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Horsey’s Timely News Posts
City of Hoboken announces:
=&0=& Hoboken business owners are advised that business parking permits will expire at the end of September.The Hoboken Parking Utility has mailed out renewal notices to all businesses with an address on the permit. Notices were NOT mailed out to “open” or “various” permit holders since these permits are no longer being issued as they had been previously.
Gov. Christie is starting to get a reputation but it’s not one his opponents would prefer. Here’s the latest example of the governor getting into a Q&A disagreement with an opponent and taking the conflict head on and smacking the ball over the wall. In this instance, it’s a teacher but for viewers, it’s becoming habit forming.
Of a dozen candidates discussed for the Republican nomination, his name is a regular feature. After watching him speak to a number of details, the contrast to most politicians including many on the scene today explains why.
Yesterday the city held an interfaith service at Pier A. Among the officials in attendance were Police Chief Falco and former Fire Chief Richard Tremidieti. Of the many photos taken, this is one of our favorites. As many know, the heroes on 9-11 included many from police and fire who served and died on 9-11. More on the event to follow.
| Hundreds of people choose a quicker death over the smoke and fire when trapped at the World Trade Center on the attack of September 11th, 2001. Imagine. Imagine. Imagine. |
My name is Justin DePascale I am a 32 year old resident and police officer, not in jeopardy by the layoff plan. I have lived in Hoboken all of my life. I recently moved out for less than a year and collectively decided, with my wife Cara, to move back because Hoboken is the place we want to raise our son, now six months old. Throughout my life here in Hoboken I have seen so many changes, mostly for the betterment of our city. We know that Hoboken is a safe, friendly, and fun place to live, but it wasn’t always that way.
From the desk of City Council President Carol Marsh:
At the last Council meeting, members of the City Council and Mayor Zimmer
listened to more than 4 hours of public testimony at the start the meeting
regarding the planned layoffs in the police department. Everyone, even
those who were not signed up to speak, was offered the opportunity to
address the Council. As a result, the Council meeting did not finish until
after 2 AM.
We have received a request that our next council meeting be held in a
venue to accommodate up to 500 people. While it is appropriate and
important that we listen to the public, we must balance the need to hear
from members of the public against the need to conduct the City’s
business.
As a result, in consultation with Mayor Zimmer, we plan to provide an
overflow room in City Hall to accommodate additional members of the public
who may wish to attend the upcoming meeting. In order to balance the need
for community input while conducting the City’s business, we plan to allow
a reasonable period of time at the beginning of the meeting for the public
to speak on the resolution which was tabled at the last council meeting.
We ask that the organizers of this protest identify appropriate group
leaders and any other members of the community to speak as representatives
during the initial portion of the meeting, perhaps giving priority to
those who did not address the Council at the last meeting. As always,
additional community input can be provided during the public portion of
the meeting. We will work closely with Police Chief Falco, and we are
confident in his department’s ability to maintain a safe environment for
everyone as they did at the prior meeting.
Council meetings are just one way for the public to provide input to their
elected officials. For those who are not able to attend the meetings
because of work or other reasons, all members of the council can be
contacted via the email addresses which are published on the city website,
www.hobokennj.org. Finally, public demonstrations are an important aspect
of our democracy, and I have been assured that the Administration will
work to ensure the safety of participants at any such demonstration.
Here’s another commercial from a member of the Hoboken PBA who is on the chopping block: Josue Velez. Officer Velez appeared in uniform at the City Council meeting and spoke but is more impressive in his shorter appearance here. Seeing a vet in uniform talk about his disappointment on a personal level should he lose his job will strike a sympathetic chord in many.
Last night, MSV had an opportunity to speak to several officers by chance as part of an off the record discussion. There’s real emotional upset with officers in town. One who was not facing the loss of his job spoke about the struggles of going to work in the current atmosphere but placing professionalism above all. He recounted the mental transformation he felt when putting on the uniform. As it turns out, his wife just lost her job and he recently bought a home in the heart of town. So even without facing the loss of his job, his future in town is now doubtful. He was reluctant to be critical of other senior officers who elected not to retire calling it a personal decision. Later, he did say after some additional conversation he hoped that would occur to save the jobs of his colleagues.
The Hoboken Police Department has not gone through what may be called right-sizing, reorganization, downsizing or any of the other terms most of us have seen applied in companies where we or loved ones have made part of our working life. It’s not to be overlooked or downplayed. Cutting a layer of the most aggressive, enthusiastic officers will have a human impact on those who remain, not just those who would leave.
The changes are not likely to be reversed by public pressure. Retirements are a real way to put the brakes on the reductions and MSV can confirm there are several in the works. Out of respect, they won’t be named. There are some senior members on the force who have well over 30 years and have already maxed out on their pensions. One Captain is approaching 40 years of service.
The question is what kind of legacy do they wish to leave to their brothers and Josue Velez?
Update 1:15: A reader sent in some additional information on a youthful Mr. Velez. In no way should this be considered problematic in terms of his service to the country and now in Hoboken as an officer. It does however show that in some respects, this town is a small world. The readers have already begun a discussion on this so there’s no point in hiding the reality of the past.
As far as political commercials go, this is a solid piece of work. It gets the simple details to the viewer and makes it clear what action to take. So, kudos to Paul Swibinski for a fine commercial effort to earn some of the rumored $50,000 he’s tallied to represent both of the Hoboken police unions. A source indicated to MSV it breaks down to 25K for each: one for the patrolman and one for the senior officers. That does strike us as unfair. Seems like the upper officers are getting the bargain as it’s the junior members who are going to lose their jobs based on internal union bumping rights, but Da Horsey digresses.
Scardigno has written a song for this memorial, “Once There Stood Twin Towers There.” Youth from The Hudson School will be singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” under the direction of Kerry Dunn.