From the desk of Councilman Dave Mello
Tonight, June 13, 2011, a special meeting of the Hoboken City Council was called by Council President Mason. The notion was posed to the Council members, in a June 8th memorandum from Councilwoman Mason, that a five member majority of our City Council confirmed the call for this meeting and felt it was needed. The five members included Councilman Russo, who did not attend this meeting.
Since only four of those five confirming members bothered to show up for the meeting, I made the decision to leave the meeting, as I never felt the meeting was warranted. Councilwoman Marsh left the meeting at the same time.
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- Posted at full gallop
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Monday, June 13, 2011
Mello and Marsh blow Mason meeting, quorum "fail" ends closed session
Councilwoman Beth Mason's meeting ended suddenly when Councilmembers Dave Mello and Carol Marsh left the closed session.
Council members voting for closed session before the quorum and the official meeting halted were Tim Occhipinti, Nino Giachhi, Terry Castellano and Beth Mason.
No action can be taken without a required five voting members present.
Talking Ed Note: Outside City Hall, a reporter asked Councilwoman Beth Mason about the meeting saying, "It's a fail right?" Beth Mason replied no, but she seemed less than pleased with the outcome to put it mildly.
To the questions about Councilman Mike Russo. It's true he was not at the Council meeting and also not seen at Room 84 for the Committee meeting. Normally posing the question would be logical, but you'd have to expect a logical truthful answer. We don't.
Council members voting for closed session before the quorum and the official meeting halted were Tim Occhipinti, Nino Giachhi, Terry Castellano and Beth Mason.
No action can be taken without a required five voting members present.
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| No quorum, no meeting. Councilwoman Beth Mason sits at the middle of the table while Councilman Nino Giacchi leaves after Councilmembers Dave Mello and Carol Marsh ended the closed session by departing. |
Talking Ed Note: Outside City Hall, a reporter asked Councilwoman Beth Mason about the meeting saying, "It's a fail right?" Beth Mason replied no, but she seemed less than pleased with the outcome to put it mildly.
To the questions about Councilman Mike Russo. It's true he was not at the Council meeting and also not seen at Room 84 for the Committee meeting. Normally posing the question would be logical, but you'd have to expect a logical truthful answer. We don't.
36-32 Jamie Cryan wins Democratic Chair
Michele Russo made the nomination and Matt Callichio seconded.
The 'Real Dems' have taken Hoboken Democratic Committee.
- Posted at full gallop
The 'Real Dems' have taken Hoboken Democratic Committee.
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| Jamie Cryan (rear middle) exits Room 84 and is met with applause by supporters as Assemblyman Ruben Ramos (r) whoops it up with Hoboken Real Dems Committeeman Michael Holmes |
Sign of the Times: Environmental Services Director Replaced
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| Jennifer Maier last month |
One of the difficult aspects of running a department in Hoboken is the lack of standards and unlike some of her colleagues who have written up people for not doing as required, it may have not been the case with Ms. Maier.
One of the reasons she was brought in was her grant writing ability. Dealing with people not doing as asked may have been more taxing.
She also may not have enjoyed the bullying by the clownish antics of Councilman Mike Russo, even though it wasn't directed at her, the second pay cut in the position passed by Beth Russo certainly was.
Sadly, the politrickin is what you have to put up with in just attempting to do a professional job as a Director in Hoboken. With the Beth Russo hydra still breathing, for a few more weeks anyway, nothing decent is safe.
Speaking of decency, tonight is the Beth Russo special meeting in search of the FBI's criminal investigations information. The meeting will begin at 7:30. Who will attend is a mystery. It was called by the Beth Russo majority including outgoing Councilman Nino Giacchi. Call it a professional lawyer's courtesy. It's been set up behind closed doors and the information requested is to aid lawyers: defense lawyers.
Good luck with that.
Interim Environmental Services Director to replace current Director
City of Hoboken announces:
Mayor Zimmer Announces Interim Environmental Services Director
Effective today, Jennifer Maier will no longer serve as Director of Environmental Services.
Mayor Zimmer has appointed Tom Atkins, who has more than three decades of municipal management experience, to take over day-to-day operations of the department on an interim basis beginning on Tuesday, June 14. He served as Municipal Manager of Scotch Plains from 1980 through 2008 and as Borough Administrator of Metuchen from 1975 to 1980.
A full review of the Department of Environmental Services will be conducted to ensure efficient and cost-effective services are delivered to residents. The City Council will be offered the opportunity to be briefed in closed session on Wednesday regarding this matter.
Subscriber Story Out, City Hall Shakeup
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City for Sale, an insider view of Hoboken vote buying in the 4th ward
This is part 2 of the exclusive MSV investigative series available by subscription.
Mr. Q, a veteran payee of 4th ward voter fraud over many years looks at you in brief moments turning away in a nervous and telling way. Is he fearful of you looking too deeply into him? Or is it because he’s seen enough of the look in your eyes, recognizing it countless times from others, judging him for his outward appearance, his lack of economy so to speak? With Mr. Q, you can’t be 100% sure. Perhaps he’s not either. He is however certain to take cash for voting in every 4th ward election.
Unlike Mr. X, he doesn’t call for the corruption to end but what they share in common is knowing their community is being exploited. Mr. Q. also knows some of the players and he has something to say about them and recent payments. Apparently, getting paid lately hasn’t been as systematic as some may think. He isn't happy about it.
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| Lower Jackson St. by the HHA |
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