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It's your Harrison, it's up to you to make a difference.
It's your Harrison, it's up to you to make a difference.
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Christie To Audit Harrison School District
At his first post-election public appearance, Governor Elect Chris Christie stated that his administration will be auditing costly school districts. While visiting the Robert Treat Charter School in North Newark, Christie stated, "We have to figure out ways to make some priority judgments either to
have more of that money find its way into the classroom and or some of
that money to find its way back to the taxpayers," The Robert Treat Charter School was founded by Steve Adubato, Sr. and his considered a model for urban education. Christie mentioned the Robert Treat Charter School ...<< MORE >>
have more of that money find its way into the classroom and or some of
that money to find its way back to the taxpayers," The Robert Treat Charter School was founded by Steve Adubato, Sr. and his considered a model for urban education. Christie mentioned the Robert Treat Charter School ...<< MORE >>
What Christie's Victory Means For Harrison.
Chris Christie's victory last night means that it will not be business as usual in Harrison. Governor Jon Corzine was in many ways a benefactor for the Town of Harrison. Mayor Raymond McDonough's close ties with the Governor Corzine provided assess and funding for the town of Harrison. Christie is not likely to be so kind.
Harrison receives both Abbott District money, Distressed City Funding and its share of Extra-Ordinary Aid from the State of New Jersey. With a looming interest payment of $3.5 million due in 2010 for the interest on the $40 million dollar Red Bulls ...<< MORE >>
Harrison receives both Abbott District money, Distressed City Funding and its share of Extra-Ordinary Aid from the State of New Jersey. With a looming interest payment of $3.5 million due in 2010 for the interest on the $40 million dollar Red Bulls ...<< MORE >>
Corzine Loses Governor's Race
The Associated Press has projected that Chris Christie will be the next Governor of the State of New Jersey. In July, I endorsed the candidacy of Chris Christie in a piece entitled Why Corzine Should Lose. As a long time Democrat, I expressed my feelings at how poorly Governor Corzine
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Red Bulls Assessed $2.1 Million in Taxes
Albert Cifelli, the Tax Assessor for the Town of Harrison, stated at the October 26, 2009 Special Council meeting that the town will realize $2.1 to $2.2 Million in property taxes for the new Red Bulls Stadium. Cifelli answering a hypothetical question stated that an improvement valued at $100 million would generated a tax bill of $2.1 million to $2.2 million at Harrison's current tax rate. The Red Bulls stadium once built is suppose to be valued at $100 million. Harrison could use the extra tax money. Once again, residents turned out to the town meeting expressing their concerns above ever increasing property taxes.
The influx of new property tax money to the Town of Harrison however may hit a roadblock. The Red Bulls do not own the stadium property. It is not clear whether you can tax a tenant of a property and not the owner of the property. The Town of Harrison bonded $40 million dollars to purchase the property and the Town owns the real estate.
In an exchange between Councilman Steve McCormick, Tax Assessor Albert Cifelli, Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), and Mayor Raymond McDonough the public learned that The Red Bulls will pay $150,000 per year to the County of Hudson earmarked to pay down the interest on the Path Station parking garage; the interest due from the Town of Harrison on the Red Bulls bond in 2010 is $3.5 million; the Town of Harrison will receive nothing else from the Red Bulls as there is no other monetary payments or rights received by the Town in its agreement with the Red Bulls; the interest on the Stadium bonds were suppose to be paid by Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) from the Millenium RiverWalk project; Millenium only built two of the four planned housing units and thus there is a significant short fall in revenue earmarked to make the interest payments on the Stadium bonds. It is not clear where the money to make the Red Bull bond interest payment will come from. Since the bonds are backed by the Town of Harrison, property taxes may need to raised to make the payment.
Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), when confronted by Councilman Steve McCormick as to who negotiated the deal between the Red Bulls stated that despite the fact that he was both the Town Attorney and the Harrison Redevelopment Agency attorney that special counsel Charles Astor* represented the town because he was a specialist in stadium contracts. In reviewing other stadium deals, the Town or governmental unit retains the naming rights of the stadium as a means of recouping public monies used to finance the stadium projects. The Town of Harrison did not retain those rights or obtain any other concessions from the Red Bulls (at the time the MetroStars).
*Please note: A Google search did not reveal an attorney by the name of Charles Astor who specialized in redevelopment or stadium contracts. The spelling on Mr. Astor's name may be incorrect.
The influx of new property tax money to the Town of Harrison however may hit a roadblock. The Red Bulls do not own the stadium property. It is not clear whether you can tax a tenant of a property and not the owner of the property. The Town of Harrison bonded $40 million dollars to purchase the property and the Town owns the real estate.
