Jen Giattino for Council announces:
GIATTINO REBUKES GIACCHI ON LACK OF CONCERN FOR OPEN SPACE, AND HEAVY HANDED TACTICSJennifer Giattino, candidate for City Council in Hoboken’s 6th Ward, challenged Councilman Nino Giacchi for attempting to squash the consideration of an ordinance to acquire $20 million in bonding for open space at this week’s public Council meeting.
| On March 3, supporters of Greg Lincoln’s candidacy for 3rd Ward City Council came together for Greg’s Kickoff and Fundraiser event, held at Willie McBride’s in the heart of the 3rd Ward. Speaking at the event were City Councilman Ravi Bhalla, Former City Council President Tony Soares, and Mayor Dawn Zimmer. A transcript of Greg’s speech is attached below. A video of the event is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P96k52vj24A Press photos are available here: Greg’s bio and platform are available at the campaign website: http://LincolnForCouncil.com Any follow-up questions should be directed to: email: LincolnForCouncil@gmail.com tel: 201-468-0605 Greg Lincoln for 3rd Ward City Council – Kickoff and Fundraiser Speech – March 3, 2011
Thank you, Mayor Zimmer and Tony. I’d particularly like to thank and acknowledge my campaign team: Deirdre Wall, Greg Bond, Tony Soares, and the rest of my volunteers for all their hard work. I thank my wife Carma, who I somehow talked into this. And thank you to everyone for coming tonight to support my campaign for City Council.
As some of you may know, my job entails working with a lot of numbers, data management, and a keen attention to detail. Now, I’m not a numerologist or anything, but I noticed when we were choosing the date for this event that we would gather on the third day of the third month to kickoff this campaign to bring change to the third ward. I want you all to remember this as the beginning of change for the third ward, and that you were here.
For too long, the third ward has been represented by a councilperson who is unable or unwilling to properly do his job. A councilperson who submitted, without consulting his council peers, a temporary budget scribbled in pencil for people to vote on. A councilperson who, as the chair of the finance committee, “lost” almost a million dollars in parking meter funds, and called it a mistake. Meanwhile his friend, the former parking utility director, has been indicted for stealing approximately 55 tons of quarters.
For too long, the third ward has been represented by a corrupt family dynasty that has been more concerned about their own family’s finances than the interests of our city. We all know about father Anthony Russo, who pled guilty to accepting bribes, served jail time, and still owes our city over $300,000. There’s also the mother, who while serving as Parking Commissioner, was named in FBI documents for demanding $5-a-tow kickbacks. Despite all this, the family occupies subsidized housing units that should go to people who actually need them.
For too long, the third ward has been represented by a councilperson who has deceived his constituents. A councilperson who lied to the third ward about the municipal garage supposedly coming to the Pino site at 7th and Monroe. A councilperson who lied to the Hospital board, telling them they don’t have the authority to sell the hospital and release Hoboken from the $52 million dollar bond liability.
For too long, the third ward has been represented by a councilperson who has repeatedly made poor choices for our city. Over the past 18 months Mayor Zimmer has led Hoboken in a positive direction of accountability and fiscal responsibility. Yet my opponent seemingly does nothing but put up obstacles to impede this progress.
My friends, it is time for a change!
I am running for City Council because I want to bring the representation to the third ward that is long overdue. I believe that everyone in the third ward needs to be represented ‚ not just those who benefit from the system and want to maintain the status quo.
I am running for City Council because I’m a homeowner and taxpayer that loves living in Hoboken. My wife, two sons, and I have lived here for almost six years and love the vibrant, diverse, and welcoming atmosphere of our town. Except I have a councilman who in four years has never responded to a single email I’ve sent him.
I am running for City Council because we are at a critical juncture. Mayor Zimmer and her supporters on the council have taken firm stands on fiscal responsibility, nepotism, and pay-to-play; they have improved transportation issues, infrastructure and quality of life, making Hoboken a better place to live. My opponent has resisted most of these. Do we want four more years of politricks? Or do we want to continue to move Hoboken ahead and help it flourish?
I am running for City Council, but I need your help. I can’t do this alone. I ask each of you to do three things to help bring change to the third ward.
First, I need funds to compete with my opponent. He is well-funded and connected and will get lots of PAC donations. I fully expect him to double or triple my spending. Thankfully, Mayor Zimmer has shown us that it’s not about how much money you campaign with, but that you spend the money wisely. Please donate tonight if you are able, we take checks or credit cards. You can also donate via my campaign Facebook page or website.
