Archive for September 2009
Hoboken Journal on Temporary Hiatus
I have decided to put the Hoboken Journal on temporary hiatus until I can resolve some issues regarding legal threats and their implications made to me for two situations…
1) For a post someone else wrote that a reader considered slander.
The email sent to me on this issue was ultimately dealt with and the offending post removed. I had deemed the comments to be without foundation and removed it on the side of caution since it seemed implausible. The request was a valid one. The use of expletives, haughty tone, and accusations that I am behind such posts were unacceptable to me. I simply will not let people talk to me in the tone that some take at City Council meetings towards elected officials.
Going forward I recommend that if someone posts something that you know is false or even potentially false please email me the article and comment and I will deal with it. Please make your request in a civil tone is all I ask.
Keep in mind I don’t read all the comments and I do not know the identity of the posters on my current platform of Blogger. This site is also part time and non-profit. I will not back one candidate over the other just because I think I can get more ad revenue. I don’t have any. Also important to note is that even though I don’t know Google likely does and I ever I was subpoenaed to divulge information in a legal case, I would oblige with respect to those legal obligations. Keep that in mind when you post. Hopefully, it will never come to that.
2) For a comment that I made that was an observation.
Yet the person who I made the remark about thought it was my attempt to out them. That wasn’t my intent but I see how that could be viewed as an attempt to out them. Since I was wrong I have apologized to the real individual and suggest that the poster who I don’t know would refrain from making statements that could be considered slander. I don’t like to delete posts but if you call someone a crook, you better believe it to be true and have the evidence to back it up.
For those who think such threats can suppress the free exchange of ideas and information, think again and do not declare premature victory. I intend to bring this site back on some level soon but with perhaps more features to help me with such issues.
For up to date information on all things Hoboken and Beth Mason, please go to Hoboken 411 for all those valuable nuggets of information that you simply can’t get on NJ.com or the Hoboken Reporter. Is sarcasm slander? 🙂
"Project Play" Update – Church Square Park
Here is an email I received updating the distribution list on “Project Play”. The goal of this project is to renovate the aging play equipment in Church Sqare Towers Park. I always like the idea of a group of concerned citizens getting together to solve issues in the community. Here goes:
We wrote to you in the spring about our plan to renovate the aging equipment in Church Square Park and our desire to actively participate in solving this problem. “Project Play” was born!
The first thing we did was contact the head of the City Council subcommitee (Peter Cunningham) and the (then) Director of Environmental Services (Jim Ronga). Since the change in City administration, Jim Ronga retired and a new Director Of Environmental Services was named. His name is John Pope.
About 2 weeks ago the swings in Church Square Park were taken down by the city due to a child being injured. We saw this unfortunate circumstance as an opportunity to introduce ourselves to Director Pope and present the swing portion of our renovation plan. We had the meeting last Thursday and it was fantastic! Director Pope welcomed our ideas with open arms, pulled additional City resources into the room, and we all walked away with major “to dos”.
We obviously want to capitalize on the momentum we created in this meeting with Director Pope, Councilman Cunningham, and Councilwoman Marsh. This is where you all come in!
1. Researching grants (other than Green Acres and NJ Open Spaces).
2. Develop a “press/marketing kit”
3. Contacting Politicians for help
This is just the beginning! Once the project is approved and we know the advertising guidelines the hard work of fund-raising will begin. We will need individuals to run events (car washes, a battle of the bands, a carnival, etc.), act as members of the Project Play Board (a treasurer, secretary, accountant, web site director (we need this to be as transparent and open as possible), etc. Keep this in the back of your mind!
Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement as we make our way through the politics of Hoboken to make this dream a reality for all of the residents and children of this great City!
Regina and Zabrina
PS- I included some people who have already moved from Hoboken but you just might still have friends, contacts who will be able to help us! Please pass this email on to anyone you may know who likes getting involved in their Hoboken community!
Jubilee Center Open House – September 23 6-7PM
Here is an event notification from the Hoboken Jubilee Center which is a valuable asset to Hoboken’s children…..
Please join us on Wednesday, September 236:00 pm—7:00 pm
The Jubilee Center opens for the fall season on Tuesday, September 8, with a record number of children enrolled for our after-school program. We’d like you to come see The Jubilee Center and our newly-configured computer room.
Meet the leadership team: Dr. Michelle White, Director, and Craig Mainor, Program Coordinator. Experience the energy as some of the children perform an African Drum Dance, choreographed by LeeAnet Noble.
In conjunction with the chefs from Zylo Tuscan Steak House (located in the “W” Hotel), some of the children will be preparing the hors d’oeuvres for the evening. Come support these budding chefs!
The Jubilee Center is located at 601 Jackson Street. We hope to see you there!
