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Topics - just watching

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16
Hackensack Discussion / severe storm of May 11
« on: May 11, 2013, 08:25:40 PM »
Was there tornadic activity in today's storm ???  I visited Borg's Woods after this afternoon's big storm.  I was shocked to see a mid-size tree uprooted in the exact opposite direction to the wind.  The wind was from the west or west-northwest. Any trees uprooted should have been uprooted towards the east or east-southeast.  This may be evidence of short-lived and localized tornadic activity.  Another tree fell to the south or south-southwest, about 75 feet away.

The tree lost was an American Beech about 1 foot diameter and 75 feet height, and probably about 100 years old.  Not a major loss, as trees go, for Borg's.  It lies 50 feet west of the main trail, and 50 feet south of the runoff creek.  The other tree lost was a Sweet Birch, also about 1 foot diameter. It fell over the runoff creek, and is elevated several feet above the water.

I would be interested to know if there are any other reports of possible tornadic activity in Hackensack or Maywood.

17
Hackensack History / John Cohen must return the city atlas
« on: May 04, 2013, 03:36:01 AM »
Back around 1990, John Cohen took from the basement storage room of city hall the most incredible album of aerial photos of Hackensack, and if I recall it was dated exactly 1940. It was about 2' x 3' and had nearly as many photos as there are tax maps.  They covered every part of the city.  At the time, he was the Chair of the newly created Environmental Commission.  He took them because "These are important records of the history of Hackensack. They need safekeeping. One day the maintenance staff of the city might go through this room and just throw out everything they don't see value in".  The room was a haphazardly kept collection of old developer's site plans.

Who knows if he was right on that, but the bottom line is that he took the atlas "for safekeeping".  And now that the city has a historian, I'm sure he would be "happy" to return the atlas.  If he has already returned the atlas, please advise. Cohen still lives on the same house on Summit Ave near Passaic Street.  Good luck.

18
Hackensack Discussion / Affordable Housing funds
« on: May 02, 2013, 07:06:46 AM »
I see there was an article about Gov. Christie getting the OK to seize unused affordable housing funds held by municipalities. I was wondering if Hackensack lost any money ?  I was hoping that the city would use affordable housing funds to renovate some tired old apartment buildings, not necessarily new construction.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/Christie_gets_OK_to_seize_140M_that_NJ_towns_set_aside_for_affordable_housing_projects.html

19
Hackensack Discussion / Boarding house demolition - Union St
« on: March 21, 2013, 04:43:16 AM »
I noticed on Wednesday 3/20 that one of the city's biggest and oldest boarding houses was just demolished. Not sure what day, but very recently.  It was located on Union Street directly across from city hall. I think this is GREAT NEWS.  We lost another one !!! This is a substantial positive change for the neighborhood.  There will be less transient people wandering around in the downtown, littering and panhandling, and detracting from the business climate.  And that's one less big old boarding house that might burn down, presenting a risk to fire-fighters.

Note also that there are now two vacant lots, side-by-side, and I'm not sure if the small office building along the railroad is empty or not. There was a Jewish social service organization there, forgot their name.  I wonder what is happening with the vacant lots.  If anyone knows, please post.

The boarding houses are a big part of what brings in a transient population to Hackensack. Many eventually become homeless, and once they do, they are counted as "Hackensack residents" in the eyes of the social service organizations and their advocates.  Instead of the city being credited and praised for having three times more units in the form of boarding houses than the rest of Bergen County combined, in the late 1980's and 1990's the boarding houses effectively become liabilities used to document that the city should provide more beds at homeless shelters, more soup kitchens, more new shelters of all kinds, etc.  It was exactly backwards way of looking at the housing needs for poor single people in Bergen County. Well, we lost another big boarding house, and it appeared to have been either the biggest or the second-biggest left, so there will be less "Hackensack residents" becoming homeless in the future.

Boarding houses really detract from any neighborhood. "Exhibit A" for that claim is 211 Passaic Street. Now that it is gone thanks to a fire about 8 years ago, the area is much-improved. It is quiet, it is safe, and the neighbors are happy. Take a look at 209 Passaic St.  It's been completely rehabilitated and it looks gorgeous. Those owners would have never done that with a 30-unit boarding house next door.

