Passaic, New Jersey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Passaic" redirects here. For other uses, see Passaic (disambiguation).
City of Passaic, New Jersey
Map of Passaic in Passaic County. Inset: Location of Passaic County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Passaic in Passaic County. Inset: Location of Passaic County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Passaic, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Passaic, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°51′27″N 74°07′44″W / 40.8575, -74.12889
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Passaic
Settled 1679
Incorporated April 2, 1873
Government
 - Type Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
 - Mayor Gary Schaer (acting)
Area
 - Total 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
 - Land 3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)
 - Water 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)  3.12%
Elevation [1] 102 ft (31 m)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 67,974
 - Density 21,804.7/sq mi (8,424.8/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07055 and 07057
Area code(s) 973
FIPS code 34-56550[3]
GNIS feature ID 0879156[4]
Website: http://www.cityofpassaic.com/

Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 67,861. Located north of Newark on the Passaic River, it was first settled in 1678 by Dutch traders, as Acquackanonk Township. The city and river draw their name from the Lenape word "pahsayèk" meaning "valley".[5]

Contents

[edit] History

The city originated from a Dutch settlement on the Passaic River established in 1679 which was called Acquackanonk. Industrial growth began in the 19th century, as Passaic became a textile and metalworking center. Passaic was formed within Acquackanonk Township on March 10, 1869, and was incorporated as an independent village on March 21, 1871. Passaic was chartered as a city on April 2, 1873.[6]

A famous strike in 1926 against reductions in wages involved the right of free assembly.

Passaic has been called "The Birthplace of Television".[7] In 1931, experimental television station W2XCD began transmitting from DeForest Radio Corp. in Passaic. It has been called the first television station to transmit to the home, and was the first such station to broadcast a feature film. Allen B. DuMont, formerly DeForest's chief engineer, opened pioneering TV manufacturer DuMont Laboratories in Passaic in 1937. DuMont later started the DuMont Television Network, the world's first commercial television network, in 1946.

[edit] Geography

Passaic is located at 40°51′27″n, 74°7′44″w (40.857384, -74.128997)[8].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), of which, 3.1 square miles (8.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (3.12%) is water. Passaic is bordered on the north, west and south by the City of Clifton, and to the east by the Passaic River.

Passaic is located 10 miles from New York City, and 12 miles from Newark Airport.

[edit] The City

Passaic has several business districts: Main Avenue begins in Passaic Park and follows the curve of the river to downtown. Broadway runs east - west through the center of the city, ending at Main Avenue in downtown. Monroe Street has many shops, restaurants and businesses reflecting the city's Latino and Eastern European populations.

The city is home to several architecturally notable churches, including St. John's Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian of Passaic, and St. John's Episcopal Church.

Southwest Passaic (known as Passaic Park) is a residential and institutional center of Orthodox Judaism, with 25-30 minyanim on Shabbos, and 1,300 families, as well as being home to numerous yeshivas, schools and other institutions. There are also kosher food and shopping establishments.[9]

Passaic Park takes its name from Third Ward Park. This area is also noted for its large mansions and homes of various architectural styles, especially Victorian and Tudor. Several condominium and cooperative apartment complexes are also located here including: Carlton Tower (the city's tallest structure), The Towers, and Barry Gardens.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1880 6,532
—
1890 13,028 99.4%
1900 27,777 113.2%
1910 54,773 97.2%
1920 63,841 16.6%
1930 62,959 -1.4%
1940 61,394 -2.5%
1950 57,702 -6.0%
1960 53,963 -6.5%
1970 55,124 2.2%
1980 52,463 -4.8%
1990 58,041 10.6%
2000 67,861 16.9%
Est. 2006 67,974 [2] 0.2%
Population 1930 - 1990.[10][11]
Russian Orthodox Church on Lexington Avenue
Russian Orthodox Church on Lexington Avenue

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 67,861 people, 19,458 households, and 14,457 families residing in the city of Passaic, New Jersey. The population density was 21,804.7 people per square mile (8,424.8/km²). There were 20,194 housing units at an average density of 6,488.6/sq mi (2,507.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 35.43% White, 13.83% African American, 0.78% Native American, 5.51% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 39.36% from other races, and 5.04% from two or more races. The cultural groupings for Hispanic or Latino of any race were 62.46% of the population. Passaic is also known for its Ukrainian enclave.[citation needed]. 60.2% spoke Spanish, 29.3% English, 2.5% Gujarati and 2.5% Polish as their first language.

