Chamber HappeningsOctober 2013

Volume XIV/Issue 10

Gubernatorial Candidates faCe off at first debate held at William Paterson university

Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce

PRSRT. STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPATERSON, N.J.

Permit No. 73

Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce100 Hamilton Plaza, Suite 1201Paterson, New Jersey 07505

To:

Address Service Requested

Inside This Issue... Continued... pg 3

fellow panelists were Alfred Doblin (The Record), Chris May (CBS) and John Schoonejongen (Asbury Park Press).

From the first question, it was clear that Johnson wanted this debate to be about substance instead of sound-bytes. As reading the first question to Senator Barbara Buono, she asked, “You are a democrat in a blue state, yet you are trailing in the polls by 30 per-cent. You’re going against a Republican Governor that has been endorsed by 49 elected democrats. Why are you having so many problems gaining traction?”

Buono first began by asking the people of NJ not to be fooled by late night television appearances, and glossy magazine covers, however Johnson interrupted the challenger saying, “Senator Buono, we only have so much time to answer each question. I really

would like to know why your campaign is having so much problem gaining traction.” While the crux of the question was never answered, Buono did say that the people on “Main Street” know that she understands their issues, dis-cussing her former experiences on wel-fare and using food stamps. She said, “I know their struggle, because I’ve lived it. And those are the people who are go-

ing to vote on November 5th.”

Johnson set her sights on Christie next, asking, “You champion an anti-bullying campaign, yet you’ve used words like stupid, idiot, jerk and you called one state senator an arrogant s.o.b. By using and choosing that type of language are you sapping the dignity out of the Gov-ernor’s office?”

Christie did not deny using what he characterized as plain, honest, and real talk. “For four years, I’ve looked people in the eye and told them the truth; sometimes truth that they weren’t com-fortable with. Folks need to know that if they act in a certain way they are going to be called out on it, and using direct and blunt language was something I’ve done my whole life and the way my mother raised me.”

William Paterson Univer-sity was host to the first Gubernatorial Debate between incumbent Re-publican Governor Chris Christie and Democrat challenger, Senator Bar-bara Buono, on October 8, 2013, after success-fully winning a very competitive bid process among New Jersey’s institutions of Higher Education.

President Kathleen Wal-dron commented prior to the debate saying, “We would like to thank the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission for selecting William Paterson to host one of the two gubernatorial debates. As a public university, an important part of our mission is providing opportunities for our students and all New Jersey citizens to be engaged members of their com-munities and of the State.”

This was the third time William Pater-son had been selected to host a guber-natorial debate. The University served as a site for a debate between Chris Christie, Jon Corzine and Chris Daggett in 2009, and Christie Whitman and Jim McGreevey in 1997. In addition, the University hosted the congressional debate between Rodney Frelinghuysen and John Arvanites in 2012.

The televised debate was moderated by Christine Johnson (CBS), and her

Works in Progress Breakfast... Pg 5.

DoWntoWn HalloWeen PumPkin PatcH... Pg. 10

William Paterson University’s Shea Auditorium served as backdrop for the first of two Gubernatorial Debates between incumbent Governor Chris Christie (R) and Senator Barbara

Buono (D), held by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, on October 8, 2013.

saVe tHe Date:GPCC’s 105th AnnuAl GAlA

sAturdAy, JAnuAry 25th

Greater Paterson Chamber of CommerCe

100 Hamilton Plaza, Suite 1201Paterson, NJ 07505

(T) 973-881-7300 (F) 973-881-8233gpcc@greaterpatersoncc.org

ExEcutivE Board of dirEctors:Jim White Jr., White & Shauger Inc.

Vice President/Finance

Irwin Bailey, EBCO Development Corp.Vice President/Retail

Teri Duda, Berkeley CollegeVice President/Education

George Waitts, Crown Roll Leaf Inc.Chairman

Ken Morris, St. Joseph’s Regional Medical CenterVP Governmental Affairs

dirEctors:mark boCChieri, vErizon

James Chappell, JC Printing

Patrick DeDeo, William Paterson University

Robert DeMers, Esq.

Matthew Evans, Evans Architect

Peter Garafano, Garafano Tank Services

Paul Harencak, CLI Group

Joseph Langan, River Drive Construction

Ken Morris Jr., St. Joseph’s Medical Center

Steve Rose, Passaic County Community College

Kimberly Rupp, TD Bank

Rick Ricca, Board Member Emeritus

Sean Ryan, Hanson & Ryan Inc.

Art Scialla Jr., Ace Reprographic Services

Michael Seeve, Mountain Development Corp

Dan Shiver, Shiver Real Estate Agency

Brett Straten, Associated Fire Protection Inc.

Everton Scott, Public Service Electric & Gas

Nick Tsapatsaris, Center City Partners, LLC

Nick Tselepis, Nicholas Real Estate

Don Vanderbeck Jr., C.J. Vanderbeck & Son Inc.

Mike Campbell, Columbia Bank

staff:James “Jamie” A.M. Dykes II

President

Sheri A. FerreiraAssociate Director/Editor, Chamber Happenings

Gladys BayonOffice Administrator

Chamber Happenings is published by The Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce. Our monthly

publication is THE source for today’s top business news and information as it relates to our members and

the Greater Paterson area.

Want Ink? Send us your announcements. What is new with you and your company? The GPCC wants to promote your goods and services. Are you an expert in your field? Do you have advice to lend to our mem-bers? If so, Chamber Happenings allows members to submit by-lined articles. Send your news, announce-

ments or by-lined articles to Chamber Happenings Editor, Sheri Ferreira at sheri@greaterpatersoncc.org or contact the Chamber via telephone: 973-881-7300.

© All Rights Reserved. If you would like a copy of an article that appeared in Chamber Happenings, for your

own project, please let us know.

Chamber Happenings

President’s Note: Our Upcoming Events

As you will read inside this issue of Chamber Happenings, the Chamber recently hosted the Works in Progress Breakfast this month. I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank Alma Bank, the event sponsor. Alma Bank not only opened their newest branch in Clif-ton this past month, but they also joined the GPCC.

I would also like to thank all who at-tended. My Board of Directors and I hope that the investment of your time was worth your while.

All four of our presenters repeated the same message in so many ways: Partner-ships are key to any sort of development within the City of Paterson. In the run-ning of our businesses and non-profits, we tend to work in silos. You have many departments: Finance, Sales and Mar-keting, Quality Control, Fundraising. If those departments work independently and don’t talk to each other, our compa-nies won’t work as efficiently as possible. Government is the same. If our municipal departments are not communicating ef-fectively with each other then we end up with an expensive, yet inferior service.

Our presenters all remarked on how important government cooperation was to their projects. I submit that not only do we need government cooperation to ensure development projects are effi-ciently progressing, but we should also be communicating more with each other about our projects.

Public private partnerships, such as Special Improve-ment District are one thing, but as businesses, if we pool resources when we can, exchange thoughts and springboard ideas off of each other, perhaps we can help each other achieve our target goals or address con-cerns more effectively.

I am proud to say that a great starting point for enhanced communication is to attend our Weekly Roundtable Luncheon. The ideas and thoughts exchanged at this lunch are the type to be turned into deals, or at the very least, relationships. Con-versations are often inspiring and always casual.

