West New York, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
West New York is a town
in Hudson County
, New Jersey
, United States, situated upon the New Jersey Palisades
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 49,708.
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (23.48%) is water. The ZIP code for West New York is 07093. West New York is part of the New York metropolitan area
and is at the heart of the North Hudson, New Jersey
region.
West New York is bordered on the north by Guttenberg
, on the east by the Hudson River
, on the south by Union City
and Weehawken
, and on the west by North Bergen
.
West New York is one of North Hudson
's communities atop the Hudson Palisades, and home to the highest point in the county. Its Hudson waterfront has been known as Bulls Ferry
since pre-revolutionary times. Bergenline Avenue is its main commercial thoroughfare, while the wide two-way 60th Street is a major cross-town thoroughfare, and site of Town Hall. More than half of US Presidents have streets bearing their name in the town.
on July 8, 1898, replacing Union Township
, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. West New York underwent a massive growth at the beginning of the 20th century, driven by development of textile industries that made North Hudson
the "Embroidery Capital of the United States".
The town was populated mainly with Italian-Americans and German-Americans. In the 1960s, due to the influx of Cuban émigré
s, the area became kown as "Havana on the Hudson", and since has become one the United States cities with a majority Hispanic population. Simultaneously, highrises were built along Boulevard East
, adding to the population of the town, giving it one of highest population densities in the country. Since the 1980s the Hudson waterfront, which had been part of the Weehawken Terminal
has been redeveloped from industrial to residential and recreational uses, including the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
.
, and 7.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.74% of the population.
As of the 2010 United States Census, West New York contains the third highest percentage of Hispanics in the state, at 78.1%, and accounts for 2.5% of the state’s Hispanic population. Though Native Americans comprise less than 1% of the city’s population, they doubled in the 2000s, and combined with Union City’s Native American’s comprise 38% of the county’s Native American population.
There were 17,906 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples
living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30 percent lived alone.
In 2000, 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples
living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years.
The median income for a household was $41,459, and the median income for a family was $39,904, compared to $31,980, $34,083 in 2000, respectively. About 17.1 percent of the population in 2007 was below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 30.6% of those age 65 or over. About 19% of the town's employed residents work in New York City
.
West New York is ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters. 80.1% of West New York residents live in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.
. West New York's Urban Enterprise Zone
covers portions of Bergenline Avenue from 49th to 67th Streets. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax
rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).
Until the 1880s, the primary commercial area of West New York was Palisade Avenue. An influential citizen named Henry Kohlmeier who lived there objected to the noise created by horse-drawn public coaches, which led to the route being transferred two blocks west to what is now Bergenline Avenue (formerly Lewis Street), which runs parallel to Palisade Avenue, and which remains the city's main commercial thoroughfare. Currently the longest commercial avenue in the state, boasting over 300 retail stores and restaurants, Bergenline runs through not only the entire length of West New York from north to south, but also through Union City, Guttenberg
and North Bergen, making it the main commercial strip for North Hudson. Also known as the "Miracle Mile", Bergenline's largest concentration of retail and chain stores begins at the intersection of 32nd Street in Union City, and continues north until 92nd Street in North Bergen. Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day
Parade and different ethnic parades (e.g., Cuban and Dominican).
New Jersey Transit
bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in Midtown Manhattan
on the 128, 154, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166 and 168 routes. The 181 and 188 routes offer service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
. Travel to other New Jersey communities, including Jersey City
, is offered on the 22, 23, 84, 86, 88 and 89.
The Bergenline Station
of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
is located at the city line with Union City
, while the Weehawken Port Imperial
is located on the Weehawken waterfront
at the foot of Pershing Road
near the NY Waterway
ferry terminal. Regular ferry crossings of the Hudson River
run daily.
The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport
, located 13.6 miles away in Newark
/ Elizabeth
. New York City
's LaGuardia Airport
is 13.5 miles away in Flushing Queens via the Lincoln Tunnel
.
form of New Jersey municipal government, by a five-member commission since 1931. Commission members are elected at-large in nonpartisan
elections to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. Each Commissioner is assigned to head one of five departments. The Commission selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.
