Harrison Settlements

September 25, 2008 (Harrison, NJ)  As promised here are the settlement amounts for Anthony DeRose, Manny Amaral and Steven Adler.  DeRose will receive 1.4 million for his property on Sixth Street.  Amaral will receive 4.5 million for his property along South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd.   Steven Adler will receive an initial 5 million to settle the "blight" count of his complaint.  In addition, Adler and the Harrison Redevelopment Agency will submit to arbitration two issues: 1. the value of Adler's buildings which have been demolished. 2. The contribution (if any) that Adler must make to the cost of removing contaminated soil from his properties. 

Adler has contended that his building were worth an additional 14 million dollars and that the cost of removing contaminated soil is limited  to what would have been necessary if he continued to utilize his properties for parking and light industrial uses.  The remediation that has been done is more costly since the properties will be used for residential purposes.  It is estimated that Adler may be awarded another 10 million dollars or so after arbitration is completed.  It is not clear whether the designated redevelopers will be solely responsible for the payment of the settlements or whether taxpayer dollars will be used.

The Observer ran a very comprehensive story in this week's edition entitled Harrison Commons Lawsuit settled  The Observer has not always gotten both sides of the Harrison Redevelopment story.  This week's article is balanced.

Beth Higgins

September 25,2008 (Harrison, NJ).  KOTW has received information from a reliable source that Harrison's Chief Financial Officer, Beth Higgins, will be vacating her position before the end of the year.  The official reason being given is that Higgins is vacating the position for personal reasons. 

Beth Higgins is the sister of Peter Higgins who is the Chairman of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency.   Peter Higgins and Mayor Raymond McDonough were the subject of a Star Ledger article almost a year ago which suggested that there was an ongoing Federal investigation in Harrison.  Mayor McDonough denied that there was an ongoing investigation or any wrongdoing.  Since then the Star Ledger has not followed up with any additional articles and it appears that Mayor McDonough was correct in his assertion that his administration was not under investigation.

 

DeRose, Amaral & Adler Settle:

Challenge to Harrison Redevelopment Ends

 

September 13, 2008 (Harrison, NJ).  A reliable source has informed KOTW that Anthony De Rose, Manny Amaral, and Steven Adler have settled their litigation against the Harrison Redevelopment Agency and Harrison Commons Inc and Harrison Commons LLC.  The settlements provide for substantial increases in the amount of money being paid for the properties located adjacent to the Harrison Path Station.  The Harrison Redevelopment Agency and Harrison Commons had come under increased pressure to move the redevelopment project forward to meet the town's commitment to the Red Bulls to provide a parking garage for its fans.  In addition, there were several recent decisions including a decision dealing with redevelopment in Long Branch which aided landowners in their battle to keep their properties.  The settlement assures that the construction of the parking garage and additional housing will be built alongside the Harrison Path station.  KOTW will publish the exact terms of the settlements as soon as they are made public.

Rendering from Applied Development on Harrison Commons Development

Harrison Commons is a joint venture between the principals Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, LP, Pegasus, Endeavour, LLC, Applied Harrison, LLC and Harrison Commons, LLC

There was an article in the Jersey Journal entitled Harrison, property owner end eminent domain fight about the Amaral settlement.

 

Harrison  & East Newark

September 11 Memorial Ceremony

 

September 9, 2008 (Harrison, NJ).  Councilwoman Carol Mandaglio announced that the Mayor and Council will hold a memorial candlelight vigil on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in front of the 9/11 Memorial located on Harrison Avenue at the Library Park Green.

The memorial event will be held rain or shine and all are welcome to attend.  The vigil will be dedicated to the all who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Mayor Joseph Smith announced that the  East Newark Mayor and Borough Council will hold a special ceremony  for the seventh anniversary of September 11th at the East Newark Borough Hall on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

Robert B. Knapp will be Master of Ceremony. Guest speakers will be Mayor Joseph R. Smith and reverent clergy and officials from various veterans groups. Mayor Joseph R. Smith, Shirley F. Becker and Charles Bubenas of Post #36 will place wreaths.
 

Students and staff from the East Newark Public School will attend and participate in this remembrance ceremony. The public is invited to attend this ceremony.

