“Promoting 11 of our own who have worked hard to keep our community safe coupled with the graduation of these 23 new firefighters further strengthens our fire department and reinforces Jersey City’s reputation as a leader in public safety,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Our community deserves nothing less than the best, and these new and ranking firefighters exemplify the dedication, discipline, and courage it takes to protect and serve our city.”

“Today’s announcement reflects Jersey City’s commitment to maintaining one of the most well-trained and responsive fire departments in the state,” said Public Safety Director James Shea.  “We have the best and largest fire department in New Jersey, and I have no doubt their extensive training and dedication will help guide our department into the future, ensuring that Jersey City remains at the forefront of fire safety and emergency response.”

“The recruits have successfully completed rigorous training and are prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies, from structural fires to medical emergencies.  These new firefighters are the latest recruits to join the department’s ongoing mission to provide the highest level of safety and service to the Jersey City community,” added JCFD Chief Jack Johnson. 

These promotions highlight the department’s ongoing efforts to reward excellence and build a diverse and skilled leadership team:

Deputy Chief:

Jason Kane

Battalion Chief:

Michael Mandriota

Miguel Rios

Joseph Menendez

Greg Fuehrer

Captain:

Anthony Montagne, Sr.

Christopher Pittaro

Jordan Lang

Nicholas Andreula

Herman Ortez

Matthew Finnerty

The Jersey City Fire Department continues its commitment to protecting the lives and property of the community while fostering a culture of excellence, diversity, and leadership development within its ranks.

The post Jersey City Fire Department Swears in 23 New Graduates first appeared on River View Observer.

About Suburban Propane

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., is a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, servicing over 1 million customers through 650 plus locations across 41 states.  They are proudly celebrating 90 years of innovation, growth and quality service in 2018. Dedication to safety, integrity, and an unwavering focus on outstanding customer service to their customers and the local communities they serve are cornerstones of their core values. Suburban Propane is a New York Stock Exchange listed limited partnership headquartered in Whippany, NJ. For additional information on Suburban Propane, please visit http://www.suburbanpropane.com/.

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Festivities Include Food Tasting and Judging of Contestants†Dishes, Food Trucks, Childrenâ€s Activities, Music and More; All Proceeds to Benefit Charity

Contestants from the Jersey City Police Department, Fire
Department, EMTs and Hudson County Corrections officers will face-off in the 2^nd annual Jersey City First Responders Charity Cook-off.  With each ticket, attendees will get to taste each of the prepared dishes and vote for their favorite. 

All proceeds will benefit a charity of the groups†choosing: The Jersey City Firefighters Family Assistance Fund, the Police Unity Tour, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The Code Green Campaign, as well as $5 from every ticket sold going to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.  Festivities also include music, childrenâ€s activities, food trucks, and more while enjoying a great fall day in the Beaconâ€s Overlook park with views of Jersey City and New York Cit   Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 The Beacon

  20 Beacon Way

Jersey City, NJ 07304

 Jersey City Police Officers

 Jersey City Firefighters

 Jersey City EMTs

Hudson County Corrections Officer

Jersey City Mayor Steven F. Fulop

The post Jersey City Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, Hudson County Corrections Officers to Compete in the 2nd Annual Jersey City First Responders Charity Cook-off  first appeared on River View Observer.

 

Paintings by John T. Ruddy of Jersey City: PADMA, MATAJI, and NATARAJ.

(PADMA is on display at Raven Gallery and Boutique in Jersey City)

By Sally Deering

 Artist and Jersey City Fire Captain John T. Ruddy has traveled all over the world and the souvenirs he has brought back include exotic images and motifs that influence many of his paintings.

“I studied Renaissance and Classical painting and Iâ€ve traveled to 50 countries,” Ruddy says, sitting at an outdoor café in his downtown Jersey City neighborhood. “I always head for the cathedrals, mosques and temples first, and I ask myself, what does this culture aesthetically offer? Travel has always been a life-long passion.”

Ruddyâ€s work can be seen as part of the group show UNDERTOW on view through July 25^th at the Raven Gallery and Boutique on Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Active in the Jersey City art community for the past 20 years, Ruddyâ€s work has been shown at ArtHouse Productions, 58 Gallery and Pro Arts. He has had solo shows at Grassroots Community Space and Porto Lounge; and exhibitions at LITM and The Dopeness. Featured in many group shows, in 2013, Ruddy co-curated the Jersey City Artist Studio Tour’s flagship location at the Tenmarc building; and in 2014, Jersey City commissioned him to construct the centerpiece public art installation for the studio tourâ€s opening gala at Exchange Place.

“Iâ€ve been able to work consistently as an artist,” Ruddy says. “I started with classical training and threw out the rules.”

Ruddy paints with acrylics and oils on canvas and board. A lot of his works are sculptural he says and some of his larger paintings feature applied media like jewels. Some pieces have a Hindu reference, and Ruddy says writer/teacher/philosopher Joseph Campbell had a big influence on him both as a person and artist.

“Joseph Campbell opened my mind,” Ruddy says.

