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6th ward polling at the Calabro School is ahead of the pace at this time compared to the May municipal elections – this based on a first hand account taken with three hours left to vote at the polls.

“That Jen Girl” is impacting the 6th ward vote.

The Calabro School polling station is home to Councilwoman Jen Giattino who endorsed Kurt Gardiner for Freeholder.  Since taking office, “That Jen Girl,” her moniker penned by Russo insider Deep Uvula on Grafix Avenger has built a steady positive influence engaging the neighborhood in several community cleanups. Read More...

The scourge of Mason’s political operative who is not paid for friendship has tweeted support for Kurt Gardiner

Something is most definitely going on out there.  Keep it going!  Drag your friends and neighbors to polls.

Reliable sources on the early voting show strong voting patterns for key precincts in the 4th and 6th wards.

Independent sources state the 4-2, a key Reform precinct for Dawn Zimmer earlier had close to six dozen votes while another key district in the 6th ward had already passed its total for the whole day last May.

Simmering anger by Hoboken residents and taxpayers with the sabotage against the hospital sale may be brewing.

It’s believed a combination of factors may be in play.  First there appears to be strong interest in Ballot #2 on the rent control ordinance.  In addition there are strong emotions lingering from the sabotage of the hospital (and all of Hoboken) by MORTe. Read More...

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A year ago on Election Day, the Tim Occhipinti campaign set what is believed to be a Hoboken record in his 4th ward election with 500 vote-by-mail (absentee ballots) in an election where less than a thousand votes almost always determines the victor’s vote total.

It’s not a final tally but MSV can now report over 1,200 vote-by-mail ballots have been submitted in this election with 574 coming in from the 4th ward alone!

Talking Ed Note: Who will be the beneficiaries from this record setting 4th ward VBM harvest – especially in the 4th ward? Rest assured it will be aiding home team Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, and Freeholder Anthony “Stick” Romano. Read More...

Hoboken’s twittering bulldog FalcoTheBullie, in reply to Da Horsey’s tweet has come out today and urged Hoboken voters to get out and vote for Kurt Gardiner:

Again Hoboken will witness a tale of two cities and a tale of two counties.  The Hudson County Tax Machine cares not for Hoboken’s excessive tax burden.  To the HCTM Hoboken is a cash cow and must be milked within an inch of a coma.

And so it has.

Today on Election Day – you have a choice.  The fight must begin somewhere and like the City Council some years ago, the battle began with the Reform minded members in the persons of Peter Cunningham and Dawn Zimmer.

Hoboken is required to take that battle to the county level in the form of its legislative member. Read More...

Councilman Dave Mello gets into the headlong rush for Kurt Gardiner’s candidacy for Freeholder.
There’s something going on here.  The Councilman put in a lot of time to communicate his detailed reasons for backing the Giant:

Councilman Mello notes Hoboken pays 17% of Hudson County’s taxes and receives back only 6% in services using Hoboken as a “cash cow.”

The Councilman writes:

In a video release, Hoboken City Councilman David Mello has endorsed Kurt Gardiner for election as Hoboken’s representative on the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders.  “I’ve been fighting for the creation of a southwest park in Hoboken for years now,” said Mello.  “With seventeen percent of Hudson County’s tax dollars coming from Hoboken residents, despite Hoboken making up less than eight percent of the County’s population, isn’t it time that the County fully partnered with Hoboken in efforts to create this park?  A southwest park in Hoboken could provide vital flood remediation and greatly improve the quality of life in Hoboken.”  Mello further said, “Many large residential buildings have gone up just over the southwest borders of Hoboken in recent years.  At this moment, cement is being poured for yet another residential building just south of Hoboken’s train trestle in Jersey City; the Cast Iron Lofts.  It’s only logical to see that residents of other Hudson County municipalities will use a southwest park if one is ever created.  Hudson County’s Fifth District needs a freeholder who will fight for a Hoboken and County partnership in the creation of this park.”  The Cast Iron Lofts will bring 155 new rental units to the Jersey City neighborhood just over the border from Hoboken’s Fourth Ward. Jersey City already is home to Lincoln Park, a 273.4 acre Hudson County park.  Hoboken’s only county park is Columbus Park on Clinton Street, a 3.2 acre, mostly passive park space.

Talking Ed Note: Polls are now open and will be until 8:00 PM. Please get out and vote today. Email you friends and family (again) in town and encourage them to do likewise.
Let’s not allow Hudson County to take advantage of Hoboken any longer. Read More...

