FREE GRATIS 3TruuirnniniftHiuiiu i \j "■ miuuiiiiuminrinnnriiiiiiiuuiuiimi iuiiuiu imiiiraiiiiiiiiiiiiii PS TRI-LINGUAL MMQtMM @)WW£!) = = d im ......11 m n h 1 n ii n 11 h m m im ii ii n hi m in ii u ii m i j i m mu n 11i n jo In our fight for a better life, voting is one of our tools - USE IT! English p. 1 - 9, Portugues p. 10 - 12, Espahol p. 13 - 15 Ironbound Family Services Center Free Information & Assistance WE CAN HELP YOU WITH: ♦ Family Problems ♦ Emergency Food ♦ Immigration ♦ Jobs & Job Training ♦ Health Care ♦ Legal Problems ♦ Financial Crisis ♦ Social Services 344-7208 95 Fleming Ave. Newark, NJ 07105 Congratulations United Way Toni Thomas, Director of the Ironbound Community It brings out the best Corporation’s Afterschool Program, was one of in all of us.,w three 1997 Artists-in-Residence at the Newark Museum during January. Ms. Thomas’s paintings were featured in the gallery, and a special Arts Workshop and Reception were held. Shown above is Ms. Thomas, with one of her paintings. Eco-Justice Sabbath "Hope For The Flowers" Free Tax Help Available Sunday, April 6, 1997 3 PM Newark Public Library 5 Washington St. An Interfaith Service About Our Earth 733-7800 Our Environment, and Our Role Wed. 5 - 7 PM with featured speaker: Trina Paulus, author Feb. 24 of "Hope For The Flowers" March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 April 7, 14 St. Stephan’s United Church of Christ Saturdays 10AM - 12 noon Wilson Ave. & Ferry St. February 22 March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Coffee hour following the service. April 5, 12 Free will offering to benefit the Ironbound Committee Against Toxic Waste. For more information contact: Tiwana Steward at 589-3353. P. 2 — Winter 1997 — Ironbound Voices People Making History: "Our Neighborhood and Our Tax Money" A Chance To Vote March 11 About The Future of Riverbank Park Ironbound residents working together led a successful effort to get a referendum about the future of Riverbank Park. The referendum, scheduled for March 11, means that Newark voters will be able to vote on whether the City of Newark should risk $11 million tax dollars to guarantee bonds to build 2 stadiums, which, if built, would eliminate Riverbank Park. "March 11 will be a very important - even historic - day for Ironbound," said Manuel Lavin, a leader of the Save the Park at Riverbank (SPARK) Coalition. "The proposal to elimnate Riverbank Park, and build stadiums holding up to 15,000 people there, will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life in our neighborhood. Thousands of people signed petitions and hundreds came out to meetings and marches, to voice their possible loss of Riverbank Park. opposition to losing Riverbank Park. But we were In April, 1996, Ironbound residents first saw ignored. Now we have forced them to hold a the designs for the proposal to take all of Riverbank referendum, and each of us has a chance to have a Park to build 2 stadiums when they were published say about this proposal which will have a in the Maplewood Record. There had been no tremendous effect on our community. The public hearings about the plans. referendum is a unique opportunity which we got by When the Ironbound Community the hard work and cooperation of many, many Corporation organized one or two public meetings people working together. Now, it’s up to us to go to inform the public about the plans, including a out and vote." large meeting in July 1996 at Wolff Church, Although the opportunity for referendums hundreds of people came out and opposed exists in state law, it is not easy to do, and it eliminating the park. Ironbound residents formed doesn’t happen often. Residents must gather the Save Riverbank Park Coalition (which later signatures of 15% of the number of voters in the became SPARK), and this group has led the fight previous general election. Over 4000 signatures ever since. were submitted by SPARK, and the referendum Many steps have been taken, including: petitions were certified by the Newark City Clerk as * An initial petition drive (separate from valid. referendum petetions) where over 3000 signatures "The plan to eliminate Riverbank Park was were collected on a petition calling for the developed primarily by people who do not live preservation and upkeep of Riverbank Park. $1.2 here," said Joe Nardone. "Now those of us who do