EnviroPolitics Blog

Turning a notorious Superfund site into a park. Good idea or not?

Mayor is among those with questions about the proposed settlement

By TED GOLDBERG, NJ Spotlight News

A deal to clean up one of the nation’s most notorious Superfund sites, located in Toms River, is drawing blowback from environmental watchers and residents who say their family’s health was harmed. But the state Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward with a cleanup settlement at the former Ciba-Geigy plant, which illegally dumped chemicals throughout its operation and allegedly caused a child cancer cluster.

Under a settlement proposal with the DEP, most of the site would be turned into a protected park, and BASF, the successor company to Ciba-Geigy, would pay $100,000.

Don’t miss environmental news like this Click for free updates

“$100,000. Let me tell you something, that could be spent within a week in a child’s treatment,” said Linda Gillick, who blames Ciba-Geigy for her son’s cancer diagnosis.

Toms River Mayor Mo Hill is uneasy about the proposal. “It’s not clearly explained who’s going to be controlling and paying for the upkeep of the environmental center and the property itself,” Hill said. “They have a ten-year commitment, but what happens after that ten years? We don’t feel it’s fair for the town of Toms River to have to pay for this after the damage was done.”

DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette emphasized that the settlement is to address environmental damage, not health problems.

If you liked this post, you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Turning a notorious Superfund site into a park. Good idea or not? Read More »

PA Gov. Shapiro’s six new deputy chiefs

The deputy chiefs of staff will serve key roles in Shapiro’s leadership team, and they will work directly with state agencies, officials, and communities.

By FOX43 Newsroom

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro on Thursday announced the appointments of six deputy chiefs of staff to join his administration.

“These individuals will bring decades of experience – from state, local, and federal government work, to leadership in organized labor and issue advocacy organizations – to the table as they join the Shapiro Administration,” the Shapiro administration said in a press release.

“The Deputy Chiefs of Staff will serve key roles in Governor-Elect Shapiro’s leadership team, and they will work directly with state agencies, stakeholders, government officials, and local communities all across Pennsylvania as they assist in advancing the Governor-Elect’s top priorities.

The six deputy chiefs of staff who will be helping lead the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to grow the economy, improve schools, and make communities safer are:

Joseph Lee: Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and Opportunity
Lindsey Mauldin: Deputy Chief of Staff for Health and Human Services
Danielle Okai: Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development
Michael Pipe: Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety
Sam Robinson: Deputy Chief of Staff for Consumers and the Environment
Tori Shriver: Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Workforce Development

“With these dynamic, smart, and capable public servants joining our team as Deputy Chiefs of Staff, our Administration will hit the ground running to streamline communication, operate nimbly, and get things done for Pennsylvanians,” said Governor-Elect Shapiro’s incoming Chief of Staff Dana Fritz.

“Governor-Elect Shapiro and I are ready to get to work with this diverse and experienced group to build an economy that works for everyone, improve our schools to ensure our children receive a quality education and make communities across the Commonwealth safer for our families.”

Read the full story here

PA Gov. Shapiro’s six new deputy chiefs Read More »

Waterfront Commission removes Bayonne assemblyman’s crane operator license over no-show record

By Terri West, The Jersey Journal

Assemblyman William Sampson IV has been removed from his job as a port worker in Bayonne after the commission overseeing his work determined he wasn’t showing up enough.

Sampson, who’s finishing up his first year in the state Assembly where he represents Bayonne and part of Jersey City,was removed from the longshoremen’s register by the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor for what it considered “excessive absenteeism,” according to a Waterfront Commission news release.

NJ Globe first reported the commission’s order, which was issued on Dec. 21.

Sampson did not work meet work and work availability requirements between January and June, the commission said, which Sampson partially attributed to his commitments as an elected official. He said he plans to appeal the commission’s decision.

The commission oversees the hiring process for dock workers and the removal process for employees who regularly fail to work without good cause. Sampson had been working at Bayonne Container Terminal as a crane operator.

Sampson claimed the commission’s decision was an attempt at retribution since New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has argued that the commission is no longer needed.

Read the full story here

Don’t miss political news like this Click for free updates

Waterfront Commission removes Bayonne assemblyman’s crane operator license over no-show record Read More »

Nepotism is how they roll in Hudson

Jamie Davis Jimmy Davis — *Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis is sworn in for a third term in July alongside his wife Jamie Davis.Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal*

By Terri West, The Jersey Journal

At the Hudson County clerk’s office, it’s in with one relative of a Bayonne politician and out with another.

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis’ wife will be the county’s new deputy clerk, and she will be replacing the sister of Davis’ most significant mayoral opponent from last spring, the county clerk’s office said Wednesday.

