By far, the biggest story in 2009 for Bayonne came at the end of the year with the death of former Mayor Dennis Collins – although in some ways, his passing may be seen as a symbol of a changing Bayonne.
While Collins’ death in December received the most notice, Bayonne lost three other prominent citizens in 2009 – Dr. Salvatore LaPilusa in August, and civic leader James Mahon and Senior Center Director Bruce Bigg in October.
In many ways, the year 2009 – steeped in the worst economic decline since the Great Depression – seemed to spell the end of the old industrial Bayonne, with new innovations that will help prepare the city for a new economic and social reality.
Business and development progress
The face of the Bayonne business community changed as a new and improved ShopRite opened its doors, and the city saw the groundbreaking of a new big box store mall – Bayonne Crossing – along Route 440.
It is also a year in which the massive redevelopment at the former Military Ocean Terminal – now called The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor – saw its first residential housing unit occupied, as residents began to move into the Alexian luxury rental homes.
Even more dramatic changes would come later in the year with the renaming of Peninsula streets and construction of new roads and a new entrance to the former military base.
The most telling change came late in the year when the New Jersey Turnpike Authority held a public hearing as the first step for rebuilding the 14A entrance to the Turnpike Extension, a critical piece in the transportation network that will allow future development to move ahead.
Smaller, more efficient government
Although sworn in as mayor after a special election in November 2008, Mark Smith began his first full year as head of the city, unveiling plans to downsize and make municipal government more efficient. By the end of the year, his plan was approved by the City Council, positioning the city to move into the New Year with a new governmental structure.
Bayonne also took a greater role in county leadership with the swearing in of Doreen DiDomenico as chairperson of the Hudson County Board of Freeholders in January. City Attorney Chris Patella was also tapped to replace Joseph Nichols as chairman of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, a key position for the future development of the city.
The first signs of change in Bayonne’s governmental structure came early in the year when Mayor Smith began to alter the makeup of the Board of Education, replacing some members with people who he believed would help him trim costs. One key move in February was Mayor Smith’s step to cut expected school budget increases so that taxes from the school budget would remain the same as the previous year.
In March, municipal budget cuts resulted in the closing of two branch libraries (one uptown and the other downtown). This was the first significant hit residents felt from a new budget-cutting philosophy in City Hall.
Local athletes made news
February also boasted two championship sports teams: for Bayonne High School and Holy Family Academy in girls’ basketball. February also marked the end of Bayonne native Joe Borowski’s major league baseball career, after he had played for the Chicago Cubs, the Florida Marlins, and finally the Cleveland Indians. Later in the year, former Bayonne High School football star Kenny Britt was a first round National Football League draft pick for the Tennessee Titans.
Perhaps also notable, Mackenzie Brown got to throw a ball out at a New York Mets game after she had pitched a perfect game in the city’s Little League division.
Court victories, budget and political woes
March also brought some good news. The city won a lawsuit brought against it by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey over the sale land on MOTBY, freeing PortsAmerica, the eventual successful buyer, to begin local car import/export operations in earnest.
Two Bayonne firefighters received national recognition for heroic efforts they undertook in 2008 in the rescue of a woman from Newark Bay.
Looming over all municipalities, of course, was the impact of the state’s $30 billion budget, which put even more pressure on local officials to find ways to cut expenses.
In an agreement that would allow him to get support from the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) for his reelection bid for state Assembly, Anthony Chiappone stepped down from his City Council post. Two weeks later, local sources reported that Chiappone was under investigation by the state Attorney General’s office – which led to the state indicting Chiappone and his wife in August for allegedly depositing state payments from legislative aides into personal campaign accounts. He has said he is not guilty.
His council vacancy in April led to a conflict between Mayor Smith and the City Council over his replacement. After threatening to go to court, Mayor Smith succeeded in getting Terrence Ruane appointed to the seat, and set the stage for a special election in November, where Ruane outlasted a field of contenders to keep the slot.
Although couched in more subtle terms, City Hall was rocked in May when City Law Director Jay Coffey and City Business Administrator Peter Cresci were fired. Cresci later in the year filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that the administration was pressuring him to resign his post as legal counsel on the Bayonne Parking Authority. A short time after this, a special investigator for the BPA unveiled a scathing report on Cresci, claiming he overpaid himself and took on duties never authorized by the BPA board. The matter remained unresolved by year’s end.
Bayonne Medical Center, which was rescued out of bankruptcy in 2008, faced a host a problems in 2009, including a lockout in May by its unionized staff and, later, a lawsuit by insurance carriers. BMC became the focus of national media for canceling its contracts with all insurance companies.
The ‘sting,’ the Army, and the schools
In late July, Bayonne, like the rest of Hudson County, was rocked by the FBI arrests of 44 politicians and religious leaders in New Jersey and New York in connection with bribery and other charges. Although charged with no crimes, former Mayor Joe Doria was asked to resign his position as commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs. Later, it was learned that the snitch in the federal sting operation had also approached Bayonne Democratic Chairman Jason O’Donnell – but that he had refused the bribe.
In early August, the U.S. Army continued its inquiry into how funds from the sale of the MOTBY property were being used. The city has been using the sale of land to balance the municipal budget since 2005, utilizing a money-swap technique to get around restrictions imposed by the Army when the base was turned over to the city in 2002. By the end of the year, the matter was not yet resolved, although city officials said they were close to resolving the issue with the Army.
Also in August, the City Council voted to approve the hiring of Charles D’Amico as the new city attorney, and Richard J. Censullo as the new health officer. But both appointments raised questions, especially from administration critics.
Bayonne schools received significant recognition this year, not only for their academics, but also for their arts. In August, the district’s performing arts program was honored by Paper Mill Playhouse. In November, Washington Community School received the federal Blue Ribbon Award.