Late night open thread

Johnny's about to cure you off of the breakfast cereal for at least six months.

First off, where the frig does this clown live and sleep? In some kind of doghouse surrounded by paper on the ground? That must be some successful circus that makes the clowns live like dogs. The kind of circus where you don't know if there's gonna be enough food to feed the crew when a giraffe mysteriously vanishes between Wichita and Topeka. Second, good GOD, did you go looking for a clown that upsetting? Johnny used to work with a nice woman and this would have sent her straight into night terrors. Johnny's sister might seize up and start flopping on the ground like a fish if she saw this. And for children's cereal too. It's not hard to look at the big top and wonder if there might be some bodies buried under it......recently. Third, damn clown, know what makes cereal taste good? MILK. Sugar Rice Krinkles, U R doing it wrong. Fourth, LOOK AT IT, it's hideous! It's a walker, shoot it in the head!

Krinkles, the stuff of nightmares.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Pulaski Skyway Shutdown: City Held Hostage!!

Big stories with big ideas need big annoying headlines like you see on teevee news don't you think?

We'll start with Terrence T. McDonald at The Jersey Journal:

Hudson County and Jersey City officials this morning urged a state Assembly panel to consider options to minimize the traffic nightmare expected when the northbound lanes of the Pulaski Skyway close for two years starting in 2014.

Here's another issue where Mayor Healy and Councilman Fulop argue on the same side yet because of the political acrimony can't really show too much cooperation. The Mayor understands the huge impact this has on our city:

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy additionally suggested banning single-occupancy vehicles from the Holland Tunnel during rush hours. Healy acknowledged that the Skyway “must be fixed,” but added that even on a normal day there is a crush of vehicles heading in and out of Manhattan during rush hours.

Fulop too understands the economic impact this will have beyond just traffic:

“I think that the costs to the financial Waterfront, our business committee … could be much more substantive,” Fulop said. Jersey City Ward E City Councilman Steve Fulop, meanwhile, told the panel that the DOT should explore keeping one of the northbound lanes open, even if it means the rehabilitation project takes longer and costs more.

But citizens for once people came with possible solutions in mind not just brickbats. Ideas on having motorists carpool from the Frank Lautenberg Secaucus Junction station (good luck with that), extending Jersey Avenue out to the Turnpike extension and keeping one lane open northbound regardless. Johnny likes very much the idea of extending Jersey Avenue out to the turnpike extension. Can they get it done by 2014? Somebody hurry up and make that call. Once they do get that open consider closing both northbound lanes at off hours and weekends because yes, the bridge needs to be saved because ferry boats would suck more than traffic jams.

Late night open thread

On this day in 1827 the city of New Orleans celebrated their first Mardi Gras. The alcoholic wonder known at "the Hurricane" was invented one day later.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Johnny's an interloper and as we all know interlopers are liable to say craaaaazy things...

Craaaaazy things like "Hey, Freeholder Jeff Dublin, Johnny would like to see things from your point of view but he can't seem to get his head that far up his ass." WHOA, an unfortunate comment escapes from another person with interlopers disease.

Mr. Dublin takes a very dim view of what he calls, well here, here are his glorious words at the Mayor Healy re-election kickoff:

“This young man wants the title of the mayor but not the job of the mayor,” Healy said. “Get out to vote so that, as (Freeholder) Jeff Dublin said, Jersey City can remain for Jersey City, not some newcomers, some interlopers who don’t know the city, don’t care about the city, and want to use the city for their own personal ambitions.”

So, according to Freeholder Jeff Dublin, Johnny's an interloper as are a lot of the other unwashed, uneducated newcomers who might you know, ask questions about how the current model doesn't work. While some lucky townies may have latched onto all the government jobs (and Jeff did you know some people around here actually draw multiple government-related paychecks?), it's up to a lot of us noobs and yes, interlopers to work hard to further OUR personal ambitions all while paying for a shoddy product.

If we're pounding on your doors and calling you out and showing up at meetings to demand answers that shows we the people DO love and care about our city. That's the sound of America at work.

BTW Jeff, have a toast next Thanksgiving to "the interlopers," won't you?

Just saw one of Mayor Healy's ads on the teevee

It centered on the Mayor's tireless efforts to get guns off of Jersey City's streets. Thankfully he has taken this head on for years. The ad notes the drop in the murder rate. We sometimes don't spend enough time thanking the Mayor about this because it's his signature issue. We eagerly await the Mayor's next ad on something new, the city taxes, what is REALLY physically tangibly happening at Journal Square, and the merging of city departments to really save money.

A note to Councilman Steve Fulop. Should you be fortunate enough to win the keys to city hall we can only hope you'll put as much emphasis on the topic of guns as Mayor Healy has.

What a rotten rainy day out there

So dear readers, what is your favorite song with the word "rain" in it?

Late night open thread

State trivia night.

Which was the first state to give women the right to vote? Answer here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Hey New Jersey, that sound you hear is New York City deflating

The air has been let out of New Yorker's long-held belief that THEY were Gotham in the Batman story. Cottage industries have been built on the belief they are where Batman lives.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

News this morning breaks that in FACT Batman lives in New Jersey and folks that comes from The DC Comics Wiki and here and here that Gotham City is in NEW JERSEY.

Listen, listen, can you hear the wails? Sounds like a few dead-enders too, "No way, it's still here despite the facts and um, SHUT UP!" The tears, they are delicious.

So, The Batcave, Wayne Enterprises and all that is Batman now joins the Statue of Liberty in the "Things in New Jersey coveted rather rudely by New Yorkers" column. Only one way to end this post.

Hey New York:

Outgoing NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg endorses Mayor Jerramiah Healy for another term

Though Lautenberg is not running for another term in Washington D.C., he has endorsed Mayor Healy for a another full term. Said Lautenberg in his endorsement:

“Mayor Healy has an aggressive plan to add city parks and make Jersey City and even better place to live, work and raise children," he said. "Mayor Healy has been a steadfast ally in reducing gun violence and combating crime, by hiring more cops and getting guns off the streets.”

