MSV

Crime Stats: more to chew on

2012-02-11T18:49:00.002-05:00

Source: APP.com

Do more officers equal less crime?

Link: http://php.app.com/njcrime/results2.php?COUNTY=Hudson+County&MUNI=Hoboken+City&YEAR=%25&Search=Search

Police Unions: The Great Citizens, Taxpayers, Business Owners and Visitors of Hoboken

2012-02-10T19:38:00.000-05:00

Vince Lombardi, PBA President & Edmond Drishti, PSOA President Crime in Hoboken - Police Union Call for Action announce:

Sgt. Ed Drishti and Detective Vince Lombardi (r)

Our City is flanked by urban centers with volatile crime concerns of their own. Due to our unique geographic location, Hoboken tends to act as a quasi-catch basin for crime and predators. When a society experiences sustained economic recession, a lack of proactive police presence, violent and nonviolent crime will almost always increase and spread like a cancer. It is an indisputable fact that lawlessness, anti-social behavior and criminality has increased in our community. Anyone who has monitored local and regional media or personally observed, been victimized or shared stories of the aforementioned would have to agree. We have on many occasions stressed the need for increased police personnel to this administration. However, our pleas fall on deaf or dismissive ears.

In 2010, we strongly advocated and rallied concerned citizens against a proposed plan to lay off 18 police officers and demote of 19 supervisors. Had this City Administration’s plan of action come to pass, and 18 officers fired, it would have more severely impacted our ability to provide adequate protection to our community. Our police department has since lost, through retirements, a number of police officers nearly equal to those which were targeted for termination, without being replenished, in addition to the retirements of senior pay grade captains, lieutenants and sergeants. Although all the junior pay grade supervisors who were unfairly demoted have since been re- promoted, there are still vacancies in the supervisory ranks. The vacancies created have NOT been filled and there appears no relief in sight. The members of the police department have been demoralized, and disenfranchised by the city’s actions and present inaction.

To make matters worse, crime has increased, contrary to Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s recent ‘State of the City’ address, in which she craftily reports crime is down by 16%! Actually, the percentage fact reported was a ruse cherry-picked from a more inclusive ‘City of Hoboken [2010 & 2011] Crime Comparison’ report.

In this same report, which the Mayor used to state the “16%” reduction in crime, it clearly shows that crime has increased. The Mayor falls short of mentioning in her ‘State of the City Address’ that the 16% figure is actually the ‘Crime Rate [per 1000]’ census population percentile calculation and not the complete assessment of crime in our city.

On the actual comprehensive ‘City of Hoboken Crime Comparison’ document [which is public information] the Mayor chose not to mention that ‘Violent Crime Rate’ has increased by 20%, and theoverall‘CrimeIndex’alsoincreasedby4.1%. Asamatteroffact,tobeclear:Rapeincreased by 25%, Robbery increased by 88%, Aggravated Assault increased by 36%, Burglary increased by 3.6% and Motor Vehicle Theft increased by 21%. VIOLENT CRIME in our City has increased by 50% and the VIOLENT CRIME RATE [per 1000] also increased by 20%. If this administration elects to use crime stats, then we strongly suggest that the Mayor or her Public Safety Director reveal all the facts to the public.

Your safety is of chief concern to us as well as your right to know the complete truth in our crime statistics. In March of 2011, the police unions reached common ground with the City and settled our labor contracts which collectively included substantial immediate and significant future cost savings to taxpayers of Hoboken. Since 2008, 33 senior top-pay police officers and supervisors have retired yielding approximately $3.8 million in raw salary savings alone.

The city is also being funded directly from the federal government approximately $540,000 annually to pay the salaries of police officers assigned exclusively to patrol the Hoboken Housing Authority (HHA) properties. Presently, the city has 8 officers and 3 supervisors to this task. However, because of serious staffing level shortages on other shifts responsible for city-wide policing, the city may very well have to remove some or all of these officers from HHA patrol.

The mayor consistently states, “...public safety is my top priority.” However, the city has not hired full-time replacement police officers and even cut police services.

The Mayor and Public Safety Director seem to be only concerned about saving money, and refuse to hire replacement officers or fill supervisor staffing vacancies. As a consequence to these cuts and staffing deficiencies, we no longer have a ‘Community Policing Bureau’ – a specialized unit to educate citizens in crime prevention, exclusively address and correct quality of life concerns and help organize ‘Block Watch Programs, while providing much needed walking and bicycle patrols.

We have no officers in our schools protecting your children and providing D.A.R.E (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) or G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education And Training) at a time when juvenile delinquency in our schools has increased. We only have a one-man ‘Alcohol, Beverage Control & Enforcement Bureau’ to police over 120 liquor licensed establishments, and a depleted and overburdened Traffic Enforcement Bureau. The last time the city hired new officers was in February of 2008 and we are in dire and desperate need of new officers.

Presently, there are hundreds of fully trained police officers who have been laid-off throughout the state that could quickly be hired to fill our vacancies and a standing civil service list of new prospective applicants in wait. However, time is passing us by and our community is in jeopardy of continued increases in crime and diminished quality of life each day this administration drags its feet.

The Hoboken Police Department is at its lowest staffing levels since 1995 and at a time when 50,000 residents pack our mile square city and tens of thousands more visit and commute regularly. At the behest of the newly appointed public safety director, we have been reduced to a purely reactive police force for the purpose of protecting and preserving a budget bottom line. We strongly challenge this purely political philosophy because the public safety must be the priority. It is our opinion that Public Safety Director Jon L. Tooke has changed the departments present staffing to potentially dangerous levels especially on the day and midnight shifts.
In our opinion, Director Tooke’s ‘police management text-book style’ staffing and Department re- organization policy approach fails to work but has also resulted in delays in response time, unbalanced and inadequate shift staffing, officer fatigue and frustration with vacation time being denied and heavy service call and case management due to ‘man-power’ shortages because overtime has been highly discouraged or totally disallowed.

Presently, we are staffed with ONLY 89 police officers [to police an entire City 24-7, 365 days a year], 26 sergeants, 12 lieutenants, 2 captains and 1 chief. Even more alarming is the reality, of which the city has been made well aware, is that 27 veteran officers will be eligible to retire in 2013. And, if all retire [as expected and anticipated] without pre-replacement officers, our department will be reduced by 21% of its current operating strength! In 2011, the police department responded to 58,335 service calls which included 1,224 adult arrests and 60 juvenile custodial arrests.

Again, the City seems to be focused on only providing police on the cheap! Their plan is to hire seasonal part-time Special Police Officers like Jersey shore communities. Part-time/seasonal officers are not the answer and definitely NOT the solution to our public safety problems or staffing needs; that is pure political window dressing.

We implore Mayor Zimmer to act swiftly and authorize the hiring of a minimum of 15 full time police officers to plug the gap in our city’s primary line of defense and public safety preparedness with a focus on restoring those specialized units that were eliminated. The projected cost, including initial salary and benefits for these officers would be approximately $800,000 in the first year with the taxpayers still realizing a $3 million net savings from attrition. The incremental annual cost increases of these officers as they move up the salary guide would always be balanced via retirement of higher salaried employees in the ordinary course.

