IN  YOUR  OPINION

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In the 24 years I have lived in the 31^st District, few politicians have been as responsive
as Assemblyman Lou Manzo.  Even if you don’t agree with him, he’s open to hearing other
opinions and getting educated on the issues.  Also very important he’s accessible and
wants to help.  He’s been on my TV show several times and has never declined an invite
to speak about the issues unlike Sandra Cunningham, a no show, and Dr Charles Epps.  
Lou is a worker unlike most of his predecessors.    We have many difficult issues facing
us and the state has been grossly mismanaged like Jersey City.  It’s time people stop
voting in automatic pilot for the Hudson County Democratic Organization like a bunch of
zombies.  It’s the person’s record who counts, as in any job, and I strongly urge people
to split their vote.  We’re in the mess we’re in due to the stranglehold of the HCDO.   

Vote for Lou Manzo for State Senate, B1, a proven, effective legislator who works hard for
his constituents. For State Assembly, I’m impressed with Nick Chiaravalloti, B2.  He’s smart,
an attorney and has years of economic development and legislative experience at the
local level under his belt.   Here’s the split.  My other State Assembly endorsement is
Tony Chiappone, A3, who never should have lost to Dr Charles Epps.  The talk 2 years
ago was if elected, Dr Epps would get us more state school aid but ironically we’ve had
our aid reduced the last 2 years.  Dr Epps has become the poster boy for abusive Abbott
District school spending which has infuriated the suburban legislators to cut our aid. 
Keep in mind million dollar, tax abated condos do not pay school taxes. 

Tony Chiappone initially sponsored the bill that convicted pols in office would forfeit their
pensions.  That’s the only way to stem the rampant political corruption which is costing us
taxpayers tens of millions in higher taxes.  Once Tony left the Assembly the bill died but
has just recently been re-introduced. 

My impression of Jay Cassidy, B5, the incumbent County Sheriff, has been very favorable. 
He seems effective and deserves another term.

Mia Scanga
Executive Producer - Talking Politics
Jersey City

( NEVER PUBLISHED BY THE JJ )

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PJP land fill controversy

Janine Natale’s, “We don’t need another park”, well meaning comment that the taxes from the AMB warehouse will lower taxes
 may be logical but never has applied in Jersey City.  No amount of building whether offices, condos or warehouses has lowered
 Jersey City’s taxes because the more you give the politicians, the more they squander.  Look at all the building we’ve
experienced in the last 10 years and the city still has an annual deficit in the tens of millions.   

This past January 2006, I attended the public hearing for the city’s budget, which started July 1^st, 2005!  In my 20 years or
so of attending budget meetings, it’s always when the year is 50% to as late as 75% over that the council is approving the
budget so the money has already been spent.  You’d think a new administration facing a huge deficit would be ordering cut
backs like any prudent business or household would. 

How did the new Healy administration handle it?  Everyone got raises and they added tons of new people.  For example,
departmental salary increases included the “Mayors Action Bureau” at 35%, Mayor’s Office got a 32% increase, Office of the
City Clerk got 16%, Dept of Recreation-Director’s office got 10%, Health & Human Services got 13%, Architecture got 17%,
Cultural Affairs got 35%, Fire got 9%, NIDs’ got 59%, Traffic & Transportation got 48% etc.  The response I got on the 73%
increase in the Business Administrator’s office salaries was the addition of messengers & security guards to that budget but
to the tune of almost $800,000?   I was at the podium for an hour and the Business Administrator’s response was always the
same, we added more people.  Spending was up $32 million for one year alone!  You’d need 32 AMB warehouses to cover that
increase alone!  The bottom line is the Healy administration raised taxes 18% and refinanced city bonds to the tune of costing
JC taxpayers over $139 million in additional interest charges, wasted money!  There is no shame here any more. 

Historically when a new administration comes on board they fire the patronage from the previous administration.  Not the Healy
administration, they just added their layer of patronage on top of the Cunningham and Schundler pork.  You can watch this
budget meeting, Jersey City Budget, streaming off my website, www.talkingpolitics.net.  

As for Natale’s statement on the yuppies, I attended and filmed the August 10^th public meeting between Mayor Healy, the
AMB Warehouse people and the residents who live near the PJP landfill.  They want ball fields for their kids.  When did that
become a bad thing?  This city, with a sky rocketing crime problem particularly among juveniles and gangs, has added zillions
of new housing units but no new swimming pools, ball fields or courts.  People select places to live based on location, schools
and recreation for their families. That meeting, PJP Landfill Controversy, is also streaming off my website and is currently
broadcasting on Channel 51.  See my website for show schedule.  You’ll see that the crowd was in their 30s’, 40s’ and 50s’,
yuppies?  No one asked for a golf course and I’m sure those same residents will fight anyone who tries to swap a golf course
for ball fields for their kids. 