The five members of the West New York Town Commission are Felix Roque
(Commissioner of Public Safety
), Fior D'Aliza Frias (Commissioner of Public Affairs
), Ruben Vargas (Commissioner of Parks and Public Property
), Caridad Rodriguez
(Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
) and Count Wiley (Commissioner of Public Works
). In the May 2011 municipal election, the "Together We Can" slate of five candidates led by Roque took all five seats on the Town Council, knocking off the slate of incumbents led by then-mayor Silverio Vega
. Af the town council's reorganization meeting, the five commissioners unanimously voted to appoint Roque to a four-year term as Mayor of West New York.
West New York is also part of the
West New York is in Hudson County's 7th Freeholder District.
. The district is one of 31 Abbott District
s statewide.
Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Early Childhood School for Pre-K (1,094 students),
six K-6 elementary schools (except as indicated) —
Public School No. 1 (748),
Public School No. 2 (363),
Public School No. 3 (388),
Public School No. 4 (599),
Public School No. 5 (765; K-7) and
Harry L. Bain School (667) —
West New York Middle School
for grades 7 and 8 (837) and
Memorial High School
(1,734).
Private schools in West New York include St. Joseph of the Palisades Grammar School.
West New York has a bilingual medical school: American Training School for Medical Professionals founded in 1998 by Professor Dante Joa.
.
The West New York Emergency Medical Squad consists of (as of May 2011) 26 people, at the EMS house on 62nd Street, which houses four trucks, to which each is assigned two workers. The Squad's second, larger facility, at 66th Street, opened May 11, 2011.
West New York's Emergency Medical Services was among the many Hudson County agencies that responded to the January 2009 crash of Flight 1549, for which they received accolades from the survivors.
is a monthly newspaper that covers the Hudson County waterfront market.
In the late 2000s, West New York, Weehawken
, Union City
and North Bergen
came to be dubbed collectively as "NoHu", a North Hudson
haven for local performing and fine artists, many of whom are immigrants from Latin America
and other countries, in part due to lower housing costs compared to those in nearby art havens such as Hoboken
, Jersey City
and Manhattan
.
Town (New Jersey)
A Town in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government...
in Hudson County
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States, situated upon the New Jersey Palisades
New Jersey Palisades
The Palisades, also called the New Jersey Palisades or the Hudson Palisades are a line of steep cliffs along the west side of the lower Hudson River in northeastern New Jersey and southern New York in the United States. The cliffs stretch north from Jersey City approximately 20 mi to near...
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 49,708.
Geography
West New York is located at 40.788400°N 74.013090°W (40.788400, -74.013090). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) of it (23.48%) is water. The ZIP code for West New York is 07093. West New York is part of the New York metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
and is at the heart of the North Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson is the collective name of the municipalities of Weehawken , Union City , West New York , Guttenberg and North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey...
region.
West New York is bordered on the north by Guttenberg
Guttenberg, New Jersey
Guttenberg , is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 11,176. Only four blocks wide, Guttenberg is one of the smallest municipalities in New Jersey and the most densely populated incorporated place in the...
, on the east by the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, on the south by Union City
Union City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the city had a total population of 66,455. All of the city is on land, an area of...
and Weehawken
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
, and on the west by North Bergen
North Bergen, New Jersey
North Bergen is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township had a total population of 60,773. Originally founded in 1843, the town was much diminished in territory by a series of secessions. Situated on the Hudson Palisades, it is one...
.
West New York is one of North Hudson
North Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson is the collective name of the municipalities of Weehawken , Union City , West New York , Guttenberg and North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey...
's communities atop the Hudson Palisades, and home to the highest point in the county. Its Hudson waterfront has been known as Bulls Ferry
Bulls Ferry
Bulls Ferry is the area along the Hudson River in the North HudsonCounty, New Jersey municipalities of West New York, Guttenberg, and North Bergen....
since pre-revolutionary times. Bergenline Avenue is its main commercial thoroughfare, while the wide two-way 60th Street is a major cross-town thoroughfare, and site of Town Hall. More than half of US Presidents have streets bearing their name in the town.
History
West New York was incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on July 8, 1898, replacing Union Township
Union Township, Hudson County, New Jersey
This article is for the now-defunct town in Hudson County, NJ. For the current towns of the same name in Hunterdon County and Union County, seeUnion Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey and Union Township, Union County, New Jersey....
, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. West New York underwent a massive growth at the beginning of the 20th century, driven by development of textile industries that made North Hudson
North Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson is the collective name of the municipalities of Weehawken , Union City , West New York , Guttenberg and North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey...
the "Embroidery Capital of the United States".