million is in the County budget for repairs. live here have a chance to say what we think, * Residents went to numerous City Council which is what should have been done. After all, meetings, and Essex County Freeholder meetings it is our neighborhood, and our tax money." (even when they where scheduled at inconvenient The referendum is just the latest in a series times, or without much notice). of expressions of neighborhood opposition to the cont. on p.5 Ironbound Voices —Winter 1997 — P. 3 THANK YOU! On behalf of United Way of Essex and West Hudson, its participating agencies and clients, we w ould like to thank you for your continued support. Because of your generosity, children were nurtured, families were made whole, the hungry and the homeless were sheltered and fed. adults were taught to read, the chains of addiction were broken, youth became positive and focused and those stricken with AIDS were cared for. Remember, the United Way has always and will continue to be the "First Call for Help." By continuing your support of United Way you can make a real and lasting impact on our community Listed below' are the lead partnering agencies and their initiative areas. With your help. United Way of Essex and West Hudson supports 114 new initiatives, 66 lead agencies and 102 collaborations. Imagine the difference we can make together. CHILDREN CRIME AND DELINQUENCY SUBSTANCE ABUSE Ad House American Red Cross-Nutley Catholic Community Services American Red Cross-Nutley Boys & Girls Club of Newark Community Agencies Corporation ASPIRAofN J-G.AT.E. Way Essex Council Boy Scouts CURA ARC of Essex County Family Service and Child Guidance Joint Connection Cerebral Palsy of Essex/W.Hudson International Youth Organization Newark Fighting Back Community Agencies Corporation The Bridge Irvington Counseling Center Newark Renaissance House East Orange Community Development Corp. Joint Connection North Ward Cultural Center Kids in Business. Inc. La Casa de Don Pedro Pathw ay to Independence Newark Day Center YWCA of Essex and West Hudson T uming Point South Ward Cultural Center l rban 1 vague of Essex County St. Columba Neighborhood Center HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS YMWCA of Newark & Vicinity St. James AME Community Service American Red Cross-Essex Chapter Tri-City People's Corporation Apostles' House ILLITERACY United Vailsburg Service Org. Cerebral Palsy of Essex/ W. Hudson Cerebral Palsy of Essex'W. Hudson United Jewish Federation of Covenant House FOCUS Hispanic Center MetroWest East Orange Community Development Corp. Great Commission on Literacy United Labor Agency Essex County Legal Aid International Youth Organization Urban League of Essex County Volunteer Center of Focus Hispanic Center Isaiah House Essex County Isaiah House LYA of Newark and Essex County West Orange Community House Newark Emergency Services for Families LYA of West Hudson YMWCA of Newark and Vicinity Salvation Army-Newark Newark Literacy Campaign Youth Consultation Services SHARE of New Jersey Senior Service Corporation Youth Development Clinic Unified Vailsburg Services Org. Urban League of Essex County YWCA of Essex and West Hudson AIDS FAMILY Apostle's House American Friends Service Comm. Babyland Nursery American Red Cross of Essex Catholic Community Services ARC of Essex County Family Services Bureau To find out more about Babyland Nursery Isaiah House United Way of Essex and Cancer Care The Leaguers, Inc. Catholic Community Services Newark Community Health Center West Hudson, its programs Cerebral Palsy of Essex and West Hudson St. Columba Neighborhood Center and its partners, call Choices, Inc. Visiting Nurse Assoc.of Essex Valley Community' Agencies Corporation I-800-ENABLE-96. Essex Council Boy Scouts UNDEREMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT Family Service Bureau of Newark Arc of Essex County Family Service & Child Guidance CAHACO-Caribbean Haitian Council FOCUS Hispanic Center FOCUS Hispanic Center International Youth Organization Ironbound Community Corporation Irvington Counseling Center Donald Jackson Neighborhood Ctr. La Casa de Don Pedro Main Street Counseling Center Mental Health Association of Essex County Newark Emergency Services for Families Offender Aid and Restoration Orange Valley Social Settlement Salvation Army-Newark Senior Service Corporation Unified Vailsburg Service