We call upon the City to act quickly and decisively to address these vital staffing needs. What little ground we hold in our war on crime and anti-social anarchy hangs in the balance. Give us the help we need to improve services, re-establish our omnipresence, take back ground lost and push the “barbarians back beyond the gates!” It’s that elementary.

Hoboken PBA & PSOA Crime Data

To the citizens of Hoboken, we urge that you contact Mayor Dawn Zimmer, your elected City Council representatives and Public Safety Director Jon L. Tooke and voice your concern and demand action and the whole truth.

Respectfully yours,
Vincent T. Lombardi, President
Hoboken Policemen’s Benevolent Association

Edmond Drishti, President
Hoboken Police Superior Officer’s Association

Talking Ed Note: The City's response follows below

City: Police unions incorrect with drop in overall crime, 16% decrease overall is accurate

2012-02-10T16:55:00.003-05:00

City of Hoboken announces:

Statement from Mayor Zimmer, Chief Falco, and Director Tooke

We are committed to implementing every strategy and resource possible to protect our community.

While some categories of offenses have gone down and some categories have gone up, including reported sexual assaults which occurred disproportionality on the weekend of our St. Patrick’s Day parade, overall crime in Hoboken is down significantly. According to Uniform Crime Reports and Hoboken Police Department data, there were a total of 1,260 reported crimes in 2009, 1135 in 2010, and 1,062 in 2011 - a decrease of 15.7 percent in two years. The number of calls for service to the Police Department dropped from 63,009 in 2010 to 58,185 in 2011, a decrease of 7.7 percent.

While overall crime has been reduced, even one crime is one too many, and we will continue to do everything to keep our community safe. Next week we look forward to announcing a new initiative to protect our residents and visitors.

Talking Ed Note: MSV will print the police unions letter with their statement too.

Hoboken411 published these numbers for 2010 (left) and 2011 (right).

What stands out immediately is the difference in the official crime figures total for 2010 and 2011.
The City statement says 1135 in 2010, and 1,062 in 2011 while Hoboken411 put out 1057 and 1101.

Right off the bat, there's something wrong just on the raw totals. In 2011, the difference is 39 crimes.
In 2010 the difference is 78 crimes with the City figures higher.

Someone has one if not both years incorrect. The difference if 39 crimes is significant if they were all violent crimes such as murder and rape but it's not. Hoboken411 says rape is up 25% but you are talking about a figure that is a handful and the St. Patrick's Day parade appears to be the reason.

While 39 crimes differential in a year is not insignificant, one can determine from just these differences in the figures of the four, this is about something other than crime.

BoE Trustee Ruth McAlister - 'Too many' positives with a November BoE election saving taxpayers $100,000

2012-02-10T10:59:00.000-05:00

MILE SQUARE EXCLUSIVE

In a conversation with MSV, BoE trustee Ruth McAlister provided the following statement in favor of moving elections :

Every vote I make must be in the best interest of the children, and by saving almost 100,000 dollars a year and increasing voter participation in the school board election, I believe it is the ethically responsible thing to do for our children and the community.

Based on the 2010 census (http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk) 48% of the Hoboken population is between the ages of 20 and 34 years of age. This group of individuals do not "mail" in bill payments or Christmas cards, why would we think that they would be motivated to VOTE BY MAIL? We, as elected officials, need to do everything in our power to encourage participation in our democracy and the best way to exercise your right to participate is to vote. It is uncomfortable to extend every school board trustees term by 8 months, but we would be extending all our terms not just those, including myself, that are up for re-election in April.

Putting 100,000 dollars back in the budget for the children, and hopefully encouraging new voters to participate in the election far out weighs the extension of the terms. As to the budget, there is now a legislative cap of 2%, that did not exist previously. If we or a future board, wishes to increase the budget beyond the 2% cap it MUST be voted on in November, so the people still retain the right to voice their opinion when necessary. I hope that all 9 members see this as the right move, and follow the lead of our State House, Senate, Governor and the other 257 districts that have already made this change. In the end, the positives of a November election far exceed any reasoning to keeping the election in April. We can do a lot of good with 100,000 that directly impacts our children.

I see absolutely nothing that negatively impacts the children if we cast votes for school board in November.

BoE Trustee Ruth McAllister - on board for November BoE Elections

Talking Ed Note: McAllister noted another example of the value of moving the elections saying the laptop program at the BoE for middle school costs $100,000.

Hoboken Patch somehow missed the story there are five Kids First votes available to move BoE elections to November. While Claire Moses noted the KF members on the Governance Committee, she did not ask them their expectation of an affirmative vote on Tuesday and did not confirm the obvious fifth vote in Ruth McAllister.

McAllister confirmed she did not receive any request for comment on her position from Hoboken Patch.

Related: GA has a source who tells her the petition drive headed by developer Frank Raia is underway and he's going to the mattresses sending out the soldiers to collect signatures behind closed doors farming in the old stomping ground of the Hoboken Housing Authority, Church Towers, Marine View and Applied Housing.

In short, they are collecting signatures in subsidized housing in the hope it will convince the BoE five vote majority not to let people vote for an actual BoE election in November:

http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/02/they-got-mayor-on-ropes.html

BoE Agenda: Moving Hoboken elections to November is up Tuesday night

2012-02-10T00:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday's BoE agenda will include a resolution to move to November elections.

Hoboken Patch says the outcome is "not certain." MSV is confident five votes are there to see it done.
The story also says a petition drive is underway, but with an affirmative vote Tuesday, any petition drive is moot.

Over 250 New Jersey school districts have already moved to November elections. Tuesday night Hoboken will vote to join them. But expect the Old Guard to make a show and bring out their non-taxpaying armies to make some noise and cry and curse at Kids First.

It's all over but the shouting.

Talking Ed Note: As expected, the self-proclaimed reformer Maureen Sullivan has gone in with the Old Guard and refuses to save Hoboken almost $100,000 by moving to November elections. Even with a budget that can't be reduced any more by State law, Sullivan says she thinks the budget needs a direct vote on election day (that always passes anyway) and the people should vote on moving the election.

That just happens to be the same position as Frank Raia who backed "Independents for Education."

With a chance to allow a far greater number of voters to cast ballots directly on BoE elections and save almost $100,000 Maureen Sullivan has officially revealed her hand - she's with the Old Guard now.

Snap Poll: 84% support November BoE elections in Hoboken

Yesterday Hoboken Patch put up a poll and although unscientific, the response is overwhelmingly in favor of November elections on the BoE.

So far over 250 New Jersey districts agree and Hoboken may follow when they have their scheduled meeting on Valentine's Day.

The Old Guard is displeased with these developments and desperately trying to find a way to stave off the Statewide trend. Short of showing up with about 14,000 petition signatures, they'll not likely sway the majority acting on behalf on the will of the people.

The handful of paid and sympathetic political operatives look desperate to come up with a way to argue for support but at 84% in favor for a November BoE election, they can only hope to collect their pay and a pat on the head for their efforts.

