Kearny On The Web

Happy New Year

January 1, 2009. (Harrison, NJ). KOTW wishes everyone a Happy New Year.

Happy Hanukkah

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2008. (Kearny, NJ) KOTW wishes everyone a Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas. I especially want to give thanks for those who have supported KOTW throughout the years. Some have supported KOTW by taking time to express their opinion on our Discussion Board. Others have purchased some of the KOTW merchandise or made purchases by clicking on our advertisers. Every purchase insures the future success of KearnyOnTheWeb. I hope that everyone enjoys this Holiday Season. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones this year, the holiday season is especially tough. Remember to reach out to a neighbor or friend to share some of the holiday spirit. We give thanks for all that we have.

Kuehne Chemical:

Still One of Most Dangerous Plants in U.S.A.

December 6, 2008 (Kearny NJ). The Kuehne Chemical plant in South Kearny is once again in the news. The Center for American Progress released a report entitled Chemical Security 101: What You Don’t Have Can’t Leak, or Be Blown Up by Terrorists. Kuehne Chemical is one of the companies on the list of 101 most dangerous chemical plants in the United States. Readers of KOTW have long been aware of the potential for a disaster. It is disturbing that little has been done to ensure the safety of the public from a terrorist attack on the Kuehne Chemical plant. KOTW has long advocated for a public-private partnership with the owners of Kuehne to convert their chemical plant to a facility which does not house large quantities of chlorine gas on site. The Center for American Progress report agrees with KOTW's recommendation: the Kuehne plant should be retrofit to produce bleach by using salt and electricity rather than from chlorine gas which would eliminate a terrorist target-- the storage and transportation of large quantities of chlorine gas in and around the plant. The Center for American Progress also recommends the phasing out of the distribution of chlorine gas. Both Senator Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez have attempted to make the plant safer but progress has been slow. It seems that America is reactive rather than proactive. Being reactive especially with a chemical plant that has the potential of effecting 12,000,000 lives is simply irresponsible on the verge of being criminal.

For those who continue to think that there is no need for governmental intervention in the chemical industry, read the December 4, 2008 Jersey Journal article entitled Chlorine Plant tries to Head Off Fines. Kuehne was cited and fined by OSHA for thirty three worker safety and health violations. One of the more disturbing violations was the failure to secure one-ton containers of liquid chlorine on forklift trucks to prevent them from falling off. The spokesman for Kuehne stated that the violations were mostly "paperwork violations".

KOTW hopes that the Obama Administration will work closely with Senators Lautenberg and Menendez to secure the Kuehne Chemical plant. The lives of at least 12 million people depend upon it.

For more information on the Kuehne Chemical plant visit our Environment page and let us know what you are thinking at our Discussion Board.

Obama Wins

November 5, 2008 (Kearny, NJ). Barack Obama has won the election for President of the United States. In a very heartfelt speech, Senator John McCain conceded the election late last night to Obama. It is truly an historic moment. The first black President of the United States. More historic then that is that many of us do not measure him by the color of his skin but how eloquently he speaks and inspires us to believe in the promise of America. Both John McCain and Barack Obama were excellent candidates. Obama will undoubtedly reach out to McCain for help in dealing with the challenges facing our nation and the world. Obama's character is exactly what our nation needs. His demeanor is soothing. His intelligence refreshing. His humble beginnings inspiring. Tonight, our nation proved that we are still the greatest democracy in the world. That in itself has jumped started the world's moral and economic recovery.

What do you think? Join us on our Discussion Board.

Election Day:

Heavy Turnout Expected

November 4, 2008 (Kearny, NJ). A heavy turnout is expected today in the Presidential Election. For months, our Discussion Board has been alive with discussions, sometimes heated discussions, on the merits of voting for Barack Obama or John McCain for President. No matter who wins, this Presidential Election will be historic. What makes America great is the freedom to have an opinion and the ability to express it freely. As one enters the voting booth today let us not forget how important our right to vote is and how many individuals died or suffered greatly to secure the right to cast their vote. If you haven't voted yet, don't wait because there are a lot of first time voters casting their votes in record numbers which is expected to create long lines. Vote during the middle of the afternoon before five o'clock if possible as a morning and evening rush is expected.

If you are not sure where to vote both Barack Obama's and John McCain's websites have a section where you can put in your address and it will tell you the location of your polling place. Obama's does not require you to put in your last name to get the voting location only your address.

Please use our Discussion Board to tell us your experience and thoughts about the election and voter turnout in your polling location.