Zimmer Responds to Action on Key Flood Control Project
Here is a press release from acting Mayor Zimmer’s office on a key step to help solve the flooding problems that have been an issue in Hoboken for quite some time. As I like to say, the forces of gravity are not influenced by politics. However a pump to get rid of excess water has me flushed with excitement. 🙂 …..
MAYOR ZIMMER RESPONDS TO ACTION ON KEY
FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT
HOBOKEN, NJ, September 17th, 2009 – On Thursday, September 10th, the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders granted an easement on County property along Observer Highway in the Southeast portion of Hoboken. Their decision to grant the easement is a crucial step for the North Hudson Sewerage Authority to move forward with their wet weather pump station, which is designed to reduce storm water flooding by approximately 80 percent in low-lying sections of our community.
“This is a crucial victory for Hoboken,” Mayor Dawn Zimmer said. “My fight to solve the flooding problem was one of the main reasons I ran for Mayor. I congratulate Authority Chairman Richard Wolff, Executive Director Fred Pocci and the entire North Hudson Sewerage Authority for all of their hard work. I’d also like to thank Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano and the entire Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders for paving the way. I will take every action necessary to ensure this project proceeds in a timely manner.
“Moving forward,” Zimmer said, “I am working to implement an integrated approach that combines the pump station with green technology solutions.” Mayor Zimmer will also be applying for FEMA grant opportunities to assist with solving our flooding.
Finally, she will be working with the North Hudson Sewerage Authority and the community to design the exterior of the pump station. In nearby West New York, a pump station is designed to look like a neighborhood home.
Please see North Hudson Sewage Authority’s press release below for more information:
Hoboken Fall Festival September 27th
Hoboken Fall Festival September 27th
The City of Hoboken is proud to present rock legend:
Leon Russell
When: Sunday Sept. 27, 2009 11am to 6pm • FREE
Where: Washington St. – Observer Highway to 7th St.
Over 300 Artists, Crafters, Photographers, Local Businesses, Restaurants, Food Vendors & more .
With 3 Stages of live music with performances by:
Leon Russell, Alfio Sydney, Red Molly, Buzz Universe, Christine Santelli, The Ukuladies, Bandwidth, Midnight Rain and others
And on our Children’s Stage, located in the Capital One Bank parking lot on 3rd Street:
Polka Dot & Raven Idd & his Wacky World of Puppets and much more.
Performance Schedule (schedules are tentative and subject to change):
Observer Hwy (bet. Newark & Observer Hwy) :
Noon – Ukuladies – http://www.myspace.com/theukuladies
1:00 pm – Christine Santelli – www.christinesantelli.com
2:00 pm – ALFIO – www.alfiomusic.com
3:15 pm – Red Molly – www.redmolly.com
4:30 pm – Leon Russell – www.leonrussellrecords.com
Sixth Street Stage:
12:30 pm – Bandwidth
1:15 pm – Jack Skuller – www.myspace.com/jackskuller
1:45 pm – Hoboken’s STY Academy – www.myspace.com/thestyacademy
2:15 pm – TBA
3:00 pm – BuzzUniverse – www.BuzzUniverse.com
4:00 pm – Midnight Rain – www.myspace.com/midnightraintheband
5:00 pm – Danny Matos & Son Candela Band
Kid Zone (Third Street):
11:30 pm – Hanna Valente
12:00 pm – Raven Idd & his Wacky World of Puppets
1:00 pm – Polka Dot aka Ron Albanese – www.myspace.com/ronalbanese
2:00 pm – Raven Idd & his Wacky World of Puppets
3:00 pm – Polka Dot aka Ron Albanese
4:00 pm – Raven Idd & his Wacky World of Puppets
5:00 pm – Polka Dot aka Ron Albanese –
Special features include:
* Fine artists are located between 2nd & 3rd St., so if you are an art collector, this is the place to be. Oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, sculpture, mixed media, etc.
* Children’s area on 3rd street with rides, games, creative activities, puppet show, face painting,
clowns, balloons, live performances and much, much more.
* Crafters display / sell handmade: pottery, metalwork, wood items, furniture, blown & fused glass, quilts, household items made from recycled materials, cementware, batik clothing, hand painted furniture, candles, jewelry, dried florals, soaps & lotions and much more.
* Food: Lots of great food throughout the fair. Hoboken restaurants will set up street cafes offering an eclectic variety of international foods such as: Thai, Indian, Greek, French, Mexican, Cajun and Italian.
Sponsors:
PATH, Port Authority of NY & NJ; Verizon Fios, IKEA, The Hoboken Reporter & The Hudson Current, and The NJ Division of Travel & Tourism
Located just 3 blocks from all public transportation:
PATH, NJ Transit Trains & buses, NY Waterway Ferries & the Hudson Bergen Lightrail
To the Mattresses – 1st Annual Hoboken High School Mattress Fundraiser October 3rd
To the Mattresses! Here is an upcoming Hoboken fundraiser for the High School…..