I also noticed the demolition of an old multi-family house on Railroad Place mid-way between Central Ave and High Street. It was an average-sized house that was subdivided generations ago into at least 5 or 6 very low-end apartments.  It had ugly black fire escapes dangling everywhere, and it was rumored to be a de facto half-way house.  This may have been demolished some time ago, I just happened to see it.  Also a positive demolition. The lot is too narrow for a new house, but I would support a variance to put a single-family house there.

20
Hackensack Discussion / Mature Trees being cut in Borg's Woods
« on: March 03, 2013, 05:14:20 PM »
The Bergen County Parks Dept. has begun cutting down mature trees along the main trail in Borg's Woods.  Work has begun at Byrne Street, and more trees have been spray-painted with yellow numbers to indicate that they are to be cut.  The south entrance to the woods has been massacred. It looks like a logging operation in Oregon.

They are cutting every tree that is leaning slightly, has a dead branch, or is hollow at the base. That describes most of the mature trees in the woods. Basically they are deciding that it is no longer to be an old-growth forest. Borg's Woods isn't to be held to the standards of a manicured park, it is a nature preserve. When nature is ready, a tree will die, uproot, or splinter in a storm. I encourage people to protest to the County about this

21
Hackensack Discussion / Lack of railroad fencing - another death
« on: October 21, 2012, 07:28:42 PM »
I see that there was ANOTHER pedestrian death along railroad Avenue. How many people have to die here before the railroad installs a fence ???  A fence from Anderson Street to Essex Street, on the east and west side of the tracks.  A simple 6 foot chain link fence will stop at least 99% of all people looking to cross the railroad here, and less than 1% would climb the fence and cross anyway. . Something like the fence along the railroad in downtown Ridgewood. Why do the people of Ridgewood deserve this kind of safety, but the people of Hackensack do not ?  The article states that the person went around the crossing gates and was trespassing on the tracks. I don't know all the details, but I'm inclined to believe that fencing would have been a deterrent.

Not too long ago, a young boy was killed along the railroad at Clay Street, and now another person dies here along the same corridor, only 2 blocks away  There have been others in the past.

It's the railroad's responsibility (NJ Transit), and if the Hackensack City Council, The Record, and our newspaper The County Seat complain and get vocal about it, maybe a fence will finally be installed. Maybe some help from our State Legislators, because NJ Transit will listen to them even more. 

The Record article even states that NJ Transit has been improving safety at various crossings in NJ, specifically to reduce deaths. "Improvements included the installation of new signs, fencing or bollards at 14 stations, grade crossings or railroad rights of way where trespassing incidents were found to be most persistent to restrict pedestrian access to the tracks."  But nothing for Hackensack.

http://www.northjersey.com/hackensack/Hackensack_woman_struck_killed_by_train.html
https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-36199856/woman-killed-by-train-identified

22
I notice not much photos have been posted in lately.  I enjoy them. I know other people enjoy them as well

I hope everything is OK and that BLeafe decides to resume posting lots of photos.

23
Hackensack Discussion / Viola settlement disgusting
« on: August 22, 2012, 06:49:30 AM »
I am shocked by how much this woman won. I'm not suggesting that the plaintiff filed a false or inflated case, or that she deserved nothing.  What's shocking here is HOW MUCH she won. $2.5 million for what.  She wasn't beaten up, she had no injuries. She can go on with her career anywhere she desires.

This settlement is nothing but a gigantic incentive for more of these type of law suits to be filed all over Bergen County and beyond. This is exactly what should not have happened.  It should be appealed, just on this principle.

What's not mentioned in the article is what percent of the settlement goes to the law firm.  Attorneys are blood-sucking maggots redistributing wealth from people, business, and government to law firms. This is exactly why insurance or all types is so expensive.

Hackensack to pay nearly 25M to settle lawsuit of former Deputy Chief Frank Zisas ex-girlfriend

24
Hackensack Discussion / Bob Pimienta passes
« on: July 24, 2012, 05:13:09 PM »

I was saddened to read in The Record today about the passing of Robert Pimienta, 52, owner of Impact Realty, based in Hackensack. I knew Bob for just under 20 years. 