Org. United Labor Agency Urban League of Essex County' Youth Consultation Services of Essex and west Hudson P. 4 — Winter 1997 — Ironbound Voices People Making History: Referendum cont. from p. 3 * SPARK went to court. Although the case was dismissed, the Judge warned the developers that they must comply with all agencies regulating the project. * In response to SPARK’s demand for a Public Hearing, the Essex County Freeholders held one at the Portuguese Sports Club on Oct. 15. Of the 500 people who came, almost the entire crowd, and 40 out of 50 public speakers, opposed the elimination of Riverbank Park. * Residents held a candlelight march and vigil down Ferry St. on November 21. Ironbound residents have received support from Newark residents in all parts of the city in their fight to safe the park. As one resident of Enjoying Riverbank Park - past and present! Above, James St., Bill Chappel, puts it, "I object to giving a small Ironbound resident enjoys the park in 1952. $11 million of our taxes to build a stadium for Below, Lito Miranda has fun with his family in Rick Cerone. The City and Essex County have been 1996. cutting back on services which are important to people. We need money for schools, affordable housing, jobs, rebuilding our sewer lines, police personnel, street cleaning and many other things. We are facing a tax revaluation. We should not be helping private businessmen with our tax dollars. I am also agianst locating this stadium where there is no parking, and building it in a public park that is much used." Dear Editor, It is not allowed if the people vote to save the park, to build the stadiums anyway. Also why don’t you build the stadiums where you’re going to build the replacement park? I hope what I’m saying works. Newark resident, age 6 Ironbound Voices — Winter 1997 — P. 5 Peace Poster Winners! Students from several different schools had winning posters in the 1996 Peace Poster Contest sponsored by the Ironbound Peace Education Project (IPEP). Each fall, the IPEP sponsors the Poster Contest to encourage students, from first grade to high school, to think about world peace and how to achieve it. This year’s winning students were: from St. Casimir’s Academy - Christopher Bare, Tracy Rodrigues, Natalie Gonzales, Brian Alves, David Santos, and Kimberly Tavares; from St. Lucy Filippini Academy - Lisa Simoes, Melissa Pereira, and Carla Ruivo; from Good Counsel Grammar School - Nicole Timi; from Wilson Ave. School - Bruno Marques, and Michelle Amador; from From left to right, some of this year’s winners: Link Community School - Catherine Johnson and Catherine Johnson, Pierre Bethea-Emanuel, and Pierre Bethea-Emanuel; from St. Vincent’s High Bruno Marques. School, Veronica Baranona; and from East Side High School, ■ Miriveis Jamali and Sandra Afterschool Program Playwrights Fernandes. A volunteer committee of judges, led by A number of students from the Ironbound Harriet Krassner of Maplewood, found it difficult to Community Afterschool Program were featured in a pick the winners, since so many fine posters were Star Ledger article on Jan. 12, 1997 in the STAGE entered. column. The students, ages 9 to 11, are taking a course offered by the Newark Young Playwrights At a spaghetti Dinner held in December at Program to learn how to write plays. The plays are St. Stephan’s United Church of Christ, the winners directed and performed by professional actors. received certificates and checks from the Dr. & Some of the plays presented this year Mrs. Israel Bernstein Peace Prize Fund. Dr. included: "The Boy Problem" by Melissa Rivera, Bernstein had his practice on Wilson Ave. for many Vera De Matos and Melissa Perez: "We Love Ice years, and his family was active in groups working Cream" by Daniella Bexiga and Fatima and Rosaria for peace and social justice. The Bernstein family Matos; " The Corner: by Melissa Rivera and Joelle contributes to continue the memorial peace prize in Correia", and "The Haunted House" by Tommy his memory. Heredia and Michael Rivera. Nearly 250 students in the fourth grade and older are enrolled in the Those who came enjoyed a delicious dinner annual Young Playwrights Program. For more prepared by Roni Faulkner, and served by a team information, contact the Ironbound Community of volunteers. Texeira’s Bakery again donated a Corporation at 465-0947 or the Playwrights