit Joe Wood's website HarrisonMeetings.com
Supreme Court to Weigh
In On Harrison
April 08, 2008. The New Jersey Supreme Court is expected to weigh in this week on the ongoing litigation between the Harrison Redevelopment Agency and Steven Adler. Adler is seeking the Supreme Court's intervention in clarifying the Appellate Division's ruling in his company's favor. Adler is not appealing the Appellate court's decision to allow continued environmental remediation but is seeking to have the Supreme Court order that Hudson County Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli apply a stricter standard on when a stay is given in redevelopment cases. The Appellate Division instructed Judge Gallipoli to apply a far less stringent standard in its recent order allowing for environmental remediation in the redevelopment zone but otherwise upholding Judge Gallipoli's stay of all construction activity.
The H
April 4, 2008. The one square mile Town of Harrison (The H) has been in the news of late. There have been several stories in the Star Ledger, Jersey Journal and Observer regarding the continued battle over who should have the right to own and redevelop a large portion of Harrison. KOTW came across a music video on YouTube by a musician who calls himself verbal Phantom. The H is a musical video which tours around Harrison fondly describing a changing Harrison. The tour includes almost all of Harrison including parts of the Redevelopment Zone.. "Yeh, the H, a little town, big story." It sure is a little town with a big story. Enjoy.
Harrison Redevelopment:
Stay In Effect Except for Environmental Work
April 3, 2007. The Harrison Redevelopment Agency (HRA) and the developer of the former Adler properties urged a three Judge Appellate panel to lift a stay of construction within the Harrison Redevelopment Zone. In support of their request, a Certification of Richard Miller set forth a list of various toxic contaminates within the Redevelopment Zone including PCBs which needed remediation. The Appellate judges modified the stay imposed by trial court Judge Maurice Gallipoli by allowing the Agency to continue environmental remediation activities on or related to the property. The Appellate Judges stated that they were partially modifying the stay because of "the unique procedural history of this litigation, [HRA's] prior entries upon the premises to conduct environmental testing and remediation and demolition, the previous denials of stays in this case and in related matters, and considerations of public health and safety." The Appellate judge however stated that despite its decision it was not sure that it would not have upheld the trial judge's staying of all construction under different circumstances.
What does this all mean? Bottomline it means that remediation can continue but all other aspects of construction must stop. Both Mayor Raymond McDonough and HRA's Chairman Peter Higgins had stated that the construction would continue to meet deadlines imposed both by the manufacturer of the parking garage concrete slaps and the HRA's contractual obligations to provide parking for the Red Bulls Stadium. With the current stay, it is unlikely that the parking garage will be constructed in time for the scheduled Red Bulls stadium opening. The HRA's partial victory may actually be a hollow one. Clearly, the remediation is a necessary step in the construction but the remediation work is only a small fraction of the construction project.
Harrison Redevelopment:
Pile Drivers Silenced
March 29, 2008. The Kearny Journal reported this week that the Town of Harrison, the County of Hudson, and the redevelopers were steaming ahead with their plans to build a 1440 parking space garage near the Harrison Path Station. In fact, a pile driver was bounding away this week in preparation for concrete slabs. The construction was proceeding despite an Appellate Court ruling which invalidated the taking of the property upon which the proposed parking garage will stand and remanded the cases challenging the redevelopment back to the trial court. The pile drivers however were silenced on Friday as the trial court judge, Maurice Gallipoli, issued an order stopping all work in Harrison's Redevelopment Zone until he makes a final decision in the case. The Town of Harrison is appealing the decision but it is unlikely that the Appellate Division will reverse the trial judge.
The property owners, Anthony De Rose, Steven Adler and Manny Amaral, had sought a stay prior to the demolition of their buildings both from the trial court, Appellate Division and the Supreme Court, but had been denied. The Appellate Division in its opinions overturning the taking of properties and remanding the case back to the trial court lamented that at each level the stay had not been previously granted. For this reason, the likelihood that the Appellate Division will overturn the trial court's decision is very slim. Opponents to the redevelopment have argued that the Harrison Redevelopment Agency should not be using public funds to build upon property whose title is not settled. Harrison Redevelopment Agency Chairman Peter Higgins has stated publicly that so long as the town held title to the property it would continue with its redevelopment plans. At the last council meeting, Councilman Steve McCormick suggested waiting until all appeals were exhausted before proceeding with the parking garage. With the exception of his wife Councilwoman Marie McCormick, all other councilmembers remained silent during the discussion. Mayor McDonough stated that he "wanted to move things forward and get things done".
How the parking garage is being funded is also a mystery. The bond counsel for the town stated that the 40 million dollar and the 13 million dollar supplemental bond offerings had not been issued. How is the Harrison Redevelopment Agency paying for construction costs? The supplemental 13 million dollar bond offering was added to cover anticipated cost overruns due to the movement of a PSEG 30 inch gas main which must be relocated to accomodate the parking garage. Opponents have stated that the 13 million dollar figure to move the gas main is a fraction of the actual cost.