The town was populated mainly with Italian-Americans and German-Americans. In the 1960s, due to the influx of Cuban émigré
Émigré
Émigré is a French term that literally refers to a person who has "migrated out", but often carries a connotation of politico-social self-exile....
s, the area became kown as "Havana on the Hudson", and since has become one the United States cities with a majority Hispanic population. Simultaneously, highrises were built along Boulevard East
Boulevard East
Boulevard East is a two-way, mostly two lane, scenic thoroughfare in the North Hudson, New Jersey municipalities of Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen. Apart from small sections at either end, the road runs along the crest of the Hudson Palisades, affording it views of the Hudson...
, adding to the population of the town, giving it one of highest population densities in the country. Since the 1980s the Hudson waterfront, which had been part of the Weehawken Terminal
Weehawken Terminal
Weehawken Terminal was the waterfront intermodal terminal on the North River in Weehawken, New Jersey for the New York Central Railroad's West Shore Railroad division. It opened in 1884 and closed in 1959. The complex contained five ferry slips, sixteen passenger train tracks, car float...
has been redeveloped from industrial to residential and recreational uses, including the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, also known as the Hudson River Walkway, is an ongoing and incomplete project located on Kill van Kull and the western shore of Upper New York Bay and the Hudson River, implemented as part of a New Jersey state-mandated master plan to connect the municipalities...
.
Demographics
As of 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were 46,963 people, 17,906 households, and 11,463 families residing in the town. The average household size was 2.6 people. The town was 79.1 percent Hispanic (of any race). Of the total population, 68.4 percent was white, 5.6 percent black, 1.2 percent Native American, 3.4 percent Asian, and 19.5 percent other races. In comparison, the 2000 census recorded 60.09% White, 3.55% African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.93% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 25.16% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 7.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.74% of the population.
As of the 2010 United States Census, West New York contains the third highest percentage of Hispanics in the state, at 78.1%, and accounts for 2.5% of the state’s Hispanic population. Though Native Americans comprise less than 1% of the city’s population, they doubled in the 2000s, and combined with Union City’s Native American’s comprise 38% of the county’s Native American population.
There were 17,906 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30 percent lived alone.
In 2000, 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years.
The median income for a household was $41,459, and the median income for a family was $39,904, compared to $31,980, $34,083 in 2000, respectively. About 17.1 percent of the population in 2007 was below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 30.6% of those age 65 or over. About 19% of the town's employed residents work in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
West New York is ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters. 80.1% of West New York residents live in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.
Commerce
Bergenline Avenue is the main shopping district of North HudsonNorth Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson is the collective name of the municipalities of Weehawken , Union City , West New York , Guttenberg and North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey...
. West New York's Urban Enterprise Zone
Urban Enterprise Zone
In the United States, Urban Enterprise Zones , also known as Enterprise Zones, are intended to encourage development in blighted neighborhoods through tax and regulatory relief to entrepreneurs and investors who launch businesses in the area. UEZs are areas where companies can locate free of...
covers portions of Bergenline Avenue from 49th to 67th Streets. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax
Sales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).
Until the 1880s, the primary commercial area of West New York was Palisade Avenue. An influential citizen named Henry Kohlmeier who lived there objected to the noise created by horse-drawn public coaches, which led to the route being transferred two blocks west to what is now Bergenline Avenue (formerly Lewis Street), which runs parallel to Palisade Avenue, and which remains the city's main commercial thoroughfare. Currently the longest commercial avenue in the state, boasting over 300 retail stores and restaurants, Bergenline runs through not only the entire length of West New York from north to south, but also through Union City, Guttenberg
Guttenberg, New Jersey
Guttenberg , is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 11,176. Only four blocks wide, Guttenberg is one of the smallest municipalities in New Jersey and the most densely populated incorporated place in the...
and North Bergen, making it the main commercial strip for North Hudson. Also known as the "Miracle Mile", Bergenline's largest concentration of retail and chain stores begins at the intersection of 32nd Street in Union City, and continues north until 92nd Street in North Bergen. Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
Parade and different ethnic parades (e.g., Cuban and Dominican).
Transportation
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
on the 128, 154, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166 and 168 routes. The 181 and 188 routes offer service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
The George Washington Bridge Bus Station is a commuter bus terminal located at the east end of the George Washington Bridge in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan in New York City, New York....
