Amy DeGise resigns school board to focus on running HCDO
In a move that may be a prelude to her running for mayor of Jersey City in 2021, Amy DeGise has announced that she will resign her position as trustee on the Jersey City Board of Education. DeGise said she would step down from the board on Feb. 1 to focus her attention on her role as chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, to which she was appointed last June.
The move comes after Chairwoman DeGise and the HCDO delivered a massive turnout in the November election, helping propel U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to victory with an 85,000 vote plurality.
Many believe DeGise’s move will be a prelude to an attempt to unseat Mayor Steven Fulop in the 2021 election.
“My focus will be on developing new ways for Hudson residents to get involved in our party through caucuses and committees, with a goal of harnessing the unprecedented levels of activism and civic engagement we’re seeing into meaningful progressive change,” she said.
Alleged mall shooter apprehended
Ahmad Broadway, 24, has been arrested and charged with allegedly shooting two people in Newport Mall on Jan. 11, according to a spokesperson for Jersey City.
Broadway was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, weapons charges, as well as putting the public at widespread risk of injury.
According to the city, Broadway was in prison from June 2104 to March 2018 on weapons-related charges and violations of parole.
Hudson County Restaurant Week is in full swing
Hudson County Restaurant Wee, an event that gives the public an opportunity to sample some of the best cuisine from restaurants throughout Hudson County at discounted prices, is running from Jan. 28 to Feb. 8.
This is the 15th year the event has taken place and more than 50 restaurants have signed up to participate. Some of these include Ani Ramen, Ruth’s Steakhouse, Bin 14 and others throughout Jersey City and Hoboken.
For more information visit www.hudsonrw.com.
Legislation would protect Liberty State Park
Hudson County Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and state Sen. Sandra Cunningham have introduced legislation to ensure the preservation of Liberty State Park as a green open space for all New Jersey residents to enjoy.
The “Liberty State Park Protection Act” would establish an advisory committee and requirements for state Department of Environmental Protection action to protect the site from privatization and inappropriate development.
Bills A-4903 and S-3357 recently introduced in the Assembly and Senate would create the Liberty State Park Advisory Committee charged with assisting the DEP in conserving, preserving, protecting, and improving the park. In carrying out its responsibilities, the committee would give consideration to the natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources and the local, state, and national significance of Liberty State Park.
In addition, the legislation would prohibit the DEP from considering any proposal to commercialize, develop, or privatize Liberty State Park, except as provided in the bill.
Under the bill’s provisions, DEP would be allowed to approve small-scale commercial activities that directly enhance the experience of a visitor to Liberty State Park, such as a bicycle or kayak rental concession, food concession, temporary winter skating rink, commercial boat tour operating from an existing boat slip, and use of the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (“CRRNJ Terminal”).
The bill also requires the DEP, whenever it proposes to enter into a concession, lease, or other agreement for a duration of one year or longer, to provide a full public process with public hearings and a public comment period.
LSC exhibit ‘The Lion Guard’ to open Feb. 14
Liberty Science Center will open the first-ever museum exhibit based on Disney Junior’s hit series, “The Lion Guard” which continues the epic storytelling of “The Lion King” and follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands.
Spotlighting important learning areas such as social and self-development, problem solving, creative thinking, and arts and culture, this exhibit will bring “The Lion Guard” story to life for young children and their families through hands-on activities and imaginative play.
Children will train in the Lion Guard’s secret lair, explore the power of teamwork by utilizing each of the Lion Guard’s unique traits to go on special missions, and discover the African savanna and the animals that live there.
“The Lion Guard: The Exhibit” will be open at Liberty Science Center from Feb. 16 through Sept. 8, 2019. Tickets cost $23.75 for adults and $19.75 for children.
Please visit www.lsc.org in early February for more information.
Jersey City Whiskey and Spirits Festival will be held on Feb. 1
The Jersey City Whiskey Festival will bring over 100 styles of whiskey and spirits to warm up this winter season at Harborside. This will include many local distilleries. Chava’s Empanadas will offer their signature empanadas or guests can enjoy local bites from Angry Archies, Mozzarepas, and Taste of Poland. Live entertainment and interactive games will also be on site.
The tastings are from 7:30 – 10:30 pm. and tickets range from $15 for designated drivers to $70 for general admission. For more information including a complete list of participating whiskies and spirits, please visit https://www.jcwhiskeyfest.com/ (Harborside Atrium, 210 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07311)
Jersey City settles alleged assault suit
The city has settled a lawsuit with Jarrett Blair, who claims he was attacked by police and falsely arrested in 2013. Blair will receive $70,000 from a suit filed against the Jersey City Police Department in 2015.
JC dismisses 40,000 old tickets
The Jersey City Municipal Court has dismissed 40,000 old warrants for minor offences issued before Jan. 1, 2003. The move was made in response to an order issued by the New Jersey Supreme Court, and part of an overhaul of the municipal system by Jersey City Prosecutor Jake Hudnut. Most of these warrants were from unpaid tickets issued between 1986 and 2003.
City must repay $2 million paid to Journal Square developer
The NJ Supreme Court has let stand a ruling that would require Jersey City to pay back $2 million to a developer of a Journal Square property never built.
Multi-Employer Property Trust originally proposed to build on a site it later sold to the Kushner Companies at One Journal Square.
The trust paid the city $2 million in lieu of taxes, which an appellate court ruled last year the city must pay back.
Good Grief offers free programs to Jersey City’s grieving families
Good Grief’s In Community program is now enrolling families and volunteers in its Jersey City location. In Community is a free, easily accessible peer support program for grieving children and families.
Good Grief’s In Community program meets once a week for 9 weeks and is designed for children 6-18-years-old who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. Children participate in age-specific peer support groups, while their guardians receive peer support and learn resilient parenting techniques.
Through a variety of weekly activities, In Community equips children and families with the support and tools needed to face their grief and develop healthy coping strategies that promote resilience and hope. The program creates a caring environment for children and families during a very difficult and uncertain time.
Thanks to generous funding from The New York Life Foundation, In Community is free for families, and they can enroll as many times as they need the program. The upcoming cycle is in partnership with Hamilton Park Montessori School and will begin in February 2019 on Thursday evenings.
To learn more about In Community, volunteer opportunities, or potential partnerships, please contact Whitney Allen: whitney@good-grief.org.