As your Chamber of Commerce, let us know what you or your organization is up to. If you have an existing concern or problem, perhaps we can help. We just may have another Chamber member who overcame the same concern and perhaps an introduction would be in order so you can hear sage advice from someone who’s been there!Contact me at the Chamber and let’s see how we can work together to improve the business and social conditions in our Greater Paterson area.

- Jamie

General Carbon Corp.33 Paterson St.

Paterson

Greater Paterson OIC175 Market St., Suite 400

Paterson

h & r Block tax services58 Preakness Shopping Center

Wayne

hammond & Burns, llC155 Willowbrook Blvd., Ste. 350

Wayne

Kontos Foods, Inc.P.O. Box 628

Paterson

longstreet development Corp.9 Mill St.Paterson

Main Fair Pharmacy87 Main StPaterson

Mcdonald’s restaurant(Crooks Ave.)265 Crooks Ave.

Paterson

Paterson Parking Authority125 Broadway, Suite 100

Paterson

reliant ribbon Corp.838 21st Ave.

Paterson

reno’s Appliance235 McLean Blvd.

Paterson

sealy Mattress Co. of new Jersey Inc .697 River St.

Paterson

skorr Products Inc.90 George St.

Paterson

sterling rental, llC746 River Street

Paterson

Thank You To Our September/October New And Renewing MembersBrite services Inc. dBA star laundry

421 E. 16th St.Paterson

Cablevsion Media sales40 Potash Road

Oakland

Cerna laundromat221 West Broadway

Paterson

City national Bank125 Broadway

Paterson

Conservative non-surgical spine Care922 Main Street, Suite 201

Paterson

Espinal Business services250 Madison Avenue

Paterson

Fourthgen Inc.202 12th Ave.

Paterson

2 11

The chamber’s Website is your source for all things happening in the

Paterson Business community!

www.greaterpatersoncc.org

Member SpotlightsMember Advertisements

Events CalendarRecent News

Links to Resources

10 3

Alfred Doblin, asking the second ques-tion of the night, stayed true to The Record’s editorial position on marriage equality by asking, “Governor, you’ve nominated an openly gay mayor, who supports marriage equality to the state supreme court, you were out-raged after the suicide of the gay Rut-gers student, Tyler Clementi, yet you still object to legalizing same sex mar-riage, preferring to see it as a voter referendum. To many gays in NJ these are mixed signals. Can you explain why who someone marries should be put to a voter referendum?”

Differing greatly on this subject from Buono, Christie said, “I believe in the institution of marriage between a man and a woman as it has been for 2,000 years. If we’re going to change that core definition of marriage, I don’t think that should be decided by 121 politicians in Trenton or 7 judges on the supreme court. It should be decided by the 8.8 million people of NJ and if they do decide to change the definition of marriage by referendum then I will support that law and that part of the constitution with the same vigor that I’ve done over the last four years with every other part.”

(On Friday, October 18th the Supreme Court ruled to not grant a stay sought by the Christie administration, which would prevent same sex from being made possible in the State of NJ as per the Defense of Marriage Act. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that DOMA was unconstitutional.)

While debate questions covered a var-ied range of topics, fiscal policy was at the heart of the 60-minute debate, al-lowing both candidates to criticize the way their opponent makes budgetary decisions.

First Senator Buono remarked, “I be-lieve millionaires should pay their fair share and fund middle class property tax relief. He doesn’t. I will never bal-ance my budget on the backs of the

middle class and the working poor as this governor has done.”

Governor Christie, always prepared with a counter, exclaimed, “I know Sen. Buono would never balance her budget that way. I had to balance her budget when I came in 2010 after she left a $2.2 billion deficit.”

A minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $8.25, which would affect Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce members a great deal, was also ad-dressed.

Buono called the current minimum wage a “starvation wage,” and said, “We live in one of the highest cost of living states in the nation, and it’s

unfortunate that this Governor has vetoed this legislation. He’s protect-ing millionaires and the wealthy and turning his back on the middle class and the working poor.”

Christie, who supports a $1.00 in-crease in the minimum wage, only if it is phased in over a three-year time frame replied, “I put forward a bipar-tisan compromise to the legislature, that said, ‘let’s raise the minimum wage over three years, let’s do it responsibly so businesses can plan that expense.’ And what doesn’t hap-pen is what the National Federation of Independent Businesses say, which we could lose 30,000 jobs by putting this $1.00 raise in effect at one time. Let’s do it responsibly so we don’t

Downtown HappeningsYou can experience Downtown Paterson on the web at www.shoppaterson.org

downtown Paterson businesses and merchants Partner with Center City mall to bring halloween event to downtown PatersonOn Saturday, October 26th, over 200 children and their families attended the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch at Center City Mall. The event, sponsored by the Mall and Downtown businesses provided a three hour event of crafts, free goody bags, and a pumpkin carving contest for Paterson’s amateur carvers. The festively decorated space served as a nice backdrop for Halloween pictures as well.

Families lined up more than two hours in advance to participate, a sign that the event was well anticipated by the community.

While children decorated their pump-kins and were entertained by a romaing magician and comedian, over 25 pump-kin carvers were concentrating on their

creations.

In the end three winners were selected. First place winner Nyfisah Deaveareau won two season passes to Six Flags Great Adventure, a $100 cash prize, and a trophy. Second place winner John Hernandez won a $75 cash prize and trophy, and third place winner Isabel

Marroquin won a $50 cash prize and trophy.

Pictures of the event can be found on the Downtown Paterson and Center City Facebook pages.

downtown Paterson’s Christmas tree set to arrive soon

Each year the City of Paterson’s Christmas tree is sposnored by the businesses and merchants of Downtown Paterson, and it’s delivery is a pretty significant undertaking.

The 35-foot Spruce tree will travel from a tree farm in Canada and will arrive at City Hall on Thursday, November 7th, where the Department of Public Works Shade Tree division will implant it in the ground in City Hall Plaza, and then begin the process of decorating the tree to prepare it for the November 30th Tree Lighting Ceremony. A festive occassion, the tree lighting coin-cides with Small Business Saturday, a nation-wide initiative to encourage support of local businesses.

Downtown Paterson will be the hub for holiday activities be-tween Nov. 30th and December 25th, and will include pictures with Santa Claus, Victorian Carolers on weekends, complimen-tary hot chocolate, and story time with the Elf on the Shelf, to name a few.

Details will be posted shortly on the Downtown Paterson Face-book page and through local advertising. For more information call the Downtown Paterson SID at 973-881-7300.

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hurt businesses that employ these people from the beginning.”

As with most debates, it’s an op-portunity for candidates to show vigor while facing off. Senator Buono delivered some sound byte worthy moments, such as asking Governor Christie to “man up” and show a “profile of courage,” when relating to marriage equal-ity. Members of the media, such as Charles Stiles, columnist for the Record newspaper said Christie played it safe, which may have paid off. A Quinnipiac University Poll showed that Christie maintained a 26% lead over Buono after the debate. Agreeing, was Jamie Dykes, President of the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce, who said, “Both candidates played it safe, and I don’t think anybody’s opinion

bers of the Chamber and friends to attend the 12th Annual Post-Election event sponsored by Berkeley College on November 6th at 11:30 A.M. at the Brownstone. Details of this event, which has a track record of providing great insight into election results, can be found on the Chamber website at www.greaterpatersoncc.org. CH

was changed that night.”