Second, we need volunteers. As hard as my team works, we can’t do it all. We need people to help us knock on doors, organize events, stuff envelopes, make phone calls, etc. If you are skilled at anything, we have a place for you. If you can only spare a few hours of your time, we have a place for you.
And third, we need you to help us spread the word that there’s an honest choice for the third ward. Contact your friends and neighbors that live in the third ward, talk to them, share our Facebook page, and website. Let us know if you will put a sign in your window. Let us know if you want to host a meet and greet. Let us know if you would like to write a letter to the editor. We need all these things.
Friends, I thank you again for coming tonight. I couldn’t be here without your support.
|
||
| lincolnforcouncil.com | ||
Dear Editor:
I was a bit puzzled by Council President Mason’s explanation of her support for Timothy Occhipinti in her letter last week. Ms. Mason has the right to support whomever she wants, but her fixation on Michael Lenz’s acceptance of the city health benefits that are available to all council members does not jibe with her own past conduct on such matters.
Ms. Mason’s concern for Mr. Lenz’s acceptance of city health benefits was apparently great enough to prompt her to find ways to circumvent campaign-finance limits she once held as the centerpiece of her political career in order to funnel $13,400 to his opponent’s campaign. I’m just curious how she reconciles that with her reinstatement of her own council salary and benefits and back-pay request less than two years ago, which seemed reactionary against the public for not embracing her mayoral candidacy.
During Ms. Mason’s spring 2009 mayoral campaign, of which I was part, she frequently touted the fact that she was foregoing her councilperson’s salary and benefits as a display of sincere commitment to the community and the beleaguered budget. Yet within weeks of losing the election, she reinstated both her salary and benefits and even sought $8,816 of back pay. When I reminded her that she had held up the salary forfeiture as a selling point, she dismissed the notion, saying the public obviously didn’t care.
Mr. Lenz had never promised not to take city benefits. His decision to do so and receive a stipend for giving up the benefits from his county job may not have been the most politically astute move for a candidate facing a tough election, but it was not hypocritical. Ms. Mason, on the other hand, claimed to be nobly giving up salary and benefits on principle while running for mayor, then hypocritically reclaimed them once the election was over. And while her wheeling $13,400 beyond the $2,600 individual-contribution limit to Mr. Occhipinti’s campaign was apparently technically legal due to a loophole in the law, it was a legality of precisely the nudge, nudge, wink, wink sort that Ms. Mason once claimed to vehemently stand against, rendering herself a leading proponent and would-be perpetuator of the very political tactics those of us who once supported her thought we were helping to end.
I found Ms. Mason’s arguments to be wholly disingenuous. She did not facilitate campaign-finance reform, she neutered and scuttled it. And she did not wheel money to Mr. Occhipinti because she disagreed with a decision by Mr. Lenz that was benign compared with her own salary shenanigans. I believe she did it because she wanted to be council president and Tim was the swing vote to clinch her ambitions. Such false claims are insulting to people’s intelligence, and unfortunately the only transparency to be found under Ms. Mason’s council presidency is in her cynical rationalizations for bad government.
Sincerely,
Jake Stuiver
Talking Ed Note: Jake Stuiver is currently a Hoboken Housing Authority Commissioner. This letter was featured in the weekend Hudson Reporter.
The Hoboken Journal posted an exclusive story on Beth Mason’s attempt to have a political sign promoting her council candidacy in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. His story includes an actual picture of the sign not allowed by the parade organizers to appear. The complete story:
https://hobokenhorse.com/2011/03/beth-mason-meltdown-over-signage-in.html
=&0=&
There are too many extra long Hoboken city council meetings, some going seven hours.
This is not good for the public interest since it acts as a filibuster to the public portion of the meeting causing many to leave, those who remain get tired and who really wants to be there, talk or listen at 2 am the next day. At the last session one citizen said shame on the city council and another said that they are alienating the public. I concur with both statements and something has to be changed.
This condition is of long standing. During the lengthy council meeting of March 19, =&1=&
councilman Nino Giacci recommended a return to having a caucus to expedite council business. This has merit since items and issues can be discussed, consensus gained and new items can be pulled if the council needs more study time or requires additional information. My letter to the Editor, Hoboken Reporter, was published March 30, 2008, [Bringing back council caucuses will improve productivity] suggested change. I have also spoken at council meetings in follow up. Unfortunately, it could not gain a council majority.
