hobokenhorse.com

Hoboken’s annual budget battle is unofficially underway even with passage of its temporary budget based on a standard state formula at the last City Council meeting.  The bill for the reckless action by MORTe on the midtown garage also comes due and unfortunately and far worse, it’s City workers who will be seeing layoffs as a result.

While Mason, Occhipinti, Russo and Terry Castellano are certain to not accept responsibility for costing the City millions on an easy refinance of the midtown garage, their sole reason for doing so was pure politics, the cynical and craven variety.  The refi would have seen the loan paid off at the same time as the original but save Hoboken millions and injected $50,000 too. Read More...

In an old world media shock, the Jersey Journal headline confirms what close Hoboken observers well know:

“Hoboken leads way in Hudson in holding line on taxes”

The story features a photo of Mayor Zimmer stating it’s a fact – Hoboken taxes were reduced a whopping 10% according to statewide tax analysis in the NJ Star Ledger, a feat far and away better than any town in Hudson County.  While mentioning other Hudson County towns saw 3% increases, the story didn’t detail how Hoboken achieved its savings.  The battles waged by Mayor Zimmer to reduce spending and cut taxes in Hoboken against MORTe were the closest thing to hand to hand combat in Hudson County budget battles for tax relief. Read More...

MSV officially announces a local talent hunt for writers and reporters on the local scene who wish to make a difference and reach thousands of readers while doing so.

You get your own byline, a pic if you wish to go with it and perhaps even a name for a regular column if you can keep up a steady diet of good fare.

If you are interested in making a periodic contribution please feel free to contact Da Horsey at smartyjones@me.com.

City of Hoboken announces:

=&0=& Residents Asked To Sign Up To Receive Notices

The City of Hoboken has implemented the Swift911 system for notifying residents and businesses by phone, text, and email of important information and in cases of emergency including snow emergencies, evacuation notices, or flooding. Read More...

City of Hoboken announces:

=&0=& Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced that Business Administrator Arch Liston will be relocating back to South Jersey for family reasons. He advised Mayor Zimmer of his decision yesterday, and the City is initiating a search for a replacement. Director Liston has agreed to stay on for the next few months during the search and transition period. 

“Director Liston has played an enormous role in reforming Hoboken government and improving the lives of our community,” said Mayor Zimmer. “He guided us through major contract negotiations, helped root out corruption, streamlined City government, and has been key to reducing taxes for two years in a row. I am so thankful for his service to Hoboken.” Read More...

Councilman Michael Russo’s proposal for a $120 rate for seniors in the midtown garage passed 5-2 Wednesday night.  Voting in favor with Councilman Russo were council members Carol Marsh, Jen Giattino, Beth Mason and Tim Occhipinti.

A heated discussion about the matter split whether the pricing should be on a percentage or flat rate basis and the failure to hold meetings in the appropriate subcommittee. Councilman Russo did not attend several meetings and Councilman Dave Mello made a point that he was fine with it but didn’t want to vote on the issue without going through that process. Read More...

Tonight’s City Council meeting begins the 2012 year and it’s not exactly a momentous event.  Most people will have trouble switching gears especially if they are befuddled by the St. Patrick’s Day brouhaha; is it a celebratory Hoboken tradition or just out of hand debauchery?

Tonight the updated food truck ordinance takes its next step and if you want to argue in favor of your $3 taco, this is your chance.  Also on the agenda is a sketchy resolution from Councilwoman Beth Mason asking the City Council’s legal arm to review the Monarch project for further legislative action. Read More...

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It’s an early cold January day but the battle over the Monarch development is heating up already and Applied Development, parent company of The Shipyard entered the holiday season with a shot across the bow of the City of Hoboken issuing a late December letter from its attorney calling for the Mayor and other members of the Planning Board to stand down and recuse themselves from voting on the project when it comes before the controlling city agency.

The letter issued by the legal firm of Connell Foley to the Planning Board Chair Ann Graham calls for four members of the Planning Board: Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Director Brandy Forbes, the mayor’s designee and the chair to “disqualify themselves” from voting on the project as they have taken “positions” in “opposition to the application.” Read More...

Hoboken has a future and its one of major transformation.  That’s not hocus pocus and it ain’t magic but with two major law enforcement agencies outside Hudson County vying for a piece of the corruption pie in Hoboken, it’s time for a true transformation to take hold and reshape the status quo, courtesy of the Feds in Newark and the NJ Attorney General’s Office.

For the politically cynical, this is both whimsical and naive.  Let us be the first to admit MSV lacks that limiting gene with its sources and analysis of the existing standard bearers of law governing Hoboken and the State of New Jersey.  With men and women dying in the field to defend our Republic since 9-11, it’s the undermining of our democratic institutions at home we find most disturbing, whether it’s on the local, state or national level.  As we’ve applied an extraordinary effort to the most immediate venue, we struck pay dirt in a highly fertile target rich environment. Read More...

The fundraiser at Room 84 Friday night for the fire victims at 1st and Jackson proved a rousing success raising over $5,000.  All told the effort has raised about $6,000,  a fine effort considering the event was sandwiched between Christmas and New Year’s.

The fundraiser held for the four Hoboken women was a big success last night seen here with Room 84 club owner Joe Branco (c), Rory Chadwick (l) and HHA Executive Director Carmelo Garcia.

Rory Chadwick, the local business owner who spearheaded the effort said, “It was a real ‘feel good’ night.  We were able to give the women all the money last night too and they each have another $1000 coming from an anonymous donor whose check is coming.” Read More...