Tag: Community

Groups Unveil Plan to Fight Meadowlands Gas Plant Proposal

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

A coalition of over 40 groups from across the state held a press conference to voice their strong opposition to the North Bergen Liberty Generating Project, a 1,200-megawatt gas-fired power plant proposed in the Meadowlands.

Citing the threat to local air and a determination to protect the state’s vital wetlands, the groups are pressing Governor Phil Murphy to reject the project, releasing a letter to the governor urging him to reject the proposal.

The coalition states, “the plant would exacerbate local air quality problems, since it would be located just two miles from an existing plant that is already one of the largest sources of air pollution in the state.The construction of this plant would expose local residents to additional pollution burdens, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxide (NOx), ozone and smog, which increases the likelihood and severity of asthma and other respiratory diseases.”

“This shameful project will deepen the devastation linked to fracking in Pennsylvania, and will cause air pollution to spike here in north Jersey neighborhoods overburdened with public health problems associated with breathing dirty air,” said Matt Smith, Senior Organizer with Food & Water Watch. “This gas plants poses unacceptable risks to our health and climate. Governor Murphy must step in and say no.”

“This mega gas plant is unneeded, unnecessary and dangerous to the environment. It’s proposed in an area that already has failing grades for air pollution, and would only make it worse. Construction would lead to filling in wetlands and increased flooding. The Meadowlands is environmentally sensitive and is becoming an important recreation area and wildlife habitat. Putting this power plant there will threaten the entire ecosystem. New York gets the electricity and New Jersey gets the pollution and environmental effects since this would be one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases in the state. The only hotter air comes from the company who wants to build the plant,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This proposal would undermine renewable energy and bring more fossil fuels into our state. We need Governor Murphy to stand up for his clean energy agenda and stop this plant from being approved.”

“Yet again, we are forced to deal with another out-of-state – and out-of-touch – corporation looking to make a quick buck here in our Meadowlands,” said Hackensack Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan. I didn’t spend the prime of my life fighting to save its 8,400 acres of wetlands only to see them chipped away from the edges by land speculators. Just look at the ever-changing Manhattan skyline – there are plenty of both construction and permanent job opportunities here in the metro region, with no need nor reason whatsoever to shoehorn an ill-conceived project here in this place.”

The groups pointed to Governor Murphy’s firm commitment to 100% clean, renewable energy as a rationale for his administration to reject the proposal. This type of massive fossil fuel infrastructure is intended to last for several decades, which is incompatible with the administration’s energy goals.

“The Meadowlands is smack dab in the middle of the blast zone of the “bomb” trains that carry volatile Bakken crude oil (fracked in North Dakota) – already putting the environment and the people in surrounding communities at great risk,” said Paula Rogovin of the Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains. “In 2013, trains carrying Bakken crude oil derailed in Lac Mégantic, Quebec, killing 47 people, and causing damage to the land and water. The Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains has joined the call for a rapid transition in New Jersey from fossil fuels such as Bakken crude oil and natural gas to 100% renewable energy. We say NO to this proposed gas-powered power plant.”

“This proposed gas power plant will be a climate disaster for the Meadowlands and worsen air pollution across North Jersey,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Doubling down on gas power plants & infrastructure only digs the climate hole deeper, and neither New York nor New Jersey can meet a 100% clean, renewable energy future by expanding fossil fuels. This proposed plant should die on the drawing board.”

Special Olympics Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Competition in Braddock Park

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Bruins Stadium in Braddock Park was once again the site for the annual Hudson County Special Olympics competition on Saturday, May 5, 2018. A total of 124 athletes ranging from 8 to 64 years old competed in a variety of sports at different age levels. Those who finished first, second, or third qualified for the Special Olympics Summer Games at the College of New Jersey on June 8-10.

Two Hudson County athletes will take part in the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, WA. Miranda Mendoza, who participated in Saturday’s event, will compete in track and field, while Rozana Deryas will compete in aquatics.

The May 5 event also marked the passing of the baton from Anita Nedswick, who has served as area director since 2002, to Ruben Concepcion. Nedswick was presented with a plaque and flowers in appreciation for her many years of dedicated service to the Special Olympics.

The North Bergen Police Honor Guard led the parade of athletes from 11 area training programs in a march around the field to launch the festivities. Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise offered opening remarks, along with Freeholder Anthony Romano and other distinguished guests.