Dykes also expressed his con-gratulations to WPUNJ, especially Patrick DeDeo, a member of the Chamber Board of Directors and the University’s Director of External Affairs, who was instru-mental to the competitive bid process and implementation of the debate. He said, “William Paterson University put on a well-organized gubernatorial debate. As an attendee, I was impressed with the process and detailed thought put into running such a high-profile event. They and their media partners asked both can-didates fair and tough questions and persisted with the candidates to make sure that the questions were answered.”

The Chamber invites all mem-

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berkeley College opens Clifton locationMore than 125 dignitaries, including busi-ness and civic leaders from the commu-nity, celebrated the grand opening of the Clifton location of the Berkeley College School of Health Studies located at 600 Getty Avenue on Thursday, October 10.

“The new Berkeley College location in Clifton, specializing in Health Studies, is a reflection of the commitment of Berkeley College to bringing students in Passaic County and in the New York metropolitan region quality academic offerings that fos-ter career opportunities in growth sectors such as healthcare,” said Dario A. Cortes, President, Berkeley College.

“The enrollment at the Clifton location, with a total of 631 students, including 187 new students, underscores the demand for degree offerings in health sciences and medical technology professions,” said Dr. Cortes, adding, “Berkeley College, with its global student reach, diverse faculty and specialized academic offerings, supports students at every stage of their develop-ment. In addition to classroom learning, students gain hands-on clinical experience and assistance with job placement and career advancement.”

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GPCC’s Works in ProGress breakfast, sPonsored by alma bank, alloWs develoPers to disCuss Current suCCessful ProjeCtsIt was a packed room of interested business owners, developers, finan-ciers and non-profits at the Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse the morning of the Greater Paterson Chamber of Com-merce’s Works in Progress Breakfast. This event, once spearheaded by the Paterson Alliance, was revitalized after several years of dormancy by the Chamber in an effort to bring to light successful development projects in the City of Paterson.

Alma Bank, which recently opened its first Passaic County branch in Clifton at 1133 Main Street, sponsored the event.

Developers like Steve Valiotis of Alma Realty Corp., have spent significant capital taking on projects within the City without looking back, and if keynote speaker William Procida is cor-rect, more developers will follow.“Paterson is one of the greatest places to invest in America,” said Procida, who has already invested $5 million in Paterson’s 4th Ward and is looking to invest more. Procida, who got his start in development in Fort Apache (South Bronx) when he was the only devel-oper who responded to an RFP to build for-sale housing.

During the mid-70s the South Bronx averaged 12,000 fires per year. In 1977 race riots had erupted, two-third of the population had fled and the streets were seemingly owned by teenage gangs: Savage Skulls, Savage Nomads, Outlaws, and many others. The area around the 41st precinct had become known as Fort Apache, invoking images of lawlessness and hopelessness. “Fort Apache back then makes Paterson look like Short Hills,” said Procida.

The unfiltered, candidly speaking de-veloper said he did something no other developer did. He made the local gangs his partners, by making them a part of the development. “I said to the gangs, ‘you be my security team.’ Not only

did these guys become my security force, but I said to them, ‘you see that building? Go buy that. Reno-vate it. Own it.’ And they did.”

Procida has been setting up meet-ings with local gang representatives in Paterson’s 4th Ward because he wants to encourage them to pick up shovels and put their money into development. “You make the streets safe, you get rich. You make the streets safe, kids stop getting shot. What we’re doing now in America is not working. If I had a magic wand, I would take every gang and make them into real estate developers.”

Procida is currently investing in the development projects of Charles Florio of JCM Investors 1012, LLC, and he pub-licly thanked 4th Ward Councilwoman Ruby Cotton, who he says has been very helpful. Asking Charles to stand, he re-marked, “This guy is changing Paterson block by block, house by house.”

Procida wrapped up with some sug-gestions. He indicated that Paterson

needs to put banks on notice. “I would get a law firm to sue every bank in this town that is not maintaining properties they own. These buildings produce no income and they are causing human de-spair. A kid walking by a vacant unmain-tained building is not inspired.”

He also suggested the Mayor target the Downtown train station for develop-ment, saying “You have a train station. We’re not going to be driving in 20 years because we won’t be able to afford it. Work around the train station.”

With an eye toward developing the area around St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, CEO, William McDonald, was at one time looking to double the amount of train stations in Paterson. That morn-ing however, McDonald showcased the projects that were underway in the part of Paterson known as Redevelopment Area number 11.

“We are really excited about what we think the opportunities are,” said McDonald while announcing that St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center will be the first new medical school in the State of NJ in 32 years. He said, “Our hope is to train the folks who will take care of

William Paterson University has been awarded $3.2 million in a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement to support the development, enhancement and expansion of in-novative programs to recruit, train, and mentor principals for high-needs school districts. The Univer-sity is one of 20 projects funded nationwide.

“There are no great schools with-out great principals and teachers,” says Arne Duncan, U. S. Education Secretary. “High quality examples of leadership can help shape a school’s culture and create an environment where students are excited to learn. These grants aim to support the development of these leaders, ultimately improv-ing the effectiveness of educators and the academic achievement of students.”

Funds from the “Leaders as Learn-ers” grant will support master’s degrees in educational leadership for 40 Paterson Public Schools (PPS) teachers. In addition, this

project is designed to support the career progression of educators through mentoring of new school leaders and collaborative planning and delivery of Leaders as Learn-ers Institutes. The grant provides onsite, continuing support for a five-year period to the PPS through its innovative leaders-in-residence program, in which William Paterson (WP) faculty who are embedded in Paterson schools, will work col-laboratively in Paterson schools with professors in residence and with district teachers and leaders to continuously improve school climate, to help retain teachers and leaders, and to boost student success.

“We are pleased to have such solid partnerships with the PPS and are thrilled that we have received the support of the U.S. Department of Education for innovation in leader-ship preparation,” says Candace Burns, dean of the College of Education at William Paterson. “We owe great thanks to Donnie Evans, state district superintendent of the PPS, for his dedication to educa-tor advancement. As partners, WP and PPS can continue to provide

the highest quality programs and sup-portive communities for teachers, school leaders, and the

students whom we serve.”The DOE awarded the grant as part of the School Leadership Program, which supports the development, enhancement, and expansion of in-novative programs to recruit, train, and mentor principals and assistant principals for high-need schools and districts. Grantees include school districts, institutes of higher education and non-profit organiza-tions.

William Paterson University, one of the nine state colleges and universities in New Jersey, offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs through five colleges: Arts and Communication, Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health. Located on 370 hill-top acres in Wayne, the university enrolls more than 11,500 students and provides housing for nearly 2,700 students. The institution’s 400 full-time faculty are highly distinguished and diverse scholars and teachers, many of whom are recipients of prestigious awards and grants from the Fulbright Pro-gram, the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.

u.s. department of education awards William Paterson university’s College of education $3.2 million five-year Grant to Prepare and support educational leaders in Partnership with Paterson Public schools

investment Banker, and former protege of donald trump, William procida served as the keynote speaker at the Works in progress Breakfast.