Ruddyâ€s paintings are meant to be experienced in person, he says, and heâ€s not about creating images that can be reproduced on T-Shirts or coffee cups. Instead, he prefers creating one-of-a-kind paintings.

“Paintings are stories,” Ruddy says, “like personal mythologies.”

Art Director of 660 Studios, an arts venue in Jersey City known for its eclectic art and music happenings, Ruddy is about to launch www.TheCultureJC.com, an interactive website and mobile application that promotes Jersey City’s art scene. It will have an online calendar of city-wide events and an Apple app. The 660 Gallery which debuts in the fall will be on the first floor of 660 Grand Street where artists can exhibit.

“It will be a building of artists,” Ruddy says.

Ruddy is the son of retired JC Fire Department Battalion Chief John Ruddy. Back when he was 21 with the ink still fresh on his BA degree in Art History from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, the artist was conflicted over whether to pursue his art full-time or get a “real” job. When the chance came to test for the JC Fire Department, Ruddy seized the opportunity and passed. That was 20 years ago. Ruddy now serves as Fire Captain for the 1^st Battalion, Engine No. 2 on Grand Street, and has found a way to balance his work with his art.

“I wanted to be an artist but the pragmatic side of me won out and I became a firefighter,” Ruddy says.  “As a firefighter, my schedule is flexible, so itâ€s the perfect job for an artist.”

For more info, go to www.660studios.com.

To learn more about John. T. Ruddy, check h

The post ARTIST AFIRE- Artist/Fire Captain John T. Ruddy Exhibits at Raven Gallery first appeared on River View Observer.

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced that his administration  introduced at Monday July 29th City Council Caucus meeting four major consolidation measures to cut costs and streamlines services within municipal government.

The first ordinance establishes a Department of Public Safety and merges the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Office of Emergency Management, into one central department.  The day-to-day operations of each division will continue to be overseen by their respective chiefs, with a Director of Public Safety heading the department.

 This consolidation will eliminate the cost of two directors, as well as numerous other administrative costs, with initial anticipated savings of $343,112.  The merger will also facilitate better communication between the police and fire divisions as well as enhanced public safety for residents.

“For years, there has been abundant waste and duplication of services across all departments, which is something we identified during the transition,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Making municipal government more efficient is one of the top priorities of my administration and tonight we are beginning the process of eliminating waste and creating a government that works for the taxpayers.”

 In addition to the creation of the Department of Public Safety, the administration is introducing amendments to city statute that would combine the Division of Architecture and the Division of Engineering, Traffic and Transportation into a single Division within the Department of Public Works.  This will eliminate duplicative efforts within the current divisions, conserve resources within DPW, streamline services, and make services more efficient for constituents.

 The amendments also create the Division of Sanitation under the Department of Public Works, to perform the services of demolition, street sweeping, snow and ice removal, solid waste collection and recycling, and graffiti removal.

 “This consolidation creates the necessary framework for us to partner with the JCIA to determine the best way to provide these essential services going forward,” said Mayor Fulop.  “The amendments also authorize DPW to conduct enforcement activities in conjunction with the JCIA, enhancing our ability to improve the quality of life for our residents.”

 The Fulop administration is also formally renaming the Mayorâ€s Action Bureau the Resident Resource Center (“RRC”).  The RRC will be a constituent-focused center that will provide “one-stop shopping” for constituent needs.  The RRC will eliminate the need for constituents to go from Department to Department to obtain information or have their needs addressed.

 As part of this change, three city Divisions will be centralized in the RRC, namely Cultural Affairs, Senior Affairs, and Veterans Affairs – all of which are currently located in the Department of Health and Human Services.

 “Bringing Cultural Affairs, Senior Affairs and Veterans Affairs into the Resident Response Center exemplifies how the RRC will function as a more efficient umbrella for the needs of our residents,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Having one central office where residents can get a problem solved or file for a permit, is key to being more efficient and responsive to the needs of our community.”

 Changes to the ordinance also establish a newly-created programs of Diversity and Inclusion within the RRC to address the unique needs of immigrants seeking integration, as well as promote the celebration and recognition of contributions made by diverse cultures, ethnic groups, and heritage traditions within the City. This office will also utilize existing local, county, state and federal resources to further the goals of assisting Jersey Cityâ€s diverse community.

 The Division of Personnel will also be renamed the Division of Human Resources, with the Division Director continuing to report to the Business Administrator while working in consultation with an attorney from the Law Department.  This will ensure that critical personnel decisions are consistent with prevailing legal standards and requirements and will help the City avoid unnecessary litigation.

 Additionally, the Office of Pensions and the Office of Payroll will be consolidated under one Division.  It is anticipated that combining these offices under one Division and one Director will expose redundant and duplicative services, increasing opportunities to streamline government and eliminate waste. The essential duties of these offices remain unchanged.

 “Not only are these changes essential from a fiscal standpoint, but also from an operational standpoint,” said Mayor Fulop. “We are cutting costs, streamlining services and creating synergy between previously separate departments.”

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