Last Minute Agenda Publication

October 18, 2008 (Harrison, NJ). Mayor Raymond McDonough continues business as usual in Harrison. Yesterday's Special Council Meeting included the required Public Hearing on the Town Budget. The only problem was that most of the Town's residents were unaware of the Special Top Secret Council Meeting. With the exception of 2nd Ward Councilmembers Steve and Maria McCormick, Mayor McDonough has no opposition on the council and continues to skirt the requirements of the State's Sunshine Law. Notification of and the Agenda for Friday's Special Meeting was not posted on the Town's website until late Friday afternoon just in time for residents to read it on Saturday morning. Open Government is not a word Mayor McDonough wants to understand. The town's website has yet to publish a copy of the actual town budget. If you want to read the actual town budget, you can go to the Town Library and the staff there will allow you to read it in the library. Most town's publish the Town Budget weeks in advance on their town websites.

Click here to read the Agenda for the Friday October 17th Special 5 p.m. Meeting. Hurry as the Agenda will be deleted as soon as possible for the Town's website.

Special Top Secret

Council Meeting

October 16, 2008 (Harrison, NJ). Mayor Raymond McDonough and the Harrison Town Council will hold a special meeting tomorrow Friday, October 17, 2008 at 5 p.m. in Town Hall. The exact nature of the meeting is unknown because as of the close of business today, Thursday October 16th, the Town Clerk had not published the Agenda on the Town's website. The Town's website also failed to mention the Special Meeting in its Town Calendar or Meeting Date section.

It is not unusual for the McDonough Administration to hold Special Friday meetings. In fact this year, the Mayor and Council have held five special meetings. Tomorrow's meeting with be the sixth Special Meeting this year. Critics of McDonough Administration point out that the Special Meetings are held on Fridays at 5 or 6 p.m. purposely to reduce attendance by town residents. It works. Important issues including redevelopment, bonding and the town's budget have been the content of the special meetings. Despite the state requirement that the town announce its meetings on the Town's website, the town webmaster fails to do so. Agendas from past meetings are not archived and immediately removed once the meeting is held. The Webmaster apparently has no problem with deleting informational items. It is adding informative and timely items that he has a problem with. Obviously, the Webmaster reports to the administration whose interests he is upholding.

If an Agenda is published, KOTW will publish the agenda. Until then we can only imagine what important item of town business will be discussed (or not discussed) and passed at the unannounced Special Friday evening meeting.

Star Ledger Owes

McDonough Administration An Apology

October 15, 2008 (Harrison, NJ). In an article published last year in the Star Ledger entitled "Little town a big target in hunt for corruption" reporters Jeff Whelan, Rick Hepp, and John P. Martin wrote that investigators were eyeing the McDonough administration for corruption. Mayor Raymond McDonough denied in an Observer article that there was any investigation. Almost a year later it appears that Mayor McDonough was correct. There has been no news since the Star Ledger article was published on October 22, 2007. Mayor McDonough's Administration has made no changes and business as usual continues. The Star Ledger reporters stated in their article that "federal and state investigators have recently trained their sights" on Harrison. If there is a federal or state investigation, there has been no indictments.

Many supporters of Mayor McDonough were upset with the Star Ledger article. Since it has been almost a year since the article and there have been no indictments, the Star Ledger reporters owe the McDonough administration an apology. Since the article was published, there have been no follow up articles. Indeed the Star Ledger has not reported on Harrison since the article. No reporter from the Star Ledger attends town council or redevelopment meetings. It appears that the article that appeared last year was a cheap shot at the McDonough administration just before the November General Election. The Star Ledger has for years ignored Harrison. One wonders what source the Star Ledger used for its article. Apparently not a good one. The article appears to have been politically motivated.

What do you think? Join us at our Discussion Board.

Harrison Settlements

September 25, 2008 (Harrison, NJ) As promised here are the settlement amounts for Anthony DeRose, Manny Amaral and Steven Adler. DeRose will receive 1.4 million for his property on Sixth Street. Amaral will receive 4.5 million for his property along South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. Steven Adler will receive an initial 5 million to settle the "blight" count of his complaint. In addition, Adler and the Harrison Redevelopment Agency will submit to arbitration two issues: 1. the value of Adler's buildings which have been demolished. 2. The contribution (if any) that Adler must make to the cost of removing contaminated soil from his properties.

Adler has contended that his building were worth an additional 14 million dollars and that the cost of removing contaminated soil is limited to what would have been necessary if he continued to utilize his properties for parking and light industrial uses. The remediation that has been done is more costly since the properties will be used for residential purposes. It is estimated that Adler may be awarded another 10 million dollars or so after arbitration is completed. It is not clear whether the designated redevelopers will be solely responsible for the payment of the settlements or whether taxpayer dollars will be used.

The Observer ran a very comprehensive story in this week's edition entitled Harrison Commons Lawsuit settled The Observer has not always gotten both sides of the Harrison Redevelopment story. This week's article is balanced.

Beth Higgins

September 25,2008 (Harrison, NJ). KOTW has received information from a reliable source that Harrison's Chief Financial Officer, Beth Higgins, will be vacating her position before the end of the year. The official reason being given is that Higgins is vacating the position for personal reasons.

