Board of Education trustee Monica Stromwall is making waves announcing in the twilight of the election race Tuesday she no longer supports legal action constricting the expansion of the HoLa charter school.
Stromwall voted twice with the Kids First majority on the Hoboken Board of Education previously to start legal action in the hope of overturning NJ’s state approval allowing expansion to seventh and eighth grades next year.
As stated in the pro Old Guard developer founded Hudson Reporter, Stromwall is reported saying she would no longer vote to continue legal action to overturn the HoLa expansion. Of the nine member body she is one of seven votes that initiated the legal action.
After the comments by the Mayor other officials and a Hoboken resident, City Clerk Jimmy Farina led the audience singing “God Bless America.”
Video and story courtesy of John Heinis – The Hudson County View
Office of the Mayor announces:
=&0=& =&1=& =&2=& Mayor Zimmer today issued the following statement regarding the Monarch project on the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy: “Last night the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders upheld the County Planning Board’s denial of Shipyard’s application for the Monarch project. The denial was based on concerns regarding traffic and waterfront walkway issues, among other issues. The Freeholders’ decision will now be referred back to Superior Court as required by the Judge who maintains jurisdiction over the County Planning Board’s review of this matter.” “While the decision last night did not concern the wisdom of building large residential projects on piers, today, on the anniversary of Sandy, it is important to reflect on the public safety problems of building on any waterfront piers in a post-Sandy world. As a result of the impact of Hurricane Sandy, on December 18th, 2013, the City Council passed legislation that bans development on all piers in the high velocity zone, not just the Monarch project.” “As we mark the second year since Sandy, I want to remind everyone of Governor Christie’s clear public position on this issue that I agree with 100 percent.”“In his veto of State legislation that would have made it legal to build on piers, the Governor had this to say”:
This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection to approve development projects on existing piers located in “coastal high hazard areas” in certain municipalities along the Hudson River. Because this bill has the potential to jeopardize National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”) eligibility for impacted municipalities, I cannot sign this legislation.

A letter from Mayor Dawn Zimmer on the upcoming Board of Education election this Tuesday.
Dear Horsey and MSV readers: Since first being elected to the Hoboken City Council in 2007, I have always publicly shared my thoughts with respect to Hoboken’s annual School Board elections. This year’s election is taking place this coming Tuesday, November 4, and I will be casting my vote for the Parents For Progress slate consisting of Monica Stromwall, Sharyn Angley and Antonio Gray. While I do not know the candidates well, I had the opportunity recently to sit down and speak with them about the issues facing our schools. I share their excitement about the enormous progress the Hoboken School district has made in recent years. In fact, last week my husband and I, together with our 13 year old son Alex (an 8th grader at the Elysian Charter School), attended the Hoboken High School open house and were all extremely impressed. As we walked home, Alex let us know that he has decided to attend Hoboken High School next year because of the opportunities it provides to high achieving students for independent study. Perhaps the most controversial issue with regard to Hoboken Schools at this time concerns the decision of the Hoboken School Board to oppose in Court the State’s decision to permit the expansion of the HoLa Charter school to 7th and 8th grade. I have made clear my support of the State’s decision to permit the expansion, and while I respect the School Board’s right to take the steps that it has in opposition, I have made clear my strong disagreement with their decision to do so. In my conversation with the Parents For Progress candidates, I was pleased to learn that the candidates’ views reflect a spectrum of opinion with regard to this and other issues relating to the relationship between the traditional School District and our Charter Schools. I believe that this diversity of opinion would be a real asset to the School Board going forward. I respect the Parents for Progress candidates for their decision to run independently of any political affiliation and hope that, if elected, they will make their voices heard not only in agreement but, when appropriate, in dissent. This would help the School Board as a whole make the best decisions possible for Hoboken’s children. That’s why on Tuesday I will be casting my vote for 2-3-5 Stromwall, Angley and Gray. Mayor Dawn ZimmerMayor Dawn Zimmer last night at the Freeholders Meeting |
After two hours of deliberations and hearing from dozens of Hoboken residents, the Hudson County Board of Freeholders finally weighed in voting to uphold its Planning Board in a 5-0-1 vote.
With over 125 residents in attendance but some departing on a break, the vote in the end was anti-climatic as the weight of residents and county attorneys all agreed asking the Hudson County Planning Board application by Ironstate be denied. Previously, the County Planning Board voted 5-2 to deny the Monarch project application to build two towers east of the Hudson Tea Building. The project already in the courts is likely to continue on that front. This story is breaking… NJ.com reported on the story: http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/10/monarch_at_the_shipyard.htmlThe Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold a special meeting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 to vote on whether or not to uphold the Hudson County Planning Board’s denial of Shipyard’s application for the Monarch project.
The Hudson County Planning Board’s denial was based on the effects of the proposed project on traffic and pedestrian safety along an abutting county roadway (Sinatra Drive). The Hearing will be limited to those issues. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria of the Wallace School, located at 1100 Willow Avenue. The meeting is open to the public, and concerned members of the community may attend and voice their opinions.
www.hobokennj.org/docs/communitydev/Hoboken-Yard-Redevelopment-Plan-Changes.pdf

Beth Mason and Old Guard allies vote down legal work against Monarch project!

City of Hoboken announces:
“It was a very difficult choice, and Hoboken was lucky to have three outstanding candidates for the position,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “I thank Chief Garcia and Captain Pasculli for their willingness to serve, and I congratulate Lieutenant Ferrante on his appointment and look forward to working with him as our new chief. On behalf of the citizens of Hoboken, I thank Chief Garcia for his lifelong commitment to the City of Hoboken and for leading our Police Department through this transition.”