So, another big name endorsement for Healy. Time alone will tell if these are going to gain traction but for now they look good in the news.

Late night open thread

State trivia night.

Which was the first state to give women the right to vote? Answer here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

"If you're going to do something tonight that you'll be sorry for tomorrow morning, sleep late."
 -- Henny Youngman

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Anyone else notice that Hulu is using Jersey City's skyline in an ad?

Johnny took a snap from the teevee screen during a Hulu ad for their Hulu Plus product. Hulu is now realizing Jersey City is hot and NYC is dead. Who is next?

And when you speak of Johnny, speak well

Good morning Jersey City and pay attention. You know Johnny's rather passionate, some might say obsessive feelings on the red light cameras disgracefully pilfering pocketbooks across our fair city. So when Johnny was out on his morning walk heading downtown he saw this mobile unit sitting on Bay St. looking out at Washington. Seems the ticketeering is on the move and we're here to help you not get caught with the online equivalent of flashing the bright lights your way. Be ye warned.

Late night open thread

Whatever happened to those little Mexican jumping beans you used to be able to get as kids?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Milli Vanilli wins Academy Award

Johnny knows this may piss some people off. He does not care. To them he would suggest those offended get their own blogs.

After this bit of nose holding Healy business, Steve Fulop's chances are looking fine as a frog's hair split up the middle and tied at both ends

One of Johnny's best friends growing up was from Alabama if you were wondering.

Boy, one needn't be a bloodhound to smell the possible election changing stench from the fact the Jersey Journal has voicemails from Mayor Healy calling city workers and employees of city agencies asking of they can't you know, chip in a little for the mayor's re-election. The Jersey Journal's Terrence T. McDonald has more on the smelly goings on:

In another voicemail played for a Jersey Journal reporter, Healy urged a city agency worker to give $500 to his re-election bid. In the message, Healy referred to a Dec. 6 campaign fundraiser at Casino in the Park that his campaign has said brought in over $100,000. "We were hoping you'd write a check for $500," the mayor says in the voicemail.

OK, is someone keeping track of who gives and who doesn't? We can't say for suuuuuure but have our suspicions. Using the doctrine of "How the World Works" you can draw your own conclusion. This slope is slicker than a greased baby's ass (Roll Tide).

The Healy campaign doesn't seem at all concerned about the iceberg they have just scraped:

Healy's campaign shrugged when asked about the phone calls. Healy is reaching out to people throughout Jersey City, according to a campaign spokesman, though one Healy ally acknowledged that the mayor in past campaigns didn't make fundraising phone calls himself.

We can't say for sure if it's a "shakedown" as Mayoral hopeful Steve Fulop says but we most certainly agree with him when he says it's "not right." It's not right. It's effervescent as hell. It is not going to take the average Jersey City voter too entirely long to agree with Councilman Fulop and think of this as a shakedown. After hearing the names Mariano Vega, Leona Beldini and Maher Khalil over the last few years Johnny has a hunch that this might just be a tipping point. For Jersey City voters this might just tie a bow of that frog's hair around a cereal box in the Brownstone Diner labeled 'Crispy Critters'.

Fun with banned license plates

This morning class we're going to have some fun with banned New Jersey (and elsewhere) license plates. You know, those personalized plates where you might think you have something clever to say and will try and sneak it past the MVC. MVC spokesman Mike Horan discussed the art of the banned plates and how they try and catch them with the Star-Ledger. Here's an example, see if you can see why it might be banned:

TIH2HO

If you read the article you'll see just why this one is a no go and you can also see others that don't make the cut. Horan discusses how the MVC must stay up on the slang of the day and there is even a quiz to see if a plate is banned or not banned. It's Sunday morning fun before all the Oscar hoopla tonight.

Late night open thread

St. Peter's is still in there fighting Jersey City. Although the season seems lost they won a tough road game at Hampton of the MEAC 66-59 with another huge second half. The Peacocks (9-18) turned their halftime frown upside down and outscored the Pirates 41-25 in the second half.

Hey Hampton, you smell like a kettle of fish, yarrrrrrrrrrr.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Get out there and get drinking - It's NYC Beer Week

That's right WEEK, not day. The event is sponsored by the New York City Brewers Guild and runs through March 3rd.

If you follow this link while you're still sober it'll tell you all you need to know like who is participating and where they are so you can go get some beers.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE VOGUES!

The Vogues?! Dammit Johnny I was hoping for something I've heard of. You know the song. You knew it before the Drew Carey Show started using it. You just didn't know these dapper sons-of-bitches known at The Vogues sang it. That's what the Music Series is for. The Vogues with 'Five O'Clock World'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MARSHALL CRENSHAW!

A little taste of Detroit tonight with this 1982 classic, 'Someday Someway'. Johnny wonders if Marshall still has that tea setting.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PETER TOSH!

We all have a list of celebrities we've met in life and the late great Peter Tosh is one for Johnny. He already loved Mr. Tosh's music when he met him and joined him for a quick drink in the downstairs bar at the Pink Elephant in Boca Grande Florida one night long long ago. Bitchin'.

Smoke 'em if ya got 'em, Peter Tosh with 'Legalize it'

A bill moving forward in the NJ legislature requires recess for kids; it cannot be withheld as punishment

The New Jersey legislature is showing they think kids in New Jersey do better with a chance to blow off some steam and showing they think the kids are a bit plump by moving a bill requiring a 20 minute recess to the full senate for a vote. That's right, should this bill become a law, recess could no longer be withheld for punishment.

So beatings it is! And high time too...Thanks New Jersey legislature!

Late night open thread

A little shot of sonic goodness before bed tonight. Just one though or you'll never get to sleep. The Clash on the old Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder.

What have we got? Magnificence!


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorses Jerramiah Healy

In a high profile if not expected endorsement, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has endorsed Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy in his re-election bid. Said Mayor Mike:

“Mayor Healy has been an excellent partner in the effort to eliminate the scourge of illegal guns and he has been a thoughtful leader on economic development and environmental issues that are so important to our region,” Bloomberg said. “America needs mayors like Jerramiah Healy and he has earned another four years to keep the progress going in Jersey City.”

