Tag Archives: Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise

Hudson County Executive Tours New Hudson County Community College Student Center

Pictured at the tour in the foreground from left: Lisa Dougherty, HCCC Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment; Jasmine Ngin, SGA Director of Finance; Pamela Gardner, HCCC Trustee; Thomas DeGise, Hudson County Executive; Dr. Chris Reber, HCCC President; and students Tyler Sarmiento, Koral Booth, and Suleiny Rodriguez. Pictured in the background from left: Dr. Nicholas Chiaravollati, HCCC Vice President for External Affairs and Senior Counsel to the President; Veronica Gerosimo, HCCC Assistant Dean, Student Life and Leadership; Warren Rigby, 2019-2020 SGA President; Dr. David Clark, HCCC Associate Dean of Student Affairs; and Christian Rodriguez, SGA President.

 
 Recently, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) students and staff provided Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise with a tour of the recently completed Student Center at 81 Sip Avenue in Jersey City.
 
HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber and Mr. DeGise were joined by students and administrators in a tour of the renovated building, which was completed last March just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
 
“This building represents a milestone for Hudson County Community College as it is the first, dedicated Student Center in the College’s 47-year history,” Dr. Reber stated. “We are exceedingly grateful to County Executive DeGise, the County Commissioners, HCCC Trustees, and everyone who assisted in making this dream a reality for our students.”
 
Dr. Reber said the $8.2 million renovation to a College-owned building was designed by
Di Cara| Rubino Architects to create a state-of-the-art setting that affords students the very best in technology, safety and convenience. The renovation by APS Contracting, Inc. included the addition of façade brick stained to match that of the adjoining HCCC Gabert Library; replacement of the existing roof; complete interior demolition; the addition of a new entrance vestibule; installation of new HVAC systems, elevators, emergency generator; and a direct, indoor connection to the Gabert Library. Wi Fi and computer stations are available throughout the building, as are “green” elements for energy efficiency and the sustainability of resources.

The HCCC Student Center’s first floor includes Student Lounges, Student Welcome Center, full-service Café, Veterans’ Lounge, and Security Command Center. The second floor houses offices for Student Life, Student Government and a variety of other student organizations, as well as an Open Lounge, and a large, Multipurpose Room for events and meetings. The office of the College’s Security, Custodial and Facilities Departments, and storage space are located on the lower level.
 
The new HCCC Student Center is the latest of several construction projects undertaken by HCCC that have transformed Journal Square. It is representative of the College’s mission to serve its diverse communities with inclusive educational programs and services that promote student success, socioeconomic mobility, and provide resources for growth. Students can meet outside the classroom, share ideas and values, assist and advise one another, pursue career and employment opportunities, develop better understanding of diverse cultures, and build longstanding relationships.
 
The project was financed with Chapter 12 funding, a state program for county colleges that is funded through State and County capital bond financing. All of the College’s capital improvement endeavors have been completed with appropriated capital. As a result, the College does not carry any capital debt, and not one dollar of student tuition is utilized for debt.#   #   # 

About Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College serves more than 18,000 credit and non-credit students annually. The College offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs, including award-winning English as a Second Language, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Fine and Performing Arts. The HCCC Culinary/Hospitality Management program was ranked number six in the U.S. by Best Choice Schools. Over 94% of HCCC Nursing program graduates passed the NCLEX first time out, placing the program’s graduates in the top tier of two- and four-year nursing programs nationwide. In 2017, the Equality of Opportunity Project ranked HCCC in the top 5% of 2,200 U.S. higher education institutions for social mobility.
 
HCCC has partnerships with every major four-year college and university in the greater New Jersey-New York area and beyond, accommodating seamless transfer of credits for further undergraduate and graduate education.

County Executive DeGise and Mayor Fulop announce nearly 600 Small Businesses to be Awarded a total over $9 million in CARES Act Grants

Small Business Grants Distributed across the City to Help Struggling Stores Reopen and Remain Open after Pandemic Causes Months of Closures and Lingering Limitations

Hudson County Hosts Powerhouse Latina Music and Dance Acts in Concert Wednesday, July 18th at 7 pm. Tickets Available Now!

Hudson County Hosts Powerhouse Latina Music and Dance Acts in Concert Wednesday, July 18th at 7 pm. Tickets Available Now! 

Jersey City, NJ—Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and the Board of Chosen Freeholders are proud to announce an evening of dynamic live music headlined by two sizzling acts, to be presented Wednesday, July 18th from 7:00-9:00 pm in the Rotunda of the historic Brennan Court House (583 Newark Avenue, Jersey City).

The evening will open with a performance by the Brazilian singer/songwriter Monika Oliveira. Born in Belem do Para and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Oliveira has been performing in the New York area for more than twenty years. She combines her love of Brazil’s musical heritage with a mastery of Jazz to create what critics describe as a “sultry variation on both … that is at once moving and rhythmic, pure and passionate.” Joined by the Brazilians Trio, she will take the stage at 7 pm.

Continue reading Hudson County Hosts Powerhouse Latina Music and Dance Acts in Concert Wednesday, July 18th at 7 pm. Tickets Available Now!

