Dear Editor:
I want to thank the Hudson County Department of Corrections for its assistance during the cleanup of recent snowstorms. On Friday, February 14th, I reached out to Director Oscar Aviles requesting the use of inmates to assist the County with clearing pathway and catch basins in Lincoln Park and along J.F.K. Boulevard. For the next several days, a crew was provided. I observed first hand their efforts, including the officers, who were assigned to supervise, pitching in to help out.
I also want to thank the Division of Parks and County Executive for their assistance in providing an area on Communipaw Avenue to the City of Jersey City for the storage of ice and snow they removed. When I received a call from the City on Saturday, February 15th requesting the use of a vacant parcel of county land to bring the snow it was removing, the County acted swiftly in accommodating the request and making the site available.
Lastly, I want to recognize the Division of Roads for their help also on February 15th, in salting several major thoroughfares in my district that were not County roads, specifically, Sip Avenue, Montgomery Street, Danforth Avenue, and Communipaw Avenue. Responding to a call from three Jersey City Councilmembers, Lauarro, Rivera, and Ramchal that the City was out of salt, the Roads Division come through so these bus route streets could remain drivable.
Working together and supporting each other during difficult times is a key component of public service. While this winter has taught us several lesions, i.e. stock up on sale and trust the Farmer’s Almanac, the most important one is that all levels of government need to work together!
Freeholder Bill O’Dea