I first met him when he was a young shark, in his early 30's, representing the Price Club (now Costco) application for Hekemian Company. I remember Bob battling with NJDEP over design issues for the walkway, and I met with him about it. I lobbied NJDEP myself to support his position. NJDEP wanted the detention basins to be built between the walkway and the parking lot, making them nothing more than litter-filled eyesores completely surrounded by concrete and asphalt and of no use to wildlife whatsoever.  Pimienta was right for environmental, aesthetic, and development reasons, AND he won. Hats off to him. There's a nice strip of greenery along the river, between the walkway and the river. Better for wildlife, better for the river, and better for the retail store.  It's true that Costco hasn't done a good job maintaining it, but the original client, Price Club, was maintaining that strip.

I later did business with Bob and his company on several occasions on several different matters. He had great connections with city hall, and could get things done. I had the pleasure to work with him and to know him.

Does anyone know why he passed away.

25
Hackensack Discussion / Ken Zisa Trial
« on: March 28, 2012, 06:12:42 AM »

Jury selection hits roadblocks in trial of suspended Hackensack Police Chief Zisa

TUESDAY MARCH 27, 2012, 5:55 PM
BY STEPHANIE AKIN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
PRINT | E-MAIL
Follow live blogging from the trial

 Photos: Trial of Hackensack police chief Ken Zisa

HACKENSACK – Jury selection for the criminal trial against suspended Hackensack Police Chief Charles “Ken” Zisa and his former girlfriend has faced a series of roadblocks in its first two days, throwing into question whether opening arguments can be held Monday as scheduled.


AMY NEWMAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Suspended Hackensack Police Chief Charles 'Ken' Zisa with his attorney Patricia Prezioso in court Monday.
“We have to take it every day as it comes,” Zisa’s attorney, Patricia Prezioso, said as she left the courtroom Tuesday.

Francis Meehan, the attorney for Kathleen Tiernan – Zisa’s ex-girlfriend – said he thought the delays will ripple into next week, but it’s too early to say for sure.

“We’ll know more tomorrow,” he said.

Proceedings have been interrupted three times by courthouse fire drills. Jury selection has also been delayed by a shortage of available candidates in the jury pool because of competition from a concurrent trial.

“I’ve never had this happen to me before, in a civil or criminal case, where I can’t get jurors,” Judge Joseph Conte told the court during a break in the selection process.

Zisa, who has been suspended from the department without pay since 2010, faces a minimum of 15 years in prison if convicted of charges including a pattern of official misconduct, witness tampering and insurance fraud. He is accused of intervening in two investigations – in 2004 and 2008 – to protect Tiernan and her family. Tiernan, who is charged with conspiracy to commit official misconduct and insurance fraud, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

A group of 34 jurors remained at the end of the day Tuesday after dozens were eliminated because they would not get paid by their employers for attending the six-week trial, had vacations planned or had a health issue, among other allowable excuses.

Prezioso and Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Daniel Keitel both told the judge they expected many of the remaining jurors to be eliminated once the attorneys ask more probing questions about opinions they have formed from media coverage or personal relations. During this phase, the judge can dismiss as many jurors as he feels have a conflict.

The case has been highly publicized in local media, including in The Record. The Zisa family – which, in addition to Ken Zisa, includes two longtime Hackensack mayors, a former and present city attorney and a former deputy police chief – is well known in the region, complicating the selection process. The jurors will also have to commit to up to six weeks for the trial, a period which includes the Easter holiday.

At the end of the preliminary elimination process, Keitel will be allowed to eliminate 20 jury members and each defense attorney will be allowed to eliminate 10, without disclosing their reasons, according to New Jersey Court Rules. The final jury will have 12 members and three alternates.

Staff writer Kibret Markos contributed to this article. Email: akin@northjersey.com

26
Hackensack Discussion / Welcome to Hackensack signs
« on: January 31, 2012, 03:45:10 AM »
It so much annoys me that the "Welcome to Hackensack" signs are so far from the actual borders of the city.  The new one on Spring Valley Ave is over one block inside of Hackensack.   Also South River Street, the sign is many blocks from Little Ferry. Can't they move that one to the International Navistar property that is actually on the border.  And the one on Hackensack Ave SOUTH of Route 4 gives the impression that the Shops at Riverside and Continental Plaza are not in Hackensack. Bad move there.  Why shrink Hackensack so much, and possibly mislead people who don't live here to call the wrong police or fire department in an emergency, such as a car accident. 

