General

Jersey City Police Officer Melvin Santiago Killed Responding to Armed Robbery at Jersey City Walgreens

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Jersey City Mayor Fulop on the cause and death of Police Officer Melvin Santiago

“Today was a horrible day for Jersey City.  At 0409 hours, Jersey City Police responded to the Walgreen’s at the corner of Communipaw Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard on a call of an armed robbery.  The first responding officers were Officers Santiago and Martinez, who responded from Bergen and Lexington.  The actor fired at the marked police car, striking Officer Santiago – who was still inside the vehicle – in the head.  Officer Melvin Santiago was pronounced dead shortly after at the Jersey City Medical Center.  Additional responding officers returned fire at the actor, who was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.  The armed security guard at the Walgreen’s stated that the actor struck him and took his weapon, which police believe was the weapon used in the shooting.  The incident remains under active investigation.

It is a tragic situation when any officer is killed in the line of duty.  Melvin was an officer who represented everything one would want to see in a police officer.  I know the entire city’s thoughts and prayers are with the Santiago family during this difficult time and we mourn together.”
Further updates will be released by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office
Movies

The Movie Man Filmmaker George Pogatsia Writes, Directs and Stars in his Second Film, FAMILY ON BOARD

 By Sally Deering

 An actor’s life brings surprises with every part and when George Pogatsia of Jersey City found himself on a film set about to play a role, something happened that eventually led him to make his own films.

“I heard a little voice like Kazoo from ‘The Flintstones’ that said you can do this,” Pogatsia says on a break during post-production of his new movie. “I heard ‘you can do this’ then I heard ‘maybe not’. Then I heard ‘let’s try’.”

 From that day on, Pogatsia set out to pursue a life not just as an actor, but as a screenwriter and director.  He wrote the screenplay THE PIZZA TAPES which was optioned and then he set out to write FAMILY ON BOARD, which went from the page to film. Continue reading The Movie Man Filmmaker George Pogatsia Writes, Directs and Stars in his Second Film, FAMILY ON BOARD →

General

Stanley and Bonnie Glogover-The Legacy Lives on “Father and Daughter Innovator’s”

By Evelyn Bonilla

Bergen County inventor Bonnie Glogover follows in her father’s footsteps

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Stanley and Bonnie Glogover father and daughter inventors

For many years throughout history it has been said, that the bond between “father and daughter” is one of the strongest bonds ever formed. This statement is true in many ways and for the Glogover family the strong bond and an entrepreneurial spirit, is something that is evident today. Bonnie Glogover, the daughter of the late Stanley Glogover; an inventor and entrepreneur; who designed the “first maternity nursing bra” used by thousands of new mothers today, was a pioneer in his time. Today his daughter Bonnie has invented a product that is just as inventive.

Continue reading Stanley and Bonnie Glogover-The Legacy Lives on “Father and Daughter Innovator’s” →

General

Preserving Jersey City’s Past – Historic Harsimus Cemetery Honors Town Fathers and Fallen Heroes

By Sally Deering

If you blink, you miss it: the black iron gate on Newark Avenue that leads to the oldest cemetery in New Jersey: the Jersey City Harsimus Cemetery and Memorial Park. Run by volunteer president Eileen Markenstein, who has several family members buried there, and her husband Aart Markenstein, the couple – along with many volunteers – have been preserving the cemetery since they found it abandoned in 2007. Since then, the volunteers have raised more than $100,000 in funds to pay for clean-up and restoration and now, they are reaching out to the community to raise money to repair damages from Hurricane Sandy. Continue reading Preserving Jersey City’s Past – Historic Harsimus Cemetery Honors Town Fathers and Fallen Heroes →

Dining

Battello on the Hudson- Fine Dining on Jersey City’s Waterfront with the Best Views in Town

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 By Sally Deering

When you look across the Hudson from Jersey, there’s no other sight as riveting and urbanely beautiful than the New York Skyline, an image that is always changing according to the weather and time of day. In the morning, the skyline is in silhouette, a watercolor of blacks and grays; by night, it’s electric and cool, like a jazz riff by Miles Davis.

Views of the New York Skyline add value to any restaurant experience and Battello on the Jersey City waterfront hits the payload. No matter where you stand or sit, the Skyline is in view; along with the yachts and boats docked on all three sides of this refurbished boat house. Continue reading Battello on the Hudson- Fine Dining on Jersey City’s Waterfront with the Best Views in Town →

General

Bayonne Mayor James M. Davis and City Council Swearing in Ceremony July 1st, 2014

All photos by River View Observer Photographer Steve A. Mack

steveamack.com2014-Mayor Davis's Inaugural - 16On a hot July 1st day the City of Bayonne welcomed a  new Mayor and City Council with a mass celebrated at St. Henry’s Church and then the  official swearing in ceremony of Mayor -Elect James Davis and his City Council running mates: Sharon  Nadrowski, Juan Perez  Thomas Cotter,  Salvatore Gullace, and Gary LaPelusa Councilman  at Bayonne High School Auditorium.

steveamack.com2014-Mayor Davis's Inaugural - 44steveamack.com2014-Mayor Davis's Inaugural - 34Yesterday’s swearing -in ceremony presented some firsts in the History of Bayonne. Sharon Nadrowski,  elected the first woman Council President and Juan Perez the first Latino to sit as a councilman in the history of Bayonne.

