Category Archives: Our Community

Fulop’s State of the City: Municipal Budget to Greater Police Presence

By Ricardo Kaulessar

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop at Jersey City's State of the City Address Photo by Al Sullivan
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop at Jersey City’s State of the City Address
Photo by Al Sullivan

“I am proud to announce that in 2014, we will introduce a budget with a tax reduction and flexibility for the Council.” That was one of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s final lines in his State of the City address Thursday night, when he addressed not only the progress of the city on various fronts since he took office last July but also how it is going forward in the upcoming year. But Fulop was more detailed about other accomplishments and goals while speaking in front of over 400 people inside the McMahon Student Center on the campus of Saint Peter’s University.

He spent time talking about how the city’s consolidation of the Fire and Police departments into the recently-formed Public Safety Department enabled the city to save money to hire 26 more firefighters and 34 more cops, and how the additional cop manpower along with the employment of various crime-fighting initiatives will help the police bring crime down by double-digits by the end of this year.

He then said coming this Monday, the city will launch a reentry program for ex-offenders that will provide treatment, housing options, and job opportunities with the goal of reducing recidivism for ex-offenders by over 30 percent from the current average for those residing in Hudson County. This effort was described by Fulop as being in sync with his Marine training.

“We here in Jersey City also believe no person should be discarded, that no life is nonredeemable, so as a progressive and as a marine, we’re doing things differently,” Fulop said. Continue reading Fulop’s State of the City: Municipal Budget to Greater Police Presence

Public Invited to Fundraiser Hosted by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and City Counicl President Lavarro

 Fundraiser for Relief Effort for Victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

– A fundraiser has been planned by Mayor Steven M. Fulop and City Council President Rolando Lavarro, Jr. to aid the victims of the devastating Typhoon Yolanda that struck the Philippines impacting an approximate 9.5 million people with nearly 1,000 casualties already reported.

Some Filipino officials are projecting that the death toll could reach 10,000.

“Jersey City has one of the largest Filipino communities in the nation and we know that our Filipino residents are all extremely concerned about their loved ones who are in the Philippines,” said

Mayor Fulop. “As the relief effort is going to take much time and billions of dollars, we are asking residents in Jersey City to help aid in the mission. The Jersey City people have always come together to help other communities and other countries when faced with natural disasters and other tragedies, and we know this time will be no different.”

The fundraising event will take place from

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14th, 2013 at Porto Lounge, 286 First Street. A representative from the American Red Cross will be on hand to collect checks for the relief effort and Porto Lounge will donate a portion of their receipts as well.

“I thank Mayor Fulop and many members of the community, including businesses like Porto Lounge, for stepping forward to help in this hour of need,” said

Council President Lavarro. “I’m personally moved by the outpouring of support and how Jersey City is demonstrating its generous spirit.”

Checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross with the memo designation of “Philippines Typhoon and Flood.” If you are unable to attend the event but still want to donate, you may do so online or by sending a check to your nearest American Red Cross chapter. Information can be found by visiting redcross.org.

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary to Mayor Steven M. Fulop at 201-547-4836./////

 

 

 

The City of Jersey City Presents Two New Exhibits Featuring:Gaia Studio and the Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance

Opening Tuesday, November 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

JERSEY CITY

–JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGO Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the City of Jersey City are pleased to announce the opening of two new art exhibits at the City Hall Rotunda Art Gallery, 280 Grove Street. The exhibits will feature artwork from Gaia Studio and the Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance, on the second and third floors of City Hall throughout the month of November.

“Jersey City has one of the most vibrant arts communities in Jersey City and we are always pleased to showcase the work of our local artists,” said Mayor Fulop. “The art work on display is a direct reflection of the talented art community that works and lives in our great City.” Continue reading The City of Jersey City Presents Two New Exhibits Featuring:Gaia Studio and the Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance

Jersey City ‘Sandy’ Related Research Project Receives $210,000 in Federal & Regional Grants

Grant to  Help Prepare Coastal Communities for Climate Change; Funding Includes $100,000 from NOAA

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGO JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today the City of Jersey City has been selected by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to receive a $100,000 grant to fund a groundbreaking project that will identify flood-risk pathways into Jersey City as well as potential mitigation strategies with the Stevens Institute of Technology and the NJ Sea Grant Consortium called “Collaborative Climate Adaptation Planning for Urban Coastal Flooding.”

In addition to the NOAA grant, the City of Jersey City also received funding from Together North Jersey for $110,000 to supplement the work of the NOAA grant with visualizations and data collection for a cost-benefit analysis.  The NOAA grant is one of four given out nationally and total funding for the project is $210,000. Continue reading Jersey City ‘Sandy’ Related Research Project Receives $210,000 in Federal & Regional Grants

Event Happenings from the City of Bayonne for the end of October 2013

City of Bayonne Seal  Medicare Open Enrollment event

Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that the City of Bayonne will host a Medicare open enrollment event on Wednesday, October 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at 630 Avenue C.  The event will give Medicare patients the opportunity to compare plans, and make sure that they have the right health and prescription drug coverage.  It is time for Medicare patients to review their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.  It is also time to consider health insurance that works with Medicare, including Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. Patients may stay with their current plan if they are happy with it, or look for a new one with better coverage, higher quality, and lower cost.

The Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15 and runs through December 7, 2013.  New enrollments will take effect on January 1, 2014.

