Real Garden State https://www.realgardenstate.com Exclusive NJ News & Reports Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:44:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.4 166228063 40% of SciTech Scity housing should go to non-tenured JCBOE teachers https://www.realgardenstate.com/40-of-scitech-scity-housing-should-go-to-non-tenured-jcboe-teachers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=40-of-scitech-scity-housing-should-go-to-non-tenured-jcboe-teachers Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:44:50 +0000 http://www.realgardenstate.com/?p=5898 It’s not clear what Scholars Village actually entails, but a Teachers Village within SciTech Scity would help Jersey City Public Schools recruit and retain teachers. Liberty Science Center’s (LSC) SciTech Scity is one of the premier developments in New Jersey. The project includes a STEM high school, business incubation hub with research labs, and residential […]

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It’s not clear what Scholars Village actually entails, but a Teachers Village within SciTech Scity would help Jersey City Public Schools recruit and retain teachers.

SciTech Scity

Rendering of proposed SciTech Scity development.

Liberty Science Center’s (LSC) SciTech Scity is one of the premier developments in New Jersey. The project includes a STEM high school, business incubation hub with research labs, and residential housing.

“SciTech Scity is a curated community (“mini-city”) of tech entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and other forward thinking people and organizations working together to create a better future for all,” according to a statement on their website.

The potential of LSC’s proposal is astronomical, but the project has so far failed to provide any meaningful benefit to its biggest investor – the people of Jersey City.

Despite significant political resistance, the city “gifted” the land for SciTech to LSC for $10 in 2017. Realistically, the city had limited options with what it could do with the property.

For example, the city could’ve done nothing with the property and just let it remain fallow. They could’ve attempted to auction the land to market-rate housing developers, but I suspect the political opposition to such a plan would’ve been insurmountable.

In addition to free land, the city has committed $2 million annually to the STEM academy; however, Hudson County will operate the school and Jersey City kids aren’t even guaranteed 60% of its seats.

Scholars Village, the residential component of SciTech, is essentially the final opportunity for the project to specifically benefit Jersey City.

Per SciTech’s website, Scholars Village will be developed “for innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs, STEM graduate students, and individuals and families who desire to be a part of the SciTech Scity community.”

That sounds like a cute pretext for housing discrimination or a classy way to say the project will be 100% market-rate housing. Unfortunately, there’s a journalism crisis in Jersey City, so you can expect statements like that to be reported by the Jersey Journal without question.

Back in 2017, Jersey Digs reported that the project would include a 266-unit residential community that would house graduate level students. From the article:

Per [Mayor Steven Fulop], selling the property for maximum dollars as some have suggested would mean high-rises and thousands of apartments would go up at the property. “Our administration doesn’t believe these plans are in the best interest of all residents with regards to the potential we have in creating a citywide asset like SciTech city,” he said.

Last week, Jersey Digs reported that the project will now include 500 units – which break down as 110 studios, 223 one-bedrooms, 131 two-bedrooms, and 36 three-bedroom spaces – with no affordable housing component.

The increase of 234 units from the original proposal is good, but I think before the Jersey City planning board approves the Scholars Village application, LSC should enter into a lease agreement with the Jersey City Board of Education (JCBOE).

To address both the affordability crisis and teacher shortage, Scholars Village should set aside 40% of units (200 apartments) for non-tenured teachers in Jersey City. STEM teachers would be given preference and rents would be fixed at 35% of tenant’s JCBOE salary.

I’m not sure the JCBOE could be given a better tool for recruiting new teachers to fill the district’s most crucial vacancies without imposing any burden on taxpayers.

Do I think that will happen? Probably not, but let me propose these two hypothetical scenarios:

Hypothetical 1: The city gifts the land to LSC for $10 – with the possibility of some return on investment in the unknown future – and commits $2 million annually to the project. The site plan includes a new STEM high school for Hudson County Schools of Technology, a business incubation & research hub, and 500 units of market rate housing with no affordable component.

Hypothetical 2: The city sells the land to a private developer for $10,000,000. The site plan includes a new STEM high school for the JCBOE, a business incubation & research hub that partners with LSC, and 1,200 apartments with 20% (240 units) set aside for a Teachers Village.