Healy is a founding member on Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns lobbying organization.

So, it's a big bright firework that lights up the news cycle for a night or two but it remains to be seen if it can start tipping the scales in this race.

Just a stray thought. Come later this year the cross Hudson mayors could be Steve Fulop and Countess Chocula. It's been Healy n Bloomie forever.

There are NO stories happening in NYC it would seem as the NY Post has resorted to creating their own news

It certainly sounds like the New York Post has tired of investigating and reporting flashy news stories to sell copy in these challenging economic times, and to wit it would appear from witnesses they've just decided to try and gin up and sell their own stories. The Post had tried to proclaim actor Alec Baldwin had used horrible awful evil RACIST language towards a Post photographer G.N. Miller, a retired NYPD detective. All the Post needed to splash Baldwin is a Turd headlines was a story that according to a witness, Miller made up. But for the record let's get the Miller's tale:

As oblivious pedestrians walked by, Baldwin told him to “suck my d--k,” Miller said. Baldwin also walked up to random people — including a dad pushing his child in a stroller — and told them Miller was an ex-con and drug dealer, Miller said.

“He was saying some serious racist stuff,” Miller said. “He said some choice words about my mother, and he was telling people in the street that I’m a drug dealer. He could have said a lot of other stuff. But he used all of the stereotypes associated with black people.”

Now back to reality and a real live witness who couldn't believe the way Miller was "engaging" Baldwin:

We asked Jamie whether he heard any of these alleged comments: "I didn’t hear 'crackhead' or any derogatory comments," he said. "I don’t wanna use the word that was reported [Editor's note: "coon"]. I certainly did not hear any of that." Jamie agrees with Baldwin that the photographer seemed to be baiting him: "[This happened] almost two blocks from the guy’s house. You took 10 pictures of him the second he walked out of his house, and he's trying to walk his dogs—its a freezing cold day and now he's carrying two dogs under his arm because you’re taking 50 pictures of him walking down the street, just trying to egg him on."

After he saw the Post's story, Jamie felt incensed at the way they were skewering the story, so he decided to write a letter to Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria Thomas: "I just wrote them the letter to say, 'Hey you know I was there, this is what I saw, if you need some information or it would be helpful, just let me know.'" After the cops opened the hate crime investigation, they asked Baldwin if he knew of any witnesses, which led to them interviewing Jamie yesterday afternoon.

TMZ said they have heard from a source in the NYPD who have heard the tapes that the Post story based on Baldwin's calling Miller a "coon" and other assorted other racist names is simply NOT TRUE.

Dear NY Post, stop with Daddy Rupert's FOX News style and get back to reporting real news, not invented news.

This will be a story down the road and we wanted to chime in now

Governor Chris Christie, hero of Superstorm Sandy, has a problem. His chosen no-bid contract (and oh how he hates calling it a no-bid contract, he prefers piggyback bid but really, it's the same thing) with Ashbritt, the company "hired" to haul away debris, might just cost quite a few New Jersey municipalities a few million dollars.

First off, Christie is chief executive of this state. For him to not have known or understood that Congress passed tougher FEMA bidding contract laws after Hurricane Katrina is no excuse. For him to have led mayors far and wide in some kind of "just submit the invoices" Pollyanna thinking was and is reckless.

Here's the crux of where we're headed:

The Christie administration says it’s followed all the rules and is confident towns will get their full reimbursement.

Ernest Abbott, a Washington-based attorney with FEMA Law Associates, a private firm, who has been practicing disaster relief law since 1997, said FEMA pays special attention to the rates, and the agency will compare the reimbursement applications submitted by individual towns and cities to help draw some conclusions.

Christie said he's confident but not assured the money he told towns to spend will be reimbursed. They might not. Talk about leading millions down a primrose path.

This will be debated and talked over and hashed out and in the end we think some of these towns will be left holding at least a partial bag where federal money would have been IF Christie had really done things right, again, reading and implementing the new tougher FEMA laws.

Here's how this plays out. A lot of New Jersey towns will get stiffed based on bad advice and then Christie will bloviate and try and blame the bureaucrats in Washington for "stiffing" the voters and taxpayers of his state. Forget the fact this is of HIS making, he'll never miss a chance to blame someone else (Brett Schundler et al) when he screws up. Christie will again become the mouth that roared blaming everyone but himself, it's what presidential candidates do.

We just want to get waaaay out ahead as we see how this plays out and would suggest to the governor that yesterday might have been a good time to bone up on the laws you'd be using to reconstruct your state. If towns don't get their money Governor YOU will be the reason, you took the no-bid "piggyback" contract and sold it.

By the way, towns NOT using Ashbritt and using their own contracted trash haulers are saving MILLIONS in costs and will never be left waiting for money that the governor promised that may not be coming. Imagine that.

Late night open thread

Now that we're into late February and looking at March and hopefully an early spring some things in the rear view mirror are too soon forgotten.

What is it that goes on at this time of year at the North Pole? Haven't heard much from that area since Christmas. That doesn't mean nothing is happening. We heard that a few elves caught some of that bad bird flu and died. Santa just threw the dead elves out on the tundra. So that was in the Iceland papers. We think Santa needs to chill. Santa needs to relax, get into character and sell some cool and refreshing Camel cigarettes! Nothing beats a beloved and embraced imaginary societal hero selling coffin nails.

Really though, it's not like Santa's estate can sue Camel for obvious reasons. So you're stuck watching this. Remember, what is seen cannot be unseen.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A Jersey City eatery is up for a Beard Award for culinary excellence

Thirty Acres, located on Jersey Avenue has been nominated for a Beard Award, for best new restaurant. The Beard Awards honor restaurants, chefs, service and more, and the foundation also honors food writers.

