Fulop calls for Gov. Christie’s resignation
Joining an ever-increasing number of New Jerseyans, Mayor Steven Fulop has called for Gov. Christopher Christie to resign and has set up a petition website, www.stepdownchris.com. The death of a state trooper and Christie’s plan to campaign for Trump rather than attend the funeral has raised a ruckus among political people throughout the state.
“The straw that broke the camel’s back was the fact that he left again to be with Donald Trump instead of at a funeral, which speaks volumes about his priorities and the fact that New Jersey is clearly no longer a priority to him,” Fulop said. “It is disrespectful to all New Jerseyans. We have lots of challenges in this state and we need a governor who demonstrates that he cares about our needs.”
Christie was under fire prior to endorsing Trump earlier this month because of how often he was out of the state campaigning for his owned failed presidential bid.
Prior to the New Hampshire primary, Christie planned not to return to New Jersey as a massive snow storm approached. He eventually changed his mind, and declared a state of emergency.
Pressure to come home and attend to business increased after Christie withdrew from the presidential race and immediately endorsed Trump. He again left the state to campaign for Trump, raising protest among lawmakers and others about his becoming an “absentee governor.”
Alleged killer of 81-year-old busted
On March 11, Jeffery T. Harley, 50, of Lexington Avenue, Jersey City, was charged with the murder of Lucila Cardenas Viejo, 81. In a release, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said bail has been set in the amount of two million dollars, cash only.
The victim’s body was discovered in the morning hours of Feb. 7 on the floor of her apartment at 64A Lexington Ave., having suffered multiple blunt and sharp force injuries, the release said. A post mortem examination determined the manner of death to be homicide.
Harley has been charged with murder, felony murder during the commission of a robbery, robbery, armed robbery, felony murder during the commission of burglary, burglary, armed burglary, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose that being a knife, and unlawful possession of a weapon that being knife.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jersey City Police Department were also involved with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit in the investigation.
Missing JC Heights man’s body identified
The body of a man pulled from the waters beneath the Bayonne Bridge near Staten Island last week has been identified as 21 year-old Michael B. Ortega of Jersey City Heights.
Published reports quote Jersey City police reports which say there were no signs of trauma, and Ortega’s death is not considered suspicious. An autopsy may determine the ultimate cause of death.
The reports said although the body had no identification on it, New York authorities identified him through dental records.
The body was pulled from the water by a New York Police Department Harbor Unit around 8:15 a.m. on March 9, according to Jersey City police. He had been last seen by his family on Jan. 19.
Man shoots woman then self
A Jersey City woman was found shot dead on Monitor Street at about 7:20 a.m. on March 14.
In a release, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said officers from the Jersey City Police Department were dispatched to 114 Monitor St. in Jersey City on a call of shots fired. Upon their arrival, they located a female, later identified as Amelia Homes, 29, of Neptune Avenue, Jersey City, lying in the street with apparent gunshot wounds to her body.
The victim was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly before 8 a.m.
Witnesses on the scene reported seeing two women fleeing the Monitor Street house after which a gunman appeared, shooting at them.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., officers from the Bayonne and Jersey City police departments responded to Mercer Park on the border of Jersey City and Bayonne. Upon their arrival, they found a male, later identified as Terrence Jackson, 29 of Randolph Avenue, Jersey City, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jackson matched the description of the gunman the initial shooting and was in a relationship with Ms. Holmes.
The shooting resulted in a several hour traffic backup along Pacific Avenue, about a block from the initial shooting scene on Monitor Street.
Chabad announces two upcoming events
Chabad of Hoboken’s annual grand international Purim Party will be held Thursday, March 24 at The Multi-Service Center, 124 Grand St., Hoboken. Doors open at 5 p.m.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating Purim in Winter’s Wonderland,” will feature a buffet dinner and winter decor. Great entertainment is planned for all ages, including cheek art, balloon shaping, a photo booth, magic, a bar for adults, and more. All are welcome to join regardless of affiliation or background.
Chabad Young Professionals will also host an exclusive party for young Jewish Professionals on Wednesday night, March 24 at the W Hotel. For more information and to RSVP for either of these programs, check out the website: www.JewishHoboken.com or call (201) 386-5222.
Real estate leaders to meet in Jersey City for real estate summit
On April 14 and 15, top real estate industry leaders will come together at The Westin Jersey City in Newport as panelists, moderators and keynote speakers, to discuss and educate on current and contemporary issues in the real estate market.
The 1st Annual New Jersey Real Estate Summit, presented jointly by Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty and the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), commences two days of networking, breakout sessions, and opportunities relating to the trends in the US housing markets and, particularly, the influx of Asian capital.
Speakers at the NJRE Summit are scheduled to include Philip White, CEO & president of Sotheby’s International Realty, Mitchell E. Rudin, CEO of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of NAR, Sherry Chris, CEO and president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, and Steve Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City amongst many others.
“The 2016 New Jersey Real Estate Summit in Jersey City is bringing together some of the sharpest and most influential minds in our industry,” said Charles Oppler, COO and owner of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty.
The NJRE Summit will offer a portfolio of topics to be discussed, including the “Role of China in US Real Estate,” “Secrets of Top Producers,” “ Foreign Buyer Financing and Tax Solutions” and “What Asian Investors are Looking For,” among many others.
For further information and event registration visit: www.njresummit.com or www.areaa.org
Making PS NO. 5 number one
Students from Public School No. 5, the aifresherners1 Team has made the finals in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest for their SEMT project o reduce indoor air pollution. PS No. 5’s team has made the final 15 in the nation out of more than 4,000 entries.
For the team to win the top prize they need the public to vote via tweet or Instagram. To vote you must use both hash tags #Samsungsolve and #SamsungsolvePS5. You can vote once a day until April 1.