The Hoboken Patch snapshot poll won't be to the liking of Old Guard sympathizers.

Talking Ed Note: While the poll yesterday is not scientific, it's does capture sentiment and if you haven't already voted, you may do so at the link:

http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/poll-should-school-board-elections-be-moved

Bludiamonds Exclusive: Counte$$ ad campaign reveals Zimmer supporters sent to Al Qaeda training camp with Hoboken tax dollars

2012-02-09T21:31:00.000-05:00

Bludiamonds presents:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BETH MASON LAUNCHES AD CAMPAIGN AGAINST MAYOR ZIMMER’S
AL QAEDA TRAINING CAMPS

For more information, contact the Minion Maestro himself, the Dapper
Douche, the Ba-job-seeking Ba-job-seeker, Lane Ba-job-seeker, at
bludiamonds.bludiamonds@gmail.com

Former advertising professional and perennial candidate for something-or-other Beth Mason officially kick started her Madison Avenue career, along with her 2013 Mayoral/Assembly/GlobalEmpre$$/whatever-she-can-get-her-hands-on Campaign today with the launch of a major advertisement accusing Mayor Dawn Zimmer of sending her political supporters to terrorist training camps in Pakistan.

The ad campaign, titled “15 Lashes for Bombing the Taxpayer,” calls for the Mayor to be constrained in stocks and publicly heckled, stalked and lashed in front of the City Hall, followed by a pie in the face from each and every customer on their way out of Carlo's Bakery.

The grounds for this highly unusual punishment are treason and sedition against the Counte$$ and United States perpetrated at Hoboken taxpayer expense. The Mayor, according to the ad, used taxpayer money to send two political supporters to Pakistan for terrorist training to be used against Hoboken residents.

The actual facts of the case are clear, but Counte$$ Ma$on has a great deal of experience dealing in wild allegations that have little to no basis in fact, so this is not of great concern. In fact, as the good people of Gillette will tell you, Counte$$’s “fluid” relationship with the facts came to define her former career in the advertising world. For example, she has been known to claim she “wrote the book” on client service, when in fact she only ever wrote two chapters – 7 and 11.

Counte$$ is similarly unconcerned with the copyright infringement of the use of Al Quaeda’s logo in the new ad, nor with the fact that no Hoboken official ever actually went to Pakistan.

“I can show you the receipts for the cab rides to the airport,” said Counte$$, referring to city-sponsored rides for a city employee to Newark Airport to attend an industry conference. “The Zimmer Zombies were riding in stretch Hummer limos to Newark airport, flown to Pakistan, and trained to come back here and kill Americans and rape Hoboken taxpayers."

A Hoboken resident after seeing the initial advertisement, asked Counte$$ Ma$on at this week’s City Council meeting about the veracity of the allegations. Counte$$ was prepared however, and had her pet-shop-dwelling pet chimp, himself the benefactor of a highly opaque rental arrangement with a major campaign patron, challenge the speaker's Hoboken residency on account of a few months he spent working abroad. Counte$$, a very recently declared Giants fan (not unlike Kids First, which she also endorsed post-victory), used a football analogy to show her appreciation of Timmy’s efforts.

“Councilman Awkyoopintay did a nice job running interference,” Counte$$ said. “He’s not the brightest bulb, or even the 18th-brightest, but he does what he’s told, and that’s what’s important. Good job, Timmy. Good boy!”

Last Countess whooped it up yelling, "USA! USA!"

Move your chooz re: donate old sneakers for new blacktop

2012-02-09T18:37:00.004-05:00

These are some righteous kids doing some good for the world right here in Hoboken.
Their video is pretty darn entertaining and they have an affinity for Mark Knopfer which is uncanny for their age. So here's their deal:

Tige Anderson (12) and Owen Possick (11), students at Hoboken’s Mustard Seed School are concerned about the earth. When they learned that over 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown in the trash each year they decided to do something about it. With the help of their school, the boys are working with the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program which turns old, worn out sneakers--sneakers that would have end up in a landfill--into playing surfaces for parks, running tracks, and basketball courts. The intrepid 6th graders are determined to collect more than 500 pairs of sneakers which they will then send to the Reuse-A-Shoe program for recycling. A collection bin has also been placed in City Hall by Hoboken’s Green Team, and you can take shoe donations there as well. Also, anyone interested in donating sneakers (no cleats or spikes please) can call 201-668-2989 to arrange for a pickup between now and February 16th.

Don't toss your sneakers on a wire, we'll take them
and make a basketball court out of them.

The critical schedule of public events on the Monarch Project

2012-02-09T18:00:00.000-05:00

Updates from Hoboken Residents for a Public Waterfront

We need you to attend and speak out against the Monarch:

Hoboken Planning Board

Tuesday, March 6, 2012 – 7:00PM

Downstairs conference room of City Hall – enter on Newark Street

The Monarch project has been officially scheduled for the March 6^th Hoboken Planning Board meeting at 7:00PM and WE NEED YOUR ATTENDANCE. This planning board could be our best venue to stop this project in its tracks. The Hoboken Planning Board had to reschedule a recent meeting for the Southwest Hoboken Redevelopment project because the number of residents who attended broke fire safety codes. That kind of showing speaks volumes to elected officials. It has been communicated to our group numerous times by public officials that a strong showing of opposition at public hearings is very important in our effort to defeat this project. Eleven years ago this same developer withdrew his application to develop the uptown piers after a strong showing of opposition from local citizens. We need to pack the room on March 6^th!

Hudson County Planning Board

Monarch Project Special Meeting

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 – 6:30PM

Freeholders Chambers - 3rd Floor

567 Pavonia Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306

(one block from the Journal Square PATH station)

The Hudson County Planning Board tabled the Monarch project at their last meeting to ensure all members of the public have a chance to speak. They have scheduled a special meeting for February 22^nd at 6:30 PM. The County Planning Board focuses on traffic and drainage implications on its county roads. It is important to show our opposition and to point out holes in the developer’s application. For example, the traffic report submitted by the developer was completed while Sinatra Drive was closed due to the latest roadway collapse. How can you get an accurate traffic count on a road that is closed to traffic? For the record, this is the third time that roadway has collapsed since the Shipyard project began. Kevin Coakley, legal counsel hired by Shipyard Associates, argued the Sinatra Drive collapse has no connection with the Monarch application. Miraculously, since the first county meeting, construction resumed full force and the road has been re-opened. Shipyard Associates did not seem to care about that repair work until they could use it as leverage with the county for approval. These are the abuses we are looking to fight against. Helpful areas for residents to speak out against are how crowded the uptown Hoboken area already is before we add three more buildings to Hudson Tea and two more buildings to Maxwell. You can speak about your wait time for public transportation, over crowding on buses and the ferry, lack of parking, inability to travel across town for errands, etc. Any area where you believe this project will degrade public welfare in Hoboken is open for discussion. PLEASE COME JOIN US.