Theatre beautiful cake, which said "Peace On Earth." at (201) 514-1787. Thank you to all who participated, and congratulations to this year’s winners! P. 6 — Winter 1997 — Ironbound Voices Will Ironbound Get Even More New York City Garbage? Mayor Rudolph Guilinai of New York City activities to educate New Jersey residents about the said he is still planning to shut Fresh Kills landfill dangers of incineration. on Staten Island by the year 2001, and that there For more information, contact Tiwana should be no trouble "exporting" their garbage to Steward, at 589-3353. the places that already take New York city garbage, including the American Re-Fuel incinerator in Ironbound. At a news conference recently, Mayor Keeping Out The Sludge Guilinai said, "You got to do it quietly. You got to do it sensibly. Youc an’t put somebody in the The Ironbound Committee Against Toxic position of being targeted as a place that is going to Waste is continuing its fight against the siting of a get all that garbage." sludge facility in Ironbound. ICATW held a Press The Ironbound incinerator already takes 37, Conference outside the proposed location of the 465 tons of garbage from New York City (from the sludge facility, on Avenue A. in Ironbound. Sept. 1996 DEP report), almost the same amount as "We believe that Ironbound has more than all the garbage produced in Essex County (41, 219 its share of toxic waste facilities," said Tiwana tons)! Steward, from ICATW. Newark has more than 200 "We are paying taxes for an incinerator that toxic waste sites, with over 50% of those in was built too big in the first place," said Joe IRonbound. Nardone from the Ironbound Committe Against The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Toxic Waste (ICATW). "Now we are importing (PVSC) has signed a contract with Wheelabrator garbage from all over the place. We pay high taxes Clean Water of New Jersey to bring about 20,000 and high garbage rates, and we have to suffer the tons of sludge to its site on Avenue A., where it is consequences from whatever goes into the ari. All supposed to be mixed with lime and other because Essex County went ahead with a terrible chemicals. Grant Conselyea, who lives near the project, and a terrible contract with this garbage proposed site, said residents are concerned about incinerator." the odors the plant will give off, and the truck traiffc, 24 hours a day, going through enighborhood Meanwhile, on January 25, members of streets. The proposed site is near South St. school, ICATW attended a meeting of enrivonmental groups a number of food handling operations, and homes. from around the state who are calling for an end to ICATW members and supporters met with incinerating garbage in New Jersey. The groups representatives from the United Staet Environmental decided to work together to put pressure on the Justic Coordinator’s office of the Environmental New Jersey state legislature to stop using Protection AGency (EPA) on Jan. 24, to point out incinerators as a method to get rid of residential and that Ironbound already has many other toxic waste commercial garbage, and to close down existing faicilities, and that as a matter of "environmental icninerators. justice" not all the faciilities should be placed here. A number of families who live near a sludge Children who live very close to the Warren plan in Ohio filed a suit against the companies County incinerator had elevated cadmium levels in involved because of health problems they belive are their blood. The acceptable level of cadmium in caused by sludge. blood is zero. The City of Newark has filed suit agaisnt PVSC to stop the location of its sludge plant at The group is planning to hold other Avenue A. meetings, write letters, and have other statewide Ironbound Voices —Winter 1997 — P. 7 Remember The Facts! 