There were 19,458 households out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 8.2% of Passaic households were same-sex partner households. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.46 and the average family size was 3.93. In the city the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,594, and the median income for a family was $34,935. Males had a median income of $24,568 versus $21,352 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,874. About 18.4% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

The City of Passaic is governed under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government under the Faulkner Act. Under this form of government, the Mayor is elected directly by the voters for a four-year term. Seven Council Members serve four year terms on a staggered basis.[12]

The interim Mayor of Passaic is Gary Schaer, who, as City Council President automatically moved into this position upon the resignation by previous mayor Samuel Rivera, on Friday, 9 May 2008, after pleading guilty to federal charges. He was originally arrested by the FBI on September 6, 2007 in a Federal corruption probe that also included the arrests of Assemblymen Mims Hackett and Alfred E. Steele.[13] The indictment alleges that Rivera accepted a $5,000 bribe to steer fake insurance business with the City of Passaic and with the Passaic Valley Water Commission, bragging that "I can get four votes easy, easy, easy," to a witness about his ability to obtain approval from the Passaic City Council.[14]

[15]

Rivera was a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition,[16] a bi-partisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets," and Acting Mayor Schaer is likely to continue the membership. The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Members of the City Council are Gary Schaer (Council President), Maritza Colón-Montañez, Gerardo Fernandez, Jose Garcia, Chaim M. Munk and Daniel J. Schwartz.[17] The seat previously held by Marcellus Jackson is currently empty. Jackson and former councilman Jonathan Soto were arrested also arrested on September 6, 2007 as part of the same sweep as Mayor Rivera.[13] Before his resignation, Mayor Rivera attempted to hand-pick a replacement for Jackson, relying on is tie-breaker vote in a split council. The three council members who disagreed with Rivera's selection were able to postpone this selection by not attending the vote for the replacement, depriving Rivera of the minimum quota to produce the deadlock vote.

In addition to his roles as Council President and interim Mayor, Schaer also holds a seat in the New Jersey State Assembly. This dual-position is allowed under a grandfather clause in the state law that prevents dual-office-holding.

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Passaic is in the Eighth Congressional District is part of New Jersey's 36th Legislative District.[18]

New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District, covering the southern portion of Passaic County and northern sections of Essex County, is represented by Bill Pascrell Jr. (D, Paterson). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 36th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Paul Sarlo (D, Wood-Ridge) and in the Assembly by Frederick Scalera (D, Nutley) and Gary Schaer (D, Passaic).[19] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[20]

Passaic County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected to staggered three-year terms on an at-large basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[21] As of 2008, Passaic County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Sonia Rosado (2009, Ringwood), Freeholder Deputy Director Tahesha L. Way (2009, Wayne), Terry Duffy (2010, West Milford), Elease Evans (2008, Paterson), James Gallagher (2009, Paterson) Bruce James (2008, Clifton) and Pat Lepore (2010, West Paterson).[22]

[edit] Education

The Passaic City School District is a type I school district, and is an independent legal entity administered by a nine-member Board of Education elected by the voters of the school district. The school district is not a part of any regional or consolidated school district, and neither receives nor sends students, except for a limited number of special education students. The school system comprises 2 early childhood centers, 12 elementary schools (grades K-6), 1 middle school (grades 7-8), and Passaic High School for grades 9-12. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.[23]

The Collegiate School is a private coeducational day school located in Passaic, serving students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade.

Passaic County Community College plans to open a new campus in the city of Passaic in Spring 2008. Construction commenced on the new site in Spring 2007 at 2 Paulison Avenue. The new campus will allow PCCC to reach the 15% of its students who come from the city of Passaic. The college's nursing program will be relocated and expanded at the new campus to provide a qualified program to help fill the longstanding nursing shortage.

The Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic, an advanced yeshiva is an institute of Jewish learning for post-high school age men. Passaic also has a number of other orthodox educational institutions for primary and secondary education as well as other advanced seminaries and kollels for advanced and married students.

[edit] Transportation

Passaic is well served by state roadways including Route 3 and Route 21. The Garden State Parkway and Interstate 80 are nearby.

Local bus transportation is provided by New Jersey Transit, with service to Paterson, Rutherford, Newark, Clifton, Garfield, and Wallington among other locations.

New Jersey Transit bus 190 provides local service and interstate service to Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.

The Passaic New Jersey Transit rail station is located in the Passaic Park section, providing service on the Main Line southbound to Hoboken Terminal, and to Secaucus Junction for New Jersey Transit and Amtrak connections to Pennsylvania Station in Midtown Manhattan, Newark Airport and points north and south. Northbound service is provided to Paterson, Ridgewood and New York stations in Suffern and Port Jervis.