. Travel to other New Jersey communities, including Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, is offered on the 22, 23, 84, 86, 88 and 89.
The Bergenline Station
Bergenline Avenue (HBLR station)
Bergenline Avenue is a station on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail . The intermodal facility is located on 49th Street between Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard at the border of Union City, West New York and North Bergen, New Jersey The station opened for service on February 25, 2006.-Design and...
of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Owned by New Jersey Transit and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, it connects the communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City , and North Bergen.The system began...
is located at the city line with Union City
Union City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the city had a total population of 66,455. All of the city is on land, an area of...
, while the Weehawken Port Imperial
Weehawken Port Imperial
Weehawken Port Imperial is an intermodal transit hub on the Weehawken, New Jersey waterfront of the Hudson River across from Midtown Manhattan served by New York Waterway ferries and buses, Hudson Bergen Light Rail, and NJT buses. The district lies under and at the foot of Pershing Road, a...
is located on the Weehawken waterfront
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
at the foot of Pershing Road
Pershing Road (Hudson County)
Pershing Road travels for on the Hudson Palisades in Weehawken, New Jersey between Boulevard East and Weehawken Port Imperial and carries the designation Hudson County Route 682....
near the NY Waterway
NY Waterway
NY Waterway, or New York Waterway, is a private transportation company running ferry and bus service in the Port of New York and New Jersey and in the Hudson Valley...
ferry terminal. Regular ferry crossings of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
run daily.
The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
, located 13.6 miles away in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
/ Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
. New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally...
is 13.5 miles away in Flushing Queens via the Lincoln Tunnel
Lincoln Tunnel
The Lincoln Tunnel is a long tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting Weehawken, New Jersey and the borough of Manhattan in New York City.-History:...
.
Local government
West New York has been governed under the Walsh ActWalsh Act (New Jersey)
The Walsh Act is legislation in the U.S. state of New Jersey that permits municipalities to adopt a non-partisan commission form of government. The legislation was signed by Governor of New Jersey Woodrow Wilson on April 25, 1911. The commissions in Walsh Act municipalities are composed of either...
form of New Jersey municipal government, by a five-member commission since 1931. Commission members are elected at-large in nonpartisan
Nonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
elections to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. Each Commissioner is assigned to head one of five departments. The Commission selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.
The five members of the West New York Town Commission are Felix Roque
Felix Roque
Felix Roque is an American Democratic Party politician who is the current Mayor of West New York, New Jersey. The five-person slate he led defeated a slate headed by Mayor Silverio Vega in the May 10, 2011 general election and his running mates chose Roque to serve as the town's mayor. He is a...
(Commissioner of Public Safety
Commissioner of Public Safety
The Commissioner of Public Safety heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance. This is a standalone position in Walsh Act municipalities with a five-member commission...
), Fior D'Aliza Frias (Commissioner of Public Affairs
Commissioner of Public Affairs
The Commissioner of Public Affairs heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance. This is a standalone position in Walsh Act municipalities with a five-member commission...
), Ruben Vargas (Commissioner of Parks and Public Property
Commissioner of Parks and Public Property
The Commissioner of Parks and Public Property heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance. This is a standalone position in Walsh Act municipalities with a three-member commission...
), Caridad Rodriguez
Caridad Rodriguez
Caridad "Cary" Rodriguez is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, where she represented the 33rd Legislative District from 2008 until she resigned to take office as a commissioner of West New York, New Jersey in May 2011.Rodriguez and her running...
(Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
The Commissioner of Revenue and Finance heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance...
) and Count Wiley (Commissioner of Public Works
Commissioner of Public Works
The Commissioner of Public Works heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance. This is a standalone position in Walsh Act municipalities with a five-member commission...
). In the May 2011 municipal election, the "Together We Can" slate of five candidates led by Roque took all five seats on the Town Council, knocking off the slate of incumbents led by then-mayor Silverio Vega
Silverio Vega
Silverio "Sal" A. Vega is a Cuban American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2006–2008, where he represented the 33rd legislative district and served on the Law and Public Safety Committee. He also served as the Mayor of West New York. Vega lost a...
. Af the town council's reorganization meeting, the five commissioners unanimously voted to appoint Roque to a four-year term as Mayor of West New York.
Federal, state and county representation
West New York is in the 13th Congressional District.West New York is also part of the
West New York is in Hudson County's 7th Freeholder District.