From the desk of Council VP Peter Cunningham:

Hi everyone, sorry for the late notice. Quite a busy weekend culminating with the closing of the Hospital transaction on Friday, and lots of soccer Saturday and Sunday… It had been a great week for the family too with Halloween and all, with perhaps the scariest thing to occur at Wednesday’s council meeting where routine accounting measures were voted down by the minority for NO GOOD REASON other than to show their continued ability to block this Administration like they did with the hospital; refinancing the Parking Utility Bonds and bonding for General Improvements. I have talked to many about tomorrow’s vote and how disappointed most are with little interest to go to the polls.  So I will give some limited thoughts, opinions and recommendations, and you decide.  While it is a privilege to exercise your right to vote, with exception of a couple of candidates and issues, you might want to “bullet” vote your way through this one. 1) All Democratic incumbents are likely to win by a large margin.  But you can vote Republican and send a message to the incumbents that you are not satisfied with their job.  When we say job, we mean supporting reasonable initiatives to reducing our tax burden and supporting other reform initiatives.   Kurt Gardiner, running for Freeholder as an Independent, is someone I am  supporting for Hudson County Freeholder. His site is http://www.gardinerforfreeholder.com/.  Kurt will fight for lower County taxes which have continued to go up in the last four years completely overshadowing the hard work done we have done at city hall AND on the School Board.  Kurt will not take a County car; will recommend salary cuts and Operational Audits of County Government; and say NO to any County tax increase. 2) The Referendum on Rent Control is the other initiative of interest. It’s a confusing question, and I hope that at this point many of you are prepared.  I have spoken to many and as we are reasonable people, I believe the following are important issues to consider.  The Ordinance Z-88 was voted in (9-0) by all City Council members this Spring.  In my opinion, it’s fair and balanced for both the tenants and landlords as there was something that each party gave up to come to a consensus (you may write me for details).  The Judge mandated that Hoboken fix it’s Rent Control laws as they were “arbitrary and capricious.”  Ordinance Z-88 will reduce the legal liability and thus the financial burden waged against the city for over 20 years.  The costs have been staggering for the city, landlords and tenants.  For tenants that are concerned rents, this law will not arbitrarily raise any one’s rent.  Hoboken continues to have the strongest rent control laws in Hudson County. Let’s listen to the Judge, and do something that’s fair and balanced. Please consider voting NO to preserve Z-88. Please let me know if you have any specific questions, and feel free to pass this note around to your neighbors.  Thanks as always.  Peter —      Peter Cunningham

From the desk of 6th ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino:

From the desk of  Democrats for Honest Government Ravi Bhalla:

Dear Horsey, I write to offer support and an endorsement of my good friend, Kurt Gardiner, for county Freeholder for the 5th District, which includes Hoboken and portions of Jersey City Heights. When Mayor Dawn Zimmer and I first ran for elective office, we were not politicians, but rather citizens sincerely concerned about the direction of Hoboken, and wanted to serve to make positive change for our community.  Last Friday’s sale of the Hoboken University Medical Center is just one example of how regular people focused solely on Hoboken’s best interests, can bring their respective talents to the table and achieve historic change for the City of Hoboken.  It is also an example of how an ordinary person with extraordinary determination – Mayor Zimmer – brought together like-minded residents to successfully work for the greater good of Hoboken. We must also remember that Hoboken is not an island unto itself.  A large portion of our tax levy is County taxes that are impacted by the decisions of our county legislators, also known as Freeholders.  It is important for us to understand the impact that policies at the county and state level have on Hoboken, and for well intentioned and talented residents in Hoboken to step up and run for elective office not just at the local level, but at the county and state level as well. Kurt Gardiner is one of those persons and I humbly request you cast your ballot for Kurt tomorrow.  For as long as I have known Kurt, he has been an honest, thoughtful, and humorous straight-shooter.  Kurt does not pull any punches, even with me.  There have been times where Kurt has disagreed with a position I have taken, and he never hesitates to call me and express his disagreement.  Kurt is a courageous man who I believe has the intelligence, energy and ability to stand up to business as usual at the county level and advocate for the best interests of Hoboken and Jersey City residents. My endorsement of Kurt is not a reflection of my views of our current Freeholder, Anthony Romano.  For as long as I have known him, Freeholder Romano has been a professional and true gentlemen in all of our interactions.  Freeholder Romano works very hard and I sincerely believe also has the best intentions of the residents of the 5th District.  So you have two good candidates to choose from.   At this time in Hoboken’s history, however, our interests would be better served through the election of a qualified candidate emerging from outside the confines of traditional Democratic county politics.  That person is Kurt Gardiner and I sincerely hope you will cast your vote for him tomorrow. Sincerely, Ravi S. Bhalla Democrats for Honest Government