Justice Garibaldi, first woman to serve on state’s highest court, set to step down

After 17 historic years as the first woman to ever serve on New Jersey’s highest court, lifelong Hudson County resident and State Supreme Court Justice Justice Garibaldi will officially retire Feb. 1. Garibaldi is still five years away from the mandatory retirement age of 70, but feels the time is right now. Recently, Garibaldi, a …

Academic Bowl tests students’ knowledge of trivia in competition against other local schools

If you spoke to Weehawken High School students John Grossi and Mike Maione before the school’s Academic Club team participated in its first match this week against Hoboken, you would think you were listening to Yankees manager Joe Torre talking about a young rookie phenom. Grossi is a veteran of three Weehawken Academic Club teams. …

Hearings on phase 2 of Roseland development continue; activists see progress

A long series of Weehawken Planning Board hearings concerning a proposed $60 million waterfront development continued last week, as experts from Roseland Properties tried to allay concerns from activists about the proposal. Currently, Roseland is seeking approval to build the second phase of its project, Port Imperial South. The first phase, which will include 154 …

Libraries suffering circulation drops; increased Internet use may be culprit

Rising Internet use at home may be the reason that libraries across the state and in Hudson County are experiencing declining and stagnant circulation numbers. Recent state figures reveal that few libraries in Hudson County are experiencing an increase in circulation as concern grows about the effects of the Internet. From 1997 to 1998, countywide …

Senate bill to fund urban parks with Green Acres funds

Last week a New Jersey Senate panel approved a bill authored by State Sen. Edward O’Connor (D-31st Dist.) that will provide funding for parks in Jersey City and other Hudson County towns. “Parks and ball fields provide enormous recreational opportunities for citizens, and this funding will help develop more parks and ball fields,” O’Connor said …

Janiszewski shifts key staffers; funding coming for projects

A retirement in the upper ranks of Hudson County Executive Robert Janiszewski’s staff has resulted in a reshuffling of personnel. The staff changes will go into effect as of Feb. 14. William Northgrave, who has severed at chief of staff for two years, will succeed retiring Frank DeLeonardis as county counsel. Filling Northgrave’s spot as …

Battle over 1600 Park proposal in Hoboken could take long

Snow may have delayed Tuesday’s zoning board meeting slated to determine the fate of a proposed 18-story “C”-shaped residential development at 1600 Park Ave., but it did not cool the feelings of the residents who oppose the project. The meeting has not yet been rescheduled, but even when it is, it will probably take longer …

Weehawken artist Calabrese’s fun figures add life to libraries, museums and shows

It sits in the newly refurbished Weehawken Public Library as a constant reminder of where Giovanni Calabrese has come from, where he’s been and where he’s going. Not to mention how talented he is. It’s the still-nameless “Tree of Knowledge,” the interactive talking tree that is Calabrese’s pride and joy. He calls it “my best …

Ten-year battle over Hartz development ends in accord, View preserved

What began in heated debate over 10 years ago, then was sucked into a maze of lawsuits and legal issues, ended quietly and almost anonymously last week with the announcement of a settlement. Hartz Mountain Industries finally has agreed to alter its plans for a proposed commercial development near its existing Lincoln Harbor office complex …