Anti-Semitic bias crime reported
An act of graffiti that police are labeling a bias crime occurred on Bloomfield Street in Hoboken some time before Wednesday morning, according to a police report.
According to the report, filed Wednesday, an unknown person spray-painted the word “JEW” with an arrow pointing toward a second-floor window of a four-story brick residential building. The incident was labeled “criminal mischief” and a bias incident in the report.
The graffiti was reported by a man who walked into Police Headquarters on Wednesday morning and said he was insulted by it, according to police. However, it was not known whether the man lived in the building. Police said they attempted to contact people living in the building but were unable to do so Wednesday morning.
The graffiti was written in 12-inch letters, according to the report.
Planning Board member says he won’t be ‘gagged’
Last week, the Hoboken Planning Board’s attorney submitted a letter to the board stating that its members should not speak as citizens about development-related issues – or, for that matter, about other public issues – at public meetings, including City Council meetings.
The letter from attorney Clifford Gibbons noted: “Even where a Board Member seeks in good faith to divorce themselves from their official capacity by commenting in a ‘personal capacity’ on a matter seemingly unrelated to their official capacity, problems often result.”
At least one member of the board was unhappy with the letter. Member Perry Belfiore, who often speaks at City Council meetings, said last week, “I don’t intend to be gagged by the Planning Board attorney. This is why Hoboken needs an Ethics Board and codified Rules of Ethics, or each board will function differently under different rules.”
A lively debate about the issue unfolded last week on the Reporter’s web site (www.hudsonreporter.com), with people leaving several dozen comments. See the right side of the page for the “Most Commented” stories.
Zoning Board hears plans for Jackson Street condo buildings
According to a local news website, International Realty owner Dennis Shah and his architects and lawyer asked the Zoning Board Tuesday night for variances to allow construction of two 13-story condo buildings at 38 Jackson St. in the southwest corner of Hoboken, an area presently zoned for industrial use. The buildings would house 348 residential units, retail space on the ground floor, and “flex space” that has been proposed for use as a community center. An indoor parking garage would create 361 parking spaces. The exterior design calls for an elevated 4,000 square foot “pocket park” in front of the building’s main entrance. The developer also plans to refurbish the park across Newark Street currently owned by NJ Transit.
Shah needs variances to build much higher than the permitted 40 feet and to build a residential building in an industrial zone.
The existing building, which would be demolished, is known locally as the My-T-Fine building after a pudding company that once was located there.
The city decided years ago to work on a “Southwest Redevelopment Plan” to determine what type of buildings should be allowed near the city’s border with Jersey City, but the plans have been stalled from time to time, and no new guidelines have yet been approved.
At Tuesday’s meeting, residents who live near 38 Jackson St. reportedly said they were concerned with a possible increase in traffic and loss of parking, as well as the safety of balconies hanging over the sidewalk, and disruptive construction noise.
The board voted to continue discussing the project at the next Zoning Board meeting on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
Hoboken Youth Soccer League registration open
The city of Hoboken announced Thursday that registration for the 2010 fall season of Hoboken’s Youth Soccer League is now open. The registration deadline is Aug. 20 or whenever the program is full. Registration forms and instructions are available at www.hobokenyouthsoccer.com. Residents with any questions may contact email@hobokenyouthsoccer.com.
NAMI changes meeting site for monthly support group
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Hudson County, an affiliate of NAMI NJ, holds a monthly support group for families and clients on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. The group will change their meeting place starting Sept. 14, to Hoboken Community Mental Health Center, 506 Third St. in Hoboken (four blocks from the Second Street Light Rail station). There will be no meetings for July and August.
For more information, contact Martha Silva at (201) 861-0614 or email namihudson@msn.com.
Hudson County residents invited to get fit for free
Pilates4Fitness, a new, private fitness center opening in The Galaxy Mall in Guttenberg, is providing a free fitness event for Hudson and Bergen County residents on July 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Braddock Park (from the Flagpole Circle to the lake of North Hudson Park) in recognition of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative to fight the threat of childhood obesity.
Pilates Mat with TRX Suspension and Barre Fusion will be demonstrated, as well as dance moves such as Zumba, Bhangra, Belly Dance, and African workout. Tae Kwon Do and Yoga instructors will conduct demonstrations.
For more information, contact Gina Jackson at (201) 305-0270 or gina@pilates4fitness.com.