Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A great view that won't be around too much longer

Like planets aligned, so are the warehouses over in The PAD tonight. This view will forever be skewed by another Toll Brothers ugly building all too soon.

Late night open thread

One of the best scenes in the 1973 Best Picture Academy Award, The Sting. Notice Robert Shaw working in his own trick deck of cards at the beginning.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Jersey City Desk just won another Oscar!

Best short-form blog with well-researched longer more damning pieces.

Johnny would like to thank the Academy, his wife and dog, his agent and all the morons for giving Johnny a constant supply of things to write about.

Late night open thread

60º tomorrow Jersey City, that is all...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

St. Peter's wins their last regular season game, clinches winning conference record

The Peacocks won today at the Yanitelli Center over Fairfield 72-68. Trevis Wyche made a 3-point play with 40 seconds left to bring glory to St. Peter's.

Quadir Welton scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his tenth double-double of the season. That's nothing short of awesome.

There are four MAAC games tomorrow to finish up seeding for the conference tournament and St. Peter's is assured of nothing less than fourth seed with their winning 12-8 conference record. The Peacocks are 14-15 overall.

Late night open thread

Experience is the name we give to our mistakes.
 -- Oscar Wilde

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ROBERT GORDON!

For years and years we've been taking Robert Gordon's word that his gal is red hot and your gal ain't doodley squat. Has anyone ever seen Robert Gordon's gal? Just asking...

Robert Gordon and the classic 'Red Hot'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MARVIN GAYE!

Marvin Gaye does not have time for your cheating. He is not gonna stand there and be made a fool of. What a great song and for all the young kids listening to Motown to know if Marvin's not gonna tolerate that mess you needn't either.

Marvin Gaye and 'I'll Be Doggone'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ARTHUR BROWN!

Hey, if you're the God of Hellfire Johnny's just gonna bet that gets doors opened for you. "We have your regular table Mr. God of Hellfire." "We're over capacity at the club tonight but we'll make an exception for you Mr. God of Hellfire." "We're just gonna comp your Grand Slam breakfast Mr. God of Hellfire." That sort of thing.

The God of Hellfire himself, Arthur Brown closing up shop on another Music Series with 'Fire'. Also, that is the best fucking party hat ever.

Perusing the news this morning Johnny is reminded of a Game of Thrones line

If you're not a Game of Thrones watcher do stick around as these issues we're dealing with today are important. For fans, remember the scene where Arya and The Hound find the dying farmer, talk with him and The Hound gives the farmer a merciful end only to be jumped from behind and bitten by two guys trying to collect the bounty on him? After he snaps the first attacker's neck with his bare hands he turns to the other now well aware of his coming fate and tells him "This day's really not working out the way you'd planned..."

Mayor Steve Fulop is having one of those weeks that's surely not working out the way he planned. As noted here earlier the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association won a victory over a developer, LeFrak, and "City Planning" which if you're paying attention does what the mayor likes. More seriously however the mayor's SuperPAC is looking worse and worse when it comes to violating more pay-to-play laws championed and passed by Councilman Fulop. The administration seems pinned down by all the bad news coming out about it. Two new campaign finance watchdog groups are calling on the FEC to look into the mysterious SuperPAC that will mostly be supporting Mayor Fulop in his run for governor yet had over $1 million in a single donation less than 24 hours after the PAC paperwork was filed. Fulop won't say who is behind the donation (Johnny's got an idea, follow the casino munneyz) and it stinks to high heaven for someone who ran on a platform of being a champion of open government and good governance. It stinks to high heaven for someone who didn't run on a platform of being a champion of open government and good governance. But, seeing as how most of the big Fulop contributions have been from developers who either do business with Jersey City or get tax abatements from Jersey City, you can only guess who wants to give Mayor Fulop a million in secret cash.

Also not on the mayor's list this week Superior Court Judge Francis B. Schultz brought the Fulop Administration one step closer to a state-mandated reval whether Fulop likes it or not, and with yesterday's ruling certainly opens Jersey City up to a huge lawsuit by the company performing the reval that was 95% complete at he time Fulop stopped their work, (Fulop's admission) Realty Appraisal Co. Judge Schultz had this to say about the city's flimsy filings in why Realty Appraisal Co. shouldn't be allowed to finish the job:

But Superior Court Judge Francis B. Schultz this afternoon ruled that witness testimony did not back up the city's claims that O'Reilly had any significant role in the city's selection of Realty Appraisal in 2011. The testimony by city employees showed O'Reilly recused himself from any role in the selection process while he was still employed by the city, Schultz ruled today.