27
Hackensack Discussion / Mercury Rising - Berry Street
« on: August 02, 2011, 11:16:39 AM »

I occasionally scan the Planning and Zoning dockets for Hackensack, available on www.hackensack.org.

I was alarmed to see that Mercury Rising is back for the same property, which is 2/3 of the square block bounded by Second Street, Berry Street, and James Street, and First Street, except for the houses on First Street.

They originally got approval to make 17 luxury townhouses, and they got the approval by saying that the existing zoning would allow for 9 two-family houses (18 units), but they would rather build townhouses. The zoning is two-family houses.  They explained that there would be much more open green space on the property, and by making a multi-unit complex, they'd be able to construct a huge central underground retaining system to hold stormwaters for the entire complex.  The approval expired because they couldn't break ground.  Probably the economy.

Now they are scheduled to appear before the Zoning Board again. And this time it is for a large apartment building. No more townhouses, no two-family houses.  There is no justification whatsoever.

And I don't care about the financial troubles of Mercury Rising.  They built townhouses on Central Ave near Rochelle Ave, and they had to be auctioned off at low prices because there were no buyers. And that's for a nice quiet town, Rochelle Park. This company has no money to build this apartment building. It's all about increasing the value of the property with approvals to build a large apartment building, and then flipping it to someone else. 

What's the chances of this getting approved.  Given the political connections of Mercury Rising, I'd say it's pretty good. At this point, the Zoning Board should say "NO". I'd rather see the land sit vacant until it is sold to someone who wants to make duplex two-family houses, or the economy turns around again and the 17 townhouses are viable.

28
Hackensack Discussion / Area in need of Rehabilitation
« on: May 17, 2011, 11:06:52 PM »
Could someone please post the maps from the May 11, 2011 Planning Board meeting. 

It would be good to see the areas determined to be in need of redevelopment.  It appears that one area affects the Anderson Park area over to Clinton Place and including Sears.  Also another large area that appears to be in the vicinity of Union Street, Central Ave, State Street, and Essex Street.  It's hard to follow the streets listed on the Planning Board docket:

PROPOSED RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 
       HACKENSACK DESIGNATING AN AREA IN NEED OF REHABILITATION

Pursuant to Resolution No. 112-11 adopted by the City Council of the City of Hackensack
on March 1, 2011 the City Council authorized the undertaking of an investigation to
determine whether the city blocks and lots listed and marked in cross-hatch on the map
entitled “Area in Need of Rehabilitation, City of Hackensack – New Jersey Delineation
Map Study Area”, prepared by DMR Architects, dated January 18, 2011, including
the portions of the following right of ways that border upon and/or bind together the
cross-hatched city blocks and lots: 

Bergen County Place, Essex Street, State Street, New York Susquehanna / Western Railway, Union Street, Central Avenue, State Street, Ward Street, Union Street, Anderson Street, Pangborn Place, Clinton Place, Main Street, University Plaza Drive and River Street. (hereinafter the “Study Area”) constitute an area in need of rehabilitation (the “Investigation”)   

Said investigation is authorized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14.  Prior to the adoption of a resolution designating an area in need of rehabilitation, the City Council is required to submit its proposed resolution to the Planning Board for its review.  Within 45 days of receipt of the proposed resolution, the Planning Board shall submit its recommendations regarding the proposed resolution, including any modifications it may recommend to the City Council for its consideration.  Thereafter, or after 45 days if the Planning Board does not submit recommendations, the City Council may adopt the resolution, with or without modification.  In connection with the foregoing, the map entitled  “Area in Need of Rehabilitation, City of Hackensack – New Jersey Delineation Map Study Area”, prepared by DMR Architects, dated January 18, 2011, the report dated April 18th, 2011, and the proposed resolution of the City Council have been prepared and are available for inspection at the Offices of the City Clerk, City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Room 303 Hackensack, New Jersey, and the Secretary of the Planning Board, 410 East Railroad Avenue Hackensack during normal business hours.

