Hoboken Journal WordPress Archive
On 6/25/2010 I switched my commenting system to Intense debate. This software has better commenting features than blogger but the comments were not able to be brought over due to a limitation in the setup process by Intense Debate.
I considered this to be a great loss to my readers and close to 7,000 comments could have been lost for ever. Luckily I had set up a word press version of my blog to act as a backup should something ever happen to my blogger account.
This site is an archive of all posts and comments from November 2008 through June 26th, 2010 for posts and June 25th for comments.
For all current posts and comments go to:
Hoboken Photo of the Day – Maxwell Place Park Waterfront view
New Comments System
After much hemming and hawing I decided to switch commenting systems and have moved to Intense Debate. There are some features I really like about it so I decided to make the move. In the process I was not able to migrate over previous comments under blogger so I will be starting from scratch.
Give it a shot. It is much easier to log in and comment than the previous system. Email at kurt.gardiner@gmail.com if you have any problems or need help.
GOOOAAALLLLL! World Cup Fever – USA vs. Ghana at 2PM Today Saturday June 26
Today the US Soccer team faces off with Ghana at 2PM on ABC, Cablevision channels 7 or 707. For those who are fans of the World Cup like me there are a number of bars in which to see the game. Mulligan’s I am sure will be packed as well as Black Bear. Many Hoboken bars over the last several years have expanded thei number of flat screen TVs for sporting events such as these.
Here are the top 10 goals from the tournament so far. Number 1 of course is Landon Donovan’s last minute goal in stoppage time that advanced the US team to the round of 16:
Peter Cuningham on the Garage Solution
Peter Cunningham , current Hoboken City Council President and 5th Ward Councilman sent out his remarks on the proposed garage solution publicly announced yesterday by the Zimmer Administration:
“There’s more to come on this issue. While not in a residential neighborhood, I am sensitive to the potential impact it will have in northwest Hoboken. I am confident that the plans as outlined and forthcoming by the administration will achieve common goals for all affected.”
Thanks, Peter
Hoboken Photo of the Day – Welcome Sign
Today’s Photo of the Day is of the welcome to Hoboken sign in the Northwest part of town……
The Mayor on the latest Municipal Garage Location and Temporary Solution
Here is the latest from the Office of the Mayor in Hoboken on the Municipal Garage location search….
MAYOR ZIMMER PROPOSES INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR PUBLIC WORKS MUNICIPAL GARAGE
Mayor Dawn Zimmer will ask the City Council to vote on a proposal for the future of the City’s public works municipal garage at the upcoming Council meeting on July 14th.
“What we are proposing will save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and have no impact on any residential areas,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “No traditional site-based solution comes close to the cost savings of this innovative approach.”
The City currently requires indoor space for vehicle maintenance and outdoor space for vehicle storage. There is the possibility that the City could end up with two garage locations if the City entered into a lease for a temporary new location and retained the existing municipal garage if the developer is unable to close on the sale. Additionally, the cost to retrofit a leased location which we may only need for a few months would cost at least $100,000, not including the cost of monthly rental.
To avoid this scenario, the Administration is proposing a creative solution which addresses the City’s vehicle maintenance and storage needs while saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Administration has decided to outsource all maintenance of its vehicles for 60 days until the status of the existing municipal garage site is clear on the planned closing date, August 13, 2010. By outsourcing the maintenance, the City eliminates the short term need for indoor garage space.
To address the City’s needs for outdoor vehicle storage space, the Administration will introduce a Resolution authorizing the closure of Clinton Street between 15th Street and 16th Street. Appropriate easements will be provided for adjacent property owners. The impact on traffic will be minimal since there are already plans for the closure of Clinton Street beneath the 14th Street Viaduct as part of Hudson County’s plan for that structure’s rehabilitation later this year.
“We’re looking to continually save taxpayers money through out-of-the-box approaches to problem-solving,” added Business Administrator Arch Liston.
These solutions will not impact any residential areas of the community, preclude the possibility of ending up with two garages, and provide significant cost savings to taxpayers.
Share your thoughts below in the comments…..
"Da Horsey’s" Legal Defense Free Speech Fund – Donate By Paypal has been set up
Update 6/25/2010: A paypal account has been set up for donation now. Click on the donate now button near the top right of this site to contribute what amount you care to (or below in this post):
Also:
There is a recent article from the Hudson Reporter Court case of Hoboken blogger vs critic continues… that mentions the establishment of this fund.
Original Post 6/24/2010: The Hoboken Journal has its share of causes but this one I think is very important for the open discourse to continue among people about Hoboken’s future without physical threats and assaults upon their person:
The Charges/Countercharges:
The Hoboken Journal prides itself on fair, open discourse and celebrates free speech in the city I have made my new home. With concern in various corners about the political dialogue in Hoboken, The Hoboken Journal is reminded of an ongoing legal case initiated in April, when “Da Horsey” aka SmartyJones and real name Roman Brice of local website Mile Square View was allegedly attacked at a BOE forum at Stevens on April 12th 2010 and his camera taken by Lane Bajardi. A complaint was filed and a report appeared a week later by HobokenPatch.com title, “Hoboken Resident Arrested After Incident at Debate.” A week and a half after the initial complaint, Lane Bajardi filed a cross complaint claiming he was the victim with an injured hip after claiming he had been assaulted falling into the auditorium seating. Lane was seen the very next day on April 13th quite ambulatory at the BOE School Board Meeting and almost got removed at that meeting by the police.
