For more information call (718) 980-7037 or email: TeddyDinner@dratlasfoundation.com

Complete details:

http://www.dratlasfoundation.com/teddydinner.html

On election night, the Raia-Mason headquarters was buzzing as the numbers from the polls were coming in.  Outside, large crowd controlling barricades were set up cutting off 80% of the sidewalk to the public.

The next night after the rubble had been cleared from the Timmy Occhipinti campaign, a pummeled looking Occhipinti sat at the dais looking dazed and puffy.  An insider story on Grafix Avenger says the beating was felt far worse because someone in the campaign had circulated a phony poll saying not what was printed in a Hudson Reporter column two weeks prior – that Occhipinti was in “striking” distance of Mayor Dawn Zimmer – but he was in the lead! Read More...

Which BoE trustee made a grandstanding play to a room of concerned HoLa parents followed by a motion to block Superintendent Mark Toback from presenting his public letter to the NJ Department of Education?

The failed succeeding resolution by this BoE trustee is also the same person who has a direct parental interest in the HoLa charter school and and a rather large conflict.

His wife is employed by HoLa.

And who would this rabble rouser of Old Guard conflict be?

=&0=&

The Old Guard conflict of interest raises its head once again.  BoE trustee Carmelo Garcia who will soon need to resign should have stepped down from the dais on any discussion let alone any vote regarding the HoLa school. He made an illegal motion against the letter of Dr. Mark Toback but it surfaced his wife works for HoLa. No reflection on the concerned HoLa parents last night but this is exactly what this town is battling to stop.

Talking Ed Note: The thorny issue of being for or against HoLa expansion is wrought with complexities on all sides.  In the end, the NJ Department of Education will make the call.  In the interim, let’s conduct a discussion with all views welcome, no personal attacks and no censorship. Read More...

Assemblyman Ruben Ramos looked more pleased while sitting next to him the Hoboken union rep Gary Enrico did not.

Ramos backer Perry Belfiore recovered from the glum defeat pleased as punch especially when Brian Murray attacked.

Filled to capacity – the meeting had a full house going out into the hallway in the rear.

Brian Murray ditched his notes to go on the attack saying, “They’re lying to you” as his opener to a screed of political accusations of mismanagement and malfeasance. He was short on examples to back up his contentions.

Councilman Dave Mello said he was speaking as a parent and advocated on behalf of the HoLa expansion and also special needs children.  Do those worlds not collide?  MSV is not sure.

Trustees Kearns and Biancamano respectfully listened to the public speakers as the entire board did.

=&0=&

An HoLa parent speaks at the Hoboken BoE surrounded by other HoLa parents sitting on the floor in an overfilled room.

A visit to the BoE showed a rather respectful meeting where HoLa parents were petitioning the Hoboken BoE not support its Superintendent Mark Toback in his letter prepared for the NJ Department of Education opposing their expansion.

Other than failed BoE candidate Brian Murray who made all negative remarks/attacks against those who he had lost to in the election last week, the parents were respectful and positive asking for support of their school.

It’s a conflicted situation where no easy answers will be forthcoming. Read More...

=&0=&

In a story to be told of the haves in Hoboken protesting for more against the have nots, every political malcontent re: losers in last week’s elections is at the BoE where tonight’s meeting is overflowing with dozens of angry HoLA parents who want to see their charter school expanded.  They have made an invasion on their board rivals at the district’s BoE and Superintendent.

The resolution in support of Superintendent Mark Toback’s letter to Trenton, (see below) has been pulled from tonight’s agenda. It would have been interesting to hear the minority BoE members arguing against their own middle and lower middle class students and the impact yet to be determined on their part of the district.  It’s unclear if HoLa is given approval for expansion by Trenton, requiring possible cuts elsewhere for expanding HoLa grades. Is that in the cards where currently two fifth grade classes of nine HoLa students can’t graduate ahead without having the charter school expanded.  HoLa currently goes up to the fifth grade. Wait, =&1=&