New Set-Aside Program is a First for Hudson County and New Jersey

The program increases opportunities for minority-, women-, and
veteran-owned or small businesses to obtain contracts and
do business with Hudson County.

set aside fund hudson county – Small business owners are the backbone of Hudson County’s economy, with data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicating that these enterprises employ more than 307,000 people.

To provide small businesses with more opportunities to successfully participate in the County’s procurement processes, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and County Executive Thomas A. DeGise adopted an ordinance establishing a Qualified Minority-, Women-, Veteran-owned Business or Small Business Set-Aside Program, which sets aside 10% of the dollar value of all the County’s goods, services and construction contracts to be utilized for qualified small businesses. The ordinance – the first of its kind for Hudson County and the first of its kind in New Jersey – went into effect on January 1st.

Continue reading New Set-Aside Program is a First for Hudson County and New Jersey

Earth Day 2015; “It’s Our Turn to Lead” Liberty State Park Celebration to Raise Eco Awareness

By Sally Deering

 

Poster for Earth Day 2015 It’s been 25 years since Hudson celebrated the first Earth Day in Liberty State Park and on Sat, April 25 – rain or shine — the Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), Friends of Liberty State Park, and local and state community activists will be at the waterfront park to enlighten local residents on ecological issues in Hudson and the world-at-large.

Earth Day 2015 will kick off at 10 am with a 5k Walk and Run through the park; and for the kids there’ll be  kite flying, arts and crafts, inflatable rides, interactive games, contests and giveaways, with a steady flow of entertainers on the main stage; and refreshments, too. Hundreds of volunteers from city and state community groups and organizations will present displays on local and world-wide ecological innovations and reforms to inform visitors about the eco future.

 

Earth Day Balloons 2015“This year marks our 25th anniversary of Earth Day Celebrations here in Hudson County and since its inception, the goal has always been to raise environmental awareness among members of the community,” says Mary-Ellen Gilpin, Director of HCIA’s  environmental programs. “The fair creates an opportunity for residents, young and old, to enjoy themselves while learning the importance of ‘reducing, re-using and recycling’ and protecting our urban environment.”

The Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), founded in 1974, provides strategic planning and coordination of public policy initiatives on behalf of Hudson County municipalities and residents. The authority is responsible for a vast range of services including low interest financing for public and private initiatives, solid waste management, environmental education, recycling and transportation management, recreation services, and alternative energy initiatives.

From the 5K run/walk, to the informative displays and tents, and green communities’ marketplace, Hudson residents will have a wide array of things to do and see at the fair, Gilpin says.

“View the winning posters drawn by students for our 9th annual Earth Day Calendar art contest, or make a pledge to help the environment at the ‘Wishing Tree’,” Gilpin says. “This year will be the largest Earth Day Fair we have ever run. It is more important than ever to make sure our communities understand what resources are available in the county to help protect our environment, together.”

 

Earth Day The national Earth Day theme this year is “It’s Our Turn to Lead” focusing on the unique environmental challenges facing our world, and especially our urban municipalities. All attendees at LSP are invited to visit the Wishing Trees to make a pledge to perform one act that can lead the way to make our Hudson municipalities “greener”.

“On behalf of myself and my fellow commissioners, I would like to invite you to join us in Liberty State Park for a celebration of 25 Years of Earth Day in Hudson County,” HCIA Chairman John L. Shinnick says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring residents together to learn about the environment and spend time with their community. It’s a great day of free outdoor fun for the whole family.”

EXHIBITORS

Earth Day Globe Exhibitors at Earth Day 2015 will include city and state government agencies, community groups, service organizations, health care service providers, ‘green’ retailers and non-profits with ecological missions like Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy, Citizens Climate Lobby, Student Conservation Association, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, and the NY/NJ Baykeeper. The NY/NJ Baykeeper in Keyport offers eco cruises and kayak tours that launch from Keyport. Representatives from the NY/NJ Baykeeper will be at LSP to raise awareness to the needs within NY-NJ Harbor.

“Many residents throughout New Jersey don’t know how to access their waterways to use them for recreational purposes and learn more about their environment,” Sandra Meola of the NY/NJ Baykeeper says. “Baykeeper’s interactive kayak tours and eco cruises aim to connect the public to their waterways. By doing so, we advocate for the protection and preservation of our waterways within the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary.”

WALK FOR FRIENDS OF LSP; RUN FOR HC IMPROVEMENT

 Friends of Liberty State Park is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, conserving and promoting Liberty State Park. Since 1988, it has advocated for the protection and improvement of this open space park, and more than 5 million visitors come annually to enjoy this recreational, natural, historic, and cultural public resource. It all began when local residents Morris Pesin and Audrey Zapp, and historic preservationist Ted Conrad led a citizens’ movement to transform a waterfront wasteland of abandoned rail yards and decaying piers into a park. Sam Pesin, the son of Morris Pesin continues his father’s advocacy as director of the Friends of Liberty State Park.

