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What is “Right” for Bayonne?
Posted 04-29-2008 at 08:33 AM by Jude Americk
<font face="Times New Roman">In light of the recent article about an Off Track Wagering (OTW) establishment proposed for 440, many opinions have arisen. Many feel this is bad for Bayonne because it will bring in the “wrong element” (which I recall hearing from many people regarding the movie theater). Others (myself included) say it is being built on a piece of land that is labeled a brown field, which means the new owner of the property will have to have it cleaned up before anything is built. Then when built, the OTW will be on 440 – away from the city center. This place will also bring in some tax revenue, which I don’t believe this property is providing at this moment. From what I have read on OTW’s, they are a far cry from the smoky, cramped conditions of the traditional NYC OTB’s, with old men taking their SS check or the deadbeat dad betting the kids milk money on the ponies or with the hard on his luck guy begging for a buck outside so he can place the bet of his lifetime. </font>
<font face="Times New Roman">The consistent cry against the OTW is that it is not right for Bayonne. Well, my question has been: <u>What is right for Bayonne?</u> Many argue that Bayonne is a blue collar, beer drinking, lottery playing community. Does then the idea of an OTW fit perfectly into this city? We complained about the 100K membership Bayonne Golf Club because it wasn’t right for Bayonne. We complain about the high end condos / housing set to be built at the MOT, with sales prices over 500K and now with rents at 2K+. The usual complaint is: “who can afford that, not anyone in this town”.</font>
<font face="Times New Roman">Depending on how you look at it and I don’t mean this in a bad way, the city attracts what will be successful. We have .99 center stores because the business owners know they will be successful. An OTW owner is looking at Bayonne because they know they will be successful. We don’t have a Tiffany’s, Abercrombie, etc. in Bayonne because they will not be successful based on the current demographic. If the time does come and the city increases its median income to the point of a Short Hills, many of us (including me) will probably not be able to live here any longer. Then what? Did Bayonne finally become “Right”?</font><font face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<font face="Times New Roman">This OTW is not going to be the savior to Bayonne’s financial crisis (unless someone from the city lays down the whole bag of marbles on lucky #7 and wins our budget gap).</font>
<font face="Times New Roman">The consistent cry against the OTW is that it is not right for Bayonne. Well, my question has been: <u>What is right for Bayonne?</u> Many argue that Bayonne is a blue collar, beer drinking, lottery playing community. Does then the idea of an OTW fit perfectly into this city? We complained about the 100K membership Bayonne Golf Club because it wasn’t right for Bayonne. We complain about the high end condos / housing set to be built at the MOT, with sales prices over 500K and now with rents at 2K+. The usual complaint is: “who can afford that, not anyone in this town”.</font>
<font face="Times New Roman">Depending on how you look at it and I don’t mean this in a bad way, the city attracts what will be successful. We have .99 center stores because the business owners know they will be successful. An OTW owner is looking at Bayonne because they know they will be successful. We don’t have a Tiffany’s, Abercrombie, etc. in Bayonne because they will not be successful based on the current demographic. If the time does come and the city increases its median income to the point of a Short Hills, many of us (including me) will probably not be able to live here any longer. Then what? Did Bayonne finally become “Right”?</font><font face="Times New Roman"> </font>
<font face="Times New Roman">This OTW is not going to be the savior to Bayonne’s financial crisis (unless someone from the city lays down the whole bag of marbles on lucky #7 and wins our budget gap).</font>
Total Comments 23
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VinceAOTW sure sounds like blue collar, beer swilling, gambling place to go. I feel like the town fights against itself at every turn. High price places are complained about, blue collar places are complained about...
I'd love a little more white collar appeal in town but it doesn't seem to fly in Bayonne well. OTW does seem like a good idea to me as long as it doesn't turn into one of the OTB pits you mention. |
 
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HappyPolskiJude, I'm in agreement with you on this issue. The place is not on the main avenue. It's not located in anyone's neighborhood. And although not many of the jobs will be high-paying ones, there will be jobs available.
You mention the median income in town. I'd be curious to know what the average income is. |
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Jude AmerickStan,
Quick search but not sure of the date: Median: $41,566 Average: $25,581 http://profiles.nationalrelocation.com/New%20Jersey/Bayonne/ |
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Jude AmerickVince,
I think this is the case of the chicken or the egg. For more white collar appeal, there needs to be more of a white collar population. For that to happen, the Bayonne we do love may go away. Jude |
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luluI have no objection to the OTW being established in Bayonne. The location will be off the beaten path and I don't foresee it as a problem. Any new structure on rte. 169 will be a welcomed addition, as it's not the most scenic route in the city. Not one interested in the ponies, I shall not frequent the OTW, but I may very well eat at the restaurant.
I am curious if the setup will be equivalent to the lottery wherein the city will receive a percentage of the action. |
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KingBayRatI am generally against gambling in a community where the average joe is finding it hard to deal with rising cost of raising a family. Gambling usually takes the money from those who can least afford it and the ones really left hurting are their dependents. However, I plan on going to Woodbridge to check it out before making any judgements. All that being said, if the next logical site proposed for this OTW is just on the other side of the JC border, lets make sure it gets built in Bayonne.