Representatives of the Bayonne Office On Aging and the Hudson County Senior Health Insurance Plan will be on hand to assist the public.

For more information, please call the Bayonne Office On Aging at 201-858-6119.

 

City to Hold Meeting on Special Needs Sports Program

Continue reading Event Happenings from the City of Bayonne for the end of October 2013

Operation Christmas Child 2013

   Michelle Mandaro and her Family fill Shoeboxes with Holiday Gifts for Underprivileged Children

 By Sally Deering

Michelle Mandaro and family
Michelle Mandaro and her children Alexander 9 and Emilie 7 collect items all year long for Christmas Shoeboxes

 

Not all shoeboxes are the same; some hold heels, some hold sneakers; while still others hold toothbrushes, combs, socks and a whole lot of love.

Since 1993, more than 100 million children have received shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child, a project from the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.com) with more than 100,000 volunteers creating and distributing the shoeboxes  filled with trinkets to put a smile on a child’s face Christmas morning.

Operation Christmas Child brings shoeboxes filled with trinkets – both the necessary and the fun kind – to underprivileged children throughout the country. Participating for the fifth year are Michelle Mandaro – owner of Amelia’s Bistro in Jersey City – her 9 year-old son Alexander, and 7 year-old daughter Emilie.

“My sister-in-law Fortune Mandaro has been doing it for 20 years,” Michelle Mandaro says.  “This is my fifth year doing it with my my children. Last year we created 54 shoeboxes and this year we’re making 60. My kids love shopping for the boxes they love stuffing the boxes, they write letters to the children and they receive letters back.”

Continue reading Operation Christmas Child 2013

Jersey City to Hold Annual Adopt-A-Lot Garden Tour; Tour Includes Eight Community Gardens

 JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced that the City of Jersey City will celebrate Jersey City’s urban gardeners, who will close out another bountiful season on Saturday, October 19, with the annual Adopt-A-Lot Community Garden Tour. Following the tour, a closing festival will be held at 12 p.m. at UMMI Living Garden, 93 Harrison Avenue.

The tour will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Riverview Community Garden at Riverview-Fisk Park in the Heights. Participants will then visit seven other gardens throughout the city’s six wards.  Bike JC will lead a bicycle ride to each garden and the Recreation Department will provide a shuttle to each site.

“Urban gardening is a model for a sustainable future and I am proud of the work that has allowed gardens to bloom on formerly vacant lots throughout the city,” said Mayor Fulop. “One of the goals of my Keep Jersey City Beautiful initiative is to work with our Division of Planning, Public Works and neighborhood organizations to get more lots adopted as gardens.” Continue reading Jersey City to Hold Annual Adopt-A-Lot Garden Tour; Tour Includes Eight Community Gardens

PENINSULA WOMEN’S CLUB OF BAYONNE TO HOST VENDOR FAIR

Peninsula Women's CLub of Bayonne, New Jersey BAYONNE, NJ Start your holiday shopping with the ladies of the Peninsula Women’s Club. On Saturday, November 3, 2013, from 11 AM and 4PM, vendors from many home-based businesses will be taking orders and selling merchandise. This fun event will be held in the Recreation Firehouse located at 597 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ.

Just in time for you holiday shopping needs, representatives from Tastefully Simple, Scentsy Wickless Candles, Tupperware, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Premier Jewelry, Homemade Goodies, Homemade Crafts and Thirty One will be on hand to fulfill your shopping requests.

Refreshments will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the PWC’s Girls’ Scholarship Fund and General Causes.

For more information contact Vendor Fair Chairperson, Jean Styles, at [email protected] or 201-858-2296. Continue reading PENINSULA WOMEN’S CLUB OF BAYONNE TO HOST VENDOR FAIR

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Bayonne Set for Sunday, October 6

Here is your chance to rid your home of Household Hazardous Waste 

        Hazardous Waste Collection in BayonneMayor Mark A. Smith announced that  the Hudson County Improvement Authority will have Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Bayonne on Sunday, October 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The location is Norton Paints, 148 East 5th Street. 

           The following items are welcome: thermostats, tires, cleaners and corrosives, pool and photographic chemicals, oil-based paints, oil-based varnishes, rechargeable and car batteries, propane tanks (from barbecue grills only), solvents and thinners, pesticides and herbicides, formaldehyde, used motor oil, old gasoline, fire extinguishers, compact fluorescent bulbs and tubes, antifreeze, and marine and auto flares. Continue reading Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Bayonne Set for Sunday, October 6

JERSEY CITY: Newly Appointed Chief Municipal Court Judge & New Full-Time Judge to be Sworn In

 

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Jersey City’s first Filipino-American Chief Municipal Court Judge, Carlo Abad, and new full-time Judge Mark Curtis will be sworn in at a 4 p.m. ceremony on Friday, Sept. 20th, 2013, at Jersey City Municipal Court, 365 Summit Avenue.

The two judges were appointed by Mayor Fulop and confirmed by the City Council last month.

Carlo Abad, a Filipino American, has been serving as Acting Chief Municipal Court Judge and has been serving on the bench in Jersey City since 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Abad served in the Newark Prosecutor’s Office, the Jersey City Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as working in several private law firms.

Mr. Curtis, a graduate of Seton Hall University Law School, has served as a Jersey City municipal prosecutor and long-time attorney practicing in Jersey City and Hudson County.