Change of Venue (not so discreet anymore after this post):
A BOE source attending last week’s second court appearance between the parties states the case will be moved out of Hoboken to another Hudson County venue. Lane Bajardi who never seems bashful trying to get his political spin into the local papers and a notorious website in town, mumbled about being a “political figure” as a reason to have the case taken outside of Hoboken. The judge however indicated the case would be moved due to several local elected BOE officials listed as witnesses if it goes to trial.
The Legal Beagles (good advice doesn’t come cheap):
Union City Attorney Alex Booth representing Roman Brice has presented six witnesses, several are current BOE officials who participated that evening in the BOE forum. Attorney Elise DiNardo representing Lane Bajardi has presented no witnesses more than two months after the incident, but stated there will be witnesses presented along with a trial. According to my source requests to obtain an apology and conclude the matter along with phone calls by Roman Brice’s attorney have been unsuccessful. Alex Booth is an accomplished attorney and good advice does not come cheap and hence the need for the fund. Elise DiNardo has worked for Beth Mason in the past so we will leave it to the discerning Hoboken Journal Reader as to whether or not that is just a coincidence or not that she is now retained by Lane Bajardi.
Support The Cause:
The Hoboken Journal is asking those so inclined in the Hoboken community to stand up for free speech and contribute to “Da Horsey’s” Legal Defense Free Speech Fund. Any contribution in excess of ongoing legal costs will be returned or donated to the Jubilee Center at your direction. Confidentiality of your donation with the Hoboken Journal is assured and this is totally on the up and up. All proceeds will be used as described or directed. I have made a personal pledge to Roman Brice of $500 to show my support but any amount would be appreciated.
People complain about the political discourse in Hoboken degenerating to year round politics. That’s bad enough but it should never sink to violence against anyone reporting on local events. Heck, when I am angry the worse I ever feeling like doing is a limerick or a JibJab video that has gone viral! What is the harm in that?
Again please consider supporting “Da Horsey’s” Legal Defense Free Speech Fund. For now, if you are so inclined, please make a donation of any amount by emailing kurt.gardiner@gmail.com to get my mailing address and contact information and then send a check. A Paypal account will be set up no later than Monday but some of a percentage will be taken out so individual checks might be better. Thank you in advance!
More Background:
For more background, go to Hoboken Patch…
The original complaint (6 witnesses):
http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/hoboken-resident-arrested-after-incident-at-debate
The contradictory counter complaint (0 witnesses):
http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/after-arrest-hoboken-resident-files-countercharges-against-local-blogger
Jib Jab Friday Fun- Timothy Occhipinti Independence Campaign Kickoff
NJ.com political hack reporter Augie Torres had this to say about Timothy Occhipinti’s Hoboken 4th Ward kickoff last week at Northern Soul on June 17th and managed to mention who showed up. Augie Torres takes embedded journalism to a new level. I find that the list of early attendees is revealing given Timothy’s early campaign assertions of independence….
Augie Torres:
“Among those attending the Occhipinti announcement were former council candidate Mike Novak, developer Frank Raia, former city Judge Kimberly Glatt, Ines Garcia-Keim, who lost the chairmanship to Bhalla, Jersey City Councilman Steven Fulop, and others. Occhipinti’s people say there were 50 to 60 people at the only bar in the 4th Ward at Monroe and First streets. Zimmer’s people say their spies said it was more like 30 to 40. And they probably only drank beer.”
Here is the link Augies’ Column:
http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2010/06/bayonne_mayor_mark_smith_wants.html
Timothy Occhipinti Celebrates his Campaign Kickoff at Northern Soul 6/17/2010 with Augie Torres, Maurice Fitzgibbons, Frank Raia , and Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop….
Hoboken Journal Exclusive- Mike Lenz Campaign Fundraising Kickoff Success
The Mayor and her husband, as well Councilman Bhalla, Mello and Cunningham were also there to show their support from the City Council. Donations were also made in the form of a check only. Councilman Lenz also has setup the facility to take online donations on his website. The crowd consisted of Hoboken reformers and no City Council persons from Jersey City or other outside influences seeking to expand their power base were there. This was an event that was about keeping the momentum going in Hoboken by the people who are generally behind the changes the Zimmer Administration is making. Mayor Zimmer identified Councilman Mike Lenz and his performance as a Councilman as a key component in keeping that progress going.
Mike Lenz going over the issues.
And Mo DeGenaro, bouncing back from a recent bout of illness and showing his support for Mike Lenz.
And now for the video highlights of Mike Lenz and Dawn Zimmer both giving an unscripted speech to supporters….
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer supports 4th Ward City Councilman Lenz at Fundraiser 6-24-2010:
Hoboken 4th Ward City Councilman Lenz at Fundraiser 6-24-2010:
Editorialized Note: Maurice Fitzgibbons was not present at this event and thus was not spotted whispering in the ears of either the Mayor or Councilman Mike Lenz telling them what to say next and this videographer found that refreshing. Councilman Mike Lenz will have my support this fall as he has demonstrated he is the most qualified person to be on the City Council and he generally supports the good things the Mayor is trying to accomplish for the 4th Ward and the residents of Hoboken as a whole. For the sake of transparency I thought it would be good to put that out there to my readers.
The Hoboken Journal- Archive Site 