The Jersey City Independent"

Organizers of the back-to-school book bag and school supply drive say they served “over 5,000″ Jersey City students last weekend, with crowds flocking to the giveaways at three Jersey City sites. And as a thank you to the many people who volunteered with and sponsored the effort, the United Way of Hudson County is hosting a Thank You BBQ on Sunday, September 12.

After more than a year of discussion and revision, the city’s redevelopment plan for Journal Square was approved by the City Council at its Wednesday meeting.

While organizers of a back-to-school book bag and school supply charity drive for Jersey City students have been pleasantly surprised by the community reaction so far, they are still looking for volunteers as they gear up to distribute bags to more than 4,000 children this Saturday.
The drive, which was spearheaded by community activists Rolando Lavarro [...]

Jersey City business administrator Jack Kelly is facing criticism for working outside Jersey City from Ward E councilman Steven Fulop, who is asking Mayor Healy to remove Kelly from his position.

- TDR Plans: Jersey City planning officials hope to employ Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) to turn the industrial area along Jersey Avenue, between 10th and 18th streets, into a neighborhood resembling nearby Hamilton Park. Officials also have their eye on Montgomery Street between Grove Street and the waterfront. Public meetings about the process are [...]

A new state report raises concerns about the uses and abuses of municipal tax abatements in New Jersey, echoing and validating concerns raised in Jersey City over the past several years by citizens, elected officials and policy watchdog groups.

On a Saturday later this month, at least 3,000 Jersey City students will receive free book bags and supplies, if a project spearheaded by two of the city’s young community leaders and political hopefuls get their wish. And with support continuing to come in from other community leaders and corporate sponsors, that goal is looking [...]

As City Hall continues to consider potential changes to Jersey City’s food truck ordinance, about a dozen vendors have formed a coalition to push for substantive reform, with assistance from the Street Vendor Project, a nonprofit that works on behalf of New York City’s street vendors.

Even though the Board of Education didn’t vote on a new contract for superintendent Charles Epps, this week’s three-hour public hearing exposed fault lines in state, city and community politics that are likely to persist even after the board votes.

Just feet from where Spectra Energy wants to run a natural gas pipeline through the heart of Jersey City, around 300 residents and public officials gathered in Ferris High School’s auditorium last night to tell the Houston-based energy conglomerate and its federal regulator to find another path.