Beth Higgins is the sister of Peter Higgins who is the Chairman of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency. Peter Higgins and Mayor Raymond McDonough were the subject of a Star Ledger article almost a year ago which suggested that there was an ongoing Federal investigation in Harrison. Mayor McDonough denied that there was an ongoing investigation or any wrongdoing. Since then the Star Ledger has not followed up with any additional articles and it appears that Mayor McDonough was correct in his assertion that his administration was not under investigation.

DeRose, Amaral & Adler Settle:

Challenge to Harrison Redevelopment Ends

September 13, 2008 (Harrison, NJ). A reliable source has informed KOTW that Anthony De Rose, Manny Amaral, and Steven Adler have settled their litigation against the Harrison Redevelopment Agency and Harrison Commons Inc and Harrison Commons LLC. The settlements provide for substantial increases in the amount of money being paid for the properties located adjacent to the Harrison Path Station. The Harrison Redevelopment Agency and Harrison Commons had come under increased pressure to move the redevelopment project forward to meet the town's commitment to the Red Bulls to provide a parking garage for its fans. In addition, there were several recent decisions including a decision dealing with redevelopment in Long Branch which aided landowners in their battle to keep their properties. The settlement assures that the construction of the parking garage and additional housing will be built alongside the Harrison Path station. KOTW will publish the exact terms of the settlements as soon as they are made public.

Rendering from Applied Development on Harrison Commons Development

Harrison Commons is a joint venture between the principals Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II, LP, Pegasus, Endeavour, LLC, Applied Harrison, LLC and Harrison Commons, LLC

There was an article in the Jersey Journal entitled Harrison, property owner end eminent domain fight about the Amaral settlement.

Harrison & East Newark

September 11 Memorial Ceremony

September 9, 2008 (Harrison, NJ). Councilwoman Carol Mandaglio announced that the Mayor and Council will hold a memorial candlelight vigil on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in front of the 9/11 Memorial located on Harrison Avenue at the Library Park Green.

The memorial event will be held rain or shine and all are welcome to attend. The vigil will be dedicated to the all who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Mayor Joseph Smith announced that the East Newark Mayor and Borough Council will hold a special ceremony for the seventh anniversary of September 11th at the East Newark Borough Hall on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

Robert B. Knapp will be Master of Ceremony. Guest speakers will be Mayor Joseph R. Smith and reverent clergy and officials from various veterans groups. Mayor Joseph R. Smith, Shirley F. Becker and Charles Bubenas of Post #36 will place wreaths.

Students and staff from the East Newark Public School will attend and participate in this remembrance ceremony. The public is invited to attend this ceremony.

At this time it is unclear whether Mayor Alberto Santos and the Kearny Council will also be holding a memorial ceremony. Kearny's town website did not have any information on their town calendar. If anyone knows, please email us.

Track Tropical Storm Hanna

September 6, 2008 (Kearny, NJ) Tropical Storm Hanna is suppose to produce 40 mph winds and dump 4 to 6 inches of rain in the West Hudson Area. You can track the storm by visiting the Harrison Weather Center on the web.

KOTW will also attempt to post member and guest storm reports on our Discussion Board.

COAH Gives Swift Kick to Red Bulls

September 5, 2008 (Harrison, NJ) According to Senator Steven Oroho of the 24th Legislative District, the recent COAH regulations would impose a 2.5% tax on the Red Bulls stadium in Harrison. The Senator estimates that the 2.5% tax will add another 5 million dollars to the cost of building the stadium.

Senator Oroho stated that “Piling new taxes on the Red Bull Park project only serves to undermine the $39.4 million in taxpayer-financed bonds that have already been invested to acquire the stadium site. These bonds are secured by future in-lieu-of-tax payments from the stadium and the larger Harrison Metrocentre public/private development project. Instead of talking about urban redevelopment and smart growth projects, maybe the politicians in Trenton should stop taxing them".

Senator Oroho is a Republican from Sussex County. The Senator is referring to a provision in the proposed COAH regulations which would require the building of additional affordable housing units based upon the value of commercial improvements in addition to units already required because of new residential units being built. At the September 2, 2008 Harrison Mayor and Council meeting, Mayor Raymond McDonough stated, when asked by Councilman Steven McCormick how the town was going to meeting the requirements of COAH given all the additional housing being purposed in the redevelopment area, that Harrison was not going to have to comply with the COAH regulations. Mayor McDonough did not elaborate on why Harrison would be exempted.

The Observer ran an article this week on the effect of the new COAH regulations on the proposed housing redevelopment project in East Newark. Mayor Joseph Smith stated, "This isn’t a case of economics because the community here is a poor community if you look at the census,” he said. “How can these taxpayers subsidize the affordable units?” Mayor Smith may want to take Mayor McDonough's position. Move forward blindly and ignore COAH entirely in hopes that either the COAH regulations do not take effect or you are retired by the time the taxpayers figure out that you have gotten them in expensive lawsuit and vote you out of office.

