|
For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
|
|
This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
|
|
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What future holds for Rizal Park
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK --- When Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy announced weeks ago that the statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal may have to be moved from its present site on Columbus Drive, I took the news with a heavy heart.
I could not believe that after four years since the park was built in 1999, this was happening at this time. It was as if the efforts made by the local Knights of Rizal (KOR), the support of then members of the city council and the continuing works of KOR to keep the park in good shape were for naught.
Was this a political ploy or not? While some folks thought this was a possibility, I would rather be mindful not to jump into hasty conclusion.
The mayor may have thought it was better for him to give the community a head start of what may happen instead of saying nothing until the ball drops.
I like his style and so far, he has remained consistent with it. Remember what he said when he was sworn into office? In his acceptance speech, he told his audience of the challenges he had to face before another election took place, which was about five months away. It is the same method he adopted in handling this park issue with us.
The more he communicates with his constituents and keeps them informed the more he shows he could be effective in governance. And the more he tells us what to expect from him, the better he is understood. The more we make our expectations known to him, the more he would listen, I hope.
After talking to several people, the circumstances surrounding the park issue may not that be as bad as it seems. There is hope that Rizal Park maybe retained in its current place.
The City Council recently passed Ordinance 05-036 providing “for various capital improvements for the City of Jersey City,” which includes the “reconstruction, renovation and rehabilitation” of various public parks.
Rizal Park was one of the sites that were included in the total $7.7 million appropriation.
And after looking at some public records concerning the claim of the seven property owners whose backyards abut the park, there is a stronger argument to keep the park at its current site.
According to Ordinance 181, which was passed by the City Council in March 1987, Section 2 provides that “the portion of Christian Columbus Drive, Block 383 shown on Exhibit 2 as “Total Area of Vacation,” 5,938.8 square feet is not part of this Ordinance as stated in the notes of Exhibit 2.”
Therefore, Rizal Park which is situated in the aforementioned area that was excluded from the ordinance can remain there. That is, of course, according to my limited knowledge of the law. Those involved in the process of determining whether my interpretation is correct or not have a better say.
Although there is money appropriated for the upkeep of the park and an ordinance to support to keep the park at its current site, a legal challenge remains.
But if the city can defend that this triangular shaped lot on Columbus Drive belongs to the city as it has been, it would help not only the cause of the Knights of Rizal but our community in general.
I don’t expect this to be end of the story about this park. In fact, it’s just a beginning of the many other good stories that are bound to happen.
Send comments to rickyxpres@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