With the current trial court stay, continued litigation, a faltering economy, and the tightening of the state's aid to municipalities, it is unclear how Harrison will be able to proceed with its redevelopment plan. The stay however may give the Harrison Redevelopment Agency and the developers an opportunity to reexamine the redevelopment plan, its placement of the parking garage, and settling its disputes with the original property owners.
Tanski Sentence:
Three Years
March 29, 2008. This week there were several articles on the sentencing of William Tanski. The sentencing actually happened on March 7, 2008. Tanski who pled guilty to stealing a reported $100,000 in quarters received a three year state sentence. At the last special town meeting, Councilman Steve McCormick asked Mayor McDonough whether he thought Tanski acted alone. McDonough stated that Tanski, a close friend of his, had acted alone and that he was instrumental in providing the Hudson County Prosecutor's office with detrimental admissions made by William Tanski which resulted in his prosecution and plea. McDonough went on to state that he personally was not involved with the misappropriation of parking meter quarters. McDonough congratulated the Harrison Police Department in their investigation of the crime.
Despite his admission that he took $100,000, the Hudson County Prosecutor's office did not make the repayment of the funds to the town a condition of Tanski's plea. According to town officials, the Prosecutor's office is seeking to recover the money in a civil proceeding. Stay tuned for further developments.
Article links:
Observer Article: Former Harrison DPW superintendent goes to state prison
Jersey Journal Article: 3 years for Harrison parking coin skimmer
News 12 Video
Kearny's Youth Shine:
Gypsy
March 9, 2008. This week Kearny High School students will put the final touches on their set designs, check the lighting, make sure their costumes fit perfectly and draw upon the hours of rehearsal experience to put on this year's Spring Musical, Gypsy.
Gypsy is a 1959 musical about the ultimate show biz mother. It follows the efforts of the show biz mother to raise two daughters to perform onstage and chronicles the hardships of show business life. Gypsy will open on Tuesday, March 11th, for a preview show for Kearny Seniors followed by three shows on Friday, March 14th, Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th at 7:30 p.m. Check KOTW's Community Calendar for more information.
For more detailed information on the musical itself and its history, click here.
KOTW is soliciting reviews, pictures, videos of the play and backstage to be published here on KOTW. Submit your reviews, pictures, videos by emailing KOTW .
United Irish
Fundraiser Tomorrow
March 7, 2008. The United Irish Association of West Hudson will hold its annual dinner Fundraiser tomorrow, Saturday, March 8, 2008. The Association's annual Fundraiser marks the beginning of the celebrations leading up to the annual United Irish West Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade. A Who's Who of local politicians, community leaders, and clergy attend the annual dinner. The Association was founded in 1973 with membership from the following groups: The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7, The Irish American Club, The Four Provinces, and The Friends of Erin.
For those interested in attending the dinner Fundraiser, tickets are available by calling (201) 920-9328 or (201) 998-0515. The dinner fundraiser will be held at the Holy Cross School on South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd in Harrison.
On March 14, 2008, the United Irish Association of West Hudson will also participate in the longest running St. Patrick's Day Parade in New Jersey by marching in the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Association's honorees, trustees, and members will be marching. An antique fire engine courtesy of the East Newark Volunteer Fire Department will accompany the United Irish contingency.
If your going to be watching the parade, you may want to print out a line of march guide available by clicking here.
Harrison Property Owners
Win Appeal
February 25, 2008. The Appellate Division in a published decision has overturned the taking of the Adler, Amaral, and DeRose properties in Harrison.
The decision is available online from the Appellate Division's website.
Appellate Decision Due Today
On Harrison Redevelopment
February 25, 2008. The Appellate Decision is scheduled to release an opinion on the challenged filed by Steven Adler, Manny Amaral, and Anthony DeRose to the taking of their properties by eminent domain. If the questions being asked during Oral Argument of the cases a couple of weeks back are an indicator of where the three judge panel was headed, the Appellate Division is likely to overturn the decision of the lower court.
School Closings
February 22, 2008. Harrison Schools are closed due to the snow. Kearny is on a delayed opening Elementary Schools report at 10:00 a.m. High School Students report at 9:15 a.m.; PreK A.M. 10:15 a.m to 12:35 p.m.; PreK P.M. 12:35 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. For the Kearny School System Call 201-991-4141 for more information. We have no official information on the East Newark school system. North Arlington public schools are closed.
The above information is as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, Feburary 22, 2008.
