Corruption trial continues of former JC-based Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith
In the past, L. Harvey Smith served as Jersey City Council president, assemblyman, and interim mayor. Then, in spring of 2009, he ran for mayor – and was one of 43 officials and candidates who got ensnared in an FBI political corruption sting operation in which a government witness offered cash bribes. The government informant, Solomon Dwek, told candidates and public officials he needed help with certain developments, and offered campaign donations of thousands of dollars.
While many of those ensnared in July of 2009 have pleaded guilty, Smith maintains his innocence. His trial began this past Tuesday and will likely continue this week.
According to published reports, Dwek will not be called to testify. But Smith’s sometime friend, former Jersey City Housing Authority commissioner Edward Cheatam, testified last week. Cheatam introduced Smith to Dwek, according to reports. Cheatam himself has pleaded guilty to taking bribes and faces prison time, which he may be able to shorten because of his testimony.
During the trial last week, Cheatam testified on Wednesday. On Thursday, the jury saw videotape of Smith meeting at a Jersey City diner with Cheatam, Dwek, and the late political consultant Jack Shaw.
Smith’s attorney has claimed that Cheatam tried to force the bribe on Smith, at one point tossing an envelope with money into Smith’s car.
For more details, read next week’s Reporter.
Budget forum scheduled for Jersey City residents
The good government group Civic JC is holding a Jersey City Budget Forum on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 280 Grove St. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
The object of the forum is an informational public meeting to learn more about taxes and government.
For more information, visit Civic JC on Facebook, the web: civicjc.org or via e-mail: info@civicjc.org.
Wittpenn Bridge to be closed all weekend
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) on Friday announced the upcoming start of full roadway closures associated with an interim bridge repair project on the Route 7/Wittpenn Bridge over the Hackensack River in Jersey City and Kearny. NJDOT is performing interim repairs to keep the bridge in service while a new replacement bridge is designed.
Friday at approximately 10 p.m., NJDOT expected to fully close the bridge to traffic for the entire weekend period until around 5:30 a.m. Monday morning, Dec. 6. NJDOT will implement full weekend closures of the Wittpenn Bridge over approximately five additional weekends, spread out periodically over the duration of the project.
Woman found dead in park
As of last Thursday the Hudson County Medical Examiner had yet to determine the cause of death for Laura Cieckiewcz, whose body was discovered earlier in the week behind a basketball court and playground in Leonard Gordon Park.
Early reports say that Cieckiewcz, 49, once owned a home on Lake Street, and may have spent her last days homeless.
Officials said they located a son and daughter in another state and were able to contact them.
Jersey City gets award for website
Mayor Jerramiah Healy and the city’s press secretary Jennifer Morrill were presented recently with the “Best Overall” award from the Rutgers’ Center for Government Services (CGS) for Jersey City’s entry in the 49th Annual Municipal Public Information Contest.
The two accepted the award presentation on Nov. 18 during the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Annual Luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel in Atlantic City.
“We are exceptionally proud of our Communications Division for the hard work they do to keep our residents informed about public meetings, programs, services, and events,” Healy said. “As technology changes, they are continually developing new techniques to communicate with constituents, including through our city website and Facebook page.”
Loew’s Jersey Christmas specials
The Loew’s Jersey Theater in Journal Square will hold a “Classic Christmas Show” featuring a live holiday concert and old fashioned sing-along on Saturday, Dec. 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. accompanied by Wayne Zimmerman playing the Loew’s magnificent Wonder Morton pipe organ.
At 7:35 p.m., the theater will present a screening of “Scrooge” starring Albert Finney, Alec Guinness, Edith Evans, and Kenneth More, directed by Ronald Neame (1970, 118mins., color).
Admission for both concert and film is $7 for adults; $5 for kids (12 and younger) and seniors (65 and older).
The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre is located at 54 Journal Sq. in Jersey City. For more information, visit www.loewsjersey.org or call (201) 798-6055.
Preschool celebrates 15th anniversary with winter festival
Garden Preschool Cooperative (GPC), a parent‐run nonprofit preschool in Jersey City, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a Winter Festival on Friday, Dec. 10 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Grace Church Parish Hall, 39 Erie St. (Erie and Third), Jersey City. The festival is open to the public.
The evening’s activities will include decorating gingerbread houses, free craft activities, a bake sale, wreaths, poinsettias available for purchase, and much more. It will also feature Story Time, led by award‐winning children’s author Helen Lester.
GPC’s Winter Festival is a fundraising event, with proceeds supporting the school’s educational field trips. Future fundraising goals include establishing a scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to families who require it. Garden Preschool Cooperative (GPC) was founded in 1995 by Alma Rodriguez and other Jersey City parents, who sought to provide high‐quality progressive early childhood education in a nurturing atmosphere.
Tickets to decorate a gingerbread house can be purchased in advance at Jack’s Toy Store, 528 Jersey Ave., Jersey City, and cost $10 per house in advance and $15 at the event. Your ticket includes one pre‐assembled gingerbread house plus a bowl of candy for decorating. Additional bowls of candy are available for $1.
For more information, visit www.gardenpreschool.org.
Downtown theater company offers annual Christmas show
J CITY Theater presents “A Tuna Christmas,” Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Dec. 11 at The Underground Theater at St. Michaels Church – Hamilton Park, 252 Ninth St., Jersey City.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through www.jcity.org or by calling (800) 838-3006.
Audiences are encouraged to reserve tickets due to limited seating and a limited run.
J CITY Theater (www.jcity.org) is a not-for-profit professional theater company based in Jersey City, New Jersey.