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The Jersey Avenue extension is back....

Ten years ago a small group of us formed CRAJAE, www.hartwheels.org, to fight the Schundler administration
against the Jersey Avenue extension to connect Jersey Avenue with Liberty State Park.  After a considerable
amount of research and meetings, we put together the pieces of the puzzle and got a handle of all the
development planned for that immediate area.   We were stunned.

It included a new medical center with 360 beds, which is open.  Recently opened Schools 3 & 4 with over 1300
elementary & middle school children and several hundred teachers & support staffs are here.  The Liberty
Harbor North Development with several hundred residences is currently under construction.   HBLRT lite rail
trains crossing Jersey Avenue by the medical center ever 3-4 minutes all day, every day, has been here.  Now it’s
all in plain sight. 

But guess what?  The extension of Jersey Avenue is on the radar screen again and is an option under discussion
by the city through their new consultants doing the Downtown Traffic Circulation Study.   The public reads the articles
in the Jersey Journal about bus drivers and autos running lights and slamming into lite rail trains.   Does no one
from the city or the consultants walk around and look at the area?  We’re amazed that after 10 years those of us
still here are back to fighting this highway extension issue which could kill people. 

Your article “Fixes due for light rail” is timely what with all the accidents.  HBLRT can have all the fixes in the world
but bad planning by the city will circumvent it.  This proposed Jersey Avenue extension is a great example of sheer
stupidity and bad planning by the city.  It’s obvious that the area is over-developed with major projects.  A highway
will make things worse. 

More people need to get involved to fight this highway extension before we have casualties at Jersey Avenue by
Grand Street.  The next public meeting by the consultants is September 21^st at 6pm at the Caucus Chambers in
City Hall.  Help us put a final end to all this nonsense of a highway running into trains, school children, hospital visitors
and patients.  See my old website www.stopbretschundler.com/JA.htm for more details.

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Tax Increase

Recently, taxpayers received a letter from Mayor Healy with the second quarter tax bill.  Mayor Healy told taxpayers, “You will
be pleased to find that your taxes for the second quarter should be close to that of last year.”  That statement is untrue!  When
I checked the second quarter of 2005, and compared it to the current 2006-second quarter, my taxes went up exactly $343.99
for that one quarter.  Mayor Healy continues to state, “…the same should hold true for your third and fourth quarter municipal
 tax rate.”  While I don’t have those tax bills I also doubt if that statement is true because the municipal portion went up by 18%. 

It is becoming apparent that property owners, who receive tax bills, are becoming second-class citizens.  We receive an
increase of 18%, not including raising water bills while tenants in rent-controlled buildings (five units or greater) can only
receive an increase of 3.8% this year.  Tenants on the waterfront as well as low-income housing are not affected by raising
property taxes due to tax abatements. 

The mayor and this municipal council do not worry about property owners because they can appeal to the voters who are not
affected by rising property taxes. 

If we had a municipal income tax instead of property tax and Mayor Healy sent a letter to tenants in low income housing stating
taxes are the same as last year, I seriously doubt he would be a contender for re-election. 

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City Hall has no fiscal shame

Once again the public turnout at the city's budget meeting was disappointing but then again in the 18 or so years of budget
meetings I've attended it's never been scheduled for 5 p.m. Even the City Council President Mariano Vega didn't make it.
Wasn't he quoted in The Jersey Journal as looking for suggestions from the public? Is the Healy administration sending a
message?

You've got to have a job to pay the 14 percent tax increase in the February 2006 quarterly bill. At the public meeting, I didn't
 get the impression that the City Council really scrutinized the budget. How can they raise taxes and allow massive salary
expense increases. Examples of departmental salary increases include "Mayors Action Bureau" 35 percent; Mayor's Office
32 percent, Office of the City Clerk 16 percent, Dept. of Recreation-Director's office 10 percent, Health & Human Services
13 percent, Architecture 17 percent, Cultural Affairs 35 percent, Fire 9 percent, NIDs' 59 percent, Traffic & Transportation
48 percent, etc. The response I got on the 73 percent increase in the city Administrator's office salaries was the addition
of messengers and security guards to that budget - but to the tune of almost $800,000? Distressed companies cut salaries
and expenses not go hog wild like the Healy administration.