How cool is this? Johnny has said it for years, Jersey City has one of the most underrated food scenes around. Here is further proof of that. How about we hear from the chef and owner about what the nomination means:

Alex Pemoulié, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Kevin, said they are "psyched" to represent Jersey City on a national level.

"We are extremely proud, excited and humbled to be on a list with so many amazing restaurants from across the country," Pemoulié said.

Here's hoping for a Jersey City victory by way of Thirty Acres.

Late night open thread

"My Dad used to say 'always fight fire with fire', which is probably why he got thrown out of the fire brigade."
 -- Peter Kay

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It's a quick news roundup this morning

*Jersey City police responding to a noise complaint and came across an all out shootout.

*A Jersey City store owner was robbed and pulled out a machete to chase the perp. Who caught him first, the cops or the store owner? Well, follow the link!

*All Jersey City parking regulations have been resumed.

*A Jersey City assemblyman has some internet likes you might not share. We really don't care WHAT people look at in the privacy of their own homes (as long as it's legal) but this seems to be roiling the people.

*An ember from a cigarette might have caused a huge fire in Fuho. We swear without adult supervision there Hoboken citizens would all die off.

Late night open thread

According to Justinian's Digest, in ancient Rome the customary punishment for parricide - the act of killing one's father - was that the person is whipped with blood-colored sticks, then sealed up in a sack with a rooster, a dog, a viper and a monkey.

If you killed your mom maybe they tossed in two vipers and substituted a monkey for a badger on PCP.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It's President's Day, so class if you'd take your textbook, 'Land of Truth and Liberty'

...and open it to page 57, Franklin Pierce, "Young Hickory of the Granite Hills."

So, you know about Washington and Jefferson, Lincoln and FDR and JFK and Reagan and the Bushes and Obama but do you know about Franklin Pierce? He was a President. OK, not a great President but what better time to learn up on our 14th President that by following this link and then emailing Johnny your book reports, the best and or most amusing of which we'll reprint in this very space.

Enjoy Franklin Pierce, one of our more disheveled Presidents!

Late night open thread

Rapid fire elephant joke night:

Q: Why did the elephant fall out of the tree?
A: Because it was dead.

Q: Why did the second elephant fall out of the tree?
A: It was glued to the first one.

Q: Why did the third elephant fall out of the tree?
A: It thought it was a game.

Q: Why do ducks have flat feet?
A: From stamping out forest fires.

Q: Why do elephants have flat feet?
A: From stamping out flaming ducks.

Q: How do you make a dead elephant float?
A: Well, you take 10 dead elephants, 10 tons of chocolate ice-cream, 5 tons of bananas...

Q: What has two tails, two trunks and five feet?
A: An elephant with spare parts

Q: How do you get an elephant into the fridge?
1. Open door.
2. Insert elephant.
3. Close door.

Q: How do you get a giraffe into the fridge?
1. Open door.
2. Remove elephant.
3. Insert giraffe.
4. Close door.

Q. The lion, the king of the jungle, decided to have a party. He invited all the animals in the jungle, and they all came except one. Which one?
A. The giraffe, because he was still in the fridge.

Q: Why do elephants wear shoes with yellow soles?
A: So you don't see them when they float upside down in a bowl of custard.

Q: Have you ever seen an elephant floating upside down in a bowl of custard?
A: No, of course not.

Q: Why do elephants live in herds?
A: To get a wholesale reduction on the shoes with yellow soles.

Q. How come elephants lie on their backs in fields?
A. So they can trip birds.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Joey, do you like stories about mobsters?

And who doesn't? From the infamous New York gangsters and five families to the Bugsy Moran vs. Al Capone in the Chicago typewriter wars to the way San Francisco's far-east mobs used the city's tight fitting streets and doorways into virtual rabbit holes of crime and escape.

So what's a little murder on a Sunday morning? Sometimes somebody's gotta get whacked. Gothamist, perhaps inspired by a new mob teevee show, has put together some of the backstories behind some of the more famous mob hits. But Johnny, what new can there be at the link? I think I've heard all the stories.

Did you know John Gotti watched the hit on Paul Castellano from a car across the street from Sparks Steak House? Then he had someone drive him by the crime scene to make sure Big Paul got what he'd ordered up.

So follow this link and enjoy some contract hits over eggs and sausages this morning.

And while we're on the subject, did you know Jersey City produced one of the most feared mobsters of all time? It's true. Part 1 Part 2

Late night open thread

“History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”
-- Mark Twain

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Saturday morning cartoons

How about some Moose and Squirrel while we wait for the afternoon snow.

Late night open thread

Here's a few hilarious frames of one of Johnny's all time favorite and long time retired comics, Arnold. There are only a few of these old strips that even survive.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DICK DALE & HIS DEL-TONES!

If Johnny had theme music, man this would be it. If he had a teeve or radio show this would be the lead in and the bumper music. If he won some kind of award or was on a show he'd request to be played on by this classic. You walk around to this number and you're so cool you piss ice cubes.

Dick Dale & His Del-Tones with 'Tidal Wave'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE WHO!

'Eminence Front', Johnny has never known anyone to turn this jam down. The volume control always goes up.

You kids Google how this is done, It's how they used to do music in the before times when the world was in black and white and hippies roamed the Earth like buffalo. They're called "records." You'll learn amazing new terms like stylus and diamond needle.

The Who with 'Eminence Front'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE SEX PISTOLS!

Sending you on your way at the end of another Music Series this week with a kick in the pants.

And we don't caaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrre.

The Sex Pistols with 'Pretty Vacant'

Mayor Healy's red light cameras have brought in so much munny, there's big raises for his donors!

We understand attrition and taking on more responsibilities at work and not getting a dime more in your pocket. It happens far too often in these United States. People around you leave and hiring people is bad for the bottom line so you now get to do their jobs too. If you complain someone will be adding your workload tomorrow.

That being said we're not against all these raises. We're questioning the ones that were given to donors. Jersey City raised the pay of 81 city workers. Some work hard, some don't. Any of you want to pile in here and say you all do Johnny will release some pictures of city workers sleeping and screwing around. Better hope you're not one. A lot of these people were deserving because their supervisors said so. They were then reviewed higher up the line. That's good enough for us.

