Meet the Secaucus emcee who became the face of the library during COVID-19

December 6, 2022

12seclibrary15_01 — Jeffrey Machno, former programming director at the Secaucus Public Library. Images courtesy of Machno.

Jeffrey Machno is a Secaucus resident and emcee who hosts an array of events in the metropolitan area. He jokingly dubbed himself something of a “roving Bob Barker,” having been involved in the entertainment industry for many years.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” he told the Hudson Reporter. “It’s like, ‘Hey we’re doing a show. Jeff, do you think you could host it?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, all right. Come on. Give me the mic.’ And I get all these bookings.”

The 42-year-old Machno has done voice-over work in the past and even did a show out in Las Vegas, eventually coming to work for the library part-time three years ago. But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, his sister-in-law Lisa Machno, who is the Branch Director for the Katherine Steffens Library Annex in Secaucus, recommended he bring some events to the library.

So began the weekly events, first starting with “Trivia Night.” Amid the era of the stay-at-home order, the virtual event was a haven for those seeking community during the isolation.

“I started doing this weekly trivia program for the library, which ended up taking off,” Machno said. “We also used my connections to have people on to do an interview series, like the in-town Barbara Walters.”

Machno is technically not a librarian, humbly admitting he doesn’t have the master’s degree for that, but nevertheless, since getting involved he has played a key role in programming at the Secaucus Public Library throughout recent years. He was also essentially the face of the library, too, manning the front desk and greeting library-goers with radiant positive energy.

“That’s what I started doing for the Secaucus Public Library,” Machno said. “I became their cruise director. I was always emceeing their live events. The library would have a festival, they’d give me the mic, and all day long I’d be out there.”

With a background in the entertainment industry, this came easy to Machno. He also took over the library’s social media pages at a time when no one had anywhere to go and everything was online.

“I was providing online content during the pandemic,” Machno said. “They were looking for programming things that could be done while people were at home.”

From ‘Trivia Night,’ to celebrity interviews and more

The trivia took place every Friday night, with a diversity of themes from Bollywood to American television shows and more. The event was held in a virtual format given the nature of the obvious pandemic circumstances of the time.

“I’ve got a software that I work with where people came on, they were able to interact with each other and me online in the comments section,” Machno said. “It was a way for people during the shutdown to still socialize. It just took off, and people just enjoyed doing it. Every type of trivia, whether it be Disney trivia, Seinfeld trivia, we would have prizes.”

Given the diversity of the population of Secaucus, the idea was to have something for everyone when it came to the weekly offerings. Machno added, “Any time a different group would have a holiday, I would make sure to include them.”

According to Machno, local businesses would donate gift cards for restaurants and other stores. He said it “really became a community thing.”

“It went beyong the library,” Machno said. “It’s something that now other communities are starting to sniff around for. I was chatting with some people in Jersey City … and it’s growing.”

According to Machno, following the trivia series, his programming expanded to include an interview series with everyone from local officials like the mayor and police chief, to authors and some celebrities he knows through his work, as well as community heroes he wanted to honor. Guests have included Jack Black and Kelsey Grammer to even former Gov. James McGreevey.

“I had quite a few people involved there,” Machno said. “It was a way to keep the community involved. It was going on for about three years. And it reached people from other towns or other states.”

In addition to that, Machno had celebrities or those adjacent to them at “Trivia Night.” The guest was usually relevant to the theme of that week.

“Joan Crawford’s grandson is a good friend,” Machno said. “He comes on for programs where we do Joan Crawford nights. He shows her private home movies. We bring a little something for everyone. I’ve had Peter Freestone, that’s Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant who lived with Freddie for the last 12 years of his life and was in the room when he died. So these are people that I know from being in the business.”

Machno is not only a local sensation, but has reached many across Hudson County.

Using industry connections to produce content

From those close to Joan Crawford and Freddie Mercury, to Dolly Parton herself, Machno has an array of celebrities whom he knows from his “9 to 5.” He used his connections in order to orchestrate the interviews and provide that type of entertainment content through the library.

“Dolly Parton, she’s another one I know just from being around. Being in the business, you get to know people,” Machno said. “Sometimes you’re lucky enough to make some really good friends, and everybody is willing to help each other. As small and tight-knit a community as Secaucus is, the entertainment industry is the same way.”

Machno said this type of programming during the stay-at-home order era of the pandemic was “extremely important” to residents. That’s why it was a no-brainer for the library to allow him to expand to include the interview series and other weekly live events.

The events took place both virtually and in-person, as the state of the pandemic allowed it. Machno’s programming continued to grow in popularity, leading to many regulars of the events akin to fans.

“People absolutely needed an outlet,” Machno said. “They needed an outlet to socialize. It just was a way for that to happen. Everyone was having those family Zoom meetings and getting together on there for birthdays. Everyone was finding all these different ways to stay connected and this was just another way to do that. It was a way to be connected, to be entertained. You have to be able to laugh, whether there’s a pandemic out there or not. If you can’t laugh … it’s only going to seem bleaker.”

Event programming in Secaucus and the rest of Hudson County

Now, Machno is actually no longer doing programming with the Secaucus library. He is in talks with some other entities to bring the same type of programs he offered in Secaucus to their municipalities. However, being a resident of the town, he was happy to be of service especially at a time when people needed a happy distraction.

“Secaucus is a wonderful town, being where I grew up,” Machno said. “That’s where I went to grammar school. For high school, I went to Hudson Catholic in Jersey City. But Secaucus … that town could grow as much as it wants to grow and it’s always going to have a small-town feel.”

