Bill would increase charges for use of stolen weapon against police
A bill sponsored by Assembly Democrats Charles Mainor, Raj Mukherji and others that would make it a crime to use a stolen weapon to injure a police officer passed the Assembly last week. Named after the Jersey City Police officer Jersey City Police Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo, who died in 2009 when police stormed a Reed Street apartment to arrest two suspects, the bill would create an additional felony category using a stolen weapon, and could be added to charges such as aggravated assault for additional potential jail time.
The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Jersey City man charged for allegedly shooting at cops
Justin Beckham, 21, of Jersey City has been charged with attempted murder, resisting arrest, and firearms offenses after he allegedly fired on two Jersey City police officers on Sept. 16.
The officers, according a release issued by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, approached Beckham in the area of Clerk and Union streets in Jersey City as part of an investigation.
As the officers exited their unmarked car, Beckham hid behind parked cars and then allegedly fired his handgun at approaching officers. One of the officers did return fire, however Beckham was not struck. Beckham then ran from the officers and was apprehended without incident a short while later on Union Street in Jersey City. A .357 caliber revolver and hollow-point bullets were recovered, police said. Neither the officers, nor Beckham, were struck by the gunfire. The investigation is being conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, which is standard protocol whenever there is a police-involved shooting or discharge of a police firearm.
Greenville Yards to be rebuilt
A question concerning the future of the Greenville rail yards was answered on Sept. 17 when the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board voted to spend $356 million to rebuild a cargo facility damaged as a result of Hurricane Sandy in late 2012.
The facility will transfer cargo containers to rail after being shipped over water from Brooklyn. The facility would border the recently upgraded Global Terminal, and would handle about 4,000 containers a year sent to Jersey City from the PA’s shipping facility in Red Hook
More than half the cost for the rebuilding, PA officials said, would come from Sandy-related grants and shipping revenues.
Donnelly to be named executive director of JCRA
The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) board will vote on the appointment of David P. Donnelly as the agency’s new executive director at their meeting tonight. Donnelly, a former City Councilman, will bring nearly two decades of public service experience to the agency.
Mr. Donnelly, 44, the former Ward B Councilman, has served as the mayor’s office liaison on development issues and has worked closely with the mayor’s Quality of Life Task Force. In his current role in the mayor’s office, he has monitored the tax abatement applications for larger projects, interacted with the City Council concerning these projects, and performed general project management functions. He also served as the point person in the mayor’s office for relations with the NFL and Super Bowl XLVIII, including the arrival of the two teams to Jersey City and special events logistics. As executive director, Donnelly’s salary would be $110,000.
Previously, Donnelly has worked for Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ6), Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19), the New Jersey General Assembly, the Hudson County Executive Office, and has held several other public service positions.
Creative Grove at the Plaza on Sept. 19
A massive art and music bash for the Last Creative Grove artist market in Jersey City, with Playmusician and a fusion lineup, will be held at the Grove Street PATH plaza, on Sept. 19, from 3 to 9 p.m. This features Matty D at 3 p.m., Joe Taylor at 3:50 p.m., Kieran Sullivan at 4:40 p.m., Mark Aaron James with PM Jam Band at 5:30, Living Time Machines at 6:30 p.m., GMJ Groove at 7:30 p.m., the PJ Jam Band and finale performance and words by Meredith and Uta at 8:30 p.m. The event will feature an electric urban tribal market place – Creative Grove style – food, and a place to lounge.
Art Bar with Dorrians and Lucky 7 Bar with pavilions on the plaza. There will be meditation with Kevon Inspires at 4 p.m. and body sculpting with Pam the Guru at 6 p.m. For more information go to www.creativegrove.org, Facebook Creative Grove artist & designer market, creative grove group or Facebook Playmusician Newport, PMJAMNITES.
Choral ensemble celebrates its 20th year
Celebrating 20 years of the finest in choral performance, the 40-voice Schola Cantorum on Hudson has announced its anniversary season, which they’re calling “We Have Had Singing.”
The full season is produced in both Montclair and in midtown New York City, and will include the East Coast premiere of a 90-minute oratorio by John Muehleisen, “Pietá,” in March of 2015, in collaboration with two high school choral programs.
Schola singers hail from throughout New York City and northern/central New Jersey. Although many are trained soloists, about half of the membership represents experienced amateur singers.
Two appointments (one alto and one bass) will become available as of Sept. 29. Interested applicants should express interest in an audition to Christopher Greene, (973) 309-0406.
Founded by Deborah Simpkin King in 1994, Schola Cantorum on Hudson has grown into an organization embracing innovative programming of primarily new music, pro-active advocacy of new music, most notably PROJECT : ENCORE, and multi-faceted education/engagement.
Tickets, along with audition information, are available on the Schola website, www.scholaonhudson.org
Powerhouse building seeks to fill $40 million gap
In a story published by NJ Biz, the developers of Jersey City’s historic Powerhouse building are working with city officials to fill a $40 million funding gap that would help reuse the structure for retail and entertainment.
Baltimore-based Cordish Cos. now has a financial structure in place for the long-dormant plan. But with the extra cost of trying to preserve the 180,000-square-foot structure, the firm will likely seek state incentives to build a 40-story residential tower alongside the building. The project is estimated to cost about $179 million.
Washington Park Live!
This weekend Washington Park will come alive with the sound of music thanks to RiverviewJazz.org and will include Jeremy Beck and the Heavy Duty Horns, Los Hacheros, Manouche Bag, Slavic Soul Party and Swingadelic on the festival’s main stage. There will be other performances including dance, and there will also be an art gallery tent.
The event was scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 near Palisade Avenue and run to 6 p.m. The rain date is Sept. 27. For more information, go to www.wpanj.org.
Newport Half Marathon set for Sept. 21
Newport Town Center will host the BATS Global Markets Newport Liberty Half Marathon will be held this Sunday, Sept. 21. This is a 13.1 mile route will travel through Liberty State Park and along the Hudson River before returning to the Newport Town Center. People can register starting at 6:45 a.m. on the day of the race. Proceeds will benefit the Jersey city Medical Center. For more information visit NewportHalfMarathon.com or contact race organizers at 201-665-4005 or newportruns@barwickgroup.com.
The Jersey Devil comes to Jersey City
The Jersey City International Television and Film Festival in conjunction with Humanity Pride Productions, Green Light Films and Diamond Jesus Productions will hold the world premiere of “The Jersey Devil” on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Loews Landmark Theatre. For more information go to http://www.thejerseydevil.brownpapertickets.com.
Hamilton Park BBQ festival set for Sept. 27
Filled with music, games, crafts, and, of course, food, the Hamilton Park BBQ Festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 27 rain or shine, from noon to 8 p.m. Proceeds from the festival will go to the Hamilton Park Conservancy. For more information called Susan Firth at (201) 714-2339.