Sincerely,

Hoboken Residents for a Public Waterfront

www.facebook.com/HobokenRPW

www.ipetitions.com/petition/hoboken-public-waterfront/

@HobokenRPW on Twitter

Sinatra Park repair passes, Beth Mason caught pushing false information on City employees attending the Super Bowl

2012-02-08T21:42:00.001-05:00

The Sinatra Park repair passed easily although there was some grandstanding and false accusations offered by Tim Occhipinti before the record was corrected by Director Brandy Forbes and the votes recorded. The repair's completion is scheduled for December 21.

The larger aspect of interest at the meeting was the discussion surrounding Beth Mason's accusations "two supporters" of the mayor went on a taxpayer paid trip to the Super Bowl.

When a member of the public, David Denning who is a supporter of Reform asked what the truth was on the matter saying, "How much did Hoboken spend on Hoboken Super Bowl tickets," Council President Ravi Bhalla thought Councilwoman Jen Giattino could provide an answer.

Beth Mason interjected to Denning, "They come as free, when you are part of the host committee," implying that the employees from the City attended the game.

Council President Bhalla then followed matter of factly, "the advertisement was false," before Councilwoman Jen Giattino was given the floor saying the ticket cost to the game was zero since she was "on my couch for the Super Bowl with my family... at home."

Mason remained silent to that illuminating fact.

One can guess no city employee went to the game paid by the taxpayers.

Beth Mason's lies "two political supporters" were sent to "an all inclusive trip to the Super Bowl" was exposed at the end of last night's City Council meeting. She made a "hail mary" attempt saying free tickets were provided as part of the false information in her advertisement published by the Hudson Reporter.

Sinatra Park Repair on tap for City Council Special meeting at 7:00

2012-02-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

City Council Meeting, take 2:

Live video from your iPhone or iPad using Ustream

February 8: One week later it's deja vu all over again as Yogi Berra would say. This time we're expecting all nine members so if you want to launch an "emergency resolution" with no public notice on the Hoboken BoE or another variety of power grab, best of luck to you.

Will we see a resolution from Beth Mason announcing her Hoboken business plan and further attacks on the "supporters" of the mayor who were sent to the Super Bowl all on the taxpayer's dime? If she introduces such a resolution, how long before her sock puppet Timmy Occhipinti blurts "Second?"

Mason usually tries to hijack meetings with these type of political hit jobs at the beginning of a Council meeting. Council President Ravi Bhalla has handled that professionally in the past but he should be prepared to do so again tonight.

Grafix Avenger presented the Beth Mason and Gumby plan for the 2014 Super Bowl in NJ.
It's a hot dogs and sausage stand downtown near City Hall.

February 1:

Tonight appears to be a reasonable agenda and could end at a reasonable hour. The food truck ordinance is back and there's a recommendation on a bid from the Administration to repair Sinatra Park, the jewel of the town's outdoor life on the river.

The cost comes in lower than originally anticipated at $10-12 million; it's $7.8 million for the Sinatra Park walkway and Castle Point.

As an earlier ordinance already passed appropriating funds toward the repair, the request comes in as a resolution - requiring five votes. Hoboken has seen logjams on everything from replacing rusted out environmental services equipment to direly needed repairs at the police station when bond ordinances required a needed six votes.

Will Beth Mason object to approving Sinatra Park's repair because she needs as is often her reason "more information?" Will Tim Occhipinti stand down and vote no and go off in search of more graffiti in Jersey City?

Will Michael Russo and Beth Mason salvage a last minute resolution to save MTV's Jersey Shore spinoff in Hoboken? They've fought off many initiatives by the mayor like saving hospital consistently last year and the mayor is against this so they will be for it?

Perhaps Tim Occhipinti will step up and speak on behalf of bar owners, a constituency like NJ Transit he stands up to represent, unlike those irksome children at the Boys & Girls Club.

Tune in just after 7:00 pm for the answer.

Update: 7:15 - Five council members are needed for a legal meeting. Currently, only the minority members are in the City Council Chambers. There's some discussion surrounding this and a possible special meeting to be called within 7 days.

None of this is clear but Councilwoman Jen Giattino is out of town. Is that the reason for this delay with her important fifth vote needed to pass legislation? It's unclear.

NJ Assembly Majority Leader: 225 of NJ school boards already moved to November elections

2012-02-08T11:11:00.002-05:00

From the desk of NJ Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald:

GREENWALD HAILS

SUCCESS OF NOVEMBER SCHOOL ELECTION LAW

Nearly 42 percent of Elected School Districts Have Already Made Move

(TRENTON) – Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald on Tuesday hailed the success of the new law he sponsored to allow school districts to move their elections from April to November, noting that 225 of the state’s 538 elected school boards have already made the move.

“This idea has been talked about for decades but was always killed by inertia or the special interests," said Greenwald (D-Camden). "By bringing all the stakeholders to the table and forging a compromise, we passed this major reform measure in a matter of weeks. Now, my solution is proving to be a quick and astounding success, with nearly 42 percent of the state’s elected school boards already making the move to November school elections. This truly remarkable momentum benefits both taxpayers and democracy and shows we can get things done when we work together for sensible reform.”

After years of talk but no successful action on moving school elections from April to November, Greenwald introduced the bill (A-4394 from the 2010-11 legislative session) on Dec. 1. It received final legislative approval on Jan. 9 and became law on Jan. 17.

The state has 538 elected school boards, and 225 have now opted for November elections, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association. A list of the school districts making the change is attached to this e-mail.

“April school votes are a costly charade, but because of this law school boards are giving voters better control while saving property taxpayers the costs of yet another election," said Greenwald. "The progress we have seen on this issue is a great example of what we can accomplish by bringing people together to find solutions, instead of relying on name-calling, divisiveness and 30-second sound bites."

The law establishes two procedures for allowing a school district to move its annual school election to the November general election. The first procedure would be via a question presented to the voters in a November election. The referendum would be prompted by a petition signed by not less than 15 percent of the voters who voted in the district during the last preceding presidential election.

The second procedure allows the election to be moved to November upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of education or governing body of a municipality.

If the district's annual school election is moved to November, then the district's board members will be elected in November and take office at the beginning of January.

Additionally, if a district moves its election to November voters would not be required to vote on the district's base budget, or a budget with a proposed tax levy that does not exceed the 2 percent levy cap. Any requests for spending above the district's tax levy cap would be presented to the voters in November.

“Everyone realizes this law is long overdue common sense,” Greenwald said. “I’m pleased to see it embraced by so many districts and look forward to seeing it embraced by even more. We’re controlling government spending and property taxes and increasing public participation in our democracy. These are all good things."

Lt. Governor Guadagno and Mayor Zimmer announce Pearson coming to Hoboken in new waterfront building

2012-02-07T16:15:00.001-05:00

City of Hoboken announces:

Lt. Governor Guadagno and Mayor Zimmer Announce Pearson, the World’s Leading Learning Company, Will Relocate Professional and Technology Jobs to SJP Properties’ Waterfront Corporate Center III in Hoboken, N.J.

