Jersey City man killed after shot to the back; suspect at large
A 20-year old Jersey City man was killed Saturday morning after he was shot once in the back while walking with his girlfriend on Clerk Street near Myrtle Avenue.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said Lamonte Wright was escorting his girlfriend to her car around 6 a.m. when a man armed with a shotgun fired once at “close range.” DeFazio said the armed man then fled the scene by foot.
DeFazio said Wright died at the scene. DeFazio declined to offer any further witness information.
DeFazio said no motive has been established for the attack with robbery ruled out.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at (201) 915-1345.
‘Fountains of Wayne’ to headline Hoboken fest
Hoboken has got it goin’ on. Rock band Fountains of Wayne, who hit it big with a song called “Stacey’s Mom,” will headline the street festival this May 2, City Hall announced on Saturday.
The fair will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Washington Street between Observer Highway and Seventh Street. It features over 300 artists, sculptors, photographers, and craftspeople. Kids Zone is located on 3rd Street in the capital One Bank parking lot.
Performers will also include Freedy Johnston and the Doughboys.
YMCA explains sudden suspension of programs
After suddenly suspending their programming a week ago, the Hoboken/North Hudson YMCA has finally given an explanation to its customers: They are lacking funds right now.
Here is the letter from their board:
“On Friday, March 19, 2010, the Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA Board of Directors made the difficult and sad decision to suspend all health and family programming. We apologize to our membership for the abrupt closing of our doors and appreciate the commitment you have shown to the YMCA through many trying years.
“As many in our community know, the YMCA has been struggling to find a way to provide Hoboken with a vital, family center. More than two years ago, the Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA announced major plans to rehabilitate and expand our historic building. In anticipation of that project, the Board of Directors decided to scale back programming, defer non-essential repairs to the facility and reduce the number of residents living at the YMCA.
“Unfortunately, the renovation project has taken longer to get off the ground than anyone could have anticipated, and the net result has been a precipitous decline in revenue. We held out – hopeful– until the last moment. In the end, however, the financial reality is that we cannot sustain the facility at this time. We had no choice but to immediately suspend all fitness programming.
“We understand our members are dismayed. We do not want to leave anyone in the lurch and are working to make alternate fitness arrangements. A group of area YMCAs have agreed to honor all memberships and details can be found on our website. Members who pay monthly are entitled to this agreement until the end of April. No further bank drafts will be drawn against your account. Our paid-in-full members are entitled to use our neighboring YMCAs for the duration of their annual membership term. In addition, we also are pursuing other health club options in Hoboken for members. Details will be posted on our website as they become available.
“Members can retrieve possessions from lockers Monday through April 2 from 7-9 in the morning and from 6-8 in the evening. Please contact the YMCA if you need an appointment outside these times.
“Additional information can be found at www.hobokenymca.org. You can contact the Board of Directors at info@hobokenymca.org.”
Freeholders hold hearing about three-store development on Palisades
The county board of freeholders held a public hearing a week ago about whether developers can build a coffee shop, Walgreens and bank of America on the Palisades hills on River Road – a hearing that activists went to court earlier this year to force them to have.
Last summer, the Hudson County Planning Board approved plans by two development companies – Avak Properties and U&G Development – to build the three stores. However, activists argued that building into that part of the hills would violate “steep slope” guidelines and other state development regulations. They filed an appeal with the county freeholders, but the freeholders declined to hear it.
After the activists went to court, a judge ruled that the board must hear the appeal. But they also allowed the excavation and demolition to continue for now.
The board met Monday night and heard attorneys from both sides, and also considered engineering reports and other information already given to the Planning Board.
The freeholders are expected to render a decision by April 8.
International trade seminar to be held in Jersey City
The Hudson County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, River Terminal Development Company, NJCU Business Development Incubator and the Jersey City Urban Enterprise Zone will host a seminar on “Opportunity & Change 2010”. The event will take place on April 16 at 10 a.m. at the Hank Gallo Community Room in the Lincoln Park Administration Building, Jersey City. Attendees will learn how international trade can become part of their business portfolio and received ideas and suggestions from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for financing projects and business development.
This event is free, however seating is limited and reservations are required by April 12. For more information or to RSVP, call (201) 369-4370 or director@hudsonedc.org.
New session for CASA volunteers
Hudson County CASA (court appointed special advocate) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to insure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
Information sessions regarding the program and the role of volunteers will be held on April 6 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
Hudson County has over 750 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. For further information, please call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mveenhof@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit our website at: www.hudsoncountycasa.org.