Business as Usual in Harrison
February 9, 2008. Thursday's Harrison Council meeting demonstrated that despite efforts by Councilman Steve McCormick, his wife Councilwoman Maria McCormick and a handful of their supporters business as usual continues in Harrison. A News 12 Channel reporter and cameraman were surprised at how quick Harrison's Mayor and Council conduct the town's business. In a span of less than fifteen minutes, the Mayor and Council agreed to apply for loans on behalf of developers and ran through an agenda which included the honoring of three former or current Harrison residents who were designated Grand Marshall and Deputy Grand Marshals of the United Irish St. Patrick Day's parade. There was no explanation for the benefit of the public as to why the Town rather than the Developer was applying for loans. Mayor Raymond McDonough did not bother offering an explanation nor did any councilmember question why the town was incurring further debt on behalf of developers. Business as usual occurs behind closed doors. Council members either receive private briefings on agenda items or they simply follow Mayor McDonough's lead. For months, 4th Ward resident Joe Wood has been vocal at council meetings leading to some interesting exchanges especially with Mayor McDonough. At this week's meeting, Mayor McDonough couldn't adjourn the meeting fast enough. Under the pressure of a reporter and cameraman from News 12, the Mayor's plan was to move quickly in hopes that no member of the audience would voice an opinion or question on items on the agenda. It worked. With the exception of one speaker, no one moved fast enough to the public podium before the meeting was adjourned. The News 12 Channel cameraman was caught off guard and had to rush to get his camera out of the way as the Mayor and Councilmembers exited the Council chambers.
It should be noted that the Town's website did not contain a copy of Thursday's meeting nor that of January 15, 2007. The agenda of January 1st meeting remains while all other meeting agendas have been removed from the town's website. Fourth ward resident Joe Wood has both agendas on his website www.HarrisonMeetings.com
On Monday, the Appellate Division heard oral argument on the challenges by former property owners Steven Adler, Manny Amaral and Anthony DeRose to have their properties returned to them. From all indications, the Appellate Judges appeared to have a grasp of the facts and were asking some pointed questions about the notice requirements of the Redevelopment Law and the composition of the Harrison Redevelopment Board. The property owners have long argued that they were not given an opportunity to challenge the blight designation of their properties and that the membership of the Harrison Redevelopment Board violates both the state statute and local ordinance allowing for its formation as well as failing to abide by representations made to the Local Finance Board with respect to its membership.
The tide appears to be turning in Harrison. A year ago it appeared that the Redevelopers had the upper hand. A year later, the lone property owners whose businesses were uprooted and their buildings razed have managed to get their cases consolidated, a favorable decision from the New Jersey Supreme Court, and the New Jersey Public Advocate to join their ranks. The Appellate Division appeared to be sending a sign as to where the challenge to Harrison's taking of private property was going when it released on Monday an opinion on a similar challenge to a blight designation in a Belmar case (BMIA LLC v. Planning Board of Borough of Belmar). The court ruled in favor of the landowner and against the town and redeveloper.
The Appellate Division is not scheduled to render an opinion for weeks. In the interim, the Mayor and Council continue to vote to expend additional funds on behalf of the developers without public input or discussion among council members. And thus Business as Usual in Harrison.
Listen to this Article: Click Here.
With 98% of the Vote Counted:
Clinton 54%, Obama 44%
McCain 55%, Romney 28%
February 5, 2008. With Ninety eighty percent of the vote counted, Hillary Clinton has Fifty Four percent of the vote to Barak Obama's Forty Four Percent of the vote statewide. On the Republican side, John McCain has 55% to Mitt Romney's 28% of the vote statewide.
According to the Hudson County Clerk's office, Clinton has defeated Obama in Hudson County. While John McCain has won Hudson County on the Republican side. The Clerk's office has not broken down the numbers into each town in West Hudson.
Election Results
February 5, 2008. The polls have just closed in New Jersey. From the looks of it, there has been a heavy turnout in West Hudson. Election Results are available online from the Hudson County Clerk's office.
Kevin Canessa is also posting updates on his blog.
You can also obtain election results from NJ.com.
After checking the results, you can join the discussion on KOTW's Discussion Board.
Super Tuesday:
Presidential Primary Election Today
February 5, 2008. Today is Super Tuesday, for the first time New Jersey Voters have an opportunity to influence the Presidential Election by casting their votes for either a Democratic or a Republican Candidate. Non-affiliated voters can also vote by designating either that they are a Democrat or Republican at the poll location. However, a voter who previously designated a party cannot switch parties today.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Public Advocate Files Brief in Support of
Harrison Property Owners
January 26, 2008. The New Jersey Public Advocate, Ronald K. Chen, has filed an amicus curiae brief in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court that argues that a key section of the state's redevelopment law is unconstitutional.
According to a press release from the Public Advocate's office:
Chen
said state law does not give property owners any meaningful opportunity to
challenge a town’s plans to take their property because they may not know
whether their property is actually targeted for condemnation until years after
deadlines under the statute have expired for them to take legal action.
“Under our current law New Jersey residents can lose their property without
adequate notice that their property will be taken and without a hearing,” Chen
said. “This case demonstrates why the current law fails to satisfy the due
process requirements of the federal and state constitutions.”
The brief was filed in eminent domain appeals brought by three Harrison
business owners, Steven Adler, Manny Amaral and Anthony DeRose.
The case is set for Oral Argument in Trenton on February 4th before a three judge panel.
The Public Advocate's Brief is available online.