Now, to the donors and the very large % of the raises. What do YOU get dear reader? 2%, 3% in a good year maybe 5% if you're a rockstar. Terrence T. McDonald tell us more:

CFO Donna Mauer, whose 6 percent increase boosts her salary to $100,299; Personnel Director Darlene Pharmes, who now makes $100,499 after a 10 percent hike; Risk Manager Peter Soriero, who received a 5 percent hike that gives him a $96,609 salary; and Cultural Affairs Director Maryanne Kelleher, who now makes $87,488 thanks to a 7 percent raise.

Got that? Ok.

Of the four above officials, three donated to Healy’s re-election campaign, according to documents filed with state election officials. On Dec. 6 – the date of a major Healy fundraiser at Casino in the Park that the mayor’s allies claim brought in more than $100,000 – Kelleher and Pharnes each donated $150 and Soriero donated $500.

Now, you the voter make up your own mind but do it quickly because here come Itchy and Scratchy to tell their sides:


“Mayor Healy is attempting to buy this election, compliments of middle-class Jersey City taxpayers,” -- Steve Fulop

“Allegations by Councilman Fulop that these raises were for any reason other than job performance denigrates each of these hardworking public employees.” -- Mayor Healy

“At the end of the day a mayor has to be responsible, and buying an election that will be paid for by property tax payers is wrong" -- Steve Fulop

Well Jersey City, we got Steve Fulop's response to Diane Coleman's dumb comments

And his aren't much smarter and in ONE way even more disappointing.

First off, Fulop's excuse for Coleman's comments:

“Her statement was intended to accentuate a major flaw with this federal jobs program.”

Mr. Fulop, no it wasn't. Not at all. If she'd wanted to she could have said just that. She didn't. She didn't infer it. She didn't intone it. You're spinning like a top.

Then, after the Healy campaign demanded an apology to Ward F voters the Fulop campaign made mention to the Jersey Journal that, well, here, let them tell you:

Fulop’s campaign suggested Healy himself might not be eligible for the jobs program discussed at Monday’s caucus.

Oh boy, HILARIOUS Steve, and first class campaigning. That's really classy stuff, the kind of campaigning we here in Jersey City detest. We see what you did there, you, a Goldman Sachs alum want to cast stones at someone else's house because he got drunk and had a run in with the law. You wanted to remind people about that. Yes because Goldman Sachs are paramours of virtue Steve.

So, are we running on ideas or closet skeletons?

That was SOME test of Johnny's death ray now wasn't it?

Johnny chose the Ural Mountains of Russia this morning to test his death ray which by now all our regular readers know is sequestered safely atop Mt. Secaucus. Some in the media are calling this a "meteorite" but rest assured kids, it was Johnny's death ray test. You have nothing to fear (unless your town runs afoul of Johnny).

A sample of the result:

Late night open thread

Nostalgia radio tonight from KJR in Seattle. Click the link and enjoy 1977 'til dawn on this internet radio outpost.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Attention drunk drivers, do NOT drive down Willow Ave. in FuHo Feb. 23

The Hoboken PD have conveniently announced for local drunk drivers they will be holding a DWI checkpoint February 23rd at Willow Ave. and 16th St. between 12 midnight and 4 am.

If you are a drunk driver ages 18-90 and wanna keep the rolling party going please plan an alternate route.

Ward F Councilwoman Diane Coleman just isn't all that intelligent

Which probably means the entire Fulop ticket isn't all that intelligent. Whoa, hey, we were only kidding, just like Ward F Councilwoman Diane Coleman when she said that 'everyone' in her ward, Ward F, had a criminal record.

WOW. Again for emphasis, WOW. And you're running on Steve Fulop's ticket talking shit like that? You not only offended Viola Richardson who represented Ward F for over ten years before becoming an at-large Councilwoman but the entire ward. What are people waking up reading this story going to think? That you Diane have their best interests at heart when you write them ALL off as criminals?

Steve Fulop, what do YOU have to say? She's running on YOUR ticket. What are your thoughts on Ward F Steve? Do you agree with your candidate or do you reject her comments outright? Words we don't want to hear from your campaign are "misspoke", "taken out of context" or "misinterpreted".

Here is the back and forth between Coleman and Richardson:

Coleman’s joke came as the council discussed a federally funded jobs program up for approval at its meeting tomorrow. Keith Davis, who runs a jobs program that works with the city, told the council that applicants with a criminal history are prohibited from applying for the program.

“So that means everybody in Ward F,” Coleman said before laughing.

"No, it does not. No, it does not,” Richardson shot back as a handful of people in attendance groaned.

"I'm only kidding," Coleman responded.

"There's a whole lot of folks who do not have a record --" Richardson started to say, before Coleman interrupted, saying, "And they're probably already working or whatever."

Richardson replied, "No, there are a lot of people who are unemployed in Ward F who do not have a record."

Sorry, you weren't KIDDING. Kidding is supposed to make people laugh or be some kind of engaging joke. What you just did Kitten was to slap your entire Ward across the face. We're not sure which was more offensive, the comment they all have criminal records or when challenged RIGHTLY by Viola Richardson you cop to saying that the people who don't have records probably already have jobs. Whoa boy, thats just stupid. Diane do you read any kind of local news or national news to see what the job picture is like ESPECIALLY in urban areas? Do you keep up with current events? In your self proclaimed "13 years of service" have you paid no attention?

Diane Coleman ladies and gentlemen, and she wants your vote in May to keep representing the criminals in Ward F.

Late night open thread

"You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in."
-- Arlo Guthrie

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

You didn't put the shovels away did you?

Well you'll perhaps want to have the kids go get them as 2-3" of powder will fall tonight after 7pm until roughly 3am. Tomorrow's high should be around 45º so don't work too hard on the snow tonight.

