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Last night Room 84 owner Joseph Branco kindly hosted a fundraiser for 1st ward candidate Eric Kurta. Among the dozens of people attending: a most animated Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Councilman Ravi Bhalla, BoE trustee Jean Marie Mitchell, council candidates Greg Lincoln (3rd), Tom Greaney (2nd) and some other luminaries of the reform movement including Ann Graham.

Turned into a fun event with lots of discussion, laughter and high energy.

If you care about the future and the soul of Hoboken, it’s time for you to be heard. You decide how but you will be surprised just how both normal and cool the people running on the reform coalition truly are. Read More...

Dear Friends:

Please join us on Sunday, March 27th at 1pm in Columbus Park for our Annual Kids First picture!

The Kids First 2011 Team will be there and there will be snacks and drinks for the children. It will be a great time to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones.

We truly appreciate all the community support over the years and are very excited about the accomplishments we have achieved this past year. The Kids First 2011 team needs your continued support to keep the progress going!

We hope you can make it!!! Read More...

The following article is a refutation of the article appearing yesterday on Hoboken411 (see MSV story below) by Hoboken Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman:

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The 411 piece this morning would actually be funny if it were not so blatantly false.  Only those who are in the wrong would say that politics played any role in my actions, unless, of course, it’s your opinion that a politician should get a pass.  I on the other hand feel they should be held to the same standard as anyone else who violations the zoning ordinance. Read More...

Hoboken411 is at it again and the boys of hate in league to all things Beth Mason have piled up a bunch of whoppers as election season heats up.  Most Hoboken readers know this already as the steady diet of lies is countered by other places but that doesn’t stop Mason’s minions from trying.

The lies in this article with no attribution whatsoever of course piled up a pile of excrement so high, the Hoboken Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman has submitted an article for publication outlining the truth on all the issues.   That article will be published on MSV shortly.  It’s going to pack a wallop and bring to light not only all the lies in yesterday’s Hoboken411 screed of falsehoods, it reveals more on the behavior of a certain sponsor of that website. Read More...

Office of the Mayor announces:

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZIMMER
According to several eye witness accounts, Director Sacs was attacked today by a City employee inside City Hall.  Witnesses included a Police officer and a retired Police officer.
“While I believe Director Sacs is the victim of workplace violence, I am calling for an independent 3rd party to thoroughly review this matter,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer.  “Workplace violence is an extremely serious matter and cannot be condoned. My Administration has zero tolerance for such conduct, and I urge the Council to support this internal review and codify the Ethics ordinance which seeks to address this issue.” 

A claim and counterclaim have been filed by the parties, and the case will proceed through a municipal court outside of Hoboken in addition to the 3^{rd Read More...}

Dear friend, Having been involved in various reform efforts since the early nineties, I have long worked for positive change in Hoboken. I now feel that the time has come for me to seek elected office so that I might accomplish that which I cannot do as a private citizen. I hope to build upon the efforts of those who have already accomplished so much toward improving our community. I want to bring fresh ideas and positive solutions to the City Council and to help keep Hoboken moving forward. To succeed in this effort, we must mount an aggressive campaign. My opponent is a four-term incumbent with a solid base of support. Our campaign will require – and has been building – an organized grassroots organization. Our campaign consists almost entirely of volunteers and will do as much as it can with a limited budget. Any help that you can provide will amplify our message by enabling us to create the mailers, flyers, and signs needed to get the word out to the First Ward voters. Please join us at a fundraiser in support of my campaign for the First Ward Council seat. Eric ·          ·         Where:  Room 84   –   84 Washington Street ·          ·         Date:  Thursday, March 24, 2011 ·          ·         Time:  7:00pm–9:00pm Minimum Contribution: $50 ·          =&5=&  Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Councilman Ravinder Bhalla =&6=&  Ms. Ann Graham, Mr. Joseph Branco and Mr. Jahn Andersen =&7=& ·         RSVP: frances.jennings@gmail.com ·          ·         Website: www.kurtaforcouncil.com

Moving Hoboken Forward

Dear Horsey,

After nearly two decades of fighting to reform Hoboken’s political system, I have decided to run for City Council in the 1st Ward. This past week, candidates were required to submit nominating petitions from registered voters in the ward to qualify for the ballot. I’m proud to say that we got more signatures than our opponent, meaning the support of the community is clearly in our corner.

The momentum continues to build with incredible articles about the election. Over the weekend, the Hoboken Reporter quoted me describing the key difference from my opponent: “[She] wants things to go back to the way they were 20 or 30 years ago. I’m looking forward. She’s looking backward.” Last week they also published my letter to the editor criticizing the council for not passing the anti-wheeling ordinance which would have taken away the ability of some individuals to launder money through PACs. And, just this week, the Jersey Journal commented on our cunning use of signs. Read More...

Rami for Council announces:

COUNCILMAN TIM OCCHIPINTI VIOLATES ZONING LAW – PAYS FINE Fourth Ward Councilman and Chair of the City Council’s Zoning and Development Subcommittee, Timothy Occhipinti, plead guilty yesterday to violating local zoning laws. Occhipinti failed to remove campaign signs from his headquarters after last year’s special election in the Fourth Ward in a timely manner and missed his original court date. Fourth Ward City Council candidate, Rami Pinchevsky, said “Mr. Occhipinti owes Fourth Ward residents an explanation as to why he refused to take down campaign signs after receiving a warning from the city that he was in violation of the law.”
“As head of the Zoning and Development Committee for the City Council, it is inexcusable that Mr Occhipinti would disregard the law in such a manner. His brazen behavior shows an utter disrespect to city residents and the law he has duly sworn to uphold. Mr. Occhipinti should publicly apologize for his behavior,” said Rami.
Prior to yesterday’s court date, public records show that Occhipinti received a written notice to remove campaign signs from the windows of his campaign office, following this past November’s election. After his failure to comply with the warning, a citation with a mandatory court appearance was issued to him. 
Occhipinti failed to appear in court for the first hearing last month, but did appear in court for the rescheduled hearing this week.

