Year in Review 2014 by Hudson Reporter Assoc., LP

the Hudson Reporter Sunday, December 28, 2014

â&#x20AC;˘

Eight Weekly Newspapers Serving Hudson County

Stories updated at www.hudsonreporter.com

Year in

REVIEW INDEX Headlines................. Briefs ......................... Politics ....................... Development ..........

3 4 5 8

Sports...................... Obituaries .............. Classified................ Business Directory.

10 18 24 26

A P ubl icat ion of t he H uds on Report er C ov er phot o by A nn Reil ly

Grade A for SIX consecutive rating periods for Patient Safety. barnabashealth.org/jcmc

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 2

Real estate, Chris Christie scandals, and new mayors top the list By Art Schwartz Reporter staff writer

uxury housing projects continued to sprout, Gov. Chris Christie’s scandals brought national attention to local mayors, and the Super Bowl finally came to the Meadowlands. 2014 was a year in which more and more people “discovered” Hudson County and its diverse towns. But what about residents, new and old, who need to keep up regularly with local news? What follows is our annual rundown of the biggest stories in each town this year. For more on politics and development in your town, see related articles in this issue.

Guttenberg New chief: Popular Police Chief Joel Magenheimer retired after more than 30 years on the force. Now aged 65, he was required to retire from his position. To mark the occasion, he was feted at a surprise tribute dinner on March 21 and presented with the “Officer of the Year” award by the mayor at the Town Council meeting on March 24. Magenheimer took on a new role as deputy director of public safety on Nov. 1. A new chief has not been named. Michael Caliguiro remains the director of public safety. Shared par k: A new $2.8 million park opened along River Road on Monday, Oct. 6. Located two-thirds on property owned by North Bergen and the rest in Guttenberg, the joint venture includes a playground, picnic areas, grassy knolls, a direct view of Upper Manhattan across the river, and a semicircular amphitheater.

Hoboken Chr istie scandal: In January, Mayor Dawn Zimmer accused officials from the administration of Gov. Chris Christie, including Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, of intending to provide Hurricane Sandy relief funds only if Zimmer helped expedite a private development in Hoboken’s northern end. The development was sought by the private Rockefeller Group, which at the time was represented by a law firm linked to Christie. Zimmer’s comments came in the wake of the Bridgegate scandal that embroiled Christie’s administration in accusations of deliberately shutting lanes on the George Washington Bridge for political retribution against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. In the Hoboken case, Guadagno strongly denied making any mention of a quid-pro-quo to Zimmer. The “he saidshe said” has not been fully resolved, although a New York law firm hired by the Christie administration exonerated Guadagno of wrongdoing. Flooding relief: In June, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and Christie announced that Hoboken

calendar The Hudson Reporter welcomes entries of community interest for its weekly Calendar listings. To be considered for publication, entries must be received one week prior to publication date. Additionally, no information will be accepted via phone call.

upcoming The Readers’ Circle book group meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in All Saints, 701 Washington St. Hoboken, to discuss classic & contemporary novels. The Readers’ Circle is a community event open to all book lovers – free coffee and cake is served – more info. writereaderscircle123@aol.com The Community Compost Company is offering a food scrap collection service for

residents of Hoboken and neighboring towns on Tuesday nights at the Downtown Hoboken Farmer’s Market (3 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Saturday(s) at the Garden Street Farmer’s Market (9 a.m.-2 p.m.). Cost $5. per week for members (unlimited drops) & $6. per drop for nonmemberContact:hoboken@communitycompostco.com for more details 845-787DIRT (3478). New day and meeting spot! Hoboken Business Networking Group will meet every first Wednesday of the month at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage located at 5 Marine View Plaza (fourth floor) on First Street. If you are interested in learning more or registering with the group of 260 highly engaged professionals,

see page 18

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE – Gov. Chris Christie spoke at the press conference announcing the winners of the Rebuild by Design competition on June 2, with Little Ferry Mayor Mauro Raguseo and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan looking on.

was among the seven winners of the Rebuild by Design competition, established by Pres. Barack Obama in the wake of Superstorm Sandy to deal with flooding issues in various regions. A total of $230 million was allocated to the state of New Jersey for the proposal titled “Resist, Delay, Store, Discharge: a Comprehensive Urban Water Strategy,” which employs a multi-pronged approach to address flooding challenges in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Weehawken. School controver sies: The majority faction of the Hoboken Board of Education voted to legally oppose a state ruling that would allow one of the city’s three charter schools to expand from sixth to eighth grade. The board members said that the charter schools took too much money and resources from the other schools. One member made damning comments saying the schools caused “white flight.” The debate split some of Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s “reformer” voter base, as the board majority had been allied with her in the past, but she herself had children in the charter schools.

Jersey City Cop murder : Rookie Police Officer Melvin Santiago was murdered in July after responding to a report of an armed robbery. The killer, Lawrence Campbell, one of three men wanted for another murder, had placed a false robbery call to lure police into an ambush. The incident underscored tensions between the police and the local African-American community, and continued a year of more than two dozen murders. Stories appeared in the press about street gang the Bloods threatening to kill policemen, but were dismissed by authorities as rumors.

see HEADLINES page 16

3 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

Top stories in each town in 2014

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 4

About this issue

BRIEFS Reporter holiday ad deadlines, office closings he following advertising and editorial deadlines for the Hudson Reporter newspapers have changed. The offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2015, in observance of New Year’s Day. The office will reopen Friday, Jan. 2, 2015. Regular editions of the newspapers will be published on Jan. 4, 2015. The classified advertising editorial deadline for all Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 editions is Monday, Dec. 29 at 12 noon. The display advertising and editorial deadlines for the Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 editions of the Secaucus Reporter, North Bergen Reporter, Union City Reporter, West New York Reporter, and Weehawken Reporter are Monday, Dec. 29 at 12 noon. The display advertising and editorial deadlines for the Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 editions of the Hoboken Reporter and Jersey City Reporter are Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 12 noon. Keep up with breaking news at www.hudsonreporter.com. Happy holidays!

NEW YEAR’S DAY NATURE WALK – What better way to ring in 2015 than with a brisk nature walk? On Thursday, Jan. 1 join a free two-hour guided walk of Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will look for wintering waterfowl – including the GreenWinged Teal –and other birds of interest. To RSVP, contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or (201) 230-4983.

see BRIEFS page 6

Experience the fun and excitement of Winterfest 2014 all over again. See the parade, your favorite characters and hear our students sing!

CHANNEL

CABLEVISION SHOWTIMES December 28th

10-11am, 4–5pm

January 4th

10-11am, 4–5pm

December 29th

9-10am, 1-2pm, 6-7pm

January 5th

9-10am, 1-2pm, 6-7pm

December 30th

10-11am, 4-5pm

January 6th

10-11am, 4-5pm

December 31st

10-11am, 2-3pm, 6-7pm

January 7th

10-11am, 2-3pm, 6-7pm

January 1st

9-10am, 1-2pm, 5-6pm

January 8th

9-10am, 1-2pm, 5-6pm

January 2nd

2-3pm, 9:30-10:30pm

January 9th

2-3pm, 9:30-10:30pm

January 3rd

12-1pm, 5-6pm, 8-9pm

January 10th

12-1pm, 5-6pm, 8-9pm

or this weekend, our special annual “Year in Review” issue replaces your regular edition of the Hudson Reporter newspaper in your town. This issue contains articles on the year in news, politics, development, sports, and more. “Letters to the editor” will return next week with our regular issues on Sunday, Jan. 4. Our website is updated frequently with breaking news. Check hudsonreporter.com. Letters can be sent to editorial@hudson reporter.com. All letter writers receive a call within four business days of their letter coming in. If you did not receive a call, please contact us again. Happy holidays!

H U D S O N

REPORTER Lucha Malato • David S. Unger Publishers

EDITORIAL Caren Matzner, EDITOR IN CHIEF Gene Ritchings, MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR STAFF WRITER: Al Sullivan STAFF WRITERS: Carlo Davis Joseph Passantino, Art Schwartz COLUMNIST: Jim Hague Editorial@HudsonReporter.com

ADVERTISING Tish Kraszyk, ADVERTISING MANAGER ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES:

Melissa Bridda, Toni Anne Calderone Ron Kraszyk TishK@HudsonReporter.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Ann Reilly, CLASSIFIED MANAGER Classified@HudsonReporter.com

PRODUCTION SENIOR GRAPHICS STAFF: Terriann

Saulino Bish Lisa M. Cuthbert, Pasquale Spina GRAPHICS STAFF: Alyssa Bredin • Michael Mitolo Graphics@HudsonReporter.com

OFFICE RECEPTIONIST: Annette

Davis, LMalato@HudsonReporter.com

FINANCIAL Veronica Aldaz, BOOKKEEPER LMalato@HudsonReporter.com

CIRCULATION Roberto Lopez, CIRCULATION MANAGER FIELD CIRCULATION, Luis Vasquez DUnger@HudsonReporter.com PUBLISHING: The Hoboken Reporter • The Jersey City Reporter The North Bergen Reporter • The Union City Reporter The West New York Reporter • The Secaucus Reporter The Weehawken Reporter • The Midweek Reporter Bayonne Community News Phone Hoboken • The Secaucus Guidebook PhoneMed • All About Horses • Gateway Guide Palisades Magazine • Jersey City Magazine INCORPORATING: The Jersey City News, The Greenville News, The Bayonne Facts, The Hoboken Pictorial, North Bergen Free Press, Fort Lee Free Press, Meadowlander, Jersey Pictorial, The Current

THE HUDSON REPORTER ASSOC., L.P.

Plus, watch whenever you want online at northbergen.org!

Have a Healthy & Happy Holiday and a Wonderful New Year!

NICK SACCO Commissioner Frank Gargiulo Commissioner Hugo Cabrera Commissioner Theresa Ferraro Commissioner Allen Pascual

P.O. Box 3069 1400 Washington Street Hoboken, New Jersey 07030 Phone: 201-798-7800 Fax Line: 201-798-0018 E-mail: LMalato@HudsonReporter.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $80 PER YEAR (MAILED)

5 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

Not just politics as usual A few surprises in 2014 By Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer

hile politics in Hudson County is always unpredictable, 2014 left many political tea leaf readers scratching their heads at the end of the year and wondering what just happened. Although the U.S. Senate race saw the election of Democrat Cory Booker over Republican Jeff Bell and some minor party candidates, this was not the big political story of the year. Booker’s presence on the ballot brought out more voters to several Board of Education elections that had been moved from April to November. West New York and Jersey City saw larger than normal turnouts, partly fueled by the move. The November school election in Hoboken saw a significant drop off in voter turnout. But the biggest political story for Hudson County was also one for the state. Commonly called “Bridgegate,” Gov. Chris Christie’s aides had, a year ago in September, inexplicably closed lanes in Fort Lee near the George Washington Bridge, tying up traffic for days. In 2014, it came to light that the act may have been retribution for the failure of Fort Lee’s mayor to endorse Christie’s reelection. Ripples from the controversy reached Jersey City and Hoboken, thrusting both towns into national news. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop claimed Christie had withheld cleanup aid from Superstorm Sandy because of Fulop’s lack of endorsement. Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer went as far as to claim that Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable III had tied Sandy aid to Zimmer’s shepherding of a private development project for a Christie-favored developer in Hoboken. Zimmer produced her diary to prove her case, with notes on her accusations scribbled between affectionate thoughts for her husband. Bridgegate caused a split among Hudson County mayors. Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, Union City Mayor Brian Stack, and Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough (who died this year) stood behind the governor, while other mayors joined the Democratic lynch mob looking to bring down the leader.