William Mcdonald, Ceo of St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center announced that the hospital will become nJ’s first medical school in 32 years, which will bring many economic oppotunities to the area.

“Paterson is one of the Greatest Places to invest in america”

- William Procida -

Coming Soon to Downtown PatersonVictorian Christmas Carolers!

Weekends in December!

Continued... pg 6

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our people.”

With a focus on medical education, area number 11 will be a one stop for students and medical residents. McDonald detailed housing develop-ments within the area, where medical students will live. To meet the needs of the students and other residents, a Walgreens is currently being built on Main Street. Additional retail will be developed in the residential buildings between Barclay and Marshall Streets. In the pipeline, a group of investors from China, who established a medical school in New York City two years ago, approached St. Joseph’s and accord-ing to McDonald, is currently working with The Paterson School District to establish a medical high school.

Paterson has heard a lot of about the Medical Missions for Children Hotel development, which will be located on

the hospital campus. “Hopefully the State EDA will approve the funding of that during their November or Decem-ber meeting,” said McDonald.

“Being a major economic engine for the City of Paterson we think we can bring things back to the City of Paterson and help grow the city,” said McDonald.

McDonald is not alone in his thinking. The Association of American Medical Colleges recently published an article entitled, “Alignment of Academic Medical Centers and Cities is Key to Economic Growth.” The author, Dr., Ricardo Azzi is a professor medical pro-fessor, President and CEO of Georgia Health Sciences Health System, writes, “The successful alignment among the medical school and teaching hospital, affiliated university, and its home city will be paramount to achieving growth in this highly recessive and competi-tive environment. Faced with a similar

set of circumstances, both academic medical centers and cities must find ways to navigate the “new normal.” Those able to cultivate rela-tionships that mutually benefit both the uni-

versity and the city will find that their institutions will not only survive through budgetary shortfalls, but grow.”

Perhaps the author knows what Stu-art Koperweis, another speaker at the Works in Progress Breakfast, believes. He says, that public-private partner-ships are key to revitalizing an area and encouraging development. Koperweis is Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Revitalization at Mil-lennium Strategies.

Millennium Strategies was recently se-lected by the Paterson Restoration Cor-poration (PRC) to do feasibility studies to create two new Special Improvement Districts and to study additional areas for such public-private partnerships. Koperweis explained how SIDs coordi-nates services between stakeholders and municipalities, services such as, but not limited to special events, marketing, clean and safe initiatives, and some-times business recruitment. Ultimately the activities of a SID will encourage investment.

“SIDs help to make a corridor a destina-tion,” he explained and called Bryant Park to mind. Two special improvement districts currently exist in the City of Paterson in the Bunker Hill Industrial section and Downtown Paterson. Ko-perweis and Millennium Strategies are conducting feasibility studies of 21st Avenue, and South Paterson.

“Other areas may not be ready for SIDs, but we will be doing retail audits of those areas,” said Koperweis.

No stranger to Paterson’s retail areas is Kat Valiotis, Property Manager of Cen-ter City Mall, who was called upon to discuss Alma Realty’s current projects in the City. As the largest property owner in the City, Alma is uniquely positioned to give a well-rounded perspective of Paterson’s retail, commercial, and resi-dential development opportunities.

Just as the presenters before her, Vali-otis indicated that a cooperating Build-ing Department and other City offices are key to moving projects forward.

Valiotis described Alma’s new market-rate apartments, all 240 of them at their Beech Street building, which will be on the market in a few months. “84 percent of Paterson’s housing was built prior to 1970. Only 736 units were added in the 1990s. Residents want something new,” said Valiotis.

Attendees seemed particularly impressed by Alma’s mixed-use de-velopment at 297 Getty Avenue, which some will remember as the old Continental Can com-plex. Currently an unat-tractive building from the outside, Valiotis pre-sented a more attractive, customer-friendly ren-dering of the facility that Alma is aiming toward. The 700,000 square foot commercial property is being retrofitted for retail and education use as well.

Rounding out the morning was a spe-cial presentation by the US Conference of Mayors, a non-partisan organization representing Mayors of Cities with populations over 30,000. The Confer-ence sent three representatives to present Mayor Jeffery Jones with the Small Business Initiative Award, and

attributed the presenta-tion to the Mayor’s host-ing of small business forums, small business roundtables, and host-ing foreign dignitaries to encourage trade.

While ac-cepting the award Jones remarked on the ways in which his administra-tion is looking to ensure that all parties have skin in the game. He discussed the furloughs taken by City employees, and the

increases in taxes. “We have $2.7 bil-lion in uncollected money because of exemptions from 501c3s and others. We are going to be looking at a service fee for those properties.”

He also warned that property own-ers will soon be receiving notification about property violations. “You need to pick up and take care of yours.” As Jones explained, every time DPW has to redo a particular job because the community doesn’t maintain it, it is time and money wasted.

The Mayor also took the opportunity to report that crime is down 13 per-cent across the board, but he stressed that his administration is not satisfied and will continue to work hard.

The Mayor thanked the Chamber for arranging the Works in Progress Break-fast and indicated that he was excited about the conversations that were started at the event.

Meanwhile, over 150 business leaders, non-profits networked over an impres-sive breakfast buffet at the Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse. The Chamber was encouraged by the level of discussions and introductions being made. Jamie Dykes, president of the GPCC encour-aged attendees to keep the level of conversations up, by also attending the Chamber’s weekly Roundtable luncheon (also held at H&W). For more information on upcoming events and opportunities visit the Chamber web-site: www.greaterpatersoncc.org. CH

Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerceinvites you to lunch!

Join us on each Wednesday 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for our

Business Roundtable Lunchat

Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse in Center City Mall in Downtown Paterson.

Valet parking is available outside the Steakhouse entrance on Ward Street

We’ll talk Business IssuesGet to know each other

Build relationships and friendships

Guests will order off the Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse lunch menu, and pay the restaurant directly

For more information, call the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce at 973-881-7300 or e-mail us at jamie@greaterpatersoncc.org

For more information about Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce events and services: www.greaterpatersoncc.org

DISPLAY YOUR MARKETING OR SALES MAILER IN CHAMBER HAPPENINGS TO REACH A TARGETED AUDIENCE!

Less than the cost of postage!$160.00 - Chamber Member rate

$110 - Non-profit rate

Advertisers who have taken advantage of this program this month are:

Sterling RentalBascom Corporation

Pfister Roofing

Simply supply us with 1,000 color copies (2-sided) OR we can produce the color copies in our office for a small fee.

CALL 973-881-7300 for more information

over 150 people attended the Works in progress Breakfast and enjoyed the networking oppor-tunities. pictured here is Linton gaines, a local realtor, Leah dade, executive director of the paterson Alliance and Bob Belmont, also a local realtor.

Kat valiots, property Manager of Alma Realty showcases recent Alma development projects.

Mayor Jeffery Jones receives the Small Business initiatives Award from The u.S. Conference of Mayors at the Works in progess Breakfast on oct. 24th.

Continued... pg 7

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our people.”

