I'm new to Jersey City - but it really looks like "Acting" Mayor Harvey Smith better had start acting like a Mayor real quick. Since the untimely death of Mayor Cunningham, Harvey Smith has managed to publicly join the good fight on behalf of several of Jersey City's most important causes, only to fumble in such a spectacularly disastrous way, that everyone would have been much better off had he not joined in at all. In my mind, he's crossed the line from "good guy, heart in right place" to recklessness, to even possible malice.
Issue 1:
The arts district. Call it WALDO, call it the
PowerHouse district, call it whatever you want, it's a bunch of beautiful historic warehouses next to Harsimus Cove. While Smith has publicly championed the Artists at
111 First Street (the only "arts" i the arts district) - he postponed voting on the ordinance that would have landmarked the district - saving 111 First Street - and maybe the artists too. Instead, he tabled the vote so he could meet with billionaire owner Lloyd Goldman, who owns the building (and the Sears Tower, and the World Trade Center site lease and...) - and who already demolished the equally historic 110 First Street. Billionaire Goldman of course wanted more than the City had to spend for the building, and now we're left with no landmark, and almost 100 artists with
eviction notices. Good work Mayor.
Issue 2:
Loews Theatre. Jersey City is blessed with an amazing movie palace in Journal Square. You really have to see this place. Thanks to the efforts of a few extremely dedicated volunteers, the magnificent building was saved from the wrecking ball - and is being restored to its original splendor. The previous administration wanted to reward the work of the volunteers who saved and restored the building by handing control of it to the State Sports and Exposition Authority (the same folks building the giant mall at the Meadowlands that - don't worry,
"isn't a mall"). Harvey Smith correctly announced his support for the Friends of Loews, and offered to lease the building to them, so they could book music acts and continue their film series.
Only he never did. And now he wants to turn it over to yet another "authority."
Happy birthday Loews, I hope you like crap.
Issue 3: The
Flintkote Tax Abatement. Alright, maybe this one isn't Smith's fault - if he's really opposed to the abatement like he said he was, veto the damn thing already. Tax abatements have no place in such valuable parts of the city - especially when that very place was untimely, and deceptively carved from the
Liberty Harbor North project - which will justly be paying
all of their taxes. Abatements do have their place, and are needed to spur development. But one is surely NOT needed a in an area where other developers want to build
and pay taxes. Abatements also show how screwed up our property tax system is, where the City can grant somebody the right not to give the County or the school district a dime, in exchange for the City getting slightly more money up front. Oh... but the
state pays for our schools, right?
Acting Mayor Smith: Start "acting" like a real Mayor.
and these 
