News

Grist for the Mill: Raia-Mason poll leak – Timmy Occhipinti is in last

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

The MSV exclusive report a two question automated poll went out asking who Hoboken voters would vote for mayor and between only two of the ten council candidates may have generated an interesting outcome.

While the poll is thought to have been funded by the Raia-Mason slate, the results leaked out from the campaign and found their way from a recent reliable source to Da Horsey.  According to the source who would only speak on background, any thought Timmy Occhipinti would be the next mayor is already a foregone conclusion.  The poll showed Occhipinti a distant third bringing up the rear to incumbent Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos. Read More...

News

Ruben Ramos campaign flunks out Mayor Zimmer

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading

The Ruben Ramos for mayor campaign announces:

Surging 
Ramos Campaign Surges Following Decisive Debate Victory
Zimmer Unable to Defend Failed Policies, Ethical Lapses

At last week’s mayoral and council debates, my Vision for Hoboken team galvanized those in attendance by articulating clear and concise plans to restore competence and ethics to City Hall and to fix Hoboken’s crumbling infrastructure, misplaced budgeting priorities, lack of parking, and failing high school.

Conversely, Team Zimmer struggled to defend its failed policies, out-of-control legal spending, violations of the state’s ethics code and the city’s pay-to-play ordinance, or how it intended to fix our schools.
I urge all of you to watch the debates on Cablevision Channel 78, the City’s government access channel, where they are now playing, so you can see for yourself why our supporters are excited and the momentum is firmly behind the Vision for Hoboken team.

Rest assured, we will not rest on our laurels, or take your support for granted.  We will continue to bring our message directly to the voters by knocking on doors, greeting residents at the ferry, PATH and bus stops and inviting people to stop by ourheadquarters to ask questions and get involved in the campaign.

Thank you for your support.  Nine days to go!

-Ruben 
News

Beth Mason’s fanatical attack on Ravi Bhalla continues

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading

As MSV predicted, the reappearance of a Beth Mason political operative at the recent City Council meeting filming Ravi Bhalla would lead to a commercial.  The prediction came about based on the filming at the last City Council meeting.  The observation led to this story, “It’ all about Ravi.”

Inter sped with the footage of Bhalla taken by a known Mason operative filming are outtakes from the pathological lying website serving Beth Mason for years – Hoboken411.  The giveaway proving MSV correct in its assessment is the footage of Councilwoman Terry Castellano who attacks Councilman Bhalla with the assured “litany” of accusations the Russo clan is famous for even as their own history of unethical and illegal behavior trumps everyone.  Hey, it’s all cleared up.

Of course repeating the lies trotted out on Hoboken411 over and over is a Beth Mason staple. Once seasoned there, they are then presented for incorporation at the Hudson Reporter.  Then the stories reference anonymous “critics” and “opponents” who aren’t named but figure prominently with their outlandish tales.  This follows with bizarre questions to others, be it the mayor or in this case Councilman Bhalla who is expected to defend himself or see years old accusations rehashed on the front page. Read More...

News

Ramos campaign charges “another legal defeat” for Mayor Zimmer

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading

The Ruben Ramos campaign for mayor announces:

Unacceptable!
Zimmer Loses Another Lawsuit
City’s Disparate Treatment of Retired Municipal Workers Cost Taxpayers Millions
In an October 21st opinion, a New Jersey appellate court ruled that the City of Hoboken’s “disparate treatment of its retiring workforce” required that the City pay almost a million dollars in damages.  Unfortunately, Zimmer’s inability to manage a legal department and settle this matter will, as the court notes, result in “adverse fiscal consequences to the city.”

This latest admonishment from the court of appeals comes despite Zimmer’s increasing the City’s spending on politically connected law firms by more than 200% in the past four years.

When I am Mayor, I will not only bring common sense to fixing our city’s schools and crumbling infrastructure, but also to our out of control legal spending that has resulted in embarrassing legal loss after embarrassing legal loss.  Under Zimmer taxpayers suffer while politically connected law firms thrive.

Thank you for your support.

-Ruben

Talking Ed Note: MSV does not comment on campaign releases but did reach out to the Ramos campaign for clarification. The case referenced is the early retirements filed by former Corporation Counsel Steve Kleinman under the Roberts Administration.

The City of Hoboken paid out the cost under Mayor Zimmer some time ago and this is referencing that specific case and the ensuing costs since.

