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Councilman Bhalla – “Be there” at big agenda City Council meeting on Wednesday

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading
CC pic




                                                




Dear Friends and Neighbors,


I write to request your attendance at a very important meeting of the Hoboken City Council this Wednesday, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. 
At this meeting the Council will vote on whether to adopt the FY2010 Budget, and also vote on ratification of the police union contracts that were negotiated with the unions on behalf of residents by State Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi.  The essential terms of the police union contracts for the Police Superior Officers Association (senior officers) and the Police Benevolent Association (rank and file officers) are memorialized in two separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s).  The two MOU’s have been released by City Council President Peter Cunningham and can be viewed on the City’s website or by clicking here.

These two items – the budget and union contracts – have a substantial impact on our annual tax levy in Hoboken.  A broad range of voices and a civil discussion of these issues would benefit both the public and Council Members at Wednesday’s meeting.  While we may not agree on every item in the budget and on union contracts, as a Councilperson I want to hear your perspective before voting on these important matters.  Your attendance and participation in this critical meeting would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, I want to remind you that tomorrow, March 16th, Governor Chris Christie will be delivering a budget address to the State Legislature.  According to this article in the Star Ledger, the Governor intends to introduce unprecedented initiatives to reign in on property taxes in municipalities, announce dramatic cuts in local aid to municipalities and school boards, and propose measures to provide local officials the tools to avoid the negative consequences of these cuts, including measures related to collective bargaining, civil service and pension and benefit reforms.  The bi-partisan leadership on these issues in Trenton will have a substantial impact on our ability to stabilize property taxes and achieve fiscally responsible cost savings at the local level.
If you cannot attend Wednesday’s City Council meeting, please feel free to email me your thoughts at ravi@ourhoboken.com or call me at 201-647-6090.
Sincerely,
Ravi S. Bhalla
Councilman-at-Large
=&0=&:  Christie to propose constitutional amendment to cap tax hikes
News

Mo DeGennaro hospitalized

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

MSV received an email early this morning from former Hoboken Fire Chief Rich Tremetiedi concerning Mo DeGennaro’s being admitted to Hoboken University Medical Center around 11:00 last night.  A severe leg infection has caused congestive heart failure.  He’s listed in critical condition.

Prayers up for Mo.

Photo: Mo DeGennaro on the right, leans in to speak to Rich Tremidieti at the special City Council meeting last Wednesday.

All Rights Reserved

News

Police Union Contract on Wednesday’s CC Agenda

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading

The long discussed and rumored terms of a potential police union agreement are now available for review by Hoboken residents with a vote coming as soon as the next City Council meeting this Wednesday.  The terms mirror those in the original story broken by Timothy Carroll in the Hudson Reporter with raises spelled out retroactive for two years prior at 3.9% and this year and next at 2.3%.  The rumored move of the medical insurance carrier is also part of the potential agreement along with other benefit changes.  
The release is posted on the City Hall website with a note from Council President Peter Cunningham.  In order to provide the public time to evaluate and consider the details, the decision was made to publicly post them Sunday and allow Hoboken residents to consider the details leading into Wednesday’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting.


Some weeks back, the Fiscal State Monitor Judy Tripodi admitted her authority to make the final decision on the police union contract was no longer true.  Previous to that public comment, Councilman Ravi Bhalla had stated the City Council retained the legal right to vote up or down on the contract.


Here is the statement from Council President Peter Cunningham:
Read More...

News

Horse Sense: As the grist turns…

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

There’s been quite an uproar with MSV’s coverage this week unveiling political fun and games before they can be put into motion. With political operatives trying to spin and dance their way through the grist, a part two to this week’s BoE election preview may be in the works.

Transparency has been a buzzword and all the rage in town since last year and the BoE is front and center with an April election garnering more attention than in other areas of Hudson County.  Councilwoman Beth Mason said her recent filming of the BoE was recorded “for transparency” but if you go to her website, there’s nothing available on BoE meetings since 2008!  How’s that for transparent?  In our on the spot interview after the last City Council meeting the councilwoman stated her videos are only shown in their entirety.  Well we’re waiting and not just for video postings on the website. Read More...

News

Rain, rain go away

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

City of Hoboken announces:

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Free Parking for Residents Residing in Flood Prone Areas
As a result of the weather forecast for heavy rain in our area and potential flooding, the City of Hoboken is providing free parking in a municipal garage this Saturday, March 13th beginning at 8 p.m. until Sunday, March 14th at 8 a.m. Residents who reside in flood prone areas with a valid residency parking permit will be able to park in Garage B (located on 2nd Street between Hudson and River streets).   


Wind Advisory
High winds and heavy rain are expected in Hoboken this Saturday, March 13th. Be sure your property (including construction sites) is secure. Read More...

News

Grist for the Mill – Special BoE Election Edition

by SmartyJones3 Min Reading

Today’s grist is a special piece de resistance since Tuesday’s BoE meeting and the latest on the coup d’état efforts of the Mason-Maureen First government in exile.  (Can you be a government-in-exile without first being elected? Maybe not but sssshh, don’t tell them.)


Tuesday night saw the first appearance of Councilwoman Beth Mason’s video production team at Hoboken government meetings in months – and according to one commenter here the first BoE taping since before last year’s election.   The familiar videographer was immediately recognized and there to collect film for yet another political infomercial, sorry BoE meeting.  In addition, there were Hoboken411 minions in attendance including a rare event sighting of Perry Klaussen himself.  Can a full blown hatchet job be far off?  Some say the fun and games are well underway. 