Machno dreamed of working at the library. He’s always loved books and people, frequenting the library many times as a kid. And his programming aimed to make the library, as well as reading, fun.

According to Machno, for grammar school, he attended Immaculate Conception and then attended Hudson Catholic High School. Following that, his interest in show business and the like was sparked by performing as a standup comedian and serving as an emcee at clubs in New York City.

After that, he performed a show in Las Vegas, and also attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Also making a foray into voice-over work, he eventually found his way back home.

According to Machno, his family having lived in Secaucus impacted him greatly. In addition to his sister-in-law working at the library, his brother is a local officer for the Secaucus Police Department.

“Everybody does know each other,” Machno said. “You feel safe when you’re there. Even just driving through it going from Point A to Point B, there’s a sense of home when you go through it … It’s a strong community. It’s a community that endures. And really, during that pandemic, the town really came together.”

Machno said other towns have contacted him and that the programming is going to be growing to other towns. He wants to continue the trivia nights and interviews with celebrities as well as the other weekly events he used to host.

Machno’s programming has undoubtedly made an impact in Secaucus and beyond. Residents touched by him even reached out to Hudson Reporter to underscore that he deserved recognition for his trivia nights.

“Word got out, and now let’s see if we can make the state of New Jersey, or at least Hudson County, one big community,” Machno said. While he sets his sights on making his trivia events bigger than Secaucus, Machno said he would return in a heartbeat to emcee any such events again in town.

Machno has also hosted events for other Secaucus entries such as the Secaucus Rotary Club.

Making an impact on local communities

“It doesn’t matter what town, what state, you can always find my programming on social media platforms,” Machno said. “A lot of the communities that I go to, it really exposes it. So if it’s the Jersey City Library, the Secaucus Town website, whatever it is, it’s going to let people know we’re there. If you share the links … I’ve had people in Virginia, New York … Other people are coming just because they know I’m calling numbers, or I’m doing a dunk tank. They always show up. It’s flattering.”

Machno takes pride in what he does. He said: “I truly love people and I love being able to make a difference.”

And people love Machno, too, from your average resident to even Mayor Michael Gonnelli. Secaucus resident Evan Comer said, “His shows continue to be watched by the Secaucus community and the surrounding towns, and his presence has even reached people in other states … I believe he is someone that brings such joy to his own community and many others and who people should be watching and talking about. He has brought many communities together with good, wholesome fun and informative entertainment. That sort of thing seems to be rare these days.”

While many of his trivia events and other programming were virtual given the nature of the time, they can still be rewatched and enjoyed. Machno’s content is immortalized on his Instagram at @mrjdm80 and other social media platforms.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Secaucus changes residential parking zones

Hudson Reporter

December 6, 2022

12seccouncil15 — The Secaucus Town Council meets in person at Town Hall, with the meetings recorded and posted online afterwards.

Secaucus has made some changes to its residential parking zones.

Mayor Michael Gonnelli and the Town Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 127A of the municipal code entitled “Residential Parking.”

The ordinance was first introduced back in October.

According to the ordinance, Gonnelli and the council recognize that safe parking for all residents, visitors and motorists is “of utmost concern.”

The town has a residential parking program that was developed to alleviate unfavorable parking conditions and address conditions created on residential streets.

The ordinance states that the mayor and council have determined based on resident needs and review by the Secaucus Traffic Division that updates were needed to add locations and correctly reflect the zoned areas.

The ordinance removes Arch Avenue, Fisher Avenue, Franklin Street, Myrtle Avenue and Poplar Street from Zone I. It adds them and Gary Terrace, the entire length of the streets, to Zone II.

Other changes under the ordinance include the removal of sections related to the “time limits nonresidents [are] authorized to park in residential parking zones.”

Sections removed touched on that parking is prohibited for nonresidents of the parking zone, sections regarding temporary visitor placards and penalty minimums.

The town council also introduced another ordinance that would add Farm Road, the entire length and the public lot, and the entire length of Riedel Court into Zone II. The town is divided into four zones in total.

The next council meeting is on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building at 1203 Paterson Plank Road.

Meanwhile, the town is also considering other parking-related changes to Hops Lane.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Harmony Dispensary receives state approval for recreational cannabis sales

Hudson Reporter

December 5, 2022

12seccannabis15 — Cannabis consumers over the age of 21 can rejoice and soon make purchases at the Secaucus dispensary. Photo courtesy of Harmony Dispensary.

Harmony Dispensary, a medical cannabis dispensary in Secaucus, has received approval from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) to begin selling recreational adult-use cannabis. The nonprofit medical cannabis dispensary had been working toward this end for many months, much to the anticipation of eager future customers across Hudson County.

The commission voted 4-1 on Friday, Dec. 2, to approve Harmony’s expansion of operations to include recreational cannabis sales under its vertically integrated medical permits. The facility near where Castle Road meets Meadowlands Parkway, which was among the first few medical dispensaries in the state after it opened in 2018, can now begin selling recreational cannabis to adults over the age of 21 in the next few weeks.

At the NJCRC meeting on Dec. 2, which was streamed online, Executive Director Jeff Brown said that Harmony was among four facility-modification applications that the state had approved. Additionally, Harmony was also approved for medical home delivery.

Later in the meeting, Brown explained his recommendation for approval for the alternative treatment center’s (ATC) adult-use expansion application. Brown added that the NJCRC’s considerations for the application was focused on patients, the number of patients enrolled statewide, patient enrollment at the specific ATC, inventory statewide and at the ATC, sales statewide and at the ATC, the current medical cannabis canopy, the canopy needed to serve enrolled patients, and the ATC’s production capacity.

