Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards

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                                     Hackensack 5/6 & Middle School’s
                         BEEF STEAK DINNER, TRICKY TRAY & 50/50
                                       SATURDAY, May 1, 2010

Please find enclosed $_________ to reserve ______ space(s) for Hackensack 5/6 & Middle
School’s Beef Steak (Tables seat 10 if you would like to reserve an entire table)

                          (All reservations need to be made in advance)

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PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Hackensack 5/6 & Middle School PTA
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321 State Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Attention: Beef Steak Dinner/Stephanie Hellpap

ANY QUESTIONS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE ITEMS FOR THE TRICKY TRAY?  CONTACT Stephanie Hellpap @201-681-9657
DEADLINE: April 21, 2010

I'm really glad to hear so many people are opposing this.  How can it possibly go through?  It needs a variance, and no one wants it.  It benefits no one but the company building it. 

I wish some of those vocal people were around 25 years ago when the beautiful homes on Prospect were being gobbled up to build the high rises they now live in.  Now THAT changed the character of the neighborhood.

Ironic, I think...

Yet I still support the opposers of this facility.

I think this is 800 Main, just north of Poitin Still on the east side of Main Street.

The building looks great, although it may be a little big for the lot.  

I just saw this and want to say that I hope that the zoning board does not keep giving variances when someone wants to overbuild on a property.  This building comes right to the sidewalk.  It was built pratically on the neighbor's front porch.  I'm guessing the lot next to it is next.  Maintaining a good ratio of developed:undeveloped property is very important as the city moves forward.  We don't want it to wind up looking like Jersey City or Queens just so developers can make a few extra bucks.  Our schools and roads don't need new residents that badly.

[Editor's note: this topic was split to "Liquor Licenses"]

Excellent - thanks for these very thorough provisions.  I totally agree with all of that. 

(1) Provisions should state that it does NOT apply to the removal of invasive and non-native trees, such as Ailanthus, Mulberry, Royal Pawlonia, or Norway Maple.  A whole list of invasive trees could be drawn up.

(2) Provisions should state that it does NOT apply to the removal of any tree, for any reason, within 4 feet of the foundation of a house.  Tree roots can wreak havoc on foundations.

(3) It should also state that removal of trees under six inches in diameter do not apply.  Or removal of somebody's overgrown evergreen landscaping that is blocking the entire house.  Everyone has seen old houses that are completely hidden by overgrown yews or arborvitae.

(4) Provisions should state that it does not apply to the removal of any dead or dying tree, or any tree over 1/3 of the canopy is dead.  Sometimes, there are large trees that have a "v" some way up, and half of the "v" rips off in a storm. The rest of the tree is now inherently unstable, and complete removal of this tree should be allowed without any penalty to the owner.

I second the motion! 
I would also like to see the Shade Tree Commission focus on planting native species.  That was a very important point, well-taken.  I do not think that ornamental pears are native - I believe they're from Asia.  I would like to see more focus on restoring some of the native flora to the area, which doesn't require as much water, and can be more disease resistent.  I guess the problem with some native species is that they are sensitive to air pollution. 

A problem for another day....sigh.

I have no idea when the last time a ticket was split in Hackensack, but I think it's a positive thing.  Unanimity is not good for a democratic, representative government, in my opinion.  I'd have liked to see the results a little more mixed.  I think good, hard-working people would welcome some debate and compromise.  I am hopeful that those who are in will govern with integrity. 

Congratulations to the winners and those who did not win but put out a good effort and raised some awareness and interest in the happenings of this city.

That's an excellent and relevant point on the Green Acres thing.  I know there are semantics that can be used to get around the green acres, just like there were when the Open Spaces grant put astro turf on the HS football field, even though schools don't qualify for open spaces grants...

I also would like more of direct communication on this.  If they're looking to rebuild a police station, they should state that.  No need to be underhanded. 