"There was no conflict," he said.

This was one baaaad week at 280 Grove St. kids. If Fulop is running for governor (he is) he's already compiling a lot of baggage on his own and giving Steve Sweeney and anyone else running in the Democratic primary plenty of mud to sling.

Late night open thread

It's only February but 4th of July fireworks fails are always in season. Mmm, smell that sulphur on the air, and listen to the crickets. At the 1:20 mark we learn that the Lord Jesus, Jesus Christ, loves the fireworks.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Dear LeFrak, Go piss up a rope

"This is a sad day for Jersey City," the statement says.

LeFrak's statement actually said that, insulting Jersey City residents as LeFrak was on the losing end against the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association over required parking spaces, a one spot for one unit plan that's been set in stone since 2007 as part of the neighborhood redevelopment plan. You know these shithead developers though, if a neighborhood association were to want to reopen one of these deals their spokespeople would be all over the contract nature of it. You just can't tear those things up when you want to...only WE developers can tear those up by running hat in hand ala Oliver Twist to Bob Cotter and his Cocoa Puffs planners and city hall to get whatever they want. You homeowners and neighborhood groups can't do this, only developers as they smirk their little smirks knowing the game had been rigged.

Only last night it wasn't. Last night the planning board overturned the Cocoa Puffs Factory of Sadness unanimously and didn't let LeFrak out of their obligation to give one parking spot for one unit, units they are being well abated for by the Jersey City taxpayers.

LeFrak sounds stunned don't they? Before the meeting they tried to allay the fears of those in and around and traveling through Hamilton Park about the lost parking they were trying to reneg on. They didn't mention the good Earth or trying to keep things green by doing this, no, they had an answer all ready for those upset by them trying to change the rules again; "Well shucks folks, if you go just down the street to Newport there are a lot of parking sports there. Well yes, they ARE owned by our business BFF's and yes you will have to pay now for what you're getting for free but it saves us LeFrak millions in not doing what we're supposed to be doing, but hey, at least it's parking." Just give us our abatements and shut up. We told you where to park, if you don't like that then too bad they seemed to say to the very residents they didn't seem all the concerned with through the process.

Then they lost...UNANIMOUSLY. That didn't sit well. It never does when dealing with toddlers:

"The requirement for 'one to one' parking imposes on future development in Jersey City an accommodation of car ownership and desire for parking in front of one's home that is based on a suburban lifestyle, and not on the lifestyle of transit-oriented sustainable urban development," the statement reads. "The frustration expressed by residents about the lack of free street parking reflects both unrealistic expectations as well as unhappiness with the city's residential parking permit program."

Somebody call LeFrak a waaaaambulance.

You stupidheads are truly not seeing our genius here. You should have just let us tear up your neighborhood redev plan any way we want to, look, NATURE!

Yeeeaaaaaah, suuuuure that's what you were all about. That's what you wanted all along right? Just to save the earth and if you pocketed a few more million from JC taxpayers over deals you don't want to hold to and get parking dollars in perpetuity that's just a happy accident right? Pull this one it plays Jingle Bells.

Know what's NOT sustainable LeFrak? Your attitude. Things are changing. A lot of pressure will be put on Mayor Fulop by ALL the neighborhood associations to look well outside Jersey City to find someone TRULY interested in a workable, walkable green city where the first thought isn't of Lloyd Goldman, Toll Brothers, KRE, Silverman, and LeFrak among others. The mayor will get on board with this new way of doing business Johnny thinks.

Or these same neighborhood groups will rally and ensure May elections for Mr. Fulop going forward.

Late night open thread

On this very day in 1693 James Quin, an English actor was born. That guy was a dick.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A tornado watch is in effect until 11pm for a LOT of South Jersey

February 24, they're having a blizzard in Chicago and lower Michigan today while here in New Jersey, The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch, effective through 11 p.m., for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer and Salem counties in New Jersey, as well as several counties in southeastern Pennsylvania in the Philadelphia region.

We should be copacetic here Jersey City with just more damned rain and perhaps a rumble of thunder later tonight.

Late night open thread

FC Barcelona, there is no substitute...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We know Ward C Councilman Rich Boggoiano can be kind of a crank

A former cop and sometimes local Grandpa Simpson looking for a complaint in search of a problem has introduced something he'd like to become law that would include the following measures when it comes to raucous noise made by the kids, cars and construction sites:

The measure (Ord. 16.027) would also ban certain activities during evening and overnight hours. Use of power tools, for example, would be prohibited between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., and unnecessary car honking would be a no-no. Violators could be hit with fines of up to $3,000.