Commuter jitney buses operate along Main Avenue providing service to Paterson, Union City, the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal in New York City, and points between. This service does not operate on an official schedule.

[edit] Communications

Passaic uses telephone area code 973.

[edit] Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Passaic include:

[edit] Popular culture references

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

[edit] References

  1. ^ USGS GNIS: City of Passaic, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 17, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Census data for Passaic city, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  3. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ Lenape Language / Pronunciation, accessed September 20, 2006.
  6. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 210.
  7. ^ UCLA Film and Television Archive Television Programs Preserved 1988 - 2000. University of California, Los Angeles. Accessed February 18, 2007.
  8. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  9. ^ Rachel Berman, Passaic/Clifton - The New Jewish Boom Town, The Jewish Press, November 22, 2006.
  10. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  11. ^ Wm. C. Hunt, Chief Statistician for Population. Fourteenth Census of The United States: 1920; Population: New Jersey; Number of inhabitants, by counties and minor civil divisions (ZIP). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  12. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 154.
  13. ^ a b [Baldwin, Tom. "11 arrested in N.J. corruption probe", USA Today, September 6, 2007. Accessed September 6, 2007. "Among the arrested were state Assemblymen Mims Hackett Jr. and Rev. Alfred Steele aides in their legislative offices acknowledged. Also reportedly arrested was Samuel Rivera, the mayor of Passaic, and Keith Reid, the chief of staff to Newark City Council President Mildred Crump."
  14. ^ Staff. "Who's who: Overview of the politicians charged in bribery scandal", The Record (Bergen County), September 7, 2007. Accessed September 7, 2007.
  15. ^ Mayor of Passaic, City of Passaic. Accessed July 6, 2006.
  16. ^ Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members.
  17. ^ City Council Members, City of Passaic. Accessed July 6, 2006.
  18. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 62. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  19. ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  20. ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  21. ^ The Role of The Freeholders, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed April 21, 2008
  22. ^ 2008 Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed April 21, 2008
  23. ^ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2008.
  24. ^ Meet the Writers: Mitch Albom, accessed December 19, 2006.
  25. ^ "CLASS OF 1970 PROFILE ON ALUMNI - The Honorable Terrence Boyle" Reunion Times, American University Washington College of Law, Summer 2005. Accessed May 13, 2007. "Terrence Boyle was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey."
  26. ^ A site dedicated to George Breeman and the USS Breeman (DE-104), accessed December 19, 2006.
  27. ^ " Florida attorney general winds up in spotlight", Court TV, November 14, 2000. Accessed May 13, 2007. "A native of Passaic, N.J., Butterworth was particularly invincible in his 1998 re-election effort after playing a key role with former Gov. Lawton Chiles in helping Florida secure a $13 billion settlement with tobacco companies."
  28. ^ Singer, Jeremy. "Military Transformation Pioneer Arthur Cebrowski Dies at 63", Space News, November 21, 2005. Accessed May 13, 2007. "Cebrowski, a native of Passaic, N.J., graduated from Villanova University in Pennsylvania in 1964, and entered the Navy that same year."
  29. ^ "Sports exec also had stake in Nets, MSG", ESPN.com, August 11, 2004. Accessed May 13, 2007. "Cohen was born in Passaic, N.J., on December 19, 1930."
  30. ^ Mark DeRosa player profile, accessed December 19, 2006.
  31. ^ Dow Henry Drukker profile, United States Congress. Accessed July 16, 2007.
  32. ^ "Garment Workers Lobbyist Dubrow Dies", San Francisco Chronicle, June 21, 2006.
  33. ^ Robbins, Ira. "At long last, Fagen puts the 'Cat' out; Steely Dan founder releases first solo album in 13 years", Newsday, March 1, 2006. Accessed September 8, 2007. ""Working in the off portions of Steely Dan's four decades of on-and-off-again existence, the Grammy-winning singer-keyboardist from Passaic, N.J., has come up with three albums in 24 years..."