KOTW Withdrawal
January 22, 2008. This weekend you may have experienced KOTW withdrawal. Our Discussion Board was down and life was not exactly the same. Now that the Discussion Board has been restored and improved, it is time to log back in, sit back with that cup of coffee and join the discussion. As this weekend proved, KOTW is a community. That is very clear because as soon as the Discussion Board was restored, Members and Guests began posting as if the Board had never been down. What better way to enjoy your coffee while logged in to KOTW than in a KOTW coffee mug. Order yours today by clicking here. Your purchase will help support KOTW.
Discussion Board Back Online
January 21, 2008. KOTW's Discussion Board was offline this weekend as a result of a hacker. The Board has been restored with no loss of prior posts. The Board has also been updated to the newest version and several security enhancements have been selected. KOTW will be working to restore the Board's look and feel. Thanks to the guys in technical support for their assistance in making sure that KOTW got back up and running. To our members and guest, thank you for your patience.
Discussion Board Update
January 20, 2008. KOTW's Discussion Board is still down due to a hacker. We are attempting to restore the Board as soon as possible along with installing an update at the explicit recommendation of the hacker who has made his point loud and clear.
Our Discussion Board is Down
January 19, 2008. KOTW's Discussion Board is currently down. We are working to restore the board.
Happy New Year
January 1, 2008. KOTW wishes its members and guests a Happy New Year.
What Council Wouldn't Wood Would
December 26, 2007. Several weeks ago, the Mayor and Council of Harrison defeated a resolution proposed by Councilman Steve McCormick to install videotaping equipment in the council chambers which would have allowed town meetings to be broadcast on the town’s local access channel. Mayor McDonough stated during the public portion of the town meeting that the town could not afford spending $60,000 for video equipment. When it was suggested that Harrison High School students could use a basic video camera to videotape meetings as a class project at no cost to the town, Mayor Raymond McDonough stated that he did not want video cameras because he did not want "a circus" atmosphere at town meetings. KOTW agrees that $60,000 for video equipment to broadcast town meetings is a little bit much. However, Mayor McDonough’s explanation of why he does not want to videotape town meetings is just a excuse. Harrison has the distinction of being the only West Hudson town to not audio or videotape its meetings. Mayor McDonough simply put does not want anyone to see how Harrison’s government is run. One persistent resident is about to change the status quo.
Former Harrison 4th Ward council candidate, Jim Wood, announced both in a Letter to the Editor in the Observer and on KOTW that he has established a website which will broadcast town meetings. The site, www.HarrisonMeetings.com, is Joe Wood’s response to the Mayor and Council’s refusal to broadcast town meetings. As Joe Wood put it in his letter to the Editor published in the Observer, "Since the town council feels it’s unnecessary to have a public record of what goes on at council meetings, I will do it for them, free of charge, and post it online for the residents to see." KOTW applauds Joe Wood’s efforts to make a public record of Harrison’s town meetings. Harrison needs more individuals like Joe Wood who take the initiative to do what they feel is best for their community.
Listen to Above Article: Click Here
Merry Christmas
December 25, 2007. KOTW wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Santa Claus in Kearny
December 8, 2007. The Kearny Fire Department has been escorting Santa Claus around town. Be on the look out for Santa. Traditionally Santa Claus makes a stop in Kearny to greet residents, children and adults alike.
Anyone who has a picture or video of Santa can email it to Kearny On The Web for publication.
Happy Chanukah
December 4, 2007. The eight day festival of Chanukah began tonight. To learn more about Chanukah click here.
Red Bulls: Good Neighbors?
November 25, 2007. In an article that appeared in the New York Times last week, writer Jack Bell wrote that "Legal problems and construction delays prompted the Red Bulls to consider scuttling the project. The club met with officials from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority last summer and was offered a tract of land near Continental Arena (now the Izod Center), but decided to push ahead in Harrison." It is nice to know that the Red Bulls would consider "scuttling the project". Harrison officials have bent over backwards to accommodate the Red Bulls even going as far as bonding 40 million dollars guaranteed by the taxpayers of Harrison.
It is time that Harrison officials start treating the Red Bulls like any other business owner in town. The sidewalk area alongside Frank E. Rodgers Blvd in front of the future Red Bulls continues unpaved and complete with an assortment of weeds. Pedestrians including commuters utilizing the parking meters adjacent to the sidewalk continue to navigate a dangerous condition and subject themselves to the risky proposition of having to walk along the roadway on a very busy street or traverse the sidewalk area which is uneven and filled with weeds. As KOTW has previously stated: Would any other property owner be allowed to keep their sidewalk in the condition that the Red Bulls sidewalk is in? Why do the Red Bulls get special privileges? Red Bulls management has no valid excuse for not addressing the sidewalk’s condition. The Red Bulls are now 100% owners of their destiny in Harrison having bought out the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). The first priority should be to get the project back on schedule. The delay in construction may have more to do with the former partners dispute rather than the condition of the remediation on the former Crucible Steel / Guyon Property. It is time to get back to work and the first priority should be to hire a curb guy to remove the weeds and lay a sidewalk along Frank E. Rodgers Blvd.
You may have also noticed that the Red Bull Stadium website has been taken down including the construction webcam (link to the left).
Listen to the above article: click here for audio.
