Menendez and Sires blast immigration raids
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) last week condemned the nationwide immigration raids announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Starting just after New Years Day, the raids have already targeted the homes of over a hundred Central American families who arrived in the United States last year, fleeing the region’s violence.
“These raids illustrate the many painful aspects of a system that has failed, including harsh tactics facing undocumented mothers and children whose only mistake was to escape a certain death in their native countries,” Menendez said. “The Northern Triangle nations of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala have the highest murder rates in the world. We must recognize that these families are fleeing escalating violence and address the root causes of this humanitarian crisis. If past is prologue, and given the climate of intolerance and misplaced fear promoted by Republicans, we know immigration raids often lead to the erroneous targeting, detention, or deportation of people who do not qualify for a fast-tracked removal and were not afforded proper due process. Furthermore, I have deep concerns of the chilling effect these home raids will have among immigrant communities who will understandably be terrified and deterred from approaching law enforcement to report crimes and forced further into the shadows. As we begin to get more details on these operations, let’s not overlook the devastating effect and cost to spending our limited DHS funds on deporting women and children and not violent felons.”
Rep. Albio Sires (D-8th Dist.) echoed Menendez’s remarks.
“I find these recent ICE raids deeply troubling,” Sires said. “These raids are apprehending families fleeing unprecedented levels of violence to protect themselves and their children. They come from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, countries with some of the highest murder rates in the world. Uncontrolled violence is paralyzing communities, preventing children from attending school, and even making public transportation a life-threatening endeavor. On Jan. 1 alone, the Salvadoran people suffered from at least 29 homicides. Furthermore, if the past is any indication, raids can target the wrong people, prevent due process, and stoke fear amongst immigrant communities, pushing them deeper into the shadows. I urge the administration to keep its word when they enforce our immigration laws and target felons, not families.”
Sheriff’s Office reports success in anti-DWI campaign
Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari has announced that participation in the annual statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign ended with over 50 arrests and dozens of citations for moving violations and other offenses. With the goal of removing intoxicated drivers from the road and keeping residents safe, Sheriff Schillari said he deployed extra patrols throughout Hudson County looking specifically for drunk drivers from Dec. 11, 2015 to Jan. 1, 2016, a time when impaired driving traditionally increases by approximately 10 percent. These extra patrols were made possible by grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Highway Traffic Safety and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Drunk driving isn’t only illegal, it is wrong and it is dangerous,” Schillari said. “By participating in the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign and implementing the necessary measures, our goal was to decrease the number of intoxicated drivers and enhance public safety. With so many families and children on the road visiting relatives and friends during the holiday season it is particularly important to make sure that impaired drivers are found and arrested before they can cause an accident.”
Downtown rehabs will provide affordable housing
Mayor Steven Fulop announced on Jan. 6 that plans for the rehabilitation of 131 affordable housing units in downtown are moving forward now that the developer has secured financing to begin the renovations. A groundbreaking on the project is expected in the next few weeks.
“At a time when construction is at a record high in Jersey City, we have made sure that the creation of quality, affordable housing is also a priority,” said Mayor Fulop. “By investing in affordable housing, we are investing in the entire community by offering all of our residents first rate affordable housing that complements the ongoing revitalization of neighborhoods throughout Jersey City.”
The rehabilitation of the Brunswick Estates, located on Montgomery Street near Merseles, has been made possible through a $2 million grant from the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The administration and the City Council in June secured the extension of the affordability period for the remaining 17 years of a previously approved PILOT on 131 affordable rental units, following the sale of Brunswick Estates to Roseville Avenue Redevelopment Urban Renewal, who have also partnered with WinnCompanies on the project.
Shortly after taking office, the Fulop administration announced the city’s first-ever Affordable Housing Trust Fund policy that establishes criteria for and incentivizes the development of affordable housing. A focus for the administration has been the inclusion of onsite affordable housing in downtown and waterfront developments, breaking from past practices that allowed developers to send affordable housing dollars entirely to other neighborhoods of the city.
HCCC Tops off new STEM building
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) held the official topping-off ceremony of its new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) building on Academy Street on Jan. 6.
The six-story, 70,070 square-foot, up to date building is scheduled to open in 2017. It will be home to the college’s STEM programs. When completed, the building will have floors dedicated to general science, electronics engineering technology/physics/engineering, biology/microbiology, and chemistry. The steel frame structure with concrete floors on metal decking has been designed with science and computer labs, classrooms and student break-out rooms on each of the top five floors, as well as offices, student lounges, lecture halls, a coffee shop and exhibit space.
The STEM building is part of the college’s continuing capital expansion plan, which included the six-story, 112,000 square-foot library building that opened in September 2014. Last month, the college celebrated the official opening of the Abegail Douglas-Johnson Academic Support Services program in the lower level of the Library Building.
The capital expansion plan also included the $3 million renovation of the Joseph Cundari Center, which reopened in September 2015. The Cundari Center now houses the Hudson County Community College-CarePoint Health Nursing and Radiography Programs.
The Snow Ball is coming on Jan 23
The Snow Ball, Jersey City’s most anticipated arts charity gala, returns on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.
Art House Productions’ tenth annual, black tie creative and colorful arts gala will take place in the Journal Square section of Jersey City at Art House Productions’ new theater. The event raises funds for the company’s upcoming season of theater, music, visual art, JC Fridays festivals, dance, comedy, and poetry events. This year’s event is presented by SILVERMAN and City Diner.
The Snow Ball features live music by Giselle Bellas. The Florida-born singer has written for and been heard on the Emmy Award-winning FX show, “Louie.” Her style of music combines her love of classical music and pop culture with the Latin music, jazz, and oldies that she grew up hearing.
Dress for the event is “black tie creative” and guests are encouraged to compete for the annual best-dressed guest or couple award by donning their favorite formal attire, including vintage, wedding, and costume-wear.
An $85 advanced purchase ticket for the fundraiser includes food and drink from this year’s Presenting Sponsor, City Diner. Major food sponsors include GP’s Restaurant, Port-O, Raval, and Hamilton Inn. Desserts will be provided by Jaes Cakez, Downtown Yogurt, and Cocoa Bakery. The Snow Ball’s open bar will offer drinks from Cool Vines, New Jersey Beer Company, and Stateside Urbancraft Vodka. The silent auction will feature unique artwork and experience packages as well as items from local vendors.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.arthouseproductions.org and $95 tickets will be available for purchase at the door on the night of the event. $150 VIP tickets can be purchased for the VIP Champagne Reception. This 7 p.m. reception will feature a special live performance by Carolyn Light, priority seating, and early access our exciting range of silent auction items.
Art House Productions is wheelchair accessible and located at 136 Magnolia Ave at the corner of Summit. The theater is adjacent to the Journal Square PATH Station.
The event is presented by SILVERMAN and City Diner. It is sponsored by Bank of America, Cocoa Bakery, Cool Vines, Diamond Hut Jewelers, Downtown Yogurt, GP’s Restaurant, Hamilton Inn, Hudson Play, Jaes Cakez, JCity Realty, Jersey City Independent, New Jersey Beer Company, Port-o Lounge, Raval, Remco Press, Rockasorri, and Yelp.
For tickets or more information, go to: http://www.arthouseproductions.org.