Christie vetoes UEZ bill
An effort to restore some of the Urban Enterprise Zone funding to various municipalities was stymied when Gov. Christopher Christie vetoed the bill on Feb. 5.
Senator Nicholas J. Sacco sponsored the bill that would end the raiding of Urban Enterprise Zone dollars to fill gaps in the state budget.
He said the bill would have revived the economic development component of the Urban Enterprise Zone program, sending sales tax money generated in the UEZ’s back into the zones to be used for economic development projects.
“The Urban Enterprise Zone program is about investing in our state’s economically-depressed areas, improving opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive and putting residents in our local communities back to work. The funding that would have been recycled back into the zones through this legislation would have allowed for economic improvements in UEZs across the state and the expansion of businesses, which would have meant new jobs. It would have included much-needed funding for communities as diverse as North Bergen with $2.1 million, Newark with $950,000 and Lakewood, the state’s largest UEZ, with over $4 million. I am incredibly disappointed the governor vetoed this legislation. At a time when many urban areas are still struggling to regain their footing, this was a common sense bill that would have put money back into their local economies. This is help that many towns and cities desperately need.”
Suspected measles case being investigated in Jersey City
City officials confirmed that the state Department of Health and the Jersey City Department of Health are investigating a possible case of measles in Jersey City.
The one-year-old child apparently has a recovered, but residents in the building where the baby resided have been notified, officials said.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus and is spread by contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. Measles can lead to serious side effects and, in rare cases, death. Measles symptoms usually appear in 10 to 12 days, but can occur as late as 18 days after exposure. Symptoms generally appear in two stages.
Anyone who’s not vaccinated and may have been exposed to measles should contact their doctor if they show symptoms like rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes. They should call ahead in order to limit exposure to anyone else in a doctor’s office or hospital.
The first measles vaccine is not given until a child is between 12 and 15 months old, state officials said.
Main Library to close for two weeks
Main library to be closed for two weeks
The Main Jersey City Library, 472 Jersey Ave. in Jersey City, will close from Monday, Feb. 9 to Friday, Feb. 21, to begin Phase II of the major renovations. This work, which will take place on the third and fourth floors, is in preparation for the new public restrooms that will be located on the fourth floor.
During the Main Library closure, the Jersey City Free Public Library will open Regional branch libraries throughout the city an additional late night, and the Neighborhood libraries will be open on Saturdays as well, for the public’s convenience. The staff from the Main Library will be dispersed though out the library system, allowing these additional and extended hours.
State of the County set for Feb. 12
The Hudson County Board of Freeholders will hold a special meeting to hear the 2015 State of the County Address by Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise. The special meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m., at the Administration Building Annex, 3rd Floor, 567 Pavonia Ave.
Poetry series presents author Kathleen Norris
The Valente and Blihar Families Poetry Series will present award-winning poet Kathleen Norris on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Saint Peter’s University in the Duncan Family Sky Room of the MacMahon Student Center, 47 Glenwood Ave., Jersey City.
Norris is a poet, writer, and author of The New York Times bestsellers “The Cloister Walk,” “Dakota: A Spiritual Geography,” and “Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith.”
Exploring the spiritual life, Norris’s work features poetry and meditations, examining both nature and spirit.
The Valente and Blihar Series is sponsored by Judith Valente Reynard, Saint Peter’s University alumna and award-winning journalist. She has published two volumes of poetry and a nonfiction book.
St. Paul’s fundraiser set for Feb. 17
A Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Cabaret will be held on Feb. 17 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The event will feature supper from 6 to 8 p.m., live entertainment from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and door prize chance for $7/person or $25 for 5. (Tickets are available at the door; sangria and 50/50 additional.) Proceeds benefit Stone Soup Community Supper 38 Duncan Avenue (between Bergen Ave. & JFK Blvd.), Jersey City. Check (201) 985-0873 or www.StPaulsJC.org for more information.
Child advocate group holding informational session
Hudson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is recruiting volunteers to advance the best interests of abused and neglected children.
An informational session, addressing the program and the role of its volunteers, will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building, 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.
For more information, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.