The Jersey City Independent "

The Jersey City school district is approaching one of the most momentous changes in decades, as interim superintendent and longtime district administrator Franklin Walker temporarily takes the reins from departing superintendent Charles Epps. Local and state politicians have declared the chance to choose a leader for the city’s public schools, and their 29,000 students, an extraordinary opportunity for reform.

Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson and Rolando Lavarro looked to be winners of the at-large council seats up for grabs in today’s election, though results are not official in the close race with 95 percent of precincts reporting and mail-in ballots not yet counted.

Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson and Rolando Lavarro were triumphant in today’s special election, winning the two at-large council seats up for grabs, according to results that showed 95 percent of precincts reporting but did not yet count mail-in ballots. Sue Mack placed third in the close race, with incumbents Kalimah Ahmad and Ray Velazquez, [...]

On the corners surrounding Downtown’s Grace Church Van Vorst, the polling site for Ward E 13, 14 and 15, there were plenty of people holding signs, handing out cards, keeping their watch on campaigners and shouting slogans. The only thing missing was voters. “Voter turnout has been very light today,” said Dale Hardman, a Jersey [...]

Dear Editor: In our opinion, Daniel Levin is the best choice to fill an at-large position on the municipal council. We hope that people all over Jersey City vote to bring his fresh voice, sensible ideas, strong skills, excellent values, and impeccable integrity to the council. He has demonstrated his commitment to making Jersey City [...]

Dear Editor: For those who are yearning to positively change Jersey City and make it a progressive city that it has the potential to be, deeming the upcoming November 8th Special Election important is a sure understatement. Please consider supporting Daniel Levin, candidate for Councilman-at-Large, a stalwart activist for reform in Jersey City and a [...]

Last Thursday’s PS 28 forum among 10 candidates seeking to serve the remaining 18 months of two At-Large City Council seats was conducted in a friendly atmosphere among participants with the fireworks being reserved before its start; police ejected one candidate from the dais for allegedly not responding to an invite by a deadline.

Dear Editor: Property taxes are too high and getting higher, the level of crime is unacceptable, and our city is run like it is 1911 and not 2011. Corruption, double dipping, patronage and cronyism are interfering with the city’s ability to thrive and move forward. Fleeing residents has led to the dismal 3 percent population [...]

With yesterday’s extended filing deadline for this fall’s special At-Large council election now passed, a total of 19 candidates are officially vying for the two seats. The election, set for November 8, is for the spots vacated by Mariano Vega (after a guilty plea on corruption charges) and Willie Flood (due to illness). Those elected [...]

Dear Editor: Jersey City’s budget is eight months late. The proposed budget includes a tax increase of 13 percent, bringing the total increase in municipal taxes since 2009 to 40 percent. However, there are a number of one-shot revenue items related to the sale of city property that may not be realized, requiring an even [...]