Which sounds like a better deal for the people of Jersey City?

Anyhow, hopefully LSC’s leadership can find a way to give back something substantial to its host community and biggest investor – because what’s going on right now doesn’t feel right.

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Mayor Steven Fulop’s easiest path to the governorship in 2025 https://www.realgardenstate.com/mayor-steven-fulops-easiest-path-to-the-governorship-in-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mayor-steven-fulops-easiest-path-to-the-governorship-in-2025 Sun, 21 May 2023 15:18:36 +0000 http://www.realgardenstate.com/?p=5885 If Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop can get the political bosses of the Democratic Party to coalesce behind him, there’s two easy paths to the governorship. A lot of interesting candidates – Democrat, Republican, and independent/third-party – will be campaigning to replace Gov. Phil Murphy in 2025. Optimistically, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is the […]

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If Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop can get the political bosses of the Democratic Party to coalesce behind him, there’s two easy paths to the governorship.

Bill Spadea - Steven Fulop - Jack Ciattarelli

Gubernatorial hopefuls Bill Spadea, Steven Fulop, and Jack Ciattarelli. (PHOTOS: Twitter)

A lot of interesting candidates – Democrat, Republican, and independent/third-party – will be campaigning to replace Gov. Phil Murphy in 2025.

Optimistically, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is the gubernatorial candidate most likely to fix NJ Transit, alleviate the state’s housing crisis, and potentially usher in a new era of bipartisanship.

Realistically, a lot of voters don’t care about NJ Transit and hate the thought of multifamily housing being built in their town. Also, Fulop has “unpleasant baggage” unique to being Jersey City’s mayor for the past decade.

Not sure that stuff matters in a Democratic primary decided by party bosses, but a general election is a different beast. That’s why Fulop’s easiest path to victory are the following two scenarios.

1. Republicans win the White House in 2024

In that scenario, the winner of the 2025 Democratic primary will be the next governor of New Jersey. It’s nearly impossible to imagine otherwise.

Also, that scenario makes Fulop’s path to secure the party’s nomination easier. The top competition serve in Congress (Sherrill, Gottheimer), how could they campaign in New Jersey during a GOP administration’s first 100 days?

2. Democrats keep the White House in 2024, NJGOP nominates a culture warrior

In short, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli’s candidacy revealed that any half-decent Republican can win the off-year election given the right circumstance. The problem is Ciattarelli didn’t have a real plan to attract voters and significantly “move the needle” in the state’s biggest cities – which is the NJGOP’s existential problem.

To keep things on the safe side, any Democratic nominee would surely favor a Republican opponent that’s more of a firebrand in the mold of Donald Trump than a pragmatic operator like Chris Christie.

If the NJGOP nominates a candidate that can sell a vision and lead an operation that embraces vote-by-mail/early voting, any Democrat will have a real fight on their hands. In that scenario, “unpleasant baggage” matters in a general election that will garner national attention.

That’s why I wasn’t surprised to see Fulop promoting the idea of NJ 101.5’s Bill Spadea as the future Republican nominee in a tweet dunking on Ciattarelli. Simply put, it’s hard to imagine any MAGA personality winning New Jersey.

Nevertheless, if Spadea is really in it to win it, the mayor should be careful about who he wishes to debate. The conservative radio host won’t win the election, but he could damage Fulop’s brand in ways other Republicans cannot.

On a final note, sources say Fulop’s already hired a prominent firm to conduct opposition research on himself. I wonder if anyone doing “oppo” could identify potential liabilities in the video below (Spadea’s line at the end is a laugh for sure):

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Hudson Jail director crashed county car on Outerbridge Crossing https://www.realgardenstate.com/hudson-jail-director-crashed-county-car-on-outerbridge-crossing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hudson-jail-director-crashed-county-car-on-outerbridge-crossing Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:02:57 +0000 http://www.realgardenstate.com/?p=5862 Becky Scott crashed the county car approximately a month after being appointed director of the Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center. A Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) report and photos provided to Real Garden State document the crash & damage done to a county vehicle by the new director of Hudson County’s jail. Becky Scott – […]

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Becky Scott crashed the county car approximately a month after being appointed director of the Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center.