July 1st LApelusa sworn insteveamack.com2014-Mayor Davis's Inaugural - 39©steveamack.com-Mayor Davis's Inaugural 2014 - 036After receiving the oath of office from Senator Bob Menendez, Mayor Davis promised “Good, honest and open government in Bayonne.”

Menendez later said when  speaking  about the Mayor  ” Mayor Davis that has a great ring to it.”  which was met by a thunderous applause by the the family, friends of the new Mayor and his City Council.

Along with Senator Menendez, Congressman Albiro Sires was in attendance and many other current and former dignitaries and politicians from Hudson County.

steveamack.com2014-Mayor Davis's Inaugural - 01

 

 

 

General

Spirit Award Goes to Hudson County Community College Vice President of North Hudson Center and Student Affairs Dr. Paula Pando

Student_Services_Award (3)On June 16, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges presented 2014 Spirit Awards to County College of Morris Vice President Student Development & Enrollment Dr. Bette Simmons, Hudson County Community College Vice President North Hudson Center & Student Affairs Dr. Paula Pando and Brookdale Community College Dean of Enrollment Development and Student Affairs Richard Pfeffer for their exemplary service to the state’s community colleges. The three were recognized for co-authoring a statewide white paper that features best practices community colleges can adopt to improve student engagement. Pictured, from left: County College of Morris President Dr. Edward Yaw, Brookdale Community College President Dr. Maureen Murphy, Pfeffer, Simmons, Pando, Hudson County Community College President Dr. Glen Gabert, and NJCCC Chairman Bakari Lee, Esq.

 

Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com, In the News

BAYONNE ELECTS A NEW MAYOR

By Ricardo Kaulessar

Mayor -elect James Davis
Mayor -Elect Jimmy Davis greets his supporters at Casa Maria Restaurant
on election night

Photo of Mayor -Elect  Jimmy Davis by Ricardo Kaulessar  

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Mayor Mark Smith and Team election night at Chandelier Restaurant

 

 Photo of Mayor Mark Smith and Team by Steve A Mack 

James Davis walked into the Villa Maria restaurant in Bayonne on Tuesday night like the conquering hero, with hundreds of supporters cheering him on as soon as he entered the place.

There was good reason for the elation as Davis won the mayoral runoff election in his hometown over the incumbent Mark Smith by a 51% to 49% margin as of election night.

Davis greeted the numerous tired and sweaty followers like himself who were energized by seeing their leader give his victory speech.

“Tonight we enjoy but tomorrow we get to work,” said Davis to raucous applause. “It’s going to take everybody in this city to change this city, whether they voted for us or against us.” Continue reading BAYONNE ELECTS A NEW MAYOR →

General

Jersey City Ranked in the Top 10 of Best U.S. Cities for Singles by Rent.com; Factors Such as Percentage of Single Young Adults, Safety and Nightlife Scene Considered

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today that Jersey City was ranked as one of the top ten cities for singles by Rent.com and as reported in Huffington Post.  Jersey City was ranked ninth in a list of the largest and most notable American cities.

 “Once again Jersey City is emerging as a top city to live, work and have an active and fulfilling life,” said Mayor Fulop.  “We have one of the most diverse communities in the country, a thriving arts, culture and entertainment scene, dozens of acclaimed restaurants and a variety of recreational activities.” Continue reading Jersey City Ranked in the Top 10 of Best U.S. Cities for Singles by Rent.com; Factors Such as Percentage of Single Young Adults, Safety and Nightlife Scene Considered →

General, Politics-

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith and Mayoral Challenger Jimmy Davis Answer Our 5 Questions Before the Bayonne June 10th Mayoral Run-Off

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By Ricardo Kaulessar

Who will be the next Bayonne Mayor will be decided by a runoff between incumbent Mark Smith and challenger James Davis on June 10.

Smith, who has been mayor since November 2008, is running for a second four-year term. Before becoming mayor, Smith served In the Bayonne Police Department for 25 years where he rose through the ranks to deputy chief.  He is married and has two daughters.

Davis has been on the police force for over 25 years, currently holding the title of captain. His work has included leading a task force from 2007 to 2008 that made a number of arrests while dismantling a burglary and motor vehicle theft ring, and later helping to shut down cocaine distribution network operating partly out of Bayonne. He is married and is the father of three sons.

The River View Observer posed questions to both candidates about dealing with a prolonged campaign season in the Peninsula City, strategies the city’s highest office, and their respective plans for governing their hometown if one of them prevails.

Why do you think you ended up in a runoff with your opponent rather than had won the election outright?

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Mayor Mark Smith

 Smith: We always knew this was going to be a challenging race. While we won the popular vote, there’s still some lingering effects from the national recession. People are still struggling. The outcome may have reflected a bit of that. We heard their concerns. Some people are still restless and we need to communicate our plan with them. We’re going to show them that our team has the plan and the ability to continue revitalizing or community.

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Jimmy Davis

Davis: When you combat a war chest of $1 million collectively and numerous outside entities attacking from different flanks, I feel making it into the runoff was our first win. I am proud of what our team has accomplished and know our drive will pull us all over the finish line in the end. Continue reading Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith and Mayoral Challenger Jimmy Davis Answer Our 5 Questions Before the Bayonne June 10th Mayoral Run-Off →

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