Pearson will maintain a New Jersey workforce of 1,750 with the completion of the 500,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, sustainable office and retail building

HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 7, 2012) – Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, and other dignitaries today joined Pearson’s Rich Glicini, Senior Vice President for People and Social Responsibility, and SJP Properties’ CEO Steven J. Pozycki, to announce a lease agreement to relocate New Jersey employees from the world’s leading learning company to a new, state-of-the-art office building on Hoboken’s waterfront.

Pearson signed a lease for more than 200,000 square feet at SJP Properties’ 500,000-square-foot Waterfront Corporate Center III, the final site within Hoboken’s 26-acre waterfront, mixed-use master plan, and the last phase of SJP’s 1.5-million-square-foot, three-building office and retail complex.

“Pearson’s decision to stay is just one of many examples where we’ve successfully intervened to keep and create jobs in New Jersey,” said Lt. Gov. Guadagno. “The Christie-Guadagno Administration’s policy of assertively protecting and pursing jobs for New Jerseyans is a major reason why the New Jersey Comeback is underway.”

Pearson will occupy five floors starting in 2014 and is relocating approximately 900 employees from its current offices in Upper Saddle River and Old Tappan, N.J.

“Pearson and New Jersey share a deep commitment to attracting and retaining a talented professional workforce that will flourish in the vibrant and stimulating center for media, education, and digital services that has emerged within the excellent mass transit central location of Hoboken and the Waterfront Corporate Center,” stated Glicini. “Toward this goal, we are relocating 900 employees from our Upper Saddle River and Old Tappan locations, to 225 River Street, a LEED-certified building. Leveraging the natural light in this beautiful space means less artificial light usage during the day, thus reducing energy consumption. Heating and air conditioning systems in the new location will be more efficient as a result of new innovations, technology and equipment.”

Added Glicini, “We extend our gratitude to the Governor and Lt. Governor for the State’s investment, as well as the support of the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, in our choice of this Hoboken location. Together along with our partner, SJP Properties, we are creating a green and affordable waterfront home for our world-class workforce and investing in the technology essential to Pearson’s mission to foster learning and achievement around the globe.”

“We are very excited to welcome Pearson and 900 of their employees to the Hoboken community,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “This is exactly the kind of green, smart development that Hoboken needs to support the continued economic growth of our local economy without burdening our infrastructure. World-class companies like Pearson want to do business in Hoboken for the same reasons we all love to live here: we’re a bustling, walkable city with easy access to mass transit and New York City, a lively arts and music scene, packed sidewalk cafés, a vibrant nightlife, unique shops, and beautiful waterfront parks.”

The 14-story office building is designed as New Jersey’s only waterfront LEED Silver Certified office development and incorporates numerous modern features, including floor-to-ceiling glass windows that permit natural light to penetrate deep into the floors. Construction is scheduled to commence in fall of 2012 and will be completed in summer of 2014. The development will create more than 600 construction jobs.

“Waterfront Corporate Center III will be developed to incorporate the most advanced green technology and state-of-the-art features among any new commercial development in the region, providing Pearson with a high-performance work environment to support its business operations,” stated Pozycki. "Hoboken affords all of the amenities that today’s modern corporations demand in order to attract and retain talent and maintain their competitive edge, from unparalleled access to multiple transportation modes, to an abundance of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities.”

The Waterfront Corporate Center office complex is located next to the W Hotel and is within steps of the Hoboken Terminal, which offers NJ Transit trains and buses, PATH service, light rail and water ferries to New York City, and is within a few minutes drive to both the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels.

As part of the development, SJP is constructing a 200-car underground garage for direct covered access parking, and tenants will be afforded access to a fitness center in the adjacent Waterfront Corporate Center II, among other amenities.

Designed by HLW International architects, the building has unparalleled New York City and Hudson River views, and features flexible, highly efficient floor plates. Of the additional space, 25,000 square feet has been allocated for retail use; SJP is currently marketing the remaining availabilities.

Richard Berzine and Robert DeAngelis of Richard Berzine & Company, along with Jones Lang LaSalle Managing Director Dan Loughlin, Executive Vice President James Montanari and Vice President Aaron Ellison, represented Pearson in the transaction. SJP Properties was represented in house.

First constructed in 2000, Waterfront Corporate Center has become Hoboken’s most successful mixed-use development. The complex is currently comprised of more than one million square feet of world-class space, which is home to such leading, high-caliber corporations as John Wiley & Sons, Marsh and McLennan, Sumitomo Trust and Banking, Mizuho Securities, Thomson Reuters and Octapharma.

Hoboken’s waterfront is further enhanced by the Port Authority’s investment of more than $80 million in infrastructure improvements along the river, evidenced by two piers that have been converted into beautiful, water-surrounded recreational parks and a tree-lined boulevard. The five-acre park at Pier A includes an open lawn area, fountain, tree grove, pavilion and amphitheater space for tenant use. The two-and-a-half acre park at Pier C features a playground as well as a promenade at its eastern edge with lawn areas and a fishing pier.

About Pearson

Pearson is the world’s leading learning company. Its major businesses are: Pearson, the global leader in education, providing print and digital learning materials and services used by millions of students of all ages every year; The Financial Times Group, which has an international network of business and financial newspapers and online services that are read by millions of business executives and investors every day; and Penguin Group, which is one of the pre-eminent names in consumer publishing, with an unrivalled range of fiction and non-fiction, bestsellers, and classic titles. Through its books, newspapers and online products and services, Pearson helps people of all ages to live and learn. See www.pearson.com.

About SJP Properties

SJP Properties is a fully integrated commercial and residential real estate developer, investor, asset manager, construction manager and property manager. The expertise of the company’s core in-house team of professionals encompasses the entire development process, from site selection through coordination of tenant move-in for large multi-phase office complexes and build-to-suit corporate headquarters properties, as well as for individual tenant build-out projects. For 30 years, SJP has sustained an unblemished track record of success having completed every project on time and within budget, and has developed strong relationships with some of the industry’s foremost investors and lenders.

For more information on SJP Properties, please call 973-299-9117 or visit www.sjpproperties.com.

Councilwoman Jen Giattino: "Hoboken is on the radar for 2014 Superbowl opportunities"

2012-02-07T11:00:00.001-05:00

The Giants will have their parade today, the crowds will be cheering but in Hoboken tomorrow's City Council meeting is where the battle may begin over potential Hoboken business and the City's efforts to date for a slice of $500 million in anticipated business for the Super Bowl in 2014 scheduled for Metlife Stadium in NJ.

Councilwoman Jen Giattino who returned from a trip to Indianapolis Sunday morning discussed the contacts made that will be essential for Hoboken to get a slice of the $500 million pie. "There are things that Hoboken can do. If we didn't go, Hoboken wouldn't be on their (the NFL's) radar, but now we are," the councilwoman said highlighting discussions with the NFL host committee and network partners (TV) to host events in Hoboken.

"I wanted to look at what would work and what wouldn't work in Hoboken. The NFL Village is something that can absolutely be done in Hoboken. The ESPN set is also another opportunity with Hoboken as the host. I spoke to them about why Hoboken would be a great backdrop for this."

The Councilwoman paid for all her expenses while advocating in advance why the City should pick up the cost for two city employees. She referenced efforts with her City Council colleagues two weeks ago and preferred some of them go and she would provide the NFL and related contacts. The councilwoman has three young boys at home.