“Earth Day is a time for us all to celebrate Mother Nature and think about doing all we can to contribute to a clean and healthy environment,” Pesin says. “We must all be activists in protecting the beauty, necessity and spiritual power of nature and open space.  Liberty State Park is our great urban waterfront open space which enriches our urban quality of life.”

At 11 am, following “Walk for LSP” and the HCIA’s 5K Walk/Run, a “Kids’ Kingdom” area will open with environment-themed displays, information on services available throughout Hudson, and tree seedlings, compliments of the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry.

Throughout the day, strolling entertainers like a juggling stilt-walker, “Earth Boy”, “Buster”, “Woodsy” and “Garbage Goat” will interact with festival-goers, and. DJ Mickey will emcee the stage acts. Here’s the line-up:

 

11 am-Noon  Race Award Ceremony 

12 pm-12:30   DJ Mickey

12:30 1:15      Field Station: Dinosaurs:

“The Dinosaur Troubadour and Mighty T-Rex” 

1:15– 1:30      DJ Mickey

1:30– 2 pm     Carl Brister in Concert

2 pm–2:15      DJ Mickey

2:15– 2:45      Field Station: Dinosaurs:

“The Dinosaur Troubadour and Mighty T-Rex” 

2:45– 3 pm     DJ Mickey

3 pm–4 pm      John Christian Band

 When Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise took office in November 2002, he made protecting Hudson’s local environment and remaining open space one of his top priorities.

“We want our kids to get out there and enjoy all the beauty that Hudson County has to offer,” County Executive DeGise says. “Celebrating Earth Day in Liberty State Park is an excellent way to help get our kids back-to-nature; while learning to protect our unique environment.”

 

 

IF YOU GO:

Sat, April 25, 10 am-6 pm

25TH EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Liberty State Park

200 Morris Pesin Drive

Jersey City

(201) 915-3402

 

Hudson County Improvement Authority

(201) 324-6222

www.hcia.org

 

Friends of Liberty State Park

www.folsp.org

 

 

NJ Turnpike Authority Interchange 14A Improvement Project

$310 Million Turnpike Authority Project for Interchange 14A Begining in 2015 Completed by 2018

New Jersey Turnpike Authority 14A Improvement Project

New Jersey Turnpike Authority Officials, Bayonne  Mayor Jimmy Davis The Bayonne City Council,  Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, New Jersey State Senator Sandra Cunningham, Assemblyman Charles Mainor,Jersey City  Deputy Director Vivian Brady-Philips  broke ground  on Wednesday, March 11th for the $310 million NJ Turnpike Authority’s Interchange 14 A Improvement Project.

This project is being funded as part of the Turnpike Authority’s ongoing 10-year, $7billion capital program. Continue reading NJ Turnpike Authority Interchange 14A Improvement Project

Hudson County Community College Foundation to Hold 17th Annual ‘Holiday Extravaganza’ on December 4

Fundraising gala will celebrate the College’s 40th Anniversary and ‘Travel back to the beginning … 1974;’ Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise will be honored that evening.

hccc-logo300dpiNovember 24, 2014, Jersey City, NJ – The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Foundation’s 17th Annual “Holiday Extravaganza” gala will take place on Thursday evening, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the College’s Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk Street in Jersey City. Proceeds from the event – the largest and most festive of all of the Foundation’s fundraisers – will be dedicated to scholarships for deserving students, faculty development programs, and the College’s physical expansion.

Continue reading Hudson County Community College Foundation to Hold 17th Annual ‘Holiday Extravaganza’ on December 4

Hudson County Open Space

…the green, green grass of home

By Tom Dwyer

With a population of over 600,000, open space in Hudson County is essential for the well-being of its residents. Open spaces like parks, and having waterfront access, help provide a ‘quality of life’ for a community; an oasis of calm in an urban environment.

Presently, the Hudson County park system is comprised of eight county parks: Stephen R. Gregg Park and Mercer Park in Bayonne, Columbus Park in Hoboken, Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park West in Jersey City, James Braddock Park in North Bergen, Washington Park in Union City and Northern Jersey City, West Hudson Park in Harrison   and Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus. The largest and oldest park is Lincoln Park in Jersey City, created in 1905 with 277 acres.   Most of these parks have been in use for decades providing open space for special events, sports, parties, and being one with nature.

Tom McCann, the Director of Parks for Hudson County, knows better than anyone the day-to-day operation in keeping the parks up and running. “If you just take Lincoln  Park where on a good day we see two thousand people, and multiply that by 365 days, you’re looking at a million visitors to just that park alone. So that gives you an idea how popular our parks are.”

With one hundred and twenty-five employees, McCann runs a small army of trades people, his own forestry, mechanics, and over four-hundred pieces of equipment to keep the parks operating.  Over the past few years, Hudson County has invested close to fifteen million dollars on upgrading the tennis facilities in the Hudson County park system.  “Most people don’t know that we have the best public tennis system around in our parks. People come from all over to use our courts. And, we don’t charge,” McCann said.  They have also invested in new ball fields and track facilities. “With over fifty organizations including Hudson County schools using the park facilities for their sports’ events, more open space in Hudson County is a priority,” McCann stated.

Continue reading Hudson County Open Space