Check out our website every day for breaking news, and reader comments!
Yes, it’s true! In January, the Reporter will celebrate the first anniversary of its new website, www.hudsonreporter.com, which constantly has breaking news at the top, with comments from readers. We’ve broken several local and even statewide stories on the site!
Check it out and leave your comments on stories!
City Hall gets new attorney
Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced Friday the addition of Michael B. Kates, Esq. to serve as the City of Hoboken’s new corporation counsel. Current Corporation Counsel Steve Kleinman has resigned effective Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, to pursue opportunities in the private sector. He will serve in a transitional capacity as an assistant corporation counsel through Jan. 15.
Kates is a partner at Kates Nussman Rapone Ellis & Farhi with extensive experience in municipal law, zoning and planning. He has served as municipal attorney for the Township of Teaneck, and the Borough of Fair Lawn, as counsel to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the Boroughs of Closter and Alpine and Counsel to the Planning Boards of Teaneck and Englewood Cliffs.
“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to retain Mr. Kates,” said Zimmer. “His expertise in land use and zoning will be of particular importance, given the numerous development issues facing our City. I thank Mr. Kleinman for serving our city ably and I wish him well in his future pursuits. ”
Kates will serve on a fixed fee basis of $103,500 per year. Since he will be an independent contractor rather than an employee of the city, he will not receive health or other benefits from the city.
Christmas tree lighting Tuesday
The annual lighting of the city Christmas tree, the Holiday Crafts Fair, and the Holiday Banding Concert are just some of the activities coming up as Hoboken prepares to celebrate Christmas.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer and the city of Hoboken invite residents to the Hoboken Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tues., Dec. 8. The lighting ceremony begins early this year, precisely at 5:30 p.m. in front of City Hall, 94 Washington St., with special guests Elvis the Elf and Santa Claus.
The Hoboken City Hall Holiday Crafts Fair begins Sat. and Sun., Dec. 12 and 13, and continues Dec. 19 and 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. all days, at Hoboken City Hall. There will be three floors to shop for unique handcrafted gift items by over 50 local artists, photographers and crafters.
For more information call (201)-420-2207 or go online at www.hobokennj.org. Applications are still available to participate in the Crafts Fair.
Hoboken students debate politics
High Tech High School’s Junior States of America (JSA) attended the Mid-Atlantic Fall State Convention last month, where they got the chance to debate politics. High Tech is a countywide public school.
The convention, held at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, was attended by Hoboken residents Leora Rosenberg (president of High Tech’s chapter), Harry Freedman, Ben Lenz, and Emily Moskowitz, as well as students from several other local towns.
The keynote address at the event was by Professor Denize Mauzerell, who is a professor of environmental engineering and international affairs at Princeton University.
Students were treated to a trip to the mall, a dance, a Guitar Hero tournament, and an American Idol-like talent show called “JSA Idol.”
Train tunnel meeting
N J Transit is building a train tunnel through several Hudson County towns under the river to New York. Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced last week a community meeting to discuss the Hoboken-area impact of the project.
The meeting will take place at the Elks Club, 1005 Washington St., Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. to discuss New Jersey Transit’s ARC-Trans-Hudson Passenger Rail Tunnel project.
Representatives from NJ Transit who are managing the project will be on hand to give an overview of the plan and answer questions from the public. In addition, Community Development Director Brandy Forbes and Transportation & Parking Utility Director Ian Sacs will join Mayor Zimmer for the meeting.
For more information about the meeting, you can contact NJ Transit’s Senior Director of Interagency Coordination Alan Weinberg at (973) 792-3784 and see our story inside.
Gifts for needy kids
The Hudson County Child Abuse Commission has teamed up with the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services to collect 6,000 gifts for every one of the 6,000 children in state care.
The Commission seeks new, unwrapped gifts, which can be toys, gift certificates, clothing, or school items. Contributions of money will also be accepted. The children in state care range in age from newborn to 18.
Donations will be collected through Dec. 20. There are no public drop-off locations. To schedule a time to leave a donation at the Commission offices, please call Peter Herbst at (201) 798-5588.