Author: SmartyJones

News

3rd ward council candidate Greg Lincoln to host kickoff March 3rd at Willie McBride’s

If you care about Hoboken and want to fight the fight to make it better and support a honest person in elected office please consider supporting Greg Lincoln:

Greg Lincoln for 3rd Ward City Council Facebook Launch

The Greg Lincoln for 3rd Ward City Council campaign is excited to announce the launch of their campaign Facebook page. Please visit the page and ‘Like’ it so we can keep you informed of campaign events and news. Also save the date for our first big event: our Campaign Kickoff and Fundraiser, Thursday March 3, 7-9 pm at Willie McBride’s, 616 Grand St. If you plan to attend let us know on Facebook or send a message to LincolnForCouncil@gmail.com. Watch our Facebook page for more details. We hope you can join us as we begin our campaign to bring an honest choice to the voters of the 3rd Ward.




Greg Lincoln for 3rd Ward City Council Facebook Page:


http://on.fb.me/h0JM49 Read More...

News

We now return you to thee story: Councilman Mike Russo accuses Mayor Zimmer of wheeling

There’s just so many goodies coming out of last Wednesday’s marathon meeting Da Horsey is sitting here with a pile of tape not sure which one should be next.


Well there’s more to come so let’s go to hit ‘next’ on the videotape.  Here’s Mike Russo taking Hoboken on a politrickin ride of wheeling accusations against Mayor Zimmer.


In this clip, Mike Russo interjects to respond to his name being raised, a courtesy Beth Mason gives him automatically as he wishes.  She doesn’t extend the same common courtesy to Councilman Peter Cunningham on the introduction of his anti-wheeling ordinance.


As the audience audibly groans at the added time for Mike Russo’s politrickin, he lashes out at the idea the anti-wheeling ordinance will be raised again during New Business.  Earlier the obstructing Council of No: Mike Russo, Terry Castellano, Tim Occhipinti, Nino Giacchi and of course Beth Mason voted down on first reading the proposed anti-wheeling ordinance sponsored by Council members Peter Cunningham and Ravi Bhalla allowing no introduction for the benefit of the public.


Mike Russo vociferously complains the topic will be introduced again – this time with an introductory comment by Peter Cunningham, exactly what the Council of No has fought in anti-democratic fashion to avoid.  (Later the first speaker during public portion Patricia Waiters will ask why the public is given no right to speak on the matter.  Beth Mason explains it has to reach second reading.)  Of course that’s the whole point, Beth Mason, Tim “the fraud” Occhipinti and the Council of No don’t want any discussion whatsoever let alone from the public on the matter.


As Mike Russo spews his usual bombs falsely equating a joint campaign committee as a PAC in attacking Mayor Zimmer, Beth Mason’s and his political operatives yell out approval and applaud.  As soon as MSV’s camera turns to the audience, they all immediately stop – including the Mason411 minion who is in the rear left of the video.  It’s absolutely hilarious.


Mike Russo then makes a further attempt to accuse Mayor Zimmer of wheeling a donation from County Executive Tom Degise.  It’s so laughable, the audience and council members are egging him on to say the amount.  He finally retreats and yields the floor to Peter Cunningham who is awaiting to introduce his ordinance.


It’s all politrickin friends, it’s all politrickin.









Talking Ed Note: Mayor Zimmer refuted both Mike Russo’s and Beth Mason’s accusations asking for an apology.  Last heard both of them stood by their accusations without further comment in the Hudson Reporter.  No story has appeared getting to the bottom of any of it.  (MSV wishes someone would who gets paid to actually do such work.)


Mayor Zimmer embraced the accusations by Mike Russo enough to suggest he should then join others on the City Council in passing the anti-wheeling ordinance if he feels her “wheeling” behavior is wrong.


With that final flurry, let’s score this one Mayor Zimmer -1  Mike “Politrickin” Russo – 0. Read More...

News

State questions procedures for 2008 and 2009 vendor contracts under Judy Tripodi

A letter issued by the Office of the State Comptroller early this month questioned the process for Hoboken vendor contracts originating back in 2008 and 2009.  The State office questioned whether the city had conducted an “open and fair,” process in making several vendor selections including labor counsel, auditor, and risk management and planner.

Although the State letter makes it clear the City has not provided the necessary selection documentation in these past contracts it doesn’t state the problem exists now but to “ensure they are addressed going forward.” Read More...

News

Councilman Ravi Bhalla again counters Assemblyman Ruben Ramos on wheeling

Hoboken Councilman Ravi Bhalla has quickly countered the letter by Assemblyman Ruben Ramos.  It should be crystal clear who is working to advance the power of Hoboken residents and support our true freedoms in free and fair elections and who is fighting for the status quo with all its loopholes against.