North Bergen Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco (left) and Union City Mayor Brian Stack

Jersey City mayor had a rough year “The party in power is always the worst,” satirist Will Rogers once wrote, “and every man looks good until he is elected.” This was particularly true for Fulop in 2014. He completed his first full year as mayor on a wave of social and political upheaval. Not only did he get caught up in Bridgegate, Fulop also had to deal with a Board of Education that refused to go along with some of his school development initiatives, a police chief who did not want to go along with reorganization of the police depart-

ment, the tragic death of a rookie cop, and a spike in the murder rate over a very long hot summer. Fulop also had to backtrack on a number of proposals. His effort to award the city’s ambulance contract to CarePointbacked McCabe Ambulance over traditional provider Jersey City Medical Center quickly ran into trouble. Eventually the City Council voted to give the contract to JCMC. Fulop had to change his plan to fund a $10 million park development around the reservoir in Jersey City Heights when community groups came out against a trash transfer program for Greenville Yards that would have paid for it.

see POLITICS page 19

proud member of

AWA R D E D REAL ESTATE OFFICE O F

T H E

intelligent

Y E A R

sophisticated real estate services since 1979

201.420.7393 132 WASHINGTON STREET · HOBOKEN, NJ 07030

T EF

UPTOWN 1 BED W/ PKG HOBOKEN

PRE-WAR PERFECTION JERSEY CITY

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! 1 BED, 1 BATH W/

1,432 SQ FT 3BD, 2BA W/ SS APPL, GRANITE, FORMAL

PARKING IN ELEV. BUILDING! SS APPLIANCES, CAC,

DR, HDWD FLRS, CUSTOM CLOSETS, ON-SITE W/D &

W/D, HDWD FLRS. $429,000

STORAGE. $285,000

HUDSON ST. STUNNER HOBOKEN

LOCATION, LOCATION HOBOKEN

SERENE 1 BED 1 BATH PENTHOUSE IN HUDSON ST

FULL FLOOR OF A HUDSON STREET BROWNSTONE

MANSION! PERIOD DETAILS, INLAID HDWD FLRS, 2 GAS

2BD, 1BA, EXPOSED BRICK, CAC, IN HOME W/D &

FPs & CHEF’S KITCHEN! $529,000

STORAGE! NEAR PARKING, PATH & PARKS! $674,900

NEW CONSTRUCTION! THE CONTINENTAL

THE CONTINENTAL HOBOKEN

UNION HILL UNION CITY

GENEROUSLY SIZED 2 & 3 BR RESIDENCES IN A

SOLD OUT! PHASE 2 COMING SOON! CONTACT US

BOUTIQUE, HI END BLDG. STARTING AT 1327 SF. W/

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE 4 ADDITIONAL UNITS

PRKG $995,000-1,395,000

AVAILABLE AT UNION HILL - PHASE 2!

v i s i t h u d s o n p l a c e r e a l t y. c o m f o r m o r e !

N T! OO OU G S LD IN S O CO M 2 SE

NEW CONSTRUCTION! UNION HILL

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 6

BRIEFS

from page 4

Slain NYPD officers honored at Hoboken police promotion ceremony he targeted killing of two police officers in Brooklyn on Dec. 20 lent a somber air to an otherwise celebratory moment, the promotion of three supervisors in the Hoboken Police Department this past Monday. In a well-attended ceremony at City Hall, Charles Campbell was promoted to Captain and Brian Brereton and Danilo Cabrera became lieutenants. “After what happened in New York City this weekend,” Mayor Dawn Zimmer said to the officers assembled, “we understand that when you put on that uniform, you become a target of crazy people who think they will become a hero by hurting you.” “On behalf of the people of Hoboken, we appreciate the work that you do for us every day,” she added. “Sometimes the greatest moments happen during the toughest times,” remarked police chief Ken Ferrante, noting trying times when each of the men had been at their best. For Campbell, said Ferrante, that moment came on Sept. 11, 2001, when he led a group of Hoboken police officers dispatched to New York to help. No Hoboken police officer has been shot in the line of duty since 2003, but this past July, a Jersey City patrolman was shot and killed while responding to reports of a robbery at a Walgreens on Communipaw Avenue. That incident also appears to have been a targeted killing. Ferrante said all of his officers would be on heightened alert and operate in two-man units until the funerals of the slain NYPD officers were over and protests inspired by the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown had subsided. Those protests have yet to find their way to Hoboken. Hoboken police already receive active shooter training multiple times a year, but Ferrante said he was considering holding the program in diverse locations like hospitals and the Stevens Institute of Technology campus.

Jersey City responds to cop murders ersey City Director of Public Safety James Shea described the murder of two New York City cops as a cowardly act. He said the killings, which strongly resembled a similar incident in Jersey City last summer, would not deter the police from doing their duty. Police Officer Melvin Santiago (posthumously promoted to detective) was ambushed in Jersey City in July, in a foreshadowing of the murder to two cops in Brooklyn last weekend. “Police officers are vulnerable to situations like this,” Shea said. “There is no way to completely protect our officers. When someone calls for help, we will respond.” The best defense is to train and properly equip officers for situations, which Jersey City has done. “At the end of the day, it is a dangerous job,” Shea said. In wake of the shooting in Brooklyn, Shea said top police

brass have given field supervisors to use their discretion when it comes to patrols, expanding one officer patrols to two if they feel it is warranted. Shea said such decisions can’t be dictated from the top and must be left to those closest to the actual patrols, which are the field supervisors. “They know their officers and know the field moment to moment,” Shea said. As after the tragic murder of Santiago, top police officials have talked to all officers and union members to put them on alert to possible danger. Shea said the officers who respond to situations are fully trained to deal with various situations. “This is an excellent department and the officers do a great job,” Shea said. The killer of the cops in New York claimed to be responding to some of the racial conflicts over the deaths of men as a result of police action in both Staten Island and Ferguson, Mo. Although protests occurred in Jersey City, none turned violent as in other places, and Shea credited the professionalism of the police as well as the administration. “The mayor set the tone,” Shea said. While Mayor Steve Fulop expected professionalism from the department, he also offered unswerving support for law enforcement officials tasked with keeping the peace. Shea said protestors and police had a positive relationship and met before the protests to talk about what would transpire, working out locations and other issues ahead of time. “This not an `us and them’ situation,” Shea said. “Everybody, protestors and police understand that we are all Jersey City, and we recognized each other’s humanity. This helped keep everything civil.”

Kids ride the ferry free for the holidays here’s nothing like the holidays in New York City and NY Waterway makes it easy and fun and a little more affordable by letting “Kids Ride Free” for the holidays. Experience all New York has to offer – the holiday displays, the kid-friendly shows and attractions, and all that shopping. Children 12 and under can ride free at the following terminals: Port Imperial, Lincoln Harbor, Hoboken/14th St., Edgewater, and Belford. There is a two-child limit with each paying adult fare. No physical ticket is required for a child. This promotion is valid through Monday, Nov. 17 to Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.

Bill to revise tax sharing and combine state agencies goes to Christie bill sponsored by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto to consolidate the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority was approved by the Assembly and Senate this month. The bill would also reestablish the Hackensack Meadowlands Transportation Planning District and revise regional tax sharing. The end result is that it may save money for taxpayers in North Bergen and Secaucus.

Governor Christopher Christie

Tax sharing was established in the region in 1972. Fourteen Meadowlands area towns either pay into the fund or get money from it based on whether they’re able to develop in their town. The program has been criticized for years as being outdated and unfair, with eight municipalities paying annually into the fund, including Secaucus and North Bergen, and six receiving. The proposed bill would eliminate the current system and replace it with a 3 percent tax on all hotel accommodations across the region. This would allow the recipient municipalities to continue receiving funds each year without requiring the other municipalities to pay. The Meadowlands Commission was established in 1968 as the zoning and planning agency for the 30.4-square-mile Meadowlands region spanning Bergen and Hudson counties. The Sports and Exposition Authority was established in 1971 to build and operate the Meadowlands Sports Complex, including the original Giants Stadium and Meadowlands Racetrack. The Izod Center and other entertainment destinations throughout the state, including Atlantic City, were later added under its purview. Prieto says the bill would boost economic growth and property tax savings in the Meadowlands region. The bill goes to Gov. Christie next for signature. Although Christie has stated he is opposed to raising taxes of any kind, he is reportedly in favor of the legislation.

Holiday Hours: Wednesday New Year’s Eve 9am-10pm Closed New Year’s Day

575 Manila Ave. Jersey City NJ

across from the Holland Tunnel Home Depot

Andre Sprkling All Types

750ML

Yellow Tail Bubbles All Types

750ML

Korbel Sparkling All Types

750ML

Piper Heidsieck Brut or Extra Dry

750ML

Moet Chandon Imperial

750ML

as allowed by law

1.75L

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

Grey Goose Vodka

1.75L

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

1.75L

24 pk. 12 oz. loose btls.

Hennessy Cognac VS

with 5 case cash purchase

Corona Extra or Light

Stella Artois

2/12 Pk. 12 oz. btls.

Cavit Pinot Grigio

09 1.5L

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14 Only valid at participating retailers.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label

750ML

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

1.75L

Bailey’s All Flavors except Orig. Creme & Coffee ...750ML Absolut Vodka 80 Proof ..............................................750ML Bailey’s Original Irish Creme.....................................750ML Bulleit Bourbon & Rye................................................750ML Grey Goose Vodka 80 Proof........................................750ML Hennessy Cognac VS ...................................................750ML Chivas Regal 12 Yr. Old Scotch..................................750ML Hendrick’s Gin.............................................................750ML J. Walker Black Label Scotch.....................................750ML Avion Silver Tequila.....................................................750ML Remy Martin Cognac VSOP ......................................750ML Glenlivet 12 Yr. Old Single Malt ...........................750ML

with 5 case cash purchase

750ML

J. Walker Black Label Scotch

1.75L

24 pk. 12 oz. loose btls.