Late night open thread

Those shirts the University of Michigan players wore for their big matchup with Michigan State were something weren't they? "WE ON" they read. Yeah, you on alright, you on Sportscenter getting laughed at.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Oh, were you waiting for a story or something?

Sorry, it's a UEFA Champions League match day which gets Johnny all caught up in other matters.

Mayor Healy has filled out his ticket for the May elections, tapping the owner of the Light Rail Café, Jermaine Robinson. Robinson said he wanted to give back locally:

“While some local leaders might care more about Wall Street, I understand first-hand the struggles of my fellow small-business owners and will always have their back.”

Wall Street? Aren't Goldman Sachs and few other heavy hitters from Wall Street located in Jersey City in some capacity, the area you want to give back to? Jermaine we know you meant the Fulop fellow but leave the slagging of the financial houses to local sandpaper like Johnny, or you might just wind up representing the people you just said you cared a little less about.

Robinson's candidacy brought out a response from Fulop's candidate for Ward F Diane Coleman, the kind of steely response one can only get from political-speak-in-a-press-release:

"While I haven't seen this gentleman anywhere in the Ward F community or even heard of him in my 13 years of service, I know Steven Fulop, a former Marine, is fighting for my neighborhood everyday."

Except Diane, Mr. Robinson isn't running against Councilman Fulop, you are. Are you a former Marine out fighting for our neighborhood everyday? Certainly 13 years of service mean you could point out your own accomplishments. That'd be better in our opinion.

As we mentioned this rounds out the Healy ticket which also includes at-large candidates Councilman Peter Brennan, Councilwoman Viola Richardson and former mayoral aide Omar Perez; former schools superintendent Charles T. Epps. Jr. in Ward A; county worker Jerry Meyers in Ward B; business analyst Janet Chevres in Ward C; the Rev. Mario Gonzales in Ward D; and activist Dan Levin in Ward E; and Jerry Mathers, as The Beaver.

Late night open thread

So, the world is gonna need a Pope before too long. While the rest of the world debates the ethics of being the first Pope in 600 years to up and quit and the serious sex abuse issues facing the church, Johnny has already begun the problem solving part of the equation. Ladies and Jellyspoons, your next Pope:


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Michael Bloomberg simply does not give a shit about people without a big income

How else could you explain that Mayor Mike would sign off on a plan to basically give developers land, land that now is used for playgrounds, community centers and parking lots for public housing, so they can build LUXURY condos. Yep, you heard right. The Daily News reports:

Internal documents obtained by the Daily News show the planned 4,330 apartments in eight developments are all in hot real estate neighborhoods, including the upper East and West Sides, the lower East Side and lower Manhattan. Developers will get a sweet deal: a 99-year lease with the lease payments to the authority frozen for the first 35 years.

Bloomberg is all for the luxury condos also having a million square foot parking lot and baseball field where the people in public housing hold "Family Day".

So, if you have a soul now you're pissed. It gets worse. Do you really think that the people in the luxury condos want to even look at the poors? Hell no:

"...and face away from the public housing."

We want their land but damned if we even want to look upon them. Maybe they could have entrances and exits away from us that are enforced under Bloomberg's, "Police for the Rich" doctrine.

All Bloomie needs is a next-mayor to carry this horrid plan through. He's happy to get the ball rolling but he'll need a willing patsy.

Good luck with that.

Late night open thread

Happy Chinese New Year, the year of the snake.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Incredible defensive effort in the 2nd half lifts St. Peter's 72-62 over Siena

Things weren't looking good at the Yanitelli Center at halftime friends. Our Peacocks were down by 7 39-32. Then, the defense stepped it up to an amazing level, at one point with almost 7 minutes to play St. Peter's had only given up SIX second half points. What an effort. We wonder what was said at halftime to so inspire this defensive wizardry. Whatever it was bottle it and take it with to Rider on Thursday.

The Peacocks are 3-11 in MAAC play and 8-16 overall.

St. Peter's at home this afternoon at 2pm

The Peacocks are at the Yanitelli Center for a 2pm tip-off with Siena. This is one of those games on the schedule that looks oh-so-winnable for St. Peter's. A couple wins in the next couple weeks could well prep the Pride of Jersey City for a nice run in the MAAC Tourney. It would at least help make them a tough out.

Late night open thread

The first alarm clock was invented in Concord New Hampshire by Levi Hutchins in 1787. It was never patented as the inventor didn’t care about money, he just didn’t want to oversleep anymore.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A quick surveying of the snowstorm this morning

It looks like we didn't get hit as badly as predicted. Hats off to the Jersey City road crews, looks like they did another great job. The snowy pup is Ollie, a pooch Johnny met on his walk this morning. How cute is he? Dogs and snow are always a winning picture.

Late night open thread

Q) Why did the snowman pull down his pants?
A) He heard the snowblower was coming.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BECK!

Kicking off the music series tonight in the Orbit Room tonight is Beck with his 1997 number, 'The New Pollution'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PAUL MCCARTNEY!

Boy does this song and album bring back memories. Johnny and his best friend growing up played this one down to the vinyl. Still one of the best album covers too. Paul McCartney with 'Band of the Run'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ICICLE WORKS!

Well we had to have at least one weather related song with all this snow and ice. Back to 1984 Liverpool we go for Icicle Works and their one hit 'Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)'.

Important blizzard observation #3

The weather guy on Channel 5 FOX New York just said talking about tonight's storm that we might well have to go through this again next Thursday. Bewildered and gobsmacked news anchors double checked. "Through THIS?" The weather sage said yes.

So you have that to look forward to.

Important blizzard observation #2

Last call at Newark Liberty International Airport, the only airline flying out tonight is ChanceIt Airways and even they are getting ready to cancel fights. Get that drink to go.

Important blizzard observation #1

Nobody wears moon boots anymore.

The official Jersey City website says Leonard Gordon Park has the best sledding in Jersey City

Let's put that statement to the test. Jersey City, we're about to have two and a half days of snow and fun. There's no excuse not to get those sleds and toboggans out and and really see if "Mosquito Park" is the best sledding in Jersey City. This is where you all chime in. Have you been there? Is it all that? Do you have a better place in mind? Do you prefer a saucer or something with control?

