Action was taken at a Hudson County warming center in Kearny without heat after the urging of Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), the candidate for Jersey City mayor said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
O’Dea visited the Naval Reserve Facility in Kearny this morning after receiving calls from employees and constituents saying that there was not have adequate heat, discovering employees crowded around space heaters and residents huddled under blankets.
“What I saw this morning was heartbreaking and unacceptable— no one should have to sleep in these freezing conditions. Our neighbors deserve better and I thank the county employees I spoke to for taking quick steps to address this crisis,” O’Dea said in a statement.
“I will be visiting the warming center again tonight to ensure that the problem is fixed and the temperature is within acceptable levels.”
He continued that he informed Hudson County department directors of the situation and demanded that the facility’s HVAC vendor return to the site to fix the heating system and provide 24/7 support, along with additional space heaters.
The Naval Reserve Facility is “a critical lifeline for homeless or home-insecure individuals, particularly during the harsh winter months,” O’Dea added.
The non-partisan Jersey City mayoral race isn’t until November 4th, where O’Dea is running in a field that includes Council President Joyce Watterman, former Gov. Jim McGreevey, ex-Board of Education President Mussab Ali, and Ward E Councilman James Solomon.