Maximum decibel levels for residential properties — as measured from the property line — would be capped between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. at 65 decibels, which is softer than a vacuum cleaner, and between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. at 50 decibels, which is comparative to normal conversation inside a home.

Boggiano says the noise is really impeding the quality of life all across Jersey City and to that end he's not wrong. Like Johnny mentioned earlier today, if Rich Boggiano wasn't such a cranky guy we'd easily get behind a lot of what he's proposing. There's much more to his plan and well worth reading since it could become law.

Late night open thread

Could be a rough commute tomorrow. Better go set traps and sight gags now.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

While we're on the PAD there's an excellent article out by ChicPeaJC

Well, it's on her website looking into the rich history of The PAD. "One of the smallest neighborhoods in Jersey City but it packs a helluva punch" says Lauren Bienvenue, and you can even learn which famous movie shot it's final scene in The PAD waaaay back when, with the Powerhouse Building standing prominent. Poor Powerhouse Building, could be so much but all city government lets it rot instead of a citywide initiative to take ownership and rebuild and rebrand without turning it over to Trump's kid. Buildings like the Powerhouse are why you don't abate everything else by the way...

The Cotter and the damage done

You know the routine, if you retire from a city job in Jersey City or anywhere in New Jersey, people say glowing things about you despite what your real record might be. They don't want to really tell you about the job you did for the last 20+ years for fear of hurting feelings.

That friends is why there's a Jersey City Desk.

City Planning (You know, the Cocoa Puffs people) boss Bob Cotter is stepping down after a long career that stretched over 11 mayors. Never once irritated a mayor enough to get fired in all his city "planning"? Sounds like a yes man to us. However, we're not here to make this personal (If that were the case we'd look into political donations).

First though let's take a look, a serious and tough look at the city Cotter has built in his image, with his ideas and planning. We're of the mind, as are courts in America, that if you sign off on something or push it through and the plan or action goes sideways, YOU are on the hook. Case in point, if you're the bartender that serves a person that one or two last drinks, they go get in an accident YOU and the bar will be sued as legally you're both responsible. Johnny thoroughly believes in holding people accountable is his own business dealings. If you tip the domino, you're the reason for the mess at the end. We'll be getting more into that later.

While Cotter reminisced in the Jersey Journal, listening to acolytes sing his praises, nothing got done in The Heights during his "reign." Greenville? What did you do for all those years in Greenville, Bob? The one new tall skyscraper in Journal Square, one after that area has been ignored and abused for decades. Seems to us NOBODY should be spiking a boss of City Planning football looking at the neglect of JS for the last 30 years. So while Cotter was more than happy of his chunder job downtown, he spoke nothing of three huge areas that make up Jersey City. His silence on over half the city that looks like he basically annexed them to Newark speaks VOLUMES. Bob Cotter failed just about every area in Jersey City on some huge level, these areas were done in by an apparent lack of interest. Great leadership technique, no?

Now, let's cut right to the chase and get to Cotter's biggest and most complete failure, the downtown and especially The PAD. Those who dealt with Bob Cotter in the PAD always mention his supreme arrogance and smug attitude dealing with taxpayers who lived in the neighborhoods Cotter insisted on ruining. Example:

Though the developers bowed to local demands by promising a theater and public plaza, Toll Brothers has the legal right to back out of those obligations if the three residential towers they build prove unsuccessful. And while payments are promised in place of affordable housing, the neighborhood association is worried that the city won’t use the money solely to make the area livable.

They can just back out on their own word. Thanks Bob and city council. Just let the developers run rampant (we're getting to that) and run over the people, that's your specialty. As we can see Cotter wasn't much of a guy to look out for the people of the city, just business interests. Read the quotes in Terrence T. McDonald's article, Developers Developers Developers. It was like Steve Ballmer moved to Jersey City all of a sudden.

Cotter and his "City Planning" group were the ones who failed to even send in the paperwork to designate PAD as a historical district. Why? Nobody's ever gotten a straight answer. Seems Cotter, wrongly now as we know, thought he knew better. He didn't think anything was going to come out of The PAD unless he allowed Toll Brothers, Lloyd Goldman, Shuster, KRE and Silverman to go nuts and get sweet unsustainable deals. This IS on you partly Bob, see above. You let the developers run rampant and city council gave out ridiculous 20 and 30 year abatements. By serving the developers drinks you ARE responsible for what comes next. At the time of the decision to basically hand over The PAD to monied interests the PADNA President at the time of the back-stabbing had this to say:

“When you already have a neighborhood with character, with things that distinguish one city from another,” says architect and former PADNA president Jill Edelman, “that is what gives them richness, that is what makes them valuable. If a portion of one city makes it look like another, there’s no reason to choose one over another.”

