Major developments in Chris Christie ‘Bridgegate’ scandal
David Wildstein, former Port Authority official and a high-school friend of Gov. Christopher Christie, pleaded guilty to fraud and “conspiracy against civil rights,” on Friday, May 1, according to published reports.
Judge Susan D. Wigenton at the United States District Court in Newark said Wildstein had engaged in a conspiracy with two other Port Authority officials to close lanes in Fort Lee near the George Washington Bridge in September 2013.
After traffic lanes were shut down, many people became suspicious. The reasons for the traffic tie-up weren’t clear, and emergency vehicles and regular drivers couldn’t get through. Then, emails among members of Gov. Christie’s administration suggested that a few officials may have ordered the closures to retaliate against the Fort Lee mayor for not supporting Christie’s re-election bid.
Christie, who is contemplating a run for president, has denied any prior knowledge of the bridge closing.
Later on Friday, former Port Authority deputy executive director Bill Baroni, and Bridget Kelly, the former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Chris Christie, were indicted in connection with the incident.
A week ago, the Wall Street Journal quoted sources saying there would be no fallout from allegations by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer that Christie aides threatened to withhold Superstorm Sandy aid unless city officials approved a politically-connected development.
Watch hudsonreporter.com for more details.
Jersey City councilman charged with assault
Councilman Khemraj Ramchal, 39, was charged on Tuesday, April 28, with Assault by Auto in violation, said Hudson County Acting Prosecutor Gaetano T. Gregory.
Investigators allege that on March 14, Ramchal was driving a city vehicle while intoxicated and was involved in a car crash. The crash resulted in bodily injury to a passenger in the vehicle that was struck.
Ramchal was processed and released on a summons complaint, which is common for fourth degree crimes, and is scheduled to make his first appearance in C.J.P. Court on Tuesday, May 12.
Crime alert system established for mobile devices
Open JC, a project of Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, has been awarded just over $250,000 from a Google Ideas grant made through the Tides Foundation, to pilot a ‘smart’ crime alert system for Jersey City residents in partnership with the city. Through the pilot system, residents in the selected areas will receive alerts on their mobile devices about crime incidents from the Jersey City Police Department’s data from the 911 system.
“Sharing information with the public is something our administration is committed to and the new platform we are developing with Open JC is a great resource to enhance communications and improve public safety,” said Mayor Steve Fulop. “Google has recognized and is supporting this innovative project, which can be a model for other cities to share information with residents across multiple departments.”
Open JC is working hand-in-hand with the City of Jersey City, the Jersey City Police Department, and local residents to develop the alert system, which will enable community members to receive and share relevant and timely messages on their mobile devices based on trends and spikes from open data. Through the pilot system, residents in the selected areas will receive alerts based on analysis of crime incidents from the Jersey City Police Department’s 911 call data.
The alerts will also include preventative measures to keep residents safe and informed and will reduce the reliance on anecdotes and increase the importance of data in shaping perceptions of crime in a neighborhood.
Library lending department to close for four months
As of May 4, the Jersey City Library Lending Department at the Main Library, 472 Jersey Ave., will close for a period of four months due to ongoing renovations. Lending’s closure marks the beginning of Phase III. All other departments expect to remain open during the four months.
The Lending Department will remain open until Saturday, May 2, at 5 p.m., its regular closing time. Library patrons with due dates later than May 2 of items borrowed from Lending can bring back any library materials to all branches, including the Bookmobile. The Bookmobile, which will be stationed in front of the Main Library, will provide services to Downtown residents during Lending’s closure for the four months.
The Bookmobile will be available May 4 and 18, 2:45– 4:30 p.m.; May 6 and 20; 2:45 – 4:30 p.m.; May 8 and 22, 2:45 – 4:30 p.m. May 11, 3 – 4:30 p.m. ; May 12, 2:45 – 4:30 p.m.; May 15 and 29, 12:45 – 2:00 p.m.
In June the Bookmobile will be available June 1, 15 and 29 from 2:45 – 4:30 p.m.; June 3 and 17, 2:45 – 4:30 p.m.; June 5 and 19, 2:45 – 4:30 p.m. June 8 and 22, 3 – 4:30 p.m.; June 9 and 23 from 2:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; June 12 and 26 from 12:45 – 2 p.m.
Before the Skyscraper shows opens on May 2 at ShuaSpace
An art show dedicated to visions of Journal Square before redevelopment opens at the ShuaSpace with a reception on Saturday, May 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. Gallery Hours are on Saturdays until June 27, 1 – 5 p.m. by appointment.
The artists include Sam Pullin, Franc Palaia, Steve Singer, Malik Nashad Sharpe, Thuy Van Vu, Andrew Emmet, Alec Pomnichowski, Nadia Mohamed, Mathew Galindo and Shaun Persaud.
The show is being curated by Joshua Bisset with Laura Quattrocchi.
Construction has begun on the first of three luxury rental skyscrapers to be built over the next several years in Journal Square. These towers will change the demographics, appearance, and cultural life of Journal Square and its surroundings.
The Before the Skyscraper exhibition at ShuaSpace responds to this event by reflecting upon the present life of our neighborhood, before the change, and by presenting works which elicit critical thought about our shared urban future.
ShuaSpace is a streetside creative space supporting innovative artwork in all media, and promotes dialogue about essential local issues and ideas. The gallery is located 340 Summit Ave. in Jersey City.
Nature vs. Nurture show at the Raven Gallery
The Raven Gallery and Boutique, located at 304 Newark Ave. between Brunswick and 3rd Streets, will host a “Nature vs. Nurture” art show and artists’ reception on Saturday, May 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.
The show will feature almost two dozen local artists and designers. One of the featured is Joseph Knight, designer of Knight & Hammer nature-inspired jewelry, who also serves at the chair of the Liberty Health Foundation at Jersey City Medical Center.
The evening will include a scholarly and popular discussion about how nature and/or nurture relates to the relative importance of an individual’s innate qualities.
For more information call the Raven Gallery at (201) 565-3046
Local students to receive scholarship for promoting autism awareness
Some students from local Jersey City schools will receive a cash scholarship and an Excellence in Filmmaking award from the Golden Door Film Festival of Jersey City (GDIFF) on May 1. The $5,000 scholarship fund has been provided by Tommy Hilfiger through his Tommy Cares Foundation. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at the Loew’s Landmark Theatre in Journal Square.
In 2014, GDIFF started its Autism Awareness and Acceptance effort as part of its philanthropic arm. They screened several films about autism or made by autistic filmmakers, some of which included students.
”I just want to personally congratulate all the winners! We are so proud that the fruit of our efforts as a film festival are able to further support and nurture the arts, as well as our great community of Jersey City,” says Bill Sorvino, founder and president of Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City (GDIFF).
Among these students are 13-year old Joseph Sexton, a student from Explore 2000 Middle School in Jersey City, Charielle Molina, an advanced placement student at Snyder High School and Sammi Saad is a NJCU student.
For more information on the festival, visit www.goldendoorfilmfestival.com.