1) This proposal calls for 2 stadiums which will seat 7) After Ironbound residents protested, a up to 15,000 people in our congested urban "replacement park" was proposed. The location, at neighborhood. One stadium would be built for a Brill St., between Raymond Blvd. and the Passaic private minor league baseball team, whose River, is polluted. Many residents feel it is spokesman is Rick Cerone. The other stadium dangerous because it is so close to the river. would be for international soccer. Because of Although the developers say they will build a walk community opposition, it is now being publicly way over the highway, other residents are very stated that the community will be able to use these concerned about children and young people crossing facilities. But SPARK has seen no written contracts the busy, 4 lanes of traffic on Raymond Blvd. which outline and guarantee community access, cost, or the times during which the community can 7) The proposal will also include Independence use the stadiums. Park, as announced at the Public Hearing on Oct. 15. A basebnall field will be put at the Oliver St. 2) There is $1.2 million in the Essex County end of the park. It is a very short field, 146 ft. budget right now, which could be used to clean from homeplate to the fence) and is suitable for up the park. small children only. 3) The stadium proposal is connected to the construction of a new jail, also to be located in Ironbound Stadium: Ironbound. On Sept. 4, 1996, the Star Ledger Still Waiting After All These Years quoted Mayor James public relations person as saying, "If a baseball stadium is not a go, it’s going to be a problem with the jail." Newark public Ironbound residents are still waiting for the officials agreed to accept the jail, only if a stadium City to begin construction work at the Ironbound was built. Stadium site. In a phone interview Mr. Lazarus, Director of Newark’s Engineering Department, said 4) Essex County developers have not given the work on the fields has not begun. The design for community traffic and parking studies which were field B is supposed to be completed by the end of requested. They say that people will park in the February. The design is to include a soccer field, a Kinney lots near Penn Station and take "jitney" baseball feild, volleyball court, and new lights and busses to the stadium. They say a new parking drains. Mr. Lazarus said the work would probably garage will be built, but have refused to say where. take 6 months to complete. The work on the Pool, which was supposed 5) Another minor league baseball stadium is being to replace the Wilson Ave. Bathhouse, has not built (with private money) in Montclair, less than begun. A bid has been received for constuction. 10 miles away. The developers have done no Mr. Lazarus also said that the City is doing marketing studies to show that 2 stadiums, so work on the Little League field on Hennessy St. to closely located, can succeed. get it ready for the spring season. Mr. Lazarus said that the mechanical systems for the ice rink at 6) The City of Newark will risk $11 million of its Ironbound Stadium were fixed and the building has taxpayers money to help Rick Cerone get a stadium. been heated this winter. The County of Essex will risk $11 million of In a related development, several hundred taxpayers money. Senior League members (teenagers) have no field on which to play baseball this spring, due to the closing of Riverbank Park. P. 8 — Winter 1997 — Ironbound Voices Riverbank Park Voted For "Historic Preservation The Newark Historic Preservation and enforcement of its own regulations. It is outrageous Landmarks Commision voted unanimously at its for the stewards of the parks they hold in the public meeting February 4, 1997 to recommend that trust to assume that they can obliterate a piece of Riverbank Park be declared a historic site. In a landscape architecture which so clearly embodies presentation about the park, Commission member the ideals of the age, its designers, and the public- Jim Lecky stated that Riverbank Park is part of the minded citizens that built it." Essex County Park system, a series of parks The recommendation for local historic designed by the Olmstead Brothers. The noted designation goes to the City Planning Board on landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, March 17, and then to the Newark City Council for designer of Central Park in New York City, final decision. participated in the design for Riverbank Park from 1890 to 1895. Six acres of the park were built between 1907 and 1910. In the late twenties, the park was enlarged. Dr. Clement Price, a well known historian in Newark, and professor at Rutgers, said that Riverbank Park is extremely historic because it is one of the few parks built in an area which was highly populated, highly unhealthy, and highly polluted in a city. Franklin Murphy, former governor