Of course, and in the end Cotter couldn't resist his own ideas on spot zoning:

“Our argument was that the redevelopment plan was working, new buildings were being developed, and hundreds of people are living here,” she adds. “You shouldn’t upend [the neighborhood] with spot zoning.”

To Cotter the only way to make anything work in The PAD was let developers own it. Not much thinking or planning going on when you simply defer to developers 24/7. He didn't look long term at the mess PADNA was become with horrid towers PADNA sued to keep out and Cotter went on record supporting. The PAD has thrived in spite of Cotter's decisions. The base of The PAD, 150 and 140 Bay St have anchored the neighborhoods and thrived despite Cotter's love of The One and The Morgan type deals that make developers rich. In fact, one of Cotter's last acts as director might have been one of his department's biggest fuck-alls. From the Jersey City Desk just last July:

There is an old abandoned warehouse at the corner of Second St. and Warren. Public Storage, a company we're all familiar with if you've ever taken a train or driven down a highway and seen their statement-colored units, bought the warehouse on Warren and are in the process of converting it. Bob Cotter's City "Planning" gave them the go ahead with the variances necessary, then city council gave the final OK. Trouble is City "Planning" didn't read the PADNA redev plan apparently and they've had a hand in writing it. See our City "planners", all hopped up on chocolaty cereal no doubt, missed the part where according to the PADNA website:

The J.C. Planning Department has been sued by two other Jersey City self storage space businesses (Keepers and Liberty) stating that is illegal for Public Storage to be a storage space operator in our neighborhood – it is to house an arts-related gallery and work/live lofts as written into PAD Redevelopment Plan.

It continues: Keepers and Liberty Self-Storage feel that the variances Planning and Zoning approved are illegal and then later approved by city council – And they won; city planning department lost.

So the folks at 150 Bay St. (ie Keepers and Liberty) won the case in court because City "Planning" wasn't paying attention. Know what this does? It opens up a lawsuit against the city by Public Storage who have sunk an awful lot of time and cash into the rehab already. City Council said go and they went.

Oh, there's more. Johnny knows this is long but this IS Cotter's permanent record and he will be getting a final grade at the end, we must be thorough.

So, Cotter said the PAD couldn't exist and succeed without all the developers getting all the money (even though they already were). Did Cotter then PLAN and do something smart like staging who would start developing something and then one year later someone else might start in, kind of like the Toyota Production System of just-in-time manufacturing. This way the streets can stay somewhat clear, sidewalks remain open and citizens don't face an extra hurdle to quality of living put there by City Planning. What PADNA residents got via Mr. Cotter and other city officials is the Oklahoma Land Rush. All the developers showed up at once. Residents lost parking and sidewalks and safe access to their own streets unnecessarily. That's on Cotter. His plans and how they play out do come back to him. See above at the generous bartender analogy.

Bob Cotter was one of the worst city officials JC had. Arrogance when mixed with a failed PAD plan along with what seemed like no plan for half the city is no way forward. Jersey City has a real chance here to remake City Planning in a sensible MODERN way, not an "any and all developers make money based-system." Cotter set The PAD back, possibly forever, pandering to developers and has now saddled them with ugly tall buildings (Remember the TOLL Brothers VP who said in no way could he defend the design of The Morgan), packed with renters who will do nothing but add to the infrastructure costs all while paying ZERO in property taxes. IS this smart city planning in today's day and age? Another "City Planning" failure. Bringing in thousands of hipsters when the infrastructure underground is still the same pipes and sewers Cotter used to rail against in the PAD as being a drawback is beyond shortsighted.

Where are all the parks we've created? New parks? Greenspaces? Oh, developers, right. The lack of park space is a huge failure and an embarrassment. No wonder Candice Osborne openly clapped at the PADNA meeting when the announcement of Cotter's retirement was made last week. Those who know downtown well know the truth.

Johnny doesn't really care if this article hurts feelings. He doesn't. Cotter didn't give a shit about a lot of Jersey City residents so we're merely replying in kind. We are going to surprise you now with our last word.