Opinion: Putting a Power Plant in North Bergen’s Backyard Does More Harm than Good

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Politics

On April 25th, Mayor Sacco made the grand announcement on Facebook that a natural-gas power plant was in the planning stages. He called it “a once in a generation opportunity to ensure stabilized property taxes, thousands of new union jobs and millions of dollars in new annual revenue with no impact on neighborhoods, schools or services. “ In addition to providing power to our neighbors in the east, New York City, it would produce hundreds of jobs for skilled labor over the next three years. Beyond that, it would create permanent jobs for skilled labor to maintain the plant. As of right now, the site is an asphalt dumping ground near the Meadowlands and therefore it would seem to make the most sense to place this structure there. While that seems reasonable, and economic growth potential appears to be rosy, there is still a few crucial points that need to be addressed. Namely, where was the community input? And more importantly, where is the documentation pertaining to an environmental study?

Missing these two critical pieces, raise a number of red flags to me. As a former native of New York City, and former resident of Jersey City, I have seen firsthand what happens when grandiose structures are ran through the approval process and built with no regard for the citizens whose backyards sit adjacent to them. I have also seen what happens when community leaders, residents, and stakeholders sit down and negotiate and air their feelings about a project. Not everyone gets their way entirely. Sometimes projects are scrapped. Sometimes projects can go forward (with or without modifications). In both outcomes, neither side is left with the feeling of being blindsided. The announcement of the construction of a power plant in North Bergen leaves me, and many of my neighbors, feeling just that.

Let me be clear, a gas-powered generator plant is not “clean” energy. It’s considered a “bridge” technology (not as dirty as coal and oil, but not as clean as renewables like solar and wind). Just getting natural gas requires fracking, and/or processing petroleum by-products. Both processes damage the environment. Gas-powered plants generate carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, as well as trace amounts of other pollutants. The very site of the propose plant is adjacent to the Meadowlands, which houses a thriving ecosystem of wild life. That ecosystem will be irreversibly damaged by the construction and use of this plant. Lastly, while many gas plants have a “just-in-time” delivery system for fuel to power their turbines, power plants have fuel reserves sitting in huge tanks onsite. In the off-chance that a tank blows, it can be catastrophic for not only North Bergen, but our neighbors in Fairview, Ridgefield, and beyond.

I have seen no community input regarding this project. Something this grand, needs to be discussed at length, first with residents by the 94th street area, and then with the town at large. To add insult to injury, this project is being spearheaded by a company based in California, to supply power to New York City. As a community, we will not be benefiting from the power this plant will be generating, nor is it in line with the grand vision that many of us share about going to purely renewable sources of energy. Governor Murphy laid out a sweeping plan for this, but projects like these that slip through unannounced, can derail that plan. Mayor Sacco, and other officials, constantly claim that taxes generated by this project will be funneled to our schools, but honestly, that sounds to be more of a proverbial carrot on a stick. My child’s education is not a bargaining chip.

In terms of economic growth, there is a very in-depth report about how this project can potentially benefit North Bergen. I am all for projects that use skilled labor and benefit the community. However, I don’t think this is the way to go about it. Further, only 33 permanent jobs are slated for this plant once construction is complete. How can this project benefit the town in the long term with those few jobs?

Alternatively, there are plenty of infrastructure projects that North Bergen needs, that will require years of skilled labor and benefit the town in the long term. Here are a few examples:

  1. Fixing our detoriating streets and installing more speed bumps by 51st st, and other streets where speeding is a constant danger.

  2. Extending the Hudson Bergen Light Rail north through North Bergen and beyond, as referenced in this article.

  3. Opening a train station in North Bergen for the Gateway Tunnel, whenever that is funded. More information about the Gateway Tunnel can be found in this article.

  4. Building more affordable housing, turning unused land by West Side highway into flourishing parks, building/renovating old factories into co-working spaces and community centers.

On a brighter side, this project is still not set in stone. It needs the blessing of NJ regulators, and those who oppose its construction need to be vocal and engaged. That includes signing petitions, attending planning meetings, reaching out to Mayor Sacco and our other elected officials, and making it clear that our town is not for sale, promises of increased revenue from taxes won’t appease us, and that our environment, health, and safety of ourselves and neighbors are not to be compromised.

North Bergen Power Plant Will Power 1.2M Homes in New York City

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

North Bergen Liberty Generating LLC officials received approval for a 1,200 megawatt natural gas-fired electric generating facility in the township.

Representatives of the subsidiary of Diamond Generating Corp. and township Mayor Nick Sacco explained how the project would work.

“Our facility will be among the cleanest, most efficient power plants in the region,” NBLG Vice President of Development David Deutsch said in a prepared statement. “Our project will provide close to a thousand construction jobs, millions in new tax revenue for New Jersey and North Bergen, and safe, reliable power for the region.”