PRICES ARE 40-60% OFF RETAIL!!!
IF YOU NEED A MATTRESS . . . NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY AND HELP SUPPORT THE CLASS OF 2012!
All Sizes – Twin, Full, Queen, King
All Types – Firm, Orthopedic, Plush, Pillow Top, and Memory Foam
All Name Brands – Therapedic, Spring Air, Nature’s Sleep, and Comfort Bedding
Profits Go Directly to the Class of 2012
Cash, Checks and Credit Cards accepted!!
Delivery available
When – SATURDAY, October 3 rd, 11 AM – 4 PM
Where – Hoboken High School, 9th & Clinton St – Hoboken, NJ
Mention this ad and receive $50 off all orders of $500 or more!!
DON’T MISS IT!!! YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED!
Messsage from Beth Mason
Here is an email message I received from Beth Mason late yesterday as a follow up to this Wednesday’s City Council meeting. As always, regardless of my editorial positions I will publish any candidate’s communications as best I can during the election season. Another popular Hoboken blogger website has a different policy which should be apparent by now.
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
Last night’s council meeting was another grueling six hour marathon. Thank you to members of the public that hung in there to the end, it’s a true test of stamina.
First, let me congratulate Eduardo Gonzalez as newly appointed Commissioner to the Hoboken Housing Authority. His interest in serving his community and the people of the Housing Authority, I believe, will make him a tremendous asset to the board.
I wish to also congratulate community board appointees; Laura Burkhart, Michael Mastropasqua, Mark Critides, Lutricia Alexander, Michael Chong and Cheryl Fallick to the Rent Leveling Board and Robert Phillips to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Thank you for your service to the city and the best of luck to you all.
The resolution I initiated to review Michael Schaffer’s appointment to the North Hudson Sewerage Authority Board was moved forward by a unanimous vote. As the appointing body, it is the council’s responsibility to hold all members of community boards accountable and assure the utmost integrity. The council undertakes this procedure as a means to restore the public trust.
I am pleased that the council took the first steps toward re-examination and updating of the Master Plan. I hope to see this completed quickly so we can move forward with initiatives on new parks, green building, transportation and the codification of new city-wide zoning.
Based on some comments from the public last evening, I believe there has been some misinformation circulated with regard to the Rent Control & Affordable Housing Committee and the purpose of the upcoming hearings. This committee was established by Council President Zimmer who appointed me to chair the committee and Councilmen Bhalla and Russo as members. Initial review of the laws and per conversations with the Rent Control Office and board attorney, it is evident that Hoboken is subject to far more litigation than other like communities. The most frequently argued case is over interpretation of the law.
It is the unified objective of the committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the current law, compare the Hoboken code to that of other communities, gather community input and then provide legislative recommendations to the council. There is no intent on the part of the committee to do away with rent control. It is however, the goal of the committee to recommend ways to update the law and sharpen the language to remove room for “interpretation.”
Rent control is a difficult and emotional topic for many people on both sides of the argument. I hope that as many people as possible come and participate in these hearings. The first will be held on Monday, September 21st at 7:00 in City Hall.
Sincerely,
Second Ward Councilwoman, Beth Mason
Other community notes:
A Community Safety Meeting is scheduled for 2nd Ward residents, Tuesday, September 21st from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Parish Hall at St. Matthew’s Church at the corner of 8th and Hudson. The Hoboken Police Department is hosting this meeting to share with the community new programs they are implementing and to get direct feed-back from residents on all manner of safety and policing issues. Please plan to join us on Tuesday.
I am happy to report that Human Services Director, John Pope has informed me that a majority of lights in Elysian Park have been repaired and that remaining lights requiring addition work have been scheduled for service. He also reports that the city is in the process of procuring gravel for the dog run there. Mr. Pope did ask that I remind everyone to use the provided equipment and pick up after their dogs.
Message from Dawn Zimmer Mayoral Campaign
Filing day was today and we turned in over 430 petition signatures for Dawn Zimmer to continue bringing change to Hoboken.
In total, 8 people have submitted their names to be on the ballot. With such a crowded race, we are going to need your support more than ever!
Only by bringing together our hard working supporters from across Hoboken, will we be successful on November 3.
Please join Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer and residents from all over our great town this Thursday, September 17th, to Kick-Off the election campaign at the Black Bear on Washington street starting at 7 pm.
Together we will continue the job of bringing Change that’s Working to reform City Hall. See you there!
-Sam Briggs
Campaign Manager
P.S. Even if you are unable to attend, please show your support today with a contribution. http://e2ma.net/go/2400502484/2180959/81888701/30380/goto:https://secure.blueutopia.com/dawnzimmer/contribute/
Thanks again for your continued support!