The Republicans of Hoboken hosted author Christopher Whalen with a sold out wall to wall crowd of 100 in attendance last Tuesday night.
Almost every City Hall official and likely council club runner was in attendance and the mayor arrived late for dessert and the speaker as well kicking off the official city wide ward council races throughout Hoboken May 10th. The Republicans of Hoboken speaker series was a hot event and not a seat was available as they had to turn away some late door arrivals but Da Horsey was invited to stand near the kitchen as honorary mascot. Here’s our pictorial essay on the big shindig:| Christopher Whalen author of “Inflated: How Money and Debt built the American Dream,” didn’t have good news although he threw some red meat for a more conservative Hoboken audience saying more bad news is coming with inflation and a weak economy sure to follow the build up of bad American fiscal policy. 2nd Ward candidate Tom Greaney looked sharp and confident with a prime seat (center) for Whalen’s remarks. |
| Mismatched: James Sanford, Young Republicans Hudson County Chair (center) bemused at his table sitting next to anti-Administration leader and head of the local Chamber of Commerce Mike Novak with 4th ward Council seat holder Tim Occhipinti. Across from James is politico Perry Belfiore who is collecting petitions for another 5th ward council run against incumbent Peter Cunningham |
| 5th ward Councilman Peter Cunningham listening to the speaker looked confident in his 5th ward home base |
| 6th ward Councilman Nino Giacchi has a friendly discussion with 2nd ward resident Scott Siegel who has been sharply critical of the Mason-Russo ‘majority’ on fiscal and free speech issues. |
| 4th ward council candidate Rami Pinchevsky (left) listens intently to Christopher Whalen’s bad economic news. Far right former Republican Congressional candidate Henrietta Dwyer took in the bad news with somewhat less surprise. In blue center is Forde Prigot, a local Republican who is a staunch advocate of Mayor Zimmer and her responsible fiscal policy. |
| 3rd ward council candidate Greg Lincoln (rear right) during the dinner. While his opponent Councilman Mike Russo was not in attendance, seated to his right was BoE commissioner Leon Gold. |
| 6th ward council candidate Jen Giattino attended and has been out and about of late at city events showing she’s making a serious bid against long time incumbent Nino Giacchi. |
| 5th ward resident Scott Delea allowed MSV permission for this isolated photo. Although he’s not declared for the 5th ward council seat his name surfaced that day in a costly Bet Mazin poll. Scott is the founder of “Party with a Purpose” and has not declared his intentions to run again for council. |
| 5th ward candidate in waiting Perry Belfiore enjoyed the dinner. To his right Tim Occhipinti looks for guidance on which fork to use. There was no room for any instructional binders at the sell out event. |
| 2nd ward Councilwoman Beth Mason worked a table during the dinner. She left shortly before the speaker as did other politicos on her side of the fence. The reform minded candidates scattered across the room including Peter Cunningham all stayed. |
| Das book – lots were available but only one left without a new home |
| Mayor Dawn Zimmer arrived late for the event but found a seat for the heavy fiscal message by Christopher Whalen. Behind her center is host and organizer for the event Republicans of Hoboken chair Diana Davis. Congratulations to her and the ROH for a superb event. |
| Wall to wall: not a seat could be found for the sold out ROH event. |
=&0=&
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for our area. Due to the potential for flooding, the City of Hoboken is providing free parking in municipal Garage B (located on 2nd Street between Hudson and River streets) through Monday, March 7 at 8am for residents who reside in flood prone areas and have a valid Resident parking permit or Temporary parking permit placard.
Hoboken will take on its own version of a limited Mardi Gras today and the adventure is now officially underway. For residents, depending on what part of town you live, it’s more than an adventure; it’s an assault on your senses sometimes with financial damages.
Last year’s event went off better than the previous year but Hoboken is down on law enforcement manpower so the test rises again. Be on the lookout for the invasion of hordes of young men proudly carting their case packs of Bud Light or propping up the numerous casualties of muffin tops sure to be piling up through the course of the day.
Greg Lincoln held his kickoff Thursday night and the event brought out several dozen people on a cold night including some real star power with the mayor speaking in support of his 3rd ward candidacy along with former Councilman Tony Soares.
Everywhere you turned though was another local official. It’s a nice show of support for someone highly respected in the Hoboken community. Greg’s speech is notable on several fronts but most importantly, he’s asking for support to make the 3rd ward battle a real race.