Residents get reval letters
Property owners throughout Jersey City have begun to receive letters from the Office of the City Assessor alerting them about the upcoming revaluation, scheduled to begin later this year by the firm Realty Appraisal Company.
A revaluation is a reassessment of taxpaying properties so that they can start paying the correct amount, in line with the current market. Some homes end up paying more after a reval, and some pay less.
In a letter simply dated “June 2011” City Assessor Ed Toloza writes: “In order to accurately value your property, a complete inspection of the interior and exterior of each building is necessary. Please notify tenants of the pending inspections. Photographs will be taken of every property in the city. In the case of income-producing property (commercial, industrial, and apartment), it will be necessary for the firm to gather data regarding income and expenses, as well as other pertinent information.”
Toloza adds that inspectors will have identification and residents should not let someone into their property without ID.
Residents who have questions or concerns about the process are directed to call the Office of the City Assessor at (201) 547-4538. Realty Appraisal also has some useful information at www.realtyappraisal.net.
Vigil announced for three homeless people who died in Journal Square
Local residents and the activist group Jersey Peace Movement announced last week that a vigil will take place Saturday, July 9 at 9 p.m. in remembrance of three homeless people – Fred, Marico, and Yvonne – who recently died outside the Journal Square transit center on Kennedy Boulevard.
The vigil will take place near the Journal Square fountain outside the PATH Station.
A recent newspaper report said that one man appeared to be dozing off and fell off a ledge outside the station, onto the concrete two stories below.
The city’s homeless have long gathered near the transit hub, and in recent months there has been a noticeable increase in the number of homeless people who have made the Journal Square fountain area their full-time home. Most nights at least a few of them can be seen sleeping outside the train station or in the alley outside the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theater.
In recent months at least two residents have asked members of the City Council to look into the problem.
Local residents Adela Rohena, Esther Wintner, April Kuzas, and Riaz Wahid are among the organizers of the vigil.
The Jersey City Asian Merchants’ Association will provide candles. All are welcome.
ChalkFest looking for sponsors, artists
On Thursday, July 28 from noon until 2 p.m., the York Street Project will host the 13th annual ChalkFest, a fundraiser for the organization’s programs for women and children living in poverty. ChalkFest will take place at Exchange Place.
ChalkFest is a sidewalk chalk art festival that allows children to draw on 5’x7’ mural spaces that are sponsored by local individuals, businesses, corporations, religious groups, or civic organizations. Approximately 75 children will unleash their creative talents with the help of local artists and volunteers from area businesses. Local residents and workers in the area are encouraged to learn more about the York Street Project and the many ways they can help the families in the program.
Organizers are currently looking for sponsors and volunteers to assist with the event. Specifically, volunteer artists are needed to work with the children in mural spaces sponsored by local corporations and individuals. Sponsorship opportunities are available until Friday, July 15.
Artists interested in sharing their talents and passion with children should contact Cathy Nichols in Jersey City’s Cultural Affairs office at (201) 547-6921. Anyone interesting in sponsorship opportunities can call the York Street Project at (201) 451-8225.
Former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell found guilty in FBI sting
After a day of deliberations, a federal jury reached a decision Wednesday afternoon in the bribery and extortion trial of former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell.
The jury found Elwell guilty of the third charge – acceptance of a corrupt payment – and not guilty of the first two charges, conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion.
Elwell plans to appeal.
Sentencing will be Nov. 15, 2011.
Elwell was among dozens of religious and political leaders snared by the FBI in 2009 in a sting operation in which a developer (who himself was facing fraud charges) met with various politicians and offered campaign donations in exchange for future help with development projects.
In his trial, Elwell said that he did take $10,000 cash from his friend, political associate Ronald Manzo, that came originally from the developer. The developer, Solomon Dwek, had told both men that he wanted to build a hotel in Secaucus.
But Elwell said he saw it as a possible campaign donation rather than any sort of bribe, and that Manzo had asked him to hold onto the money for him.
Manzo pleaded guilty to accepting the money last month and testified against Elwell in the trial.
For more on this story, read this weekend’s Secaucus Reporter at hudsonreporter.com.
Summer Reading Program looking for donations
The Jersey City free Public Library is looking for donations from the community to support its annual Summer Reading Program for youth.
For 35 years the Summer Reading Program has encouraged thousands of school-aged Jersey City children and teens to read throughout the summer months, and the program has been a portal to the imagination. Last year alone, 901 children and 241 teens collectively read a total of 15,595 books as a result of the encouragement and support they received through the Summer Reading Program.
The program also offers crafts and classes in computer skills and book illustration, and gives city youth opportunities to socialize with their peers in a fun, supportive and safe environment.
Unfortunately, due to city budget cuts, the 2011 Summer Reading Program has been cut to the core and is in desperate need of support from the community. Even the three outings usually offered to kids enrolled in the program as been cut down to just one trip. Funding for this trip, however, has not yet been solidified.
The program is asking residents to make a donation to support its work. Contributions can be made to: Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation, Inc., 2011 Summer Reading Program, 472 Jersey Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07302. ATTN: Priscilla Gardner, Executive Director. For additional information, contact Assistant Library Director Sonia Araujo at (201) 547-4549, or by e-mail at saraujo@jclibrary.org. All contributions are tax deductible.
Newark man pleads guilty to robbing Union City and Jersey City pharmacies
According to media reports, a 41-year-old man has pleaded guilty in Newark to conspiracy to commit pharmacy robberies and related charges.
According to the indictment, the robberies were done with a 31-year-old male accomplice at a pharmacy in Union City on Oct. 14, and at three in Jersey City, in July, August and October of last year.
The men also allegedly carjacked a taxi cab in Jersey City.
According to authorities, the men allegedly walked into pharmacies with firearms, including a submachine gun, and ordered people to cooperate under threats of death. The men allegedly robbed prescription drugs, cash, and jewelry.
The 41-year-old man faces at sentencing Oct. 11, up to $500,000 in fines, and 42 years behind bars, according to sources.