For 160 in Hoboken, free parking ends
HOBOKEN – Recently, the city found that 160 prepaid parking transponders – which were supposed to be used like EZPasses for city vehicles and police at city garages — were not being used by city vehicles. Thus, the city has disabled all of them.
Police also arrested a 22-year-old Municipal Garage employee for allegedly using one of the non-authorized transponders.
The city noted in a release, “In October 2009, Mayor Zimmer directed Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs to conduct an audit of all active Municipal Parking Garage transponders. After completing the audit in January 2010, Director Sacs identified about 160 active devices that were not associated with a city vehicle and had them disabled. The [arrest] announced today [is] a result of the mayor’s efforts to restore integrity in government and the cooperation between the city’s directors and the Hoboken police.”
Jersey City man found stabbed to death in home
JERSEY CITY – Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said on Monday that a 68-year-old Jersey City man was found stabbed to death multiple times in his home Saturday morning.
DeFazio said Robert Murphy was found dead in his Bergen Avenue apartment around 3 a.m. after his son entered the apartment and found his father’s bloodied body. DeFazio said the stabbing may have taken place hours before Murphy’s body was discovered.
DeFazio said there was no forced entry into the apartment and Murphy may have known his attackers, as it is believed that more than one person was involved.
DeFazio said Murphy was a private security officer who was in “vibrant health” at the time of his death. — RK
Councilwoman says Hoboken is ignoring her ethics proposals
HOBOKEN – Hoboken 2nd Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason has proposed various measures regarding ethics in the last year, but the city’s attorney said they have to be looked at further before a vote to introduce them.
At a council meeting a week ago Wednesday, Mason proposed an ethics code for the city. City Attorney Michael Kates said the process to establish a code isn’t in the council’s purview. According to Kates, the city has two options for ethical regulation.
Either a municipality can rely on the state Board of Ethics to hear ethical complaints – and in doing would submit to the state’s ethical guidelines – or it can establish its own Ethics Board. If a town creates an Ethics Board, the board either establishes the city code of ethics or uses the state guidelines. The council, Kates said, cannot establish the code of ethics themselves.
Hoboken already has an ordinance on the books that has established an Ethics Board to be appointed by the mayor, but the board seats have never been filled. The ordinance was established in 1985 and amended in 2004, according to documents provided by the City Clerk’s office.
On Monday morning, Mason sent out this email to constituents:
“At the City Council meeting on Wednesday May 19, I put forward two resolutions that would, if adopted, strengthen ethics laws for the city of Hoboken. Unfortunately, the majority of members on the City Council refused to support them. The first resolution would require individuals who are appointed to municipal boards – such as the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Hospital Board, etc. – to disclose any political contributions to individual candidates or campaign committees that exceed $200 for the four years which precede the appointment. In the past, board positions have been used as a means to promote cronyism and reward campaign supporters, rather than to serve the residents of Hoboken. If candidates for municipal boards disclose contributions they have made to political campaigns it will allow for a more open, transparent and inclusive process.”
She added, “The second resolution would have enacted the toughest ethics code in Hoboken’s history. Currently, the City Council’s rules of procedure do not contain a code of ethics…”
Mason complained that her proposal, along with some other legislation she has brought forth, has been stalled by the council. Mason is a sometime opponent of the five members of the board who are allied with Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Two Jonas brothers make stop in Secaucus
SECAUCUS – Eagle-eyed Secaucus High School students Michelle Mancini and Chelsea Ensmann, both 15, spotted Jonas Brothers Joe and Kevin at the Subway sandwich restaurant near Mill Creek Mall a week ago Thursday. The famous musical brothers told the students they had been in New York City earlier in the day to promote “Camp Rock 2: The Final Exam,” a Disney film scheduled for release this summer. To check out the photo, go to www.hudsonreporter.com.
Four men face murder charges in JC ‘revenge’ killing
JERSEY CITY – Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said on Monday that four men arrested Friday night on attempted murder charges are now facing charges that have been upgraded to murder in connection with the death of 25-year-old Jersey City man.
DeFazio said Damont Lester was shot in the head while sitting in a Dodge Intrepid parked near the corner of Bergen and Bidwell avenues at around 10 p.m., when several shots were fired from a black, four-door Buick. Lester died on Sunday after being taken off life support by his family.
DeFazio said police, who were in the area on patrol, quickly apprehended the suspects after a car chase.
The four men – Thomas Borders and Rashaad Glover, both 22, Laquan Borders, 21, and Kenneth Fant, 20 – were in court Monday, DeFazio said, on attempted murder charges as well as various weapons charges.
Authorities found a .40-caliber Glock handgun and a .380-caliber handgun in the Buick, and .380-caliber shell casings were found at the crime scene.
DeFazio said the four men will be back in court in the near future on the upgraded murder charges. He said investigators believe the shooting of Lester may have been done in revenge for another shooting that occurred earlier that day.
Anyone with information on the shooting of Damont Lester can call the Hudson County Prosecutors Homicide Squad at (201) 915-1345. – RK
Military can ride ferry for free during Fleet Week
HUDSON COUNTY – Continuing a 23-year tradition, NY Waterway is providing free commuter ferry service and sightseeing tours for all active duty military personnel and veterans during Fleet Week, May 26 to June 2.
Service men and women must present ID showing their active duty or veteran status to ride free. Reservations are recommended for sightseeing tours.
NY Waterway Tours include: the 90-Minute Skyline Cruise, departing from the West 38th Street Tours Terminal; the 90-Minute City Lights Cruise, departing from the West 38th Street Tours Terminal beginning May 29, and the Gateway to America Cruise, departing from the Battery Maritime Building next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
For schedules, prices and additional information please call 1-800-533-3779, visit www.nywaterway.com or www.facebook.com/nywaterway.
Seniors’ summer program in the Meadowlands
HUDSON COUNTY – Cooking demonstrations, concerts, and art workshops, and nature outings are among the highlights the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) will offer this summer as part of its 2010 Senior Program.
The schedule of more than a dozen free events kicks off on Tuesday, June 8 at 1 p.m. with “New Jersey’s Wonder Fruit,” a talk and food tasting detailing the history, health benefits, and preparation of New Jersey blueberries. All events take place at the Meadowlands Environment Center, an NJMC facility operated by Ramapo College of New Jersey.
Registration for the series begins on Saturday, May 29, with early preference given to MEC Great Blue Heron members. To register online, visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec and click on “Community Programs.” Then click on the registration link within the events section of the Web page. To register by phone call 201-460-8300.
Deadline to purchase chance for a ‘Fair Share’ is Drawing Near
HUDSON COUNTY – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Hudson County is sponsoring a Super Fair Share Super Raffle Cash Raffle to support the programs and services of the agency.
Three prizes will be awarded with a first prize of 25 percent of the total amount collected; a second prize of 15 percent of the total amount collected, and a third prize of 10 percent of the total collected.
Tickets are $100 each with only a maximum 300 tickets available to be sold. The Drawing will take place on June 9. For more information or to purchase a raffle chance, please call (201) 436-2200.
Yeshiva to open in West New York
WEST NEW YORK – According to a Jewish website, www.chabad.info, a new Yeshiva (an academy for the advanced study of Jewish texts) will open in West New York for the upcoming school year.
The announcement was made on Monday but does not state where exactly in West New York the academy will be located. It said that it will be situated in a “spacious building that boasts many Shiur rooms, a dormitory, and a nice size Zal.” It is expected that the academy will be able to house hundreds of students at full capacity.
Although West New York is known for its high Cuban population, it also has a small Jewish population, and contains both a nearly 100-year-old Orthodox synagogue and a school for Jewish children.