The $1.8 billion project will be located on 15 acres in an industrial section of North Bergen, near existing energy and utility infrastructure, the company said. It will use natural gas and combustion turbine technology to produce electricity equivalent to that needed to power 1.2 million homes.

It will connect to New York City via an underground and underwater cable crossing the Hudson River.

“This project represents a once-in-a-generation chance to add a major new source of tax revenue to North Bergen with no impact on residential neighborhoods and little to no strain on municipal services,” Sacco said in a statement. “I’m proud that NBLG has chosen to locate this project here.”

According to North Bergen Liberty Generating LLC, the construction phase will generate $10.89 million dollars in local taxes and the operation will generate $5.7M annually.

Click here to see a full analysis of the project prepared by AKRF, Inc.

Take a Free Business Portrait at the Library on April 12

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

The North Bergen Free Public Library wants to help you “present yourself professionally and with style.” Take a free professional photo to use for business cards, email, advertisements, websites, and social media.

Business portraits will be taken from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the main library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. Digital files will be provided. For more information contact tracey.rivera@northbergen.bccls.org

Lost NB Senior Brought Home Safely from Maine

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

North Bergen senior Pedro Gonzalez, 71, a resident in the Cullum building, was located in Maine in a “disoriented” state after disappearing with his car on Feb. 9. Through a combination of local public and private agencies, he was brought safely home.

Gonzalez’s wife, Maria Cardoso, 57, reported him missing to the North Bergen Police Department. The NBPD was able to trace Gonzalez’s cell phone to Maine. There, state troopers located Mr. Gonzalez and brought him to a local hospital.

“I received a phone call from the NBPD. An elderly woman reported her husband and his car missing, he was later found by State Troopers in Maine,” says NB CARES Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio.

Gonzalez, who suffers from early onset dementia, had visited a car repair shop when his vehicle’s “check engine” light came on, and was told to drive 30 miles, a common recommendation. He became confused and just kept driving, winding up in Maine.

“With the assistance of the Act Now Foundation for Alzheimer’s Awareness we where able to find a solution, after massive brainstorming, many phone calls, and a lot of research. We ended up flying the wife and her homemaker to Maine,” Focaraccio explains. “The Act Now Foundation was so proactive and on the ball we absolutely could not have done this without them. Not only are they splitting costs with, Care point health, and the Nicholas J Sacco foundation.”

After a night in a hotel, the trio drove home, where they were greeted by Mayor Sacco, Commissioner Julio Marenco, and grateful members of the senior community in a celebration at Cullum on Feb. 15.

Elvira Barillas: Honoring a life of service to North Bergen

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Elvira Barillas, who worked for the township of North Bergen as executive secretary to the mayor, passed away on February 15, 2018 with her family at her side.

Barillas leaves behind a husband, two children, three siblings, and two grandchildren. Her daughter, Erin, also leads a life of public service in North Bergen as a clerk for the township.

“She was an amazing woman with a beautiful soul and heart of gold,” North Bergen activist Aimee Focaraccio wrote. “She will be missed tremendously and I hope her family and friends can find the strength to get through this difficult time.“

“I would always tell her that I wanted to be her when I grew up,” wrote Iradys Rivero Ortega. “Being around her brought joy and laughter. She was always classy and respected by many.”

In addition to her role with the township, Barillas also served on the North Bergen Democratic Committee.

The wake will be on Monday, Feb. 19, from 2 PM to 8 PM at Vainieri Funeral Home, 5923 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen. The funeral will be on Tuesday, 10 AM at the funeral home, which will open at 8 AM to allow for people to visit before work. Mass will be at 11am at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 81st Street and Kennedy Blvd. The burial will be at St Raymonds Cemetery, Bronx, NY.

NJ TRANSIT approves proposed alignment for Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Expansion

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

NJ TRANSIT, the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system, is one step closer to an expansion

In a unanimous vote, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved the proposed alignment of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail’s planned expansion into Bergen County. The Board’s vote authorizes the submission of the “Locally Preferred Alternative” to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority Board of Trustees.

The Locally Preferred Alternative consists of a 10-mile two-track extension of the HBLR from its current station at Tonnelle Avenue northward to the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

By selecting the Locally Preferred Alternative at this time, NJ TRANSIT will be able to initiate design and engineering activities upon completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and receipt of the Record of Decision from the FTA, in advance of requesting entry into Project Development.

The project will construct a total of seven stations in North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, and three stations in Englewood.

It is estimated that the project will serve 12,370 passengers per average weekday in the year 2030.