To visit Senator Oroho's blog click here.

Lester M. Entin Associates v. Red Bulls

September 3, 2008 (Harrison, NJ) At the end of August 2008, the Red Bulls held a ceremonial laying of the first beam on the Red Bulls Stadium site in Harrison. The Star Ledger ran an article entitled Soccer Team takes a Step Towards its Goal by Maura McDermott. At yesterday's council meeting, a resolution was passed for an operating agreement between the Town of Harrison and the owners of the Red Bulls. Attached to the town's resolution was a detailed planning board resolution which revealed some interesting facts about the redesigned Red Bull's stadium.

It is clear that despite the Red Bulls moving forward with the stadium a challenge by its neighbor Lester M. Entin Associates (Entin) may derail the project. Entin has raised several issues which challenge the stadium. Among those issues are the following:

That off-tract parking facilities approved for use by Stadium patrons were allegedly "unaccounted for."

That the approved plans for off-tract parking constituted nothing but a promise.

That, by approving the off-tract parking plan, the Board was "forcing blighted areas designed for redevelopment to remain 'as is'.

That, by approving a plan for off-tract parking for Stadium use outside the Stadium District, the Board effectively granted a use variance.

That the Board improperly excluded evidence that the Stadium will allegedly be unsafe because it is too close to a Public Service Electric & Gas Company ("PSE&G") gas storage facility.

That the Board improperly excluded evidence as to whether the interior of the Stadium complies with the Uniform Construction Code ("UCC").

The Harrison Planning Board dismisses the challenges but it is unclear whether a Superior Court judge will likewise dismiss them.

The Harrison Planning Board resolution makes for interesting reading. The two major issues raised by Entin is that if the taking by eminent domain of the Adler and Amaral properties is overturned by Judge Maurice Gallipoli because the town fails to prove the area was blighted, the planned parking garage to be utilized by the Red Bulls will not be built. In addition, and more troubling that trying to find a parking spot during a soccer game is that the stadium is located next to a PSEG natural gas facility which poses a high security risk to stadium attendees.

The DeRose/ Adler/ Amaral trial is scheduled to start next week before Judge Gallipoli. At issue is whether the Town of Harrison's Redevelopment Agency can prove that the properties taken by eminent domain were blighted.

A trivia question: How many parking spaces are the Red Bulls providing next to their stadium? The answer is in the Harrison Planning Board resolution. You will be surprised on how little on site parking there will be.

Harrison Meeting Has Full Agenda

September 2, 2008 (Harrison, NJ) After a two month hiatus, the Harrison Mayor and Council return to a full agenda for their September 2, 2008 meeting.

Of particular interest is the proposed acceptance of a Development Agreement between the Town of Harrison and the Red Bulls. The Red Bulls began construction of a 25,000 seat stadium on the former Guyon Steel property at the intersection of South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd and Cape May Street. Shouldn't the Red Bulls have had approval of the Development Agreement before they started construction? The development agreement is suppose to set forth who will be responsible for infrastructure improvements necessary for the project. Since the redevelopment agreement was mentioned but not posted on the town's website there are no details to report at this time. Hopefully the town clerk will post the redevelopment agreement on the town's website before tonight's meeting.

Another interesting item on the Agenda is the settlement of litigation between the owners of the Hampton Inn and the Town for overbilling of water and sewer charges. It appears that the hotel has been overbilled to the tune of $122,510. Quite a piece of change that needs to be made up by Harrison's taxpayers. What other water meters in town are not working correctly? Luckily in another resolution the town is moving funds from several capital improvement accounts dating back to 1990 totaling $197,217.96. It makes you wonder who is auditing the books that would allow money not used for its original purpose to just sit for over 18 years in an account. Let's hope it was an interest bearing account.

Another item of interest is the granting of a 50 year right of way to Fiber Technology Networks (FiberTech) a New York Company for the purposes of running fiber optic cable through out the Town of Harrison. The Right of Way agreement (unlike the Red Bulls Agreement) was attached to the meeting agenda posted on the Town's website.

Several companies including CJUF II Harrison Holdings LLC, US Title Solutions, J&J Real Estate Development LLC are receiving refunds of overpayment of real estate taxes. The most substantial being US Title Solutions who overpaid $31,105.80 to the town for the 2008 3rd Quarter. The auditors at US Title Solutions are a little quicker at finding accounting errors than the town auditors.

A last item of note, is the increase in the cost of resurfacing of Cross and William Streets. The town replaced entire sidewalks along Cross and William Streets last month. Many residents were surprised by the town replacement of perfectly good sidewalks by A & J Contractors Group, Inc. Some of the residents have even questioned the quality of the work. A & J Contractors Group, Inc. is seeking an additional $58,630.76 on top of the $219, 864.00 it received already. In a town that is supposedly financially strapped why would you spend money destroying perfectly good sidewalks to replace them with sidewalks of questionable quality. Why would you even consider paying the contractor more money? Some of the questions hopefully the taxpayers will get answers to at the Mayor and Council meeting.

