Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards

Is anyone else in town having trouble getting mail lately?

I've had several pieces of mail sent back to senders with a stamp from the USPS saying "address doesn't exist" when I've lived at my address for 5 years.

Trying to contact the postmaster all morning...

Interesting article:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2004-08-24-nonprofit_x.htm

I find it hard to believe that city officials are proud and only taking responsibility of keeping the city's increase to "less than one-half of that increase".

When is the city going to fairly assess all properties in the city?  Why am I paying $1700 more in taxes than my neighbor (who has the same size house) simply because I did remodeling work to my house in the last three years? Does the city really think assess property is effective based on responsible homeowners who apply for permits?

Shouldn't  the city have more responsibilty with school budget increases?  How hard is the BOE cracking down on illegal students attending our school systems?  It can't be that hard if the BOE forces families to provide proof of residency or by tracking children boarding a #163 NJ Transit bus to NYC daily. Annual increases by the BOE - and teachers still have to shell out out of pocket expenses to have effective teaching classes.

Shouldn't there be a reduction in our taxes with the recent grant money the city and schools are getting from the state and federal government? 

Most of the recent increases are due to rising health care costs. Why are we shelling out the difference when most companies are pushing these increases to their employees?

Most family income increases are not meeting these taxes increases, thus we are all taking home less.

Does anyone know if the city has discussed the latest craze on the streets - mini motorcycles ("Pocket Bikes")?

Kids are riding these mini motorcycles on sidewalks, on the side of streets, down the middle of streets, wrong side of the road. Worst of all - most are riding without helmets.

Aside from the wrecklessness - they are difficult to see while driving since the bikes are so low to the ground. Some models of these mini motorcycles can race up to and over 40 MPH.

I haven't seen much in the news about these bikes, but I guess most towns will not deal with them till someone gets hurt.

Where or what are the city codes regarding the upkeep of  property landscape?  Who's suppose to be enforcing them?  

When did it become acceptable for a property owner who's selling (commercial or residential) to not keep up the landscaping?  Overgrown bushes and lawns are not enticing to the neighborhoods, and certainly not appealing to a buyer.  

I hope to have a few pictures of properites in question here soon.

Plenty of neighboring cities and towns have Shade Tree Commissions to help with the following:

The Shade Tree Commission would be a non-profit organization, commissioned by the Mayor's office with the task of restoring and maintaining the city's tree population. Trees in the city provide beauty and utility.

• Reducing tree loss during development
• Reducing damage to standing trees during construction
• Providing for replacement of trees lost during construction
• Providing for planting trees where none occurred previously
• Providing for the maintenance of preserved trees after construction is completed
• Maintaining the health of trees in our parks, right of ways and urban areas;
• Increasing public education and support for urban forestry
• Generating funds from the foundation community, the corporate community, the citizens of Hackensack and the private sector to support urban forestry.

The reason I ask,  many city blocks are naked with no tree replacement. Trees providing shade and charm on a neighborhood block increases everyone's property value.  Most cities now plant flowering pear trees that are deep rooted to avoid having costly sidewalk repairs in the future.

Also, the young trees in front of the Lakeshore Learning Store on Essex St have recently been re-mulched. Whoever did this task - couldn't they tell one of the trees has been dead for some time?  I think a tree that hasn't bloomed leaves like the rest of them would be an obvious clue. Maybe the person thought the fresh mulch would bring the tree back.

Would having a Shade Tree Commission be a hinderance or a welcomed source of help to the DPW?

Bergenfield cuts students who live elsewhere

In Sunday's record - great article on Bergenfield cracking down on illegal students. 

Why is it that we do not hear of such news for our school system? Anyone cheating the system should be kicked out and sent a bill to recover costs.

 

Anyone that is a long time resident of Hackensack, practically knew of Dr. Kerdasha - long time pediatrician in the city.


ROBERT G. KERDASHA, 75, of Roswell, Ga., formerly of Oradell, died March 23. Before retiring in 1992, he was associate director of the department of pediatrics for Hackensack University Medical Center, where he had been director of its pediatric cardiology clinic and a member of its Medical Board. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina and received a medical degree from New York University. He was an Army veteran. Arrangements: H.M. Patterson & Son, Cantill Hill Chapel Funeral Directors, Marietta, Ga.