With a focus on medical education, area number 11 will be a one stop for students and medical residents. McDonald detailed housing develop-ments within the area, where medical students will live. To meet the needs of the students and other residents, a Walgreens is currently being built on Main Street. Additional retail will be developed in the residential buildings between Barclay and Marshall Streets. In the pipeline, a group of investors from China, who established a medical school in New York City two years ago, approached St. Joseph’s and accord-ing to McDonald, is currently working with The Paterson School District to establish a medical high school.

Paterson has heard a lot of about the Medical Missions for Children Hotel development, which will be located on

the hospital campus. “Hopefully the State EDA will approve the funding of that during their November or Decem-ber meeting,” said McDonald.

“Being a major economic engine for the City of Paterson we think we can bring things back to the City of Paterson and help grow the city,” said McDonald.

McDonald is not alone in his thinking. The Association of American Medical Colleges recently published an article entitled, “Alignment of Academic Medical Centers and Cities is Key to Economic Growth.” The author, Dr., Ricardo Azzi is a professor medical pro-fessor, President and CEO of Georgia Health Sciences Health System, writes, “The successful alignment among the medical school and teaching hospital, affiliated university, and its home city will be paramount to achieving growth in this highly recessive and competi-tive environment. Faced with a similar

set of circumstances, both academic medical centers and cities must find ways to navigate the “new normal.” Those able to cultivate rela-tionships that mutually benefit both the uni-

versity and the city will find that their institutions will not only survive through budgetary shortfalls, but grow.”

Perhaps the author knows what Stu-art Koperweis, another speaker at the Works in Progress Breakfast, believes. He says, that public-private partner-ships are key to revitalizing an area and encouraging development. Koperweis is Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Revitalization at Mil-lennium Strategies.

Millennium Strategies was recently se-lected by the Paterson Restoration Cor-poration (PRC) to do feasibility studies to create two new Special Improvement Districts and to study additional areas for such public-private partnerships. Koperweis explained how SIDs coordi-nates services between stakeholders and municipalities, services such as, but not limited to special events, marketing, clean and safe initiatives, and some-times business recruitment. Ultimately the activities of a SID will encourage investment.

“SIDs help to make a corridor a destina-tion,” he explained and called Bryant Park to mind. Two special improvement districts currently exist in the City of Paterson in the Bunker Hill Industrial section and Downtown Paterson. Ko-perweis and Millennium Strategies are conducting feasibility studies of 21st Avenue, and South Paterson.

“Other areas may not be ready for SIDs, but we will be doing retail audits of those areas,” said Koperweis.

No stranger to Paterson’s retail areas is Kat Valiotis, Property Manager of Cen-ter City Mall, who was called upon to discuss Alma Realty’s current projects in the City. As the largest property owner in the City, Alma is uniquely positioned to give a well-rounded perspective of Paterson’s retail, commercial, and resi-dential development opportunities.

Just as the presenters before her, Vali-otis indicated that a cooperating Build-ing Department and other City offices are key to moving projects forward.

Valiotis described Alma’s new market-rate apartments, all 240 of them at their Beech Street building, which will be on the market in a few months. “84 percent of Paterson’s housing was built prior to 1970. Only 736 units were added in the 1990s. Residents want something new,” said Valiotis.

Attendees seemed particularly impressed by Alma’s mixed-use de-velopment at 297 Getty Avenue, which some will remember as the old Continental Can com-plex. Currently an unat-tractive building from the outside, Valiotis pre-sented a more attractive, customer-friendly ren-dering of the facility that Alma is aiming toward. The 700,000 square foot commercial property is being retrofitted for retail and education use as well.

Rounding out the morning was a spe-cial presentation by the US Conference of Mayors, a non-partisan organization representing Mayors of Cities with populations over 30,000. The Confer-ence sent three representatives to present Mayor Jeffery Jones with the Small Business Initiative Award, and

attributed the presenta-tion to the Mayor’s host-ing of small business forums, small business roundtables, and host-ing foreign dignitaries to encourage trade.

While ac-cepting the award Jones remarked on the ways in which his administra-tion is looking to ensure that all parties have skin in the game. He discussed the furloughs taken by City employees, and the

increases in taxes. “We have $2.7 bil-lion in uncollected money because of exemptions from 501c3s and others. We are going to be looking at a service fee for those properties.”

He also warned that property own-ers will soon be receiving notification about property violations. “You need to pick up and take care of yours.” As Jones explained, every time DPW has to redo a particular job because the community doesn’t maintain it, it is time and money wasted.

The Mayor also took the opportunity to report that crime is down 13 per-cent across the board, but he stressed that his administration is not satisfied and will continue to work hard.

The Mayor thanked the Chamber for arranging the Works in Progress Break-fast and indicated that he was excited about the conversations that were started at the event.

Meanwhile, over 150 business leaders, non-profits networked over an impres-sive breakfast buffet at the Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse. The Chamber was encouraged by the level of discussions and introductions being made. Jamie Dykes, president of the GPCC encour-aged attendees to keep the level of conversations up, by also attending the Chamber’s weekly Roundtable luncheon (also held at H&W). For more information on upcoming events and opportunities visit the Chamber web-site: www.greaterpatersoncc.org. CH

Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerceinvites you to lunch!

Join us on each Wednesday 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for our

Business Roundtable Lunchat

Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse in Center City Mall in Downtown Paterson.

Valet parking is available outside the Steakhouse entrance on Ward Street

We’ll talk Business IssuesGet to know each other

Build relationships and friendships

Guests will order off the Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse lunch menu, and pay the restaurant directly

For more information, call the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce at 973-881-7300 or e-mail us at jamie@greaterpatersoncc.org

For more information about Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce events and services: www.greaterpatersoncc.org

DISPLAY YOUR MARKETING OR SALES MAILER IN CHAMBER HAPPENINGS TO REACH A TARGETED AUDIENCE!

Less than the cost of postage!$160.00 - Chamber Member rate

$110 - Non-profit rate

Advertisers who have taken advantage of this program this month are:

Sterling RentalBascom Corporation

Pfister Roofing

Simply supply us with 1,000 color copies (2-sided) OR we can produce the color copies in our office for a small fee.

CALL 973-881-7300 for more information

over 150 people attended the Works in progress Breakfast and enjoyed the networking oppor-tunities. pictured here is Linton gaines, a local realtor, Leah dade, executive director of the paterson Alliance and Bob Belmont, also a local realtor.

Kat valiots, property Manager of Alma Realty showcases recent Alma development projects.

Mayor Jeffery Jones receives the Small Business initiatives Award from The u.S. Conference of Mayors at the Works in progess Breakfast on oct. 24th.

Continued... pg 7

FRoM pRogReSS... pg 6 FRoM pRogReSS... pg 6

58

GPCC’s Works in ProGress breakfast, sPonsored by alma bank, alloWs develoPers to disCuss Current suCCessful ProjeCtsIt was a packed room of interested business owners, developers, finan-ciers and non-profits at the Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse the morning of the Greater Paterson Chamber of Com-merce’s Works in Progress Breakfast. This event, once spearheaded by the Paterson Alliance, was revitalized after several years of dormancy by the Chamber in an effort to bring to light successful development projects in the City of Paterson.

Alma Bank, which recently opened its first Passaic County branch in Clifton at 1133 Main Street, sponsored the event.