29
Hackensack Discussion / rap music to save the world ???
« on: May 15, 2011, 09:06:07 PM »
Yeah, right....

Hip-hop artist Cassidy arrested in HackensackSaturday, May 14, 2011
Last updated: Saturday May 14, 2011, 8:59 PM
BY MERRY FIRSCHEIN
The Record
STAFF WRITER
HACKENSACK — City police arrested a hip-hop artist Saturday who is wanted in Philadelphia, authorities said.

 
LAW ENFORCEMENT PHOTO
Mug shot of Hackensack resident Barry Reese, also known as the rapper Cassidy. The Philadelphia Police warrant squad called the Hackensack Police Department on Saturday morning to tell officers there was an open warrant for Hackensack resident Barry Reese, also known as the rapper Cassidy, Hackensack police Lt. Timothy Lloyd said.

The warrant was for violating probation, but Reese is also a suspect in a murder and two attempted murders in Philadelphia, Lloyd said.

Philadelphia police knew from a prior investigation that the rapper lived in Hackensack, Lloyd said.

Philadelphia police told their Hackensack counterparts “to consider this person armed and dangerous,” and this was a “high-risk warrant,” Lloyd said.

Officers from the Hackensack Police Emergency Response Team and the police department’s juvenile bureau watched Reese’s home Saturday on Reilly Court, Lloyd said.

Reese left his house about 1:30 p.m. and was followed by police to a local convenience store, Lloyd said.

An undercover ERT officer went in the store and positively identified Reese, he said.

When Reese came out of the store, “the ERT units moved in and conducted a felony motor vehicle stop,” Lloyd said.

Reese “was very surprised,” Lloyd said. The officers who arrested the rapper “did an outstanding job,” he said. “Without the proper teamwork going on, this could have spiraled out of control quickly.”

No one was injured in the arrest, Lloyd said.

Reese, 28, will be brought to the Bergen County Jail Annex to await extradition to Philadelphia, Lloyd said.

Cassidy’s most well-known single is 2005’s “I’m a Hustla,” which reached No. 8 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

E-mail: firschein@northjersey.com



30
Hackensack Discussion / The Marquee -- 29 First Street
« on: March 13, 2011, 08:41:02 PM »

I had the opportunity to tour Hackensack's newest luxury building, the 8-story Marquee at 29 First Street. This is about 1/2 block north of Arena Diner, same side of the street.

 Nice building, first impression is the awesome molding in the lobby.  Units have expensive wood cabinets and granite in kitchen, 12" x 12" marble tiles on the shower walls.  Every unit 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms each with walk-in closets, and a good size living room, hardwood floors.  Washer/dryer and 50-gallon hot water heater inside every apartment.  Lots of onsite garage parking. Only the 4th floor units have balconies, because first 3 floors are parking tower, top 5 are units.  1100 - 1300 square foot per unit, renting for $2000 - $2350 a month.  Rent includes parking.  No security guard.

They claim that only 8 units are left, but only 6 families so far have moved in.  They have a temporary CO, and hope to get the final CO this week. Most of the renters are doctors and nurses at HUMC, who then walk to work because parking for the hospital is ridiculous.  They feel that units in a brand new building, "just off Prospect", should rent for the same price as a 30 or 40 year old apartment on Prospect, assuming the same square footage.  Despite the First Street address, it's still on the hill, they say. 

They looked into buying the Ridgewood Plumbing Supply across the street, a larger lot, to build a similar building.  Afraid to go for a variance in Hackensack, with all the publicity over contested applications.  I highly doubt that anyone would fight it, this is a part of Hackensack that most people would like to see redeveloped. Nobody fought the Kaplan building 2 blocks south on Polifly Road, and they went for a variance on setback, lot coverage, and other things.  They also complained that the city building department changed all the rules in 2011 after the parking tower collapse, and made them retrofit various things in this building.  Joe Mellone is "tough", they said, but they acknowledge that "he is doing his job".  The Hackensack building department "closely monitors every little thing, and you don't have this level of scrutiny in other cities".  For a developer that wants to do quality construction, this shouldn't be a problem.  For those who want to do shoddy work, I say to go find somewhere else to build.

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