At this time it is unclear whether Mayor Alberto Santos and the Kearny Council will also be holding a memorial ceremony.  Kearny's town website did not have any information on their town calendar.  If anyone knows, please email us.

 

Track Tropical Storm Hanna

September 6, 2008 (Kearny, NJ)  Tropical Storm Hanna is suppose to produce 40 mph winds and dump 4 to 6 inches of rain in the West Hudson Area.  You can track the storm by visiting the Harrison Weather Center on the web.

KOTW will also attempt to post member and guest storm reports on our Discussion Board.

 

COAH Gives Swift Kick to Red Bulls

September 5, 2008 (Harrison, NJ)  According to Senator Steven Oroho of the 24th Legislative District, the recent COAH regulations would impose a 2.5% tax on the Red Bulls stadium in Harrison.  The Senator estimates that the 2.5% tax will add another 5 million dollars to the cost of building the stadium. 

Senator Oroho stated that “Piling new taxes on the Red Bull Park project only serves to undermine the $39.4 million in taxpayer-financed bonds that have already been invested to acquire the stadium site. These bonds are secured by future in-lieu-of-tax payments from the stadium and the larger Harrison Metrocentre public/private development project. Instead of talking about urban redevelopment and smart growth projects, maybe the politicians in Trenton should stop taxing them".

Senator Oroho is a Republican from Sussex County.  The Senator is referring to a provision in the proposed COAH regulations which would require the building of additional affordable housing units based upon the value of commercial improvements in addition to units already required because of new residential units being built.  At the September 2, 2008 Harrison Mayor and Council meeting, Mayor Raymond  McDonough stated, when asked by Councilman Steven McCormick how the town was going to meeting the requirements of COAH given all the additional housing being purposed in the redevelopment area,  that Harrison was not going to have to comply with the COAH regulations.  Mayor McDonough did not elaborate on why Harrison would be exempted.

The Observer ran an article this week on the effect of the new COAH regulations on the proposed housing redevelopment project in East Newark.  Mayor Joseph Smith stated, "This isn’t a case of economics because the community here is a poor community if you look at the census,” he said. “How can these taxpayers subsidize the affordable units?”  Mayor Smith may want to take Mayor McDonough's position.  Move forward blindly and ignore COAH entirely in hopes that either the COAH regulations do not take effect or you are retired by the time the taxpayers figure out that you have gotten them in expensive lawsuit and vote you out of office.
 

To visit Senator Oroho's blog click here.

 

Lester M. Entin Associates v. Red Bulls

 

September 3, 2008 (Harrison, NJ)  At the end of August 2008, the Red Bulls held a ceremonial laying of the first beam on the Red Bulls Stadium site  in Harrison.  The Star Ledger ran an article entitled Soccer Team takes a Step Towards its Goal by Maura McDermott. At yesterday's council meeting, a resolution was passed for an operating agreement between the Town of Harrison and the owners of the Red Bulls.  Attached to the town's resolution was a detailed planning board resolution which revealed some interesting facts about the redesigned Red Bull's stadium.

It is clear that despite the Red Bulls moving forward with the stadium a challenge by its neighbor Lester M. Entin Associates (Entin) may derail the project.  Entin has raised several issues which challenge the stadium.  Among those issues are the following:

That off-tract parking facilities approved for use by Stadium patrons were allegedly "unaccounted for."

That the approved plans for off-tract parking constituted nothing but a promise.

That, by approving the off-tract parking plan, the Board was "forcing blighted areas designed for redevelopment to remain 'as is'.

That, by approving a plan for off-tract parking for Stadium use outside the Stadium District, the Board effectively granted a use variance.

That the Board improperly excluded evidence that the Stadium will allegedly be unsafe because it is too close to a Public Service Electric & Gas Company ("PSE&G") gas storage facility.

That the Board improperly excluded evidence as to whether the interior of the Stadium complies with the Uniform Construction Code ("UCC").

The Harrison Planning Board dismisses the challenges but it is unclear whether a Superior Court judge will likewise dismiss them.

The Harrison Planning Board resolution makes for interesting reading.  The two major issues raised by Entin is that if the taking by eminent domain of the Adler and Amaral properties is overturned by Judge Maurice Gallipoli because the town fails to prove the area was blighted, the planned parking garage to be utilized by the Red Bulls will not be built. In addition, and more troubling that trying to find a parking spot during a soccer game is that the stadium is located next to a PSEG natural gas facility which poses a high security risk to stadium attendees.