Developers like Steve Valiotis of Alma Realty Corp., have spent significant capital taking on projects within the City without looking back, and if keynote speaker William Procida is cor-rect, more developers will follow.“Paterson is one of the greatest places to invest in America,” said Procida, who has already invested $5 million in Paterson’s 4th Ward and is looking to invest more. Procida, who got his start in development in Fort Apache (South Bronx) when he was the only devel-oper who responded to an RFP to build for-sale housing.

During the mid-70s the South Bronx averaged 12,000 fires per year. In 1977 race riots had erupted, two-third of the population had fled and the streets were seemingly owned by teenage gangs: Savage Skulls, Savage Nomads, Outlaws, and many others. The area around the 41st precinct had become known as Fort Apache, invoking images of lawlessness and hopelessness. “Fort Apache back then makes Paterson look like Short Hills,” said Procida.

The unfiltered, candidly speaking de-veloper said he did something no other developer did. He made the local gangs his partners, by making them a part of the development. “I said to the gangs, ‘you be my security team.’ Not only

did these guys become my security force, but I said to them, ‘you see that building? Go buy that. Reno-vate it. Own it.’ And they did.”

Procida has been setting up meet-ings with local gang representatives in Paterson’s 4th Ward because he wants to encourage them to pick up shovels and put their money into development. “You make the streets safe, you get rich. You make the streets safe, kids stop getting shot. What we’re doing now in America is not working. If I had a magic wand, I would take every gang and make them into real estate developers.”

Procida is currently investing in the development projects of Charles Florio of JCM Investors 1012, LLC, and he pub-licly thanked 4th Ward Councilwoman Ruby Cotton, who he says has been very helpful. Asking Charles to stand, he re-marked, “This guy is changing Paterson block by block, house by house.”

Procida wrapped up with some sug-gestions. He indicated that Paterson

needs to put banks on notice. “I would get a law firm to sue every bank in this town that is not maintaining properties they own. These buildings produce no income and they are causing human de-spair. A kid walking by a vacant unmain-tained building is not inspired.”

He also suggested the Mayor target the Downtown train station for develop-ment, saying “You have a train station. We’re not going to be driving in 20 years because we won’t be able to afford it. Work around the train station.”

With an eye toward developing the area around St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, CEO, William McDonald, was at one time looking to double the amount of train stations in Paterson. That morn-ing however, McDonald showcased the projects that were underway in the part of Paterson known as Redevelopment Area number 11.

“We are really excited about what we think the opportunities are,” said McDonald while announcing that St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center will be the first new medical school in the State of NJ in 32 years. He said, “Our hope is to train the folks who will take care of

William Paterson University has been awarded $3.2 million in a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement to support the development, enhancement and expansion of in-novative programs to recruit, train, and mentor principals for high-needs school districts. The Univer-sity is one of 20 projects funded nationwide.

“There are no great schools with-out great principals and teachers,” says Arne Duncan, U. S. Education Secretary. “High quality examples of leadership can help shape a school’s culture and create an environment where students are excited to learn. These grants aim to support the development of these leaders, ultimately improv-ing the effectiveness of educators and the academic achievement of students.”

Funds from the “Leaders as Learn-ers” grant will support master’s degrees in educational leadership for 40 Paterson Public Schools (PPS) teachers. In addition, this

project is designed to support the career progression of educators through mentoring of new school leaders and collaborative planning and delivery of Leaders as Learn-ers Institutes. The grant provides onsite, continuing support for a five-year period to the PPS through its innovative leaders-in-residence program, in which William Paterson (WP) faculty who are embedded in Paterson schools, will work col-laboratively in Paterson schools with professors in residence and with district teachers and leaders to continuously improve school climate, to help retain teachers and leaders, and to boost student success.

“We are pleased to have such solid partnerships with the PPS and are thrilled that we have received the support of the U.S. Department of Education for innovation in leader-ship preparation,” says Candace Burns, dean of the College of Education at William Paterson. “We owe great thanks to Donnie Evans, state district superintendent of the PPS, for his dedication to educa-tor advancement. As partners, WP and PPS can continue to provide

the highest quality programs and sup-portive communities for teachers, school leaders, and the

students whom we serve.”The DOE awarded the grant as part of the School Leadership Program, which supports the development, enhancement, and expansion of in-novative programs to recruit, train, and mentor principals and assistant principals for high-need schools and districts. Grantees include school districts, institutes of higher education and non-profit organiza-tions.

William Paterson University, one of the nine state colleges and universities in New Jersey, offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs through five colleges: Arts and Communication, Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health. Located on 370 hill-top acres in Wayne, the university enrolls more than 11,500 students and provides housing for nearly 2,700 students. The institution’s 400 full-time faculty are highly distinguished and diverse scholars and teachers, many of whom are recipients of prestigious awards and grants from the Fulbright Pro-gram, the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.

u.s. department of education awards William Paterson university’s College of education $3.2 million five-year Grant to Prepare and support educational leaders in Partnership with Paterson Public schools

investment Banker, and former protege of donald trump, William procida served as the keynote speaker at the Works in progress Breakfast.

William Mcdonald, Ceo of St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center announced that the hospital will become nJ’s first medical school in 32 years, which will bring many economic oppotunities to the area.

“Paterson is one of the Greatest Places to invest in america”

- William Procida -

Coming Soon to Downtown PatersonVictorian Christmas Carolers!

Weekends in December!

Continued... pg 6

4 9

hurt businesses that employ these people from the beginning.”

As with most debates, it’s an op-portunity for candidates to show vigor while facing off. Senator Buono delivered some sound byte worthy moments, such as asking Governor Christie to “man up” and show a “profile of courage,” when relating to marriage equal-ity. Members of the media, such as Charles Stiles, columnist for the Record newspaper said Christie played it safe, which may have paid off. A Quinnipiac University Poll showed that Christie maintained a 26% lead over Buono after the debate. Agreeing, was Jamie Dykes, President of the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce, who said, “Both candidates played it safe, and I don’t think anybody’s opinion

bers of the Chamber and friends to attend the 12th Annual Post-Election event sponsored by Berkeley College on November 6th at 11:30 A.M. at the Brownstone. Details of this event, which has a track record of providing great insight into election results, can be found on the Chamber website at www.greaterpatersoncc.org. CH

was changed that night.”

Dykes also expressed his con-gratulations to WPUNJ, especially Patrick DeDeo, a member of the Chamber Board of Directors and the University’s Director of External Affairs, who was instru-mental to the competitive bid process and implementation of the debate. He said, “William Paterson University put on a well-organized gubernatorial debate. As an attendee, I was impressed with the process and detailed thought put into running such a high-profile event. They and their media partners asked both can-didates fair and tough questions and persisted with the candidates to make sure that the questions were answered.”

The Chamber invites all mem-

FRoM deBAte... pg. 3

berkeley College opens Clifton locationMore than 125 dignitaries, including busi-ness and civic leaders from the commu-nity, celebrated the grand opening of the Clifton location of the Berkeley College School of Health Studies located at 600 Getty Avenue on Thursday, October 10.