  34. ^ Assembly Member Reed Gusciora, Project Vote Smart. Accessed November 22, 2007.
  35. ^ Kozinn, Allan. "Robert Helps, 73, Concert Pianist And a Wide-Ranging Composer", The New York Times, December 2, 2001. Accessed November 22, 2007.
  36. ^ "Heyward lived hard and died young", Taipei Times, May 30, 2006.
  37. ^ Dennis Johnson, database Football. Accessed January 28, 2008.
  38. ^ Lewis Kaplan, Juilliard School. Accessed December 20, 2007.
  39. ^ a b c Kaufman, Gail. "PASSAIC -- KIDS FIND TALENT IN THEIR OWN BACK YARD NEW BOOK LAUDS CITY'S ACHIEVERS", The Record (Bergen County), February 11, 1997. Accessed May 12, 2007. "What do Anthony Mason, Loretta Swit, and Joe Piscopo have in common? Beside being nationally known, they hold the city of Passaic as part of their past."
  40. ^ "Ray Malavasi Is Dead; Former Coach of Rams", The New York Times, December 16, 1987. Accessed November 22, 2007.
  41. ^ Congressional biography of William J. Martini, United States Congress. Accessed December 26, 2006.
  42. ^ William G. "Bill" Mokray enshrined as a contributor in 1965, Basketball Hall of Fame. Accessed July 13, 2007. "Mokray's romance started while a student at Passaic High School during the era of the 'Passaic High School Wonder Teams.'"
  43. ^ Scheuer, Philip K. "Anne Frank's Role Settled: Millie Perkins, 18, Winner; Brynner's Schedule Busiest", Los Angeles Times, January 29, 1958. Accessed June 2, 2008. "Diary has its Anne Frank. She is Millie Perkins, magazine cover-girl who was born in Passaic, N.J., 18 years ago and educated in Fairlawn, N.J.
  44. ^ Jason Perry, database Football. Accessed February 17, 2008.
  45. ^ Cowen, Richard. "CLASS OF '95 EXITS HALLS OF ACADEMIA", The Record (Bergen County), May 19, 1995. Accessed May 13, 2007. "Polci, 42, a Passaic native and former drummer with Frankie Valli..."
  46. ^ Stuart Rabner: State Attorney General, State of New Jersey. Accessed September 20, 2007. "Rabner grew up in Passaic and was graduated summa cum laude in 1982 from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University."
  47. ^ "Col. John Roosma Dead at 83; Basketball Star at West Point", The New York Times, November 14, 1983. Accessed January 11, 2008.
  48. ^ Thomas, Robert McG. "Bob Russell, Entertainer, Is Dead at 90", The New York Times, February 2, 1998. Accessed October 20, 2007. "A native of Passaic, N.J., Mr. Russell, whose father was a Russian-born baker, lived in Schenectady, N.Y., before moving to Manhattan at 9, catching the opera bug and changing his name from Roltner to Russell."
  49. ^ Sherwood Schwartz at the Internet Movie Database
  50. ^ Tyronne Stowe Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards, databaseFootball.com. Accessed February 19, 2008.
  51. ^ Van Antwerpen, Franklin Stuart, Federal Judicial Center. Accessed June 2, 2008.
  52. ^ "Darryl Stingley, 55, dies", The Record (Bergen County), April 6, 2007. Accessed May 12, 2007. "He was only 26 when he clashed head-on with Passaic's Jack Tatum of the Raiders during an exhibition at the Oakland Coliseum as they leaped for a pass."
  53. ^ DREXLER, CALHOUN AND WOODARD HIGHLIGHT 16 FINALISTS FOR NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, Basketball Hall of Fame press release dated February 15, 2004. "DICK VITALE, a native of Passaic, NJ., has been synonymous with college basketball for more than 20 years as the lead color announcer for ESPN."
  54. ^ Sturken, Barbara. "Off the Field, Giants Call New Jersey Home", The New York Times, March 31, 1991. Accessed February 5, 2008.
  55. ^ Narvaez, Alfonso A. "Oscar Winners Return For Passaic Festivities", The New York Times, May 1, 1976. Accessed June 2, 2008. "Porky Zaentz and Beansie Lieberman came home today, and Mayor Gerald Goldman, members of the City Council and 200 others gathered on the steps of City Hall to honor the two local boys who had made good."

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Passaic County, New Jersey
County seat: Paterson
Boroughs
Map of New Jersey highlighting Passaic County
Cities

Clifton | Passaic | Paterson
Townships
Communities
Flag of New Jersey
v • d • e

 
State of New Jersey
Trenton (capital)
Topics
Regions
Counties

Atlantic · Bergen · Burlington · Camden · Cape May · Cumberland · Essex · Gloucester · Hudson · Hunterdon · Mercer · Middlesex · Monmouth · Morris · Ocean · Passaic · Salem · Somerset · Sussex · Union · Warren
Cities