If you're a developer in Jersey City, get in while the getting is good

Hell, you can EASILY push the city council around. Who cares what deals you have AGREED to. Who cares what you have SIGNED OFF on. Just complain. It seems some of the city council again and again are spineless simps when it comes to standing up to developers. If you're a developer, sign the deal you never intend to honor (almost a carbon copy of Toll Brothers broken promises in the Powerhouse Arts District) and when the time is right show up with 200 building trade brute squad members willing to shout down and intimidate council members and bingo, your signed deal goes out the window and you're free to build however you want to.

Last night the Jersey City Council, on a 7-2 vote capitulated to the sniveling and whining of developer Lloyd Goldman, owner of the property at 110 First St. Goldman had a deal with the city that he would include 25 affordable units. He agreed to it. Suddenly Goldman who may not be much of a salesman it would seem, threw up his hands because HE couldn't get investors for his new building because of the 25 affordable units. TOO GOD DAMN BAD LLOYD. You agreed. Still Lloyd told the city attorneys he was now demanding ZERO affordable units. Zero. He agreed but it inconvenienced him you see.

But, again with the Jersey City Council in a grab your ankles mood (not to mention the city attorneys -- talk about a spineless bunch), 200 of the brute squad showed up at City Hall and jeered the only two council members that actually think a deal is a deal, Steve Fulop and Roland Lavarro (and GOOD on you guys). Councilman Michael J. Sottolano was happy with the settlement of now a mere TEN affordable units because the builder has promised to use union labor. Simply gutless. Hey, Michael, do you think the 200 building trade guys staring you down last night were gonna let that building go up without union labor? Well did you?

It would seem that Steve Fulop and Roland Lavarro are the only ones in Jersey City government who think a deal is a deal and you should stand by your deal. Not developers in Jersey City, they know how to roll the weak-kneed city attorneys and council members which means ANY deal signed by any official in Jersey City is immediately suspect.

Oh, and by the way, if this wasn't enough they gave Lloyd another 4 year tax abatement perhaps because they had upset him so.

Jersey City council to discuss permanent benefit guidelines tonight

Since the state of New Jersey changed the law regarding how much time an individual must work for a municipality before collecting the old golden watch, the Jersey City council will address their ideas on the amount of time worked necessary for full permanent benefits at taxpayer cost.

There are a few differing ideas on the time one should put in before collecting such benefits, ranging from 10 years to the maximum of 25 years. Council members Steve Fulop and Viola Richardson want the maximum of 25 years worked while Ward A councilman Michael Sottolano wants 20, at large councilman Ray Velazquez wants 15 and Ward D councilman Bill Gaughan wants just 10.

Ten? Are you kidding Mr. Gaughan? Really, for FULL benefits and health care? Get real.

While we here at the Jersey City Desk think it should be set at 25 years we could see our way clear to compromising on a 20 year plan. Pensions (and that's basically what this amounts to -- only from tax monies) SHOULD be difficult to get. They SHOULD mean a job well done after 20 years. They shouldn't be shortened or trivialized in any way shape or form.

The meeting is at City Hall tonight at 6 pm.