Johnny adored sledding growing up. The big hill you HAD to ride was in the Mulberry Hills and it had the intimidating name, "Death Hill". It was steep and in order to make a tough left hand slide you had to maneuver around a nice dangerous rock. Many a noob from Glass Rd. left DNA on it while the Fay Rd. Syndicate just coasted on by. If you made it past the rock and got the left alley you could cover a fast hundred yards onto Lake Louise.

So send us those pictures and we'll post them all up in here, the Jersey City Desk Ski Lodge, where you can tell tales of the blizzard, share pictures and relax in the Orbit Room.

Leonard Gordon Park (JFK Blvd. and Manhattan Ave.), because you can see Secaucus from there...

While we wait for the blizzard, a question

Johnny and Mrs. Johnny were asking this question last night of one another; did the results of Superstorm Sandy have any impact on how people prepared for this blizzard? Were you more willing lay in provisions thinking back to October and early November? Have you taken any kind of electrical precautions such as buying a generator?

Color us curious.

Late night open thread

Home movies night:
 Time for Jersey City, After Dark

OK so it's a blizzard

Yes, this storm has ballooned into a whopper and our fair city will be forced to pay a price. A foot of snow and 40-50 mph gusts starting in earnest tomorrow late afternoon. The storm is expected to last through eggs and bacons on Saturday. That's not what's important right now. The blizzard parade o' photos will no doubt be late Saturday or Sunday as your submissions trickle in. Email Johnny at the address listed down the page under his sassy picture. Who could ever forget Johnny's winner after the last blizzard:

Ghosts Eating Marshmallows in a Snowstorm 2010

Also Johnny suggested via Twitter that Newark SuperMayor Cory Booker get out the flannel cape and tights to save man and beast in this wicked storm because we're all about the caring here at the Jersey City Desk.

A possible 4" of snow is coming -- Time to loot the stores! UPDATE!

Rain and a possible four inches of snow? How will we all survive? Sadly Jersey City, some of us won't make is through this storm. But there is still time to head to Shop Rite or wherever groceries are sold and buy them out of water, milk, bread and eggs.

Here's how our portion of this storm sets up:
Today. Nothing. Today will be fine. That's what you're going to Shop Rite TODAY.

Tonight there will be a chance of snow after midnight  but nothing too bad.

Friday we'll get snow, then rain and it'll be windy. About 40mph windy. Still just rain and some snow.

Friday night is when the magic happens. We'll get upwards of THREE inches of snow which will shut down the city, ruining hundreds of lives.

Saturday we could get an additional ONE whole inch of snow in the morning, the survivors of Friday night will have to put up with this insulting bit of snow, how terrible.

Yes yes we're going overboard here. But then again Johnny has good friends in West Concord Massachusetts and if you were there this would be YOUR weekend:

Friday Night
Overcast with snow. Low of 18F with a windchill as low as 1F. Windy. Winds from the NNE at 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Chance of snow 100% with accumulations up to 20 in. possible.

Saturday
Overcast with snow. High of 21F with a windchill as low as 0F. Windy. Winds from the NNW at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Chance of snow 100% with accumulations up to 10 in. possible.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening, then clear. Low of -2F with a windchill as low as -17F. Breezy. Winds from the NW at 10 to 20 mph.

Suddenly four inches doesn't sound so bad now does it?

UPDATE 9:31am: NOW (and with weather the chance for an update is always great) NJ.com is saying a possible 8-12" is possible in Hudson County and the surround. Please keep checking for updates or get to a weather channel on your teevee.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So the voters have spoken, the new Monopoly piece is CAT

The Monopoly game people decided they needed to shake things up and bring attention to a good but now dusty old board game. So to Facebook it was and they asked which piece should they adopt (CAT) and which one should they lose. The answer to that was the lowly iron. All those irons now being tossed away and 30-40% of them will hit Wile E. Coyote. Nobody listened to Johnny once again. He had ideas but no, they asked America a question via the internet and the answer came back CAT. Who would have imagined that? Some of Johnny's better ideas?

iPhone
Prescription pill bottle
Hindenburg
Bar of soap
Sonja Henie
AK societal chaos rifle
Flying Spaghetti Monster
Hungry Hippo (just one use of the word 'hungry' so as not to run afoul of copyright laws)
And of course 8-track player

CAT.

Your thoughts dear readers?

Late night open thread

El Paso Texas is closer to San Diego than it is to Houston.

It's a FACT!


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Once again Mayor Dawn Zimmer has cancelled the Hoboken St. Patrick's Day parade

And once again we'd like to invite those who want a real first class St. Patrick's Day parade to come on over to Jersey City for ours. We think you'll find a better parade, a more family oriented crowd and PLENTY of after parade places to toast a leprechaun or two.

It would seem Hoboken has done gone and ruined their parade and since parade organizers are none too keen on a Wednesday afternoon step-off offered by Zimmer once again this year, Jersey City is now your better parade and adult beverage option.

Lepre-Con. Weeeeeeeak.

Late night open thread

Brylcreem, because when it rains your hair should have tributaries.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Super Bowl hangover

Anyone who wants to discuss the blackout, the commercials, the halftime show or even the game itself tell us what you liked and what you didn't.

Johnny especially liked the Doritos goat commercial.

Late night open thread

Oh so NOW America cares about infrastructure.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Jersey City Desk, your unofficial official home of Super Bowl [fill in Roman numerals]

Hey sports fans, it's Super Bowl Sunday and while the Jersey City Desk has no official connection to Roger Goodell's social media nightmare week we're the UNofficial official home for the big game. We're just practicing up for next year when the Super Bowl comes to New Jersey. Here's a game, count how many times the lazy announcers and analysts who refuse to do their homework say the next Super Bowl is in New York. The over/under is 25. Anything Super Bowl related you want to talk about from the game to commercials our comments lounge open sign is now ON.