Nathan Brinkman Enters Race For Hoboken Mayor
Here is a press release from Nathan Brinkman, co-founder of the Hoboken Republican club who has declared his candidacy for Hoboken Mayor……
NATHAN BRINKMAN ENTERS RACE FOR HOBOKEN MAYOR
Unbossed. Uncorrupted. Undaunted.
Nathan Brinkman, co-founder of the Hoboken Republican Club, yesterday joined the race for Mayor of Hoboken. Brinkman filed 173 signatures on nominating petitions at the Hudson County Clerk’s office.
“Because our property taxes are too high, because our quality of life isn’t as good as it could be, because our city government still spends too much, because our recent experiences with Mayors is proof that our leaders are still not open and transparent enough, today I filed the papers necessary to qualify for the ballot as a candidate for Mayor of Hoboken,” Brinkman said.
“Some say a mediocre quality of life is what you have to put up with to live in Hoboken. Some say corruption is a fact of life in Hudson County. Some say high property taxes are just part of the cost of living in New Jersey. Some say out of control spending is a problem all over the nation.
“I say, hogwash.
“I say there is no reason, no reason at all, that we cannot have a better quality of life.
“I say there is no reason, no reason at all, that we have to endure skyrocketing property taxes.
“I say there is no reason, no reason at all, that our city government cannot do more with less.
“I say there is no reason, no reason at all, that we must indulge corruption in city government or the hidden costs of crooked political machines.
“I am not a member of an organized political party – to paraphrase Will Rogers, I am a Republican in Hudson County.
“I am not a member of anyone’s political machine, I am not a foot soldier in any political leaders’ army, and I owe no allegiance to any bosses other than the citizens of Hoboken.
“I am unbossed, I am uncorrupted, and I am undaunted.
“I am an optimist. Recently married, with our first baby on the way, I must be.
“I believe we can make Hoboken a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
“I believe that, though it may sound trite, what unites us as residents of Hoboken is far greater than what divides us.
“I believe that campaigns can, and should, be civil discussions about the future, not the past – about our hopes and strengths, not our fears and weaknesses.
“I believe the time has come for a different kind of campaign – the kind of a campaign YOU would run, were you in my shoes, and I in yours.
“Over the course of the next 48 days, I plan to offer solutions to the problems we face. Ours will be a campaign dedicated to the proposition that a good idea is a good idea, no matter its origin, and dedicated to the proposition that government is there to do those things, and only those things, which we, its masters, choose to allow it to do in our name. I look forward to the campaign to come,” Brinkman concluded.
My Comment:
Here are the 8 contestants running for Mayor…..
1) Dawn Zimmer: Current Acting Mayor and 4th Ward Councilwoman elected in third election in 2007. If she wins (in her third election for Mayor) she will have to give up her City Council seat. If Dawn were to lose she would retain her 4th Ward Council seat until 2011.
2) Beth Mason: Current Second Ward City Councilwoman. Won 2nd Ward seat in 2007 against Richard Tremitiedi. Came in 3rd place in Hoboken Mayor Race 1st round May of 2009. Beth too would have to step down from her council seat if she were the winner of the winner take all 3rd Hoboken Mayoral election of 2009. Out of the gate she has attack ads on Dawn Zimmer’s dual office holding. Most people around town I have informally surveyed don’t make a big deal about it since they know this situtaion is temporary.
3) Frank Raia: Recently lost bid for re-election for Hoboken School Board in April 2009. Lost election for third Ward councilman in 2007. Lost in 2005 in bid for Mayor. Also ran for Freeholder recently and lost. Should pick up some Cammarano supporters. Ran around town in run-off election calling himself “The Difference”. Delivered around 300 absentee ballots for alleged felon Peter Cammarano in the June runoff elecetion. Talk about truth in communication. 🙂
4) Nathan Brinkman: Co-founder of the Hoboken Republican Club.
5) Patricia Waiters: She ran for City Council in the spring and carried the ubmbrella for Peter Cammarano in a semi-famous photo when he was arrested on corruption charges and brought to Newark for processing.
6) Kimbery Glatt: Resigned her position as Hoboken Municipal Court judge this week. Now she has decalred her candidacy for Hoboken Mayor.
7) Evereton Wilson
8) Sal Demeo
See Hoboken Now for further details. Here is the link:
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/hoboken/index.ssf?/base/news-1/12531687203200.xml&coll=3
Notable absense is either Terry Castellano or Mike Russo. It was Terry Castellano that just last week said that one od these two or another relative would run. Was a deal made?
City Council Meeting 9/16/2009 at 7PM – Live! Tonight!
Here is the live streaming for tonight’s Hoboken City Council meeting. You will be able to watch the meeting from within this blog tonight starting around 7PM.
City Council Meeting 9/16/2009 at 7PM – Live! Tonight!:
The Hoboken Journal- Archive Site 