“When an alternative treatment center entity permitted to operate in our medical market wants to expand to adult use sales, they have to meet a number of statutory and regulatory provisions,” Brown said. “These include municipal approval, proof of sufficient supply to continue to meet patient need after expansion, plans to ensure patient access, and plans to address social equity and safety.”

According to Brown, the Harmony Foundation, which operates Harmony Dispensary, had submitted their plans to expand into adult-use sales. According to Brown, they include adding point-of-sale systems for patients only, have undergone a facility modification to their dispensary, have committed to all the patient access standards and provisions that the commission has recommended and included with other ATC expansions. Because of that, he said Harmony Foundation’s application was recommended for approval, which includes both cultivation and dispensing at the facility in Secaucus and cultivation and manufacturing at its Lafayette facility.

Harmony Dispensary received a Class 1 cultivation license for its facilities in Secaucus and Lafayette, at 144 Route 94, a Class 2 manufacturing license for the Lafayette facility, and a Class 5 retailer license for the Secaucus facility. While the Secaucus facility is both a dispensary and cultivation location, the Lafayette facility is only for cultivation and manufacturing.

There was also a condition of approval included in the recommendation. Brown said that if the dispensary could not adequately serve patients at its medical-only point-of-sale systems, then it would have to add more or convert some of the adult-use point-of-sale systems.

“Our recommendation of this approval is that the issuance of the Class 1 cultivator license is conditioned on the first harvest from their Lafayette facility,” Brown said. “This is to ensure that the cultivation in Secaucus continues to meet the needs of patients while their new cultivation capacity is fully operational … They are opening new patient-only point-of-sale systems. If those are insufficient, a condition is that they will have to move their adult-use point-of-sale systems back to serving patients as well if the patient-only point-of-sale systems are not sufficient to meet the needs of patients.

The move follows Harmony Dispensary’s expansion application not being approved by the state board in October after filing its application in July. It was expected to be on the NJCRC’s October agenda, but it was not, which in response, CEO of Harmony Foundation Shaya Brodchanel called the move “inexplicable” and a “delay.” Meanwhile, spokeswoman for the NJCRC Toni-Anne Blake said that Harmony’s certification was still under review. While it wasn’t clear then what the hold-up was, it seems it may have been related to the aforementioned conditions of approval relating to cultivation and point-of-sale systems.

The NJCRC approved Harmony’s expansion from medical only to recreational cannabis sales at its December meeting.

Town is ready for recreational sales at Harmony Dispensary

Meanwhile, the town of Secaucus has already given all necessary approvals to Harmony. The town has been preparing for it in recent months, further ironing out things relating to its cannabis ordinances like license applications as more entities seek to apply to open.

Secaucus originally banned recreational cannabis sales temporarily in 2021 via an ordinance prior to the state deadline to enact local parameters or automatically have it all permitted. At that time, Town Administrator Gary Jeffas said the ban was a placeholder until the town figured out where and how it wanted to allow recreational sales.

In May of this year, the Town Council lifted the ban after it ironed out all the details. That new ordinance outlined the rules and regulations for the local industry in town.

With that, Secaucus limited the area where dispensaries and the like can open in a light industrial area. That area consists of five warehouse lots on Castle Road, of which one of the lots is where Harmony Dispensary is already operating with an official address of 600 Meadowlands Parkway.

After the state approval, Harmony has a new pop-up on its website that reads: “Congratulations Adult Use Patrons of NJ. We look forward to serving you soon, but at this time Harmony Dispensary is MEDICAL ONLY. Stay tuned!“

According to Harmony Dispensary’s website, the company still only serving medical-use patients with valid NJMMP ID cards and plans to enter the adult-use recreational market in the “very near future,” and encourages eager customers to sign up for its newsletter “to stay up to date” about the announcement while it continues to serve medical patients.

“Harmony looks forward to continuing to serve the patients of NJ and the new Adult Use Cannabis community,” according to the company website.

Following the NJCRC approval, Shaya Brodchandel, the Harmony Foundation CEO, put out a press release celebrating the action that makes the medical dispensary the first in the state to expand to recreational sales. Brodchandel said that they “have been preparing for this for a long time.”

“This is a historic day for Harmony, and, we believe, for the growing cannabis industry in New Jersey,” Brodchandel said in a statement. “As the first New Jersey-based ATC to expand into the adult-use market we are going to show that cannabis businesses born in this state have the ability to join those multi-state operators and thrive, reinvesting our successes into our local communities.”

According to Brodchandel, Harmony is ready to sell recreational cannabis to adults while maintaining its supply to medical patients. Part of this plan to enter the recreational market in addition to the medical market translates to the planned medical dispensaries by Harmony in Hoboken and Jersey City.

“We are ready to begin welcoming a new population of clients, while simultaneously giving our longtime patients the same great service they deserve and have become accustomed to,” Brodchandel said. “We have a proven track record of serving the medical cannabis community for many years, and we will not turn our back on those that use our products for health purposes.”

The move marks a shift in the recreational adult-use industry, given that it is currently dominated by eight large multi-state operators that own the 21 dispensaries presently licensed to sell. Most of those entities have maxed out the limit of three dispensaries each, but three have not, meaning that total can be brought up to 24. However, Harmony will likely be the first smaller and New Jersey-based entity to operate a dispensary in the state once sales begin, right here in Hudson County. Brodchandel hopes Harmony will be an example to local entities seeking to enter the market, which is expected to continue to experience massive growth each year.

