The Jersey City Independent "

Council Debates Guiding Principles For Tax Abatement Usage»

Tax abatements, an exemption from traditional tax payments meant to encourage development in economically risky areas, run a fine line between encouraging development and running afoul public opinion. While the incentivizing PILOT fees – or payment in lieu of taxes – are often used to lure new businesses and create jobs, few issues have been [...]

“The Artist’s Way Workshop: Discover & Recover Your Creative Self,” Coming to Jersey City In March»

A new therapeutic arts workshop series is coming to Jersey City from therapist Jeanne Moren, a licensed counselor of over 25-years who has been holding community-based workshops that encourage “more meaningful and productive lives.” “The Artist’s Way Workshop: Discover & Recover Your Creative Self,” will be held every Wednesday from 6:30pm-8pm, starting March 7 and [...]

Jersey City’s Budget, Presented To Council At Tuesday’s Caucus Meeting, To Be Officially Introduced Tonight»

Less than a week after Mayor Jerramiah Healy presented his State of the City address, touting accomplishments and acknowledging financial hurdles, he presented his 2012 Fiscal Year budget to the City Council, the numbers that make the speech’s talking points work. There are challenges, he said, including only receiving the same amount of state aid [...]

The Mailbag: Chris Christie Should Look to Dick Cheney For Cues on Same-Sex Marriage»

To the Editor: Before New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed the marriage equality bill that passed both houses of the State Legislature on Friday, I hope a member of his staff handed him a copy of an article appearing in the Baltimore Sun last week containing some unexpected news. It turns out that while Mr. [...]

New EP Lab at Jersey City Medical Center Aims to Eliminate Irregular Heartbeats»

The Jersey City Medical Center is now home to Hudson County’s first and only state-certified Cardiac Electrophysiology (or EP) Lab, which allows cardiologists to diagnose and treat irregular heartbeats. The lab, which opened earlier this year and is run by Dr. Roy Sauberman, lets electrophysiologists “see” into a patient’s beating heart — using sophisticated cardiac [...]

Wednesday Morning News Roundup»

Mayor Jerramiah Healy Says New Fiscal Year Budget Provides for no Rise in Taxes: Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy told the City Council yesterday that the 2012 municipal budget will provide taxpayers with a flat municipal tax levy for the second year in a row. Grant to Help Find Decent Employment for 32 Hudson County [...]

Curious Matter Co-Founder Arthur Bruso Releases Fourth Photo-Art Book in Four-Book Series»

Arthur Bruso, A Narrow World – No. 8 –Three Structures for Capturing Light, 3 color photographs 17 X 7 inches. Curious Matter co-founder Arthur Bruso has released the fourth book in the Association Sublimation series, A Narrow World. The book includes more than 70 photo-based works of art, along with an introduction and essays written [...]

Pint Owner Wolf Sterling Speaks Out on Christie’s Gay Marriage Veto, Stays Mum on MTV Filming»

An hour before three look-alikes took their place atop the bar at Pint for three grueling rounds of trivia and a final dance-off on Friday, Pint bar owner Wolf Sterling greeted revelers dressed in his own pouf wig. Despite the fact that Downtown was quiet this holiday weekend, Sterling’s Wayne Street bar was packed thanks [...]

Poll Finds Majority of NJ Supports Governor’s Proposed 10% Income Tax Cut, But Most Overestimate Savings; Plan Won’t Help Jersey City As Much As Rest Of The State»

A Rutgers-Eagleton poll finds that 52% of voters support Governor Chris Christie’s plan to reduce income taxes by 10% across the board, but that far more voters – 75% according to the poll – would prefer to see a cut to property taxes. The problem, according to a study of the poll, is an overestimation [...]

The Mailbag: Letter Writer is Naive to Think Jersey Shore Spin-Off Will Bring Real Benefits»

To the Editor:   I’m writing in response to a letter by Cara Christopher entitled “Jersey City’s Arts Community Should be Welcoming Snooki And JWoww.”   I’m a young writer and menswear designer who has been living in Jersey City for about five years. I’m sure many residents are familiar with the derision this city [...]

Liberty Humane Society Holds Wine Tasting Fundraiser At Madame Claude’s Wine Bar, Sunday, February 26th, 7-9pm»

Liberty Humane Society invites you to join them in a wine tasting held at Madame Claude’s Winde Bar (234 Pavonia Avenue) on Sunday, February 26th from 7-9pm. A selection of red and white wines will be paired with cheeses and chocolates, so continue to refine that wine palate and help out LHS. Pick up tickets [...]

Michael Anthony’s Waterfront Restaurant Holds Jazz Benefit For Habitat For Humanity, Friday, February 24th»

Michael Anthony’s Waterfront Restaurant will be holding a jazz concert both in tribute to jazz legend Thelonious Monk and in benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Hudson County on Friday, February 24th at 7pm. Tickets are on sale for $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. All proceeds to benefit Habitat. Karl [...]

Tuesday Morning News Roundup»

Gas Leak Inside Laundromat Apparently Sparked Fire that Gutted Jersey City Building: Investigators say a gas leak inside a laundromat apparently sparked a five-alarm fire that injured nine firefighters and gutted a two-story building in Jersey City. Former State Legislator Joseph Doria Returns to St. Peter’s College in Jersey City: Joseph V. Doria Jr., the [...]

The Mailbag: A Response to the Mayor’s State of the City Address»

To the editor: Finally, the administration is working on long overdue and much needed initiatives. During Mayor Healy’s State of the City address, we heard good news about moving forward on necessary restructuring that has been long talked about by the public, including merging the Jersey City Incinerator Authority (JCIA) and the Department of Public [...]

Board of Education President Says Garbage Pickup Services to Go Out to Bid Next Time»

Following a controversial vote to pay the Jersey City Incinerator Authority $1.2 million to collect garbage from Jersey City schools – a service the JCIA once provided free of charge – Board of Education president Sterling Waterman promised that the board would more thoroughly negoatiate the cost when the contract with the JCIA ends in [...]

Community Awareness Series Presents Winard Harper Jazz Band, Saturday, Feb. 25th, At 8pm»

The Winard Harper Jazz Band will be performing Saturday, February 25th, as part of the Community Awareness Series’ celebration of Black History Month. The free performance will be held at the Miller Branch Library’s Cultural Arts Auditorium at 8 pm. Winard Harper, a celebrated jazz drummer, broke onto the scene in the 1980′s with his [...]

Monday Morning News Roundup»

Major Fires Brought Under Control in Hoboken and Jersey City; Many Firefighters Suffer Minor Injuries: Two major fires Sunday night — one in Jersey City and then one in Hoboken — were brought under control with no fatalities, but several firefighters suffered minor injuries. Infant Among 7 Hurt in 3-Vehicle Jersey City Crash: Authorities say [...]

Jersey City Artist Ron English Appears in Upcoming Simpsons Episode»

Culture jammer artist Ron English, currently based in Jersey City, will be appearing on the Simpsons March 4th alongside fellow street artists Robbie Conal, Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf, as the show riffs on 2010′s Exit Through the Gift Shop, the documentary (or pseudo-documentary depending on your take) that follows the French shopkeeper-turned-street artist Thierry [...]