Jamie Davis will assume the role Jan. 1 that mayoral candidate Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski’s sister, Diane Liming, has held for the last four years. Ashe-Nadrowski challenged Davis for mayor last spring while serving as city council president.

The mayor, clerk, and Liming could not be reached for comment.

“Though Diane Liming (Bayonne) has served the office capably and amicably, the Clerk has decided to go in a different direction,” said assistant to the county clerk Bong Dizon in a statement, confirming the news first reported by NJ Globe. “On January 1st Jamie Davis (Bayonne) will be appointed to said position. County Clerk E. Junior Maldonado would like to thank Diane Liming for her tireless and unfaltering work on behalf of our office and wishes her nothing but goodwill and best wishes in all her future endeavors.”

The position pays $107,242 a year, NJ Globe reported.

Davis defeated Ashe-Nadrowski in a three-way race in May, securing a third term and besting his former running mate and political ally. Ashe-Nadrowski’s mayoral run meant the end of eight-yearson the city council.

Jamie Davis previously worked as a 911 operator for the city. Liming has been active in numerous Bayonne roles including coaching little league softball, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea basketball and serving with the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, Police Athletic League, and St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

Don’t miss political news like this Click for free updates

Nepotism is how they roll in Hudson Read More »

Here’s how the 2022 real estate market changed from the past 2 years

Open houses draw long lines — *During the past two years, low inventory and high demand were causing chaos at open houses, leading to long lines and multiple offers within days. Now things are different.*

By Allison Pries | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Bidding wars. Waiving inspections and appraisals. Waiting on long lines to view open houses.

The residential real estate market was on a tear during most of 2020 and 2021. But things have since returned to a more normal market in 2022 thanks largely to interest rates that doubled and the end of the urban exodus.

“A year ago there were multiple bids over asking price within days of a home coming on the market. That’s no longer the case,” said Jeffrey Otteay, a real estate economist and president of the Otteau Group. “Now, instead of a home selling for full price or more within a week of coming on the market, we’re seeing houses sit for weeks before an offer and offers less than asking price.”

Homes in New Jersey were selling at a peak this year of 105.1% of list price in June, when the median sales price also peaked for the year at $510,000, according to data from New Jersey Realtors.

In October, the last month for which New Jersey Realtors has released data, homes were selling for 100.5% of list price and the median sales price was $470,000.

“It’s two major things, lack of inventory… and (higher) interest rates,” said Robert White, president of New Jersey Realtors and a broker at Coldwell Banker Spring Lake.

Unsold homes in New Jersey have gone from about 30,000 in January 2020 to about 17,000 in October 2022.

“We kept saying inventory was going to pick up and trickle in from here and there,” White said of 2022. “It happened, just not in enough volume to make any sort of difference. And I don’t know why.”

Read the full story here

If you liked this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Here’s how the 2022 real estate market changed from the past 2 years Read More »

Are you up for the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge to highlight the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in the Mid-Hudson region.

“The annual Fire Tower Challenge is a great way to keep the history and traditions of our Catskills fire towers alive for future generations to appreciate and enjoy,” said Commissioner Seggos. “The Fire Tower Challenge provides opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to reach the unique viewing experience of the spectacular Catskill Mountains while making everlasting memories with family and friends. I encourage anyone that has participated in years past, or those looking to try the tower hikes for the first time and take the 2023 Challenge.”

For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State – including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserve – from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires.

The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), along with the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center. The Upper Esopus Fire Tower allows visitors who may not otherwise be able to undertake the challenging hike of several miles to experience a fire tower on the high peaks in the Catskills.

Stewardship of the fire towers is a partnership with the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. The Catskill Center, through the Catskill Fire Tower Project, manages six fire towers in the Catskill Park for public access and interpretation under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement with DEC. Dedicated volunteers help maintain and staff each of the fire towers on weekends and holidays throughout the summer and fall seasons. For more information about the Catskills and to experience the newest and easiest-to-reach fire tower in the region, the Upper Esopus Fire Tower, consider a visit to the Catskills Visitor Center on Route 28 in the heart of Catskill Park.

To participate in the challenge, hikers must hike to all six DEC-owned fire towers in the Catskills between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2023. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo or selfie via a web form or to the designated email inbox: CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 7, 2024.

All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2023 completion year. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine. Upon completion, finishers will also be able to download a customizable certificate and will be eligible to win prizes after the challenge period is closed. T

New for 2023, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize.

Check out DEC’s website for more information about the fire towers and challenge rules,

Are you up for the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge? Read More »