Jersey Journal editor Augie Torres took time from the mayhem of his Jersey City homeland to join the ranks of the self-described “loyal opposition” in Hoboken.  By loyal opposition they mean the good old days, like when things ran smoothly “On the Waterfront,” and they collected the spoils of taxpayer monies before government got its hands on it while they bestowed jobs to friends and family.

According to the Old Guard Hoboken feature segment, they want to change the composition of Hoboken government to make it more amenable to their agenda. What’s their agenda?  Nothing is mentioned, there’s no policy ideas to move Hoboken forward, no great plan to lower taxes, or improve infrastructure.  Their sole plan is to overhaul the government so it’s more to their liking with guess who calling the shots?  Here’s how it’s explained: Read More...

HUMC announces:

The Russo Civic Association a bastion of power for the Russo family going back decades under former mayor Anthony Russo is without a home.

Based on an interview after the City Council meeting with Councilman Mike Russo, the status of the organization’s domicile is up in the air.  Asked about word stating the Association was moving, Russo didn’t offer a clear answer as to where.

He later indicated the lease to the Russo Civic Association was up but no future space has been identified to this point. Read More...

The barely there City Council meeting Wednesday night was a deflating affair.  One neutral observer gave a prediction for high drama and a two hour war but the actual meeting took only about an hour.

Even Councilwoman Beth Mason’s minion crafted prepared speech fell flat, lacking the usual twisted plethora of distortions, half-truths and outright fabrications.  It doesn’t help that she read it in a monotone as if she was herself seeing it for the very first time.

The sparsely attended meeting carried an air of anticipation but there was something very much missing from the room.  The gas was out of the tank before it even started.  Some are questioning why and Da Horsey is one of them. Read More...

City of Hoboken announces:

Last night the finale to this year’s budget saga ended but not without some typical Hoboken hijinks.  At one point, Councilwoman Beth Mason was complaining about a $4 million change and Finance Director Nick Trasente was explaining she was looking at the wrong line and most of the change was due to over $3 million in grants.

Finally, he decided to go help Beth Mason by pointing out what he was saying on the copy of her budget sheet.

We’re not sure Mr. Trasente has any interest in teaching but he would make a fine part time substitute for 3rd grade math. Read More...

The new budget amendment, the final amendment in a late process with heavy politics looming large over months passed along party lines as expected 5-4.

Councilman Peter Cunningham said, “We have to be prudent and smart,” noting strides in tax reductions made but without putting the city in a lurch.

Councilwoman Beth Mason complained about the amendment’s presentation being late to her and later called the budget “political” adding the money from the surplus should be returned to the taxpayers in its entirety reading from a prepared statement. Read More...

The meeting has started and Council members Terry Castellano and Mike Russo arrived late. The new amendment is under discussion.

Councilwoman Beth Mason is questioning four million in changes. Director Nick Trasente is explaining the changes are not four million. Grants to the city are 3.5 million, he is explaining.

– Posted at full gallop

The special council meeting to correctly complete the budget amendment will be moved ahead this evening.  Based on the utter waste of time and the insistence on holding the previous meeting on June 29th where no amendment of any sort could be passed, expect the wailing and gnashing of the teeth to reach screeching new heights.

And this even before the Feds begin dragging bodies away.

The amendment is anticipated to maintain the existing surplus in the range of $4 million.
Undoing the non-binding amendment passed at the previous meaningless meeting is the first order of business before moving on the passage of the new one. Read More...

Usually Hoboken residents are accustomed to announcements about water main breaks or collapses on the piers due to mismanagement decades back in its past but this isn’t one of those announcements.

Yesterday’s story on what could have been a dry run by the Boys of Summer caught the attention of quite a few. 

It’s apparently led to a run on CVS and pharmacies around town:

The following reports have been coming in on shortages of Depends: 

Fourth ward: all out.
Second ward: few quantities available
Third ward: limited supplies only Read More...