After the cancellation of last Wednesday's Council meeting, Hoboken Patch posted a report that evening MORTe planned questions for the people involved in City government who went to Indianapolis and released unconfirmed information from a City employee on the airfare of the Parking Utility's Ryan Sharpe for $339.20. That followed with a Councilwoman Beth Mason attack ad over the weekend claiming the City sent "two supporters" to the Superbowl at taxpayers expense.

Sharpe was joined by Director Leo Pellegrini along with Councilwoman Jen Giattino to further ties with contacts developed with the NFL after the 9-11 ceremony at Pier A Park. None of the three attended the game on Sunday nor was it in the plans.

"I spoke to Councilmen Michael Russo and Tim Occhipinti why this was an important business opportunity for Hoboken." She added no one in the end agreed to take her up on the invitation and there was no disagreement that city employees should pay their own costs adding, "I emailed the entire City Council two weeks prior to the trip, and no one responded with any questions or comments."

Councilwoman Jen Giattino added there were two street concerts in Indy with the first hosting 100,000 people sponsored by Pepsi and would present another business opportunity for the town.

Councilwoman Beth Mason continued with her latest attack in a release yesterday saying, "The latest example of pork barrel spending is taxpayers footing the bill for members of the Zimmer administration to take a trip to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis this week."

Sign of the Times: The G-Men have landed

2012-02-06T17:05:00.000-05:00

NY Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz who caught the first touchdown of the game and originally
from Patterson, NJ sports a winning smile arriving off the plane.
Micheal Russo and Beth Mason are safe from these G-Men.

Photo courtesy of the NJ Star Ledger

Hoboken resident Eli Manning named Super Bowl MVP

2012-02-06T12:45:00.001-05:00

Hoboken's own Eli Manning was named the MVP of the Super Bowl leading the Giants to victory with another of his patented end of game comebacks.

Starting deep in Giants territory, Manning threw a ball down the left sideline to Mario Manningham into double coverage on a drive that put the Giants ahead to stay. The 38 yard completion will become the stuff of legend and written forever into the Book of Eli.

Manning also outplayed the Patriot's Tom Brady and buried all speculation on whether he's an elite quarterback.

Talking Ed Note: MSV is awaiting a Beth Mason press release claiming credit for the Giants victory and her demand to have her own float in the parade on Tuesday. It would be on par to her claim of "saving" the hospital.

Photo courtesy UPI

Wednesday - City Council replay, more MORTe politics on tap

2012-02-06T11:03:00.003-05:00

The City Council meeting not held last week due to Council members Peter Cunningham and Carol Marsh leaving in protest upon discovering Tim Occhipinti's resolution on the BoE elections will take place this Wednesday.

The concerns by the two Reform members wasn't strictly the BoE resolution. Grafix Avenger correctly noted there were additional concerns on what additional power grabs might be in store, especially on Zoning Board appointments.

The Zoning Board will have three seats up and development in Hoboken is always a matter for debate in town. The council minority would likely choose members who would be favorable to developers while the Reform majority would be more protective of the town's existing character.

Councilwoman Jen Giattino is back from Indianapolis where she worked with the NFL and city officials there to help develop business opportunities for Hoboken. Two city employees also made the trip on behalf of Hoboken business but the councilwoman paid all her own costs. None of the three actually attended the game as the false information in Councilwoman Beth Mason's ad last weekend said.

While the City Council was informed in an invitation by Giattino, she went on the business development trip alone. After the postponement of the meeting last week, word leaked out from MORTe they wish to politicize the matter.

How many millions in business could be coming to Hoboken with the 2014 Superbowl? It's too early to say but MSV will note the W Hotel is already completely booked that week.

As in any business opportunity, it's the execution that determines the outcome. Councilwoman Jen Giattino is exercising just that with the NFL. Hoboken's Chamber of Commerce currently headed by former Hoboken resident Mike Novak has been notably absent on this.

Related: The Hudson Reporter has an exclusive story on the financial windfall coming to northern New Jersey in the form of the Super Bowl. The NFL likes to reward cities that build new stadiums and Met Stadium in the Meadowlands is new but has no roof. This will likely be its first and last Super Bowl.

According to an expert analysis it's in the area of $500 million and 150,000 visitors!

Superbowl: battle of the G-Men today and beyond

2012-02-05T14:16:00.001-05:00

On this side: pro G-Men

Tonight is the big dance between the NY Giants and the New England Patriots. Da Horsey will be taking in the event with an invite at the Tilted Kilt and rooting on the G-Men even though we typically run like a Jet.

If you have to root for a team that isn't your own, it's hard not to support our neighbor Eli Manning who lives with his wife in Hoboken.

Councilwoman Beth Mason has a big ad in this weekend's paper politicizing the Super Bowl, (infringing on NFL copyrights) and unofficially kicking off her ceaseless campaign to obtain Mayor Zimmer's chair. She's claiming the mayor is against the G-men. Wheely? The mayor is cooperating with the G-men MSV loves most and it was Beth Mason and MORTe that tried to sabotage their investigation rendering thousands of emails useless in the FBI investigation. Her repeated attempts are captured in the video here.

Wonder who will come up on top in that other G-men matchup?

On the other side, anti G-Men

Councilman Michael Russo yells at Mayor Zimmer, on the street!

2012-02-04T08:53:00.004-05:00

February is not going to be a quiet month for Councilwoman Beth Mason and the website Hoboken411 where she runs her political operations if the excerpted video above is any indicator.

After Wednesday night's scheduled council meeting ended before it began with the protest walkout of Council members Peter Cunningham and Carol Marsh, a late night flurry of Mason operatives or a family with Manson type zeal took to Hoboken Patch and went on the attack with their trademark plethora of lies and screeds on behalf of counte$$ who doesn't pay the family for friendship.

Things died down within hours on the subject when it became clear there was a little problem with the political operation hatched by MORTe. Arguing they should have a right to interfere on the school board elections wasn't going to be a winner off camera as there are duly elected representatives elected by the public to act on (Egads!) Board of Ed issues.

The excerpted clip above shows the error in this latest Beth Mason film production. You know it's been produced with Mason money by the narrator's voice who is clearly doing a paid job and is not paid for friendship and it certainly wasn't Perry Klaussen and that lilting voice with the odd audible tremolo cueing the listener the host is not exactly right in the head.

Since when does the Hoboken City Council need to "take a stand on how our schools are run" and how does this constitute they "duck their constitutional responsibility" by not injecting themselves on the running of the Hoboken schools and politicizing any decision they may choose on when to hold their elections?

Can someone ask Councilwoman Beth Mason where her job description includes anything on the Hoboken Public Schools? This may be simply overkill, but it's necessary to point out Beth Mason has herself uttered more than once in recent years that Council members should not inject themselves into Board of Ed elections and has even uttered same to MSV.

At the end of the clip the hyena shrieking voice you hear yelling at the mayor on the street is none other than Councilman Michael Russo. Yelling at the mayor on the street Mike? Wheely?