Brodchandel concluded: “Harmony has a commitment to the state and people of New Jersey. As Harmony continues to grow, and achieve even greater business success, our core mission will match the intentions of Governor [Phil] Murphy for the industry and be a force for lifting up others that have previously not been afforded opportunities for entrepreneurial success.”

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Award-winning Singer Cristina Fontanelli performs her 19th Annual “Christmas in Italy”

Hudson Reporter

December 5, 2022

Cristina Fontanelli (www.cristinafontanelli.com), award-winning singer/actor and PBS/-TV host for Andrea Bocelli, along with musicians, a youth dance troupe and choir, will perform Italy’s best-loved songs, Arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics in Cristina Fontanelli’s 19th Annual “Christmas in Italy®.”

This is a charitable concert takes place at the Bruno Walter Auditorium for the Performing Arts at the Lincoln Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza (Street entrance: 65th Street at Amsterdam Avenue), New York City,10013, on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ms. Fontanelli says, “I began this annual Holiday tradition to preserve Italy’s great classic and popular songs, and the values they represent, for younger generations. We are continuing, along with the tree in Rockefeller Center and the Rockettes, a beloved NYC Holiday tradition.

Program includes Italian songs: Torna a Surriento, Mamma and Ave Maria, plus Christmas classics such as White Christmas; operatic selections from La Boheme and La Traviata; and guitar and mandolin solos such as the Godfather Theme. Here is Ms. Fontanelli’s CBS-TV interview and performance of the famous Neapolitan song “O Sole Mio.”

Musicians include: Matthew Hayden, accompanist; Joyce Balint, mandolin (NY Philharmonic); Bill Schimmel, accordion (Grammy nomination) and David Galvez, guitar. Matthew Cerillo, young guest tenor; the Xaverian High School Choir (Brooklyn) and the youth of the Dream Studio of the Performing Arts (Staten Island) will dance to “Dominick, the Italian Christmas Donkey.”

This concert was conceived by Cristina Fontanelli and is produced by the 501 c-3 The Cristina Fontanelli Foundation, Inc. The mission statement includes creating family-friendly musical productions giving young people performance opportunities and growing the awareness of the scientifically proven societal benefits of classical music and the arts. Tax-deductible donations can be made thru: www.thecristinafontanellifoundation.org

Tickets: $79 (VIP), $68 (General), $62.50 (Seniors) and $35 (Children under 12) are available thru Purplepass Tickets: (800) 316-8559 or on-line: www.purplepass.com/ItalianChristmasMatinee and www.purplepass.com/ItalianChristmasEvening. Call the office of The Cristina Fontanelli Foundation Inc. (212) 967-1926 for more information/group tickets.

Accolades: Cristina Fontanelli has been called a “Vocal Genius” in the NY and international press. The New York Times said: “The best work came from Cristina Fontanelli.” The New York Daily News said: “Fine, fine work from soprano, Cristina Fontanelli.” The Epoch Times: “Cristina Fontanelli, Preserving Values Through Opera.” The New York Sun: “Vocal Genius”

About Cristina Fontanelli: Brooklyn-born Cristina Fontanelli has performed throughout the United States and internationally singing title roles with the Palm Beach Opera, The Boston Pops and the St. Louis Symphony and has received the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts from the Order Sons of Italy in America (previous recipient Luciano Pavarotti). She has appeared on PBS-TV and was honored by the Italian Government as an artist of Pugliese descent. She has performed for the Clinton White House and for the George W. Bush Presidential Inauguration. She appears annually at 54 Below and for Opera & Broadway of the Hamptons. She has won Best Actress in two International Film Festivals and sings in 9 languages.

LISTEN TO CHRISTINA LIVE:

West New York Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo to run for mayor in 2023

Hudson Reporter

December 2, 2022

12wnycirillo08 — West New York Commissioner of Public Affairs Cosmo Cirillo. Screenshot of Cirillo's announcement video posted to social media.

West New York Commissioner of Public Affairs Cosmo Cirillo has declared his candidacy for mayor in 2023. This sets up a showdown with outgoing Rep. Albio Sires, a Democrat currently representing the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey and former three-time mayor of the town, who has also announced his candidacy for mayor.

Sires decided to retire, and was replaced by Congressman-elect Robert Menendez, Jr. after the November midterm elections. Sires decided to retire and said he would run for mayor of West New York instead of running for re-election for Congress because Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez is going to run for the state Assembly for a seat after the new map takes affect post-redistricting.

Now Cirillo has thrown a wrench in Sires’ plan. He announced his candidacy in a video message on social media on Thursday, December 1, touting his accomplishments from expanding recreational opportunities, to maintaining rent control among other things.

“For the past eight years, I’ve had the honor of serving as your Commissioner of Public Affairs,” Cirillo said. “As someone who has grown up here, went to school here, and spent my entire life in town, I am extremely proud of the work I have been able to accomplish, such as expanding and improving recreational activities for our residents, starting a brand new tutoring program at the library, maintaining strong rent control regulations, having my office assist a countless amount of residents with rental assistance during the pandemic and feeding thousands of families every summer through our Recreation Food Program.”

According to Cirillo, in addition to those activities in town, he has also been key in the ongoing plans to renovate parks and construct parking garages. He said that he plans to continue the work that the “New Beginnings” slate ran on and won in 2019 leading to the election of Rodriguez, indirectly calling out Sires.

“I am also happy to have assisted in the implementation of upgraded parks and fields, a plan for three brand new and much needed parking decks throughout town, the first of which is scheduled for completion within the next months, and other improvements around West New York,” Cirillo said.

“When our current team of Commissioners ran four years ago we ran on a slogan of ‘New Beginnings’ for our town, yet here we are at a critical crossroads where we can choose to move backwards or stand together and move West New York in a positive and promising direction forward.”