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Talking Ed Note: Here’s video of Tim Occhipinti leaving court yesterday after having pled guilty in Secaucus.  He was recently appointed as head of the Zoning and Planning Subcommittee by Councilwoman Beth Mason but broke the law and ignored the notice of the violation at his campaign office.  After skipping the court appearance in Hoboken, he made the court case this time.

The video shows Tim Occhipinti finding law breaking very amusing.  Before he’s asked about breaking and flouting the law of the very committee he heads, he displays an arrogant response, putting his hand up to push the camera away saying “Are you kidding?” adding a political non-response.  His lawyer Michael Goldberg was also the lawyer for Peter Cammarano then interjects with some typical lawyer gibberish as the fine is being paid at the cashier window. Read More...

Last night, former city councilman Tony Soares hosted a meet and greet for 4th ward council candidate Rami Pinchevsky.  Several dozen people attended including city officials, among them Councilwoman Carol Marsh, BoE Commissioner Jean Marie Mitchell, HHA commissioner Jake Stuiver, former 4th ward Councilman Mike Lenz.  Later Mayor Dawn Zimmer arrived and stayed late to talk with residents and mingle with the crowd.

Rami Pinchevsky spoke at the informal soiree speaking passionately on the importance of a park for the southwest and improving the traffic situation possibly taking steps to reroute some of it as a solution.  He also noted the contributions of his host and others in government including the mayor in advancing Hoboken and bringing much needed progress in a number of areas including spending and taxes. Read More...

City of Hoboken announces:

CITY AUDITOR CLARIFIES SURPLUS ISSUES Due to confusion that was created by Council President Mason’s letter to constituents, the City asked for clarification from the City’s auditor regarding the budget surplus.

The letter speaks for itself, and in the interest of ensuring a full understanding of this issue, the public is strongly urged to read the auditor’s letter in its entirety to understand the full facts regarding Hoboken’s surplus and the manner it is legally permitted and fiscally appropriate to be used. Read More...

Lincoln for Council announces:

LINCOLN CALLS ON MASON TO REMOVE RUSSO AS CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE   Dear Council President Mason,   Last week Mayor Zimmer released audit findings revealing that former Mayor and convicted felon Anthony Russo was receiving city health benefits that he was not qualified to receive following his conviction and imprisonment for taking bribes and illegal cash payments.     In response to questions, Councilman Russo has not denied prior knowledge of his father’s benefits; nor has Russo denied covering up his father’s benefits during an investigation he personally conducted in 2008 into former employees illegally receiving city benefits. Instead of addressing these allegations, Russo has attempted to shift blame to the business administrator and Mayor Zimmer for conducting an audit that saves the city money.    Russo’s evasiveness in this matter speaks volumes about the manner in which he conducts city business and manages our tax dollars. Russo’s actions show he is incapable of conducting himself with the objectivity and impartiality that the position of Chair of the Finance Committee demands.  The residents and taxpayers of Hoboken expect the Chair of the Finance Committee to act first and foremost in the best interests of the city, to be beyond reproach, and to avoid any appearance of impropriety.   In view of Russo’s questionable behavior and the considerable indebtedness of the Russo family to the city, there is a blatant conflict of interest to have Councilman Russo remain as Chair of the Finance Committee.  It is incumbent upon you as Council President to immediately remove Russo as Chair of the Finance Committee until the issue of his family’s health benefits and his father’s court ordered restitution debts to the city are resolved. To allow Councilman Russo to remain as Chair of Finance Committee is an affront to open and honest government, and will erode the confidence of the public in the City Council’s ability to conduct the business of the city.    Sincerely,  Greg Lincoln  3rd Ward City Council Candidate Links: Campaign Press photos:  Campaign website: http://LincolnForCouncil.com Campaign phone: 201-468-0605 Campaign email: LincolnForCouncil@gmail.com Sources: Russo Response to Lincoln Questions in the Hudson Reporter: http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/12372838/article–In-Hoboken–Councilman-Russo-responds-to-opponent-s-press-release- http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/12379061/article–Mayor-Zimmer–Health-benefits-for-Russo-were-discovered-last-fall- Press Release: Lincoln Demands Answers  From Russo on Illegal Health Benefits: http://lincolnforcouncil.com/index.php?page=pressrelease&content=extended&id=2 Mayor Zimmer’s letter to City Council, March 11, 2011, stating termination of former Mayor Russo’s health benefits, in “Ethics Ordinance” on page 2 of: http://www.hobokennj.org/docs/council/respack11/respac-3-16-11.pdf Video of Dec. 3, 2008 Hoboken City Council meeting where Councilman Russo claims to have uncovered evidence of employees illegally receiving health benefits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps4CmBwRuGE Hudson Reporter article, March 2, 2006, by Tom Jennemann, stating former  Mayor Russo’s termination of health benefits: http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/2408422/article-Russo-s-pension-cut-in-half-Jailed-former-mayor-receives-no-credit-for-time-spent-as-chief-executive Hudson Reporter article, January 25, 2009, by Tim Carroll, explaining Councilman Russo’s confusion over the number of employees illegally receiving health benefits: http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/1821809/article-City–It-was-a-mistake-Five-not-qualified-but-receiving-city-benefits–two-others-under-review-
lincolnforcouncil.com