Santo Della Monica, president of Local 245, is unbowed following an unfavorable arbitration ruling that could cost the union over $20 million. “They won the battle but not the war. … This is only step one. We’re going to step two.” Based on a technicality, a state arbitrator ruled May 18 that Jersey City has […]
Ron Leir
Ron Leir has been a journalist since 1972. That includes a 37-year stint as a reporter, copy reader and assistant editor with The Jersey Journal, followed by a decade as a reporter with The Observer in Kearny. He has also pursued his avocation of acting, appearing mostly on small stages in NYC and New Jersey and several independent films.
Posted inEducation
State Report Faults NJCU’s Prior Administrators for Bad Management
The New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller concluded that New Jersey City University’s “improper budgeting” of federal COVID-19 relief funding led to a $14 million deficit one year later. Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh said his office found that NJCU had planned to use its $14 million in federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund allocation […]
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Jersey City Honors Pair of Local Heroes at City Council Meeting
A city school crossing guard and the city’s “Senior of the Year” were recognized for their dedicated public service at Wednesday night’s meeting of the City Council of Jersey City. The honorees were: Samuel Ortiz Jr., whose quick action helped prevent potential loss of lives and property during the initial stages of a 4-alarm fire […]
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Council to Vote on $57 Million in Debt to Cover Massive Budget Deficit
At last night’s City Council meeting, lawmakers moved ahead on a plan to finance a massive $57 million budget deficit that administration officials blame on the Covid-19 pandemic with a form of debt called “special emergency notes.” Since the start of the pandemic, administration officials say Jersey City has racked up nearly $93 million in […]
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Council Delays Pool Fees, Bans Dirt Bikes and Punts on Fire Pits
After hearing constituents’ pleas to keep Jersey City’s two outdoor pools free, the City Council Wednesday night obliged—but only by kicking the can down the road. At the suggestion of Ward A Councilmember Mira Prinz-Arey, the governing body agreed to defer imposition of entrance fees for the Pavonia Pool and Lafayette Aquatic Center to Memorial […]
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Bergen-Lafayette Twins Create Award-Winning Fashion Brand
Working from their home office in Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, twin sisters Yvette and Eva Estime have created an award-winning brand of women’s fashion accessories called “Dirty Celebrity” notable for sustainability. According to Urban Dictionary, “Dirty Celebrity” is a “style of fashion worn by modelxcore girls” and consists of “designer clothes mixed with grunge or […]
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Fulop Administration to Cut Free Swimming in Outdoor Pools
The Fulop Administration has proposed cutting free swimming at Jersey City’s outdoor pools. For the first time in recent memory, kids and adults will have to ante up to use the two outdoor municipal pools — Pavonia/Marion Municipal Pool, 914 Pavonia Ave., and Lafayette Aquatic Center, 303 Van Horne St. — starting this summer. And […]
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Council Nixes St. Pauls Plan, Green Lights 911 Contract and Right-to-Counsel
At Wednesday’s meeting, the City Council gave a thumbs-down to a proposal to make St. Pauls Avenue one-way, while approving a controversial contract to study the city’s 911 call center and moving ahead on a “right-to-counsel” law. After hearing arguments pro and con from a clearly divided neighborhood, the council voted to reject city transportation […]
Posted inEducation
Bank Gifts Building to After-School Program for ‘Under-Resourced’ Youth
A Jersey City faith-based nonprofit recently learned it can bank on the good will of a local lending institution. Provident Bank has gifted its former branch at Bergen and Harrison Avenues, to New City Kids, which offers after-school musical and academic classes to urban “under-resourced” kids and teens. (The bank will continue operating five locations […]
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Jersey City Tenant Relief Measures Stalled, For Now At Least
Updated 4.12.23 at 9:53 am Two ordinances drafted by Jersey City Ward E Councilmember James Solomon to create a new local funding source to spur more affordable housing and to give eligible tenants the right to counsel drew a skeptical response from colleagues at Monday night’s council caucus. The ordinances are scheduled for introduction at […]