“The new Berkeley College location in Clifton, specializing in Health Studies, is a reflection of the commitment of Berkeley College to bringing students in Passaic County and in the New York metropolitan region quality academic offerings that fos-ter career opportunities in growth sectors such as healthcare,” said Dario A. Cortes, President, Berkeley College.

“The enrollment at the Clifton location, with a total of 631 students, including 187 new students, underscores the demand for degree offerings in health sciences and medical technology professions,” said Dr. Cortes, adding, “Berkeley College, with its global student reach, diverse faculty and specialized academic offerings, supports students at every stage of their develop-ment. In addition to classroom learning, students gain hands-on clinical experience and assistance with job placement and career advancement.”

10 3

Alfred Doblin, asking the second ques-tion of the night, stayed true to The Record’s editorial position on marriage equality by asking, “Governor, you’ve nominated an openly gay mayor, who supports marriage equality to the state supreme court, you were out-raged after the suicide of the gay Rut-gers student, Tyler Clementi, yet you still object to legalizing same sex mar-riage, preferring to see it as a voter referendum. To many gays in NJ these are mixed signals. Can you explain why who someone marries should be put to a voter referendum?”

Differing greatly on this subject from Buono, Christie said, “I believe in the institution of marriage between a man and a woman as it has been for 2,000 years. If we’re going to change that core definition of marriage, I don’t think that should be decided by 121 politicians in Trenton or 7 judges on the supreme court. It should be decided by the 8.8 million people of NJ and if they do decide to change the definition of marriage by referendum then I will support that law and that part of the constitution with the same vigor that I’ve done over the last four years with every other part.”

(On Friday, October 18th the Supreme Court ruled to not grant a stay sought by the Christie administration, which would prevent same sex from being made possible in the State of NJ as per the Defense of Marriage Act. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that DOMA was unconstitutional.)

While debate questions covered a var-ied range of topics, fiscal policy was at the heart of the 60-minute debate, al-lowing both candidates to criticize the way their opponent makes budgetary decisions.

First Senator Buono remarked, “I be-lieve millionaires should pay their fair share and fund middle class property tax relief. He doesn’t. I will never bal-ance my budget on the backs of the

middle class and the working poor as this governor has done.”

Governor Christie, always prepared with a counter, exclaimed, “I know Sen. Buono would never balance her budget that way. I had to balance her budget when I came in 2010 after she left a $2.2 billion deficit.”

A minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $8.25, which would affect Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce members a great deal, was also ad-dressed.

Buono called the current minimum wage a “starvation wage,” and said, “We live in one of the highest cost of living states in the nation, and it’s

unfortunate that this Governor has vetoed this legislation. He’s protect-ing millionaires and the wealthy and turning his back on the middle class and the working poor.”

Christie, who supports a $1.00 in-crease in the minimum wage, only if it is phased in over a three-year time frame replied, “I put forward a bipar-tisan compromise to the legislature, that said, ‘let’s raise the minimum wage over three years, let’s do it responsibly so businesses can plan that expense.’ And what doesn’t hap-pen is what the National Federation of Independent Businesses say, which we could lose 30,000 jobs by putting this $1.00 raise in effect at one time. Let’s do it responsibly so we don’t

Downtown HappeningsYou can experience Downtown Paterson on the web at www.shoppaterson.org

downtown Paterson businesses and merchants Partner with Center City mall to bring halloween event to downtown PatersonOn Saturday, October 26th, over 200 children and their families attended the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch at Center City Mall. The event, sponsored by the Mall and Downtown businesses provided a three hour event of crafts, free goody bags, and a pumpkin carving contest for Paterson’s amateur carvers. The festively decorated space served as a nice backdrop for Halloween pictures as well.

Families lined up more than two hours in advance to participate, a sign that the event was well anticipated by the community.

While children decorated their pump-kins and were entertained by a romaing magician and comedian, over 25 pump-kin carvers were concentrating on their

creations.

In the end three winners were selected. First place winner Nyfisah Deaveareau won two season passes to Six Flags Great Adventure, a $100 cash prize, and a trophy. Second place winner John Hernandez won a $75 cash prize and trophy, and third place winner Isabel

Marroquin won a $50 cash prize and trophy.

Pictures of the event can be found on the Downtown Paterson and Center City Facebook pages.

downtown Paterson’s Christmas tree set to arrive soon

Each year the City of Paterson’s Christmas tree is sposnored by the businesses and merchants of Downtown Paterson, and it’s delivery is a pretty significant undertaking.

The 35-foot Spruce tree will travel from a tree farm in Canada and will arrive at City Hall on Thursday, November 7th, where the Department of Public Works Shade Tree division will implant it in the ground in City Hall Plaza, and then begin the process of decorating the tree to prepare it for the November 30th Tree Lighting Ceremony. A festive occassion, the tree lighting coin-cides with Small Business Saturday, a nation-wide initiative to encourage support of local businesses.

Downtown Paterson will be the hub for holiday activities be-tween Nov. 30th and December 25th, and will include pictures with Santa Claus, Victorian Carolers on weekends, complimen-tary hot chocolate, and story time with the Elf on the Shelf, to name a few.

Details will be posted shortly on the Downtown Paterson Face-book page and through local advertising. For more information call the Downtown Paterson SID at 973-881-7300.

Continued... pg 4

FRoM deBAte... CoveR

Greater Paterson Chamber of CommerCe

100 Hamilton Plaza, Suite 1201Paterson, NJ 07505

(T) 973-881-7300 (F) 973-881-8233gpcc@greaterpatersoncc.org

ExEcutivE Board of dirEctors:Jim White Jr., White & Shauger Inc.

Vice President/Finance

Irwin Bailey, EBCO Development Corp.Vice President/Retail

Teri Duda, Berkeley CollegeVice President/Education

George Waitts, Crown Roll Leaf Inc.Chairman

Ken Morris, St. Joseph’s Regional Medical CenterVP Governmental Affairs

dirEctors:mark boCChieri, vErizon

James Chappell, JC Printing

Patrick DeDeo, William Paterson University

Robert DeMers, Esq.

Matthew Evans, Evans Architect

Peter Garafano, Garafano Tank Services

Paul Harencak, CLI Group

Joseph Langan, River Drive Construction

Ken Morris Jr., St. Joseph’s Medical Center

Steve Rose, Passaic County Community College

Kimberly Rupp, TD Bank

Rick Ricca, Board Member Emeritus

Sean Ryan, Hanson & Ryan Inc.

Art Scialla Jr., Ace Reprographic Services

Michael Seeve, Mountain Development Corp

Dan Shiver, Shiver Real Estate Agency

Brett Straten, Associated Fire Protection Inc.

Everton Scott, Public Service Electric & Gas

Nick Tsapatsaris, Center City Partners, LLC

Nick Tselepis, Nicholas Real Estate

Don Vanderbeck Jr., C.J. Vanderbeck & Son Inc.

Mike Campbell, Columbia Bank

staff:James “Jamie” A.M. Dykes II

President

Sheri A. FerreiraAssociate Director/Editor, Chamber Happenings

Gladys BayonOffice Administrator

Chamber Happenings is published by The Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce. Our monthly

publication is THE source for today’s top business news and information as it relates to our members and

the Greater Paterson area.

