I can't see Ras as a viable statewide candidate. Newark really doesn't seem to be on the radar of anyone outside of the immediate area. Phil Murphy, an affable rich white guy had enough trouble getting reelected. Undecided suburbanites will see a republican attack ad quoting Ras's father and vote for whoever the other candidate is.

True but national Newark building don’t need to be blocked by some tower.

If Mikie Sherill runs, its hers imo.

Agreed. I’m so confused by the point of the article. The NJ eviction Moratorium ended almost a year ago, even with Newarks exec order (extra 2 months), it’s long gone.

Maybe and unpopular opinion, but I’m conflicted. On one hand, it’s the pavilion apartments with a property manager, so I have less sympathy towards corporate structures. They have more flexibility with bulk write offs, and touting their chest in legal battles.

On the other, private landlords are getting squeezed too, and this precedent or behavior can be be parasitic leading to a worse housing issue in Newark.

People can argue “who cares about them” or “all landlords are scumbags” but then try buying in Newark, it’s near impossible. Outside of sale prices, Essex county property taxes are still insanity. Newarks inflation and cost of living is still high to the point where outside of existing properties or renting, it’s at a point where the lifestyle doesn’t equate to the cost of living.

Years ago (pre Covid around 2017-2019) I was considering an investment property in Newark (like a 2 family where I can live in one and rent another unit out or just rent both out). I wanted to be apart of Newarks revitalization and be a proud owner and maintain the property to help. I searched over a year, countless open houses and the math never mathed. The risk reward was awful. In most scenarios, these homes were unprofitable and literally the only way to make money was to be a slumlord (rent out every component of the home separately and not maintain it). To which I was like “why would I ever do that to a tenant or my own property? That’s just stupid”. Ultimately I gave up. Newark’s housing isn’t the only frustrating aspect; it’s their constant battle for fairness done poorly where these scenarios occur that ends up screwing everyone over making it a net loss for everyone involved.

A city’s policy setting can direct dictate the relationship between both developers and private LL’s relationship with tenants and unfortunately, Newark is in this limbo where it’s difficult and frustrating for all.

Looks nice but we should have more density here. Can they add a tower on top lol?

This is exactly why I am saying the city needs to build protected bike lanes...

Good comment

I agree with you, but there are basically no protected bike lanes in this city (except the lanes in North Newark, basically RIP). Until there are...

I'm not putting my life in danger over a terms of service violation, so... I don't know if you've seen a car and scooter collision, but that's way less pretty.

Oh man I have a lot I could say about this one… This comment is about Newark Public Schools, not the charters. Personally, I would avoid the charters like the plague.

Pros:

• The salary is decent compared to surrounding districts. Currently you would start at 62k, 64k if you have a masters. Plus a 4K signing bonus if you’re in a critical area.
• The students and families are great. I actually think you get less helicopter parents working in this district. Many of them really value the education their kids are getting. Of course you do get some absentee parents which is depressing.
• If you do a good job, you really can make a difference in a lot of these kids lives. Not that you can’t do that in any district, but in Newark a lot of the kids aren’t getting the support at home that kids in the suburbs are. They need and want good teachers.
• Fellow teachers (at least at the schools I’ve worked in) are very supportive of each other and willing to share resources. There is a feeling of being in the trenches together.

Cons:

• administration, administration, administration. As other comments have said, unfortunately most administrators in Newark were not teachers for long, and after a few years in admin seem to completely forget what is necessary for good teaching. Expect lots of pointless paperwork, meetings, and wasted time. Some admin teams are worse than others. Feel free to DM me for info about specific schools.
• general lack of organization and resources from the district (though I admit, the amount of resources we have has been better since Covid began)
• curriculum changes almost every year

If you’re thick skinned, you can survive and even thrive here. But be honest with yourself, because if you have low patience/are easily frustrated, Newark is not for you for a multitude of reasons. But we do need good teachers, and depending on what school you’re at it can be a good place to work. Like I said, feel free to DM me for more details.

To be fair, it's a lot of drivers. But no one's safety should ever be placed above someone else's, especially not when we're talking about supporting something that's also destroying the environment and health, etc.

People leaving sports games in this town appear to think they don't have to follow traffic laws at all. That's absolutely a group we should not be catering to.

They are scummy but this article is all bullshit. The ordinance expired 2 months after the state of emergency. Literally says so in the law linked to in the article.

Why is there a rent freeze?

These landlords are the absolute scum of the earth and the city won't do much because all of their campaigns from the mayor down are funded by the same landlords they are supposed to be regulating.

Which teacher school are you in? I saw you were doing social studies and special ed?

Everything you just said is 100% true

Thank you. This is the dilemma I’m facing!

Those are some nice sounding districts, everything from well-off rural to solid middle class to urban poor. I think it's great that you want to teach to a disadvantages population...but I would definitely have to think it over given your other offers.

100%, but it’s pervasive throughout our district. I know in our classroom we’ve tried a ton to get kids to buy in, but they just won’t. I think not seeing the point is a big part of it. Lack of direction and experience, and being able to do very little and pass. Why bother doing the work when you really don’t have to. I don’t really blame them, it’s just tough for us

What presents as lack of motivation could be anything from lack of ability to not seeing value or a point in what we're trying to have them do. In Newark in particular, you must first convince the kids that you care about them if you want them to work for you. If they don't think you care, then they won't perform.

It is sad. Leadership says they support and represent to city, but they put convenience of a few (drivers) ahead of the safety of many (pedestrians and transit users).

My point is that the city should add bike lanes so scooters don't need to ride on the sidewalks because the roads are not safe. The scooters have a warning written on them that says "Do not operate on sidewalks."

I am glad you haven't come close to being hit by a scooter, but I have and I am not alone. I have actually seen pedestrians and scooters crash near Tubman Square, and it is not pretty.

For clarification since there are about 50 comments on this thread....there are two "Landmark People" being talked about on the thread as though they are interchangable...they are not.

The Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee (NPLC) is a non profit local organization made up of largely newark residents (based on the trustees and board listed on the website). It has no governmental approval powers

www.newarklandmarks.org

The LANDMARK & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (LHPC) is also technically a non profit also made up of volunteers largely newark residents (based on who I know of personally on the website) but has governmental powers to approve or deny applications for demolition of buildings or change of exterior of old buildings or development of new buildings in their purview (anthing at all within a historic district, whether or not it is historic in nature on its own, and then anything "registered" all over the city even it it is not in a historic district)

https://www.newarknj.gov/card/landmark-historic-preservation-commission

Leaders for Life usually has a toy drive and should be accepting donations around this time.

Okay, I will have to look into contacting her! Thank you for your recommendation!

That kind of community is what I’m looking for, and it is what has been drawing me towards Newark! Thank you for sharing!