of New Jersey and ofunder of the Newark YMCA, owned a factory in the Ironbound and many of his employees lived here. In the 1980 Essex County Park Commission Annual Report, he states: "Although it is the smallest of the 12 county parks, even in its unfinished state, one of the most largely used and is an excellent example of the wisdom and importance of locating breathing spaces in thickly settled portions of the community." The 1926 report of the Park Commission to Essex County records the issuance of $400,000 in County bonds to acquire additional parkland and facilities in Riverbank Park, "where undeveloped vacant spaces can be utilized before appropriation to dwelling and commercial purposes." The park nearly doubled in size at this time. The design for the grandstand, the children’s shelter and the remodeled field house were done by the Olmstead firm. The field house is already designated on the national registry of historic sites. A 1935 photograph shows David Schnegelberger, In an article about the park, Mr. Lecky left fielder for the Newark Rovers, a semi-pro wrote, "It is shameful that the County has allowed baseball team, in Riverbank Park. Mr. this irreplaceable artifact (the park) to deteriorate Schnegelberger, now 83, is one of the leaders of through lack of maintenance, supervision and SPARK, the group fighting to save the park. Ironbound Voices —Winter 1997 — P. 9 Lembrem-Se Dos Factos * Esta e uma proposta para 2 estadios os quais abrigarao um total de 15,000 pessoas na nossa ja congestionada area. Um dos estadios sera construido para uma equipe baseball privada da qual Rick Cerone e o representante. O outro estadio seria para futebol internacional. Devido a oposiqao da comunidade, diz-se agora que o publico em geral tera acesso a estas obras, no entanto SPARK ainda nao viu quaisquer contratos por escrito, nos quais sera definido o acesso, custo ou horario em que a comunidade possa usar tais obras. * A proposta para a construqao do estadio esta ligada a construqao da nova cadeia, a qual tambem destinada ao Ironbound. Newark concordou com a cadeia do Essex County, se o estadio fosse *Currentemente o Condado de Essex tern construido. Isto foi publicado nos jornais. O Star no seu orgamento $1.2 milhao par arranjar e Ledger de 4 de Setembro trazia um artigo sobre o limpiar o parque Riverbank. assunto onde um relaqoes publicas do Mayor Sharpe * Um outro estadio de junior baseball esta a James dizia, "Se o estadio nao tern luz verde, entao ser construido em Montclair (com dinheiros havera problemas com a cadeia." Em outras privados), a menos de 10 milhas. Nao foi feito um palavras, ambos terao que arrancar juntos. estudo de mercado para que se justifique a * Os autores do projecto do Essex County necessidade de 2 estadios. dizem que as pessoas (os espectadores) estacionarao * A cidade de Newark arriscara $11 milhoes nos parques da Kinney perto da estaqao de comboio de dollares para garantir as acqoes que serao e depois irao de autocarro ate ao parque. Apesar vendidas para esta construqao. O Condado do Essex dos residentes terem pedido, ha mais de um ano, os arriscara outros $11 milhoes (dinheiro das taxas). projectos de estudos para o estacionamento e trafico * Depois dos residentes do Ironbound se na area, estes ainda nao foram providenciados. manifestarem, um parque "suplente" foi prometido ser construido na Brill St. ao longo do rio Passaic, entre o Raymond Boulevard e a agua. Este local esta poluido, e muito perigoso por ser tao junto ao Sabbath Eco-Justica rio. E, para se chegar la tern que se atravessar Domingo, 6 de Abril Raymond Blvd, uma rua muito movimentada. As 3 PM autoridades dizem que uma passagem (ponte) ira ser construida sobre a auto estrada. Um culto ecumenico sobre nossa terra e * A proposta inclui tambem o Independence nosso meio-ambiente & nossa Park (parque dos mosquitos), como foi anunciado participaqao. no dia 15 de Outubro de 1996 em audiencia publica. Baseada na informaqao oferecida pela Igreja Unida de Cristo (UCC) Secqao de Parques do Essex County (o qual e St. Stephan responsavel por esta parte do projecto), um campo (Wilson Ave. & Ferry St.) de baseball sera criada ao fundo do parque, junto a Oliver Street. E um campo muito curto (146 pes de Salgados serao servidos apos o culto. balisa ate a rede), sera apenas para crianqas. P. 10 — Winter 1997 — Ironbound Voices