Official release:

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=&0=& Mailers hitting Hoboken residents urge support for a ballot question to bring back runoff elections and with it, majority rule in our municipal races. In opposition to runoffs elections being approved at the ballot box are the supporters of Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Ravibots; those who will say just about anything, deny the truth, reality or a fact if it serves his political interests. Since the controversial and ugly mayoral election last year, arguments about runoffs have been constant with Ravi Bhalla and his insiders being deeply fearful of its potential return. Does his having waged a scorched earth campaign against friend and foe winning with 32% of the vote have anything to do with it? The usual Ravibot arguments are all self-serving and disingenuous. They proclaim fear of voter fraud although the potential impact for voter fraud impact is =&1=& race. Notwithstanding the US Department of Justice finally made Hoboken a priority and is currently working on =&2=& in the Mile Square City. Voter fraud in Hoboken is on the run but the Ravibots won’t tell you that. (Thank Horsey later.) The other argument typically badgers residents about a falloff in the second round of balloting. However, with Vote-by-Mail options and long hours with the polls being open, the real actual evidence for any drop off is low information voters are not so easily led by the nose a second time. In Jersey City, a council race was decided by a hard-working candidate, James Solomon, who came from behind for a runoff victory. Isn’t that what democracy is all about? Fighting for the last vote and making a passionate argument to voters showing you are deserving? In Hoboken, the arguments are less about the Hoboken voter and more about a cult of personality push to aid and abet a wannabe career politician. That’s not in keeping with any principle of service the Founding Fathers had in mind. MSV has articulated an independent position for instant runoffs. It needs further legislative efforts but without runoffs on the books, you can’t achieve the second portion of that objective. So on Election Day, VOTE YES on the ballot question for runoffs.

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The controversy over the construction union Local 825 attack on Councilman Jim Doyle and by extension all of Hoboken took another turn when the councilman responded to support from council colleagues by criticizing them.

Stating their defense included criticism of Mayor Ravi Bhalla, he responded along the lines of “Ravi Bhalla is the kindest, warmest human being I know” and took shots at the council members who issued statements mostly defending him and his vote in opposition to theirs. Read More...

Official release:

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 – At the end of last week, Elec 825, an affiliate of the Local 825 Operating Engineers union, ran an attack ad against Hoboken Councilman Jim Doyle on NJ12 criticizing Doyle for his “No” vote on the proposed Hilton hotel in Hoboken; a vote that was inconsequential in the 8-1 outcome.   Read More...

=&0=& =&1=& In a stunning political attack on local television seen last night, the construction union Local 825 launched a savage attack on a council ally and running mate of Mayor Ravi Bhalla. The original and unedited ad is seen here on MSV below and is directed against Councilman Jim Doyle. The same union was part of a Super PAC, Stronger Foundations that ran TV ads in the closing week of the contentious and venomous Hoboken mayoral campaign urging votes for Ravi Bhalla. (MSV broke that exclusive story in the final week of the campaign.) Councilman Jim Doyle was the sole council member last year to endorse and later run on Ravi Bhalla’s mayoral ticket. Doyle was the lone “no” vote on the Hilton Hotel at the last council meeting, meaningless in the outcome where eight of his colleagues voted to approve. Only five votes are required for approval. The savage attack on an intimate ally of Ravi Bhalla is a political shot across the bow by the construction union flexing their influence if not outright political control over Hoboken as word of additional backroom development deals are anticipated to be announced from the mayor’s office. The City Council would work late to improve a seven-figure package of givebacks including one million for the local school district and another two million for a revamped uptown community center adding hundreds of thousands later added for the charter schools, Affordable Housing Trust and infrastructure downtown. In the TV ad, Jim Doyle is attacked for allegedly abandoning Hoboken children and stopping “hundreds of good paying union jobs” before it concludes “Doyle doesn’t get it.” 

Last Friday, Ravi Bhalla submitted an op-ed in NorthJersey.com promoting the massive NJ Transit redevelopment in downtown Hoboken. The press release type promotion on behalf of the long-feared development alarmed many Mile Square City residents.

The attack ad seen last night concludes saying it’s “paid for by ELEC 825.” It’s the same union featured on MSV last year pushing for voters to elect Ravi Bhalla mayor.