News

Kids First invite to the BoE forum

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

Kids First announces:
News

Mayor Zimmer: ‘Vote buying is a crime’

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

The topic of vote buying overall and specifically the vote buying utilizing vote-by-mail continues to be a hot button issue in the campaign.  Mayor Zimmer followed comments at the mayoral forum re-emphamsizing the clear cut criminality saying in twitter:

The candidates have some interesting perspectives on the matter.   Meanwhile, the same hundreds of ballots from the same corners of Hoboken and =&0=&.  MSV will have an exclusive statistical breakdown feature detailing exactly what is going down. Anyone with detailed insight into the rampant on-going vote buying is encouraged to reach out for assistance. Da Horsey is willing and eager to help you protect your legal exposure in any vote buying scheme. Please contact smartyones@me.com.  Confidentiality will be maintained at your direction.

Now for an analysis of the vote-by-mail chatter at the mayoral forum.  Assemblyman Ruben Ramos hasn’t found religion on vote buying and refused to endorse the mayor’s suggestion not to pay “campaign workers” but he did reference problems with the Raia-Mason slate and Tim Occhipinti’s campaign.  He also lobbed a bomb back to 2007 to the mayor’s former council campaign which she immediately rebutted as false. Read More...

News

Zimmer Team and Kids First look to push Hoboken forward! Photo Saturday Church Square Park

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading

The re-elect Mayor Dawn Zimmer campaign announces:


Blog      Volunteer      Contribute
Dear Horsey and MSV readers —

Our campaign for Mayor and City Council is heating up. We all know what’s at stake: fiscal responsibility and integrity in our City’s government, parks and open spaces, readiness to protect our community against future storms, the list goes on. We need a team with the experience and motivation to keep us moving forward.

This is an incredibly close race, and with just days to go, we need you to stand up and say “I’m with the Zimmer Team.”
Every election year, we’ve come together as a family for this photo and prove what a real grassroots movement looks like.  This is one of the Zimmer Team’s favorite campaign traditions and we would love for you to join us once again.  So bring your neighbors, kids and pets for a great event and let’s make sure we are Leading Hoboken Forward!
Please RSVP to come out tomorrow, and if you can, stick around for canvassing after the picture. We’re looking forward to seeing you!
Best,

Mayor Dawn Zimmer
www.dawnzimmer.com

 





Kids First announces:
Dear friends and neighbors,
Get geared up for election day by joining Kids First and the Zimmer Team for reform’s traditional Picture in the Park! Bring family and friends to Church Square Park this Saturday, October 26th, at 11:00 am (photo at 11:45 am). Wear your Kids First T-shirt, or get one at the park that morning. Afterwards, canvass with us as we spread the word about the progress of the last four years.

Then, show your support on Tuesday, October 29th, at the Board of Education Candidates’ Forum from 7-9 pm at Our Lady of Grace Auditorium (corner of Willow Avenue and Fifth Street).
 
But most important is Election Day itself. It’s vital that all reform-minded voters not only cast their votes for Kids First but help get out the vote, too. Election-day volunteers have achieved amazing results in previous elections and it’s crucial we repeat that effort. So please consider volunteering an hour or two — whatever time you have on election day — to keep the Kids First majority this November 5th. 
News

BoE Trustee Ruth McAllister – “Frank Raia is a liar, and Peter Biancamano knows it!”