As for the revenue side, the 18 percent parking tax revenue is going down in 2006. It's a $5.2 million line item and the city
hasn't audited a lot in more than 15 years. The reasoning given by the Business Administrator is most lots are computerized
and they fill out the forms! Hello - it's a cash business! Most companies are computerized but also get audited. It's obvious
that internal controls and audits are not concerns of the city finance personnel. As for tax abatements, again the city never
audits them but the salary budget for "Abatement Management" is up 10 percent.

Then there's the $6 million reduction in 2006 revenue from the Municipal Utilities Authority that the City Council accepted
while the MUA raises our rates annually and the city adds hundreds of new housing and commercial units but the taxpayers
don't see a dime.

As for the bond refinancing, it appears the additional cost to the taxpayers will be about $139 MILLION! It's the same old
gimmick, push off the principle bond payments to the next administration. Many of the bonds have been refinanced so many
times they've lost their tax exempt status.

What about that early retirement the Healy administration had? Many of the same people have been rehired on an hourly basis.
Now the same people collect two checks! What was the savings for the taxpayers?

Gov Corzine comes into office and starts cutting positions as he faces a state budget crisis. Mayor Healy comes in and adds
his patronage and incompetence on top of all the prior administrations. There is no shame anymore!
 

Vega avoids taking blame

This letter is in response to Mariano Vega's letter. Mr. Vega responded to comments made by the Jimmy King's Civic
Association.

Councilman Vega's letter tries to justify the tax increase as though city government has no control over certain costs. For
instance, he lists $13 million increase in debt service and $6 million increase in the cost of pensions. Why didn't Mr. Vega
include the cost of the police promotions? That is a budget line item that the city could control. I believe those promotions
 were made so retiring officers could enjoy higher pensions. Let's not forget Mayor Healy said 190 officers are retiring this year.

The pensions cost is not a surprise. All municipal and county governments expected that increase. It was a budget gimmick
by former Gov. Whitman. Prudent governments put money aside for die expected increase.

Then Councilman Vega states that the City Council is able to find a way to restructure the city's debt service. Again, this is
not a new item. How many times has Mr. Vega voted to refinance the city's debt? The debt has been refinanced so many
times that it has lost its tax-exempt status.

Vega states Jersey City will receive additional revenue through prepayments of taxes from Gold Coast developers. That is a
fancy way of saying the city , will allow developers to prepay their tax abatement bill this year; however, that means next year
the city will not receive any revenue! Our city has been practicing this gimmick for years — a reason for unstable taxes every
year.

Next, the councilman comments on the water bill. He states he is not happy with the increases, but users must keep up with
rising cost. He failed to say that we, not United Water, have bonded tens of millions to improve the water system. The bonds
are paid for by taxpayers, not United Water. If the public is paying for the improvements as higher taxes in the form of bond
indebtedness, then why are we paying higher water bills?

Many Hudson municipalities are plagued with high taxes. They must pay three budgets: county, municipal and board of
education. Ironically, Jersey City should be one of the lowest tax municipalities because it only pays 13 percent of the school
board cost which has been fixed for 17 years. Neighboring Hoboken and Bayonne pay 63 and 54 percent, respectively, of their
schools' cost.

So why are taxes higher? Because our city government has continued to give tax abatements. Abatements are not ratables,
 they are contracts. Only ratables can stabilize the tax rate.
 

Manzo extends his jurisdiction

Regarding the Heights Hope Block Association meeting with Assemblyman Lou Manzo which appeared in the March 18 Jersey
Journal:

At the meeting Manzo made a statement regarding the preschool proposed for the site on Summit Avenue where Stop & Shop
wants to build their mega store. He suggested moving the proposed preschool to a site between Hoboken and Ogden Avenue
just behind Christ Hospital.

Although I'm a lifelong Heights resident, I had a hard time locating this site on a map. Once I finally found it, it was no wonder
why I had such a hard time. The site is not actually in the Heights! I have a question. Does Lou even knows where the site is?
He is proposing to put a Heights preschool in the Downtown section of Jersey City —the industrial area of the city. Stop &
Shop's new store is better suited for that site then a preschool. Keeping in mind Mr. Manzo's family school bus business,
I hope he isn't making this suggestion for his own benefit and self interest.

The Heights is in dire need of better schools. The site on Summit and Jefferson is not in Lou Manzo's jurisdiction and in case
he has not noticed, he wasn't elected mayor of Jersey City at the last election.