To view of Agenda for the September 2, 2008 Harrison Mayor and Council meeting click here.

Private Schools Cost Less

August 14, 2008 (Harrison, NJ) The Department of Education released budget information for school districts throughout New Jersey. In Harrison, the cost per student has risen to $16,898 per student compared to Kearny which is $11,725 and East Newark which is $9,705. Harrison is an Abbott District while Kearny and East Newark are not.

The Department of Education has also published administrative salaries. The following are Harrison's administrative salaries.

Anthony Comprelli	Superintendent	$ 173,960
Fred Confessore	Asst Superintendent	$ 158,794
Christine Griffin	Business Administrator	$ 138,000
Michael Pichowicz	Asst Business Administrator	$ 128,960
Michael Dolaghan	Supervisor of maintenance	$ 82,740
Gloria Confessore	Secretary	$ 91,518

Please note that not included above is the salary of former Business Administrator Peter Higgins. Higgins retired and was hired back as a consultant on the district's school projects. It is not clear whether he continues in that role to date.

In Kearny, the administrative salaries are as follows:

Robert Mooney	Superintendent	$ 165,397
Dr. Ingrid Kiss	Assistant Superintendent	$ 153,971
Karen Yeamans	Business Administrator/Board	$ 123,600
Mark Bruscino	Director of Plant Operations	$ 81,698

In East Newark, the administrative salaries are as follows:

Salvatore Montagna	Interim Supt	$ 65,000
Anthony Dachille	Interim BA	$ 37,500
Richard Corbett	Missing Title	$ 75,000

One has to question given the cost per student whether it would make more sense to close down the public schools and simply give parents vouchers to send their kids to the best private schools in New Jersey. In Harrison, it is particularly troubling to see that the district needs two superintendents and two business administrators making over six figures.

In addition, Councilman Michael Dolaghan is now the Supervisor of Maintenance. What prior job experience did Michael Dolaghan have to qualify for the position? If the position is needed why wasn't someone hired from within the school district to fill the position? We all know why. In Harrison, it isn't what you know but who you know.

Harrison is an Abbott District. In an Abbott District it pays to fail. If you improve your test scores, you could be stripped of your Abbott District designation and thus your funding. In School Board politics, it is better not to educate so that you can maintain your six figure salary. If Administrators were paid on the basis of how well their students learned, more emphasis would be put on educating students. Our current education system is flawed. The ideal expressed in the Abbott case was laudable. But politics has turned it into a cash cow for the select few in the inner political circles. Think about this: If the Abbott funding was taken from Harrison, how much would the average taxpayer's bill rise? Remember in Harrison, Kearny and East Newark, the taxes include expenses from the school district. A large portion of Harrison's school budget is paid through Abbott funding and thus not included in the property tax bill.

What do you think? Join us in our Discussion Board.

What's Mike Rodgers Thinking?

August 10, 2008 (Harrison NJ). Harrison Garden's Executive Director and former Councilmember Mike Rodgers this week has continued to enforce the prohibition apparently in the public housing lease agreement that prohibits tenants from flying flags outside their apartments. Harrison Garden's resident Marie O'Brien wanted to fly the American Flag outside her apartment in honor of her daughter, Jennifer, who will be serving in the armed forces starting next month. In any other neighborhood, the American flag would be welcomed. Not in the Harrison Garden's neighborhood. Here is where a rule needs to be broken. Let Rodgers or any Harrison Public Housing official and/or worker take down Marie O'Brien's American flag. In this turbulent time of war, how can Mike Rodgers deny a mother the right to fly the American Flag in honor of her daughter. Rodgers should be ashamed of himself and should immediately apologize and change the Housing Agency's policy. What is Mike Rodgers thinking? Can such a rule be enforceable in a court of law? What judge is going to tell Marie O'Brien that she has to vacate her apartment because she flew an American flag outside her apartment. How un-American would that be? Mike Rodgers is simply wrong. Harrison needs more American flags being flown in honor of individuals like Jennifer O'Brien who are serving our country. Prohibiting her mother from flying the American flag just makes no sense.

Links to Jersey Journal Article & Editorial, click below:

Can't Fly Old Glory

Let the Flags Fly

What do you think? Join the Discussion on KOTW's Discussion Board.

