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Horsey’s Timely News Posts

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The Showdown and the low down on the Municipal Garage

UPDATE: Monday – Last night some 3rd ward residents helped fill up Council Chambers on a Sunday evening.  Many of them have discovered things were not as they had thought.  About half of them were visibly backing the city contingency to protect Hoboken and possibly keep the Municipal Garage in its current location.  
What’s the cost for this possibility?  Zero.  Was there a vote?  No.  

Petty local politics is firmly rooted in Hoboken.  Even with hundreds of thousands in interest costs in the balance as of June 23rd and millions at stake on July 1, the moment for placing the town first has not reached critical mass.  But it’s coming and in short order.

A few people are actually enjoying this.  They see it as a victory not for Hoboken but in keeping the mayor from advancing this option for the Municipal Garage, at least on a Sunday leading into a July 1 default deadline.  Yes, that’s not an error: DEFAULT on the Municipal Garage.
Although most residents who commented voiced their support for this no cost option for the city, no required sixth vote could be found.  It wasn’t going to be.  Councilman Nino Giacchi goes on vacation and the meeting was held on Sunday to accommodate that timing.  He followed through as stated to Hoboken Patch not to support the bond with a vote last night.

Wednesday the Municipal Garage repurchase contingency will be repeated all over again with only the city defaulting/losing the chance to repurchase the Municipal Garage at stake.  The dance of the flowers will continue. At least while personal petty politics is viewed as more important than Hoboken.

Talking Ed Note: Councilman Nino Giacchi responding to MSV the sixth ward would have no representation on this critical issue as he goes on vacation differed.  He stated that although he’ll be away, the sixth ward would be represented and the bond ordinance would pass.
The open question of course is when?  It’s obvious there’s people that don’t want to let go of this opportunity for more grandstanding.  It was a fine display of bad government: complaining, whining, Monday morning quarterbacking, changing the subject, grandstanding and yet more complaining.  Rinse, repeat: more of it to come Wednesday.  

Will Hoboken get a vote Wednesday on this no cost option to maybe keep the Municipal Garage where is is now? 
Related: Hoboken resident Richard Tremitiedi led a chorus of residents mostly advocating the city protect its interests and approve the bond ordinance for the Municipal Garage.   The Hoboken Journal posted a copy of his remarks.  
Mr. Tremitiedi is a retired Hoboken fire chief.
Hoboken Patch.com has posted the news story on the evening’s events.  It’s a definitive review on the meeting and what’s at stake.

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June 13

The biggest vote in Hoboken since citizens took to the polls in the mayoral elections last November will take place tonight in the City Council at City Hall on a proposed bond ordinance for the Municipal Garage.  How large are the stakes?  How about the very property where the garage sits.


Not only is Capital One, the bank holding the loan on the property sitting in the driver’s seat if the city fails to deliver on their expectation to establish the contingency of the bond, they can move to take the property outright July 1.  Instead of the city potentially protecting its right to buy back the property, and then retaining the Municipal Garage where it is, – it would lose everything! Read More...

News

Councilman Bhalla makes it official – in for Dem Chair



June 12, 2010 
Dear Hoboken Democratic Committeeperson:
Congratulations on your recent election as a Committeeperson of the Hoboken Democratic Committee (HDC). Many of us had spirited races, and every candidate for the HDC should be congratulated on their commitment to serving our community.

Now that the election is over, it is time for us to work together for the benefit of Hoboken and the Democratic Party. To this end, I am writing to respectfully request your support for my nomination for the position of Chairman of the HDC. As I enter my third year of service as a Committeeman, I have learned that we, as Committeepersons, are the eyes and ears of our local neighborhood. Our specialized knowledge of our local districts provides us the potential to work with local government officials to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. If elected Chair of the party, I will actively work with all of you to learn more about the concerns of your district, so we can address those concerns head on this year. Read More...

News

Here we go: game time

The meeting is less than an hour away and in order for the municipal garage to have a chance to stay where it is and give the town a potential release of its collective breath, the City Council will need six votes to protect both that option and also risk losing the property outright.

Cross your fingers the right thing will be done by enough for all of Hoboken.

You can watch the meeting live on the internet via the Hoboken Journal.  The Jolly Green Giant has a new gizmo for comments and people watching at home should enjoy it. Read More...

News

Grist for the Mill: 6th ward committee election sweep?

As tonight’s critical vote for the municipal garage is about to take place, confirmation on the provisionals in the Hoboken Democratic Committee is reportedly so low, winners were notified of their victories late Friday by City Hall.

As reported here on Friday, provisional ballots were anticipated to be no more than a handful, possibly eight and not expected to impact the outcome of any of the Democratic Committee races.  Although the final numbers won’t be confirmed until Monday, the mayor’s Column B candidates are expected to take 40 seats easily surpassing the Michelle Russo led “Real Dems” group total of 32. Read More...

News

The Beautiful Game takes the global stage

The World Cup, the world’s most viewed sporting event kicked off yesterday with the host country South Africa kicking off the first match with Mexico.  The game ended in a 1-1 draw, not a bad result for either team.

For many Americans, the game is not understood; they did not grow up playing and can’t appreciate the subtlety of the art within the chess game without that experience.  A Magic Johnson half-court pass they can, but ask yourself how much more beautiful would such a pass be if you could do it with your feet?  Regardless of appreciation, more US children are playing soccer than any other team sport – combined. Read More...