Cirillo ran with Rodriguez, who is also Sires’ godson, as well as Commissioners Victor Barrera, Yoleisy Yanez, and Margarita Guzman in 2019. In a sweep of the election, they defeated incumbent Mayor Dr. Felix Roque and his slate of commissioners.

Sires has confirmed that the two didn’t see eye to eye and that he stands by his track record in town, according to the Hudson County View. Apparently, Barerra and Yanez are expected to run with Sires and Guzman is expected to run with Cirillo.

“I believe actions speak louder than words,” Cirillo said. ” West New York needs and deserves a mayor that is willing to put in the hard work, effort and time, that will be available and accessible to listen to and address the concerns of our community and understand the issues our residents face on a daily basis and also work day and night to be a true servant for our community. It is for these reasons, after careful consideration and listening to the words of encouragement of my family and supporters, that I am officially declaring my candidacy to be the next Mayor of the Town of West New York.”

Prior to being a commissioner, Cirillo was a president of the West New York Board of Education and a staffer for former Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez. Now he is tossing his hat in the ring to be mayor, in what may be a three-way race if Roque decides to run for his old post, which he has hinted at.

Regardless, Cirillo said he will announce more information about his candidacy and team in the coming weeks. Before 2022 has ended, the 2023 race for the mayor’s office in West New York has already begun.

“Over the coming weeks, I look forward to introducing my dynamic team that share these same values and who I believe represent the very best of West New York,” Cirillo said. “In closing, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you that have supported me in the past and continue to support me. For those of you I have not had the privilege of meeting, I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail and working tirelessly to earn your vote and working even harder to keep your trust once elected. It is my hope that you will join my team and I on this exciting journey. By working together we can and will move West New York forward.”

The Hudson Reporter has reached out to Sires and Roque and so far neither has replied.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

TEDxBayonne 2023 is accepting applications for speakers

Hudson Reporter

November 30, 2022

12baytedx08 — City Councilman At-Large Loyad Booker Jr. was one of the six speakers at the first TEDxBayonne in 2022. Photos by Daniel Israel.

After an outstanding series at TEDxBayonne 2022, the search is now on for speakers for the next iteration of the conference.

The annual independently organized TED Talks conference in the city were co-founded by Bayonne residents Carissa Lintao and Maxim Sokolov. The duo had a vision in 2021 to bring the talks to Bayonne and made that a reality in April of this year. The goal of the conference is to bring together local thought leaders to share world-changing ideas, with its motto being “to uplift, challenge, and inspire.”

From vision to reality

TED, a non-profit organization which aims to promote “the idea of spreading ideas,” began in 1984 as a conference about “Technology, Entertainment and Design” before becoming an established non-profit. Since then, the conferences and their approximately 18 minutes or less TED Talks have been hosted worldwide by the organization.

TED Talks feature a lineup of short, informative, and motivational speeches given in front of live audiences that are recorded and shared online on YouTube and social media as well as other platforms. The TEDx Talks are the localized version of the wider reaching TED conference.

Since its founding, the TEDxBayonne team has expanded. In addition to Lintao as Operations Head and Sokolov as Marketing Head, the TEDxBayonne team also features Advisor Allan Escobar, Media Manager Sofia Marino, Advisor and Ex-Speaker Nicos Marcou, Advisor Rob Napoli, Communications Coach Lisa Patti, Acting Coach and Stage Specialist Bobby Allan, Stage Manager Hannah Lauren, and Photographer Cat Lee.

TEDxBayonne aims to be a catalyst for progress in the Bayonne community and beyond. The conference seeks to inspire people to change their lives and ultimately make the world a better place.

‘Future? Future!’

After 2022’s theme of “re.think,” the theme for 2023 is “Future? Future!” According to TEDxBayonne, “Future is not something to hope for. It’s something to create.

“Future has become such a loaded word. For some it carries so much promise and excitement, for others it’s an opportunity to talk about unrealistic and wishy washy agendas and ideas, but for the majority it’s simply a word that incites endless anxiety and stress. It may seem that everything around us — politics, news and social media — are all slowly defeating our optimism and presenting this bleak picture for our future lives. This spring, we want to change that,” according to TEDxBayonne.

In 2023, the local TED Talks are going explore stories and ideas that will restore optimism in “tomorrow,” help return people to the things that matter most in life, and present solutions and paradigms that will guide in building a future “worth getting excited about.” Next year’s talks aim to be more ambitious after this year’s success.

In 2022, there have been over 115,000 total views of TEDxBayonne talks on the official TEDx channel, over 300 active newsletter subscribers, over 3,000 total website traffic over the past year. In addition, the conference tickets sold out in under 36 hours, featuring six speakers including Nicos Marcou, Ilknur Eren, Nathan Lugo, Michelle Arpin Begina, Mike Stanlaw, and Loyad Booker, Jr.

The first-ever TEDxBayonne speakers and organizers pose for pictures after a successful event.

Apply to be a speaker now

In 2023, TEDxBayonne aims for one to two more speakers, better networking opportunities, wider audience reach, and improved event experience, as well as community initiatives and impact. Projections for 2023 include over 500,000 total views of TEDxBayonne talks on the official TEDx channel, over 600 active newsletter subscribers, and over 6,000 total website traffic over the year.

To apply to be a speaker before the submission deadline of January 8, 2023, go online to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5DW1gVNHNBDP9J0fGSuNZ4ZE0yCsEYLcslVDrfDXMAgQ2rQ/viewform. Tickets are not yet available for purchase.