8.99 8.99 9.99 9.99 10.99 11.99 12.99 13.99 16.99 19.99 20.99 39.99

Ketel One Vodka 80 Proof

750ML

1.75L

Patron Silver Tequila

1.75L

Heineken Reg. or Lt.

750ML

We will match any advertised price in New Jersey 09

Moet Chandon Nectar Imperial Rose

1.75L

J. Walker Red Label Scotch

2/12 Pk. 12 oz. cans

Perrier Jouet Brut

1.75L

Modelo Especial

750ML

Tito’s Vodka

M&R Asti Spumante

Dewar’s White Label Scotch

750ML

29 99 32

28 99 29 99

24 pk. 12 oz. loose btls.

750ML

Coors Lt., Miller Lt. Bud or Bud Lt.

Beringer White Zinfandel ..............................................1.5L Cupcake - All types except Moscato & Prosecco ......750ML Apothic Red..................................................................750ML Mark West Pinot Noir .................................................750ML Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc ......................................750ML Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Chardonnay ...................750ML Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon ...................................750ML Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc................................750ML Simi Cabernet Sauvignon ...........................................750ML Ruffino Chianti Riserva Tan Label.............................750ML Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio ..................................750ML Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon.................750ML

Absolut Vodka 80 Proof

Stolichnaya Vodka 80 Proof

John Jameson Irish Whiskey

6 pk. 12 oz. btls.

Freixenet Brut

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

Riondo Prosecco

201-239-1200 www.BuyRiteWines.com

Smirnoff Vodka 80 Proof

99 1.75L

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

Silver Oak Alexander Valley ‘10

750ML

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

Bacardi Rum Silver or Gold

1.75L

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

Dom Perignon Champagne

144

750ML

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

17.99 19.99 21.99 25.99 27.99 30.99 30.99 33.99 34.99 35.99 38.99 39.99

Svedka Vodka 80 Proof

1.75L

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

J. Walker Blue Label Scotch

179

750ML

Must present coupon for this price. Exp. 12/31/14. Only valid at participating retailers.

PRICES EFFECTIVE THRU DEC. 31, 2014. All products subject to 7% Sales Tax. Prices in this ad are set by Super Buy Rite, Jersey City, N.J. Products and their prices may not be available at member stores. Manufacturers coupons throughout stores. Limit (1) coupon per household or address. All stores independently owned and operated. All prices cash and carry. Not responsible for typographical errors.

7 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

Delivery Available to Hoboken & Downtown Jersey City!

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 8

On the rise Luxury apartments, office space kept sprouting in 2014 By Carlo Davis Reporter staff writer

rom the first new Hoboken redevelopment plan in decades to the continued buildout of the Port Imperial community in Weehawken, local cities saw or will see thousands of new residential units along the Gold Coast during this decade, not to mention office complexes. For those priced out of New York or unenthusiastic about the suburbs, the area provides great views and greater convenience. Jersey City, in particular, saw staggering growth in the first full year of Mayor Steven Fulop’s tenure.

Jersey City: Much happening in Journal Square TOWER TRIFECTA—The first phase of the Journal Squared development in Jersey City is only 54 stories high, but the following one will be the tallest building in New Jersey at 74 stories.

Call us at (201) 864-8600

e om sH U ke a T

As & “Go alw at pl o a a en d f ys gr ty oo ea o d t v f it ! al ” ue

Our Cheesecakes are best for the Holidays!

coachhousenorthbergen.com 921 Kennedy Blvd. North Bergen

Development isn’t just for the Jersey City waterfront anymore. This year saw many projects in the interior of Jersey City, accelerated by Fulop’s sweetening of tax abatement deals on those inland projects. The success of past investment around Grove Street and the waterfront was also an encouraging factor. In particular, Journal Square has seen a massive shift. After 25 years without a major development project, the area now has around 20 projects under construction or consideration, with more seemingly popping up every month. The Journal Squared development leads the way, and typifies both the bulk and transit proximity prized by new developers in the area. On land directly behind the Journal Square Transportation Center at the corner of Summit Avenue and Pavonia Avenue, KRE Group will build the tallest residential tower in New Jersey at 74 stories, along with two companion towers at 54 and 60 stories. All told, the buildings will house 1,840 rental apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail space. Phase 1, the 54-story, 540-unit tower, broke ground this year and is expected to be completed in 24 months. The apartments are expected to rent at $1,500 for a studio and $3,500 for a three-bedroom—market rate, but of a class previously little seen in Journal Square. KRE Group Executive Vice President Jeff Persky said he expects the Journal Squared project to trigger the same transit-oriented revitalization that previously occurred around the Grove Street and Exchange Place PATH stops. The Journal Square stop is only a 10-minute ride from the World Trade Center and a 20-minute ride from 33rd Street. The momentum generated by Journal Squared’s approval and groundbreaking is already becoming visible. In March, HAP Investments LLC purchased an 80,000square-foot lot a stone’s throw away from the Journal Squared site at 500 Summit Ave. While nothing has been officially proposed, HAP hopes for a 42-story, $400 million tower. At least three more huge projects are being pursued at the very heart of Journal Square. The first, a 525-unit, 40-story tower proposed by Kushner Companies and KABR Group and known as 30 Journal Square, would rise like a staircase behind the old Jersey Journal headquarters. The second, called 3 Journal Square, will bring a 13-story tower with 240 rental units across the street. The Hartz Mountain Industries-led project received a 30-year tax abatement in November. The final behemoth in the works is City Center Towers, two 60-story skyscrapers proposed by Multi-Employer Property Trust. The structures are connected by a skybridge in some proposed designs, and boast 1,500 residential units and 150,000 square feet of retail.

Trump and other Jersey City projects

OPEN HOUSE January 8th 2015 7pm-9pm

1241 Kennedy Blvd. • Bayonne, NJ 07002

www.marist.org • 201-437-4545

While the imminent boom in Journal Square drew the most attention this year, towers continue to rise at a bewildering pace in downtown Jersey City. In May, Kushner Companies and the KABR Group broke ground on Trump Bay Street, a 55-story, 447-unit residential tower that will mirror the current Trump Tower on Morgan Street. A block away, Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and Ironstate Development broke ground in January on the first of three 69-story towers in their joint Urban Ready Living Harborside project. If completed as expected by mid-2016, the tower will temporarily be the tallest building in New Jersey – until Journal Squared Phase 2 is complete. The development is envisioned as the residential component of Mack-Cali’s Harborside office complex, which is currently being renovated to upgrade its ground level retail and add a beer garden and market dining area. The first URL Harborside tower will contain 766 units, and the other two towers will add 1,592 more apartments. Mitchell E. Hersh, president and chief executive officer of Mack-Cali, said “We believe there will be strong demand for this type of unique and efficient housing for young urban professionals supporting the workforce in the vast industries doing business in the metropolitan area.” A few blocks south of Harborside, China Construction America plans to spend $450 million building two 60-story mixed-use towers containing 1,000 residential units and a luxury hotel. And above the Grove Street PATH station, the first of two 50-story mixed-use towers developed by Ironstate and Panepinto Properties is currently under construction and expected to open in 2015. Even the historic structure that gives part of downtown Jersey City its name could soon see large-scale construction. Cordish Companies hopes to build a 40story residential tower adjoining the historic Powerhouse building, which it also owns. The new building would be the most prominent element of a $179 million Cordish development plan that could bring retail and entertainment inside the Powerhouse itself.

Hoboken In 2014, the administration of Mayor Dawn Zimmer overcame some of their wariness toward development and displayed a halting openness to new residential

9 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

HISTORIC HOMES – The “Brooklyn-style” loft apartments in Bayonne’s Silklofts complex combine vintage brickwork from the Maidenform factory with brand-new Quartz countertops and Chef Islands.

construction. The City Council appointed planners for two redevelopment areas and reappointed one for a third. And at its final meeting of the year, the body approved a massive redevelopment plan for the NJ Transit-owned Hoboken rail yards near the border with Jersey City. Under that plan’s parameters, the state transit agency and its designated developer LCOR may soon be able to build 2.3 million square feet of new mixed-use development, split between office and residential towers and oriented around the Hoboken transit terminal. While unquestionably the most significant development plan approved in Hoboken since the 1990s, the Hoboken Yards will proceed on a much smaller scale than is currently favored in Jersey City. The plan spreads a total floor area equal to that of the Journal Squared project out over eight buildings. Next year, the city is likely to vote on yet another key redevelopment plan, this time for the Western Edge, a post-industrial sliver along the Hudson Bergen Light Rail tracks. Two past attempts at a plan have stalled, but the area remains highly sought after for its residential development potential. The last significant building approved in the Western Edge, Bijou Properties’ 11-story residential tower at 900 Monroe St., is under construction and heading for a November 2015 anticipated completion. The project is expected to be LEED Gold-certified and will contain 135 market rate rental units and 13,000 square feet for retail and child care. Bijou is building a few other projects away from the waterfront. Park & Garden, a 212-unit luxury rental building developed by Bijou Properties, is projected to be complete by May after three years of work. Featuring LEED-certified design, Park & Garden will feature a gas turbine that cogenerates electric power. It will also become the new home of the Elysian Charter School.

with a Holiday Loan. Receive 1% off your lowest qualifying rate.

Some rejections Two proposed projects on the far west side of town, a 13-story, two-tower complex from the Pegasus Group and a two building, 10-story concept backed by Jeffrey Mandelbaum, were struck down by the Hoboken Zoning Board this year. Had they been approved, the vast majority of the Western Edge would have been effectively redeveloped by variance. Another notable development rejection was the Hudson County Board of chosen Freeholders’ decision in October to uphold a 2012 county Planning Board ruling blocking the controversial Monarch at Shipyard project on the upper waterfront. Ironstate Development has tried for three years to get permission to build two 11-story residential towers on a pier on the northeast corner of Hoboken, where it had originally promised tennis courts. Anti-Monarch public outcry won the day before the freeholders, but the battle continues in the courts.

