Public interest group calls for public hearing on Hoboken hospital sale
On Wednesday, New Jersey Appleseed, a Newark-based law center, sent a letter to Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Council President Beth Mason, asking that the City Council “hold a public hearing prior to adopting an ordinance dissolving the Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority and, approving the sale of the Hoboken University Medical Center.”
New Jersey Appleseed is “a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that represents the interests of the public upon the sale or merger of nonprofit hospitals pursuant to its Protection of Healthcare Assets and Service Project,” according to their letter.
The letter is also written on behalf of the Coalition for Quality Healthcare, a Hoboken-based community organization. According to CoalitionForQuality.org, the group “consists [of] concerned employees and members of the community as well as employees, unions, the HUMC Auxiliary, Charter, and other organizations all who are working together to preserve Hoboken University Medical Center as a full service acute care facility serving the needs of the community.”
The group said in their letter that they are “urging the City Council to hold a public hearing to determine…that appropriate steps have been taken to safeguard the value of the [public] assets of the hospital and that any proceeds from the proposed acquisition are irrevocably dedicated for appropriate charitable health care purposes.”
In related news, the company that is in negotiations to buy the hospital from the city sent out a statement implying that they don’t intend to quickly resell the hospital, but are “continuing to explore additional sources of financing in order to advance HUMC’s goal of building a nursing home/assisted living facility, modernizing and expanding the maternity unit, and longer term capital needs.” That release came after the press’s discovery on the internet of a real estate listing for the sale and leaseback of HUMC for $90 million.
Residents can check tax bills online
Hoboken residents are reminded that in the fall of 2010, they received a tax bill for three quarters along with the corresponding due dates. The bill was due to the change from a fiscal year budget to a calendar year budget. In addition to the tax bill for the 4th quarter of 2010, there is also a stub for Feb. 1, due on or before Feb. 10, and another for May 1, due on or before May 10. Residents may check their tax calculations online at http://www.hobokennj.org/proptaxes.
Zapped Hoboken dog causes citywide review of light poles
Just a few days after a dog named Teddy Bear was nearly electrocuted while urinating on an exposed light pole in Church Square Park, the city is now working with PSE&G to check all light poles in the city, according to a city release.
The dog is a 2-year-old bull mastiff, and he came in contact with an exposed wire on a light post, according to a report on NJ.com. The dog did not appear to be badly injured, according to the report.
“Unfortunately, numerous plates from the light poles have been stolen, and the city is working to have new plates made with a locking system for the protection of all Hoboken residents and pets,” according to a city release. “Caution tape has been placed on light poles with open plates which are of concern and will be fully repaired as soon as possible.”
Residents who see light poles with open plates are advised to call the Environmental Services department at (201) 420-2049.
Hoboken man is finalist in ‘Hottest Husbands’ contest
Ryan Brown from Hoboken is a finalist in Redbook Magazine’s America’s Hottest Husbands contest.
Ryan, 29, a creative director at an advertising agency, was nominated for the contest by his wife Audrey, 29. According to a press release, sparks literally flew when Ryan and Audrey danced to the last song at their wedding: Ryan arranged for fireworks to be set off while the band played “At Last” by Etta James, suprising their 350 guests – and the bride herself.
“He arranged it all by himself, and he didn’t tell a soul,” she says. “To this day, when I hear that song I remember exactly how I felt at that moment. It was the best ending to the best day.”
Readers are invited to learn more about the 25 finalists for Redbook’s America’s Hottest Husbands of 2011 and vote for their favorite at http://www.redbookmag.com/hothusbands.
The winner will be announced in the June issue of Redbook, and will receive an 8-day, 7-night trip for two to the all-inclusive Imperial Maya Resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.