The non-profit and volunteer-run organization is also accepting donations to spend on equipment and set up, outsourced professional video production, and venue rental. For more information, to donate, or to watch last year’s talks, go to tedxbayonne.com.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Bayonne increases parking violation fees, among other changes

Hudson Reporter

November 24, 2022

12bayparking01 — Fines for parking violations in Bayonne have increased, such as for a violation of no parking for street sweeping. A parking ticket for that, such as the ones seen here, will increase from $23 to $50 as of January 1, 2023. Photo by Daniel Israel.

Bayonne is ushering in more changes to parking, the most notable being an increase to many fines for violations.

The City Council adopted four ordinances and introduced another two relating to parking at its November meeting. This followed the adoption of two ordinances in October, related to the clarification of the industrial zoning parking requirement and the removal of the fee schedule that could be paid if there was a parking deficiency for buildings in certain zoning districts.

The first parking ordinance adopted by the council in November authorized the creation of a loading zone for Hudson Milestones on the north side of Gertrude street from Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The loading zone would being at a point 113 west of the northwest corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Gertrude Street and extending 50 feet west from there.

Parking violation fees increased

For the second adopted ordinance, Law Director Jay Coffey said during the public hearing that the city was increasing fines for parking violations. He said certain ones had not been updated in 20 years.

“In the review with the Municipal Court, there were amendments to the fines,” Coffey said. “We’re raising most of them $1 or $2, in one case there’s $3 or $4. But for the most part, they’re minimal changes to the fees.”

Resident Gail Godesky asked if that included fines for parking in yellow lines, in front of fire hydrants, and double parking. She said that those situations occur often in the city.

Coffey confirmed there are already “substantial penalties for all of those.” City Council President Gary La Pelusa said that those things, as well as parking in a bus stop, were included in the ordinance.

Godesky said then it was a matter of enforcement. She added: “The law is there and the ordinance is there.”

Coffey said the city already had the ordinance in place, this was just increasing the fees although some are statutory and can’t be raised by the city. La Pelusa added that many haven’t been changed in a while, noting that he was told the last time the fees were changed was in 2014.

The ordinance raises the fines for traffic violations, and will go into effect January 1, 2023.

Most fees were increased by a few dollars, except for one. The largest increase was for violations of parking prohibited for street cleaning from $23 to $50. Fines for violations of handicapped parking remain the same at $250.

Parking in Bayonne, much like the rest of Hudson County, is a hot button issue. File photo.

Temporary parking prohibition changes made in ordinance

The third ordinance adopted by the council pertained to the temporary parking prohibition for snow plowing and removal, special events, emergencies and or construction related activities, as well as parking meter bags.

During the public hearing, Godesky asked if this pertained to Kennedy Boulevard since many events occur there. She described the current snow removal following storms by Hudson County on the county road as abysmal and wanted to ensure residents on the Boulevard were serviced this year.

La Pelusa said that Kennedy is still a county road regarding snow removal, but that this applied to other instances. He noted: “This ordinance is for representatives of repair, construction, contractor individuals.”

Godesky interjected that the ordinance includes snow plowing. Coffey said that this pertains more so to contractors taking up parking space during work as opposed to snow removal.

“In the case of special instances, like PSE&G, Fletcher Kramer… this is pertinent to them rendering services and what they have to do or not do,” Coffey said. “And then if there is a construction crew out there, and somebody violates the terms…”

Godesky jumped in again to asked if things shooting movies in the city would qualify as special events per the ordinance. Coffey said that they would.

“Does it have to do with the movie that’s being done downtown, where people couldn’t vote?” Godesky said.

“If it’s a special event, maybe it’ll be covered under here,” Coffey said. “If [it’s] impacting traffic, then yes.”

Changing the fee structure for contractors using parking spaces

Godesky then took issue with parking in the city overall. La Pelusa reiterated that this was more about fees paid by contractors for using parking spaces while rendering certain services and less about providing parking.

“People couldn’t vote because they were getting yelled at for double parking,” Godesky said. “They had a gazillion cones and residents didn’t have any place to park. The kids are off from school this week, so the parents may be off as well. So we have to think outside the box and look forward and not just for that time period. So please take that into consideration.”

“This ordinance is more about fee structure for when services have to be rendered for those garbage containers and things like that,” La Pelusa concluded.

According to the ordinance, “whenever it becomes necessary for representatives of Verizon, Public Service Electric and Gas Company, any service, repair, or construction contractor or individuals having temporary specific need to use a parking metered space… for a vehicle, dumpster or storage for longer than the allotted time prescribed by this article, then parking meter bags… may be issued upon approval of a Metered Parking Space Agreement by the Bayonne Parking Utility. The ordinance adds the use zoned residential space to the municipal code, and that no-parking signs may also be issued.” It also adds that approval may now be granted by the Bayonne Police Department.

The ordinance states the fee for the use of parking meter bags is $10 per 24-hour period. The ordinance adds that is for a single head meter, and that it costs $20 per 24-hour period for a double-headed meter.

The fee will be charged until the time of the return of the parking meter bags. The ordinance adds that the fee for a no-parking sign will be $25 per day.

Other parking changes in the ordinance and other ordinances

The ordinances changes the rates for time limited metered parking on a public street from $0.10 for each 10 minutes to $0.25 for each 15 minutes. It also adds that no vehicle can park at a meter on a public street for more than two hours.

For temporary parking permits, the ordinance changed their validity from 30 days to 21 days

The ordinance adds that permit fees are now $5 per residential parking permit. A senior discount of 2 free passes will be available to any resident 62 years or older.

