When the little engine that could is climbing uphill for so long and suddenly finds itself on top, the look down must appear a bit scary.  Last week’s People for Open Government (POG) meeting faced some of those sights having successfully made that climb.   The legendary Hoboken group has advanced a number of important local ordinances but faces new challenges.  While there’s been major victories on some fronts such as the town’s pay to play laws, it’s also challenged to remain relevant in others and most recently credible in the eyes of some in the public.   Raising eyebrows in the Hoboken political community is a recent letter from the organization where three of nine board members participated.  Vice President Eric Kurta was frank during the meeting sizing up the public reaction, “We shouldn’t be involved in this going forward” adding he was well aware his own name is synonymous with POG having earlier served as its President for three years.   He highlighted the eruption from the public scrutinizing the letter questioning the ethics regarding Councilman Ravi Bhalla’s 2008 contract with Newark and its anticipation of a similar response to Councilwoman Beth Mason’s ELEC violations (as stated by ELEC) from her mayoral campaign last spring.  The letter posted on several local sites became a point of controversy itself – as it criticized Councilman Ravi Bhalla and demanded more than an apology from =&1=& the Councilman and the Mayor.  Mayor Zimmer has no role with Ravi Bhalla’s law firm or issuance of any contracts from the city of Newark.  In a phone interview the day after the meeting, Vice President Eric Kurta sized up the group’s controversial letter from the rear view mirror.  “In retrospect if I could have removed some things from that letter I would.” Treasurer Ron Rosenberg noted distinctions of public perception indirectly in an email to MSV later stating:  “In the next few months POG will be working with our city council and with the public to address these issues and strengthen Pay-to-Play laws in Hoboken and the State of New Jersey” Addressing the umpire role anticipated from some in the community he added, “…some in the public have erroneously concluded that POG is interested in adjudicating any and all ELEC violations…We leave this up to the folks at ELEC.” =&2=&