He’s a ‘cycle-path’
I laughed when I read in The Jersey Journal that Andrew Black is looking for a $1 million settlement (”Jersey City hit-and-run councilwoman facing possible $1 million lawsuit by cyclist,” Jan. 27).
According to what I read in The Jersey Journal, the lawsuit claims: “Mr. Andrew Black was riding his bicycle when the vehicle driven by Amy DeGise struck claimant causing him to sustain several injuries. ... Negligence contributed by defendant by speeding, reckless driving, disregard for traffic commands/signals as well as leaving the scene of the accident.”
Andrew Black is not the poster child for bicycle safety. As an avid bicyclist, Andrew Black represents everything that serious bikers, like myself, detest in “cycle-paths,” that is to say, individuals who do not take bicycling seriously.
As the video clearly shows, Andrew Black was wearing “flip flops”; this is inappropriate footwear for bicycling. Furthermore, Andrew Black demonstrated sheer negligence when he raced his bike past cars stopped at the traffic light, when he recklessly disregarded the traffic lights at the intersection, and when he didn’t check for oncoming vehicular and pedestrian traffic when he entered the intersection. Andrew Black didn’t stop at the red light; instead, he nonchalantly sped right through that red light.
I’m no apologist for Amy DeGise. She was wrong for leaving the scene of an accident. However, Andrew Black is not the hapless victim in this case. In reality, by carelessly riding his bicycle as if he was privileged, as if he didn’t have to obey existing traffic laws, Andrew Black caused that accident in July.
In my opinion, since Andrew Black caused that accident by running the red light, he has forfeited his right to any compensation or entitlements.
Jack D’Elia, Jersey City
No way he deserves $1M
Reading The Jersey Journal while relaxing on the sofa truly is an enjoyable experience. We have been following the continuing story about Amy DeGise. We agree with The Jersey Journal (”Amy DeGise must go, but how? | Jersey Journal editorial” Jan. 26), Amy DeGise should tender her resignation.
However, we vehemently disagree that Andrew Black should be awarded a judgment of $1 million for injuries sustained in that accident.
As reported in The Jersey Journal, Andrew Black ran the red light. Therefore, Andrew Black greatly contributed to, if not totally caused, the accident by recklessly riding his bicycle on the roadway. Or, stated another way, Andrew Black disregarded the traffic signals and failed to follow the rules of the road. As the video clearly shows, Andrew Black passed cars that were stopped at the light, and, without looking out for vehicles going through the intersection, he irresponsibly sped through that intersection.
Granted, Amy DeGise did not stop after hitting Andrew Black. Likewise, Andrew Black failed to stop when he nonchalantly passed the red light at the intersection. He entered the intersection against the traffic light. Consequently, Andrew Black did not have the right of way; Amy DeGise did.
The well-written article in The Jersey Journal states that Andrew Black sustained several injuries. However, as we recall, Andrew Black actively participated in rallies calling for Amy DeGise to step down from her elected position on the council, and, by the way, those rallies occurred immediately after the accident in July. Andrew Black is not paralyzed. Nor is he bedridden. From what we have read, Andrew Black received very minor, non-life-altering injuries.
Andrew Black ignored the traffic signals, and he had admitted to this. Furthermore, the injuries sustained were minor. Given these facts, we believe that Andrew Black may be entitled to a new bicycle. But, there is absolutely no way that he is entitled to a $1 million judgment.
Valentina Greco and Angelina D’Aiuto, Jersey City
Refreshing to see press attack a Dem
Re “Amy DeGise must go, but how? | Jersey Journal editorial” Jan. 26):
How refreshing to see so-called “journalists” in the fair and balanced “news” media of today continue to demand the resignation of an obviously flawed individual whose arrogance and intoxication from political power is off the charts.
It is indeed a RARE occurrence these days to see the press direct its U.S. Constitutionally granted power at a Democrat, especially one entrenched by birthright within the cesspool of NJ politics known by all longtime New Jerseyans as the Hudson County Democrats.
Yes, absolute power corrupts, and this poor excuse of a human being, never mind the people’s representative, apparently flaunts the rule of law and common decency on a regular basis. Sounds like the perfect candidate for the next mayor of Jersey City.
The stink of the Hudson County Democratic Party continues to waft all the way down here to the Jersey Shore, polluting our sea breezes like it has for the entire 60+ years of my life in NJ. Keep voting for those D’s, Hudson County!!
Mike Moss, Bradley Beach
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