According to the ordinance, it is $5 per temporary visitor parking permit. It is $200 per non-resident parking permit which is valid for one year.

For time limit metered parking lots, the ordinance changes the rate from $0.50 for each hour to $0.50 for 30 minutes. There will be a ten-hour limit.

For Permit Parking Lots, the ordinance increased the fee of $75 per month for a daily permit fee to $150, and from $35 per month for a night lot permit to $70. The Parking Utility issues monthly parking lot permits not to exceed 40% of the total number of parking spaces in the lots under its jurisdiction except in the two lots located on East 26th Street north and south sides between Broadway and Avenue E.

The fourth ordinance adopted deleted a number of restricted zones for handicapped parking spaces across the city. The first introduced ordinance would add one handicapped parking space on Avenue E. These type of ordinances are typical occurrences at the monthly council meetings.

The other introduced ordinance would include 1 Port Lincoln Road, the site of the future UPS Logistics Center in Bayonne, into the regulations for the movement and parking on all private property. The next meeting will be held on December 14 at 7 p.m. at City Hall at 630 Avenue C, with more information on bayonnenj.org.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

West New York considers two five-year tax exemptions

Hudson Reporter

November 23, 2022

12wnyboc01-01 — The two projects that would be supported by the financial agreements are nearly completed as of July 2022. Images via Google Maps.

West New York is considering awarding two financial agreements to a redeveloper to support the construction of residential units in town.

Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez and the Board of Commissioners introduced two ordinances that would each grant a five-year tax exemption at the November 22 meeting. The first ordinance would grant the exemption to 6108 Fillmore, LLC for the property at 6108 Fillmore Place.

The project involves the construction of three residential units at 6108 Fillmore Place, previously a two-story single-family home. The project is nearly completed on the three-story multi-family home with the three units and ground-floor parking.

The town would award the the exemption per the state’s Five Year Exemption and Abatement Law, as well as town ordinances including the Five Tear Tax Abatement Ordinance. These allow the town to enter into a tax agreement with an applicant for the exemption and abatement of local real estate property taxes and the payment of an amount in lieu of full property taxes.

This is as long as the property is in an area declared to be in need of rehabilitation, which the town had previously declared.

In 2020, the property generated $4,851, which represented taxes on the land. Under the five-year tax exemption, 6108 Fillmore, LLC would be required to pay the town full taxes on the land, estimated to be $4,851 per year, reaping the town $24,256 for the three residential units over the five years.

Those payments would occur in addition to the payments-in-lieu-of-taxes to the town under the agreement for the new improvements to the site consisting of the three residential units. When the project is completed, the taxes on the new improvements are estimated to be an annual $21,949 for the three residential units based on the current tax rate.

For the first full year following substantial completion, there would be no payments made on the new improvements. The second full year following completion, an amount equal to 20 percent of the taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $4,389 of the $21,949. In the third full year, an amount equal to 40 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $8,779.

In the fourth full year, an amount equal to 60 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $13,169. And in the fifth full year following completion, an amount equal to 80 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $17,599.

The project improvements will generate an estimated $43,939 in payments-in-lieu-of-taxes to the town over the five year period. This is in addition to the annual $4,851 in full taxes on the land paid to the town, which totals $24,256 over the five years. Overall, the town stands to make $68,195 in that five-year period.

Following the expiration of the tax exemption, the project is estimated to generate a tax payment of approximately $26,801 This includes the taxes on the land and is based on the current tax rate.

6110 Fillmore Place

The town is also considering an ordinance with the same redeveloper for another project at 6110 Fillmore Place. This project also consists of three residential units in a nearly completed three-story multi-family home with ground-floor parking built on the site of a former parking lot, and the numbers for this agreement are identical to the first.

In 2020, the property generated $4,851 which represented taxes on the land. Under the five-year tax exemption, 6108 Fillmore, LLC would be required to pay the town full taxes on the land, estimated to be $4,851 per year, reaping the town $24,256 for the three residential units over the five years.

In the fourth full year, an amount equal to 60 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $13,169 And in the fifth full year following completion, an amount equal to 80 percent of taxes otherwise due on the new improvements will be paid to the town, estimated to be $17,599.

Following the expiration of the tax exemption, the project is estimated to generate a tax payment of approximately $26,801 This includes the taxes on the land and is based on the current tax rate.

In total, the town would benefit from the agreements to the tune of $136,390. Each project consists of three-story multi-family homes with a ground-floor garage and three units each, down from the redeveloper’s proposed 10 unit, four-story building originally shot down by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in May of 2020.

Both ordinances authorizing the five-year tax exemption will be up for a public hearing and vote at the next Board of Commissioners meeting on December 14, at 6:30 p.m. held remotely and or in person. For more information, go to westnewyorknj.org.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Bayonne unexpectedly loses another police officer

Hudson Reporter

November 22, 2022

12bayskalski01 — Image courtesy of the Hoboken P.B.A. Local No. 2.

Another Bayonne police officer has unexpectedly passed away, according to Mayor James Davis. On November 21, Davis noted that Sergeant Robert Skalski died.

“Sadly, I must announce the passing of Bayonne Police Sergeant Robert Skalski,” Davis said in a statement. “Robert died, unexpectedly in his home this morning.”

Skalski served Bayonne for over 24 years, and was well known throughout the city, according to Davis.

“On behalf of our entire community, I want to express our deepest condolences to wife Carole, daughters Rebecca and Victoria, and his brother Raymond, who is a retired Sergeant from the Bayonne Police Department,” Davis said. “Rest in Peace Robert.”