Perhaps this constitutes an improvement for the councilman who last year called the mayor a grifter when she showed up in City Council arguing for a bond to save the hospital.

Talking Ed Note: More on the street video:

Nick Calicchio - political operative for all seasons.

Another voice heard from the street on the video clip barking at the mayor is that of loyal Old Guard political operative Nick Calicchio. A county official helped get him a job as a prison guard and MSV understands he's on probation for a year. We're told by more than one person in the know he shouldn't be putting his hand into politics as it's against the terms of his probation.

Last year Mr. Calicchio, (he's the brother of the store sign thief Matt) got himself a rent free apartment in Hoboken for an HHA program designed to have a police officer live in the community. Does a prison guard who is part time political operative qualify for such a freebie?

Rather than bother HHA Executive Director Carmelo Garcia with such trivialities, all you need to know is that Nick Calicchio was once a paid aide to Assemblyman Ruben Ramos. The Assemblyman is said to aspire to the mayoral seat of the second floor at City Hall. The only problem being when you are looking to set up a public pension finding yourself empty handed with no public job may curb that appetite.

As for Nick Calicchio, there's no one better to have around to encourage HHA residents to vote and vote in advance via paper ballot except for his brother Matt. In the HHA, you don't need to go to the polls, the family motto is Vote by Calicchio!

The Calicchio brothers have a serious interest in law enforcement, maybe on both sides of the law. Both the FBI and the NJ Attorney General's Office may be interested in this family's keen interest in paper ballot voting on behalf of one Tim Occhipinti among others "elected" in town.

The problems with the Brothers Calicchio may not end there nor for a certain councilwoman who has a seemingly endless access to the family checkbook.

Update: Nick Calicchio responded in the comments. MSV stands by its story while noting Calicchio does qualify for the free rent program in the HHA.

Were any real police officers given an opportunity to apply for the apartment?

February 29th is Rare Disease Day

2012-02-04T00:20:00.006-05:00

City launches online parking permit sales system

2012-02-03T12:50:00.004-05:00

City of Hoboken announces:

HOBOKEN LAUNCHES ONLINE PARKING PERMIT SALE SYSTEM

HPU will also schedule visits to Senior Buildings for permit renewals

The Hoboken Parking Utility formally announced the public launch of its new HPU Online permit sales system, allowing residents, businesses, and visitors to conduct their parking business with the Utility 24/7 from wherever they want. HPU Online will allow residents and businesses to renew their parking permits or purchase visitor permits without ever stepping foot in City Hall. Documents can be uploaded and most permits can be downloaded and printed. Residents can visit the permit sale system at www.hobokennj.org/hpuonline.

“Residents can now go online instead of standing in line to get their parking permits,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “We want to make City government as accessible as possible, and this is just the latest of new initiatives we will be announcing over the next few months to bring even more services to residents online.”

The system, which will initially allow for the purchase and renewal of resident parking permits and will expand with other products over the next few weeks, sets an extremely important milestone in the way HPU does business.

“It's not just an online permit sales system,” said Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs, “It's the democratization of Hoboken parking permits. For far too long, whether it's a fair opinion or not, residents have had a consistently bad feeling about the way parking permits are issued and sold at HPU. With this system, everything is spelled out, transparent, consistent, and documented, guaranteeing that every customer is treated fairly and equally with the same rules each and every time.”

The new system was soft-launched last week as part of the Resident parking permit renewal process. To date, nearly 1,000 residents have already signed up.

“A host of HPU employees, including Customer Service Representatives, supervisors, and accounting staff worked closely with the software developer enfoTech to develop the system's logic and adherence to the parking policies established in the city code,” added Director Sacs. “This was a team effort, and I commend my staff on their hard work.”

The Resident parking permit renewal deadline (to get documentation in either online or by mail/walk-in) is February 15, 2012. Current 2011 Resident parking permit and Senior 2011 visitor parking permits are still valid through the end of February. Seniors may now sign up using the new online system or renew in person at HPU at their convenience. HPU will also be scheduling visits to senior buildings to assist with issuing senior permits on request. Building managers should contact Michelle Ippolito at 201-653-1919 to schedule a time and date for this new service for seniors.

Get the latest Hoboken news:

Da Horsey podcast with Jake Stuiver

2012-02-03T11:02:00.001-05:00

Da Horsey did a podcast recently with Hoboken resident and long time activist Jake Stuiver. This podcast includes discussion about Stuiver's decade long history working on Hoboken elections, the mayor's state of the city address, and the topic on everyone's minds, the FBI.

Premium Content members will receive the podcast file via email.
The file can be played via iTunes and/or transferred to your portable player.
The file is downloadable, just hit share and follow the prompt.
The podcast runs just under 40 minutes.

And with that, it's post time:

Listen to this episode

Download this episode (right click and save)

City: Two year sister town partnership search results announced

2012-02-03T09:04:00.003-05:00

The City of Hobokenia announces:

After entertaining a number of potential sister cities in an exhaustive two year search, we are proud to announce a partnership with the city of Portlandia.

As sister cities meeting the requirements for the recently signed White House Protocols of Towns without Self-Indulgent Borders, we have renounced our city charter, the State and US Constitution and replaced it with a more forward internationalist view bereft of individualistic borders, plastic bags, and hamburgers while embracing our responsibilities on behalf of the world's needy who have suffered at our historical ignorance and oppression against indigenous peoples of several culturally superior continents.

Mayor Fawn Limiter celebrated the announcement of the new bi-coastal agreement by adopting the annual Allergy Pride Portlandia parade as our own. The parade will take place simultaneously in both cities and is scheduled for March 4th, 12:00 Pacific Time.

"Through our introduction of the Allergy Pride Parade, we have released the shackles of our prejudices against people who have suffered not only at the hands of our lighter skinned oppressive forefathers, but those who have been made to feel inferior by arbitrary lines announcing city borders making indigenous peoples from surrounding cities and countries suffering with hay fever feel really bad."

Residents are urged to attend and be on time. Those who fail to do so will be noticed by the new Hobokenia Office of Resident Compliance. You are required with your family or significant other of your choosing to occupy a four feet square area along the parade route. Those who fail to do so will have their right ankles booted.

Please review the parade clip below and contact the Resident Compliance Office if you wish to join an appropriate group or float.

Operation Haywire: City Council resolution non-binding on BoE elections

2012-02-02T12:45:00.002-05:00

MILE SQUARE VIEW EXCLUSIVE

In all the murk and drama of an attempted coup by MORTe on the BoE elections, MSV has learned the legislation passed by the State of NJ allowing a Board of Education to move their election to November can not be stopped by passage of a resolution in the City Council.

According to legal sources in Trenton, the resolution last night if passed had no controlling authority over any action taken by the Hoboken Board of Education.

Last night, MORTe prepared a resolution knowing it could pass but it wasn't an ordinance that requires six votes, and it would not have prevented the Hoboken BoE from legally acting on February 14th at its next scheduled meeting in either form.

Should the Hoboken BoE be prepared to vote on moving elections to November, widely expected by people on all sides, the City Council resolution last night even if passed has no governing authority.