More on the waterfront A block away from the dilapidated Monarch pier, Toll Brothers has finally broken ground on the last stage of their Hoboken Cove Planned Unit Development, a 12-story, 236-unit condo building known as 1400 Hudson. The complex replaces a mostly vacant lot. It will aim for a similar design and level of luxury as 1450 Washington across the street, said Toll Brothers Vice President Henry Waller, with three roof decks and an outdoor pool. According to Waller, the building should be complete in two years. It’s easy to see why Toll Brothers decided to build 1400 Hudson now, despite receiving initial approvals for development on the site as far back as 1998. People just can’t wait to move to Hoboken, apparently. The firm’s newest Hoboken condo building, 1100 Maxwell Place, was only completed in March, but Waller said it is already two-thirds occupied. The 12-story, 210-unit building is also pitched towards luxury, but it had an interest list with over 1,000 names as early as May 2013. Also this year, the last stage of Hoboken’s paradigm-shifting South Waterfront redevelopment was completed. SJP Properties’ 14-story Waterfront Corporate Center III opened its doors in November, and anchor tenant Pearson has begun to occupy its five floors of office space. Tenants have already been found for threefourths of the units, according to SJP Executive Vice President Jeffrey Schotz, including startup Jet.com, a Montessori school and a New York steakhouse.

Plus be entered for a chance to win 1 of 3 Kindle Fire HD tablets when you apply!*

SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE TO APPLY TODAY!

VISIT A LIBERTY SAVINGS SERVICE CENTER NEAR YOU TODAY. FIVE CORNERS 666 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306

GREENVILLE 1590 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07305

NORTH HUDSON 108 48th Street Union City, NJ 07087

PHONE: 201.659.3900 | VISIT US ONLINE AT www.LSFCU.org

Weehawken Several major projects within the $2 billion, 6,000-residential unit Port Imperial development along the waterfront are under construction or were completed this

see DEVELOPMENT page 12

Rates are determined by LSFCU and are based on the borrower’s credit worthiness. Rates are subject to change without notice. Must be paid off within a 12 month period. Offer valid between November 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. *No account to open. No purchase necessary. Purchase does not increase your chances of winning. Open only to legal residents of New Jersey who are located in the United States at time of entry. Void elsewhere and where by prohibited by law. Eligibility limited to adults 18 years or older. Visit www.LSFCU.org for full terms and conditions.

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 10

Sports Year in Review: 2014 Prep’s state title, passing of a legend were in Top 10 sports stories of year By Jim Hague Reporter sports columnist

A MEMORABLE RAINY NIGHT – A rain-soaked St. Peter’s Prep football team celebrates in MetLife Stadium after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 state championship, the school’s first since 2005. The win sealed the Marauders’ place as the No. 1 team in New Jersey for 2014 and the Hudson Reporter Top Sports Story for 2014.

o what were the top sports stories for 2014? We had the crowning of major champions and the passing of major legends. We had dreams fulfilled and others curtailed. More importantly, we had another year to remember in Hudson County sports, so let’s take a closer look at The Hudson Reporter ’s Top 10 Sports Stories for 2014.

1-St. Peter’s Prep wins NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 state football title

2-North Bergen football legend Ascolese dies

Every year since 2005, the St. Peter’s Prep football team has vied for the elusive NJSIAA NonPublic Group 4 state championship in probably the toughest classification that the state or even the country has to offer. In a handful of those years, the Marauders were considered the favorites to win the title, but fell short of the main goal. But in the chilly rain and wind of a December Friday evening at MetLife Stadium, the goal became a reality once again. Thanks to a memorable effort by the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year Brandon Wimbush, who threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another, and a brilliant blocked punt return from Kolton Huber, the Marauders reached the pinnacle once again. The Marauders defeated Paramus Catholic, 34-18, and avenged two straight losses to the Paladins in the state playoffs, including a loss in last year’s state title game. The victory, the Marauders’ fourth NJSIAA state title under head coach Rich Hansen, enabled the Marauders to secure the state’s No. 1 ranking overall, as well as a Top 10 national ranking and the No. 1 Sports Story of the Year here.

Just days before the thrilling St. Peter’s Prep victory, there was a major sense of sadness and loss in the Hudson County and New Jersey scholastic sports world when legendary North Bergen football coach Vince Ascolese died after a long battle with cancer. Ascolese was 77 years old. Simply put, Ascolese was a larger-than-life legend in the sport of high school football in New Jersey. He won an astounding 356 games as a head coach over a career that spanned an incredible 50 years, first at Hoboken and then later at North Bergen. The win total still ranks as No. 3 all-time in New Jersey football history. Ascolese led his teams to an amazing eight state championships, seven at North Bergen, the final one coming in 2011 in thrilling fashion on the final play of the game against Montclair at MetLife Stadium. Incredibly, Ascolese died three years to the day of that final victory, one that was eventually stripped by the NJSIAA for alleged recruiting violations, but has never been wiped away from North Bergen’s memory. Nor will Ascolese’s achievements as a true giant in scholastic sports. His passing is duly noted as the No. 2 Sports Story of the Year.

MAYOR MAYOR NICHOLAS NICHOLAS J. J. SACCO SACCO COUNCIL COUNCIL ON ON AGING AGING PROUDLY PROUDLY PRESENTS PRESENTS EVENTS EVENTS FOR: FOR: SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

January OCTOBER2015 2011

WEDNESDAY

Senior Events Questions Call: 392-2159 Senior Transportation Call: 869-9595

EMPIRE CITY YONKERS 8:30am-5:30pm $5.00pp

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm TAI-CHI9am 9am TAI-CHI BINGO 11am BINGO 11am Nutrition Ctr. Nutrition Ctr. Lunch Special $1.00

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm CHAIR AEROBICS Chair Aerobics 10am

10am

THURSDAY

StatueShopping of Liberty Regular Trips 8:30am-4pm 9am-3pm $10 pp NEWARK MUSEUM Regular Shopping Trips 11am-3pm 9am-3pm $7.00 pp TAI-CHI 11am

NEW YEARS DAY

Regular Trips Regular Shopping Shopping Trips EXERCISE 9:15am 9am-3pm Nutrition Ctr. EXERCISE 9:15am Lunch Special $1.00 Nutrition Ctr.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Regular Shopping Trips 9am-3pm BIRTHDAY BINGO 11am-1pm

Regular Trips Regular Shopping Shopping Trips 9am-3pm 9am-3pm BIRTHDAY BINGO! FREE MOVIE 11am 12pm

EMPIRE CITYYONKERS 8:30am-5:30pm $5pp

JERSEY GARDENS OUTLET MALL 10am-4pm

LUNCH SPECIAL $1.00

Regular Trips Regular Shopping Shopping Trips 9am-3pm 9am-3pm TAI-CHI 9am TAI-CHI 9am BINGO 11am BINGO 11am Nutrition Ctr. Nutrition Ctr. Lunch Special $1.00

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm CHAIR AEROBICS Chair Aerobics 10am

10am

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm TAI-CHI 11am BINGO BINGO LUNCHEON LUNCHEON 11am-1pm 11am-1pm

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping EXERCISE 9:15am 9am-3pm TAI-CHI 10:15am EXERCISE 9:15am Nutrition Ctr. Nutrition Ctr. Lunch Special $1.00

Regular Shopping Trips 9am-3pm BINGO LUNCHEON 11am-1pm

LUNCH SPECIAL $1.00

MONMOUTH PARK 11am-6pm $2 pp

Regular Shopping Martin Luther King,Trips Jr.’s 9am-3pm Birthday (Observed) TAI-CHI 9am BINGO 11am Nutrition Ctr. Lunch Special $1.00

SUNDAY BRUNCH Mondays Regular Shopping Trips BON APPITITO As Above9am-3pm 12pm-4pm $18pp

TAI-CHI 9am BINGO 11am Mondays

Nutrition Ctr.

As Above LUNCH SPECIAL $1.00 HALLOWEEN

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm CHAIR AEROBICS Chair Aerobics 10am

10am

RegularShopping ShoppingTrips Trips Regular 9am-3pm 9am-3pm TAI-CHI 11am 90 PARK LUNCHEON 1pm-3pm Tapas de $18.00pp Espana 1-3pm $14 pp

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm CHAIR AEROBICS Chair Aerobics 10am

10am

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm TAI-CHI 11am BINGO LUNCHEON BINGO LUNCHEON 11am-1pm 11am-1pm

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping EXERCISE 9:15am 9am-3pm TAI-CHI 10:15am EXERCISE 9:15am Nutrition Ctr. Nutrition Ctr. Lunch Special $1.00

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping 9am-3pm 9am-3pm EXERCISE 9am FREE MOVIE TAI-CHI 10am

MARSHALL NEWPORTCREEK MALL FLEA MARKET 10am-4pm 8am-5pm

12pm

LUNCH SPECIAL $1.00

Regular ShoppingTrips Trips Regular Shopping EXERCISE 9:15am 9am-3pm Nutrition Ctr. EXERCISE 9:15am Lunch Special $1.00 Nutrition Ctr. LUNCH SPECIAL $1.00

Regular Shopping ShoppingTrips Trips Regular 9am-3pm 9am-3pm EXERCISE 9am

BINGO LUNCHEON TAI-CHI 10am 11am-1pm FREE MOVIE 12pm

CHRISTMAS CITY EMPIRE CITY Garden YONKERS State Mall 9am-4pm 8:30am-5:30pm $5.00pp

LOSS OF A LEGEND – North Bergen football coach Vince Ascolese, shown here coaching in his final game, the 2011 NJSIAA Group IV state title game against Montclair in MetLife Stadium, died in December after a long battle with cancer. Ascolese, winner of 356 career games and eight state championships at Hoboken and then North Bergen, still ranks third on the all-time coaching win list in New Jersey.

3-Hudson Catholic wins NJSIAA Non-Public B state baseball title

Over the last 50 years, Hudson Catholic has established a reputation for producing some of the best high school baseball teams in Hudson County. The Hawks won several county championships and featured some of the best coaches in history, including two members of the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame in the late Joe “Rocky” Pope and Mike Zadroga. But never had the school ever captured an NJSIAA state championship in baseball — that was, until last June. The Hawks, spearheaded by the pitching of Brandon Pilovsky and a clutch three-run homer from Victor Guzman, defeated St. Joseph of Hammonton, 7-0, to capture the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship in Toms River. Ironically, it was the same day that several of the Hawk senior players enjoyed their graduation, so it was truly a day to remember for them and for the entire school, as it is the No. 3 Sports Story of the Year.

4-Union City’s Matias wins national football title with Florida State No one could have ever imagined that the NCAA national championship football game would have a Hudson County flavor, but it did in January of 2014, when Union City’s Josue Matias helped to lead Florida State to the national title, defeating Auburn, 34-31, in the title game held in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Matias was a starting guard on the Seminoles, helping to lead the blocking for then-reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. Matias became the first Hudson County native to play for a national championship football team since Jersey City’s Rich Glover won the national title with Nebraska in 1971. Not a bad distinction for a kid who came to Union City from the Dominican Republic when he was 6 years old, never having played football in his life. Now, Matias will forever be known as a national champion – and has a chance to win a second national title as the Seminoles will face Oregon on New Year’s Day, again at the Rose Bowl, in the national semifinals in the first-ever college playoffs.