Fundraisers for Victor Muniz

Yes We Can

July 13, 2008 (Kearny NJ). A fundraiser has been scheduled for July 25, 2008 for Victor Muniz. Muniz, a Kearny Resident , was struck and paralyzed by a tree while in West Hudson Park after a sudden thunderstorm. Muniz has vowed to walk again and is undergoing intensive physical therapy at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange. Muniz's words are inspirational. In a NJ.com video entitled Hope for a Man Paralyzed by Storm, Victor Muniz states, "Everything happens for a reason. I think I am going to get better and I am going to learn how to grow during the whole process. I want to be a ... motivational speaker. Yes, I am definitely walking." Watch the short picture video (below). Visit Victor Muniz's MySpace page.

There is an opportunity presented to the West Hudson community in Victor Muniz's tragic circumstances. Victor's life changed suddenly. Victor's immediate reaction upon learning that he was paralyzed was to fight to walk again. Victor is fortunate to have close family and friends. Victor is also fortunate to be close to one of the top rehabilitation facilities in the nation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. Actor Christopher Reeves performed his rehabilitation at Kessler. The staff at Kessler is top notch. Kessler exists because New Jersey's auto insurance paid for expensive surgical and rehabilitative services. Victor however has no such coverage. He needs the community's help in making sure that he receives the best care possible. It is time for the KOTW community to step up and participate in raising the necessary funds that will give Victor the best chance of walking. Victor is doing his part. Victor's part is much more difficult then ours. KOTW calls on our readers to attend the fundraiser scheduled for July 25th and donate as much as possible.

KOTW also calls upon the politicians of West Hudson to schedule a fundraiser for September whose goal should be to raise $250,000 towards Victor's medical bills. Possibly, our local politicians could use their contacts in neighboring Essex County to have the event held in the Prudential Center Arena. What better venue to symbolize doing the impossible. How many people doubted that the Rock would be built? It stands today as a symbol of what can be done when men and women of courage say, "Yes, we can." Victor Muniz's fundraiser can be held simply in the public areas of the arena with local restaurants providing refreshments and food. The goal of raising $250,000 is realistic. Harrison's Democratic Party last year raised over $200,000 in contributions which it turned over to the Hudson County Democratic Party. The political connections that exist in West Hudson can surely raise $250,000 for this great cause. To the politicians who are saying "why should we do a fundraiser", "it's not possible", "people won't come", just simply watch the NJ.com video (below) and say "Yes, we can. Yes, we will raise $250,000 for Victor Muniz to walk again."

Hope for Man Paralyzed by Storm

WABC-TV News Story video on Victor Muniz.

Another Harrison Special Meeting:

June 30th at Noon

June 25, 2008 (Harrison NJ). Mayor Raymond McDonough has scheduled another Special Council Meeting. The latest Special Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2008 at 12 noon. According to the Agenda posted on the town's website, the meeting will be for the sole purpose of voting on an Ordinance establishing Guyon Drive, Metrocentre Plaza, Crucible Drive and new portions of South Fifth and South Sixth streets.

Special Meeting:

Friday at 6 p.m.

June 12, 2008. (Harrison NJ) In our story entitled Oh get with it, will ya? we stated that there was no regular Harrison Council meeting until September 2008 unless the Mayor scheduled a Friday at 5 p.m. meeting. Well we were off by an hour. Mayor Raymond McDonough has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow June 13th at 6 p.m. The Agenda which includes several Bonding Ordinances is available by clicking here.

The Kearny Journal published a story on the June 5th meeting entitled Harrison meeting ends in pandemonium. The Star Ledger and the Observer failed to cover the meeting. Joe Wood has sent a letter to the editor to Kevin Canessa's Hudsonline.com

Oh get with it, will ya?

June 7, 2008 (Harrison NJ). Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough urged Councilman Steve McCormick to "Oh get with it, will ya?" at Thursday's Mayor and Council meeting. McDonough was frustrated with being questioned by Councilman McCormick about the use of the Mayor's town hall phone number and the town hall address on the Harrison Democratic Committee's letterhead and the manner in which fundraiser tickets are distributed to town employees. McDonough then proceeded to move to adjourn the town meeting. McCormick stated "I'm not finished". McDonough's response was to get up as he stated "I'm finished." McDonough then stood for four minutes despite a suggestion by Councilman McCormick that he retake his seat. McDonough appeared to be waiting for other councilman to join him in walking out of the meeting. He eventually was joined by Councilmen James Doran, Francisco Nascimento, Mike Dolaghan and Councilwoman Carol Mandaglio. As Councilman Doran was just about to exit the council chamber, he returned to the public podium to grab the public microphone and state "Steve, you're full of it! You care about Steve McCormick and that's all you care about." Doran went on to make other comments about why McCormick had not paid fines imposed by the building department to which Councilman McCormick stated that the fines were being contested in court. Doran was eventually pulled away by Councilwoman Carol Mandaglio who stated "You're playing into his hands, Let him talk." At the same time, Councilman Francisco Nascimento waiving his finger as if admonishing a child picked a fight with former First Ward Council Candidate Maria Camano arguing over whether all the new housing proposed by the redevelopers was going to overcrowd the town's schools.