Ravi Bhalla’s letter follows:

Dear Editor,

I write in response to Assemblyman Ruben Ramos’ letter regarding my recent commentary on his February 16th letter to the City Council regarding campaign finance reform.  Read More...

News

Assemblyman Ruben Ramos: ‘Forget anti-wheeling, show me the money’

This letter originally appeared on Hoboken Patch from Assemblyman Ruben Ramos.  It provide insights into the mind of the Machine adamantly oppossed to restricting wheeling.  For them such an event would be an absolute catastrophe.

Ramos does a pretty good job attempting to muddy the waters.  He is trying to say Hoboken is not the master of its own domain and can not push ahead to stop wheeling.  We’ve seen quite a bit of that in recent days.  It reeks of desperation.  Both sides know this would be the absolute death knell for the backhanded money laundering to overwhelm the will of the people.  Be it a PAC or an individual, shutting off the loopholes will place Hoboken in good company – such as Atlantic and Monmouth counties and Marlboro township.  How does Ruben Ramos explain that?  He doesn’t and he can’t.  Instead Ramos tries to argue about individual self-funded campaigns.  That’s not even at issue here.
(Minions please take note before you try to trot out this rubbish.) Read More...

News

Hoboken the snow is gone, please lend a hand

Office of the mayor announces:

=&0=& I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather, and taking pride in our great city.

As the snow melts, we ask for everyone’s cooperation with cleaning up our City. Property owners are reminded that you are responsible for cleaning up the sidewalk in front of your business or residence. Our Environmental Services Department will continue working to clean up the City as the snow melts, and we ask property owners to help with this effort as well. Read More...

News

Councilman Ravi Bhalla illuminates anti-wheeling legislation

The City Council meeting Wednesday night offered some stark contrasts and the anti-wheeling measure is ground zero and dead center in the fight for the soul of Hoboken with the May council elections for all intents and purposes well underway.

Councilman Ravi Bhalla took the floor to lay out what Peter Cunningham was not afforded in his ordinance introduction at the meeting – a chance to explain the need for anti-wheeling legislation.

In this clip, MSV captures from the front of the room the dynamics of the discussion with some pans of the audience.  Although the rabble have been following orders and under control for the past several meetings, they are not able to contain their dread of this issue.  Even with “the majority” votes able to squash passage, the mere discussion causes them to froth around more than Linda Blair in the Exorcist under questioning by a priest. Read More...

News

4th ward candidate Rami Pinchevsky: Fight for the public interest, not self-interest

Rami for Council announces:

HOBOKEN COUNCIL CANDIDATE RAMI PINCHEVSKY ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM FAILURE

Last week, I came out in favor of the campaign finance reform package proposed by Mayor Zimmer. Due to the history of corruption and scandal that have plagued our city government, I am in favor of any measure that empowers local residents and ends politics-as-usual.

Unfortunately, this much needed reform fell victim to the very same politics-as-usual system which has a stranglehold on our city council. Five of the nine city council members effectively said they were ok with letting political candidates accept over $10,000 from a single donor through the practice known as “wheeling” by voting against the measure at the first reading before the council. And why not? It has gotten them this far. Read More...

News

Mayor Zimmer invites public to Hoboken State of the City address

City of Hoboken announces:

PUBLIC INVITED TO HOBOKEN STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

All members of the public are invited to join Mayor Dawn Zimmer for her first State of the City address.

The event will take place on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the DeBaun Auditorium in Edwin A. Stevens Hall on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology.

The main entrance is on 5th Street directly across from the Stevens Park. The wheelchair entrance is located in the rear entrance of the building on River Street with handicapped parking located behind the two buildings (McLean & Babbio) located directly across the street from the ramp. For additional information, visit: http://www.debaun.org/Directions.html Read More...

News

Mayor Zimmer jams spoke in wheeling, questions veracity of Mason-Russo axis

Office of the Mayor announces:

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZIMMER ON ANTI-WHEELING LEGISLATION & FALSE STATEMENTS MADE AT COUNCIL MEETING

Last night the “new majority” of the City Council cast their votes to oppose legislation that would have stopped the practice of wheeling which has corrupted Hoboken’s electoral process. Put simply, wheeling is the practice of laundering contributions through campaign committees to circumvent campaign finance or pay to play laws. The law sponsored by Councilman Cunningham was modeled on an ordinance passed four years ago in Atlantic County. Six other jurisdictions in New Jersey have followed Atlantic County’s lead, and the legality of Atlantic County’s statute has never been called into question in the almost four years that it has been in effect. Read More...