Education
West New York is served by West New York School DistrictWest New York School District
West New York School District is a public school district serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade in West New York, New Jersey, United States...
. The district is one of 31 Abbott District
Abbott District
Abbott districts are school districts in New Jersey that are provided remedies to ensure that their students receive public education in accordance with New Jersey’s state constitution. They were created in 1985 as a result of the first ruling of Abbott v. Burke, a case filed by the Education Law...
s statewide.
Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are
Early Childhood School for Pre-K (1,094 students),
six K-6 elementary schools (except as indicated) —
Public School No. 1 (748),
Public School No. 2 (363),
Public School No. 3 (388),
Public School No. 4 (599),
Public School No. 5 (765; K-7) and
Harry L. Bain School (667) —
West New York Middle School
West New York Middle School
West New York Middle School is a two year middle school for 7th and 8th graders in West New York, New Jersey in the United States. It serves as the single town-wide middle school for West New York School District and feeds into Memorial High School....
for grades 7 and 8 (837) and
Memorial High School
Memorial High School (West New York, New Jersey)
Memorial High School is a four-year public high school that serves students from West New York, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the West New York School District. WNYSD, an Abbott District, serves all of the city of West New York...
(1,734).
Private schools in West New York include St. Joseph of the Palisades Grammar School.
West New York has a bilingual medical school: American Training School for Medical Professionals founded in 1998 by Professor Dante Joa.
Emergency services
West New York does not have its own fire department, but is one of five towns served by the North Hudson Regional Fire and RescueNorth Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue
North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue provides fire protection and medical assistance to the North Hudson communities of North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, and Guttenburg, New Jersey. The fire department serves a population of over 195,000 people.Its members numbered 76 when it...
.
The West New York Emergency Medical Squad consists of (as of May 2011) 26 people, at the EMS house on 62nd Street, which houses four trucks, to which each is assigned two workers. The Squad's second, larger facility, at 66th Street, opened May 11, 2011.
West New York's Emergency Medical Services was among the many Hudson County agencies that responded to the January 2009 crash of Flight 1549, for which they received accolades from the survivors.
Media and culture
West New York is located within the New York media market, with most of its daily papers available for sale or delivery. The Jersey Journal is a local daily paper based in Jersey City. Local weeklies include the free bilingual paper, Hudson Dispatch Weekly, a former daily, The West New York Reporter, which is part of the Hudson Reporter group of local weeklies, and the Spanish language El Especialito. River View ObserverRiver View Observer
River View Observer is a monthly newspaper, published in Hudson County, New Jersey, and owned by Ad Vantage Publishing Inc., which also publishes the Bayonne Observer newspaper...
is a monthly newspaper that covers the Hudson County waterfront market.
In the late 2000s, West New York, Weehawken
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
, Union City
Union City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the city had a total population of 66,455. All of the city is on land, an area of...
and North Bergen
North Bergen, New Jersey
North Bergen is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township had a total population of 60,773. Originally founded in 1843, the town was much diminished in territory by a series of secessions. Situated on the Hudson Palisades, it is one...
came to be dubbed collectively as "NoHu", a North Hudson
North Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson is the collective name of the municipalities of Weehawken , Union City , West New York , Guttenberg and North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey...
haven for local performing and fine artists, many of whom are immigrants from Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
and other countries, in part due to lower housing costs compared to those in nearby art havens such as Hoboken
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
, Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
and Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
Notable residents
- Oscar L. Auf der HeideOscar L. Auf der HeideOscar Louis Auf der Heide was an American Democratic Party politician who represented New Jersey's 11th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1925–1933, and the 14th congressional district from 1933-1935.-Biography:Auf der Heide was born in New York City on...
(1874-1945), represented New Jersey's 11th congressional districtNew Jersey's 11th congressional districtNew Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen. The district is a suburban Republican-leaning district that is centered in Morris County....
from 1925-1933, and the 14th congressional districtNew Jersey's 14th congressional districtNew Jersey's Fourteenth Congressional District in the House of Representatives was eliminated after the 1990 Census. As a result of the Congressional apportionment performed after this Census, New Jersey lost one seat and was reduced to thirteen seats in the House of Representatives.New Jersey had...
from 1933-1935. Auf der Heide was a member of the town council from 1899-1902, and was a member and president of the board of education in 1903 and 1904, served on the board of assessors in 1912 and 1913 and was mayor of West New York from 1914-1917. - Tyson BeckfordTyson BeckfordTyson Craig Beckford is an American male model and actor, best known as a Ralph Lauren model. He was also the host of both seasons of the Bravo program Make Me a Supermodel.-Biography:...