Our last word on Mr. Cotter's career as Jersey City Planning boss is going to go to JC Mayor Steve Fulop (Johnny, wait, do you know what you're doing here?). Yes, Johnny would like to share with you, Jersey City, the words of councilman Steven Fulop (remember him?). In 2011 an article in which both Fulop and Cotter were quoted is still floating around out there. The article dealt with all the usual back room chickanery and dirty deals in opening a business when it came to the zoning boards AND city planning. What did Mr. Fulop have to say about Mr. Cotter's ideas and actions then? WOW, and suck on this for eternity Bob:

 "“I think that there are people that have thought about investing dollars in Jersey City and because of our reputation of the difficulty in opening a small business, they’ve opted to go elsewhere,” said Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop, who represents the downtown area. “The good things that are going on here: it’s happening despite government not because of government.”

Bob Cotter receives a C- grade for his time as Director of City Planning in Jersey City and one last box of Cocoa Puffs for the road. The waterfront openness and setting an area for restaurants to grow was/is smart, past that...

Now, hopefully Jersey City can bring in someone with new ideas that actually work and aren't beholden to those with big pocketbooks. Still to be chosen by Steve Fulop mind you but the lobbying effort has already begun to do the smart thing and go outside the city.

Late night open thread

“Winter is not a season, it's an occupation.”
 -- Sinclair Lewis

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Does downtown have this little pride anymore?

Just a walk around downtown neighborhoods today, it really could have been anywhere. Johnny just started documenting the kind of thing that'll keep visitors from seeing Jersey City as a first class city. Litter, crud, mess, shit everywhere. All out for everyone to see. Jersey City was voted a top walking city in America. Wanna bet someone walking around notices things like this? Have we become this jaded and immune to this kind of thing we just let it fester? Again, this was downtown, it could have been everywhere. We have a serious issue with consciousness JC.

Late night open thread

What a great day to be out and about in Jersey City today. Johnny was all up in FOUR different wards of our fair city today enjoying the great weather. Might just do it tomorrow too...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

58º in the big city tomorrow party cats and kittens, don't miss out!

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TOMMY TUTONE!

It's all about phones, phone numbers, calling, busy signals and party lines tonight friends. We're going to start where your frontal lobe immediately took you when you heard phone and song. It's OK, it's got a great beat, some really good guitar and that phone number seared forever into our brainstems. Tommy Tutone kicking off phone night with '867-5309/Jenny' and a video that makes stalking look cool in an Adam-12 kind of way.

Oh, and SING!

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BLONDIE!

Any discussion about songs featuring the telephone family would be incomplete with the Telephone Hour from Bye Bye Birdie which we're going to show you right now.

No, no we're not. Close one though eh? Whew, heh heh heh...

It's Blondie and 'Hanging on the Telephone' from July 1979 LIVE down in Asbury Park.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SAM & DAVE!

Often lost in the world of songs about phones and calling and phone numbers is the Sam & Dave version of the Wilson Pickett classic '634-5789'. Johnny debated going with another couple here but in the end this one's just too good.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Jersey City wants to know where to put 15 more bike stations

You know, the Citibikes you see maybe three people on during the week? Well friends and neighbors Jersey City wants to open fifteen more and they want suggestions on where they should go.

1) Outside Steve Fulop's nicely abated home
2) Outside Ronaldo Lavarro's home
3) Outside DUI Chico's home
4) Outside Daniel Rivera's building

Well, there's four Johnny can think of but if we put our heads together certainly more can be thought up...

Late night open thread

HEY! HEY! That's not how that toy works, you kids stop that! Wait until I tell your father!

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sometimes you have to see and read stuff to beleive it

There comes a point where Johnny simply can't rile you up any more than you would be if you read about the FACT that a lot of contributions to Steve Fulop's supposed run for governor is being funded by, well, of course, the same people getting tax abatements to build in Jersey City, just as Johnny has been warning and warning and warning about.

Please, take a few minutes to read each article through and you too can see how sleazy the Jersey City governor has become. He says he knows nothing of this giant million plus SuperPAC yet he asks city attorneys, on city time to inquire if it's legal for him to take from it without you the Jersey City taxpayer knowing who donated. 

If you'll click here and then here you'll see how bad Mr. Fulop is skirting the pay to play laws he insisted upon and it does indeed paint a pretty sorry picture of a guy trying to run on his reputation.

Late night open thread

On this day in 1865, Columbia South Carolina surrendered to Federal troops under the command of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.

LOL, Bitches.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

PACs and SuperPACs, we'll dig into those tomorrow for sure

There's some more really stinky cheese coming out of city hall and it's emanating from a SuperPAC that has a secret donor who wants to give Steve Fulop over a million dollars yet remain anonymous. This after most big donors have all kinds of development business in the city. Sure, there might even be some Johnny told you so but it'll be well worth it.

Late night open thread

This wedding will be the talk of the town.