5-North Bergen’s Giraldo repeats as state wrestling champion Hudson County has only crowned a handful of NJSIAA state wrestling champions in its history. North Bergen is the only program with more than one state champion, namely John Bott (1983) and Anthony Giraldo (2013). Well, in March, Giraldo became the first Hudson County wrestler to ever win two state titles, winning his second consecutive NJSIAA state title.

see SPORTS page 14

STATE CHAMP, AGAIN – North Bergen senior Anthony Giraldo (right) poses with the marquee outside North Bergen High School after Giraldo won his second NJSIAA wrestling championship. Giraldo, the 132-pound state champ, became the first-ever from Hudson County to win two state championships. Head coach and athletic director Jerry Maietta is to the left.

11 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

ANOTHER STATE TITLE – No school has won more NJSIAA state championships in volleyball than Secaucus, which won its 18th state crown in 2014, thanks to the efforts of seniors, from left, Katelyn Schlemm, Andie Lennon, Kendall Caruso and Julia McClure.

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 12

DEVELOPMENT

from page 9

past year. The Port Imperial master plan stretches from Weehawken to Guttenberg. Just south of the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal, the first of five condo buildings on the Weehawken waterfront was completed this summer. The seven-story, 74-unit ultra-luxury residence is already serving as proof of concept for the Avenue Collection condo complex and its developer Lennar Urban. Despite price tags ranging from $800,000 to $4 million, the 1000 Avenue at Imperial condo building was 60 percent sold upon its ribboncutting in July, and has risen to 70 percent since. Lennar has already broken ground on the next stage, a 103-unit building at 1200 Avenue at Imperial, and will build 669 condos altogether. Further south near Lincoln Harbor, Roseland Property and Hartz Mountain held the grand opening for the Estuary, a 582-unit, three-building luxury rental complex, in February. New occupants are paying between $1,740 and $5,185 for well-appointed apartments and communal amenities like a golf simulator, dog run, and bocce ball court. RiverParc at Port Imperial, another major Roseland rental development in Weehawken, is in the later stages of construction. The 10-story complex will hold 280 luxury rentals, not to mention an outdoor terrace with hot tub and fire pit and an in-house cinema screen. As part of its agreement with the township of Weehawken, Roseland is spending $2 million on the construction of a linear park along the

Hudson River Waterfront Walkway just south of the Port Imperial ferry terminal. The new open space will feature a pair of playgrounds, an overlook garden, and refurbished steps leading up to Boulevard East. Construction began in May.

Secaucus and Meadowlands Secaucus is poised for the potentially large effects of a new mega-mall next door, as plans for the long-delayed American Dream Meadowlands facility in East Rutherford finally fell into place this year. Following the settlement of a lawsuit against the mall filed by the New York Jets and Giants, groundbreaking for the mall’s renovation and completion took place in August, according to The Bergen Record. The mall’s new owner, the Triple Five Group, expects to spend almost $2 billion more to complete the project, which will include an amusement park and an indoor ski slope and water park. Retailers will include Victoria’s Secret, Saks Fifth Avenue, and FAO Schwarz, according to documents released by Triple Five in December. Industrial space is also a hot commodity in Secaucus, with new data storage facilities and distribution centers under construction. Hartz has announced it is building a 300,000 square foot warehouse at the site of the former Panasonic headquarters and is also overhauling a 650,000 square foot warehouse formerly occupied by Panasonic, with 450,000 square feet already leased to plumbing supplier Ferguson Enterprises for a distribution center.

Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco invites North Bergen Seniors to enjoy a day at

EMPIRE CITY CASINO & Yonkers Race Track

Sunday, January 4th 8:30am-5:30pm, $5pp Receive $10 coin voucher and $10 food voucher Lite snacks will be served on the return trip home

Payment must be made in advance. North Bergen seniors only, proof of residence is required. Seating is limited. For reservations or more information please call Linda Cecchini at 201-869-9595 or 201-869-5001

Century 21 received $40 million in tax incentives from the state to purchase a 340,000 square foot warehouse in Secaucus and expand business there rather than move to New York.

Bayonne All signs point to a full recovery from the recession in Bayonne’s housing market. A number of prominent new residential buildings came on line in the last year, and more are expected soon after the city made key moves to open development on the former Military Ocean Terminal. In downtown Bayonne, the renovation of the former Maidenform factory at Avenue E and Eighteenth Street is finally complete. Opened to leases in April, the new Silklofts complex comprises 85 rental apartments spread across four buildings. In October, Mayor James Davis was on hand to cut the ribbon for Camelot at Bayonne, a 96unit luxury apartment building near the waterfront. Kaplan Companies spent $22 million building the four-story complex, which is split half-and-half between one and two-bedroom rentals. Kaplan Companies has seen strong interest in Camelot, with sixty percent of its leases already taken, according to spokesman Jason Segal, and the developer is eager to move forward with its larger plans for the Promenade at Bayonne, a mixed-use community at the foot of the Bayonne Bridge featuring 1,000 residential units, 60,000 square feet of offices, 134,000 square feet of retail, and a marina. The ambitious project, which was first approved in 2007, will be built in six stages. In June, the Bayonne City Council reaffirmed Kaplan Companies’ designation as the redeveloper of the site, formerly the Texaco Oil Terminal. Meanwhile, Bayonne has cleared the way for new development on the former Military Ocean Terminal, settling one lawsuit over a key project there and approaching settlements on two others. The lawsuits arose after former Mayor Mark Smith, seeking to avert a state takeover triggered by a budget gap of at least $20 million, sold 130 acres of the Terminal to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2010. Fidelco Bayonne Realty LLC, Trammell Crow Residential, and Bayonne Bay Developers LLC challenged the sale,

arguing that their agreements with the city specified that no container port would be built on the peninsula. As of December, the city had reached a deal with Trammell Crow, whose 544-unit Alexan CityView complex on the peninsula is already complete, and had nearly signed a deal with Fidelco. As part of the deal, the Bayonne City Council awarded Fidelco a 30-year tax abatement for its Harbor Station North development, which will bring 850 residential units and roughly 10,000 square feet of commercial space. In March, the city also released six proposals for the build-out of Harbor Station South, another sought-after chunk of the Terminal, although their status is unclear after former Mayor Smith was defeated in June. Most of the plans called for a combination of apartments, townhouses, hotels, and retail on the 57-acre property.

Union City and West New York

Development was quieter in Union City and West New York, which are largely built up. However, the multi-year battle over a high-rise apartment complex on John F. Kennedy Boulevard East raged on. At a series of public hearings before the West New York Zoning Board this year, residents spoke out against Meridia Le Boulevard, a proposed 13-story, 157-unit building they say will increase traffic and harm the character of the neighborhood. Opponents were also unhappy that none of the complex would be set aside as affordable housing units. According to NJ.com, representatives from Capodagli Property Company, the developer of Meridia, defended their plans as a “complementary addition” to the neighborhood and an intermediate point between taller and lower buildings nearby. The Zoning Board hearings will continue into 2015.

North Bergen and Guttenberg

A new waterfront park that spans between North Bergen and Guttenberg along the Hudson River waterfront was completed this year. The park features a playground, amphitheater, and several grass fields. Most of the $2.8 million needed to construct the park came from the Hudson County Open Space Trust fund.

Al Sullivan, Art Schwartz and Joe Passantino contributed to this report. To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudsonreporter.com. Carlo Davis may be reached at cdavis@hudsonreporter.com.

FILLING UP – Waterfront Corporate Center III, the final stage of Hoboken’s South Waterfront redevelopment, include Jet.com, Pearson, and Del Frisco’s Steakhouse.

n n e d n e

o s t

13 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

d . e y c

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 14

SPORTS

from page 11

Giraldo won the 132-pound crown in Atlantic City, defeating Mike Magaldo of Watchung Hills, 3-1, in the championship round to finish his brilliant senior season with a perfect 41-0 record and end his career with 157 wins, the most in Hudson County history. Giraldo graduated from High Tech last June and is now wrestling at Rutgers University. His legacy of greatness will be very hard to top in the years to come.

6-North Bergen native Anderson drafted by defending NBA champion Spurs In June, a lifelong dream became a reality, when North Bergen native and former St. Anthony basketball AllAmerican Kyle Anderson was selected in the NBA Draft, taken by the defending league champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round, the No. 30 selection overall. Anderson became the first Hudson County product to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft since Jersey City native and fellow St. Anthony product Roshown McLeod was taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft. Anderson played for two seasons at UCLA before moving on to the NBA. He is slowly getting accustomed to life in the NBA, but he’s in a good situation with the reigning NBA champs. Getting selected in the NBA Draft was something that Anderson always hoped would happen. In June, it became a reality.

7-Secaucus volleyball team wins another NJSIAA state championship It used to be an annual occurrence, Secaucus winning a state championship in volleyball. After all, the school had 17 such championships at either Group I or Group II over the years. But it had been since 2006 that Secaucus was without a state volleyball title. However, in November, the Patriots put an end to that drought, as they defeated archrival Bogota, 25-22 and 25-15, to win the NJSIAA Group I state crown. The Patriots were led by a solid senior class of Katelyn Schlemm, Andie Lennon, Kendall Caruso and Julia McClure, who all chipped in and helped the cause.

8-Hudson Catholic freshman Ortiz blazes cross country scene When the cross country season began in September, no one knew who Crystal Ortiz was. By the end of November, the entire state knew exactly who she was, as the Hudson Catholic freshman blazed the trail this season. Ortiz not only won every race imaginable locally, including becoming the first Hudson Catholic product to ever win a Hudson County Track Coaches Association championship, but she also went on to win the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship and finished 11th overall at the state Meet of Champions, the second best placing for a freshman in the race. Needless to say, Ortiz has made a name for herself and she’s certainly a runner to watch over the next threeplus years.

9-Hoboken wins NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I softball title It was a wild season for the Hoboken girls’ softball program, getting a new coach in Vinnie Johnson and a host of new players who took a while to get going. At one point in the season, the Red Wings owned a 2-5 record. But the Red Wings rebounded in time for the NJSIAA state playoffs and they rolled through the North Jersey Section 2, Group I bracket, winning the state sectional title for the first time since 2007. Naomi Olacio hit a clutch three-run homer and pitcher Nicole Barron made it stand up, as the Red Wings toppled Glen Ridge, 4-2, to win the state sectional title in late May, only the second state sectional crown in the school’s history and only the sixth in Hudson County history.