Talking Ed Note Update: Late Friday afternoon and City Hall is closing up for the weekend and nothing but silence from Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Not. A. Word.

Over at the Cave, a limp cover-up attempt put forward by the mayor’s office claims Ravi Bhalla decried the attack on Councilman Jim Doyle. Yet, the MSV exclusive has been out ALL DAY, everyone has seen it, other media are covering the story and not even a statement has been issued on behalf of Ravi Bhalla let alone him making a public statement. Read More...

Official release:

This Election Day Hoboken residents will have the rare opportunity to decide how our local elections are run and vote on a ballot question to enact runoff elections. If the question is approved, any candidate for Mayor or Council will be required to earn 50% of the vote to win office, otherwise, the top two would square off in a runoff election.   Runoffs are used across the state in similar cities like Jersey City, Trenton & Bayonne to ensure majority rule through fair, democratic, elections. If you can spare sixty seconds, take a look at this video to explain why you should join me and vote YES for Runoff Elections on Nov. 6th…. All you need to know about runoff elections….in 60 seconds   It’s not democracy if your vote doesn’t count!  In last year’s crowded and confusing municipal election we had fourteen candidates running for City Council and six running for mayor, with the winning mayoral candidate only earning 32% of the overall vote.  Establishment politicians and special interests use this fault in the system to intentionally split our community and pander to smaller voting blocks, sometimes even buying those votes. Runoff elections would require candidates to create broader platforms and once elected, broader policies, which benefit the most number of residents as possible, not just the select few who elected them. Voting YES will make certain that everyone’s voice is heard and their vote counted, not drowned out by those looking to divide us for political gain. Many have asked me about the possibility of ranked choice voting (aka instant runoffs) and though it’s an exciting and interesting concept, New Jersey law currently does not permit municipalities to vote that way. Click here to learn about why Runoff Elections are important and why you should vote YES on Nov. 6 Regardless of who you supported last year, this is not about a single person, it’s about the future of honest and fair elections in Hoboken and I hope you’ll come out to support this grassroots effort. Your Councilman, Mike DeFusco Hoboken City Councilman News Hudson County View to host panel on marijuana 10/25/201801/22/2021 by SmartyJones1 Min Reading A panel on marijuana legalization is set for tomorrow night at Hudson County Community College. The event is being hosted by the Hudson County View from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Among the panelists is First Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco with State Senator Ronald Rice (D-28), Harmony Dispensary CEO Shaya Brodchanel and NJ Responsible Approaches to Marijuana Police Executive Director Stephen Reid. The event will be available live on the Hudson County View Facebook page for those unable to attend. =&0=& News Tonight at 8:00, it’s New Jersey’s sole US Senate debate 10/24/201801/22/2021 by SmartyJones1 Min Reading In the “Battle of the Bobs,” it’s one enterprising Bob versus corruptocrat Bob. One is a former pharma CEO who turned a company around and made it a success becoming wealthy in the process. The other is a decades-long politician with legendary corruption status swirling around him since his HudCo Machine days and in swampy DC as a NJ Senator. Tonight the battle royale will take the stage as challenger Bob Hugin will go mano a mano with incumbent Senator Bob Menendez in their only debate. Read More... News Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher: “I Need Your Feedback – Marijuana and Concrete Bus Stops” 10/23/201801/22/2021 by SmartyJones1 Min Reading Official release:   Dear friends and neighbors:   I need your feedback on two topics: Allowing marijuana establishments in Hoboken (if approved by NJ) Extended sidewalk/bumpouts for bus stops on upper Washington   MARIJUANA –    We really have not had a public discussion on this.  But at the last City Council meeting, the administration put forth for first reading an ordinance to allow establishments in Hoboken once approved at the state level.  The City Council pulled it from the agenda so no vote was taken.  Here is the quick summary of what was proposed (or you can click on the Jersey Digs article that does a good job): Only 3 “Establishments” allowed in Hoboken.  One in each of three industrial and commercial zoning districts –I-1, I-2 and CBD.  It is not at all allowed in the residential (R-1, R-2 or R-3) districts.  The areas affected are outlined in pink in the attached zoning map. Read More...