TIme for Jersey City, After Dark

The Fulop Administration, they're not so great in the courts

The Fulop Administration lost another court case yesterday, this a motion to dismiss the judge hearing the city's lawsuit with reval company Realty Appraisal Co., in what some may call humiliating fashion, by being called the city's actions those of King George III:

The breach-of-contract case between Jersey City and a West New York revaluation firm is set to go to trial Tuesday following a failed attempt by the city's attorneys to have the pre-trial judge recuse himself, a bid the judge called "an attack on the court" and likened to the actions of King George III.

There's a lot more including some pretty desperate city pleadings and why the city is really worried about losing this case. As always, Terrence T. McDonald has us covered.

Late night open thread

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
 -- Dr. Seuss

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Happy Valentine's Day from the Jersey CIty Desk

We hope you all got some extra snuggle time with your loved one(s) on this brutally cold day. Perhaps it's a good thing it's so cold, know what we mean?

Late night open thread

Stay warm. Here's a little help

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Looks like nobody made it into the office today

Here's some recycled news, see page 3. Fitting today if nothing else.

Late night open thread

We owe a lot to Thomas Edison - if it wasn't for him, we'd be watching television by candlelight.
 -- Milton Berle

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ELTON JOHN!

Johnny's cousin Cindy and her then boyfriend Bob had no idea Johnny was a music savant when they drew the task of driving the preteens and kids to the meet up point to watch the Detroit Thanksgiving parade one year. Listening to Windsor Ontario's CKLW, the Big 8, this song came on and Cindy was blown as that Johnny knew the words (at 9) and could sing it all the way through. A fantastic bonding moment was had as we sang this song heading into downtown. That was a good time. One of the times you hope you remember when you get the life flashback that's guaranteed at the end of your life. Something about Elton John songs eh?

Elton John and 'Bennie and the Jets'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PETER FRAMPTON!

Frampton baby, a welcome four minutes thirty on the old CKLW. Peter Frampton with 'Show Me the Way'.

FYI, did you know Peter Frampton used his guitar to play the voice of the Peanuts character parents and teachers before hitting it big as a rock star? You kids looking for a cool fact on him one day make sure to work that into your research papers.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ANDREW GOLD!

Just because you make the cut to get on the Music Series show doesn't mean you can't be a wuss. Ever listen to the words to Andrew Gold's song 'Lonely Boy'? Hoo man what a wussy. You got a sister and your life fell apart? Egads. But, since you shouldn't speak ill of the dead and Mr. Gold died in 2011 we'll simply hope you enjoy our wrap-up song on tonight's AM Gold segment and leave it at that.

But yeah the kid was a wuss.

A fine article on the development in Jersey City from the NYT

The New York Times is out with a full and complete look at the development and growth of Jersey City and what now makes it a very attractive place to be.

In the past these articles from the Times and elsewhere consisted of a formula, talk about JC's closeness to NYC, talk to mayor who glowingly praises all development and then the article goes on to discuss developers plans. This article is a full look at our fair city, from the issues to getting Bergen/Lafayette up and going to the new boom area of Journal Square. There is a quote from KRE saying downtown is done, nowhere else to build. Also in this article is surprise surprise, a counter argument to the development and the lies that were sold by both City Planning and others in the city government that chundered the look and feel of the Powerhouse Arts District. PADNA President (and friend of Johnny's mea culpa) Kathryn Moore basically gave a heads up to Journal Square to be on the lookout and get things in writing. And even then...

Anyhoo, a great full look at JC, well worth the read. It deals with talking with residents more than tiresome city officials.

Late night open thread

State trivia night:

Iced tea was invented in this state in 1904. Answer here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Gravitational waves, how very exciting

Johnny's been a space and science geek since forever. Some of his best years were the late 90's and into the early 2000's working at the AOSS/Space Physics Department. Truly remarkable place to be for all that was going on at the time. Fast forward to today when LIGO antennas in both Louisiana and Washington heard a tiny tiny whisper of a blip of gravitational waves on September 14, 2015, waves made when two black holes two billion years ago collided. Would you care to hear what those black holes colliding sounds like today on Earth? Click here.

There is so much more at the New York Times story here. What an amazing day!

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Say goodnight Mr. Christie, say goodnight

On your ridiculous idea. We really really don't want nor need you back to be honest.

Tell you what, pick up a mop and make yourself useful.

Late night open thread

The Savoy Family Band and the 'Creole Stomp' on a Fat Tuesday before bed with the promise from Johnny he'll have much more cajun music next year.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Fat Tuesday already?