Hudson County Jail Director Becky Scott

Damaged vehicle operated by Hudson County Jail Director Becky Scott.

A Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) report and photos provided to Real Garden State document the crash & damage done to a county vehicle by the new director of Hudson County’s jail.

Becky Scott – who was appointed director of the Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center (HCCRC) on December 8, 2022 – crashed the Chevrolet truck assigned to her on January 13, 2023, at approximately 8:45 PM, according to the MVA report obtained via the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).

The crash occurred on the Outerbridge Crossing while Scott was driving east towards Staten Island. The MVA report, which was generated by a Port Authority cop, stated that Scott claimed she was “driving straight when a truck stopped short causing her to move left and hit the concrete barrier.”

Becky Scott - Crash Diagram

Crash diagram from MVA report involving HCCRC Director Becky Scott.

Scott stated the collision with the concrete barrier caused her vehicle to spin and hit another vehicle in the rear. No injuries were reported, per the report. Photos provided to Real Garden State revealed extensive damage to the passenger side of the county vehicle.

Hudson County spokesperson James Kennelly did not respond to an email asking if the car operated by Scott was repaired or replaced, if the director was authorized to take the vehicle out-of-state, and if the county conducted its own independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Of note, prior to being hired by Hudson County at a salary of $165,811, Scott worked for the New York City Department of Corrections for thirty years and served as bureau chief, according to the Jersey Journal.

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Clifton man charged with brandishing firearm at gym, pointing gun at cops https://www.realgardenstate.com/clifton-man-charged-with-brandishing-firearm-at-gym-pointing-gun-at-cops/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clifton-man-charged-with-brandishing-firearm-at-gym-pointing-gun-at-cops Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:52:32 +0000 http://www.realgardenstate.com/?p=5865 James Gaffney allegedly displayed his firearm to the front desk employee at a Saddle Brook gym and threatened to “pop her tires.” A Clifton man is facing multiple charges after he was accused of threatening a Saddle Brook gym employee with a firearm and pointing his gun at cops, according to a criminal complaint obtained […]

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James Gaffney allegedly displayed his firearm to the front desk employee at a Saddle Brook gym and threatened to “pop her tires.”

James Gaffney - Saddle Brook Police

James Gaffney was apprehended by Saddle Brook Police on February 4, 2023.

A Clifton man is facing multiple charges after he was accused of threatening a Saddle Brook gym employee with a firearm and pointing his gun at cops, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Real Garden State.

On February 4, 2023, James Gaffney allegedly brandished his Glock pistol towards a teenage employee at Strive Health & Fitness and said “not to be surprised when [her] car has flat tires,” per 9-1-1 call. Around 11:30 PM that night, Saddle Brook police converged on Gaffney’s Clifton home to arrest him.

Bodycam footage obtained via the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) captures officers retreating from Gaffney’s front door after knocking. He apparently pointed a gun at cops when answering the door, but video provided by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) didn’t capture the alleged crime. WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Gaffney quickly surrendered after being issued verbal commands by police. Initially confused, he confirmed being at Strive that day. Before being read his Miranda rights, Gaffney told officers “I know what this is about, I showed my gun at the gym.”

After being read his Miranda rights, Gaffney – who admitted to drinking alcohol before cops arrived – stated “I’m sorry, I know I f***ed up, and it is what it is.” Moreover, Gaffney seemed to indicate that he had a concealed carry permit and was compliant with requests to turnover his firearms.

Regarding the allegation he pointed his gun at cops, Gaffney claimed he thought it was his neighbor (purportedly a corrections officer) and they “f*** around from time to time.”

Gaffney was charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault & terroristic threats (related to the juvenile gym employee), and pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer. The BCPO is handling the case.

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Former internet star Latarian Milton arrested in Bergen County https://www.realgardenstate.com/former-internet-star-latarian-milton-arrested-in-bergen-county/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=former-internet-star-latarian-milton-arrested-in-bergen-county Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:40:30 +0000 http://www.realgardenstate.com/?p=5841 Latarian Milton was charged with simple assault and resisting arrest/eluding after being apprehended by Upper Saddle River police last month. A 22-year-old man that was an internet sensation as a child was arrested last month in Bergen County, according to records obtained by Real Garden State. Latarian Milton went viral fifteen years ago when he […]

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Latarian Milton was charged with simple assault and resisting arrest/eluding after being apprehended by Upper Saddle River police last month.