The DeRose/ Adler/ Amaral trial is scheduled to start next week before Judge Gallipoli.  At issue is whether the Town of Harrison's Redevelopment Agency can prove that the properties taken by eminent domain were blighted. 

A trivia question:  How many parking spaces are the Red Bulls providing next to their stadium?  The answer is in the Harrison Planning Board resolution.  You will be surprised on how little on site parking there will be.

 

Harrison Meeting Has Full Agenda

September 2, 2008 (Harrison, NJ)  After a two month hiatus, the Harrison Mayor and Council return to a full agenda for their September 2, 2008 meeting. 

Of particular interest is the proposed acceptance of a Development Agreement between the Town of Harrison and the Red Bulls.  The Red Bulls began construction of a 25,000 seat stadium on the former Guyon Steel property at the intersection of South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd and Cape May Street.  Shouldn't the Red Bulls have had approval of the Development Agreement before they started construction?  The development agreement is suppose to set forth who will be responsible for infrastructure improvements necessary for the project.  Since the redevelopment agreement was mentioned but not posted on the town's website there are no details to report at this time.  Hopefully the town clerk will post the redevelopment agreement on the town's website before tonight's meeting.

Another interesting item on the Agenda is the settlement of litigation between the owners of the Hampton Inn and the Town for overbilling of water and sewer charges.  It appears that the hotel has been overbilled to the tune of $122,510.  Quite a piece of change that needs to be made up by Harrison's taxpayers.  What other water meters in town are not working correctly?  Luckily in another resolution the town is moving funds from several capital improvement accounts dating back to 1990 totaling $197,217.96.  It makes you wonder who is auditing the books that would allow money not used for its original purpose to just sit for over 18 years in an account.  Let's hope it was an interest bearing account. 

Another item of interest is the granting of a 50 year right of way to Fiber Technology Networks (FiberTech) a New York Company for the purposes of running fiber optic cable through out the Town of Harrison.  The Right of Way agreement (unlike the Red Bulls Agreement) was attached to the meeting agenda posted on the Town's website.   

Several companies including CJUF II Harrison Holdings LLC, US Title Solutions, J&J Real Estate Development LLC are receiving refunds of overpayment of real estate taxes.  The most substantial being US Title Solutions who overpaid $31,105.80 to the town for the 2008 3rd Quarter.  The auditors at US Title Solutions are a little quicker at finding accounting errors than the town auditors.

A last item of note, is the increase in the cost of resurfacing of Cross and William Streets.  The town replaced entire sidewalks along Cross and William Streets last month.  Many residents were surprised by the town replacement of perfectly good sidewalks by A & J Contractors Group, Inc.  Some of the residents have even questioned the quality of the work.  A & J Contractors Group, Inc. is seeking an additional $58,630.76 on top of the $219, 864.00 it received already.  In a town that is supposedly financially strapped why would you spend money destroying perfectly good sidewalks to replace them with sidewalks of questionable quality.  Why would you even consider paying the contractor more money?  Some of the questions hopefully the taxpayers will get answers to at the Mayor and Council meeting.

To view of Agenda for the September 2, 2008 Harrison Mayor and Council meeting click here.

 

Private Schools Cost Less

August 14, 2008 (Harrison, NJ)  The Department of Education released budget information for school districts throughout New Jersey.  In Harrison, the cost per student has risen to $16,898 per student compared to Kearny which is $11,725 and East Newark which is $9,705.  Harrison is an Abbott District while Kearny and East Newark are not.

The Department of Education has also published administrative salaries. The following are Harrison's administrative salaries.

Anthony Comprelli	Superintendent	$        173,960
Fred Confessore	Asst Superintendent	$        158,794
Christine Griffin	Business Administrator	$        138,000
Michael Pichowicz	Asst Business Administrator	$        128,960
Michael Dolaghan	Supervisor of maintenance	$         82,740
Gloria Confessore	Secretary	$         91,518

Please note that not included above is the salary of former Business Administrator Peter Higgins.  Higgins retired and was hired back as a consultant on the district's school projects.  It is not clear whether he continues in that role to date.

