Author: SmartyJones

News

MSTA: Vote “NO” on Ballot Question 2

Update: Both sides of the referendum on the rent control ordinance are now posted together so people can see each side’s relative positions.


From the desk of the Mile Square Taxpayers Association: 

=&0=& Mile Square Taxpayers Association Official Position on Ballot Question 2 =&0=& =&4=& Hoboken’s rent leveling ordinance has been the subject of nearly 2 years of intense scrutiny and debate, leading to a 9-0 vote by the Council to adopt amendments to correct administrative and legislative issues that lead a judge to conclude the ordinance is arbitrary, capricious and unconstitutional and that the rent leveling office’s records are unreliable.   Rescinding the Council’s action would return Hoboken to a chaotic rent control environment in which property owners would be subject to liabilities despite performing under the ordinance, leading to continued litigation and a frozen market for rent control properties in Hoboken.   =&0=& =&6=& The Council researched the Ordinance and held 9 hearings within an 18-month process beginning in September of 2009.  Z-88 is the result of that process, during which tenants and landlord arguments were considered and helped shape the amendments that were passed 9-0.  Subsequently, the Council rejected the Petitioner’s motion to rescind the law, leading to the question appearing on the ballot.  =&7=& The Amendment has five essential components: Requires Disclosure to Tenants  Z-88 adds an important protection for tenants, for the first time requiring that they are notified of their right to request a legal rent calculation from the rent leveling board.

Allows Alternative Evidence Read More...

News

You have a choice: the short end of the Stick or have a Giant lead your fight against Hudson County’s Tax Machine

A specter is haunting Hoboken – the specter of Giantism.  It’s buzzing around in Jersey City Heights, it’s been virally spreading throughout the Mile Square and it’s entering into the consciousness of Zimmer Zombies everywhere.

Kurt Gardiner’s campaign is creating a buzz.  His platform for accountability, lower taxes and more services has struck a nerve.  Hoboken doesn’t want to hear about some paved roads while getting the short end of the stick. Read More...

News

The Angel Alicea complaint, plus more Kurt Gardiner endorsements coming today packing a wallop

MSV is making available the complete unedited complaint by former Public Safety Director Angel Alicea.  After reading it, there’s plenty to say but for those who prefer to read it first for themselves, it was sent out yesterday to MSV subscribers – and now it’s available here for MSV’s readers.

For the moment, note the allegations made and who they are against and the timing.
(Talk amongst yourselves.)

Also today, there’s going to be more endorsements for Kurt Gardiner.  Keep it tuned here. Read More...

News

Mayor: hospital saved, $52 million bond removed, Election Tuesday and a fundraiser

Dear Friends,

Great news!  Hoboken University Medical Center has officially been saved.

On Friday the funds were wired and I received a certificate from TD Bank
that the City is no longer responsible for the $52 million bond guarantee!

On Thursday, November 17th, please come and join a celebration at

my house, and help make sure we can continue to move Hoboken in
the right direction.   (See invitation here).  

I cannot thank all the Authority members enough, and in particular,

Chairwoman Toni Tomarazzo, for their tremendous contributions to
our community.  

I also want to thank all of you who gave your support on Sunday night.  

Thanks to the many citizens who raised their voices the message was clear: 
Our Hospital and our financial well being are not toys for cynical politicians
to play with – the political games that are threatening the health of our
community must stop now.

Tuesday, November 8th Election:
Please remember to vote this Tuesday.  While many of the races are not

in doubt, there are two important items that I’d like to highlight:

Rent control:  The new rent control Ordinance being challenged by
referendum maintains the core protections of our existing rent control
system and was passed unanimously by the City Council with my support. 
It is not perfect, but represents a genuine attempt to resolve serious issues
with the existing law.  Those issues led a court to rule that elements of the
existing law were applied in a manner which was “arbitrary and capricious.”
The new Ordinance seeks to create a fairer rent control system for both
renters and owners, while helping to protect the City from significant
potential litigation exposure.    The legislation does not increase in any
way the legal rent that may be charged on any apartment. 

The ballot is confusing.   A “No” vote supports the new legislation and

will allow the modest changes approved unanimously by the City Council
to become law.  

Freeholder: The Board of Chosen Freeholders is, in effect, the City Council

of the County. Kurt Gardiner is running as an independent against the incumbent
Freeholder, Anthony Romano. This is technically a partisan election, but no
Republican is on the ballot. Kurt stepped up to ensure that voters would have
a choice, since uncontested elections are not consistent with our democracy.
I urge each of you to learn about the candidates and cast your vote for the
individual who you feel will best represent Hoboken’s interests in the County.


Thank you all for your support, and I hope to see many of you on November 17th.

Dawn



 Talking Ed Note: The mayor’s fundraiser at the link has a suggested donation amount but all supporters and donations are welcome.
News

Former Public Safety Director Angel Alicia charges racial discrimination against City

In a civil suit complaint on behalf of former Public Safety Director Angel Alicia, a lawyer is charging racial discrimination against Mayor Dawn Zimmer and the City of Hoboken.

The complaint obtained by MSV lays out a number of charges leading into his April dismissal when Mayor Zimmer stated she learned of his meeting with FBI Informant Solomon Dwek on two occasions. The discovery is said to have led to his resignation.  The suit however doesn’t mention the meetings with Dwek as a factor. Read More...

News

Gardiner for Freeholder Candidate Literature available for pickup

Campaign Literature Available for Pickup for Kurt Gardiner for Freeholder Tonight and Tomorrow Night!

Thanks to my supporters so far that have been getting the word out about my candidacy for Freeholder this Tuesday November 8th. Vote Kurt Gardiner column C Row 6 for an end to business as usual and more services and lower taxes for Hoboken and Jersey City Heights residents!

I have literature that has been produced and attached here for your downloading convenience. I also have many 5X7 campaign post cards that you can pick up at 807 Garden Street Apartment 6 at the following times: Read More...

News

Hudson Reporter: Tim Occhipinti flipped on MORTe

In the crucial vote last Sunday night with the hospital not days but hours from running out of money, Councilman Tim Occhipinti made the move to change his vote and save the day for both the hospital and Hoboken – this according to a report by Al Sullivan in today’s Hudson Reporter.

The “Between the Lines” column has taken a lot of hits for its inaccuracies but MSV can confirm and wishes to give credit where due – on this one Al Sullivan got it right.  While this information reached us and could not be confirmed before the meeting, MSV did report the deal would pass based on high level hospital sources. With all the chips on the line: 1200 hospital jobs, massive layoffs for Hoboken along with massive taxes sure to follow and Hoboken tattered beyond belief, Tim Occhipinti was the one who pulled the hospital and with it Hoboken away from the abyss and said to MORTe, “I’m out.”

It was that action which led to a desperate MORTe pushing the phony “deal” with Holdco.  The action was so desperately transparent, it was met with derision by the public at the Sunday meeting. Read More...

News

Bet endorses: I’m with Stick, cuz Stick would stick it to me

For those of you who he has boinked, no words are required.  For those ladies he’s tried to boink, sometimes over decades, no words are even necessary.

At my swearing in, Anthony “Stick” Romano asked if I would uphold the laws of the Mazinic Temple of Hudson Street and be mayor of Hoboken.  I graciously accepted and am awaiting a terrorist action by my Hobroken411 minon that will fulfill the Mazinic prophecy.

For years, Anthony Romano has boinked Hoboken well.  He continues to serve underprivileged residents of Hoboken in Marine View choosing to accept inferior subsidized housing when his means permits him to live almost anywhere in Hoboken even if he is two or three levels beneath me. Read More...