While the restoration of confidence and reformation of government takes time, positive steps continue to be taken to achieve government reform. The Booker Administration and the Municipal council are committed to doing what is necessary to make government work for the residents of Newark.
In 2006, new legislation was enacted in the State of New Jersey that changed the way New Jersey municipal and government county agencies acquire certain goods and services. Known as the “Pay-to-Play” law, these statutes are designed to regulate political contributions made by for-profit businesses that have or are seeking government contracts.
2010-15 Consolidated Action Plan & 2010-11 Annual Action Plan
The City of Newark is required to prepare a five-year Consolidated Plan to receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Consolidated Plan combines, in one report, important information about Newark demographics and economic activity as well as detailed information on the housing and community needs of its residents.
The City of Newark is submitting this 2010-2011 Action Plan as the first annual action plan of the 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan period.
July 15, 2010 - Councilman Demands to End Three Consecutive Days of Shootings in Newark
Frustrated and angry about the multiple shootings and other incidents that have taken place in the past three days in Newark’s South Ward, Councilman Ras J. Baraka is calling for immediate action to address the rampant crime that happens throughout the neighborhood. Standing in the shadows of the construction of a new South Ward Police Precinct, Baraka called for Newark’s Police Director to work directly with his office to develop a comprehensive plan for crime reduction and to completely overhaul the 5th district precinct beginning with the removal of current Police Captain Felipe Gonzalez. Councilman Baraka also announced the organization of Citizen Night Patrols, comprised of volunteers to walk the streets, with the goal of discouraging crime in those areas known for criminal activity.
July 1, 2010 - Councilman-At- Large Donald M. Payne Elected New President of Newark Municipal Council
Promising to work with the City administration, and to collaborate with residents on the issues currently facing the City, Councilman-At-Large Donald M. Payne, Jr. was elected to serve as the president of the Newark Municipal Council by a majority vote of his Council colleagues. The new Council President was elected immediately following the inauguration ceremony for Mayor Cory A. Booker’s second term and the rest of the Municipal Council. North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. was elected Vice President of the nine-member body.
June 18, 2010 - Newark Municipal Council Vote To Allow MUA
A unanimous vote by the Newark Municipal Council last night paved the way for the City to apply to the State to create a Municipal Utilities Authority and to allow the administration to submit a balanced budget to the State. The resolution was approved at last night’s regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council, attended by eight of the nine Council members.
February 9, 2010 - Councilman Rice Responds to Nightclub Shooting
“This situation has gotten out of control,” says Councilman Rice, “and this incident is the culmination of a series of events at this establishment. Neighbors have repeatedly called the police complaining about the loitering that goes on outside this club, and I personally have responded to calls in the early morning hours because patrons were in the street causing a great deal of commotion,” he adds. “Now we have someone who has gotten killed, and we need to either force them to abide by our rules, or force them out,” he says.
May 28, 2009 - Councilman Rice Host Essex Count Municipal Council Alliance
In an effort to promote the sharing of ideas and best practices among the 22 municipalities in Essex County, Newark West Ward Councilman Ronald C. Rice, together with West Orange Councilman Sal M. Anderton will host the inaugural meeting of the Essex County Municipal Council Alliance. The meeting is being held on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Council Chamber, Newark City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark.
Continuing with his advocacy of complete transparency between government, citizens, and the police, West Ward Councilman Ronald C. Rice today announced a partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) that will assist residents in making complaints about police misconduct.
According to Councilman Rice, residents have approached his office both intimidated by the Internal Affairs process and in fear of retaliation based on filing a complaint. “I am trying to provide a process that not only gives residents a safe and more comfortable way to file complaints, but also helps determine if there has actually been an increase in the number of complaints,” says Councilman Rice. “This new process is a good way to track the actual number of complaints my office receives, and I believe it will go a long way toward creating a better, more effective working relationship between our government, the police and the citizens.”
Councilman Rice's complaint form is available for download on this article page.
The mission of the Law Department is to provide exemplary legal services and achieve urban transformation by addressing the legal challenges facing the City of Newark in a professional, ethical, and cost effective manner.
The mission of the Office of the Business Administrator is to provide the conduit of leadership and management to the overall functioning of the City of Newark’s ten operational divisions. It is through this effort, that the visionary goals and objectives set forth by the Mayor are reinforced and executed.
The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requires a person requesting access to government records to complete, sign and date the request form adopted by the City of Newark. The completed form can be submitted to the City Clerk's, OPRA Unit, room 415A, City Hall, in person, by fax, email or mail. The fax number is (973) 733-4893. Public records will normally be available in accordance with P.L. 2001, c 404, within seven (7) business days. Some records will be immediately available.