In Kearny, the administrative salaries are as follows:

Robert Mooney	Superintendent	$        165,397
Dr. Ingrid Kiss	Assistant Superintendent	$        153,971
Karen Yeamans	Business Administrator/Board	$        123,600
Mark Bruscino	Director of Plant Operations	$         81,698

In East Newark, the administrative salaries are as follows:

Salvatore Montagna	Interim Supt	$         65,000
Anthony Dachille	Interim BA	$         37,500
Richard Corbett	Missing Title	$         75,000

One has to question given the cost per student whether it would make more sense to close down the public schools and simply give parents vouchers to send their kids to the best private schools in New Jersey.  In Harrison, it is particularly troubling to see that the district needs two superintendents and two business administrators making over six figures.

In addition, Councilman Michael Dolaghan is now the Supervisor of Maintenance.  What prior job experience did Michael Dolaghan have to qualify for the position?  If the position is needed why wasn't someone hired from within the school district to fill the position?  We all know why.  In Harrison, it isn't what you know but who you know.

Harrison is an Abbott District.  In an Abbott District it pays to fail.  If you improve your test scores, you could be stripped of your Abbott District designation and thus your funding.  In School Board politics, it is better not to educate so that you can maintain your six figure salary.  If Administrators were paid on the basis of how well their students learned, more emphasis would be put on educating students.  Our current education system is flawed.  The ideal expressed in the Abbott case was laudable.  But politics has turned it into a cash cow for the select few in the inner political circles.  Think about this:  If the Abbott funding was taken from Harrison, how much would the average taxpayer's bill rise? Remember in Harrison, Kearny and East Newark, the taxes include expenses from the school district.  A large portion of Harrison's school budget is paid through Abbott funding and thus not included in the property tax bill.

What do you think? Join us in our Discussion Board.

 

What's Mike Rodgers Thinking?

 

August 10, 2008 (Harrison NJ).  Harrison Garden's Executive Director and former Councilmember Mike Rodgers this week has continued to enforce the prohibition apparently in the public housing lease agreement that prohibits tenants from flying flags outside their apartments.  Harrison Garden's resident Marie O'Brien wanted to fly the American Flag outside her apartment in honor of her daughter, Jennifer, who will be serving in the armed forces starting next month.  In any other neighborhood, the American flag would be welcomed.  Not in the Harrison Garden's neighborhood.  Here is where a rule needs to be broken.  Let Rodgers or any Harrison Public Housing official and/or worker take down Marie O'Brien's American flag.  In this turbulent time of war, how can Mike Rodgers deny a mother the right to fly the American Flag in honor of her daughter.  Rodgers should be ashamed of himself and should immediately apologize and change the Housing Agency's policy.  What is Mike Rodgers thinking?  Can such a rule be enforceable in a court of law?  What judge is going to tell Marie O'Brien that she has to vacate her apartment because she flew an American flag outside her apartment.  How un-American would that be?  Mike Rodgers is simply wrong.  Harrison needs more American flags being flown in honor of individuals like Jennifer O'Brien who are serving our country.  Prohibiting her mother from flying the American flag just makes no sense. 

Links to Jersey Journal Article & Editorial, click below:

Can't Fly Old Glory

Let the Flags Fly

What do you think?  Join the Discussion on KOTW's Discussion Board.

 

Fundraisers for Victor Muniz

Yes We Can

July 13, 2008 (Kearny NJ).  A fundraiser has been scheduled for July 25, 2008 for Victor Muniz.  Muniz, a Kearny Resident , was struck and paralyzed by a tree while in West Hudson Park after a sudden thunderstorm.  Muniz has vowed to walk again and is undergoing intensive physical therapy at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange.  Muniz's words are inspirational.  In a NJ.com video entitled Hope for a Man Paralyzed by Storm, Victor Muniz states, "Everything happens for a reason.  I think I am going to get better and I am going to learn how to grow during the whole process.  I want to be a ... motivational speaker.  Yes, I am definitely walking."  Watch the short picture video (below). Visit Victor Muniz's MySpace page.

