It’s a proposed $43,000 annual contract with Liberty Humane Society to manage stray and lost pets. However, part of the contract specifies rather harsh penalties for any animals that are caught:
“When specifically notified by the Municipality, LHS shall attempt to impound any stray or licensed dog or cat running at large on the streets of the Municipality for the purpose of issuing summonses to the owners thereof where possible and appropriate. When such impoundment occurs, the dog or cat shall be put up for adoption or humanely disposed of, after the seven (7) day waiting period.”
Great! Head over to Ben & Jerry’stoday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, where boathouse volunteers will be scooping ice cream for customers in an effort to raise some funds for this most unique recreational facility in Hoboken. A portion of the proceeds will help benefit the boathouse.
Ben & Jerry’s is located at 405 Washington Street. Enjoy!
So on today’s Hoboken City Council Agenda – is resolution regarding a park in the SW section of town (often referred to as SW6). This is a small section on Block 12(less than 2 acres).
Up at stake is a $3 million dollar grant from Hudson County tied to SW Hoboken which was “re-programmed” to the city NINE months ago. Originally back in the summer of 2008 – this funding was meant for the contaminated Henkel Cognos site uptown (which BASF now owns), but that option is now off the table. The grant was only available for three years, but the city got a one-year extension and the funds were re-allocated for use in the 4th Ward of Hoboken.
4th Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti called Mayor Dawn Zimmer out on this, and she was forced to “play along,” otherwise the foundation of her campaign promises would have been called into question.
While the city says the grant funding is exclusively for Block 12, Hudson County Officials have unofficially said this funding available for any legitimate use in SW Hoboken.
Giattino vote can make or break Eminent Domain option
Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Director Brandy Forbes have dragged their feet on this so long – and now the city may be in jeopardy of losing the funding if a use is not found for the funds. Zimmer has claimed that “negotiations have fallen short” with the property owner, Ponti, who owns the parking lot that occupies the majority of the land in question. In reality, Zimmer’s back is “against the wall,” and this eminent domain option is the only “easy way out.”
Hoboken411 has learned that is not the case. What has happened is, the “negotiations” are so-called “falling short” because Zimmer and Forbes “don’t negotiate” with property owners.
Zimmer wants to low-ball Ponti for around $2.4 million, and refused any further conversations with them.
The property was said to be assessed at close to $8 million back in 2008. The Mayor wants it to appear that the property owner is the one that is to blame, even though she’s offering an extremely under-priced offer for the property.
It’s estimated that Ponti may earn over half a million dollars a year in parking revenue for this spot. Even if the City Council gets the needed votes to start with Eminent Domain proceedings – this will most certainly be appealed by the property owner, and the case will be hung up in litigation for an unknown length of time, further jeopardizing any city acquisition of said property before grant funding expires.
Translation? You probably won’t see a new park in this area of SW Hoboken this decade. Rather than attempt a fair free-market deal, the Mayor is essentially saying: “You better accept my low-ball offer, or we’ll just steal your property from you anyway.”
6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino has generally been against Eminent Domain, and would rather the Hudson County funds go to “her ward.” She normally votes lock-step with whatever the council majority and mayoral administration (i.e., shadow Mayor Stan Grossbard) wishes.
We’ll see tonight if she “changes her tune” due to immense pressure from the “powers that be.” Odds-makers in Hoboken currently have even odds that Giattino will “suddenly have change of heart” to allow the Mayoral Mafia continue their psychopathic power trip.
Hoboken411 Talking Point: Did you know there are some other good options the city can consider rather than going after Block 12?
We have a horrific “slum lord” property owner (Zaklama) who owns the site at the 1st & Jackson St. fire last year (Nardine’s), as well as four parcels across the street (see diagram above). This would make an almost similarly-sized recreational area for SW Hoboken residents. You could have a kiddie area on one side, and a passive recreation (i.e., dog run) on the other side. Not only could this property be attained for less than $3 million – the leftover funds can be used for the development of said parks.
Maybe if the city got their heads out of their asses, we’d make some sensible progress!
Melting Pot in Hoboken, NJ hosts “Fondue For A Cure”
The Melting Pot of Hoboken and the Relay For Life of Hoboken joined forces for the months of April and May to raise money to find a cure for cancer. Relay for Life of Hoboken has partnered with Hoboken businesses in the past – but this contribution from The Melting Pot went way beyond a one day event.
Two-month marathon fundraiser
For the entire two month span, $2 of every “Big Night Out” Meal and $5 of each bottle of Concannon Pinot Noir sold has been donated to Relay for Life.
The Melting Pot places a donation line at the bottom of each check for you to donate to the Relay For Life of Hoboken. Any donation, no matter how big or small, is greatly appreciated by the organization.
The Relay For Life of Hoboken will be taking place at Pier A Park on Saturday, May 19th from 11am to 11pm. This is the event’s 10th year in Hoboken and they are working hard on their goal of $200,000 for the year and $1 million raised in Hoboken over the past 10 years!
The Melting Pot is located at 100 Sinatra Drive and will be open all day on May 19th. All information regarding the Relay for Life of Hoboken can be found at www.relayforlife.org/hobokennj
Hoboken Holistic Parenting & Family Wellness Group
Here’s an announcement regarding a new parenting program in Hoboken. Mark your calendars for Thursday evening, May 17th if this interests you.
Are you a parent or an expecting parent?
Would you like to build social and health connections, nourish and expand your parenting options, meet with like-minded parents and fellow community members, establish a supportive community & discussion Group, and discuss topics relevant to achieving a family wellness lifestyle?
If so, there is a new, valuable resource available in town, just for you.
It is with great excitement that we announce the formation of the Hoboken Holistic Parenting & Family Wellness Group!
Our Group provides a safe and supportive environment where we can come together to discuss family wellness issues important to you and your family, ask questions, and share parenting techniques. How it will work: We will have facilitated discussions led by a local Hoboken chiropractor – the dynamic Dr. Laura Brayton, D.C. – who specializes in pediatrics and maternity.
Come join us for our inaugural meeting, which will take place on Thursday, May 17th from 7pm to 8:30pm at Symposia Bookstore. Get to know the members of our community, discuss important family wellness issues, and meet our fantastic guest speaker, Karen Ranzi, a well-respected lecturer, raw food consultant, and the author of the book Creating Healthy Children.
Subjects to be discussed at the May meeting include: the vaccine controversy, surviving the in-laws, myths of modern medicine, nutrition, holistic health care, informed choice parenting, the truth about homework, C-section recovery, and language development.
To become a member of the Group and to RSVP for the May gathering, please visit www.meetup.com/Hoboken-Holistic-Parenting. For further details, please call Dr. Brayton’s office at (201) 792-3544.
We believe stepping onto our personal pathway to wellness is a consciousness-raising act with the power to regenerate and transform ourselves, our families, our communities and our world.
Below are the meeting documents for tonight’s city council meeting. Insane the spending this city is engaging in… we have a $100 million dollar budget as it stands, and close to $20m in new bond ordinances this week above and beyond. Something is quite wrong with the way this city is being run.
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