10-Hudson Catholic, Lincoln both “three-peat” as county champs It’s one thing to win one Hudson County Tournament championship. After all, before Hudson Catholic won in 2012, it had been 37 years since the last time the Hawks won the boys’ title. It was almost as long of a drought with the girls’ program at Lincoln. But in late February, both Hudson Catholic’s boys and Lincoln’s girls won their third straight Hudson County championship, giving both schools a reason to celebrate a “three-peat.” Hudson Catholic defeated favored St. Peter’s Prep in the title game, while Lincoln held off Bayonne in their title game, both games being held at Union City High School.

Just-missed list There were several other noteworthy sports stories that just missed being a part of our Top 10 list: While St. Peter’s Prep won the NJSIAA football state sectional, two other local teams reached the championship games in their respective sections, namely Lincoln and St. Anthony, the latter for the first time ever; There were the tragic deaths of former athletes Kermy Amparo (Memorial) and Josue Romero (Union City), with Amparo being stabbed to death and Romero dying in an automobile accident just two weeks apart in August; there was the mass exodus of players and head basketball coach Todd Decker from St. Peter’s Prep, leaving that program to totally rebuild; there was the success of the Union City girls’ cross country team, winning the Hudson County Track Coaches Association team title for the first time ever; there was the Secaucus boys’ soccer team advancing to the NJSIAA North 2, Group I sectional title game for the first time. Jersey City native Robert Ayers came home again twice, first to play at MetLife Stadium in the Super Bowl for the Denver Broncos, then a few months later, signing as a free agent with the New York Giants; the Marist baseball team captured the Hudson County baseball tournament once again; there was the tragic tale of former St. Peter’s Prep standout Will Hill getting his release from the New York Giants after failing his third drug test while with the team; Lincoln’s Tyrik Darby and North Bergen’s Carolina Herrera were named the Hudson Reporter Male and Female Athletes of the Year respectively; there were seven local football products who gave verbal commitments to play major college football, the most in over a decade; and former St. Peter’s Prep basketball standout Ronald Roberts was signed to a roster spot with the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA.

15 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 16 OFFICER OF THE YEAR – Retiring Guttenberg Police Captain Joel Magenheimer was honored by officials and residents on March 24 for his years of service.

HEADLINES

from page 3

Change in police leadership: Earlier in the summer, Mayor Steven Fulop demoted Police Chief Robert Cowan after only nine months on the job, explaining that major changes were underway in the department and Cowan resisted those changes. Cowan had also been criticized by officers who claimed he allegedly transferred them as “political retribution.” Philip Zacche was sworn in as Cowan’s replacement and a new table of organization was proposed for the department by Public Safety Director James Shea. Fulop on the statewide stage: Fulop has emerged as a strong political presence in the region since beating incumbent mayor Jerramiah Healy to take the office in 2013. After some speculated that Christie would have to resign earlier this year, rumors abounded that Fulop may one day run against him.

North Bergen New par k on hold? North Bergen announced in the fall that it planned to acquire the land in James Braddock Park currently occupied by a preschool. The town struck a “diversion” deal with the county and plans to take over the property in exchange for establishing new parkland elsewhere in Hudson County, although park advocates have objected, claiming it sets a dangerous precedent for chipping away at public park land for development. School secur ity: In early June a note was found written on a desk at North Bergen High School threatening to “shoot up the school on 6/6/14,” resulting in a virtual lockdown of the school, with a beefed-up police presence on that date. Later in the year the school completed the installation of 225 security cameras as part of a $1.4 million effort to enhance security.

Secaucus Super Bowl par ticipation: In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Secaucus hosted Winter Blast, a threeday event in Buchmuller Park that attracted nearly 10,000 attendees and raised more than $20,000 for charity. Games, rides, a “food truck mash-up” and the world’s largest mozzarella football were among the features. The NFL also agreed to pay the town $18,000 after backing out of an agreement to rent municipal space for a staging area during the event.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS – At the June 2 Rebuild by Design press conference, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner and Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer learned they would see $230 million in aid for their towns.

Tax shar ing relief at last: In another win, the state of New Jersey picked up the entire tab for the Meadowlands Intermunicipal Tax Sharing Program for the first time this year. Established in 1972, tax sharing forced some of the 14 towns in the Meadowlands region to contribute money to a development fund for towns that couldn’t develop due to economic reasons. Secaucus, traditionally the biggest contributor into the fund at nearly $3 million a year, hopes to see municipal contributions eliminated thanks to a new bill currently with Gov. Christie for his signature. Elwell’s back: Former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell returned home in October after serving almost 30 months in federal prison for accepting $10,000 that federal authorities claimed was a bribe. To this day, Elwell maintains it was not a bribe but a campaign contribution.

Union City Political unity: In an extremely rare joint public appearance, Union City Mayor Brian Stack and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco stood together to demonstrate support for County Executive Tom DeGise’s reelection in 2015. The two mayors – both of whom are also state senators – have been bitter political adversaries in the past, but they said their past differences are behind them. Vowing to work together, they cited an agreement for North Bergen to provide space to the Union City Department of Public Works.

see HEADLINES page 18

Our 525 Washington Street office is closed for renovations Our bold new look will be revealed early 2015 525 Washington Street Agents and Staff are temporarily located at 1 Marine View Plaza (corner of 4th & River St side)

#1 HUDSON COUNTY OFFICE - MLS LISTINGS & SOLD 2010 - 2013 SELLING AGENTS OF THE MONTH

DAVID BISTANY

DAVID DEVOE

MICHAEL KLEIN

LISTING AGENTS OF THE MONTH

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

DAVID BISTANY

DAVID DEVOE

PATRICK SOUTHERN LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER

17 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

FLOOD ZONE REPRESENTATIVES – Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli and Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer spoke before the Rebuild by Design announcement on June 2.

RECKLESS – Following a short pursuit on foot, a 16-year-old was arrested for allegedly climbing the historic water tower in Weehawken on Sept. 17.

Call us at (201) 864-8600

NFL ON ICE – The Secaucus Winter Blast took place in the week before the Super Bowl, running from Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.

SELL YOUR CAR SOONER ds in the

fie i s s a l c

20 words + photo

in print and online at WWW.HUDSONREPORTER.COM

4 weeks for only $45 For more information call the Classified Department 201-798-7800 Pr i v a t e Pa r t y O n l y. O n e C a r Pe r A d .

As & “Go alw at pl o a a en d f ys gr ty oo ea o d t v f it ! al ” ue

Open New Year’s Eve with Noisemakers & New Year’s Day! coachhousenorthbergen.com 921 Kennedy Blvd. North Bergen

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 18

HEADLINES

from page 16

Weehawken

Flooding help: Weehawken will reap the benefits of the $230 million Rebuild by Design grant designated for the Hudson River. Mayor Richard Turner cited the flooding in the “Shades” section of town during Sandy and said, “This plan will fully protect the residents of Weehawken and could serve as a national model for regional urban resiliency.” Local boy climbs tall str uctures: A 16 year-old Weehawken boy with a penchant for daring urban exploration was arrested by the Weehawken Police Department in September for illegally entering and climbing the historic water tower at 4100 Park Avenue, adjacent to the Pathmark mall. The teenager was charged with unlicensed entry of a structure and resisting arrest. Earlier in the year a 16-year-old youth, a Weehawken resident, was charged with sneaking past security and climbing to the top the World Trade Center tower. The teenager pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 days of community service.

West New York School board elected: After voters overwhelmingly approved the establishment of an elected school board in West New York last November, two rounds of elections occurred. The first took place in January, expanding the board from seven members to nine. The two winning candidates had ties to opponents of Mayor Felix Roque, and were supported strongly by Freeholder Jose Munoz. However, Roque won the next round. He successfully postponed the second school board election from April to November, at which time 16 candidates, including two incumbents, ran for four seats. Once the smoke cleared, the four candidates supported by Mayor Felix Roque won the contested seats – three for three years, one for two years – reflecting an apparent upswing in popularity for the mayor. He had suffered a turbulent 2013 in which a scathing state report was released accusing him of meddling in school personnel matters, and he was acquitted of federal charges related to hacking into a website run by political rival Munoz. Competition for Roque: Meanwhile, two of Roque’s political rivals, Count Wiley and Jose Munoz, announced in December that they will run for municipal positions against Roque’s candidates in the May mayor/commission elections. In West New York’s form of government, five people run for the town commission, and choose a mayor from among themselves.

Art Schwartz can be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com. Comment on this story on-line at hudsonreporter.com.

obituaries BECKER, ROBERT. Private funeral services have been held for Robert Becker, 46, of Secaucus. He passed away Dec. 15. Robert is survived by his son Christian Becker and Christian’s mother Amparo Moreno; his brothers Edward and his wife Louise, Richard and his wife Patty; his companion Patti Davis and many nieces and nephews. Robert was predeceased by his parents Richard and Ellen Becker and his brothers Michael and Fred. Services arranged by the Mack Memorial Home, Secaucus. PELLECCHIA, MADELINE. A funeral mass was offered Dec. 23 at St. Francis R.C. Church, Hoboken, for Madeline Pellecchia, 91, of Hoboken. She passed away Dec. 19. “Maddie” as she was known by many, was a lifelong resident of Hoboken. A wife and mother, Maddie will be missed by her son, Anthony and his wife Carol; two daughters, Maryann Frushon and her husband Dominick, and Ann Arter and her husband John, and a sister Mindy Caputi. A great joy in her life were her seven grandchildren, John, Anthony J., Charity, Anthony D., Tracey, Michael and Dina and her six great grandchildren, Jenna, Alex, Jasmine, Hayley, Emily, and Rebecca. Madeline was predeceased by her husband Anthony (1986), a daughter Christina Pellecchia (2014), four brothers, Joe, John, Frank, and Louis DeRiso, and four sisters, Mary Damiano, Jennie Latour, Antoinette Brachitta, and Angie Calabrese. Services arranged by the Failla Funeral Home, Hoboken. REYES, FELICITA LEON. A funeral mass was offered Dec. 23 at St. Joseph’s Church for Felicita Leon Reyes, 79, of Jersey City. She died Dec. 19 at the Cusack Care Center. She was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico. She had worked as a laundress at St. Francis Hospital. She was the wife of the late Andres Reyes, the mother of Andres Reyes, Luisa Mantilla, George Reyes, Alfredo Reyes, Alberto Reyes and Raquel Chowanec, the grandmother of seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Services arranged by the Bromirski Funeral Home, Jersey City. STAN, ROBERT. Funeral mass took place Dec. 20 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church for Robert Stan, 74, a lifelong Jersey City resident. He died Dec. 17. He had been a stock clerk for Palace Drugs, Jersey City. He was an usher, a Rotarian and member of the Sunday Hospitality Committee at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Jersey City. He was the son of the late Ann (Dondero) and Henry Stan. Nephew of the late Eleanor Petruzzi, Grace Dondero and Walter Dondero. Cousin of Richard Dondero, Florence Coughlin and Henry Johnson. He is also survived by an extended family of parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows. Services arranged by the Greenville Memorial Home, Jersey City. THOMPSON, ANNA MARIE. A funeral mass was offered Dec. 19 at Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Jersey City, for Anna Marie Thompson, 84, of Jersey City. She passed away peacefully on Dec. 12 while in hospice care. Anna was preceded in death by her parents Benjamin Holland and Julia Holland Small; sister Imogene (Leonard) Davis; husband, Leonard Thompson; and son Stephen. Anna is survived by her children Jewel (Glen) Chin of Teaneck, Charles (Cordis) Thompson of Cary, NC and Betty (Clifford W) Mitchem of Manchester, MO; grandchildren Angela, Nadia, Clifford T, Armah (Caitlin), Ja’Niene, Sidoney, Marc, Amaya and great-granddaughters Devin, Nyla and Kyra. Anna will be greatly missed by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friendsServices arranged by the Jackson Funeral Residence, Jersey City.

