State could force Jersey City to do a revaluation
City officials are mum on reports saying the state may be pushing the city to restart the revaluation process it abandoned two years ago. A revaluation is a process in which a city assesses the values of the houses citywide to record their current market values. Some old homes will thus have to pay higher taxes, and newer homes may have to pay less if there was a market downturn. Thus, revals are politically unpopular with older homeowners.
City officials said the matter is currently in litigation, and comment would be inappropriate at this time.
The city has not performed a revaluation since 1988. The New Jersey Treasury Department said the city is currently well below the legal limit real value of property that should automatically require a revaluation.
Mayor Steven Fulop suspended a nearly complete revaluation in 2013, claiming the process was flawed.
Murderer sought
Davonte D. Carswell, a 23 year-old man, was shot to death on Ocean Avenue on Nov. 15 at about 1 a.m.
Jersey City police responded to Los Yoleros Mini Market Deli on the report of a man shot, and discovered the victim inside the deli with an apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. He was pronounced dead shortly after 1 p.m. on the scene.
The owner and co-owner of the deli and one employee were arrested for allegedly tampering with physical evidence and possession of gambling records after the police found evidence of an alleged gambling operation inside the store. Those alleged operations were unrelated to the shooting, authorities believe.
Police believe the victim’s body was moved by deli store personnel.
No arrests have yet been made in connection with the actual homicide, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, which is investigating the murder. A motive for the murder has not yet been identified.
The Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit is actively investigating the case with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at (201) 915-1345. All calls will be kept confidential.
City hires new recreation director
Kevin Williamson, a longtime educator and leader of Jersey City children’s and recreation programs, has been hired as the new recreation director for Jersey City.
He replaces Ryan Strother, who was terminated in August for allegedly failing to dismiss an employee who was found to be on the state’s sexual offender list.
Williamson has spent more than 13 years involved in educational and recreation programs in Jersey City. He was the president of the board of trustees at the Learning Community Charter School, board member of the Jersey City Youth Soccer Association, member of the Roberto Clemente Little League Board, and Hans Solis Soccer Academy. He is also certified soccer coach and referee.
“I couldn’t be more excited that Mayor Fulop is giving me an opportunity to keep doing what I love,” said Williamson, “For 13 years, I have coached and mentored many children as if they were my own. I’ve watched so many go onto higher education, and been so proud that, in some small way, I was part of the process.”
An owner of an Allstate Insurance Agency, Williamson has lived in Jersey City for 26 years. He will begin his employment with the city on Nov. 23.
Heights library branch will close for three weeks for roof repairs
Bracing for the inclement weather anticipated in the coming winter, the Heights Branch Library, 14 Zabriskie St., of the Jersey City Free Public Library, closed on Nov. 19 and will remain closed until Saturday, Dec. 12, for necessary roof repairs and masonry restoration. The Heights Branch Library will reopen to the public on Monday, Dec. 14.
Newport, Jersey City ‘Charges Up’ with new eco-friendly public amenities
Newport Associates Development Company has announced two eco-friendly upgrades in the Newport section of Jersey City. The first upgrade is the installation of two cell phone charging Soofa Benches that provide solar-powered USB charging ports for smart phones and devices. The second upgrade is the installation of two electric vehicle chargers, Blink Level II Pedestal Chargers, by Car Charging Group Inc.
Soofa Benches allow users to charge small electronic devices via USB ports, which are powered by environmental sensors developed by Soofa, a female-led MIT startup. The installation in Newport is the first of its kind in New Jersey.
The new benches are available for the public to use at no cost and are located outside of 1 River Court and 45 Park Lane South on the Hudson River waterfront in Newport in Jersey City.
Blink Level II Pedestal Chargers provide users with the ability to power their electric vehicle while parked at Newport Town Square Garage in Jersey City. The stations are equipped with 7-inch LCD touch screen displays with a user-friendly interface for safe and easy charging. Stations are also outfitted with industry standard SAE J1772 connectors, which are the most widely compatible connectors for electric vehicles in the United States.
The electric vehicle chargers are available for the public to use for $1.50 per hour at Newport Town Square Garage, located at 90 Town Square Place in Jersey City.
Freeholders to use $200K in federal funds for help homeless
The Hudson County Board of Freeholders approved at their Nov. 11 meeting to apply and accept funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for continuum of Care Program Funds to address the problems of homelessness.
The purpose of the program is to provide services that include medical care, essential support services, medical case management services and social services programs for those who are homeless in Hudson County.
Chairman E. Junior Maldonado, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County of Hudson are committed to providing the needed support services, referral services, and social services to homeless residents of Hudson County.