Want Ink? Send us your announcements. What is new with you and your company? The GPCC wants to promote your goods and services. Are you an expert in your field? Do you have advice to lend to our mem-bers? If so, Chamber Happenings allows members to submit by-lined articles. Send your news, announce-

ments or by-lined articles to Chamber Happenings Editor, Sheri Ferreira at sheri@greaterpatersoncc.org or contact the Chamber via telephone: 973-881-7300.

© All Rights Reserved. If you would like a copy of an article that appeared in Chamber Happenings, for your

own project, please let us know.

Chamber Happenings

President’s Note: Our Upcoming Events

As you will read inside this issue of Chamber Happenings, the Chamber recently hosted the Works in Progress Breakfast this month. I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank Alma Bank, the event sponsor. Alma Bank not only opened their newest branch in Clif-ton this past month, but they also joined the GPCC.

I would also like to thank all who at-tended. My Board of Directors and I hope that the investment of your time was worth your while.

All four of our presenters repeated the same message in so many ways: Partner-ships are key to any sort of development within the City of Paterson. In the run-ning of our businesses and non-profits, we tend to work in silos. You have many departments: Finance, Sales and Mar-keting, Quality Control, Fundraising. If those departments work independently and don’t talk to each other, our compa-nies won’t work as efficiently as possible. Government is the same. If our municipal departments are not communicating ef-fectively with each other then we end up with an expensive, yet inferior service.

Our presenters all remarked on how important government cooperation was to their projects. I submit that not only do we need government cooperation to ensure development projects are effi-ciently progressing, but we should also be communicating more with each other about our projects.

Public private partnerships, such as Special Improve-ment District are one thing, but as businesses, if we pool resources when we can, exchange thoughts and springboard ideas off of each other, perhaps we can help each other achieve our target goals or address con-cerns more effectively.

I am proud to say that a great starting point for enhanced communication is to attend our Weekly Roundtable Luncheon. The ideas and thoughts exchanged at this lunch are the type to be turned into deals, or at the very least, relationships. Con-versations are often inspiring and always casual.

As your Chamber of Commerce, let us know what you or your organization is up to. If you have an existing concern or problem, perhaps we can help. We just may have another Chamber member who overcame the same concern and perhaps an introduction would be in order so you can hear sage advice from someone who’s been there!Contact me at the Chamber and let’s see how we can work together to improve the business and social conditions in our Greater Paterson area.

- Jamie

General Carbon Corp.33 Paterson St.

Paterson

Greater Paterson OIC175 Market St., Suite 400

Paterson

h & r Block tax services58 Preakness Shopping Center

Wayne

hammond & Burns, llC155 Willowbrook Blvd., Ste. 350

Wayne

Kontos Foods, Inc.P.O. Box 628

Paterson

longstreet development Corp.9 Mill St.Paterson

Main Fair Pharmacy87 Main StPaterson

Mcdonald’s restaurant(Crooks Ave.)265 Crooks Ave.

Paterson

Paterson Parking Authority125 Broadway, Suite 100

Paterson

reliant ribbon Corp.838 21st Ave.

Paterson

reno’s Appliance235 McLean Blvd.

Paterson

sealy Mattress Co. of new Jersey Inc .697 River St.

Paterson

skorr Products Inc.90 George St.

Paterson

sterling rental, llC746 River Street

Paterson

Thank You To Our September/October New And Renewing MembersBrite services Inc. dBA star laundry

421 E. 16th St.Paterson

Cablevsion Media sales40 Potash Road

Oakland

Cerna laundromat221 West Broadway

Paterson

City national Bank125 Broadway

Paterson

Conservative non-surgical spine Care922 Main Street, Suite 201

Paterson

Espinal Business services250 Madison Avenue

Paterson

Fourthgen Inc.202 12th Ave.

Paterson

2 11

The chamber’s Website is your source for all things happening in the

Paterson Business community!

www.greaterpatersoncc.org

Member SpotlightsMember Advertisements

Events CalendarRecent News

Links to Resources

Chamber HappeningsOctober 2013

Volume XIV/Issue 10

Gubernatorial Candidates faCe off at first debate held at William Paterson university

Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce

PRSRT. STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPATERSON, N.J.

Permit No. 73

Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce100 Hamilton Plaza, Suite 1201Paterson, New Jersey 07505

To:

Address Service Requested

Inside This Issue... Continued... pg 3

fellow panelists were Alfred Doblin (The Record), Chris May (CBS) and John Schoonejongen (Asbury Park Press).

From the first question, it was clear that Johnson wanted this debate to be about substance instead of sound-bytes. As reading the first question to Senator Barbara Buono, she asked, “You are a democrat in a blue state, yet you are trailing in the polls by 30 per-cent. You’re going against a Republican Governor that has been endorsed by 49 elected democrats. Why are you having so many problems gaining traction?”

Buono first began by asking the people of NJ not to be fooled by late night television appearances, and glossy magazine covers, however Johnson interrupted the challenger saying, “Senator Buono, we only have so much time to answer each question. I really

would like to know why your campaign is having so much problem gaining traction.” While the crux of the question was never answered, Buono did say that the people on “Main Street” know that she understands their issues, dis-cussing her former experiences on wel-fare and using food stamps. She said, “I know their struggle, because I’ve lived it. And those are the people who are go-

ing to vote on November 5th.”

Johnson set her sights on Christie next, asking, “You champion an anti-bullying campaign, yet you’ve used words like stupid, idiot, jerk and you called one state senator an arrogant s.o.b. By using and choosing that type of language are you sapping the dignity out of the Gov-ernor’s office?”

Christie did not deny using what he characterized as plain, honest, and real talk. “For four years, I’ve looked people in the eye and told them the truth; sometimes truth that they weren’t com-fortable with. Folks need to know that if they act in a certain way they are going to be called out on it, and using direct and blunt language was something I’ve done my whole life and the way my mother raised me.”

William Paterson Univer-sity was host to the first Gubernatorial Debate between incumbent Re-publican Governor Chris Christie and Democrat challenger, Senator Bar-bara Buono, on October 8, 2013, after success-fully winning a very competitive bid process among New Jersey’s institutions of Higher Education.

President Kathleen Wal-dron commented prior to the debate saying, “We would like to thank the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission for selecting William Paterson to host one of the two gubernatorial debates. As a public university, an important part of our mission is providing opportunities for our students and all New Jersey citizens to be engaged members of their com-munities and of the State.”

This was the third time William Pater-son had been selected to host a guber-natorial debate. The University served as a site for a debate between Chris Christie, Jon Corzine and Chris Daggett in 2009, and Christie Whitman and Jim McGreevey in 1997. In addition, the University hosted the congressional debate between Rodney Frelinghuysen and John Arvanites in 2012.

The televised debate was moderated by Christine Johnson (CBS), and her

Works in Progress Breakfast... Pg 5.

DoWntoWn HalloWeen PumPkin PatcH... Pg. 10

William Paterson University’s Shea Auditorium served as backdrop for the first of two Gubernatorial Debates between incumbent Governor Chris Christie (R) and Senator Barbara

Buono (D), held by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, on October 8, 2013.

saVe tHe Date:GPCC’s 105th AnnuAl GAlA

sAturdAy, JAnuAry 25th