Hello everyone! Here’s a special edition of the newsletter, coming to you on an unprecedented Friday(!) afternoon rather than our usual Sunday morning. This is in part because I wanted to share some info with you that is happening tonight, and also because — as I mentioned last week — I am absolutely jammed up at work with end-of-the-year stuff. We’re installing our senior show on Sunday, so that’s going to take all my energy this weekend.
But here are a few things that I did want to share with you:
As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, Congressman Payne has passed away. Here is a link to his obituary. Almost immediately upon passing, there was speculation about who his replacement would be, so here is some info on that.
Here’s the time-sensitive part: I will be co-moderating a panel of the Democratic US Senate candidates (Andy Kim, Patricia Campos-Medina, Larry Hamm) in Jersey City tonight! This evening (that would be Friday) at 7pm, come join us at St. John’s Baptist Church (525 Bramhall Ave) or tune in via the ETA Phi Sigma Facebook page (I am sincerely hoping that I have attached the correct link — that is in fact the correct group/chapter I’ve linked to, but sadly my understanding of fraternities and their inner workings and local chapters/alumni groups/affiliated groups is my undoing right now. But I was told that it would livestream on the “ETA Phi Sigma Facebook page” so if for any reason that link doesn’t work, you know what to Google and hopefully you can find it. Ahhh.) This opportunity came to me out of nowhere a few days ago, and while I needed to add something to my schedule this week like I needed a hole in the head, I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to be a part of it. I’m really, really excited and I hope you can join us or tune in.
In last week’s newsletter, I left out something I really meant to post. A local group called the Knitty Gritty JC Social Club is hosting a series of get-out-the-vote meet-ups. At these events, participants will send out postcards to voters, reminding them of the upcoming election in June. Sure, if you’re a reader of this newsletter, you’re probably already sick to death about hearing about the election, but for most of the public the election has received very little coverage, so this is an important reminder to local voters. They will have meetups at locations in the Heights on Thursday, May 2 (6:30 pm - 8 pm), Thursday, May 9th (6:30 pm - 8 pm), and Saturday, May 18 (10 am - 11:30 am). To register, go here — some of the locations are at private homes, so you’ll get the exact address once you’ve registered.
Newsletter fave Lucy Rovetto has curated a group show called Touch that will run at Art150 Gallery (157A First Street) from May 3-26th, with an opening on Friday May 3, 2024, 6-9pm. After the opening, the show will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays during its run, from 1pm-4pm.
ICYMI
A potential bombshell dropped this morning as it relates to the JC Pompidou and state funding that supporters were counting on. If you love this project or if you hate it, this article is worth a read. The release of this article resulted in a bit of a skirmish on social media as the mayor first blamed Jim McGreevey for the situation and also said it was because he endorsed Andy Kim over Tammy Murphy and blamed it on that. Read more about that angle on things here.
“The City of Jersey City is “eliminating unnecessary and outdated positions,” including 11 jobs at the Department of Public Works, though those employees were offered continued employment, an official said.” Link here.
The article “Gentrification Math & the False Promise of Affordable Housing,” written by a local St. Peter’s professor, is worth taking a look at.
The newsletter gets back to normal — with longer articles and more coverage — the second week of May!