Toddler burned in Irving Street fire
Eight people were displaced and one toddler suffered burns to the elbow in a 4 a.m. fire at 33 Irving St. on Feb. 18.
Jennifer Morrill, spokesperson for Jersey City said, there was heavy fire on first and second floor extending to 31 and 35 Irving, when firefighters arrived. This resulted in a second and third alarm being called
All occupants of 33 Irving were able to escape the fire successfully, however one toddler suffered burns to the elbow and was taken to the JCMC. The other adults went to the JCMC for evaluation.
One firefighter was temporarily stuck in the fire building when his foot fell through the floor, temporarily trapping him, but other firefighters quickly located and rescued him after he called a “May Day.”
The fire was brought under control sometime after 5 a.m. There was extensive damage to 33 Irving, heavy damage on the second to 31 Irving and minor exterior damage to 35 Irving.
There were eight people displaced and the cause is under investigation.
Fulop to introduce $550 million budget
For the third year in a row, Mayor Steven Fulop will introduce a budget with no tax increase, the administration announced on Feb. 16. The budget, which will be formally presented to the City Council at its Feb. 23 meeting, holds taxes flat for the second year in a row, following a 2.13 percent tax reduction in 2014, the first Fulop administration budget year.
The administration said it has implemented multi-year budget forecasting that has allowed officials to prepare for increased costs, such as the approximate $4 million rise in pension and $17 million in healthcare costs, in advance. This practice incorporates “smart fiscal planning and a long-term budget outlook” to identify potential expenditures and savings and to gradually correct past imbalances. It is standard practice in the private sector, but few cities in New Jersey implement it.
“Property taxes continue to increase in cities and towns around the state, but in Jersey City we have taken an approach that incorporates smart fiscal planning so for the third year in a row we are able to deliver a budget without a tax increase, despite rising costs,” said Mayor Fulop. “Our goal is to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, which means growing the tax base to not increase the burden on residents, while at the same time improving services and the quality of life.”
Nimbus Dance Works performances bring audience and performers closer together
On Sunday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Nimbus Dance Works will perform “Shadow of Sound” by Huang Yi (Taiwan), “Untitled” by Korhan Basaran (Turkey), and “Surface Tension” by company Artistic Director Samuel Pott in the company’s studio theater at 209 Third St. (off Erie), downtown Jersey City.
Nicholas Ranauro, recipient of the Winter 2016 Nimbus Choreographic Residency, will present a new work for a trio created during his residency.
Immediately following the performances, the choreographers and performers will sit for a talkback on the process of dance making, collaboration, and performance.
With two performances only, seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased for $18 in advance or $22 at the door.
For advance sales, visit www.nimbusdanceworks.org.
These performances are presented as part of the NimbusPresents Salon Series at Nimbus’ intimate studio theater, bringing audiences into close proximity with performing artists and the artistic process.
Cotter to retire; city seeks new planning director
Mayor Steven Fulop announced on Feb. 18 that the city is hiring a new director of planning, as the longtime and esteemed director, Bob Cotter, is retiring after more than 30 years of service with the city.
“This is an exciting time to be leading the planning division in Jersey City and a great opportunity for a professional in the field,” said Mayor Fulop. “As Jersey City becomes a destination for new development and investment, our city planner will play a key role in guiding the shape and design of our city. With significant development in Journal Square and areas like Bergen Lafayette and West Side beginning to take off, this is a unique chance to be part of a dynamic urban story.”
The director of planning oversees a staff of 12 including professional planners who work with the city — developers, architects and community stakeholders to facilitate the growth and development of the city. Interested candidates can read the full job description and apply online at:http://www.jerseycitynj.gov/planningdirector/
The planning director also plays a critical role preserving the diversity, history and texture of the city and works closely with the Zoning Board, Planning Board, and the Historic Preservation Commission.
Jersey City’s current Planning Director, Robert Cotter, has worked for the city for more than 30 years and for more than 25 years has served as the Director of Planning, guiding the growth and development of Jersey City. In 2012, Cotter, who has also taught Urban Revitalization at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in New Brunswick, was elected to the College of Fellows for the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Pulaski Skyway repair will take longer than expected
What was supposed to be a two-year repair on the Pulaski Skyway has apparently morphed into a three-year repair, according to state Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox.
This is due to an unexpected level of deterioration and the estimated $1.8 billion price tag will increase by about $14 million to cover the additional work.
Reconstruction on the bridge started in early 2014, and was scheduled to be completed this April.
Workers discovered the additional deterioration when they removed the road bed, which revealed steel beams that have rusted away as a result exposure to rain, road salt and other factors.
Fortunately, the impact of the closure was not nearly as horrific as many feared when first proposed in 2014, with far less traffic backups than anticipated.