It is hard to believe that Mayor McDonough would find it necessary to walk out of a council meeting to avoid answering questions about the Harrison Democratic Committee fundraiser. McDonough is the committee's chairman. McDonough's statement that Councilman McCormick "Oh get with it, will ya?" says it all. McDonough is used to winning over Council members. Other councilmembers' loyalty to McDonough was evident as they followed his lead and walked out of the council meeting. McCormick has shown that he will be independent. Thursday's council meetings will undoubtedly go down as a "classic" Harrison Mayor and Council meeting including McDonough putting up his vanilla file folder to shield his face from being filmed by Joseph Wood as he walked out of the council chambers. If Mayor McDonough had taken Councilman McCormick's suggestion that he retake his seat, McDonough might have had to answer some tough questions but he would not embarrassed himself. It is clear that McCormick was onto something why else would a career politician immediately call to adjourn a council meeting.

What's next? There isn't a scheduled council meeting until September so the public is left with reruns of past Mayor and Council meetings courtesy of Joseph Wood's website www.HarrisonMeetings.com. Script writers could not have written a better cliffhanger for the final episode of a television series. The junior independent Councilmember manages, with a couple of questions, to have the career politician Mayor walk out of a council meeting followed by two loyal council members chastising and making personal attacks against the junior independent councilmember and a former councilmember candidate. What will happen on the next episode in September? Or will the Mayor call a special Friday at 5 p.m. council meeting? Stay tuned.

It will also be interesting to see if the New Jersey Election Commission (ELEC) will bring a complaint against Mayor McDonough for a clear violation of election law: use of public funds to run a political campaign. Clearly, town employees are opening mail and answering phone calls made to town hall. McDonough admitted that the Harrison Democratic Committee was using the town hall address and phone number on the committee's correspondence and that the practice had been ongoing for a number of years.

More interesting will be whether the New Jersey State Attorney General Anne Milgram public corruption unit will investigate the allegation that Mayor McDonough distributes fundraising tickets to town employees with their pay checks. The clear implication being that one is expected to purchase a ticket. Mayor McDonough did not admit to the practice but it would be fairly easy to establish whether the allegation is true by interviewing under oath a sampling of town employees. McDonough did admit that he gives tickets to friends who are town employees for them to distribute and he mails the rest.

Joseph Wood must be commended on his continued efforts to video tape Harrison's Town Meetings. Wood is using the power of new technology to further the democratic process. If you don't believe the above article, watch it for yourself by visiting Joseph Wood's website. Kevin Canessa has also written an excellent article on Thursday's meeting on his website www.thehudsonline.com Let us see whether the Star Ledger, Kearny Journal and /or the Observer cover the meeting in next weeks newspapers.

Memorial Day 2008

May 25, 2008. The Memorial Day weekend is upon us. The Memorial Day weekend for many simply means an extended weekend. To others it means an opportunity to be with family and friends down the shore or in the backyard with a barbecue and family fun. To others, Memorial Day takes on a more solemn tone. Some say that the "memorial" in Memorial Day is being ignored. To quote one author, "Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice." This same author suggests that on Memorial Day that we do one or more of the following:

by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
by visiting memorials.
by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans. (Source: www. usamemorialday. org)

Most combat soldiers rarely volunteer their "war stories". If asked on occasion they will talk about their experiences. KOTW suggests that if you have the opportunity and honor to ask a loved one who served our country for one of their "war stories" maybe that too could be a way of recognizing the men and women who sacrificed so much on our behalf. If you have a video camera handy, maybe you could with their consent record a loved ones "war stories" so that years from now you can share that story with family members who are yet to be born. Let us not forget that Memorial Day means more than a trip to the Jersey Shore or a barbecue with family and friends. Memorial Day is just that, a day for us to stop and thank all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the United States of America. Doing one or more the above observances with your family members will make the time spent with family and friends even more meaningful.

Mother's Day 2008

May 11, 2008. KOTW wishes every Mother, a Very Joyous Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day.

Help Wanted:

Community Calendar Events

May 11, 2008. KOTW is seeking your help in updating its Community Calendar. A new feature allows registered members to post Calendar Events much like posting to the Discussion Board. Give it a try. Visit the Community Calendar and click on the Add New Single Event located at the bottom right of the page. Your event will be reviewed by the moderator and then added to calendar. The Calendar Events appear at the bottom of the Discussion Board in the upcoming events section.