(born 1970), male supermodel. - Warren BorosonWarren BorosonWarren Boroson is an American author and journalist. He has written over 20 books, including How to Pick Stocks Like Warren Buffett, Keys to Investing in Mutual Funds and How to Buy a House for Nothing Down...
(born 1935), financial journalist, author and playwright. - James J. BraddockJames J. BraddockJames Walter "The Cinderella Man" Braddock was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937....
(1905-1974), heavyweight boxing champion. - Emil DraitserEmil DraitserEmil Draitser is author and professor of Russian at Hunter College, New York City. Besides twelve books of artistic and scholarly prose, his essays and short stories have been published in the Los Angeles Times, Partisan Review, North American Review, San Francisco Chronicle, Prism International,...
, author of 12 books and 135 short stories, professor of Russian at Hunter CollegeHunter CollegeHunter College, established in 1870, is a public university and one of the constituent colleges of the City University of New York, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Hunter grants undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees in more than one hundred fields of study, and is recognized...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and three-time winner of a fellowship grant from the New Jersey State Council on the ArtsNew Jersey State Council on the ArtsThe New Jersey State Council on the Arts was founded in 1966 to support artistic activities in the state of New Jersey. It is funded by the New Jersey State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts ....
. - Amber Lee EttingerAmber Lee EttingerAmber Lee Ettinger is an American actress, internet celebrity, and model. She first rose to fame as Obama Girl in her Internet video "I Got a Crush... on Obama", in which she expressed her admiration of then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama...
(born 1982), actress and internet celebrity who rose to fame in 2007 as "Obama Girl". - King KamaliKing KamaliShahriar Kamali, known professionally as King Kamali , is an IFBB professional bodybuilder.Nicknamed "The Persian Pearl" and "The Terminator", Kamali was born in Tehran, Iran, but now lives in West New York, New Jersey and New City, New York...
(born 1972), IFBBInternational Federation of BodyBuildersThe International Federation of BodyBuilders is a competitive bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider and is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. Currently, the IFBB consists of seven different sub-divisions for different competitors ,...
professional bodybuilderBodybuildingBodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
. - Herb MaackHerb Maack-External links:*...
(1917-2007), former Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC)Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC)The Brooklyn Dodgers was an American Football team that played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1948. The team is unrelated to the Brooklyn Dodgers that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943...
player and college football head coach. - John MahnkenJohn MahnkenJohn E. Mahnken was an American former professional basketball player.A 6'8" center from West New York, New Jersey, Mahnken played high school basketball at Memorial High School in his hometown. He played at Georgetown University during the early 1940s, earning All-American honors in 1943...
(born 1922), former professional basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. - Edward James OlmosEdward James OlmosEdward James Olmos is an American actor and director. Among his most memorable roles are William Adama in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, Lt...
(born 1947), actor who lived in West New York from 1979 to 1987, while he built his stage career following his emigration from East Los AngelesEast Los Angeles (region)East Los Angeles is the portion of the City of Los Angeles that lies east of Downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles River and the unincorporated areas of Lincoln Heights, west of the San Gabriel Valley, East Los Angeles and City Terrace, south of Cypress Park, and north of Vernon, California and...
. - Jeff RoehlJeff RoehlJeffrey Alan Roehl is an American football offensive lineman who is most known for his time spent playing for the New York Giants of the National Football League...
(born 1980), offensive lineman who played for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Louis RomanoLouis RomanoLouis A. Romano is an American Democratic Party politician who served four terms in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992 to 2000, where he represented the 33rd Legislative District.-Early life:...
(born 1930), member of the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
. - Jeremy ShockeyJeremy ShockeyJeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
(born 1980), NFL football player for the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Gerard WayGerard WayGerard Arthur Way is an American musician and comic book writer who has served as lead vocalist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance since its formation in 2001...
(born 1977), musician, frontman of the alternative rock band, My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
.
External links
- West New York Town website
- West New York School District
- Data for the West New York School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- West New York Police Department Info This link has all the WNYPD contact info.
- WNY Public Library: A History of West New York