Parks planning needs all views

We need aggressive approach to crime

In light of Chief troy's letter last Feb 2, I think this is an important topic to continue. The truth is that this discussion is not only
 about murders as the chief would have one believe. In order to not misconstrue my rationale for my request of the chief's removal,
it was not based solely on the murder increase but it was based on an increase in most of types of violent crime such as rape,
burglary, robbery, auto theft etc. The FBI crime statistics do not lie. They show Jersey City with an increase in crime, since
Chief Troy has taken charge, of 11 percent. When comparing these numbers to other municipalities, Newark had a much
smaller increase, while New York City showed a decrease of .5 percent and even Camden showed a decrease in violent crimes.

Furthermore, in the last year, Jersey City has dropped several spaces in the widely regarded Morgan Quinto rankings of
safest cities. To me, our poor performance not only jeopardizes the safety of our residents, it jeopardizes property value, and it
jeopardizes our standing in the region. Now, if we agree that there is an increase in crime, which I think is fairly difficult to
dispute, then the question that needs to be addressed is WHY and who is accountable?

I have heard many times the chief's excuses for the increase in crime. I can't subscribe to the theory that the increase in crime
is solely based on manpower because our police force numbers are relatively the same from the previous two administrations
to Chief Troy—if anything, we have we have hired more police officers but there still seems to be less visibility. Furthermore,
I can't subscribe to the excuse that crime is increasing everywhere in New Jersey because if you look at statistics of our
neighboring cities, as cited earlier, several have shown a decrease.

To me, the issue is based in deployment changes from management. Chief Troy has taken many police out of uniform and
placed them into plain clothes; further-more, he has pushed for massive police promotions last year despite tax increases
facing the city. As the Jersey Journal has cited in a recent editorial, it seems we have a very high number of supervisors to
officers now. This is a pure management issue that the chief is responsible for. It is certainly never easy to put pressure
on someone's job but the first priorities are too correct a wrong situation and have accountability.

In the last week since my request, Chief Troy has held more commander meetings. Furthermore, he has returned several
walking posts, he has moved additional police details to night shifts that previously were not, he has shown up at several
community meetings, and the police visibility has increased overall in many parts of the city. Although it has only been one
week since pressure mounted, I think this is a step in the right direction.

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Since Mayor Healy knew this $40 million hole existed then he should not have spend taxpayers’ money on promotions in the
police department.  The police and fire account for 70% of the city’s budget.  Those promotions cost taxpayers a great deal of
money.

 Mayor Healy also states that the city has added 152 police to the force.  Historically, our city normally hires additional police
 through grants, not taxpayers’ money.  If Mayor Healy hired the new officers without grants, then our city did not serve its
citizens well, if the city hired the new with grants then that should have been in the letter.  Without that clarification – taxpayers
will think that the increase in taxes is related to the new hires. 

Several years ago, Councilman Healy voted to extend the ADP abatement for 10 more years.  Since the property was paying
conventional taxes, this move cost taxpayers $800,000 dollars.   It is this kind of action that put a financial burden on taxpayers.

 This financial strain is evident with United Water and the MUA.  Our government has decided to accept less revenue from
those institutions. We are losing $6 million?  Why, water rates have increased? Furthermore there are more buildings, which
means more water customers.  The city’s budget should be flushed with water revenue.  It is unacceptable that the mayor
accepts less money from United Water/MUA while passing on a tax increase to taxpayers.  Instead of accepting less money,
 the mayor should urge the State Attorney General to investigate the irregularities of those institutions.

 Yvonne Balcer
Jersey Journal-  March 2006

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Do we have enough condos?

After moving to Downtown Jersey City less than 18 months ago, I have been dismayed by the pace of redevelopment. On the
one hand, I cannot keep track of the numerous new towers rising in the skyline. On the other hand, the modest homes on my
street are being renovated, rejuvenated and often condominionized.

Despite being a property owner, I worry that we are at a* tipping point When it is too much development? Is it too much when a
 developer wants to demolish our last hope for open space in Harsimus Cove? Do we really need condos more man we need
fresh air, and perhaps a few trees?

Steve Hyman has already started what he hopes to finish - demolition of the Siyth Street Embankment structure, an historic
landmark and precious patch of nature in the heart of an urban center. In the coming years, Jersey City will have more than
enough condos.

