New alert system to be set up in Jersey City
Jersey City officials have announced the launch of Swift911, a new citywide emergency alert system to keep residents instantly informed in both emergency and non-emergency situations. The launch is part of the Fulop Administration’s ongoing expansion of public safety and resident communications in Jersey City.
The new program allows residents to receive emergency alerts in real time, while also coordinating messaging across social media and the city website.
With the new system, the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) can send immediate, emergency information right to where residents receive it the fastest: their cell phones. Using Swift911, the city will be able to send emergency alerts to residents in three different ways: pre-recorded phone calls, text messages and emails, depending on the resident’s preference. Alerts can also be targeted to specific geographical locations.
Residents must sign up to receive alerts, and sign-up is completely free. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the service by visiting: http://www.jerseycitynj.gov/alerts. When registering, residents must enter a valid email address and valid phone number.
The new emergency alert system also uses social media. As an emergency message is broadcast, that same exact message will also simultaneously be posted on Facebook and Twitter accounts, and on the city’s homepage.
Anyone requiring registration assistance should call the city’s Resident Response Center at (201) 547-4900.
Main Jersey City Library to close for four days
The main branch of Jersey City Free Public Library, 472 Jersey Ave., will be closed from Friday, May 15 until Tuesday, May 19. This is part of ongoing renovations to the building.
“The entire building will be closed for asbestos abatement and demolition within the Lending Department,” explained Helena Ruman, AIA, the library’s architect for the project.
“By scheduling this five-day closure around a weekend, the need to close the Main Library to the public is greatly minimized,” said Library Director Priscilla Gardner. “As always, we apologize for any inconvenience experienced.”
Family-friendly protest planned against Liberty State Park privatization
A community protest will take place on May 16 at from noon 2 p.m. at 20 Theodore Conrad Drive to protest the privatization of Liberty State Park.
Billed as a family-friendly protest, the event will feature short remarks at about 1 p.m.
“We started with the slogan “LSP is for picnics, not privatization,” said Sam Pesin, of the Friends of Liberty State Park. “We will have a family music band, Rockasorri (who will add a couple of players for a folk rock group) and face painters. It’s a BYO Picnic event but our board realized that a lot of people won’t want to buy food and make a picnic so please emphasize that everyone is urged to come to show support for our cause of protecting LSP from privatization and commercialization and just come and hang out and join the event whether or not they bring a picnic. I’ll also arrange for a couple of food trucks so people can get something for lunch if they want.”
City to establish LGBTQ advisory board
At-large Councilman Daniel Rivera announced this week the creation of a nine-member LGBTQ Advisory Board that will advise the city about issues and best practices for Jersey City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning community, the largest in the state, as the city continues to advance equality for all residents.
The Advisory Board, which will consist of nine Jersey City residents appointed by the mayor to serve in a volunteer advisory capacity, will recommend policies as well as develop and coordinate events and programs that bring together the sexual and gender minority communities with the greater Jersey City community. The Advisory Board will also ensure that city departments and agencies fairly and equitably address concerns of LGBTQ people.
The board will also serve to drive understanding and awareness of the diversity of the LGBTQ community as a platform to connect Jersey City’s municipal government with the contributions of the members of the LGBTQ community.
The City Council, in collaboration with the mayor’s office, is accepting resumes for the board and anyone who wishes to be considered should send their resume to the City Clerk’s Office.
Sires pushes to bring fugitives to justice
Rep Albio Sires (D-8th Dist.) has joined Rep Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) in a bi-partisan effort to mark the 42nd anniversary of the brutal murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster by Joanne Chesimard by co-sponsoring the Walter Patterson and Werner Foerster Justice and Extradition Act, H.R. 2189.
A statement from the two congressman says the bill is named after Walter Patterson, a World War II veteran, as well as Foerster, who both were brutally murdered by criminals who were convicted, escaped prison, and moved abroad where they live freely today. George Wright murdered Patterson, escaped jail in 1970, and fled to Portugal. Joanne Chesimard murdered Foerster, escaped from prison in 1979, and made her way to Cuba. The United States currently has bilateral extradition treaties with more than 100 nations, including Cuba and Portugal, as well as an extradition agreement with the EU. However, both countries refuse to repatriate the convicted criminals living in their midst.
Cunningham bill would require art therapists to be licensed
Legislation sponsored by state Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Sandra B. Cunningham to require licensing for art therapists was approved last week by the Senate Commerce Committee.
The bill, S-2020, would allow for the licensing of art therapists. Under the legislation, only licensed art therapists, associate art therapists, and other qualified medical professionals could practice art therapy. A person would have to be 18 and be of “good moral character,” and hold a master’s or doctorate’s degree in a field related to art therapy from an accredited institution. Licenses would be issued for a two-year period.
St. Anthony’s to host music of Haydn
Haydn’s Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo will be presented on Saturday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the return of the traditional Latin Mass to Hudson County.
A Missa Solemnis for the Vigil of Pentecost will be sung at downtown Jersey City’s historic St. Anthony’s Church located at Monmouth Street between 6th and 7th streets. The renowned Cantantes in Cordibus choir, under the direction of Maestro Simone Ferraresi, will perform Haydn’s acclaimed Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo.
Choral Evensong and Jazz coming to St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s Sanctuary Choir, the Rev. Tom Murphy, and organist Lloyd Chung sing out rest for the soul at the end of the day Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. Gail Blache-Gill directs.
St. Paul’s also features the Ken Maynard Jazz Vespers Series. Bevin Turnbull and New Jazz City feature in this inaugural Jazz Vespers honoring a congregational musician on Sunday, May 17, at 6 p.m.
All are welcome at 38 Duncan Ave. (between Bergen Ave. and JFK Boulevard). For more information go to www.stpaulsjc.org or call (201) 433-4922.
Health Fair on Garfield Avenue is May 12
Metropolitan Family Health Network will host a Mini Women’s Health Fair at 935 Garfield Ave. on Tuesday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All women from the community are invited to attend and learn more about ensuring their good health at every stage of life. Meet with the MFHN physicians and dentists, a registered dietitian and professional yoga instructor and more. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, log onto www.MetropolitanFHN.com or phone (201) 478-5800.
Art House to put on young performer’s edition of The Wizard of Oz
Art House Productions will present the STAGES! Youth Company production of “The Wizard of Oz” on May 14 and 16 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on May 17.
Tickets are $8 for youth under 18 and seniors ($12 at the door) and $15 for adults ($18 at the door). Purchase at http://arthouseOZ.brownpapertickets.com. Advance purchase is recommended.
The theater is located at Summit and Magnolia Avenue, near the Journal Square PATH station in Jersey City.