It's unclear whether the sponsors, Tim Occhipinti and Terry Castellano will try to bring back their symbolic resolution for some political purpose. There's no stopping an affirmative action to move elections to November if a vote is taken based on the recently passed NJ law signed by Gov. Chris Christie last month.

The idea of holding a referendum in November on whether BoE elections should be held in November is available, but disappears with an affirmative vote by either governing body.

Talking Ed Note: Under the circumstances of last night's meeting, it was unclear what the standing of the action by MORTe actually was but in the end the question is moot.

Both the resolution and political action by MORTe is moot.
It was just them playing politics. They spend a great deal of time doing nothing but.

MORTe's phony resolution on the BoE election. Much ado about a political operation.
Never mind.

Diary of a failed BoE power grab as Cunningham and Marsh leave in protest on MORTe "emergency" resolution

2012-02-02T01:01:00.002-05:00

MILE SQUARE VIEW EXCLUSIVE

Last night's scheduled Council meeting ended when the legally required five of nine members failed to attend and be counted as present to begin the meeting.

The four remaining members, re: MORTe saw their planned surprise power grab to subvert a likely vote at the BoE February 14th seeing its election moved to November end before it began - in failure.

A repeated attempt by MORTe to introduce that resolution putting a referendum on November BoE elections instead of a vote on the BoE election itself does not have five votes at the next meeting, likely to be held within seven days.

While resolutions can be raised at Council meetings, it's considered unethical to put important matters on the agenda without prior notice to the public and declare it an emergency. In this case, the City Council was acting on the jurisdiction of the BoE.

Below is the exclusive video leading into the meeting. MSV decide to record the lead in to test its software unaware it would lead to this exclusive. (You can call us psychic pony.)

The video begins with a wide shot of the council dais. On the far left is Councilwoman Terry Castellano who looks extremely happy. She has been speaking with Hudson Reporter writer Ray Smith and then Hoboken Patch editor Claire Moses who is seen walking away with papers in hand. Does it include the resolution acting to take powers away from the next meeting of the BoE?

Next you see a series of across the table gestures between Councilman Mike Russo and Tim Occhipinti. Occhipinti will stand up and proudly go over to Assistant City Clerk Jerry Lore and show him a text message. Occhipinti takes instruction from Russo and hands over papers.

Enter City Corporation Counsel Mark Tabakin who after stepping on the dais says, "We have no quorum." He repeats this to Mike Russo again and walks right to his table where he states he will not be staying. Russo replies, "We'll wait."

Tabakin then turns to the well of the chambers and informs the people in attendance there is no quorum, therefore no council meeting and "no action can be taken." To this Mike Russo rises and takes the microphone and announces "We're here." Well he is there along with the rest of MORTe, but there are not the required five council members present required to hold an official meeting.

No matter there is no quorum. The plan hatched to act on the Hoboken BoE's election before its elected officials can meet is stopped before it can begin.

Talking Ed Note: Once again Beth Mason's cameraman Tim was in attendance. After the meeting failed quorum, she had him go upstairs to the second floor where the mayor's office is located.

There's a question if a Beth Mason paid operative has involved himself in yet another questionable criminal matter in a possible threat against a municipal employee.

Did Tim, Beth Mason's cameraman also capture that on video?
Precautions should be taken to preserve that footage which could be part of a criminal matter. Discarding that material may be construed as obstruction of justice Ms. Mason.

MSV will be looking into that story too.

The New Jersey law allowing Board of Education officials across the state to save money by moving their elections to November and increase voter participation remains in effect for Hoboken. As of today, more than 140 NJ Boards of Education have already met since the law was passed moving their elections to November.

The law permits local governing bodies to also act on behalf of their respective BoE, binding any outcome for four years.

Related: The Hudson Reporter's Ray Smith has a first hand report up and worth a read:
http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/17370420/article--Hoboken-City-Council-meeting-canceled-after-mayor-s-allies-walk-out-of-City-Hall-in-protest-of-last--minute-resolution--?instance=up_to_the_minute_lead_story_left_column

Grafix Avenger weighed in and puts MORTe's anger in context and its impact on the notorious vote-by-mail scheme out of all proportion coming out of Hoboken's Housing Authority:
http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/02/marsh-and-cunningham-foil-farmer-frank.html

BoE elections in November saved after MORTe plan foiled

2012-02-01T21:24:00.002-05:00

MILE SQUARE VIEW EXCLUSIVE

Tonight's regular City Council appeared normal on the surface going in, well about as normal based on the agenda might appear. But MORTe had other ideas. Knowing the Reform majority council would be short at tonight's meeting, MORTe sprang into action with a resolution prepared to force the BoE to hold a November referendum instead of allowing that body to determine its own fate and vote on whether to have elections later this year.

The BoE election option passed last month and signed into law by Governor Chris Christie gives the option to either governing body - the City Council or the Board of Ed itself. One option in the legislation included holding a referendum.

Before the meeting, a fortuitous error by MORTe allowed the cat out of the bag. An emergency resolution was all prepared to hijack the will of the Hoboken BoE where a vote is likely to take place on February 14th as exclusively reported here on MSV moving their election to November later this year.

The New Jersey law permits either governing body, the City Council or the Board of Education to vote which option they prefer - and the first vote PREVAILS and is BINDING.

MORTe and the Old Guard has been adamant to stop November elections at all costs where larger turnouts will hurt their prospects to control city government, the Hoboken BoE and their respective budgets running in the tens of millions.

It's unclear what other plans MORTe (beth Mason, tim Occhipinti, michael Russo and Terry Castellano) planned beyond snatching the BoE's election right from under their nose.

UPDATE: 10:10 pm

From the desk of Councilman Peter Cunningham:

Friends, Family and Neighbors,

Never a dull moment on the dais at Hoboken City Council. First we
were informed that "snookie" followers were going to protest the
City's recent decision to deny their spin off program a filming permit
to film where ever, whenever they wanted. But what was to ensue was a
hijack of the meeting by Occipinti, Castellano, Mason and Russo. They
knew we were going to have a couple of council members absent, and
planned to take advantage of the situation.

The issue? Taking action on a school board issue with no notice to
the public and three of my colleagues absent.

As many of you know, the State Legislature authorized NJ School Boards
the option to move their elections from April to November. Please
visit this site of the NJ School Board Assoc.
http://www.njsba.org/PI/

In MSV comments, Councilman David Mello noted the reason for his absence:
For the record, this is the second meeting (of any kind; special, budget, etc.) that I have ever missed. I have a viral infection, and a newborn at home that has already been coughing. I'm NOT going to get my newborn sick. She is only six weeks old.

On a positive note, I saw a great new doctor at our hospital's clinic today. So glad the hospital was saved, and doctors like him are still practicing in our city. Wonderful level of service and inquiry into my medical history and current symptoms.

As for tonight, it's a sad occurrence when Council members let gamesmanship, rather than just and democratic stewardship, guide their decision making processes as legislators.

Now, I'm off to bed.

- Councilman Mello

MSV has another related exclusive coming... stay tuned