Hoboken resident and Beth Mason stalwart Lane Bajardi, last seen at a City Council meeting in a Mason campaign youtube “infomercial” before the November election, made an appearance apparently recast in the role of conspiracy maven and prosecutor.  He delivered a mostly monotone prewritten speech most notable for mimicking Maureen Sullivan’s numerous claims of victimization but much more curious was his citing confidential BoE communications not available to the public.


For one, how did Lane Bajardi know who on the BoE interfaced in private negotiations with Dr. Romano?  
The question is already being asked: who gave it to him?  


Can a full blown political operation with edited video and ghost written story lines at Hoboken411 be far off now?  For the moment, all you need to know is Mayor Dawn Zimmer endorsed Kids First and the usual “We so hate to keep losing to Dawn” automatons are all falling into their typical Hate411 roles.


The other day MSV emailed Maureen Sullivan asking how Lane Bajardi obtained confidential BoE information for his staged political commentary.  She sent an email reply saying, “such as…”  MSV then followed up with some questions also inquiring on her recent communications with Lane Bajardi.  In the spirit of fairness even after the last attempts at dialog failed, it seemed only right to at least try.  But since those questions were emailed…


MSV has received no response from Maureen Sullivan to any questions. 
If that changes or hell freezes over, we’ll let you know.  While you’re waiting, here’s the classic video of a political operation that went down in flames last November but will live in Hoboken infamy.  Enjoy!


Read More...

News

Mayor Zimmer’s St. Patrick’s Day Report

by SmartyJones3 Min Reading

The Office of the Mayor announces:

=&0=& “My extreme gratitude goes out to the Hoboken Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Environmental Services, Parking & Transportation Dept., and other county agencies that assisted our City with this year’s St. Patrick’s Day event,” Mayor Zimmer said. “They did an impressive job managing very large and challenging crowds to ensure residents and visitors enjoyed themselves responsibly.” This year’s event drew visitors from across the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area and beyond.  “We sincerely appreciate the assistance we received this year from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Rapid Deployment Task Force, the New Jersey Transit Police Department, the Port Authority Police Department, the Jersey City Police Department, Stevens Police Department, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management,” Mayor Zimmer said.  This year’s event has been regarded as calmer, and somewhat more manageable than past years’ festivities.  According to Police reports provided by Chief Falco, the Hoboken Police Dept. issued a total of 463 City Ordinance summonses.  The bulk of which were for Open Container (152), Jay Walking (78), Drinking in the Street (77), Disorderly House (49), Public Urination (40) and Disorderly conduct (37). The New Jersey Transit Police Department issued 56 tickets, 52 of which were for Disorderly Conduct. The Hudson County Sheriff’s Department issued a total of 23 summonses, 18 of which were for Possession of Alcohol.  The maximum fines set for Consumption of Alcohol/Open Container in Public, Urinating in Public and Disorderly House were set by the City Council for as much as $2,000.  Violations will also involve community service in Hoboken.  “Compared to last year, I think we swung the pendulum in the right direction,” Mayor Zimmer said. “I think the combination of increased fines, community service, and enforcement by the Police and bar and restaurant security, coupled with an extensive communications effort helped to ensure a safer event for our community,” she commented.   “I thank Chief Falco, the City Council, and bar and restaurant owners for working to ensure this.” The cost for the event to the City exceeded $125,000 and Mayor Zimmer fully intends to reduce these costs for next year.    “Going forward, my Administration will be introducing a special event ordinance to the Quality of Life subcommittee of the City Council to address the costs of all special events in Hoboken.” =&1=&                 The Hoboken Police Department’s overtime costs totaled $119,442.43 (1,829.5 hours). Supervisors worked 652 hours ($54,503.49), Police Officers worked 1,130.5 hours ($61,882.76), and civilians worked 94 hours ($3,056.28). This is an increase over years past, when there was less of a police presence.      =&2=&Supervisors:                      652 hours           $54,503.49=&3=& =&4=&=&5=& =&6=&=&7=&Disorderly Conduct       52 Miscellaneous                   4 TOTAL                                                56

Summonses – Hudson County Sheriff’s Department
Disorderly House              2
Littering                               2
Disturbing the Peace        1
Poss. of Alcohol               18
TOTAL                                                23 Read More...

News

Mayor Zimmer asks residents help to petition for $2MM county grant

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

City of Hoboken announces:

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– Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer is asking residents to show their support for the City’s $2 million application to the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund to finance a portion of the restoration of the damaged sections of the waterfront walkway at Sinatra and Castle Point Parks. Last night, the Hoboken City Council approved a $12 million bond to begin the multi-step process to repair these segments of the waterfront walkway. Approval of the $2 million application is vital in helping to cover the City’s costs for the project. Read More...

News

Councilwoman Mason declares BoE election neutrality?

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading
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In an interview just after the conclusion of the special City Council meeting, Councilwoman Beth Mason twice stated “I don’t know” to a question whether her cameraman’s videotape of the BoE meeting Tuesday would be used for political purposes in the upcoming BoE election.

“I don’t know” on political use of tape

Last April Councilwoman Mason declared neutrality on the BoE race that led to a Kids First victory changing the dynamics of Hoboken leading into the mayoral elections in the spring and fall.  Asked if this was the case this year as well, the Councilwoman indicated yes. Read More...

News

Taxes go down, sorta – one half of a percent

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

Tonight’s City Council meeting was a rather drawn out affair especially considering the limited topics for the special meeting.  The Sinatra Park/Castle Point bonding for $12 million for repairs due to underwater shipworm damage eventually made its way to approval but not without substantial misunderstanding from the public.  Before the professional presentation on the scope of the work, the public spoke and it was clear the lack of clarity surrounding the bonding process and how it is linked to applications for grants went over many people’s heads even when it was later explained several times leading into the vote. Read More...