Mayor’s Column
2/21/10
by Mayor Brian Stack
Feb 21, 2010 | 1744 views | 9 9 comments | 19 19 recommendations | email to a friend | print

In my initial column for the Union City Reporter, I wish to express my enthusiasm for being able to communicate to the residents of Union City. As you probably know, many exciting things are happening in Union City.

While we have enjoyed the downtime that the recent snowstorms have provided, many of us are looking forward to the warmer weather. Luckily, Union City has numerous programs and facilities to be enjoyed during the spring and summer months.

With regard to art and culture, we can look forward to events such as the opening of the Union City Cultural Center during the fall, the dedication of the Union City Plaza of Arts, Art Galleries at City Hall, Summer Theater Fest, and Summer Concert Series at Juan Pablo Duarte and Firefighter’s Memorial Parks. Also, many first-rate performances will be scheduled at the Union City Performing Arts Center.

While Union City is densely populated, I’ve tried to be creative in providing parks and open space. As you will see, many city-sponsored events are hosted outdoors. Union City is fortunate to have magnificent views of the New York City Skyline and you’ll find that the recent construction of Firefighter’s Memorial Park takes advantage of our location near the Hudson River. The construction of Firefighter’s Memorial Park was selected by New York Construction magazine to receive an Award of Merit in the Category of Landscape/Urban Design.

It is my hope to advance plans for a park at 16th Street and Kerrigan Avenue in the coming months. Ultimately, I would like to build one park per year. While we appreciate the convenience of a city, it is truly enjoyable to partake in recreational activities that are outdoors.

Safety meetings

As we look forward to these outdoor activities, it is my intention to make sure that residents are safe in our neighborhoods. Public safety begins with education. Recognizing this, in conjunction with the Union City Police Department, my office hosts public safety meetings at which administrative members of the Police Department are present to report on recent patrols and crime trends, and answer any questions which may come from the audience.

Locations, dates and times for Public Safety Meetings are as follows:

• St. Anthony Church (Eighth Street and Central Avenue – enter through school yard), Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.;

• Veterans’ School (1401 Central Ave.), Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

• Robert Waters School (2800 Summit Ave.), Tuesday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.

• Washington School (3905 New York Ave.), Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m.,

• Roosevelt School (4507 Hudson Ave.), Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m.

The foundation of my public service rests in my relationship and communication with residents. I have been fortunate to know many of you on a personal level. Furthermore, I encourage you to contact me if you have a suggestion or feedback regarding an item that has been mentioned here. I remain available seven days a week to address your concerns. Please do not hesitate to call my cell phone at (201) 376-1942. I hope to hear from you in the near future.

Sincerely,
Brian P. Stack
Mayor, City of Union City

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Comments
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Pattycat
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February 24, 2010
Craig, It seems like your applying a double standard. You call it personal because I called you a kool aid drinker (no offense meant), but you have no problem repeatly insulting Mr. Scarfile. I might remind you he has not been convict of anything. I think you are missing the big picture. The state is broke the federal government is broke. Government cannot afford to spend money we do not have. When people like Boss Stack keep taking and give nothing in return the rest of the State pays. We are all New Jersey Residents and we need to be concerned with waste and mismanagement at all levels of government. You cannot defend the actions of Boss Stack he has waste millions of taxes dollars enriching his friends and punishing his enemies. He has engaged in reckless behavior which we will all pay for down the road. Craig, it does not matter how many building, pools, or parks Stack builds, his overall actions cannot be defended and the good does not dismiss the bad. Remember, there have been many dictators, zealous, and despots who have built new schools, parks, and housing for the public and we all know how that worked out. Also, Mr. Scarafile holds one job and one job only. If he was elected, which he won't be, than you can argue he is double dipper. Right now the only double dippers are the Mayor and his entire board of commissioners. As far as JC goes, brake it down per capita. JC has 5 time the population of UC so yes, they recieve more overall aid. However, if you base it per person, UC recieves more. Go to the ddepartment of education and DCA website the number do not lie. It all about fairness and with Boss Stack it is all about him as long as the rest of the state pays.
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worldofgabby
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February 24, 2010
As a resident of Union City I am proud and pleased with the public facilities provided by the town, especially its beautiful new schools. These schools, aside from being safer than older asbestos-riddled buildings, give the students an environment which shows that they are cared for, and include amenities accessed by the community at large. I am sad to hear comments from those who seem to only care about themselves, and echo the sentiments promulgated by the right-wing media establishment. I wonder if they believe that these "experts" have the best interests of the populace high on their priorities? I might suggest that these people are more interested in personal power and wealth.
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craigofTRUTH
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February 24, 2010
No need to be insulting because it just totally ruins your credibility. I would imagine you would prefer your children to go to asbestos ridden schools? I have been associated with this city since I was born, both of my parents were born in this city over 80 years ago. I do NOT work for the city nor do I know Brian Stack. I do know that things have gotten a lot better since he has been in office. Every person who lives in this city pays property taxes through their rent to the building owners. So your argument about not paying taxes is untrue. As for being to wealthy for paying taxes you must think that anyone who can reasonably address issues must be wealthy. I would think you would be happy that the State and Federal government is providing our city with grant money. Does this not help offset our taxes? Would it not be true that the alleged forger Frank Scarafile would be double dipping? He already gets paid by another town to run the school system. I would think that you would be happy that we have new schools for our children and help with the resale values of properties within the city. I am curious if you support the tea party too?

