With the sale of Hoboken University Medical Center to HUMC Holdco pending and likely only days away from completion, an effort to stage a last minute sabotage is well underway with Beth Mason’s propaganda vehicle Hoboken411 or Mason411 doing everything possible to stop it.
Mason411 pointed its bottomless bile at one of Hoboken’s most revered good government advocates over decades, Eric Kurta in a bid to undermine his 1st ward council bid against incumbent Terry Castellano in another addition to its toxic brew.
A letter from Alice Crozier, President for People for Open Government is the vehicle used to inflict the damage:
Mayor Dawn Zimmer held a joint press conference with the representatives of the police unions: Sgt. Ed Drishti who represents the police officers and Detective Vince Lombardi who represents the police rank and file to declare a satisfactory conclusion in the agreement reached and approved at last night’s City Council meeting.
In addition, Captain Ed Garcia stood in on behalf of Police Chief Falco to highlight the measures planned for this Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As part of the Hoboken Police Department’s efforts, DWI checks will be conducted at unannounced locations around town.
The City Council voted to introduce the Administration’s municipal budget which includes a 10 percent tax cut compared to the fiscal year 2010 budget. The budget includes a reduction in payroll costs of approximately $4 million as a result of Mayor

Third Ward Resident and active community member, Greg Lincoln has decided to challenge incumbent Mike Russo for 3rd Ward Councilman in the City of Hoboken in the May 10th 2011 municipal election. Greg feels strongly that honest representation in the 3rd Ward is long overdue. It’s time for a Councilman who puts residents’ needs ahead of his own. You are cordially invited to Greg’s Campaign Kick-Off and Fundraiser:
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the campaign email address:
Hoboken Patch filed a brief story noting the introduction of this fiscal year’s budget with a $5 million cash surplus dedicated to reserves as recommended on the low end of a 5-10% professional recommendation by municipal financial planners.
The Police unions and saw their contract including a $3 million payment for back pay approved. The amount represents one of the larger costs to the $14.7 million surplus among others expenses highlighted.
Last year’s transitional budget in the latter half of 2010 included a 5% tax cut and the mayor has proposed an additional 5% tax cut for this fiscal year’s budget. Budget workshops are scheduled for later this month. Last year, the previous council majority worked to deliver savings of over $300,000 in two weekend workshops.
No, we’re not talking about dietary fiber but a different kind entirely somewhat missing at the last City Council meeting. MSV lost count on the number of abuses of the rules, protocols, and courtesies normally extended by members to each other. It’s like nothing we’ve seen at City Council meetings before and there’s been a checkered past there at times over the years.
A new voice has emerged, one with dignity and strength and respect for our traditions. We’re not talking about Hoboken’s government traditions of theft, bribery, extortion, nepotism, etc., but of our Republic – the rule of law. It’s T. Paine. (see below)
In Hoboken, partisanship can reach levels in its political circles making New York City officeholders and their kin look like absolute pikers. Paid political operatives take their work so seriously, long term unemployment is accepted if it means venting hatred to a political opponent and extends some happiness to their joyless life. The volume is amping up again with the elections in May nearing but in that toxic mix there’s some room for optimism.
Patricia Waiters a perennial candidate for various elected offices for some time was part of the old guard camp and a strong back of former mayor Peter Cammarano. For a while she defended the arrested and now convicted mayor but last year a change occurred.
Arriving during the main course, dinner made for some good shots, and there was a bevy of politicos in the house. More on that later. The poll was all people wanted to talk to Da Horsey about. People gulping down beautiful pieces of marbleized meat with whippy smooth potatoes dying to tell Da Horsey about “The Poll.” Okay, MSV did receive a warm welcome from the event’s hostesses’ and some of the finer lasses in the room but enough about that for the moment, what about Beth?
Well unlike most official advertising where a candidate signs the bottom with their name appearing as part of a campaign requirement, telephone polls don’t have to identify who paid for the deed. Many believed the recent one regarding parks keeping the circuits busy in town was sponsored by Beth Mason, but that is in fact erroneous. This one however was loaded to the gills with all kinds of negative ideas planted in the harshest light with tells looming larger than if a poker player fell down drunk in front of you with their cards. In short, this was a political hit job, a long one taking maybe 15 minutes and it costs some real coin. That also points to Beth Mason. Here’s Beth Mason identifying some of the poll themes you will be asked about in her minon crafted speech at the last City Council meeting. Can you keep count of how many?