Coalition Against Heliplex Update

April 29, 2008. The Coalition Against the Newark Heliplex is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 5th at 6 p.m. in the Board of Health Building at 645 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, NJ. The meeting is open to the public and those interested in joining the group are encouraged to attend. For more information you can email Steve Ceragno at stopnewarkheliport@hotmail.com

McDonough Denies He Was Involved

April 29, 2008. Mayor Raymond McDonough denied again that he was involved in anyway with the theft of quarters by former Superintendent of Public Works William Tanski. This was the second time that McDonough denied any involvement with the theft. The Mayor seemed agitated by the questioning from Councilman Steven McCormick during the April 11th Special Council Meeting. William Tanski was a close friend of Mayor McDonough. McDonough was known to visit Tanski early in the morning at the Public Works garage to discuss town business. Rumors have been circulating for years that Tanski could not have stolen $100,000.00 in quarters by himself without the knowledge of town officials and/or town employees. One speaker at the Special Council meeting queried on how it was possible to move so many quarters, an admitted $100,000, without anyone noticing.

At a prior meeting of the Mayor and Council, Mayor McDonough went out of his way to state that he was instrumental in getting Tanski to make detrimental admissions about the theft which resulted in Tanski's guilty plea and sentencing. The Town of Harrison is still waiting to be reimbursed the proceeds taken by Tanski. Councilman Steven McCormick has also questioned the method the town uses to collect and account for parking revenues. McCormick has suggested that the town invest in centralized parking meters which provide accounting safeguards to insure that parking revenues are not diverted. To date, the Mayor and Council have not moved toward such a system but rather have opted to maintain the current system of separate parking meters.

Heliplex:

Making Noise Even Before It's Built

April 19, 2008. Most of the residents in vicinity of Midland Avenue in Kearny awoke this morning to a bright Saturday morning. The sun is out, the wind is calm and for those lucky enough to have someone already brewing the coffee, the smell of coffee arouses the senses. Local volunteer residents are conducting their annual Passaic River Cleanup. Kearny is a relatively quiet today but that may change soon. According to published reports, the Air Pegasus Helicopters LLC plans to construct a Helicopter Heliplex in Newark alongside Route 21 (McCarter Highway) directly across from Midland Avenue in Kearny.

According to Steven Trenk, Managing Director of Air Pegasus Helicopters, “This is an important project to bolster Newark’s plan to increase public safety and to help reinvigorate economic development in this community. I am proud that we are able to take the lead in a project that I know is right for the community, right for the Newark Police Department, and right for the City of Newark.” Trenk's statement did not comment upon the noise impact on the local community including the residents of North Newark or Kearny. A group of local residents however have organized in an attempt to stop the construction of the Heliplex. The relative quiet of their Saturday morning, the values of their homes, and their safety is at stake. So far the group has gotten the support of Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos and Congressman Steven Rothman. Both have stated their objection to the project and the need for further public hearings.

Air Pegasus's Heliplex is much more than a helicopter landing strip. The complex will include conventional aircraft storage/hangar facilities adequate to accommodate growth of the successful Police Aviation Unit as well as corporate and charter aircraft from the surrounding area. The heliplex will provide space for maintenance personnel and parts storage, pilot-briefing areas with direct access to the hangar including direct visual oversight, office space, locker room(s), a pilots lounge, sleep room, exercise room, bathroom and shower facilities, weather/flight planning facilities, kitchen, conference area and training area. The City of Newark currently operates two Police helicopters. Although Steven Trenk states that the Heliplex will benefit the City of Newark's public safety, the Heliplex will not increase public safety. The Newark Police already have helicopter operations. Residents can justify increased noise pollution caused by the Newark Police Department's helicopters. However, increased noise pollution from a private commercial enterprise is a lot harder to swallow. The area immediately surrounding the planned Heliplex are primarily residential in nature both in North Newark and Kearny. In addition, the Heliplex will be constructed next to a new Newark Police Station and Community Center. It is surprising to see such an ill conceived plan getting any support of Newark Mayor Cory Booker or the North Ward Center's Executive Director Stephen Adubato. There has not been much press on their official position with respect to the Heliplex. According to Kearny's Mayor, Newark's Northward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. has expressed his objection to the Heliplex. It would be interested to see what Stephen Adubato's position is on the project.

A Heliplex is not a terrible idea. Its placement adjacent to a new Police station and community center and in a predominately residential area is a terrible idea. A better location would be to place the Heliplex in South Kearny. Air Pegasus should explore the purchase of property in South Kearny. The current planned location of the Heliplex is approximately 3 miles from downtown Newark. Placing the Heliplex in South Kearny would enable passengers to be approximately the same distance from downtown Newark and neighboring Jersey City and New York City.

A group of local residents have started the circulation of a Petition to Stop the Heliplex which contains a signature sheet. The residents have also put together a flyer objecting to the Heliplex. The organizers currently do not have a website but are working to put one together. You can join the discussion on the KOTW Discussion Board.

The following are some links to articles and postings on the Heliplex:

Contract Awarded for Newark Heliport

Rendering of Proposed Heliplex

We Fly High: Newark Heliport/Heliplex

Friends Against Newark Heliplex

Heliport Coming to NPD

Relatives of Mayor Booker's Former Law Partner to Open Newark Heliport