Black Friday on KOTW
November 23, 2007. Today is Black Friday, the busiest shopping day for retailers. KOTW has its own Shopping page set up for our readers who prefer to shop on the web. Between now and the end of the year, KOTW will be updating the Shopping page to bring you some great deals.
Special
Savings at Circuit City. Shop online, pick up in North Bergen (3.5% v.
7% sales tax) and save an additional 10% with
this coupon.
Happy Thanksgiving
November 22, 2007. KOTW wishes all its Members, Guests and their families a Happy Thanksgiving.
Great Idea: $100 Million For Kuehne Chemical
November 19, 2007. In an article entitled Activists fight chemical lobby on security, Donal F. Nicolai, president and CEO of Kuehne Chemical stated "Let’s face reality. Sitting where we are sitting, it’s a legitimate concern. So is there a benefit to reducing or eliminating that? Absolutely." Nicolai is referring to the option of retrofitting its South Kearny chemical plant to produce chlorine on site rather than transporting liquid chlorine to the plant by railcar. In August, KOTW suggested that Governor Jon Corzine spend the money he was earmarking for repairs to the Pulaski Skyway to the Kuehne Chemical plant. Our exact words were, "If the State of New Jersey is thinking of spending $1 billion dollars to secure the Pulaski Skyway it should divert that money to help Kuehne Chemical retrofit its South Kearny plant to make it as safe as its Delaware plant". It appears that it won’t take $1 billion dollars but $111 million dollars to accomplish the task. There should be no greater priority for Governor Jon Corzine than accomplish the task of securing the funds necessary from the federal and/or state (New Jersey and New York) government to accomplish the task.. As we previously stated in our opinion piece, the Kuehne Chemical plant is far more dangerous to the public than a collapse of the entire Pulaski Skyway. KOTW urges Mayor Alberto Santos and council members to lobby Governor Jon Corzine to insure that Kuehne Chemical obtains the necessary funding to retrofit its plant so that a potential disaster is avoided.
What do you think? Join us at KOTW’s Discussion Board
Listen to the above article: click here for audio
Veterans Day
November 11, 2007. On this Veterans Day, take the time to remember the sacrifices made by our veterans. On behalf of the KOTW community, thank you veterans for your service.
Please visit our the Significance of Veterans Day page.
McCormicks:
First Husband and Wife Councilmembers
November 6, 2007. Maria McCormick, Council candidate in the 2nd Ward in Harrison will join her husband Steven McCormick on the Council after her victory tonight. All other McDonough candidates won their elections. McDonough's third ward candidate, Fransisco Nascimento won by 149 votes but lost the Gardens district with write in candidate Michele Scrimo receiving a reported 141 write-in votes.
The results were as follows:
1st Ward:
Carol Mandaglio 194
Maria Camano 143
Vote Difference 51
2nd Ward:
Victor Villalta 197
Maria McCormick 256
Vote Difference 59
3rd Ward:
Francisco Nascimento 290
Michele Scrimo 141*
Vote Difference 149
*Assumed that all write-in votes were for Michele Scrimo.
4th Ward:
Michael Dolaghan 279
Joseph Wood 133
Vote Difference 146
Harrison Election: A Lot At Stake
November 4, 2007. Election Day is less than two days away. Tuesday, November 6, 2007 will be one year since Steven McCormick won his 2nd Ward Council seat in Harrison beating incumbent and regular Democratic candidate, Arthur Pettigrew. Pettigrew displayed his lucky duck to the press last year. It is not clear whether Pettigrew plans to bring out the lucky duck this year.
Steven McCormick last year ran on the former Councilman Anselmo Millan’s ticket. McCormick has taken over Millan’s role in being the lone voice on the council that raises issues publically and refuses to go along with Mayor Raymond McDonough on various issues. McCormick seeks on Tuesday to get some help on the council by electing his wife Maria McCormick (2nd Ward Candidate);, Maria Camano (1st Ward); Michelle Scrimo (3rd Ward) and Joseph Wood (4th Ward). Both Camano and Wood ran unsuccessfully last year with McCormick on the Millan Team Ticket (see election results by scrolling down). Scrimo is a write-in candidate. Scrimo entered the race less than two weeks ago but has strong ties in the 3rd Ward.
What are McCormick’s chances? From the looks of it, McCormick’s Team has picked up steam since the October 22, 2007 front page publication of a Star Ledger article entitled "Little Town a Big Target in hunt for corruption". McDonough denied any wrong doing in an Observer article of October 24, 2007 entitled "Star Ledger reports are false". McDonough stated that there were no subpoenas served on Harrison and no one was interviewed by authorities. Mayor McDonough continues to walk door to door with candidates on his ticket: Carol Mandaglio (1st Ward), Victor Villalta (2nd Ward), Francisco Nascimento (3rd Ward) and Michael Dolaghan (4th Ward). With the exception of Nascimento, all the other council candidates are incumbents.
