News

Observer Highway name change? City Council @ 7:00

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading



Tonight’s City Council meeting holds one question on the agenda? Well, that’s if it makes it onto the agenda at the start. An ordinance to change the name of Observer Highway to Ferry St. was submitted but it’s unclear if it won’t be going through the City Council process before being sent to the council subcommittee for further study first.

Should it move ahead, two meetings and a month of evaluation with public input would be required. MSV however, thinks it should be in subcommittee and work its way from that public process. Read More...

News

Hoboken Democratic Chair goes Armageddon

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading
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A raging war enflaming Hoboken and county points beyond is threatening Armageddon with the stakes starting with Hoboken City Council President on one side and Hudson County and Northern NJ unity on the other eyeing the highest elected office in the entire state: Governor of NJ.

Once again, it’s the corruptive qualities of the Mason family checkbook causing both a laugh track and blowback of a different quality than the cost of injustice hammering down on the Harridan household of upper Hudson Street as reported on Grafix Avenger. Read More...

News

Timmy Time?

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

As MSV mentioned in its rumor column “Grist for the Mill,” the occupant of the fourth ward council seat, Timmy Occhipinti had a soft launch for re-election last week. The “event” took place last Thursday.

Although Frank “Pupie” Raia is sticking with his horse, word is the buzz was not there.

Over the weekend Sully wrote in his weekend column another Old Guard candidate was looking to get in the mix. That reference may in fact be true although an actual filing is not clear to this point. Read More...

News

MAYOR ZIMMER PROTESTS HOBOKEN RUSH HOUR PATH CUTS

by SmartyJones3 Min Reading

Office of the Mayor announces:


MAYOR ZIMMER CALLS ON PORT AUTHORITY TO REVERSE HOBOKEN PATH SERVICE CUTS
14% Service Reduction Without Public Process as Ridership Grows 11% in Two Years Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer wrote to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman John Degnan to urge the organization to reverse the recent PATH service cuts for Hoboken that were implemented on April 26, 2015 with no public process. The City of Hoboken learned about the issue due to complaints from residents who noticed the change in service. “It won’t surprise anyone who has tried to squeeze onto a rush hour PATH train to learn that ridership at Hoboken has grown 11 percent in the last two years – more than at any other station in the State,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “We should be talking about adding more capacity, yet the Port Authority cut rush hour service by 14 percent overnight with no public input. It defies all logic. In Hoboken, we have created a walk-friendly, transit-friendly, mixed-use community, but our residents and our economy are completely undermined by this action. Enough with the service cuts, enough with the short-sightedness. Let’s invest in a 21st century transportation system that will truly support our growing region.” The service change reduces peak service on the Hoboken to 33rd Street line by 14%. Between 7:30am and 9:30am, service from Hoboken to 33rd Street has been cut from 19 trains to 16 trains. From 4:30pm to 6:45pm, service from 33rd Street to Hoboken was reduced from 24 trains to 21 trains. Late evening service from 9pm to midnight was reduced from 11 trains to 9 trains. “I would invite any of these decision makers to come along for a ride on the PATH during the morning commute from Hoboken and provide their honest assessment as to whether or not the system needs more or fewer trains,” said Hoboken Council President Ravinder Bhalla. “Residents who keep their cars off the road and use public transit are repeatedly being punished with fare hikes, overcrowded trains, and threats to their primary mode of transportation. I fail to comprehend how an increase in ridership leads to a decrease in services. I find it unacceptable that while the Port Authority spends billions on other projects, they are penny-pinching in Hoboken, punishing their most loyal customers. I hope the Port Authority will reverse this decision and invest in a transportation system that rewards riders.”
Ridership at the Hoboken PATH station has increased by 11 percent since 2012. According to publicly available Port Authority data, the Hoboken PATH station had an average of 19,890 passengers per day in 2012 and 22,078 passengers per day in 2014. Mayor Zimmer’s letter to the Port Authority can be found at: www.hobokennj.org/docs/mayor/5-18-15-Letter-Zimmer-Degnan.pdf PATH Service Schedules February 8, 2015: https://web.archive.org/web/20150501110625/http://www.panynj.gov/path/pdf/path-map-schedule-eng-02-2015.pdf April 26, 2015: http://www.panynj.gov/path/pdf/path-map-schedule-eng-04-2015.pdf PATH Ridership Reports 2012: http://www.panynj.gov/path/pdf/2012_PATH_Ridership_Report.pdf 2013: 

http://www.panynj.gov/path/pdf/path-ridership-report-2013.pdf Read More...

News

Telephone poll hits Hoboken with arching development theme

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

Reader reports suggest a telephone poll is ongoing questioning attitudes about local government officials with a development theme.