The following contains important information that will assist you with the process of becoming qualified as a candidate for the Office of Council Member and Mayor in the May 11, 2010 Municipal Election. Please note that on Monday, January 4, 2010, beginning at 12:00 P.M. (NOON), a packet containing the appropriate instructions, together with pertinent petition(s) and other required forms will be made available in the Office of the City Clerk, Room 309 ONLY – City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark.
The City of Newark, Department of Economic and Housing Development, Division of Housing and Real Estate is seeking proposals from qualified proposers to develop parcels of vacant land and several structures in accordance with the City of Newark's Land Disposition Policy.
The last day to register to vote for the upcoming May 11, 2010 Newark Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 20, 2010. The Office of the City Clerk locate at City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Room B-9 will be open to the public until 9:00 P.M. on that date for those who wish to register to vote.
The posting of political signs and/or promotional signs by any candidate seeking any public office within the City of Newark shall adhere to the Municipal Code listed below. If additional information is needed, please contact Mr. Melvin Waldrop, Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services at (973) 733-5378.
In New Jersey, any voter can now vote by mail in any election. You do not need a reason to Vote by Mail. Don’t feel like going to the polls? Simply vote by mail. Exercise your right to vote! Now there is no excuse not to vote. Vote by Mail.
The City of Newark Adopt-a-Median program is part of an effort to make our roadways litter-free and beautify our city. The program is voluntary, designed for businesses, profit and non-profit organizations and is open to groups that do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color or sex.
Mayor Cory A. Booker and Engineering Director Mehdi Mohammadish announced today that the City of Newark will launch a massive streetscaping project on Broad Street, between Edison Place and Franklin Street, starting on Monday, May 2, 2011 through the end of the year. Work hours will be Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations.
April 29 - Resident Advisory: Sewer Service Will Be Interrupted
The City of Newark is issuing the following advisory to notify residents in the East Ward that their sewer service will be interrupted on:
Monday, May 2, 2011, starting at 11 a.m., and continuing until Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at 11 a.m.
April 27 - Senator Lautenberg, Congressman Payne, And City of Newark Announce $7Million Grant to Hire 70 New Firefighters
U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Rep. Donald M. Payne (D-NJ-10) were joined by Council President Donald M. Payne, Jr., Business Administrator Julien X. Neals, Esq., Fire Director Fateen A. Ziyad, Fire Chief John G. Centanni, and Newark firefighters today to announce the Newark Fire Department was awarded $7.1 million in federal funding to hire 70 new firefighters. The funding is being made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program and will be used to fill vacancies left by recently retired Newark firefighters. The press conference was held at the Newark Fire Department Training Academy, at 191 Orange Street, in Newark’s Central Ward.
April 25 - Newark Fire Department Hosts Four-Day North Jersey Traning Exercise
Mayor Cory A. Booker, Fire Director Fateen A. Ziyad, and Fire Chief John Centanni announced today that the Newark Fire Department is hosting the four-day Metro USAR Strike Team drill at the Newark Fire Academy at 191 Orange Street. The drill is taking place starting on Monday, April 25 through Thursday, April 28, 2011. The firefighters and police officers will conduct exercises at the training area daily from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., although times are subject to change. On Wednesday, April 27, at 11 a.m., Director Ziyad and Chief Centanni will hold a walk-through of the exercise, joined by members of the Essex County Fire Chiefs Association.
April 20 - Mayor Booker Reminds Residents: City Hall Will Be Closed on Friday, April 22 Due to Good Friday Observance
Mayor Cory A. Booker and Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Director James Souder reminded residents today that City Hall will be closed on Friday, April 22, in observance of Good Friday. Most non-emergency municipal services will be closed that day. Garbage and recycling pick up will resume as scheduled on the next normal collection day and street-sweeping will be postponed.
April 20 -Mayor Booker, Lt. Governor Guadagno and Panasonic Announce Lease Agreement to Move Panasonic Corp. of North America Headquarters to Newark, NJ
Mayor Cory A. Booker, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Panasonic Corporation of North America Chairman & CEO Joseph M. Taylor, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor, Members of the Newark Municipal Council and other dignitaries announced today that a lease agreement will bring Panasonic Corporation of North America Headquarters to Newark, NJ in 2013 to a new, state-of-the-art, sustainable high-rise office building to be constructed adjacent to Newark’s One Riverfront Center. The structure will be home to 1,000 of the corporation’s employees and contractors beginning in 2013. Panasonic is currently located in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Mayor Cory A. Booker, New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow, and Police Director Garry F. McCarthy announced today that the City of Newark has received $500,000 in grant money from the state Attorney General’s Office, to purchase crime-fighting technology. The announcement was made at the City of Newark’s Police/Fire Command Center at 311 Washington Street.
At the press conference, Attorney General Dow described how the City of Newark is one of 17 New Jersey municipalities to share in a one-time $5.75 million grant being distributed by the Attorney General’s Office, using money provided by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) Program. Newark was chosen for its high population and achievements in reducing crime. The funds will be used to purchase advanced crime-fighting technology.
