Dear Residents:
Welcome to the Website, I specifically designed for you as your representative on the Municipal City Council. I am pleased that you have visited once again. Or if this is your first time, Welcome! On the first page you can click on the “Reach Me” button and find a number of ways that you can reach out to me for any of your concerns or questions.
Although the general real estate market in our region has taken a “correction’, Bayonne real estate continues to hold a high value. The times here are still exciting. Kaplan Companies recently presented an open forum which was open to the public. Kaplan Companies is the designated developer of the Texaco site and the BLRA and Kaplan gave the opportunity, early on, to voice our opinions, suggestions and concerns. Please continue to watch for announcements for future meetings on the development of the Texaco site. Kaplan has information on the following websites:
The Light Rail continues to gain in popularity and there are still plans to bring it to North St. In May of 2006, Governor Corzine and the Federal Government came to Bayonne and committed that they support a Light Rail Station at 8th St. The design of the new station will be representative of the original 8th St. Station. Recently the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) said they will now operate a bus service between Staten Island and the Bayonne Light Rail stations.
We have "our" movie theatre and the Staples and Houlihan's is completed. They are both a wonderful addition to our community. I have seen many movies, shopped at Staples a few times and eaten at Houlihan’s a number of times. I personally find these stores a pleasure to have in Bayonne.
The golf course is completed and there are members who are now playing golf. Ground has been broken for a new School #14, and the Board of Education is building it's maintenance facility not far from where I live on E. 5th St. As a part of that facility there is also going to be an Animal Shelter built and run by the Hudson County Animal League. This organization has worked extremely hard for many years to get a facility that would shelter strays, both dogs and cats. The administration is delivering on their promise to get this done.
All of this just proves that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. It takes time and so much careful planning to make things happen. But it is especially important to note that many of the things taking place in Bayonne are in the hands of the developers themselves. The new movie theatre is an example of that. No matter how badly we want things to move ahead, it depends on the movement of the developer which is often coupled with landowners and lease agreements etc. The administration and elected officials can push as hard as we want, but ultimately, it is the private sector and the investors that make things happen.
The City
Administration has appointed me to the Master Plan Committee.
There are many issues to address and make changes to the Master Plan of 2000 so
that the Master Plan of 2007 reflects what our hopes and goals are for the
future of our city. One of the issues I am particularly interested in is the
protection of the existing neighborhoods. I do not want developers to enter our
neighborhoods and change the character with multi family condominiums, town
homes, etc.
I continue to work with the downtown merchants. I have developed a website (www.bergenpointmerchants.com) for them so if you get a chance, take a look. They are truly wonderful people who are spending so much of their own time and money to make us all proud of the downtown area. Mayor Doria has announced that the state has granted money to the city to the streetscape between 5th and 7th Streets. This should be started and completed sometime in the Spring of 2007.
The Planning Board, of which I am a member, has preliminarily approved the Harbor Station North project for the Peninsula. The developers will come back to us at least a few more times as we wanted a number of changes and also want to be able to make some suggestions as the project continues. The Planning Board also voted unanimously to approve the mall located on the eastern side of 440 between 22nd St. and New Hook Road. There is a strong indication that one of the stores at this mall will be a Lowes Home Supply store. I could go on and on about all the great things happening in Bayonne.
I urge you to visit the website of the BLRA (Bayonne Local Redevelopment Agency) which is www.bayonnenj.org/blra/. There you will be able to view the various projects on line for the City.
I have mentioned just some of the things happening here. Although they are not all happening in the First Ward, they all affect us as residents and taxpayers.
Once again, I hope I have met your expectations as your councilman. I thank you for placing your confidence in me by allowing me to serve a second term. I will continue to work for ALL the people in the First Ward and in the City of Bayonne. I am honored that you have, once again, placed your trust in me. My family wishes you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Sincerely,
Ted Connolly
January 1, 2007