So this has sure been a great week for the NFL in New Orleans hasn't it? Roger Goodell, the NFL commish can't get served in quite a few Big Easy restaurants and bars. He's been banned over his handling of the Saints "bounty" program fallout during his big Super Bowl week in the host city. Perfect. Then we have Ray Lewis who has never been shy about running his mouth unless it is about the murder he was involved in -- er, allegedly involved in at a Super Bowl event in 2000. Since Ray Ray won't talk about it, and when you read that link it becomes quite apparent he's hiding something, it causes the media to ask questions and dig deeper. Bad for the NFL. Then the very fact that Lewis is playing is yet another controversy. He tore his triceps. He was done for the season. Unless of course you're Ray Lewis and heal at ten times the rate of the normal human without taking deer antler spray. Witnesses put him in the place to get it and talking with the owner of the company but his Harry Potter healing wand made from deer antlers had nothing to do with illegal-by-NFL-standards deer antler spray which helps athletes heal, well, ten time faster than normal folk. The media asks how he heals, he blames someone else and the NFL backs Lewis. Look, if they were willing to overlook murders years ago why try and enforce your own rules with a bankable player? Another black eye for the NFL and their supposed drug testing program. Awful week wasn't it? Then the 49ers hit town.

Soon after the wheels touched down on the 49ers plane in New Orleans two of their players decided they were in fact NOT involved in a team sponsored "It Gets Better" video for gay, lesbian and transgender kids who are victims of bullying. They were shown their own pictures in the video but for an idiot player named Isaac Sopoaga this still wasn't enough. He didn't do that video if it was for gay kids. The 49ers players response was SO BAD to this video that the "It Gets Better" people actually had to pull the video as it was having the very unintended effect thanks to nonsensical comments by Ahmad Brooks and Sopoaga. The San Francisco chapter had to pull the video. Go NFL, let's get everyone fired up!

Get those cheese and crackers and yummy treats onto trays, the pre-games start in an hour! Get the turkey in the oven and -- wait, wrong holiday. Feel free to drop us a note in comments and tell us what makes YOUR Super Bowl party the shizzle.

So, the game itself, after all the social media NFL fail how about we get to the game. Baltimore can run a little but the big weapon they have this postseason is Joe Flacco's arm. He's throwing great long balls and Anquan Boldin is catching them. We think the 49ers are the best defensive team the Ravens will face. The question about the Ravens offense is will they try to pass to let Ray Rice run or will they try and establish Ray Rice and try and hit some big plays? Johnny thinks against a stout San Francisco front the Ravens should start out passing and then let Ray Rice get going. As for the 49ers offense matched up against the Ravens defense? We think that the SF scheme will take advantage of the upfield rush of Suggs and the like. The longer the game goes on the better the San Fran offense does. We think that trend will continue tonight. The 49ers have a diversified offense that can usually work against any kind of defense. If Colin Kaepernick wins the MVP tonight there is every chance he'll win it on the strength of his legs, it's what he does that Flacco does not. One thing that should worry the NFC champion 49ers is their meager field goal kicking. David Akers does not inspire confidence should this come down to a 47 yard winner.

So, after all this game analysis and social media and commercial talk where does it leave us? Glad you asked fans.

Fearless Forecast:
San Francisco 33
Baltimore 24

As for the deer antler spray? The NFL has rigorous testing standards. Ray has never failed a test.

Late night open thread

"I played a heap of snow in a school play. I was under a sheet, and crawled out when spring came. I often say I'll never reach the same artistic level again."
 -- Stellan Skarsgard

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Jersey City's own Jebediah the Wombat saw his shadow early this morning, only a week and a half more of winter

Jersey City's own weather prognosticator Jebediah the Wombat came out this morning from his abandoned warehouse and yes, saw his shadow. So according to legend (Johnny's legend anyway) that means spring is about a week and a half away. Book your travel accordingly.

Late night open thread

"I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'."
-- Bob Newhart

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MIDNIGHT OIL!

Aussie Aussie Aussie oy oy oy! A note about this video and the fact it doesn't exactly match up to the meaning of this song. The video itself contains a lot of great pictures of Australia where Midnight Oil and the story behind this song comes from. The pictures make you wanna run right out and book a flight to Sydney. Now the meaning of the song is really an age-old story of a company poisoning workers (in this case with asbestos) who are told if they complain their only source of income goes poof. Just take your dirty money and shut up. It's nice certain bands have their priorities straight. Midnight Oil with 'Blue Sky Mine'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MELISSA ETHERIDGE!

Passion. You wanna sing and reach Johnny you gotta sing like you mean it. He can tell. He might be colorblind but he sure as hell isn't tone deaf. That's why Johnny likes Melissa Etheridge. She sings like her songs are busting out of her. Plus she's just plain good folk. He's Ms. Etheridge with 'Come to My Window' featuring the very talented Juliette Lewis as the Crayon Lady.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CARS!

In what was one of the best debut albums like ever, this song, 'All Mixed Up' often gets lost in the fact it's part of that three song run-together with the FM radio runaway hit 'Bye Bye Love' and then the iconic 'Moving in Stereo'. It's kind of that great song that you hear every so often and are reminded how good it is. The late Benjamin Orr on vocals (on all three aforementioned tracks actually) with 'All Mixed Up'

Former NYC Mayor the honorable Ed Koch has passed away

Now Johnny wasn't living in NYC during the 1978-1989 era of Koch. He wished he did when the punk scene broke out but alas, Johnny had parents who said he wasn't go to live in NYC at the age of 16 on his own but we digress. Koch was a three term mayor who led the city out of bankruptcy and into a more modern era or restored housing, a tremendous burgeoning art scene throughout the 80's and all with a smile and a "How'm I doin'?" for voters. Koch was one of if not the first mayors to draw on an entirely new way of getting elected mayor of NYC by moving to the center.

Rest in peace Mr. Koch. Maybe one day Mayor Bloomberg will get his wish and the Queensboro Bridge will one day bear your name. Koch was 88.