from page 3 visit the Hoboken Business Networking Group page on Meetup or : contact Ethan Chazin at Ethan@TheChazinGroup.co m or (201) 683-3399. Pet adoptions - every Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fussy Friends 148 Newark Ave. Jersey City, (1/2 block from Grove St. Path) for more info. please call Kathleen (201) 895-3874. Overeaters Anonymous meets at Hoboken University Medical Center (Assumption Hall) 308 Willow Ave., Sundays 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. more info. call: (932) 7468787. Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Bird Walk with the NJMC and BCAS. Free two-hour guided nature walk will take place at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, a 70-acre restored wetlands area usually closed to the public. RSVP at greatauk4@aol.com or 201-230-4983.

Alzheimer's Association Support Group: Secaucus Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd., Secaucus, Louise Munsch and Eydie Shapiro, (201)340-2238, meets every first Monday at 7:00 p.m. 24hour helpline, 1-800-2723900, or visit www.alz.org/nj

Also, offering a variety of fun and interactive activities, special events, field trips & workshops to support families facing difficult situations. We encourage youths ages 13 to 21 to join us. Please contact Jason Brettler (201) 915-5140 x 15.

Bingo at Our Lady of Grace Church - Saturdays at noon in the school hall on the corner of Fifth and Willow Ave., Hoboken, more info. or to volunteer, call (201) 6590369.

4th degree black belt Howard Turoff, former head of the Hoboken YMCA martial arts program, teaches goju-ryu karate and basic self-defense every Wednesday in Elysian Park from 7 to 8 p.m., class is free. Beginners are welcome. No uniforms required - wear comfortable clothes. No class if it rains. For more info, call (201) 724-6787 or email SenseiHT@gmail.com

Autism Support Group meets at the Bayonne Jewish Community Center, 1050 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. give and receive support from other parents experiencing the same struggles. The Family Support Organization Youth Partnership meets Mondays & Fridays from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. There is open enrollment and free membership.

Pet adoptions - every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Petsmart, 400 Mill Creek Mall, Secaucus for more info. Call Charlene (201) 200-1008 or Kathleen (201) 895-3874.

Bayonne was the big surprise this year Many people were stunned by Smith’s loss to Davis, seeing it as one of the more significant political upsets in recent history. Davis beat Smith in a runoff, and his running mates managed to sweep all five council seats as well. But this appearance of unity is somewhat misleading. The election was much more complicated the any in recent history, since Davis managed to cobble together groups with specific issues: supporters of rent control, proponents of an elected school board, and dissatisfied teachers, who were not able to get a contract settled with the Smith administration. Davis also took advantage of Smith’s political blunders outside of Bayonne. Political allies such as state Sen. Nicholas Sacco and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, who had helped Smith in the past, largely stayed out of the election. Strangely enough, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise helped Smith, and so did some Fulop workers. But anti-Smith candidates in the county Board of Freeholders primary were not able to take advantage of Smith’s loss. Kenneth Kopacz, supported by Smith, handily beat Rafael Augusto in the primary, and later beat Michael Alonso in the general election.

In Hoboken, Zimmer also saw reversals

POLITICS

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop

from page 5

While not yet a defeated effort, Fulop was also forced to withdraw – at least for the moment – a controversial lease-purchase agreement for the new City Hall annex. Power politics played havoc inside City Hall when someone leaked damaging information about Fulop’s chief of staff Muhammed Akil, who later resigned. This may have been partly to save Fulop from future embarrassment if he decides to run for governor, as most people expect him to do if Christie runs for the Republican nomination for president. Fulop’s minions have been stitching together political alliances inside and outside Hudson County, which partly explains why Fulop appeared to change sides in the Bayonne election. His

Zimmer came into 2014 as a real success story, after having pulled off one of the biggest political coups in the recent memory. She won her 2013 re-election without a runoff, when division and bickering between warring slates of her opponents allowed her to slide back into office without a majority of the votes. But by the year’s end, a lot of the glow of her victory was gone, and she found herself with a split in her base, with some rivals coveting the mayor’s seat and wishing she wasn’t in it. Part of the split had to do with a divided reform community over the issue of charter schools, and part had to do with a very unpopular property revaluation, which may explain Zimmer’s decision to back off a proposed rolling reval late in the year. This was the year that Zimmer finally took on Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia, who was removed as Hoboken’s Housing Authority executive director, setting the stage for a possible run as a City Council candidate in 2015. Although Garcia hoped to keep his Assembly seat, insiders said he will not be asked to remain on a ticket headed by state Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack. Meanwhile, Anthony Romano’s good showing in the freeholder election set him up as a future mayoral candidate in Hoboken. Split or not, Zimmer supporters managed to gain more seats on the Hoboken Board of Education, partly because anti-Zimmer forces could not agree on their own slate and divided their votes between two slates.

see POLITICS page 20

19 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

workers campaigned for Mayor Mark Smith who was in a tight race and eventually lost to challenger James Davis. But the Smith campaign donated heavily to a key campaign in Newark, helping Fulop forge a political alliance there. Fulop’s opposition to Christie, and Jersey City’s hosting of two Super Bowl teams this year, has given him remarkable media exposure. The city’s phenomenal growth in development has made him a regional presence, something he needs if he intends to seek the governor’s office in 2017.

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 20

POLITICS

from page 19

Union City, temporarily at peace For the first time in almost a decade, Union City Mayor Stack is at peace with the rest of the county. Whether this peace will last no one knows, but it appears to be a real breakthrough. Stack has met with his arch rival, state Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Sacco, to consult on joint municipal projects. Stack even endorsed County Executive Tom DeGise’s reelection bid next year, even though a close Stack ally like Jersey City Freeholder Bill O’Dea had hoped to challenge DeGise. There is also a move afoot to draft state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, another close associate of Stack’s, to run against DeGise next year. Stack’s power base is remarkably solid, and may well be attributed to what his admirers and enemies sometimes call “the turkey effect.” Stack is intensely focused on community service, symbolized by the 20,000 turkeys his organization gave away at Thanksgiving. But political peace in Hudson County is unnatural. The bitterness between Stack and Sacco may reemerge if rumors are true that Larry Wainstein – a Stack ally – plans to run against Sacco for mayor of North Bergen. Also in Union City this year, Freeholder Tilo Rivas beat long time Stack critic Jose Falto in the June primary. Falto passed away later in the year, ending a personal crusade to unseat Stack.

Roque maneuvers in West New York West New York witnessed some of the most dramatic changes of political fortune in 2014, all centered around Mayor Felix Roque. Even though he successfully survived federal charges in late 2013 of conspiracy to hack into his political opponents’ website, Roque’s opponents managed to pass a referendum that established an elected school board. The first of two elections for school board members saw two anti-Roque candidates seated. But in a series of political maneuvers, Roque’s team managed to change the second election to November and their candidates won all four seats. With the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, the mayor also managed to help Caridad

Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer

Bayonne Mayor James Davis

21 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

West New York Mayor Felix Roque

Rodriguez beat Freeholder Jose Munoz in the Democratic primary in June. But Roque opponents have started to come out early, so by year’s end at least two candidates were eyeing his seat, Munoz, and Commissioner Count Wiley.

North Bergen, where Sacco reigns

Sacco’s political machine flexed its muscles this year, helping Anthony Vainieri beat Enrique Henry Marrero in the freeholder primary. Marrero, however, gained name recognition, as well as experience in organizing. It is likely he will reappear as a candidate for North Bergen commissioner against Sacco. The change on the freeholder seat was somewhat sad, since it meant that Thomas Liggio, freeholder for North Bergen and part of Secaucus, stepped down. Sacco’s influence around Hudson County remained strong in 2014. His support for DeGise as county executive and Prieto as chairman of the HCDO give Sacco very powerful allies.

HOB

Sleepy Secaucus keeps on keeping on

To say nothing happened politically in Secaucus would be an exaggeration, but not by much. Secaucus candidates supported by Mayor Michael Gonnelli were swept back into office, mostly because nobody ran against them. Gonnelli is an extremely popular mayor and to date opposition against him has been weak. While Gonnelli doesn’t win every battle he fights – he is currently at war with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission over a tax sharing program – he won some interesting battles. For example, he got the notoriously stingy National Football League to pay their share of Secaucus’s expenses for Super Bowl events earlier in the year. Vincent Prieto, a Secaucus resident, was named chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization in 2013 and speaker of the Assembly in late 2013, which made him one of the most powerful political figures in the state. It gives both Gonnelli and Sacco political clout beyond their towns and even Hudson County. Prieto has had a significant influence on several

Governor Christopher Christie

elections in the county, especially in the freeholder primaries, where Jersey City’s Jeff Dublin was beaten by Gerard Balmir, in West New York, where Rodriguez beat Munoz, and in North Bergen, where Vainieri warded off a challenge by Marrero. Romano in Hoboken pulled a major upset by defeating HCDO supported candidate Phil Cohen, a Zimmer ally. Beating the political machine is rare in Hudson County. But, as in most years, the politics of 2014 merely set the stage for 2015, where key elections will take place in West New York, Hoboken, and North Bergen.

To comment on this story on-line, go to our website, www.hudsonreporter.com. Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com

OK E

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 22

ADVERTISE WITH US For details please contact The Hudson Reporter Advertising Department 201.798.7800

AUTO CENTER EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ

“Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary”

IN THE NORTHEAST REGION^^

20% OF MSRP CASH BACK CONQUEST LEASE %APR CASH $2000! 72 MONTHS! ON SELECT MODELS

AS LOW AS

UP TO

AVAILABLE TO NON GM LESSEES ON SELECT MODELS ONLY. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS.