But will we have a place for our children to play or to meet with our neighbors as we walk the dog? Will our elected officials
listen to the communities they represent and ensure that the Embankment is preserved as open space for all? Don't just hope -
write a letter, make a call, take a stand - whose neighborhood is this anyway?
 

Go after Tawils, not just small fry

I read with great interest, and some disgust the article in the Jan. 23 edition of The Jersey Journal regarding the arrest warrants
 against landlords for violations of the Jersey City building and housing codes and the failure of these landlords to appear in
court to answer the charges of violations written against them for buildings they own in various parts of Jersey City.

What a fiasco! Owners of buildings with violations are arrested and had to post bail, 11 people in all with a total bail amount
of $19,960, while the Tawil Family avoids paying its taxes, fines and buildings violation costs and other charges totaling
millions of dollars. What a travesty of justice. Small property owners arrested while the wealthy go 'scott free.' The $19,960
is an infinitesimal amount compared to the millions the Tawil Family owes Jersey City. Is that fair? You bet it isn't!

A recent letter I wrote which was published in The Jersey Journal called upon Jersey City officials to make every effort to
collect the unpaid and long overdue taxes, fines for building violations, water bills and other charges that the infamous
Tawil Family owes but flagrantly ignores. No arrest warrants are issued for this landlord whose buildings are a disgrace to
the Journal Square area, while 11 small property owners faced arrest and confinement in jail if they did not pay the bail. Again,
is this justice? I don't think so.

With property taxes on the rise in Jersey city - first quarter tax bills have already been sent to home and business owners
reflecting a more than 13 percent increase - water use charges skyrocketing and crime rampant in all sections of our fine city,
the Jersey City warrant squad went out to issue summonses to 11 people. But not one for the Tawil family. It's great to have
people with influence in high places. In this case a state legislator whose law firm is representing the Tawil Family against the
legal action, still not initiated, by the City of Jersey City. This astute legislator has many friends in high places in government
here in Jersey city and other communities throughout the state. His influence reaches far and wide. Why not? He's a great
fund raiser for the Dem-3n County. When will our City Fathers get up the courage and gumption to go after, aggressively
 and vigorously, the law defying Tawil family.

Collecting the fines owed by the Tawil family real estate conglomerate could go a long way in reducing the increased tax
burden placed on our residents. The $40 million projected deficit in the municipal budget could be substantially reduced
 if the Tawil Family paid the millions owed.

Members of the Jersey City City Council, do your sworn duty to uphold the laws of the City of Jersey City.  send the
warrant squad to arrest the Tawil family!
 

James King  -  Jersey City
Jersey Journal - January 9, 2006
 

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TAX ABATEMENTS  ARE PAY-TO-PLAY

I want to commend the Jersey Journal for their articles on “abatements.”  As a frequent speaker at council meetings,
I always speak against abatements.

First abatements are not “ratables.”  Ratables are the tools the county uses to strike the budget.  Abatements are contracts. 
If they were ratables, then the dollar amount the city needs to raise for taxes would drop.  Our present rate is over $46.00 per
thousand.  It could be in the $30.00 range if developments were not abated. 

Secondly, politicians always say they are building affordable housing and uses abatements as a process.  Since the
city is also using money from state/federal grants, then the city must accept citizens from other cities/states. This does
not help the citizens from Jersey City who needs housing. They lose out in housing in a similar way workers lose out on
construction jobs.

Additionally, affordable and luxury housing impact the local school district. The district is always looking for available space to
add to the growing number of students.  Local taxpayers will feel this impact when the state “takeover” ends.  Some state
funding will evaporate.  However, local taxpayers are obliged to pay the funding for the students whose families took advantage
of the programs.  Affordable/Luxury housing build with abatements do not pay board of ed taxes.  Jersey City just pays 13%
of the cost, which is low compared to other communities.

The city should build affordable housing without abatements.  The city can start a program where the housing costs are
limited to 1%, instead of market-rate.  Additionally, the city should never build luxury housing with abatements.

Another consideration is open space.  Jersey City has approved some large developments with abatements.  During the
ordinance, I ask, “Where is the open space?”   My question is always ignored. 

Ironically, Councilman Lipski, a proponent of abatements, now wants to turn Reservoir 3 to ball fields.  Left as it is,
everyone can use, but made into ball fields, then it would be reserved for teams.

 The bottom line is abatements are rewarded to developers.  It is another tool of “pay to play.”  It doesn’t address the
issue of open space, stable taxes, local jobs for residents, or affordable housing for its citizens.  
 

YVONNE BALCER
Jersey Journal -  November 25, 2005