I had made a comment regarding this arcticle which prompted Jim Vance to send this email to me, word for word:
"I have indeed say on several occasions if Dawn becomes Mayor there will be retribution or words to that effect, but your presumption is incorrect. What I mean is I and others fear vengeance from Zimmer and many of her supporters in the event she is elected.
As for the bicycle master plan, again your presumption is incorrect. Dawn had nothing to do with its conception or with submitting the propossal for the city to get funding for this project other than signing the request.
If you are interested the facts, it was a small group of us including Steve Fahmie, Richard Hofbauer, Juan Melli, Michael Pereless, Jason Tecza and Ian Sacs, before he joined Zimmer’s administration, who put together the projects outline and pushed the request for funding to the state.
You should also know that it was me who discovered the state has such a program and working through Governor Corzine’s office personally got the Commissioner of Transportation, Steven Dilts to encourage Sheree Davis, the states Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Coordinator, to move forward vigorously on this matter .
Again you are wrong when you say Dawn is letting me have a “primary role on this project.” I have been a prime mover on this long before Dawn knew about it. And intend to remain involved regardless of what she says or does. All Ms. Zimmer is doing is once again claiming credit for something she had nothing to do with.
Your jumping to conclusions and publishing before verifying is irresponsible. You know my number and know I am available any time you or anyone else want to speak with me. Please post my statement on your blog and, if you are man enough, issue a retraction."
Sincerely,
Jim Vance
Here was my initial comment in the thread:
"Not sure of his role on this either in this but regardless of what you feel about him, I know he is very passionate about making cycling safer for people in Hoboken.
Jim Vance by his own admission has always been a bit loud and was a also primary witness during my political falling out with Beth Mason. During the runoff Jim had remarked to me that "if Dawn becomes Mayor there will be retribution" (presumably for those who didn't support Dawn).
Well if letting Jim have a primary role on this project is retribution it bodes very well for Dawn's ability to reach across the aisle and get help from engaged citizens of Hoboken regardless of how they voted."
My Response to Jim: Jim, you are correct that Steve Fahmie, Richard Hofbauer, Juan Melli, Michael Pereless, Jason Tecza and Ian Sacs, before he joined Zimmer’s administration, put together the projects outline and pushed the request for funding to the state. I just published the press release and included all attached documentation as I do for Dawn and many of the other candidate's as they send them in. In the press release ample credit is given to the Hoboken Sweet Streets organization. I for one was glad to see that you were involved with it and was certainly not surprised. I give credit to you on these issues.
Thank you for clarifying your role in this. As Mayor, Dawn Zimmer simply put her stamp on this but it should be noted that she hired Ian Sacs as this is just one example of his commitment to Traffic and Public Safety. Jim, can you go back to Beth Mason again and ask her why she has such a problem with Dawn's hiring of Ian Sacs? So far, seems like a pretty good hire to me.
I think you missed my point on the retribution or perhaps I did not state it clearly. From what I see, whatever retribution you predict won't entail canning good initiatives based on who initiated them. Perhaps some ardent Mason supporters won't be getting paid jobs in the administration should Dawn Zimmer win but that is not retribution, that is politics. Choose your candidates carefully.
Original Post 10/30/2009:
Here is a press release from the Office of the Mayor from Daniel Bryan Confidential Aide to Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer:
CITY OF HOBOKEN CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW JERSEY
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM
The City of Hoboken, in collaboration with the pedestrian and bicycle community advocacy group Sweet Streets and the Quality of Life Coalition, is proud to announce our acceptance into a competitive pedestrian safety, bicycle planning and traffic calming program offered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The program, which involves pairing a professional transportation consulting firm with the City, will allow us to study and develop an implementation plan for some of the most critical safety issues affecting Hoboken residents. The scope of the study and dollar amount of the award will be determined in the coming weeks, as the City and volunteer community members participate in discussions with the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
“This is an excellent example of how community input can support the government in pursuing funding and resources critical to the improvement of quality of life issues,” Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs said, “such as pedestrian safety, traffic calming and bicycling conditions. In the coming months, the community will have many opportunities to provide input and participate in the development of a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle plan using the master plan as a guide.”
Once the scope of the project is finalized, Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Director Sacs, along with Sweet Streets and the Quality of Life Coalition, will move swiftly to collect public feedback on the direction of this project.
Below is the Application on Slideshare:
Here is the award letter to the City of Hoboken:
2009-10-21 NJDOT Award Letter Hoboken
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