The telephone poll which began soliciting Hoboken residents’ attitudes is interested in public opinion on Mayor Dawn Zimmer and ward council members Beth Mason, Peter Cunningham, Jen Giattino, Timmy Occhipinti and Michael Russo.

All six council seats for each of Hoboken’s six wards are up for election this November. The telephone poll does not appear to ask a single question about any of the three at-large council members. Read More...

News

Council President Ravi Bhalla endorses Annette Chaparrao and Raj Mukherji for NJ Assembly

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

From the desk of City Council President Ravi Bhalla:





=&0=&  “I encourage all residents of Hoboken to vote for Democratic Assembly Candidate Annette Chaparro and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji on Tuesday, June 2 in the 33rd District primary election.  “Annette and Assemblyman Mukherji will together provide a strong voice for Hudson County.  They are committed to working with our State Senator, Brian P. Stack, and local officials to ensure that the 33rd District is well represented in Trenton, and establishing a powerful partnership between our elected officials in Hoboken and those representing us at the state level. I am privileged to have met with and discussed the issues with both of these individuals, and believe they will be an integral part of a team that Hudson County can be proud of in Trenton.  I look forward to seeing them work together and continue to move New Jersey forward, and I hope you will find time on June 2 to vote for Annette and Raj.”
News

American Pharoah coasts to biggest Preakness win since record setter Smarty Jones

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

With a thunderstorm booming over the Pimlico racetrack just minutes before the start of the day’s biggest race, the Preakness saw one of its best performances in years with American Pharoah cruising to a seven lengths victory.

American Pharoah blazes off the backstretch in a driving rain to take the Preakness yesterday.

American Pharoah’s seven length win is the biggest margin of victory since the record setting 11 ½ lengths set in 2004 by America’s most beloved horse Smarty Jones.

The victory in chaotic weather conditions sets up a potential Triple Crown showdown with several Kentucky Derby horses rested in wait to stop American Pharoah from the ultimate prize. Read More...

News

Peter Cunningham: Irish Festival, Western Edge Meeting and new stop sign

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading
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From the desk of Fifth Ward Councilman Peter Cunningham:

Good morning neighbors, friends and family,

There is lots to report happening in and around Hoboken, and will continue to do my very best to inform you of important matters of interest.   

First, TODAY is the Irish Festival at Sinatra Park.  It is from noon until 6pm. Secondly, we have the Western Edge Community Meeting this Thursday, May 21st at the Jubilee Center at 7pm.  I chair this committee, and we have spent a considerable amount of time planning the future of western Hoboken from 9th street to 14th Street along the light rail and 14th Street Viaduct.

In my opinion, we have provided for many mixed use opportunities while considering the importance of infrastructure improvements around flooding and transportation.  Here’s a link to the City’s website for additional details.

http://www.hobokennj.org/2015/05/public-meeting-to-be-held-for-western-edge-redevelopment-plan/

Let’s discuss paving.  Please see the details at the following link.  There are inconveniences with paving in the south end of town starting on Monday.  Please be aware and plan accordingly.  Paving associated with PSEG Gas Main repairs will happen when they are done – which should be soon.
Lastly, warrant studies finally came in on a number of intersections throughout the 5th Ward – 10th and Bloomfield, 9th and Garden, and 9th and Willow.  9th and Willow was the only intersection to warrant a stop sign.  Better yet, I have suggested a flashing RED light (which is on order), and parking to be restored to the northside of 9th street between Clinton and Willow.
Please pass onto you friends and neighbors, and let me know if you have any additional questions.  Stay tuned as in a couple of weeks I’ll be hosting a community meeting to update the community on some exciting developments up and around the Upper Grands.
Thanks, Peter
News

HHA Shocker: $2.5 million reserve loss turned into 500K surplus

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading
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In a complete and shocking turnaround, the Hoboken Housing Authority announced its second quarter financials at its monthly meeting yesterday and the results are a stunner.

Last year, the agency left in shambles under controversial Executive Director Carmelo Garcia rode through a $2.5 million hit on the agency reserves.

With temporary ED Bob Divincent and HHA commissioner David Dening, the head of the finance committee, the agency announced it completely eliminated the hit on those reserves losses with numerous problems reversed and retains $500K in reserves. Read More...

News

Grist for the Mill: fourth ward drug busts not over?

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

The recent wave of drug arrests in downtown Hoboken last Friday isn’t over based on a Facebook entry by Julian Braxton of lower Jackson St.

Although an Advanced Media story indicated more than a dozen of those arrested in a months long investigation and sweep are not out on bail, at least two of the original 18 arrested may be including Braxton himself.

A comment on the investigation pins the recent effort on the Feds, perhaps mistakenly – not the Hoboken Police Department and Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. Read More...