Public safety director releases changes for St. Pat’s Parade
Hoboken Public Safety Director Bill Begin drafted a letter last week laying out the city’s proposed changes for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning next year. The city is making six days available for the parade, all after the actual holiday: Monday, March 22 or 29; Tuesday, March 23 or 30; or Wednesday, March 24 or 31. Also, the parade will be held at 5 p.m., Bergin said.
Bergin said the post-holiday dates allow for more sunlight for the afternoon parade due to the end of daylight savings time.
He is also recommending that a city ordinance restricting house parties be enacted this year by the City Council, and that the city consider raising fines from $1,000 to possibly $2,000.
Bergin has submitted his letter and an information packet to the City Council, who will meet Wednesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Bergin will work with the council’s Quality of Life Committee, as well as the organizers of the St. Pat’s Parade, to finalize the date and time. Any ordinances would have to be approved by a vote of the council.
Correction
Two weeks ago, the Reporter erroneously stated that City Council candidate Dave Mello was engaged in local parks initiative SW6. He actually did not say he was engaged in the SW6 plan, but rather, that he was a former member of the Southwest Parks Coalition. SW6 refers to a plan for a 6-acre park in the southwest corner of town rather than the group itself.
School budget hearing and candidate forum
The Board of Education is meeting this Tuesday, March 31 to hold a public hearing on a $59.36 million school budget that was recently introduced. The budget can be amended before the public can vote on it during the April 21 school board election.
In addition, the Hoboken Family Alliance invites you to meet the six Board of Education candidates for a free, open forum on April 4 at the Demarest School, 401 Garden St, at 10 a.m.
Residents must register to vote by March 31 to vote in the Board of Education election on April 21. For more information, call (201) 970-8796.
’Outraged’ mayor brings down billboard
A n “outraged” Mayor David Roberts made phone calls to many powers-that-be on Tuesday in ardent opposition to a billboard at Observer Highway and Hudson Street. The billboard read: “Cut Your Hoboken Property Taxes 47 percent … We’ll Help You Leave.”
The billboard was removed later that day.
The Jersey City brokerage firm Metropolitan and Waterfront put up the billboard presumably to lure residents to Jersey City who were angry over Hoboken’s large tax increase.
Roberts said he called Jersey City Mayor Jerremiah Healy, County Executive Tom DeGise, and the office of Sen. Robert Menendez, among other people, to make his displeasure known.
Roberts also said he spoke to a representative of the firm. “I told him how despicable it is, and I told him how despicable it would be would be if a Hoboken developer printed the Jersey City crime rates right in front of his building,” he said.
The billboard replaced with one referring to a coming bridge that will run from Hoboken to the Newport area of Jersey City. It read: “Newport [hearts] Hoboken … And we’re hooking up, Spring 2009.”
PSE&G center temporarily closed
The PSE&G customer service center at 615 Washington St. will be closed to the public on March 30, 31, and April 1.
PSE&G will temporarily close it to provide training to customer service representatives that will enable them to offer enhanced services to customers.
For the three days the center is closed, customers should call (800) 436-7734 for general questions or (800) 357-2262 for collections or payment-related questions.
For the convenience of customers, bills may be paid at the Western Union authorized payment agent at Town Smoke & News, 1034 Washington St. PSE&G has made arrangements with Western Union so that Hoboken-area customers will not be charged a transaction fee.
High school career day
On Wednesday, April 1, students will have the opportunity to explore careers with professionals who will volunteer their time to share their career stories and answer questions students may have. The Career Day matches pre-selected professionals with upperclassmen based on the student’s interest, including police enforcement, law, medicine, and computer engineering. For further information to volunteer your time or have your company offer a job-shadowing day, please contact Marie McCabe at (201) 356-3630. Students at the high school also have two job shadowing days planned at Wiley Corporation and the Wall Street Journal.
Urban ‘Abbott’ districts could lose funds
Last week, Superior Court Judge Peter Doyne said that the state’s school-funding formula is constitutional, as opposed to previous rulings saying that relying on property taxes to fund the schools unfairly hurt poorer districts. This means 31 low-income school districts including Hoboken, Jersey City, and Union City that currently get extra “Abbott District” funding may lose some of the funding. The schools receive extra funding due in part to the Abbott vs. Burke Supreme Court ruling stating that kids in poorer areas should get a commensurate education to those in more wealthy areas.
TLC’s casting call
The Learning Channel is looking for outgoing and opinionated homeowners in the tri-state area who are moving to a new home between April and July, for the fourth season of the channel’s hit show “Moving Up,” hosted by Doug Wilson.
The show helps homeowners drastically redesign their new home with free and discounted materials and expert interior-design advice. Candidates must still occupy their current home and be moving into a non-vacant home. Both residences must be in the tri-state area. Anyone interested can contact Jennifer Dubin at (212) 974-9050 ext. 149 or e-mail jdubin@bbcnyproduction.com.
Scholarships offered for Hudson County law students
The Hudson County Bar Foundation is offering scholarships to students already in law school or accepted to begin law school for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Applicants must be Hudson County residents, meet certain academic standards, demonstrate financial need, and provide two letters of recommendation.
All applications must be received by March 31.
For an application, call (201) 798-4708 or email hcba.law@verizon.net.
Scholarships for NJ students
Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey will provide financial aid for superior in need of help with their tuition. Students who are currently enrolled in a four-year college or university; will be a senior as of Sept. 2009 in the state of New Jersey; and are majoring in business administration, marketing, or accounting with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 can qualify. Three winners will be selected for a scholarship/internship. Each will receive a paid internship at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and $2,000 to be put toward their college education. Applications are being accepted now and winners will be selected in summer 2009. To apply, contact Lakin at (973) 709-2361 or carol.s.lakin@erac.com.
Boathouse sets summer schedule
The Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse (HCCB) announced their summer 2009 schedule for Kayaking Days at the Maxwell Place Park Cove, Sinatra Drive, and Maxwell Place. The boathouse will offer public programs on the following dates: June 7, June 14, July 11, July 25, and Aug. 15.
Kayaking Days are free, open to all, and require no reservations. HCCB is currently supported by voluntary help and borrowed kayaks and equipment from the Downtown Boathouse in Manhattan. Trained kayakers will be on-hand to provide tips for new paddlers.
All programs are tentative based on weather and water conditions, and are subject to cancellation. For the latest information on Hoboken Boathouse programs, e-mail info@hobokencoveboathouse.org, visit the website, or join the group on Facebook.