McCormick’s team have also been actively campaigning door to door. McCormick has also mailed out a DVD video in which each candidate on the McCormick slate sets out why they are running. In addition, Councilman McCormick expresses his frustration with the McDonough administration and its lack of transparency and conflicts of interest on the Town Council. The video also provides video footage of two town meetings where the Mayor and Council walk out of the council chambers prior to the meetings being adjourned and while Councilman McCormick is reading a prepared statement. McCormick’s team has a website with the text of the statements made by Councilman McCormick at the meetings. (
www.ChangeforHarrison.com)What can you expect on Election Day in Harrison? A lot. The Harrison Regular Democratic machine faces some bad press and some fearless candidates. The Star Ledger and the Asbury Park Press have brought to light some illegal and unethical activities. Harrison is not used to getting such attention from some major newspapers. The Harrison Regular Democratic machine however has a lot a stake and it will undoubtedly mobilize its forces in its attempt to insure that its slate of council members get elected. In past years, there have been poll monitors brought in from the Hudson County Board of Elections. Even these monitors have been ineffective at times in assuring a fair election. There currently is ongoing litigation to determine whether the electronic voting machines are tamper proof. There have been rumors of voters being intimidated into voting for the incumbent candidates for fear of losing housing or township jobs. The Harrison Regular Democratic machine has strong ties to various officials in Hudson County and its influence goes beyond town officials and into county government. During past elections there have been complaints that poll workers have been going into voting machines with voters in an attempt to steer voters. Despite the presence of Hudson County Election officials this activity has not ceased. If there is ever a need for State and Federal election monitors to work a particular town on the ground and not from their offices, it is Tuesday, November 6, 2007 in Harrison.
Listen to the above story: Audio Click here.
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Corruption: It Takes Many Forms
October 22, 2007. Today the Newark Star-Ledger ran a front page story entitled "Little town a big target in hunt for corruption". Reporters Jeff Whelan, Rick Hepp and John P. Martin detail various illegal and unethical acts from various town officials. On June 25, 2007, KOTW ran a story on the lack of a sidewalk in front of the Red Bulls stadium. The Red Bulls removed the century old slate sidewalk on Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South and failed to replace it. Currently there are weeds growing where there once was a sidewalk. Those pedestrian who are adventurous continue to use the uneven weeded area that used to be a sidewalk. Those less adventurous have taken to walking in the street. The Star Ledger "Little Town corruption" article points out some unethical and corrupt acts by Harrison town officials. When a construction official selectively performs his job duties, is that also corruption? The Harrison Construction official has failed to cite or fine the Red Bull owners for failure to maintain their sidewalk. The Harrison Construction official has allowed a dangerous condition to exist. Pedestrians and commuters are forced to either use the street or transverse an uneven surface filled with overgrown weeds which used to be a sidewalk. A pedestrian could be seriously injured because of the Construction officials failure to act. Is the Harrison Construction official guilty of being corrupt? Corrupt is a strong word but if you think about it he is selectively enforcing the law. What motivation exists for him not to enforce the law? Is he seeking present or future benefits for looking the other way? Could any other property owner in Harrison get away with taking their sidewalk out and not replacing it? We think not. They would receive a violation notice accompanied by a daily fine until the condition was corrected. Why should the Red Bull owners be any different? Why should the Harrison Building inspector give them special treatment? Corruption takes on various forms. It may seem like a little thing – overlooking a failure to replace a sidewalk – but if a pedestrian is hit by a car or truck while walking the street because a sidewalk is not available will that change your opinion? It just might.
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Tanski Sentencing Postponed
October 22, 2007. According to a report in the Star Ledger, William "Billy" Tanski's sentencing was postponed for the third time.
No News on Tanski
September 28, 2007. Harrison's former Superintendent of Public Works William "Billy" Tanski was suppose to be sentenced this past Monday, September 24th. There has been no news from any of the local newspapers. Back in June, Tanski pled guilty to taking over $100,000 in quarters from the town's parking meters for his own use. This is the second adjournment of the sentencing date. Hopefully the local media will provide a report in the near future. As previously reported by the Observer, the Hudson County Prosecutor's office had not made return to Harrison's taxpayers of the $100,000 reportedly taken by Tanski part of the plea agreement. Possibly, the adjournment was necessary because of recent legislation proposed by Governor Jon Corzine requiring the return of proceeds of public corruption. It is not clear whether Tanski's taking of parking meter quarters amounts to public corruption as defined by the new legislation.
Joseph Supor Jr.
September 25, 2007. For many the words Joseph Supor brings to mind his signature bright yellow and black trucks and the various wide loads which would make their way through Harrison in route to various destinations in the northeast. Joseph Supor Jr. was much more than a successful businessman. Supor had a bigger than life personality and was generous to his community. Just recently, there was a discussion of the Harrison Halloween Parade on KOTW's Discussion Board. One of our guests recalled how Supor donated his trucks (and drivers) for years for the annual Halloween Parade. Of course, Supor made other charitable donations to various community groups throughout the years. His personality, good nature and generosity will be missed.
