Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards

Did you try calling the Superintendant's office?

The Lodi Boys & Girls Clubs is definitely funded by its Bingo operation.  I would like to know if this is how it will also be funded in Hackensack.  Unfortunately, many Boys and Girls Clubs resort to Bingo because it is viable means of funding.  Will this be another recreation program funded by city taxes or have there been any other discussion or ideas with regard to serious fundraising that will continue to support this program?

In 2003, Larry Riley approached Mr. Nardino seeking to start a Boys and Girls Club in Hackensack.  Riley along with several citizens of Hackensack met with Mr. Nardino and from that meeting decided to approach the City about assisting in locating a building for purchase.  The group attended a council meeting in 2004 and were told that the city was not interested and had no buildings available and further that the city had its own recreation department.  In any event, when I learned in the newspaper that the City was helping to open a satellite location of the Boys and Girls Club, I along with others were surprised.  In fact, I was surprised that space became available in the Green Uniform building purchased by the City. 

I am happy that there will be a Boys and Girls Club in Hackensack however, I am sorry that Mr. Riley has not been given any recognition for initiating the conversation.

I had hoped that the Board of Education would take over the Holy Trinity School for the Board offices since the newly constructed building on Second Street will not be able to accommodate all Board offices and the space in the Middle School that was to be freed for use as classrooms will not, despite an increasing need for space.

As you may or may not recall, I initiated this conversation after a meeting at Carver Park regarding unfair treatment of some minority members of this community by some officers of this community.  At that meeting at Carver Park, the Police Chief gave out his business card and asked that anyone who had a problem feel free to contact him directly.  This statement was made in response to individuals who indicated that they were not allowed to file a complaint against a police officer after a confrontation between the police and themselves.  Sometime after that, I was asked by an individual to go with her to file a complaint.  The complaint involved her minor daughter who was handcuffed to a pole and claimed to be unfairly treated by a police officer. It was my understanding that  the complaint would be taken and the proper authorities would address it.  Upon arrival at the police department, we were told that a complaint could not be filed because we needed to wait for a particular officer was not present.  I and the individual questioned the desk sargeant as to why the complaint could not be registered at that time, while it was fresh in her mind and was told (not so nicely) that was the procedure.  We requested to speak with the police chief and was told he was not available.  I am sure that his unavailability was true and not just stated to blow us off.  When asked if I could leave a message for the Chief to return our call, the desk sargeant refused to take the message (again not so nicely).  We left the station not wanting to have a disorderly confrontation.  Remembering that I had the card that Chief Zisa handed out, I called his office and left a message.  At that time, I was involved in volunteer work at a church on Central Avenue and mentioned the situation to a former president of the Bergen County NAACP who was at the church.  He then contacted the police chief and was immediately put through to him.  After discussing the situation with the Police Chief, the chief advised him to have us come back to the police station to file the complaint.  We went back to the police station and again was told (not so nicely) that the complaint could not be made.  We told him about the conversation with the Police Chief and then only after that was the complaint allowed to be filed.  The individual filing the complaint had requested that I go with her to make the statement because she would feel more comfortable if I was there.  I was told very nastily by the desk sargeant that she could go make the complaint but I would not be allowed to be present.  Not wanting to further complicate the situation, I told her to go make the complaint.

In the past couple of months, I have read articles regarding the complaints and disciplinary charges going on in the police department.  I have read the civil complaint which was on the internet.  Some of the same complaints made by those officers against superior officers are similar to the complaints of some members of the minority community.  I am not sure who is right or wrong. I can only await the outcome of all of these lawsuits and internal affairs hearings.  If the allegations against the Police Chief and other superior officers are found to be true, it will make me wonder if the police chief took the concerns of the citizens seriously having operated his force and internal affairs complaints in such a manner.

Where can one find the listing of the dockets for the Planning and Zoning Boards?

I noticed that the Karma rating system is back again.  It appears that almost all of the posters either have a "1" or "-1" rating and there is a clap or boo next to their name so that you can rank them.  Of course, my rating is a -30 there is also no clap or boo next to my name and only my rating carried from the old system.  Maybe the editor can explain to me why.  I would appreciate it.  When I comment, I may have a different opinion from others but I believe these comments are made to foster discussions of all views.  I don't believe that they warrant a -30 rating.

While I have never been to the White Mana in Jersey City, I loved the White Manna in Hackensack when I was a child and still love it as an adult.  McDonald's across the street cannot compare to the superb taste of White Manna when it comes to hamburgers.

You are correct, the leveling of those houses will likely probably make a positive difference to that neighborhood.  Just so you know, it is Gamewell Street, not place.