There is an opportunity presented to the West Hudson community in Victor Muniz's tragic circumstances.  Victor's life changed suddenly.  Victor's immediate reaction upon learning that he was paralyzed was to fight to walk again.  Victor is fortunate to have close family and friends.  Victor is also fortunate to be close to one of the top rehabilitation facilities in the nation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.  Actor Christopher Reeves performed his rehabilitation at Kessler.  The staff at Kessler is top notch.  Kessler exists because New Jersey's auto insurance paid for expensive surgical and rehabilitative services.  Victor however has no such coverage.  He needs the community's help in making sure that he receives the best care possible.  It is time for the KOTW community to step up and participate in raising the necessary funds that will give Victor the best chance of walking.  Victor is doing his part.  Victor's part is much more difficult then ours.  KOTW calls on our readers to attend the fundraiser scheduled for July 25th and donate as much as possible.

KOTW also calls upon the politicians of West Hudson to schedule a fundraiser for September whose goal should be to raise $250,000 towards Victor's medical bills.  Possibly, our local politicians could use their contacts in neighboring Essex County to have the event held in the Prudential Center Arena.  What better venue to symbolize doing the impossible.  How many people doubted that the Rock would be built?  It stands today as a symbol of what can be done when men and women of courage say, "Yes, we can."  Victor Muniz's fundraiser can be held simply in the public areas of the arena with local restaurants providing refreshments and food.  The goal of raising $250,000 is realistic.  Harrison's Democratic Party last year raised over $200,000 in contributions which it turned over to the Hudson County Democratic Party.  The political connections that exist in West Hudson can surely raise $250,000 for this great cause.  To the politicians who are saying "why should we do a fundraiser", "it's not possible", "people won't come", just simply watch the NJ.com video (below) and say "Yes, we can.  Yes, we will raise $250,000 for Victor Muniz to walk again."

Hope for Man Paralyzed by Storm

 

WABC-TV News Story video on Victor Muniz.

 

Another Harrison Special Meeting:

June 30th at Noon

June 25, 2008 (Harrison NJ).  Mayor Raymond McDonough has scheduled another Special Council Meeting.  The latest Special Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2008 at 12 noon.  According to the Agenda posted on the town's website, the meeting will be for the sole purpose of voting on an Ordinance establishing Guyon Drive, Metrocentre Plaza, Crucible Drive and new portions of South Fifth and South Sixth streets.

Special Meeting:

Friday at 6 p.m.

June 12, 2008. (Harrison NJ)  In our story entitled Oh get with it, will ya? we stated that there was no regular Harrison Council meeting until September 2008 unless the Mayor scheduled a Friday at 5 p.m. meeting.  Well we were off by an hour.  Mayor Raymond McDonough has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow June 13th at 6 p.m.  The Agenda which includes several Bonding Ordinances is available by clicking here. 

The Kearny Journal published a story on the June 5th meeting entitled  Harrison meeting ends in pandemonium.  The Star Ledger and the Observer failed to cover the meeting.  Joe Wood has sent a letter to the editor to Kevin Canessa's Hudsonline.com

Oh get with it, will ya?

 

June 7, 2008 (Harrison NJ).  Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough urged Councilman Steve McCormick to "Oh get with it, will ya?" at Thursday's Mayor and Council meeting.  McDonough was frustrated with being questioned by Councilman McCormick about the use of the Mayor's town hall phone number and the town hall address on the Harrison Democratic Committee's letterhead and the manner in which fundraiser tickets are distributed to town employees.   McDonough then proceeded to move to adjourn the town meeting.  McCormick stated "I'm not finished".  McDonough's response was to get up as he stated "I'm finished."  McDonough then stood for four minutes despite a suggestion by Councilman McCormick that he retake his seat.  McDonough appeared to be waiting for other councilman to join him in walking out of the meeting.  He eventually was joined by Councilmen James Doran, Francisco Nascimento, Mike Dolaghan and Councilwoman Carol Mandaglio.    As Councilman Doran was just about to exit the council chamber, he returned to the public podium to grab the public microphone and state  "Steve, you're full of it!  You care about Steve McCormick and that's all you care about."  Doran went on to make other comments about why McCormick had not paid fines imposed by the building department to which Councilman McCormick stated that the fines were being contested in court.  Doran was eventually pulled away by Councilwoman Carol Mandaglio who stated "You're playing into his hands, Let him talk."  At the same time, Councilman Francisco Nascimento waiving his finger as if admonishing a child picked a fight with former First Ward Council Candidate Maria Camano arguing over whether all the new housing proposed by the redevelopers was going to overcrowd the town's schools.