by SmartyJones4 Min Reading
On Tuesday
night at the Council At Large Forum, Frank Raia lied about the Board of
Education budget.  He claimed that the
budget was 64 million for only 2000 students. 
This is an outright lie and as a former School Board trustee he knows
it!  The 64 million dollars serves over
3100 students in Hoboken, because the 64 million includes monies for all three
charter schools and the public Pre-K program. 
Frank Raia should know that holding the tax levy flat for three years
and only increasing last year is miraculous considering what we have done over
the last 4 years.  When Kids First won
three seats on the Board of Education in 2009, defeating Frank Raia who was
running for re-election, we obtained a board majority and were able to really
see what was happening in the district. 
Everyone has heard about the 29 audit violations but that is only the
finances.  It may have been okay with
Frank to have children attend Hoboken public schools with 20 year old textbooks
but it was not okay with Kids First that Hoboken children attend schools with
negligently outdated books.  
Since 2009
we have replaced virtually every math, language arts, social studies, history
and science book in the district, K through 12. 
We are funding a capital improvement plan that includes the construction of science labs in Connors, new bathrooms in the High School, a High School culinary arts center, upgrades to the theatre, renovations to the HS gymnasium, new technology in all buildings, amongst other things.  Prior to 2009, there was no capital improvement plan in place and that was why our buildings were in disrepair despite the hard work of our facilities director and staff. 
Frank Raia’s outright lie is abhorrent, but
more despicable is his running mate, Peter Biancamano’s silence at Frank’s lie
and its perpetration in their literature and advertisements. Peter Biancamano is on the Board of
Education Finance committee and is well aware of the two most basic facts:
total budget and total students served in that budget.  Either Peter is purposely allowing Frank and the Tim
Occhipinti team to lie about the School Board budget or he is incapable of
understanding the simple math and user friendly materials that the rest of the
Board of Education trustees and the public understand.
Most people probably assume that they know who
my votes for Council and vote for Mayor will go to, and they would be right; Bhalla, Mello, Doyle and Mayor Dawn Zimmer because they have earned my trust
and have the best intentions for our community. 
But for those of you that have not made your choice, I would strongly suggest that you do not vote for Frank Raia and Peter Biancamano because the last thing we need is politicians that lie publicly about things that are easily checked, it means you cannot trust them. 
And if lies do not bother you, how about the laughter at the debate when Frank Raia said he was for Vote By Mail? 
There is an old saying … If it walks like duck and talks like duck?  
Lastly, if Brittany “lives here for 8 years but only registered to vote last year” is reading this, I can only assume that with your only recent interest in local issues (as indicated by your registry last year), you are probably ignorant to the history of corruption and mismanagement that this town has endured for decades prior to the current administration.  As a special education teacher, I believe that your heart is in the right place, I would be happy to meet you for coffee so you can explain the importance of an honest Board of Education budget to your team.
In frank
honesty, Ruthy McAllister

Read More...

News

Ramos campaign: Zimmer breaking GOTV “promise”

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

The Ruben Ramos for mayor campaign announces:

Last Night’s Debate 
ZIMMER LOSES DEBATE, IMMEDIATELY BREAKS PROMISE
At last night’s debate, Mayor Zimmer pledged not to spend money on Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign workers. Yet immediately after the debate, the Zimmer campaign sent an email inviting supporters to attend a fundraiser to help pay for GOTV initiatives.

This sudden reversal on a strong policy stance is just another example of Zimmer failing to deliver on another empty, election-season campaign promise.

I am disappointed that Zimmer is signaling that she intends to return to her “lottery ticket” past. I look forward to a spirited debate over the next 12 days, and remain confident that the people of Hoboken learned their lesson in 2007 and will not sell their votes to Zimmer.

Thank you for your continued support!

-Ruben 
News

Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters endorse Mayor Zimmer and Zimmer Team

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading

The re-elect Mayor Dawn Zimmer campaign announces:



=&0=& =&1=& Hoboken, New Jersey— Today Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her team accepted the endorsement of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (NRCC).  Mayor Zimmer remarked, “We are thrilled to accept the endorsement of the Carpenters. In four years, our City has come so far.  We are innovating, fighting for improved infrastructure, working to protect Hoboken from flooding and making real quality of life improvements for all of Hoboken. We are leading this City forward. I am looking forward to working on behalf of all of Hoboken’s working families.” In a statement released today, the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters stated that the Mayor’s leadership and her commitment to improving infrastructure made a strong case for the union’s support. NRCC spokesperson Michelle McCormick stated: “Mayor Zimmer is a proven leader and the type of innovative thinker Hoboken needs to continue to move forward. When you look at her commitment to improving infrastructure and her willingness to tackle major issues facing Hoboken, it is clear that Mayor Zimmer is the right choice to lead this proud city. With the leadership of the Mayor and her team, Hoboken should look forward to seeing even greater quality of life improvements. ” This announcement caps off a week of union endorsements for Mayor Zimmer and the Zimmer Team.  On Tuesday, all 22 of the Hudson County Buildings Trade (HCBT) endorsed Mayor Zimmer and her Team.  Earlier this month, the New Jersey Laborers and IUOE Local 825 announced their endorsements highlighting the Mayor’s response to Sandy and her work to stabilize a City in crisis as reasons for support. ### =&2=&: This is news but shouldn’t be a MSV exclusive. Will it? If so, well why is that?