The Skyway, completed in 2014, connects Newark with Jersey City, although most experts claim that the roadway was out of date even when it first opened in 1932, partly because of its inability to handle trucks and other larger vehicles.
The Skyway, however, is seen as a vital piece in the overall traffic network, and its completion would help allow traffic to more easily access the Hudson County waterfront, but more importantly, it is a key approach to the Holland Tunnel and New York City.
Charges upgraded after alleged hit-and-run victim dies
Charges have been upgraded against Ansumana Wally, 19, of Jersey City, after the victim of an alleged hit and run died as result of the injuries. Hudson County Sheriff Frank X. Schillari said that Stanley Mis, 66, of Jersey City, who was struck in Lincoln Park last November, died on Feb. 17 at 8:22 a.m.
Members of the Sheriff Department’s Crash Investigation Unit and Detective Bureau arrested Wally at his home on Belmont Avenue in Jersey City after charges were upgraded to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, due to his alleged involvement in the hit-and-run accident in Lincoln Park on Nov. 1, 2015.
Crash Investigators say Wally was allegedly behind the wheel of a 2002 GMC Envoy that jumped a curb and struck Mis as he walked on the sidewalk of the bridge that connects the east and west sides of Lincoln Park in Jersey City.
Wally allegedly then fled the scene. Mis was left unconscious.
When Sheriff’s Officers and EMS arrived on scene Mis was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center and had remained in critical condition.
In December he was transferred to The Hospice of New Jersey Facility in Wayne where he remained until his death. He never regained consciousness.
Sheriff’s officers found Wally’s vehicle on Belmont Avenue on the evening of Nov. 1, and identified Wally as the alleged driver.
Wally eventually surrendered hours after the accident.
Wally and his passenger, Samir Shaban, were initially charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injury and were both released on bail in November.
Kenmare High School holds lasagna dinner fundraiser
Kenmare High School, an alternative high school for young women, ages 17-30, who have dropped out of the school system, will hold its annual fundraising lasagna dinner on Friday, March 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Concordia Learning Center at 761 Summit Avenue in Jersey City. For more information call (201) 421-8225.
Menendez and Sires blast Obama on planned trip to Cuba
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez said that a planned trip by President Barak Obama to Cuba – the first in more 50 years – is totally unacceptable.
“This will mark the first time a U.S. President is visiting a dictatorship in Latin America since Lyndon Johnson’s 1968 visit to Nicaragua and it’s the first presidential visit to Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. Since Castro seized power, nine American Presidents – Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush – did not rush to the island to shake hands with an oppressive dictator,” Menendez said. “They instead stood firmly against a regime that represses its people’s freedoms and blatantly violates human rights just 90 miles from our shore. The President is – again – prioritizing short-term economic interests over long-term and enduring American values.
Rep. Albio Sires echoed Menendez’s remarks
“The President’s announcement this morning that he will travel to Cuba next month is extremely troubling and represents yet another concession to the Castro brothers while the Cuban people continue to languish without access to basic freedoms,” Sires said. “This trip sets a dangerous precedent for U.S. presidents visiting dictators in Latin America and is another step towards legitimizing a dictatorial regime that thrives on the backs of innocent Cuban people. President Obama previously stated that he would only travel to Cuba if he can meet with pro-democracy dissidents there and it is my hope that the President stands by his words.”
Citibike Jersey City to add 15 new stations.
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and officials from Citi Bike Jersey City announced last week a system expansion of the successful bike share program, with 15 additional bike share stations and 150 more bikes to be added in mid-2016, bringing the system size to 50 stations and 500 bikes.
“When we launched in September, we strategically included bike stations in every ward of the city and as demand grows, we are pleased to add even more stations,” said Mayor Fulop. “We want to get rider and resident feedback as to where it will be most useful to add stations and we will use that data to guide expansion.”
To facilitate the planning process for system expansion, an online map will collect feedback from the public to determine where to place the new station locations. The map is live at:
http://suggest.citibikejc.com
Members of the public are invited to visit the page to suggest a location and provide details such as whether they would use the station as an origin or destination, and what makes this particular location good for bike share.
Jersey City library to provide online and mobile access
Jersey City Free Public Library today announced public availability of thousands of movies, television shows, music albums, eBooks, audiobooks and comics, all available for mobile and online access through a new partnership with hoopla digital (hoopladigital.com).
Jersey City card holders can now download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or IOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin enjoying thousands of artists and titles – from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers – available to borrow 24/7, for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets and computers.
These new digital collections by hoopla digital were paid by the Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation, Inc., and augment the current digital collections by OverDrive.com and the newly offered Zinio for Libaries and OneClickdigital by the library system.