In an exchange between Councilman Steve McCormick, Tax Assessor Albert Cifelli, Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), and Mayor Raymond McDonough the public learned that The Red Bulls will pay $150,000 per year to the County of Hudson earmarked to pay down the interest on the Path Station parking garage; the interest due from the Town of Harrison on the Red Bulls bond in 2010 is $3.5 million; the Town of Harrison will receive nothing else from the Red Bulls as there is no other monetary payments or rights received by the Town in its agreement with the Red Bulls; the interest on the Stadium bonds were suppose to be paid by Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) from the Millenium RiverWalk project; Millenium only built two of the four planned housing units and thus there is a significant short fall in revenue earmarked to make the interest payments on the Stadium bonds. It is not clear where the money to make the Red Bull bond interest payment will come from. Since the bonds are backed by the Town of Harrison, property taxes may need to raised to make the payment.
Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), when confronted by Councilman Steve McCormick as to who negotiated the deal between the Red Bulls stated that despite the fact that he was both the Town Attorney and the Harrison Redevelopment Agency attorney that special counsel Charles Astor* represented the town because he was a specialist in stadium contracts. In reviewing other stadium deals, the Town or governmental unit retains the naming rights of the stadium as a means of recouping public monies used to finance the stadium projects. The Town of Harrison did not retain those rights or obtain any other concessions from the Red Bulls (at the time the MetroStars).
*Please note: A Google search did not reveal an attorney by the name of Charles Astor who specialized in redevelopment or stadium contracts. The spelling on Mr. Astor's name may be incorrect.
Condolences to Senator Robert Menendez
The wake will be held on Monday, October 26, 2009 at Leber Funeral Home in Union City from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m to 9 p.m. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
Harrison Commons Dominates Special Council Meeting
Agenda items related to the Harrison Commons project dominate the Harrison Special Mayor and Council for this upcoming Monday, October 26, 2009. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. (rather than 7:00 p.m.) in the Town Hall located at 318 Harrison Avenue, Harrison, New Jersey.
The Agenda is available by clicking here.
Be patient as the Agenda is composed of documents totaling over 400 pages.
The Agenda is available by clicking here.
Be patient as the Agenda is composed of documents totaling over 400 pages.
Special Harrison Mayor & Council Meeting:Monday October 26, 2009
Harrison's Mayor Raymond McDonough has scheduled a Special Meeting of the Council for Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6 p.m.
Neither the Agenda or the Meeting Notice has been posted to the Town's website as of Wednesday night. As soon as the Agenda is available a link will be provided for everyone's review. I have been critical of Mayor McDonough for scheduling Special Council Meetings at off hours and days. Little notice is provided to residents of these meetings where important decisions are made affecting Harrison's taxpayers. My criticism has not stopped the Special Meetings which are more numerous than the Regular Council Meetings.
Mayor McDonough promised that the Harrison Commons resolutions tabled at the Regular October Meeting of the Mayor & Council would be discussed at the next Regular council meeting. At this time, it is not clear whether those resolutions will be discussion at this Monday's Special Council meeting. Stayed tuned.
Neither the Agenda or the Meeting Notice has been posted to the Town's website as of Wednesday night. As soon as the Agenda is available a link will be provided for everyone's review. I have been critical of Mayor McDonough for scheduling Special Council Meetings at off hours and days. Little notice is provided to residents of these meetings where important decisions are made affecting Harrison's taxpayers. My criticism has not stopped the Special Meetings which are more numerous than the Regular Council Meetings.
Mayor McDonough promised that the Harrison Commons resolutions tabled at the Regular October Meeting of the Mayor & Council would be discussed at the next Regular council meeting. At this time, it is not clear whether those resolutions will be discussion at this Monday's Special Council meeting. Stayed tuned.
LusoAmericano Newspaper: Chaos & Agitation At Harrison Council Meeting
The Portuguese-American Newspaper LusoAmericano ran a story entitled Chaos & Agitation At Harrison Council Meeting in today's October 9, 2009 Edition. The full page story was on page four and was accompanied by a picture of the members of the Mayor & Council and the large crowd holding up handmade signs stating With Time of Crisis ? Why ? protesting ever increasing property taxes and special deals and tax abatements for Redevelopers.
The article written by veteran reporter and Portuguese television personality, Luis Pires, captured the substance and atmosphere of the meeting. It is refreshing to read an article put ...<< MORE >>
The article written by veteran reporter and Portuguese television personality, Luis Pires, captured the substance and atmosphere of the meeting. It is refreshing to read an article put ...<< MORE >>
Chaotic Harrison Council Meeting
In a chaotic meeting of the Mayor and Council, Mayor Raymond McDonough walked out of the council chambers after announcing that he was moving to adjourn the meeting. As the Mayor walked out, a crowd of residents jeered and booed while others expressed approval. A large contingency of town workers were in attendance at the meeting matched by an as large contingency of town residents. Town Clerk Paul Zarbetski advised that the Mayor had taken the vote and had enough votes to adjourn the meeting. This is not the first time the Mayor abruptly ended a council meeting. ...<< MORE >>
Star Ledger Reporters Visit Harrison
The Star Ledger reporters have visited Harrison in the past but they have failed to file any reports. On occasion the Star Ledger has printed articles on the proposed Redevelopment mostly favorable to ...<< MORE >>