By the way have you looked into Jersey City and seen how much funding they receive?
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Pattycat
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February 24, 2010
Craig please change your name from Craig of truth to Craig the Kool-Aid drinker. Please don't tell me that just because every other town is raising taxes it is okay for Boss Stack to do the same. I suggest you do the research. No body In Hudson County recieves State and Federal money which Boss Stack recieves. Over the last 10 years 1.5 billion dollars in educational aid. Yes Craig that is B as in billions. Plus two new schools funded by state tax payers which cost over 300 million dollars. Add in the municipal aid the federal grants, and the county grants and one must ask where has all the money gone. With all this money coming in why can't your boss, Boss Stack, balance a budget and help the tax payers. Police chief's making over $200,000 per year, School Superintendents making over $200,000 per year, the mayor's driver over $100,000 per year, every commissioner double triple dripping, lawyer billing the city tens of millions every year then making large campaign contributions to the boss. If anyone has been living under a rock it is you Craig the kool aid drinker. I quess you either do not pay property taxes or maybe you one of the few people in Union City that is wealthy enough to live under the tax burden imposed by Boss Stack.
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craigofTRUTH
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February 24, 2010
Pattycat, have you been living under a rock someplace? Look around and you will see that every city/ town in the State has about the same tax rate as Union City does. Please try to do the research and you will see facts. In Hudson County there are 12 Towns or cities and we are 6th from the top in our taxes.

As far as Frank the Forger goes please read the definition of forgery. The act of forging, fabricating, or producing falsely; esp., the crime of fraudulently making or altering a writing or signature purporting to be made by another;Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary)
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Pattycat
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February 22, 2010
You want to thank someone, thank the taxpayers of New Jersey who pay for all of Brian's little projects. I guess you do not pay property taxes Craig. The six million dollar pool is a joke. People are allow in for 25 minutes then have to get out. I can think of million better ways to spent six million dollars. As far as Mr Scarafile goes, he has only been accused of a BS. Ever hear of innocent till proven guilty. In the end Mr Scarafile will be vindicate and UC tax payers will once again pay for Stack's reckless irresponsible behavior. Go to the US Attorney's website and read the Haber complaint then tell us who you would rather have as the mayor, an alleged forger or the Union City Offical?
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craigofTRUTH
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February 22, 2010
Maybe it would be better to have Frank the forger as Union City Mayor?

I want to thank the mayor for his efforts in building the pool, the parks and all of the arts that we enjoy as Union City residents.
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Pattycat
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February 22, 2010
If you truly wish to communicate with the public why don't you start by telling the truth. Talk about all the waste and mis-management in city government which has driven taxes through the roof. Talk about how you cu the police department by 50 officers, talk about all the lawsuits which have cost the taxpayers millions of dollars, talk about who the city official is in the Haber complaint, talk about why you spent 6 million dollars to build a swimming pool which is only used 3 months out of the year, talk about why you have a $100.000 a year driver. Talk about why over 20 city employees took out personal loans to support your campaign, talk about why you promised the residents of Summit Ave video cameras and the truth is they were installed eight years ago and have never worked. The reality is you and your administration has been a complete failure. The only reason you have made it this far is because the rest of the state pays your bills. Well look around the governor will be cutting your funding and you will be left to stand on your own two feet. Everyone who really knows you knows you are in capable of leading, time for you to fall on your face. Good luck.
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HastaLaVistaBrianStack.com
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February 21, 2010
15% Unemployment. ANOTHER Tax Increase. Most Violent Schools in The County. Unbalanced Budget.

Thanks for all the parks...

_________________________________________________

What am I taking crazy pills?

Building a million parks, overspending for SUPER SCHOOLS, and giving out turkeys are not how you run a town effectively..For God's sake man....Read the friggin constitution, PLEASE!!!!

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