I want to ask for clarification on the following quote, though.  First of all, people own those houses.  The fact that crimes have frequently been committed there does not remove the owners' rights to own that property.  There are certainly enough unused or "for sale" properties that the motives behind flattening a residential block would certainly be called into question.  And I wonder at your statistics of crime reduction?  I also question your claim that people would be "better off" living near Carver Park.  If the city were to make that decision for people, I would be truly frightened (well, more than I am now!) 

I think it may be time that we alert the Management of Green Acres to ensure that we are in compliance.

Even better, they can also put it on Central Ave between First Street and Railroad Ave along the south side of the entire block, and put the parking on the north side of the street, except for one garden apartment complex. I estimate that we'll have 10% less crime in Hackensack and 30% less murders if that entire block is torn down, so we'll need less police manpower in the future. There would be an upfront cost to buy the houses and relocate tenants, but in the long run we save money on costly salaries.  We need an administration in power that is bold enough to make this happen. The condemnations can't be challenged as "eminent domain abuse" because it's being used to create a public facility, not for economic development.  The courts are iron-solid on that one. Every attempt should be made to relocate the residents within the city limits of Hackensack. They'll be better off living on quieter streets elsewhere in the Carver Park Community or anywhere in Hackensack. Those kids who move will be less likely to be exposed to inner-city influences which seem to be concentrated on that one block, and will be less likely to turn to crime or drugs. The future of kids' lives is important too.

Now I'm hearing rumors (just rumors, I don't know for sure) that the city has been given some sum of money by the hospital and HUMC is now going to be buying the Sears building and property to build more hospital buildings.  There is also a rumor about building an EMT training center at Foschini Park. 

Can someone let me know if these rumors are true?  If they are, they are worrisome, and if they're not, I'd like to set the record straight.

Okay, I have since learned some new information that answers my own questions, so I thought it only fair to share that.

The Sears building is, apparently, not for sale.  Even if it were for sale, that lot is not currently zoned for health services.  The council has said they have no intention of rezoning for it.

The next bit, the rumor about an EMT training center is a little less clear to me.

First, as many people already knew, they were discussing the property behind Johnson Park that was used as a shooting range.  They are considering rebuilding on that building site to create an emergency management training site and headquarters for responding to disasters.  As to the flood zone, the property would be built to endure a 100 year flood.

Apparently, because the federal and state government are encouraging municipalities to have command centers as part of their disaster planning, there may be some funds available to absorb some of that cost.

I'm undecided on what parts of this I agree and disagree with, but I'm very glad to have more accurate information.

In response to the accusation about the 2 politically connected lawyers, BOE President Carolyn Hayer wrote:

April 20, 2009

Every Spring, the flowers bloom, the birds sing and Hackensack voters get an “attack” mailing before the School Board election. This year it’s directed against Jacquie Long-Parhamand Ronnie Bolcik-McKenna, both of whom I support for re-election and election to the Board on Tuesday, April 21.

We all know where it’s coming from. The same group that says that everyone on the School Board has to agree, with no room for disagreement or independent judgment.

While I usually ignore negative campaigning, I want to respond to this one, because it’s untrue and it reflects negatively on the School Board. 
 
This year, the Board replaced our Board Attorney. Why? Because a majority that included Jacquie agreed with me that “qualifications count”. The “politically-connected” Board Attorney did not meet our standards for expertise and experience in Education Law.

Before we made the change, we looked for the most qualified attorney possible whose fees would not burden our taxpayers. We found someone with extensive experience and outstanding credentials in School Law.  Our new attorney has served us well, at legal fees that were not any greater than before.

As is customary, we hired another attorney to handle contract negotiations only.  It was a temporary position that did not duplicate the work of our regular Board attorney. There was no increase in legal fees over those spent in past years. So the claim that we’ve burdened taxpayers is simply untrue.

Our opponents plan to bring back the lawyer with lesser qualifications.  Candidates for office often “go on the attack” when they have nothing to offer.  Jacquie and Ronnie want to keep the focus on our students and providing them with a good education.  We need them on the Hackensack School Board.  Please come out and support them tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21 (polls open from 2:00-9:00 PM)

 Sincerely,

Carolyn Hayer