Tanski: Heart of Gold
September 3, 2007. The Observer ran a story last week entitled "Tanski’s sentencing postponed until Sept. 24". The article written by Observer Assistant Editor Celeste Regal covered both the human interest side of the story and the facts surrounding the plea and impending sentencing. The Observer quoted Mayor Raymond McDonough who said in part that Tanski "had a heart of gold and was there for everybody, ask anyone ... "
The Observer article revealed for the first time that the payment of restitution is not part of the current plea agreement. Tanski pled guilty on June 20th to official misconduct for the theft of a reported $100,000 in quarters from the town’s parking meters. Under the current plea agreement there is no provision for Tanski to return the proceeds of his theft. Coincidentally, Governor Jon Corzine will be signing legislation that will allow prosecutors to seek monetary penalties from those convicted of public corruption crimes to reimburse defrauded public entities. It is not clear whether Tanski’s appropriation of parking meter quarters for his own use will fall into the definition of public corruption in the new legislation. It would make sense that as part of his plea agreement the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office should require that Tanski repay the taxpayers of Harrison the proceeds taken by him. Harrison’s taxpayers could use the tax relief. Tanski is suppose to receive a two year sentence. If he is not required to return the proceeds of his theft, Tanski will in effect be making $50,000 per year while the taxpayers pay for his room and board.
Spend $1 Billion on the Kuehne Chemical Plant
August 11, 2007. On Thursday, Governor Jon Corzine held a press conference in South Kearny using the Pulaski Skyway as a backdrop. Corzine stated that it might make sense to spend $1 billion to replace the bridge than to spend $100 million to maintain it over the next 10 years. U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez vowed to lobby Congress and the Bush administration for increased transportation funding.
Earlier in the week there was a story which received very little press coverage. There was a chlorine leak on a railroad container which injured a CSX employee in South Kearny. The leak was contained to the area immediately surrounding the container. The Kearny Fire Department and a HazMat team crew responded and found that a valve on the container had leaked allowing chlorine gas to escape.
Governor Corzine missed a great opportunity to hold a press conference to cover both the safety of New Jersey's bridges and its chemical plants. When Corzine was a United States Senator, he lobbied for increased chemical plant security and specifically for the Kuehne Chemical plant in South Kearny. If the State of New Jersey is thinking of spending $1 billion dollars to secure the Pulaski Skyway it should divert that money to help Kuehne Chemical retrofit its South Kearny plant to make it as safe as its Delaware plant. (See our Environment Page for various articles on the topic). A major chlorine leak at the Kuehne Chemical plant will, reportedly, cause more deaths than if you lined the Pulaski Skyway with cars bumper to bumper from beginning to end and it collapsed completely. The Pulaski Skyway may be in need of maintenance but it is not on the verge of collapse. It is our opinion that it is far more important to secure the Kuehne Chemical plant than it is to rebuild the Pulaski Skyway. The State should be spending $1 billion to retrofit the Kuehne Chemical plant. There is very little that the Kearny Fire Department and/or the Hazmat team will be able to do if there is a major leak at the Kuehne Chemical plant. If the Pulaski Skyway was on the verge of collapse, we would close it down. The Kuehne Chemical plant is always on the verge of collapse but the State continues to allow it to remain open despite technology that would make its operation safer. The $1 billion dollars would be better spent on the Kuehne Chemical plant than on the Pulaski Skyway.
Kevin Canessa Takes A Shot At KOTW
August 7, 2007. Kevin Canessa, the Editor of the Observer, lamented last week in his blog that KearnyOnTheWeb has taken "another step into the abyss". KOTW can assure our members and guests that we have no intention of going "into the abyss". Our goal is actually the exact opposite.
Canessa is upset because KOTW pointed out that the Observer failed to publish a story on William "Billy" Tanski’s plea to stealing more than $100,000 in quarters from the Town of Harrison’s parking meters. In addition, that one of KOTW’s anonymous guests stated in our Discussion Board that the publisher of the Observer was "illiterate".(My Brain Hurts, Lisa Pezzolla's Rambings
Canessa’s critique of KOTW has some basis. KOTW did misspell William "Billy" Tanski’s name incorrectly (i.e. Tansky instead of Tanski). KOTW also allowed a fairly harsh comment about the publisher of the Observer through its moderator review process.
KOTW takes solace in the fact that Canessa tempered his critique of KOTW by saying "Usually, when something untrue is posted, it’s stripped from the board or edited. Not this time." The harsh comment about the publisher of the Observer was on its face untrue and therefore did not need to be edited. The Observer’s Publisher, Lisa Pezzolla, is obviously not "illiterate". The comment was (we think) trying to make the point that Pezzolla tends to ramble on in her commentary pieces published in the Observer. The post made that point all be it in an "over the top" manner. Nobody reading the post would take the comment literally. Obviously, Lisa Pezzolla can read and write. The Discussion Board poster simply was trying to dramatically make his/her point: her commentary tends to ramble on (now, KOTW is rambling on).