Christ, where does the time go? Normally Johnny likes to put more time into his Mardi Gras Day presentations. We'll start with the Balfa Brothers and 'La danse de Mardi Gras' which, even if you don't speak French we're guessing you can figure out the translation.

Late night open thread

Is it morning yet? Johnny just can't wait to start his day at 4am like always with a healthy breakfast of Freakies, bacon and coffee.

Time for Jersey City After Dark

It'll be a pretty day at least

No, not this morning raw wind and cold shit, the snow. Around 11ish according to the Weatherometers at the Jersey City Desk Action Weather Team stations Jersey City and the surround will get about an half inch WHOA all the way up to an inch, (unless you're on Long Island and Connecticut or out there in Rhode Island (hey Rhode Island!) in which case it's been good to know ya.

So Jersey City you'll probably want to go raid those stores on lunch break to ride this whopper out.

Late night open thread

Cam Newton, you can stop running your mouth now.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Super Bowl 50 open thread

Why not make this dump your home for all things Super Bowl 50, the first Super Bowl in forever without Roman Numerals. Stop by if you're a Panthers fan, (Broncos fans can go fuck off, you've kept Johnny's Browns out of three Super Bowls) or just want to talk some ads.

Fell free to say what you want. There's no edit button if your team loses when they pass when they should have run the ball at the end.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

Your best bet here might be to drive around the parking lot until you smell garlic bread.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with WILSON PICKETT!

Not 5, not 10, not 246, a THOUSAND dances. There's a 'Land of a Thousand Dances' out there and right now Mr. Wilson Pickett is going to take us there. It could also crush the Island of Misfit Toys in a war.

Jersey City really needs it's own dance.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE EURYTHMICS!

Annie Lennox needs a man. Any volunteers?

The Eurythmics with 'I Need A Man' and uh, sorry Dave.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with LIZ PHAIR!

Johnny was hemming and hawing, you know, sitting on the proverbial fence about going to see an acoustic set by the Smashing Pumpkins in April. Johnny loves the Pumpkins, he's told the story about meeting and talking the state of music (a while back) with Billy Corgan here before. Thing is, Johnny loves to really rock out to the Pumpkins, Their harder stuff really satisfies better than a Snickers bar. So what to do---HEY, we'll get to the Liz Phair part, simmer down---what to do, go see them since original drummer Jimmy Chamberlain is back with the band? Then Johnny saw Liz Phair was opening and it all became so easy to get tickets. Now that's a real game changer. Liz Phair out on her first tour in quite a while? GIDDYUP!

Liz Phair closing up shop on the Music Series this week with 'Supernova'

Jersey City is protecting water, now let's protect workers and citizens

With the same citywide good intentions we're using to test city water get out ahead of issues, let's commit to ensuring we as a city are doing the same when it comes to construction sites. Jersey City suffered a fatality last year at the 90 Columbus site over one of the PATH Stations. Another incident over by the Bay St. Towers (formerly Trump Building) last year almost killed a Jersey City police officer. Sure there are state laws that must be followed but with as condensed as this city is, and with as many people are here in Cool City anymore, it's on us as a city to enact further safety measures. Let's not legislate by disaster like NYC will certainly do after their massive fatal crane failure this morning. Cranes must meet better standards than they might on a highway situation, it's the nature of the height. Are ALL sites using debris nets? Are you suuuure? Sometimes downtown it's hard to tell the workers from the people sans boots as most don't wear hardhats or some company/worker designation like you'd see around highway construction sites. Which brings Johnny to his next point. Do we really know who is coming into our city to work? SLOW DOWN, Johnny's not some anti-immigration dotard. His question is to who are the people coming to JC to work and run backhoes, seriously large equipment, and haul huge loads, are they on a file somewhere with the city? Does Jersey City demand mandatory drug and alcohol tests on workers in addition to or in case companies don't test workers?

If we're going to give away the farm on abatements residents shouldn't think for a second, though it seems like it sometimes, they are second class or economy class fliers in the grand scheme of Jersey City's development boom. Demand tougher laws and background checks of your councilperson. Demand drug and alcohol testing by the city is required if there's an accident. Don't wait to have someone killed or run down by someone who, oops, shouldn't have had that job to begin with.

The time is NOW to get tougher for citizen safety and well being. The abatement money should more than cover any and all costs of this.

Late night open thread

Sad news tonight kids, Maurice White, founding member of the supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire passed away today at the age of 74. Tonight before bed a quick tribute to the founder of a seminal funk band. Earth, Wind & Fire and 'Serpentine Fire'

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Jersey City is not interested in becoming Flint

Jersey City will hire an independent third party from SUEZ (United Water) to check the city's water supply for lead and other harmful contaminants. Said the mayor:

The testing will be more comprehensive than the regular tests performed by SUEZ, according to the city.