AVAIL UP TO

OVER 350 CARS, TRUCKS, SUVs AND CROSSOVERS REDUCED!!! EQUINOX LT NEW 2015 CHEVROLET

32 MPG HWY

2-YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE!

Lease per mo/24mos*

4-Cyl, FRWD, Auto w/OD, Trac Cntrl, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, R/Def, Tilt, Alloy Whls, T/Gls, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, Nav, OnStar, Bluetooth, Remote Start, Stk# 15-1080,VIN#F6134032, MSRP: $27,670. Based on 24 Month Closed End Lease. $3,054 due at delivery includes $2,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $1,416. Residual Value: $19,369. Includes Lease Conquest Rebate if qualified.

TRAVERSE LS NEW 2015 CHEVROLET

24 MPG HWY

2-YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE!

SILVERADO DOUBLE CAB

23 MPG HWY

2-YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE!

Lease per mo/24mos*

159

VERANO

32 MPG HWY

2-YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE!

229 Lease per mo/39mos*

31 MPG HWY

2-YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE!

449

LEATHER

IMPALA LS

199

LACROSSE

219

28 MPG HWY

2-YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE!

Lease per mo/39mos*

4-Cyl, FRWD, Auto w/OD, Trac Cntrl, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Dr St, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, R/Def, Tilt, Cruise, Alloy Whls, T/Gls, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, Nav, OnStar, Bluetooth, Stk# 15-1053,VIN#F9117714, MSRP: $27,735. Based on 39 Month Closed End Lease. $3,194 due at delivery includes $2,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $4,251. Residual Value: $16,087. Includes Lease Conquest Rebate if qualified.

NEW 2015 BUICK

Lease per mo/39mos*

4-Cyl, FRWD, Auto, P/S/B, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, R/Def, Tilt, Cruise, Alloy Whls, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD, Nav, OnStar, Stk# 15-121,VIN#4110921, MSRP: $24,665. Based on 39 Month Closed End Lease. $3,154 due at delivery includes $2,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $6,201. Residual Value: $14,059. Includes Lease Conquest Rebate if qualified.

NEW 2015 CHEVROLET

8-Cyl, 4WD, Auto, Trac Cntrl, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Htd Sts w/Mem, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, R/Def/Wpr, Tilt, Cruise, Alloy Whls, T/Gls, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, Nav, Stk# 15-1108,VIN#FR282288, MSRP: $55,890. Based on 39 Month Closed End Lease. $5,444 due at delivery includes $4,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $17,511. Residual Value: $33,975. Includes Lease Conquest Rebate if qualified.

4-Cyl, FRWD, Auto w/OD, Trac Cntrl, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Dr St, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, R/Def, Tilt, Cruise, Alloy Whls, T/Gls, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, Nav, OnStar, Bluetooth, Remote Start, Stk# 14-1524,VIN#E7468775, MSRP: $21,285. Based on 24 Month Closed End Lease. $3,074 due at delivery includes $2,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $1,896. Residual Value: $14,048.10. Includes Lease Conquest or Loyalty Rebate if qualified.

NEW 2015 BUICK

Lease per mo/224 mos*

TAHOE LT

23 MPG HWY

2-YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE!

149

8-Cyl, 4WD, Auto, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, R/Def, Tilt, Cruise, Alloy Whls, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD, Nav, OnStar, Stk# 15-1167X,VIN#F2158656, MSRP: $42,525. Based on 39 Month Closed End Lease. $3,224 due at delivery includes $2,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $8,931. Residual Value: $25,089. Includes Trade-In Rebate, Lease Conquest or Loyalty Rebate if qualified.

NEW 2015 CHEVROLET

38 MPG HWY

6-Cyl, FRWD, Auto w/OD, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Winds/Lcks/ Mrrs, R/Def, Tilt, Cruise, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD, Nav, OnStar, Stk# 15-1125,VIN# FJ187308, MSRP: $32,495. Based on 24 Month Closed End Lease. $3,144 due at delivery includes $2,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $3,576. Residual Value: $22,746. Includes Lease Conquest Rebate if qualified.

NEW 2015 CHEVROLET

CRUZE 1LT NEW 2014 CHEVROLET

Lease per mo/39mos*

6-Cyl, FRWD, Auto w/OD, Trac Cntrl, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Cntrl, Dual/Side Curtain Impact Air Bags, P/Dr St, Htd Sts, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, R/Def, Tilt, Cruise, Alloy Whls,T/Gls, Sec Sys, Keyless Entry, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, Nav, OnStar, Keyless Start, Rearview Camera, Stk# 15-134,VIN#FF162800, MSRP: $36,650. Based on 39 Month Closed End Lease. $3,214 due at delivery includes $2,995 down payment & 1st Payment. $0 up front bank fee. 10,000 mi/yr excess mi @ $.25 thereafter. Total payments: $8,541. Residual Value: $20,524. Includes Lease Conquest Rebate if qualified.

HUGE SELECTION OF BELLAVIA GM CERTIFIED & OTHER PRE-OWNED VEHICLES 2014 CHEVROLET

2014 CHEVROLET

CRUZE LS

SONIC LTZ

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Summit White, Stk#14207, VIN#E7152292, 1.8L, 4-Cyl, FRWD, Auto, AM/FM/Satellite, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, 3,747mi.

2014 BUICK

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Gray, VIN#E4180542, 5-Dr, 1.8L, 4-Cyl, Auto w/OD, FWD, P/S/ABS, A/C w/Clim Ctrl, Dual/Side Air Bags, Lthr, P/Winds/ Lcks/Mrrs,Cruise, Alloys, Sec Sys, CD, Nav, OnStar, 6,709mi.

2O12 GMC

REGAL PREMIUM ACADIA SL AWD

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Summit White, Stk#13848, VIN#E9175223, Summit White, Stk#14015, 2.0L,I4, Auto, FWD, P/S/ABS, A/C, Dual/Side Air VIN#CJ194626, 4WD, 3.6L V6, Auto, Bags, P/Winds/Lcks/ Mrrs, Cruise, Alloys, Sec CD/MP3, Bluetooth, Cruise, Telescopic, Sys, CD, Sun Rf, 12,495mi. A/C, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, 26,173mi

2011 BUICK

2013 CHEVROLET

REGAL CXL TURBO MALIBU LS

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Granite Gray, Stk#13974, VIN#B9200067, 2.0L, I4, Blue, Stk#14089, VIN#DF234487, 2.5L, Auto, FRWD, Htd Sts, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, Tilt, Tele- Auto, FRWD, Auto, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, scopic, P/S/ABS, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, 34,031mi. Tilt, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, 20,258mi.

2012 BUICK

2011 BUICK

VERANO

LACROSSE

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Cyber Gray Metallic, Stk#13834, VIN# C4198860, 2.4L 4 Cyl, Auto, AM/FM/Satellite, Cruise, Telescopic, A/C, P/Winds/Lcks/Mirrors,21,863mi

2008 CHEVROLET

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Gold Mist, Stk#13945, VIN#BF315890, 3.6L, V6, Auto, FRWD, AM/FM/CD/Satellite, P/Winds/Lcks, A/C, Cuise, Tilt, 47,507mi

2010 HONDA

2010 CHEVROLET

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! White, Stk#14198, VIN#AS150924, 3.6L, V6, Auto, AWD, Nav, AM/FM/CD/MP3/DVD/Satellite, Tilt, Telescopic, P/S/ABS, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, 7-Passanger, Rear Camera, Rf Rack, 29,111mi.

2006 CHEVROLET

2009 CHEVROLET

MALIBU LT

COBALT LT EQUINOX SPORT CIVIC EX COUPE CRV-LX

Sandstone, Stk#13994, VIN#6F302967, 3.5L, Auto, FRWD, Sun Rf, AM/FM/CD, Tilt, Telescopic, P/S/ABS, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, 64,458mi.

Silver Moss, Stk#14065, VIN#97237697, 2.2L, I4, Auto, FRWD, AM/FM/Satellite/MP3, Tilt, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, Spoiler, 52,649mi.

Deep Ruby, Stk#14038, VIN#86038071, 3.6L, V6, Auto, FRWD, Sun Rf, AM/FM/CD/MP3/Satellite, Tilt, P/S/ABS, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, 51,226mi.

Atomic Blue Metallic, Stk#13872, VIN# AH532563, 1.8L 4 Cyl, Auto, AM/FM, Cruise, Tilt, Telescopic, A/C, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, 56,195mi

2014 CHEVROLET

2012 CHEVROLET

TRAVERSE LT AWD IMPALA LIMITED LT EQUINOX LS

2011 HONDA

Royal Blue Pearl, Stk#13887, VIN#BL118472, 4WD, 1.8L 4 Cyl, Automatic, AM/FM Stereo, Cruise, Tilt, Telescopic, A/C, P/Winds/Locks/Mirrors, 35,802mi

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Silver Ice, Stk#13787, VIN#E11322137, 3.6L, V6, Auto, FRWD, AM/FM/CD, Cruise, Keyless Entry, Tilt, A/C, 9,414mi.

2011 JEEP

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED! Black, Stk#14044, VIN#C1139922, 2.4L, I4, Auto, FRWD, AM/FM/Sateliite, Cruise, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, A/C, 25,329mi.

2012 ACURA

WRANGLER SPORT MDX AWD

Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearlcoat , Stk#14230, Aspen Whie, Stk#14129, VIN#CH538473, 3.7L, V6, VIN#BL637124, 4WD 3.8L,V6, Automatic, Auto, AWD, Moon Rf, AM/FM/Satellite, Cruise, Tilt, AM/FM Stereo/CD, ,Cruise, Tilt, A/C, Telescopic, P/S/ABS, P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, Rear P/Winds/Lcks/Mrrs, 66,054mi Camera, A/C, 28,957mi.

199 Rt.17 South, E.Rutherford, NJ 201.939.6800

BELLAVIACHEVYBUICK.com

^^Based on August, 2014 Buick sales. Finance thru the Ally Smart Lease contract. Not all buyers will qualify. See dlr for details. Lessee resp for Tax, title, lic, dlr fees & optional equipment extra. Other restrictions may apply. ^0% APR for up to 72 mos, on select 2014 models. Financed thru Ally Financial Inc. not all buyers will qualify. *Actual mileage will vary. See dlr for details. Lessee resp for excess wear, tear, & mileage charges as stated. Price(s) incl(s) all costs to be paid by consumer, except for lic costs, reg fees & taxes. Pics are illustrative only. Offers expire on 1.2.15. ©2014 BOCPartners.com

23 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

Bellavia

DEALER

Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014 • 27

28 • Year in Review • The Hudson Reporter • December 28, 2014

from Jersey City Medical Center. Your regional healthcare provider.

barnabashealth.org/jcmc 201.915.2000