Johnny is gonna dig deep into the Sweeney vs Fulop PILOT fight tomorrow

He can't wait. A nice juicy steak story early on a Thursday when Johnny has no morning meetings. For now dear readers here is the story we'll be discussing so go give it a read tonight and we'll talk on it on the 'morrow.

It hurts because he's mostly right

 A Republican lawmaker (and a GOP frontrunner Ted Cruz made bacon on a gun today in his bid to show he's ready to lead) has called Jersey City's lost $80 million in downtown tax credits as "crony capitalism."

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, R-Somerville, said the $80 million lost in Jersey City property taxes is unfair to the rest of the state's taxpayers, who fund a large portion of the city's school district.

Jersey City's schools are pretty much in state receivership and the Assemblyman makes a good point, up to a point. As much as Johnny wants to call this crony capitalism or as he's mentioned before, while these downtown deals walk the line of patronage there's another part of the equation needed to prove it. Still, it's not right. Said Ciattarelli, "Short-term property tax abatements, under very special circumstances, may have their place. What's happening in Jersey City and elsewhere is crony capitalism at its worst and an injustice to all New Jersey taxpayers."

Now of course the current Fulop Administration, clearly spooked by this tax revelation and the Assemblyman's contentions, in their responses try to have it three ways. First this was all Healy's idea. He did most of what Steve Fulop thus far has been taking credit for at ribbon cuttings and what not. Sticky wicket indeed Then, not so much is being lost as the PILOT payments are spread around Yada yada zzzzzzzzz. Right, which is why schools suffer so:

The city keeps a large share of PILOTs but it splits normal property tax revenue with the county and the school district. 

So Jersey City tax breaks we all pay for in the long run go to the county. Perfect. Just where they should go, riiiight? Where does that money go?

That third way? Throwing up your hands when your candidates don't win and stop worrying about the schools.

Anyway you slice the city's hackneyed response to Assemblyman Ciattarelli's claims it hurts because it's mostly right.

Supporting the arts doesn't just mean going to see a Broadway show or hitting a gallery or a night at Lincoln Center

While all are worthwhile ways to get your dose of the arts, we must remember to support those just starting out. 

Loew's Theater is holding an art exhibit by hundreds of local Jersey City public schools’ general art students. The exhibit is open today and tomorrow from noon until 5 and is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and Provident Bank. This event has been going on for more than 25 years and support from the community for the artists of tomorrow starts today (and tomorrow).

We're going to give the Jersey City Desk last word to Colin Egan, director of Friends of the Loew’s:

“These students are wonderful and impressive . . . They had not taken many art classes, but given the opportunity they did beautifully.”

Why are these kids outside en masse at lunchtime?

A "riot" with a stabbing and fistfights broke out outside Ferris High school yesterday as students were milling around outside the school. Jersey City police spokesman Stan H. Eason said a 16-year-old boy was stabbed in the shoulder with a sharp object believed to be a knife, while a 17-year-old boy was hit in the head with a stick. Police met with a third victim at Ferris High School, a 16-year-old girl, who said someone hit her with an “unknown object” on her head while she was trying to flee the fight, reports said.

One kid is found face down at Brunswick at Christopher Columbus, another is found at First and Coles and another was hit attempting to flee.

Why are they outside at all? As one of the 16 year-old witnesses said “This was probably gang-related. It’s crazy,” said a 16-year-old student leaving the school yesterday afternoon. “This always happens at this school. We always have riots. It’s going to happen again.”

ORLY? Again, why are the kids outside? If the kids know it's gang-related we KNOW the school district does too, they just won't admit it. In fact a school spokesperson said they were aware of the riot but had no specifics.

We do, gang related riot, kids outside, Jersey City Schools won't act until someone's child is either stabbed to death or shot. There you go, all the facts you'll need.

Stop letting the kids outside.

Jersey City Schools Superintendent Charles T. Epps Jr. wins the 2011 "Verbal Hand Grenade" award

And unlike a real hand grenade that you're supposed to get rid of, Epps Jr. pretty much decided to hold onto this one while he tossed it out:

"Our worst enemy is the young ladies," Epps said. "The young girls are bad. I don't know what they're drinking today, but they're bad."

WOW, just WOW. That's an awesome statement. Thats actually not using PC speak or saying the non-hurtful thing, that's some brass right there. But let's double down on the grenade tossing shall we:

Epps praised staff members of JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs who have volunteered as mentors.

"They've signed up to help even the dirty, nasty, bad kids"

Now all that's left is for Johnny to sit back and let you click on the article and read for yourselves and ply us with comments either in support or outrage of Mr. Epps Jr.

The perfect song for this community outrage this morning, The Flametrick Subs with 'What Makes a Good Girl Go Bad?'

So lets check the lunch menu in the Jersey City School District today

Mmmmm, lunch!

Pizza burgers or spaghetti tacos
Chicken nuggets
Baked and burned green beans
Tater tots
Vegetables floating in hot water
Some congealed brown stuff
Ketchup
Cookie