In my initial column for the Union City Reporter, I wish to express my enthusiasm for being able to communicate to the residents of Union City. As you probably know, many exciting things are happening in Union City.
While we have enjoyed the downtime that the recent snowstorms have provided, many of us are looking forward to the warmer weather. Luckily, Union City has numerous programs and facilities to be enjoyed during the spring and summer months.
With regard to art and culture, we can look forward to events such as the opening of the Union City Cultural Center during the fall, the dedication of the Union City Plaza of Arts, Art Galleries at City Hall, Summer Theater Fest, and Summer Concert Series at Juan Pablo Duarte and Firefighter’s Memorial Parks. Also, many first-rate performances will be scheduled at the Union City Performing Arts Center.
While Union City is densely populated, I’ve tried to be creative in providing parks and open space. As you will see, many city-sponsored events are hosted outdoors. Union City is fortunate to have magnificent views of the New York City Skyline and you’ll find that the recent construction of Firefighter’s Memorial Park takes advantage of our location near the Hudson River. The construction of Firefighter’s Memorial Park was selected by New York Construction magazine to receive an Award of Merit in the Category of Landscape/Urban Design.
It is my hope to advance plans for a park at 16th Street and Kerrigan Avenue in the coming months. Ultimately, I would like to build one park per year. While we appreciate the convenience of a city, it is truly enjoyable to partake in recreational activities that are outdoors.
Safety meetings
As we look forward to these outdoor activities, it is my intention to make sure that residents are safe in our neighborhoods. Public safety begins with education. Recognizing this, in conjunction with the Union City Police Department, my office hosts public safety meetings at which administrative members of the Police Department are present to report on recent patrols and crime trends, and answer any questions which may come from the audience.
Locations, dates and times for Public Safety Meetings are as follows:
• St. Anthony Church (Eighth Street and Central Avenue – enter through school yard), Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.;
• Veterans’ School (1401 Central Ave.), Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.
• Robert Waters School (2800 Summit Ave.), Tuesday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
• Washington School (3905 New York Ave.), Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m.,
• Roosevelt School (4507 Hudson Ave.), Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
The foundation of my public service rests in my relationship and communication with residents. I have been fortunate to know many of you on a personal level. Furthermore, I encourage you to contact me if you have a suggestion or feedback regarding an item that has been mentioned here. I remain available seven days a week to address your concerns. Please do not hesitate to call my cell phone at (201) 376-1942. I hope to hear from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Brian P. Stack
Mayor, City of Union City