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Jude AmerickKBR,
What about the lottery? That seems to be a huge business in Bayonne. I see people spending $50+ at a time on loterry (pick 3, 4, 5, 6, & scratch-offs). Jude |
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Jude AmerickNeil,
Since I have been banned from NJO, I can't answer your post regarding the "China Center". I have no issue with this project. However, you are a bit off on blaming the council for tabling this until they can read the entire proposal. The BLRA and council took a huge hit regarding the PA fiasco, and rightly so. They were all accused of approving something they din't fully understand and a few of them admitted to that at the infamous meeting. Now you want the council to blindly approve this project. It appears the council heard our complaints loud and clear. Dont' forget, some coucnil members wanted to pass the parking "suggestions" from the state but Tony and Gary said they weren't comfortable with approving something they didn't read. Turns out they made the correct move. Also, I don't understand your comments like, "This was a way better proposal than off track wagering.". Does this mean the two projects cannot exist? One may be better than the other but that doesn't mean they both can't happen. And, Bayonne is and always be a blue collar town. That doesn't mean it isn't a great town. I am white collar but the only thing that would drive me out of this town is when I can no longer afford it. Jude |
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Jude AmerickKBR,
As I mention in my note to Neil, I cannot post on NJO, I have been banned. In regards to your last post reagrding Bayonne being like Hoboken and JC. Yes, we now have the light rail that links to JC and Hoboken but those cities have direct links to NYC - one stop. JC & Hoboken can almost be considered part of NYC. For Bayonne, there isn't a direct link, which is why we may not be as successful in our attempt to make the MOT the next Newport or Exchange Place. A ferry would be very expensive. If I recall, the ferry from Caven Point was about $8.00 one way. The distance from Bayonne is greater and could cost a bit more. Jude |
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KingBayRatJude, you are right. More than one stop is an impediment for those going to Manhattan. However, the ride to Jersey City is tolerable and with the price of gas increasing, more are availing themselves of this transport option. Also agree that a direct Ferry link is not supportable due to lack of the necessary ridership to keep it afloat (LOL).
I believe that Broadway can once again become a thriving center IF we make living here in "Old Bayonne" desirable. Building 7000 unitsof housing will do the opposite. We need to limit new housing construction to places where it makes sense - places where the new will enhance the old, not compete with it. MOT needs to be a job and tax revenue generator. It can be a port, a high tech commercial center, a new location for the stock exchange, a university, I really dont care. The more high paying jobs on the property the better. This should be the goal of the BLRA. Make the penisula a destination for workers who will be more likely to consider living and/or spending in our town. p.s. just modify your name and get back on the board. you area voice of reason and should continue to be heard. |
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Jude AmerickKBR,
Thanks for the kind words. however, each time I try to sign on to NJO with a new name, I receive a message that my email address is not valid, no matter which one (4) I use. What is needed at the MOT is a major draw that makes people want to come to Bayonne. Unfortunately, we are not a pass thru city - except for Staten Islanders. Thanks for responding. Jude |
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VinceAJude, why would more white collar population kill the Bayonne we all supposedly know & love? "White collar" seems to be a bad word around some parts of town.
Disclosure: I'm a white collar worker (systems analyst & technical editor) and Bayonne home owner. |
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ohonestyI think it is a very good idea and a moneymaker. It is not in the center of the city and has a good location. When I first heard about it my only concern was the fact that I did not know if enough people would use it. After checking into things I feel it will bring in a good amount of business. Some people worry about the wrong elements coming in. N.J. gambling commission is very strict on issues.
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Jude AmerickVince,
I am also white collar (Financial Analyst) and a Bayonne home owner. However, there is a delicate balance. As I see it, some don't want to see the OTW like places because they bring in the "wrong element", whatever that is. In this same argument, people say, "Short Hills doesn't have these types of places". Of course not. If some want us to go along the path to become a Short Hills, many will not be able to live in this city. Jude |
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Vince RoneVinceA,
Small world as I was also a white collar worker now retired in Systems programming and telecommunication. It is my feeling the shift to a white collar community is almost inevitable. Regional cost of living is quickly pricing many blue collar jobs and workers out of the market. Resistance is evident in town but will ultimately prove futile. We, as a town, must learn to accept this and turn it into an opportunity to redefine our city. |
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Anthony SWhat is right ?
People can't afford to heat homes, gas is through the roof, and are forced to make decisions on whether to buy gas or food. Tough choices ? Absolutely ! Many people will turn to the OTW and spend money they can not afford on things like this. It happens with the lottery on a daily basis. You may say “Why should we care if people make this choice, if they choose to gamble more than they can afford then it’s their fault”. I care. I see it all too often when gambling is involved. This site won’t bring a bad element but it also won’t bring in enough money to help our financial situation here in Bayonne. Some will profit for sure but let’s find a better suited business that many people can enjoy. The OTW is getting a great deal and the state will help with the cleanup. Market this land to the right people without the selfish political gains in mind and we can possibly have something good for families that many can enjoy. Gambling parlors are not the answer, we need family values. |
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VinceAWhat are 'family values' anyway? My values may not be your values. I'm a family man (married 18 year, two kids, etc). I'd like to pot & prostitution legalized (I'd partake of the pot, not of the prostitution) since I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with either. Those your values?
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Anthony SYou have your values and I have mine. Mine would not include pot but hey, smoke away, I could care less.
I think there would be a lot better uses for the land that would benefit the people of Bayonne than a gambling parlor. That's the point Vin. |
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HappyPolskiI doubt that someone who doesn't already play the horses is going to suddebly run out to OTW because they're desperate for money.
If we're going to be righteous and forbid OTW then we should also forbid the Lottery and church bingos, raffles at church bazarras, those 'illegal' night at the races. But you know what, the bookies will prevail. |
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Jude AmerickAnthony,
The property for the OTW is a brownfield. The new owner is also responsible for cleaning it up. No, this venture alone will not solve Bayonne's problems. No one project will. The idea to start filling up these empty spaces throughout the city with business is a step in the right direction. I am not a gambler and the OTW is not going to drive me to becoming one. As far as "family values" I have no idea what the means. Thanks, Jude |
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Recent Blog Entries by Jude Americk
- A Letter to the Public Advocate Administrator (05-13-2008)
- Yitzchak David (05-06-2008)
- What is “Right” for Bayonne? (04-29-2008)