"The situation in Flint is one that no community should have to experience," Mayor Steve Fulop said in a statement. "And while testing is done routinely on the Jersey City water supply residents have reached out asking for comprehensive testing and we thought it was a prudent expense to add an extra level of security for our residents, especially our young children."

Though we're frequent critics of the mayor you'll get no complaint from us here. This will be $50K well spent. If there is a problem let's attack it with vigor. Nothing will chunder property values quicker than poison water. More on what exactly the testing will be looking for at the link.

Late night open thread

Coca-Cola was originally green. It's a fact!

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

NJ Transit unions have set a "soft strike" date

The many unions that make up the workforce of NJ Transit have set a "soft strike" date of March 12 to March 14, a weekend and they would then fully expect to be ordered back to work by the Obama Administration by Monday morning. The unions have been working the last five years with no contract. Tonight the unions and NJ Transit meet for what a report is saying for the last time before the strike.

Keep it in mind Jersey City, it could get ugly from what those in the know are saying.

Late night open thread

Sure it's early, but it's also dinner and a movie night, and on a school night too, ka-raaaazzzzy. Whatever happens tonight we'll tend to in the morning. MOVIETIME!

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Mayor Steve Fulop, do your donors like when you're all thin-skinned?

It's rare for Johnny to walk out of anything. He figured in the case of a bad movie or play, well he put money down and unless it's god-awful, he'll see it through. The other night at Grace Van Vorst Church when Mayor Fulop was speaking to the downtown cabal of neighborhood groups he complained, ne whined, that people wanted a reval "because they hate me."

Johnny got up and left. Yes mayor, that was Johnny. The minute your thin-skinned whining began and Johnny had to pay nothing to get in, he left. Walked out on your whining. People don't want a reval because they hate you any more than you canceled the 95% completed reval because you hated the company doing it. It's politics and Mr. Mayor, you need to cowboy up when it comes to city politics. You want to run and play with the big boys then you'd better learn in New Jersey politics the nancy-boys get eaten alive. You complain and snivel anytime someone comes at you with fair criticisms like a petulant child. Statements from your dwindling supply of spokesmodels only help reinforce this.

Which brings us to another and more serious issue Mr. Mayor, your acceptance of thousands of dollars (soon to be millions) from developers whom your supported in their bids for city contacts and services and abatements. Where is the open-style government you ran on? Why did you recently try skirting the no pay-to-play law you passed as a councilman?

Just how bad and shady do these deals with Fulop's business pals smell?

"This a list of a regular cast of characters," the source said. "This is everyone ... a who's who."

Of the 58 donations that top $10,000, at least 27 — for a total of $1.46 million — are contributions from businesses with contracts with Jersey City or its autonomous agencies, developers who have received long-term tax breaks from the city, firms with lawyers who appear regularly before city boards and agencies and more.

The top donation is an eye-popping $1 million, from a Delaware holding company, DE First Holdings, about which little is widely known. Politico reports today that the company was established the day before it donated the $1 million, and public filings do not indicate who is behind it.

Yeah, Mr. Clean City Government with everything being done above board and in a open environment, where did you go? Jersey City and New Jersey residents you simply MUST read this article by Terrence T. McDonald, he carefully shows where all the money is going and the tax breaks and other deals these people supposedly are getting from cozying up to Fulop financially.

Councilman Fulop would have punched Mayor Fulop full on in the mouth. Jersey City read about these questionable deals and then let Johnny ask you, do YOU think they're on the up and up or was this more quid pro quo in Jersey City and New Jersey politics?

It's OK, everyone knows the answer, you can say it too. Steve Fulop is nothing but a typical Hudson County Democratic politician.

Jersey City's own weather prognosticator, Jebediah the Wombat gives his prediction!

Johnny ventured over to where Jebediah the Jersey City Wombat lives (under one of those hundreds of cinder blocks near the corner of Bay Street and Warren near the Powerhouse Arts Building) and as Jebediah came out from under his cinder block home Johnny asked him since he DID see his shadow how much longer winter would last.

"Winter, said Jebediah, when the hell is winter going to START let alone end?" At which point he wandered back under the cinder blocks he calls home for another year.

That's just good reporting.

Late night open thread

One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards.
 -- Oscar Wilde

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We're going to dig into the mess that is city hall tomorrow

In particular the whining coming out of the mayor's office while a lot of seemingly questionable money goes pouring in. Great time to be alive, eh?