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Messages - wetochwink

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61
Hackensack Discussion / Landscape Upkeep
« on: June 14, 2004, 12:04:27 PM »
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.



62
Hackensack Discussion / Re: BORGS WOODS
« on: June 14, 2004, 08:28:00 AM »
I have sent the web link to appropriate leaders in Maywood and Hackensack regarding the proposed Eagle Scout project idea.


63
Hackensack History / Re:President Reagan's Visit to Hackensack (1984)
« on: June 11, 2004, 11:42:09 AM »
I remember that day. I was attending the Middle School.

I was carrying drum sticks, walking home from school and got stop by an officer. There was a concern that I seen carrying a weapon.  It was a casual stop by the officer (thankfully) and can only imagine what type of circus show it would cause today.

64
Hackensack Discussion / Re:Recycling Containers
« on: June 09, 2004, 08:30:23 AM »
Yeah, but if the city agrees to use the 45 gallon containers it already has, then residents don't have to purchase containers at the store.

65
Hackensack Discussion / Recycling Containers
« on: June 02, 2004, 09:10:01 AM »
Would it be easier for everyone (sanitation workers, residents, etc) to have blue carts (45 gallon size) for recycling?


66
Hackensack Discussion / Re:Questionable Properties
« on: May 28, 2004, 08:50:51 AM »
Add the Exxon gas station to the list on Polify Road (near the Hilton Hotel).  

Does anyone know if another Gas company is taking over or is it another abandoned property in town.

67
Hackensack Discussion / Re:Questionable Properties
« on: May 28, 2004, 08:49:44 AM »
A couple houses down from 363 Essex St. - two homes constructed a new driveway with rear parking (just around the time the Sanzari buidling was being built).  





The driveway, property (retaining walls) and sidewalk are unfinished. Has the town ever forced the homeowners to finish this project. As much as it was an improvemnt to get parked cars off of Essex St., its another eyesore in the city.

I am sure the permits for this project are expired too.

68
Hackensack Discussion / Re:Questionable Properties
« on: May 28, 2004, 08:46:02 AM »
Can a lawsuit be brought against the city to better act on the properties?  Its obvious the city is not doing enough.  

The city could be making a fortune if it continues to fine the owners.



69
Hackensack Discussion / Re:Does the city have a Shade Tree Commission?
« on: May 14, 2004, 10:52:00 AM »
Quote
Promoting Shady Streets: If you would like a shade tree planted between the curb and sidewalk in front of your home, please write to the Hackensack Shade Tree Advisory Committee c/o City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601. If possible, please include a drawing to illustrate where you would like the tree planted.

I missed this mentioned in the Community Link.  Thanks.

I just called the DPW.  There is a $50 fee (paid after the planting). Applicatoin mailed to the homeowner. Plantings are usually done in September.  

Tree Options:  White Flowering Pear Tree (non bearing fruit) or Pink Flowering Cherry Tree (non bearing fruit).

As interested as I am to do this for my own home, I'm on the fence over the $50 fee.  

1.  Why should there be a $50 fee? If the city goes around planting trees annually, there's no fee. It feels like a penalty for proactively doing something in my neighborhood. Since redoing my sidewalks (and losing two trees) almost three years ago, the city has never come by and replanted trees.  And the city should be well aware of this, since the sidewalk require a permit and they cut the existing two trees.

2. On the other hand, for $50 I choose the tree to be planted and where along the curb. One can't buy a three year old tree and have it planted for $50 anywhere else.

70
Hackensack Discussion / Does the city have a Shade Tree Commission?
« on: May 14, 2004, 08:25:00 AM »
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?

71
Hackensack Discussion / Any press on riot-like problem at Carnival?
« on: May 10, 2004, 12:36:15 PM »
Has anyone seen anything in the paper about the near riot Holy Trinity Church's carnival had on Friday night?

The carnival had to shut down early, youth were throwing objects (bottles, rocks, etc) at each other causing damage to parked cars ( so I have been told).

Does anyone else know more?  

72
Hackensack Discussion / School Board Forum
« on: April 22, 2004, 08:29:25 AM »
Quote
The PTA is not into advertising. We do not have money for that.  We cant afford public mailings.

Maybe the County Seat can print all the meeting dates and times. If you have another Idea let me know.

As a matter of fact....

Someone from the PTA/BOE can/should embrance this forum posting board (at least for meeting announcements, minutes, etc) - at minimum provide a web site link to changes to the PTA/BOE web pages.  As with the city meetings - most of us can't make them, but someone always does and providing the rest of us with useful information - information never actively informing residents in the past!

The city has neighborhood blockwatch programs that have (should) monthly meetings - flyers, notices can be sent to Lt. Patrick Fay (pfay@hackensackpd.org or cpu@hackensackpd.org).  

The city website - could/should actually promote valued links to key school web pages highlighting important sections.

Get an assigned reporter from the County Seat or a contributing volunteer editor from the PTA/BOE submitting monthly updates to the city paper. This paper would also reach the neighboring towns of South Hackensack and Maywood that feed our High School.

These suggestions are not expensive, hardly requiring anyone to take time off and will reach more people than anything currently implimented. However there is a HUGE responsiblity making sure updates, announcments, etc are routinely done.

Posting updates to a web site without promotion will only get so much traffic. Just because an organization has a web site, one cannot assume everyone knows it exists. Providing email signup lists will only get a handful to provide email addresses. The suggestions above will push the information to multiple groups, overlapping territories and reaching a far great audience online and offline.

73
Hackensack Discussion / NJ Voters and School Board Elections
« on: April 21, 2004, 08:45:02 AM »
This annual election has only been implemented in the last 10 or so years. From its inception, critics claimed there would never be a large voter turnout - how right they are!

From today's Record:
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk0NSZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NjUxNzY0NyZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=

Quote
Traditionally, most New Jersey voters skip school elections. In last year's school elections, 15.2 percent of voters turned out, slightly higher than the 14.2 percent in 2002. Between 1983 and last year, the highest voter turnout was 18.6 percent, in 1991.

If the PTA continues to only inform parents within the school system about School Board Elections and Budget propositions - its no wonder that incubents and budge increases continue to get passed.

Perhaps the "conspiracy theory" (if you will) is just that. Not keeping all residents informed about elections and not fully explaining potential tax increases will keep the voter turnout low and in favor of what the BOE wants passed.

Believe me, I have a tough time deciding to vote in approval for a budget increase ever year.  The last thing I want to do is prevent a good educational experience for the children.  But at the same time, with annual tax increases I (as do you) have to worry about providing for my family (shelter, food, clothing, etc).  If only the state/federal government would provide more...

74
Hackensack Discussion / Re:School Board Election Poll (Participate!)
« on: April 21, 2004, 07:45:44 AM »
According to today's Record:

HACKENSACK
Board of Education - three seats
Walter H. Carroll * 1156
Junemarie Ramp 646
Rhonda Williams-Bembry 787
Jorge E. Meneses 927
Francis W. Albolino * 993
Jenny Marin 652

"Tax levy - $50,649,382"
Yes 856
No 541

There should be not one resident that should question why their taxes are going up next quarter!  Buckle up - the county tax increase will be next...

I HOPE BOTH TEAMS WILL NOW GO AROUND TOWN AND REMOVE THEIR RESPECTIVE POSTERS (now deemed Political Litter).

75
Hackensack Discussion / Overcrowding - Illegal Students
« on: April 20, 2004, 08:39:27 AM »
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.

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