News

Tree Mourning Vigil in Church Square Park

MSV received this notice from Gerard, a local resident:

There will be a gathering on Saturday, =&0=&=&1=&=&2=& to mourn the recent loss of another tree in Church Square Park.   Many of Hoboken’s citizens are tree lovers and the unfortunate loss of another tree will provide an opportunity for the citizens to pay their respects and spend a bit of time together.  This event is not political, all are welcome, but it is requested that any and all politics be left at home. Mourning the loss of a tree A number of trees were pruned.  But is this an example of pruning?  A chance meeting while taking photos with Hoboken resident Mary Ondrejka who was walking through the park led to a passionate concern about a couple of additional trees.  Mary pointed out two she felt were destined for destruction sooner than later and questioned the technique of the workers.  On the charge of excessive cutting, this may qualify as a legitimate example. A top view, is this “pruning” proper technique leading to a better chance of a healthy outcome?  MSV is unsure.  Da Horsey is no arbor specialist and doesn’t claim to know. A tree with a healthy future?  Mary felt two trees were at risk and would eventually be cut down as it’s more profitable for the tree removal service to do so.  She claimed the tree that had been cut down could have been “strapped” and would have done fine.   Although the city committed to replacing the tree removed in the middle of the park, at least two other places showed earlier removal as this one above.  If the city isn’t interested, would citizens raise funds to do so similar to the parent’s group Project Play? =&3=&: Tombstone courtesy of the Hoboken Journal.  All rights reserved.
News

Mayor Zimmer's ticket win all but certain

Da Horsey just got word from reliable sources the provisional ballots are a mere handful and unlikely to change the current 38-33 scorecard. The Mayor’s Column B ticket not only holds a decisive lead, it could grow larger.

Grafix Avenger scooped everyone with an intriguing story that two of the Russo’s Column C winners are defecting as we speak to the Mayor’s ticket.

That outcome would push the Column B winners to a 40 count tally making it next to impossible for any weekend efforts by the Russo family to change matters from their lovely Belmar home. Read More...

News

Hertz sharing options for Hoboken residents begins

=&0=& The City of Hoboken, New Jersey and Connect by Hertz will launch “Corner Cars” — the country’s first true city-wide car-sharing program on June 16th. With the roll-out of this program, more than 90 percent of Hoboken residents will live within a 5 minute walk of a car-sharing vehicle location.  “We’re proud to partner with Hertz to offer our residents the first true city-wide car-sharing program in the country,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “This creative program will save residents thousands of dollars compared to owning a car and eliminate the stress and hassle of looking for parking in our city.” The first phase of this program is anticipated to remove more than 750 vehicles from Hoboken‘s crowded streets. City Council President Peter Cunningham convincingly argued that the effect on our parking situation will be the same as building a new 750 car garage, except it won’t cost taxpayers a dime. “Instead of taking on millions of dollars in taxpayer debt for structured parking, residents who switch to car-sharing will save thousands of dollars,” said Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs. “It’s the 21st Century solution to contemporary urban parking woes.” The following day, Thursday, June 17th, Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs will host a community forum to discuss transportation and parking issues with residents. The forum will run from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Multi-Service Center, 124 Grand Street. =&1=& The formal kick-off of “Corner Cars,” Hoboken’s new city-wide car-sharing service powered by Connect by Hertz. Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs will take a vehicle for the inaugural drive. =&2=& The intersection of 2nd St. and Harrison St. – the location of one of 21 car-sharing locations. =&3=& Wednesday, June 16th at 4:30 pm =&4=& Mayor Dawn Zimmer, City Council Members, Hertz representatives, other local elected officials, and community residents. The “Corner Cars” program operated by Connect by Hertz is Hoboken‘s city-wide car-sharing service which allows residents to rent a vehicle by the hour, day or week. Rates start at $5 per hour and include gas, roadside assistance, navigation system, and insurance. More than 90 percent of the Hoboken population will be within a 5 minute walk of at least one car-sharing location. Locations were selected through public input and by City Council members representing individual wards. Residents with questions about the Corner Cars program can email cornercars@hobokennj.org or call the Department of Transportation and Parking at 201-653-1919. =&5=&

Many Hoboken residents own a car but commute daily by transit, bus, bike or walking. They move their car for street cleaning or pay high rates to park in a garage. They use their car for groceries, to visit family, or to go to the beach. Other than that, their car sits around for days or weeks costing money, getting old, and losing value. “Corner Cars” is the alternative that makes a car available to residents whenever they need it — whether it’s for an hour or a week — and only costs for the time it’s used — as little as $5 per hour. With Corner Cars, residents could save thousands of dollars per year, never have to worry about finding parking again, and have the convenience of a car always parked nearby in a reserved space. Read More...

News

Where are the outstanding provisionals?

As we are near mid-afternoon the likelihood of the provisional ballots to finalize the local party committee elections remain outstanding.  It’s not looking good we’ll have those results before the weekend.  In fact, there’s no clarity on even how many there are.

Your County tax dollars at work.  We’re sure they are looking at the door if not out heading into the weekend.

No doubt, the skullduggery and machine efforts will continue right into Monday.

The big Hoboken Democratic meeting is planned for Monday night.  Councilman Ravi Bhalla looks to be the pick for chair and Ines Garcia Keim could take the 2nd slot for vice chair. Read More...

News

Grist for the Mill: Street Fight – the Russo Clan Edition

Even with the Hoboken Democratic Committee score minus provisional ballots currently 38-33, Michelle Russo, Queen of the $5 a tow Pino’s family tax is telling anyone who’ll listen they are within “flipping” distance at 38-34.

Such a total means the will of the voters could be overturned if two elected committee people from Column B merely turn their back on the voters who elected them.  But turning a huge defeat for old style machine politics – into a full out street fight with a tie – a twinkle in Mama Russo’s eye at the moment, seems highly unlikely. Read More...