It is KOTW’s policy to foster open discussion of issues affecting our community. Last year, KOTW allowed an open discussion of the LaClair/ Paszkiewicz controversy. For a long time, the anti-Mathew LaClair posts outnumbered the pro-Matthew LaClair posts. Some of the posts were highly critical of Matthew LaClair’s motives and the manner in which he had brought the matter to the attention of the Kearny school’s administration.
After the publication of a New York Times article about the controversy, the tide turned and pro-LaClair supporters overwhelmed the anti posters. It is KOTW’s belief that in part the New York Times decided to run the LaClair story because of the intensity of the anti-Matthew LaClair comments expressed on KOTW. The New York Time’s editorial board was no doubt amazed at the intensity of the anti-Matthew LaClair comments on KOTW. KOTW’s policy to foster open discussions was instrumental in bringing the LaClair/Paszkiewicz matter to a head. KOTW does not intend to change its Discussion Board policy.
Turning to the failure of the Observer to publish a story on the Tanski plea, Canessa’s explanation for not running the story is," Had we known about the plea, we most certainly would have covered it. But we only learned of the deal three weeks after it happened. By then, it was old news." The Observer, the oldest newspaper in West Hudson, has an obligation to its readers to cover the news. Tanski’s plea to taking $100,000 in quarters while he headed Harrison’s Department of Public Works is news. A story about the stealing of the public’s money is never old news. The Observer’s staff should have never missed the Tanski story. Although it appears that the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office did not issue a press release, the Jersey Journal and its local paper the Kearny Journal published a story on the Tanski plea. It is hard to believe that nobody at the Observer reads the Jersey Journal or the Kearny Journal or that the Observer does not have its own sources to bring us relevant local news.
The Observer will have an opportunity to redeem itself when Tanski is sentenced. The Observer can cover both the plea, the sentence and the human story surrounding the plea. Some have suggested that Tanski did not act alone and there is some credibility to those rumors. For example, how does one person cart and cash $100,000 in quarters without raising any suspicions from co-workers and/or the administration. A $100,000 in quarters weighs over 1 ton. An Observer reporter in anticipation of the sentencing could prepare a story about William "Billy" Tanski. Tanski, a long time employee of the Town of Harrison, was apparently well liked by the Department of Public Works employees and town residents alike. Tanski was also a close friend of Mayor Raymond McDonough. How does the Mayor feel about Tanski’s plea? Is the Mayor attempting to have the Town reimbursed for the money admittedly stolen by Tanski? The Harrison taxpayers deserve such a story. If the Observer is to continue its legacy its staff must make it its business to cover the news.
KOTW has a great deal of respect for what it takes to publish on a weekly basis a local newspaper. KOTW hopes that Lisa Pezzolla, Kevin Canessa and the rest of the Observer staff takes comments made on our discussion board and our pointing out that they missed the Tanski story as constructive criticism. We all have room for improvement. Although calling KOTW’s Discussion Board an "atrocious joke" is on par with Lisa Pezzolla being called "illiterate". But KOTW does pride itself in welcoming all opinions.
Kearny Avenue Bridge Open
July 20,2007. The Kearny Avenue Bridge which has been closed for two weeks has reopened to the relief of business owners and residents. Repairs on the bridge continue by the J. Fletcher Creamer Construction Company.
Observer Fails to Cover Tansky Story
July 20, 2007. As we previously noted, the Observer did not publish a story on the Tansky plea. It is not clear why the Observer failed to carry the story.
Observer: The Tansky Story
July 7, 2007. The Jersey Journal and its local West Hudson paper, the Kearny Journal, reported that former Harrison Superintendent of Public Works, William "Billy" Tansky pled guilty to taking over $100,000 in quarters from town parking meters. KOTW reported the same story (see below).
West Hudson's oldest and widely read newspaper, the Observer, however has failed to publish a story on Tansky's plea. Maybe there will be a story in next week's newspaper. The plea occurred over two weeks ago so if the article isn't published this week the story may be a little dated.
Kearny Water Main Break
July 7, 2007. The water main break which occurred on Thursday night may have claimed another victim. The Kearny Avenue bridge over the old Arlington train tracks is closed to vehicle traffic. It is unlikely that the bridge will be open for Monday morning traffic as structural engineers are waiting for settlement of soil around the bridge's embankment before making a decision whether the bridge is safe for vehicle traffic.
According to Editor Kevin Canessa's blog providing updates for the Observer the bridge is likely not to be open for at least two weeks as the town will be reinforcing one of the bridge's embankments and modifying the manner in which the water main that caused the problem is incorporated into the new design.
Showers May Spoil
Kearny's 4th of July Fireworks
July 4, 2007. Kearny's annual 4th of July celebration will start at 7 p.m. with the Garden State Concert Band at Veterans Field on Belgrove Drive. You may want to consider walking to Veterans Field since streets surrounding the field will be closed to traffic. In addition to the patriotic music by the Garden State Concert Band, there are clowns and cartoon characters to entertain children and adults.
The Fireworks are scheduled to go off shortly after 9 p.m. Showers may however spoil the fireworks. Weather forecasters are unsure whether the showers and possible thunderstorm will arrive before 9 p.m.
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