Latarian S Milton

Latarian Milton (PHOTOS: WPBF 25 News, Upper Saddle River Police).

A 22-year-old man that was an internet sensation as a child was arrested last month in Bergen County, according to records obtained by Real Garden State.

Latarian Milton went viral fifteen years ago when he told a local news station in Florida “it’s fun to do bad things” after taking his grandmother’s SUV for a dangerous joyride. Last month, he was arrested following a high-risk motor vehicle stop on Route 17 North.

In 2008, WPBF 25 News reported that 7-year-old Milton ran over two mailboxes, hit two parked cars in a Costco parking lot, and struck two moving cars near a Wal-Mart. Milton said he took his grandmother’s car because he was mad at his mom and “wanted to do hood-rat stuff for my friend.” WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

On the night of February 11, 2023, Upper Saddle River cops were dispatched to 274 Route 17 North after a “physical domestic dispute” was initially reported to the Paramus Police Department via 9-1-1.

A police report detailing the incident, obtained via the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), was heavily redacted due to the New Jersey Prevention Against Domestic Violence Act. Bodycam and dashcam footage of the arrest were withheld from release for the same reason.

Based on the redacted report, all that’s known about the incident is that a red Hyundai Elantra with Florida license plates was “observed abruptly exiting” a parking lot “directly into the right lane of travel on Route 17 North.” The vehicle was stopped just south of Williams Drive in Ramsey, NJ, and Milton was “placed under arrest without further incident.”

Milton was served with two criminal complaints, 2C:12-1A(1) – Simple Assault and 2C:29-2A(2) – Resisting Arrest, and was transported to the Bergen County Jail, according to the police report.

Court records indicate Milton’s case was transferred to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, but has since been remanded back to municipal court. Additionally, the Resisting Arrest charge was downgraded to Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function.

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EDP hurls metal laundry cart at Midland Park police, allegedly bites cop https://www.realgardenstate.com/edp-hurls-metal-laundry-cart-at-midland-park-police-allegedly-bites-cop/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=edp-hurls-metal-laundry-cart-at-midland-park-police-allegedly-bites-cop Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:00:41 +0000 http://www.realgardenstate.com/?p=5846 Bodycam footage captured an Emotionally Disturbed Person (EDP) hurling a metal laundry cart at Midland Park police and the subsequent arrest. Shortly after midnight on February 3, 2023, a young male with a hammer inside a Midland Park laundromat – that “seemed kind of disturbed” – was reported to police, according to records obtained by […]

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Bodycam footage captured an Emotionally Disturbed Person (EDP) hurling a metal laundry cart at Midland Park police and the subsequent arrest.

Midland Park Police - EDP

Midland Park Police arrest EDP on February 3, 2023.

Shortly after midnight on February 3, 2023, a young male with a hammer inside a Midland Park laundromat – that “seemed kind of disturbed” – was reported to police, according to records obtained by Real Garden State.

When Midland Park officers arrived at the scene, they encountered an Emotionally Disturbed Person (EDP) and the situation quickly escalated. The individual hurled a metal wire laundry cart at an officer, the officer struck deployed their taser unsuccessfully, and the suspect escaped through the laundromat’s rear exit.

Outside of the facility, multiple officers quickly subdued the suspect – who allegedly bit an officer while being arrested. Police recovered a glass shard out of the handcuffed person’s pocket.

As officers appeared to deescalate the situation, the detained man stated “I’ve been fighting for my life for three years” and was told by police “we’re gonna help you.” Bodycam footage of the incident released via Open Public Records Act (OPRA) cuts off minutes after the arrestee is handcuffed.

The male EDP was transported to New Bridge Medical Center and eventually charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and resisting arrest/threatening force against a law enforcement officer.

Public records indicate the man has been incarcerated at the Bergen County Jail since his arrest and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the case. WATCH VIDEO OF INCIDENT BELOW:

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