It is hard to believe that Mayor McDonough would find it necessary to walk out of a council meeting to avoid answering questions about the Harrison Democratic Committee fundraiser.  McDonough is the committee's chairman.  McDonough's statement that Councilman McCormick "Oh get with it, will ya?" says it all.  McDonough is used to winning over Council members.  Other councilmembers' loyalty to McDonough was evident as they followed his lead and walked out of the council meeting.  McCormick has shown that he will be independent. Thursday's council meetings will undoubtedly go down as a "classic" Harrison Mayor and Council meeting including McDonough putting up his vanilla file folder to shield his face from being filmed by Joseph Wood as he walked out of the council chambers.  If Mayor McDonough had taken Councilman McCormick's suggestion that he retake his seat, McDonough might have had to answer some tough questions but  he would not embarrassed himself.  It is clear that McCormick was onto something why else would a career politician immediately call to adjourn a council meeting. 

What's next?  There isn't a scheduled council meeting until September so the public is left with reruns of past Mayor and Council meetings courtesy of Joseph Wood's website www.HarrisonMeetings.com.  Script writers could not have written a better cliffhanger for the final episode of a television series.  The junior independent Councilmember manages, with a couple of questions, to have the career politician Mayor walk out of a council meeting followed by two loyal council members chastising and making personal attacks against the junior independent councilmember and a former councilmember candidate.  What will happen on the next episode in September?  Or will the Mayor call a special Friday at 5 p.m. council meeting?  Stay tuned.

It will also be interesting to see if the New Jersey Election Commission (ELEC) will bring a complaint against Mayor McDonough for a clear violation of election law: use of public funds to run a political campaign.  Clearly, town employees are opening mail and answering phone calls made to town hall.  McDonough admitted that the Harrison Democratic Committee was using the town hall address and phone number on the committee's correspondence and that the practice had been ongoing for a number of years.

More interesting will be whether the New Jersey State Attorney General Anne Milgram public corruption unit will investigate the allegation that Mayor McDonough distributes fundraising tickets to town employees with their pay checks.  The clear implication being that one is expected to purchase a ticket.  Mayor McDonough did not admit to the practice but it would be fairly easy to establish whether the allegation is true by interviewing under oath a sampling of town employees. McDonough did admit that he gives tickets to friends who are town employees for them to distribute and he mails the rest.

Joseph Wood must be commended on his continued efforts to video tape Harrison's Town Meetings.  Wood is using the power of new technology to further the democratic process.  If you don't believe the above article, watch it for yourself by visiting Joseph Wood's website.   Kevin Canessa has also written an excellent article on Thursday's meeting on his website www.thehudsonline.com   Let us see whether the Star Ledger,  Kearny Journal and /or the Observer cover the meeting in next weeks newspapers.

 

Memorial Day 2008

May 25, 2008.   The Memorial Day weekend is upon us.  The Memorial Day weekend for many simply means an extended weekend.  To others it means an opportunity to be with family and friends down the shore or in the backyard with a barbecue and family fun.  To others, Memorial Day takes on a more solemn tone.  Some say that the "memorial" in Memorial Day is being ignored.  To quote one author, "Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice."  This same author suggests that on Memorial Day that we do one or more of the following:

• by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

   

• by visiting memorials.

   

• by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

   

• by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).

   

• by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.

   

• by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans. (Source: www. usamemorialday. org)

 

Most combat soldiers rarely volunteer their "war stories".  If asked on occasion they will talk about their experiences.  KOTW suggests that if you have the opportunity and honor to ask a loved one who served our country for one of their "war stories" maybe that too could be a way of recognizing the men and women who sacrificed so much on our behalf.   If you have a video camera handy, maybe you could with their consent record a loved ones "war stories" so that years from now you can share that story with family members who are yet to be born.  Let us not forget that Memorial Day means more than a trip to the Jersey Shore or a barbecue with family and friends.  Memorial Day is just that,  a day for us to stop and thank all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the United States of America.  Doing one or more the above observances with your family members will make the time spent with family and friends even more meaningful.

 

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
 

Heliport Coming to NPD

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

Different Spin on Copters

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 bot