Police Chief Robert Geisler echoed Davis in offering his condolences to the family.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the death of Bayonne Police Sergeant Robert Skalski. Sergeant Skalski died unexpectedly on 11-21-2022,” Geisler said in a statement. “Sergeant Skalski diligently served our community for approximately 24 years. He will be sorely missed. On behalf of myself and the entire department, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Skalski Family.”

In addition, the Hoboken PBA Local No. 2 also offered their thoughts and prayers.

“It’s with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Sergeant Robert Skalski of the Bayonne Police Department,” the organization wrote on social media. “This is the second sudden loss for the Bayonne Police Department in a week. We ask that you keep Sergeant Skalski’s family and his Police family in your thoughts and prayers.”

This is the second death in the past two weeks, following the passing of Captain Paul Jamolawicz on November 11. The first in the line of duty death for the Bayonne Police Department in 52 years, he was laid to rest in Bayonne on November 17 with a massive showing of local law enforcement officers.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Secaucus considers parking changes to Hops Lane

Hudson Reporter

November 17, 2022

11secparking24 — A view heading westbound on Hops Lane in Secaucus. Image via Google Maps.

Secaucus is considering amending where parking is prohibited on Hops Lane.

Mayor Michael Gonnelli and the Town Council introduced an ordinance that would do so at its Wednesday, November 9 meeting.

The council previously enacted measures to alleviate dangerous situations on the town’s streets, promote safe passage for motorists and vehicles, to address traffic flow, and specify penalties for violations.

Upon review and recommendation of the Police Department, the mayor and council have determined that changes to the ordinance are warranted on Hops Lane to accommodate the parking and traffic needs of the area.

On the south side of Hops Lane, parking is currently prohibited along the entire length. Now, it would only be prohibited from Schmidt’s Place to Paterson Plank Road.

On the north side of Hops Lane, parking is currently not prohibited. Under the ordinance, it would be prohibited on that side of the road from Stonewall Lane to Schmidt’s Place.

Traffic study conducted by police

Prior to the ordinance being introduced, the Police Department Traffic Bureau conducted a traffic study to evaluate the parking in the area of Hops Lane. The one-way road begins at Stonewall Lane and heads west to Paterson Plank Road.

While the current ordinance prohibits parking on the south side of the entire length of Hops Lane, the study found that vehicles regularly park there anyway, specifically between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. The study sought to determine why residents parked there despite being in violation.

Additionally, the study was largely in response to an incident caused when a large pickup with an attached trailer was parked on the south side of Hops Lane, directly in front of a home, and another vehicle was parked on the north side of Hops Lane, between Floral Terrace and Poplar Street.

The vehicles being parked on both sides of the street restricted the travel lane rendering it impassable for large vehicles. Specifically impacted were school buses which were forced to re-route during school transit hours.

The focus of the study was ensuring the safety of the motorists while maintaining as many parking spaces without compromising the travel width of the roadway. The investigation by the Police Department found there were no signs delineating that there was no parking on either side of the street, which is why residents likely parked there in violation.

There are five houses on Hops Lane, with three located between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place. All three of those houses are on the south side of Hops Lane, and the remaining two homes are on the north side of Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, which the study identified as the likely reason that parking shifts to the north side of the street in that area.

Hops Lane averages approximately 22 feet wide, never expanding wider than 25 feet and becoming narrow at 20 feet, specifically in the area between Schmidt’s Lane and Paterson Plank Road. At its widest, the roadway does not offer enough width for parking on both sides while maintaining the minimum 12 foot travel lane.

Options to address the issue limited

Because of these things, the option to amend the ordinance and allow for parking on both sides did not present itself as a solution in this case, according to the study. A second option of allowing vehicles to continue parking in the manner in which they have been was also deemed not a solution by the police.

A third option was to erect proper signage and begin enforcement of the ordinance. However, an obstacle to that was driver conditioning the study said, as Stonewall Lane transitions into Hops Lane around a blind right-hand curve. Due to the current state of parking in the area, when entering Hops Lane, immediately following the curve from Stonewall Lane, drivers are conditioned to expect the north side of the street to be clear of parked cars.

The department assumed that because it is a residential road, the drivers using this road and the roads in the area are familiar with the status quo. Creating a change to the pattern, specifically enforcing the no parking on the south side and forcing vehicles to park on the north side, will create a significant difference and doing so on the blind side of the curve will take a considerable amount of reconditioning, according to the study.

In addition, if the parking prohibition was enforced on the south side, there would be a significant increase to the pedestrian traffic crossing the road, creating another abnormal condition for drivers to become accustomed to. The study ultimately found that the violation of the town’s ordinance has gone unenforced for too longer and beginning to enforce it now would create safety concerns and too great of an impact on the public.

According to the study, changing the ordinance to prohibit parking on the north side of the street instead of the south, except for the portion on Hops Lane between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road, would be the best solution.

Following the change, signs will be placed between Stonewall Lane and Schmidt’s Place on the north side of the street, and between Schmidt’s Place and Paterson Plank Road on the south side of the street.

Once the parking signs are in place, regular enforcement of the area will be conducted. Following that conclusion in the study, the council is set embrace that exact recommendation from the Police Department.

“It is our opinion, based on our investigation that this strategy will minimize the impact on the residents in the area by causing the least increase in pedestrians crossing the road, eliminating the need for driver reconditioning, and lastly, have the least impact on the amount of parking in the area,” wrote Officer Michael Bronowich of the Police Department’s Traffic Bureau in the traffic study.

The ordinance will be up for a public hearing and vote at future meeting. The Town Council will meet next on Tuesday, November 22. For more information, go to secaucusnj.gov.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].