Deadline changes for holiday

The Reporter offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20 for Presidents Day. The classified and display advertising deadlines that are normally scheduled for that day for the Midweek Reporter and Bayonne Community News will move up to Friday, Feb. 17 at noon. If you have questions, call (201) 798-7800.

Hey, Snooki, JWoww – Secaucus is thataway

Hoboken may have blown off Snooki and JWoww, but the MTV reality show “Jersey Shore” will be welcomed to Jersey City with open arms starting this month.

The show has gotten a permit to film their spinoff for six weeks at a firehouse near Mercer and Grove streets, according to Fox News.

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy reportedly told Fox 5, “My view is the more people that see anything about Jersey City and see what we have in Jersey, the better it is for Jersey City.”

Earlier this month, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer denied a permit when the production company wanted to film in that town.

After the news broke about the filming in Jersey City last week, many residents shook their heads and collectively said, “Dear God, why us?”

But not everyone in Hudson County had this reaction. In fact, Secaucus residents posted at eSecaucus, a website, wondering whether the “Jersey Shore” duo might make their way to some of Secaucus’ restaurants and other fun haunts.

The good people of Jersey City are a friendly bunch and like to share. So, in this spirit, perhaps Jersey City residents will help “Snooki” Polizzi and “JWoww” Farley get to the Meadowlands.

City Council will buy embankment for $7 million

The City Council approved Wednesday a deal to buy the Sixth Street Embankment for $7 million, a deal that ends years of litigation between Conrail, the original owner of the property, and Steve Hyman, a New York developer who bough the site from Conrail in 2005. When Hyman purchased the site, he planned to develop it for residential housing. His plans were opposed by residents, who wanted to see the area preserved as an open space park.

The settlement was negotiated after a federal court ruled that a city lawsuit against Conrail could move forward. In a lawsuit filed against Conrail, the city had argued that the sale to Hyman was void because the railroad company had not complied with certain legal requirements before the sale.

Under the settlement reached by the city and Hyman – and approved unanimously Wednesday by the council – the city will buy the five-block Embankment and transit easements for $7 million.

The Embankment Coalition, a group of residents who have advocated for the preservation of the site, has for years pushed the city to fight to keep the location free of development. Last week the group hailed the settlement as a victory for both the downtown community of Harsimus Cove, where the Embankment is located, and for everyone in the city who believes in open space.

Conrail must still approve the settlement.

Healy supports Battleship New Jersey move in letter to Christie

Last week, Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy sent a letter to Gov. Christopher Christie in which he endorsed an effort underway to bring the Battleship New Jersey, a decorated war ship, to the Jersey City shore. The famed Battleship, nicknamed the Big J, has been decommissioned by the U.S. Navy and is now docked on the Camden waterfront. The ship now functions as a museum.

Some veterans and military historians believe that, as a museum, the Battleship New Jersey does not get the visitors it should, in part because of where it is docked. They believe the ship would be seen by more visitors if it were docked in New York Harbor, near Jersey City’s Liberty State Park, and they’ve launched a campaign to have the ship moved.

Last month the mayor told the Reporter he supports the effort and would be writing a letter to Christie to voice his endorsement.

In his letter, Healy writes: “We recently had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the USS New Jersey Battleship Foundation here in Jersey City. We fully support the Complete the Mission Campaign bringing this historic Navy vessel to Liberty State Park in Jersey City for permanent mooring. Liberty State Park is the most appropriate location for this New Jersey Treasure…With views of the New York skyline, access to Liberty State Park and [Liberty] Science Center by light rail and a five-minute train ride to New York City, Jersey City is, bar none, the most suitable location for the Battleship New Jersey.”

Not everyone is supportive of the move to Jersey City. The Battleship Museum’s current staff disputes the claim by some that the ship has failed as a tourist destination in Camden. And Friends of Liberty State Park President Sam Pesin has voiced opposition to the move.

Controversial dental plan pulled

The Healy administration on Wednesday pulled a resolution regarding a controversial switch in dental plans offered to unionized city workers after it looked as if the City Council would vote the measure down.

Last month, the City Council refused to authorize an agreement between the city and Horizon Healthcare Services for dental insurance for municipal employees.

The Healy administration has argued that Horizon Healthcare offers the same coverage that employees previously enjoyed under Delta Dental until Dec. 31, 2011. And Business Administrator Jack Kelly last week insisted that an independent review by a health care consultant hired by the police and fire unions has agreed with that assessment.

But angry workers say the plans are not comparable and on Wednesday they gave letter to some members of the council asking them no to approve the resolution approving the contract with Horizon Healthcare

For the last three weeks members of the council say they have been trying to get additional information about Horizon Healthcare so they can see side-by-side comparisons of the two plans. On Wednesday several members of the council were prepared to reject the Horizon contract, arguing that their questions still have not been answered.

The administration pulled the resolution concerning the Horizon contract from the agenda at the last minute.

Take your family to school week to be celebrated at P.S. 27

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Jersey City’s Public School 27 has received a $1,000 grant from the National PTA Organization and AXA Foundation for Take Your Family to School Week, which is being recognized this week. P.S. 27’s PTA is one of only 45 PTAs nationwide, and one of two in the state of New Jersey, to be awarded this grant this year.

“Take Your Family to School Week embodies PTA’s legacy of building family-school partnerships. We’re proud of Alfred E. Zampella P.S. 27’s PTA for their efforts to ensure that our legacy lives, families are involved and students succeed,” said Betsy Landers, national PTA president. “This special week also reminds us that now more than ever all families, schools and communities need to work together to increase student achievement as U.S. children are behind their counterparts around the world in English and math.”

The PTA will host two community events this week. On Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. parents are invited to meet school and district administrators. On Thursday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. there will be a community health fair.

The entire community is welcome and encouraged to attend these informational events. Any organization that would like to participate in the Community Health Fair should contact Mr. Torres directly via email at JoelTorres.JC@gmail.com or cell phone at (201) 743-9011.

Dress for Success returning to Jersey City

Dress for Success Hudson County will hold a grand re-opening on Monday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. at their new offices located at 121 – 125 Newark Ave., Jersey City. Guests will have an opportunity to meet the staff and clients, tour the new offices, and learn more about the services provided by Suits for Success, Inc., and Dress for Success, Hudson County. Light refreshments will be served.

Suits for Success, Inc., and Dress for Success Hudson County had to relocate after their offices were flooded by storms last August.

Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women in 114 cities across 11 countries. The mission is to help disadvantaged women achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and life.

Suits for Success, Inc., was founded to help men as well as women with business attire, career development and life choices. This also includes the “Sanction Out-Reach Program” developed to assist welfare clients.

Dress for Success depends on financial contributions, in-kind donations, and the volunteer efforts of individuals and communities around the world.

For more information about the grand re-opening of Suits for Success, Inc., and Dress for Success Hudson County, please contact Lillian Hernandez, executive director: (201) 395-0202, or hudsoncounty@dressforsuccess.org.