"Two slates good, Three slates bad"
Update at 1:10PM: Another source has confirmed that Nathan Brinkman has indeed picked up BOE petitions. The plot thickens.
Update at 1PM: This just in. Another source who wishes to remain anonymous has just emailed me that he/she spotted Nathan Brinkman at least meet up with Maureen Sullivan once last week. That was last Tuesday. This makes the connection between the two regarding the BOE race a little less loose and the intrigue all the more palpable.
Tomorrow March 1st is the deadline for the BOE petitions to be filed for the upcoming BOE election in April. Kids First has finalized their slate of Four BOE members and will make their announcement tomorrow.
A source of mine has also let me know that former candidate for Mayor Nathan Brinkman is considering a slate himself. Nathan Brinkman aka "The Red Elephant" is
If Maureen is hoping to ignite the Republican base with an alliance with Brinkman it might yield fewer votes than she expected. There is a second Republican group that has been recently formed in Hoboken called Republicans of Hoboken who in my opinion collectively have a much more reasonable take on fiscal reform and austerity. Several people in confidence have said to me that there was a break due to Nathan's lack of initiative with the organization. Has anyone ever seen Nathan at a BOE meeting? I haven't. This could be an issue of legitimacy should he decide to run.
Here is wishing Frank Raia a speedy recovery from his recent surgery. Just because I disagree with Frank Raia politically doesn't mean I wish him any ill health. I hear that he is doing fine after his surgery and is reportedly on the way to good health so things are looking up in "Pupie-ville". This is especially true with Maureen Sullivan's break from Kids First that must have some old school BOE Hobokenites salivating in a Pavlovian response to bring back the days of low show HVAC coordinators and other patronage plums. A split in reform plays right into the "Pupsters" hands whether or not her decides to run.
There is a lot of speculation as to whether or not Frank Raia will run for school board or not since he basically runs in every race since I have been in Hoboken. Theresa Burns and Carrie Gilliard are likely out due to what I understand to be a change in residence outside of Hoboken. As far as the Old Hoboken slate, there has been very little buzz, almost an eerie calm before the political storm. Anthony Oland, HOLA Charter School Advocate is another consideration and there are likely others not on my radar at this moment.
Scott Delea, who endorsed Roberts in 2005 and also ran for City Council in 2005 and 2007 has made overtures to Kids First and has been said to be looking for a slate to run with. I am not trying to slam Scott but this observation needs to be made: perhaps Kids First reluctance to put him on the slate has to do with their uncertainty of what he stands for.
Another resident and father plans to possibly run as an independent for the one year term that was made available due to Phil DeFalco's resignation. His issues have to do with the actions of Interim Superintendent Peter Carter that have possibly called him into action. We will know for sure Monday. For now lets just call him candidate X. I see no point in revealing this person unless they decide to run and more importantly I always keep my word.
Three positions that are up are for 3 years and one is for a one year term. A lot is at stake. Will we see two or more slates in opposition to Kids First or will it be mono e mono with Kids First vs. a unified opposition? All will be revealed tomorrow. To borrow from George Orwell in his book "Animal Farm", "two slates good, three slates bad." At least from a reform perspective.
My Comment: Just to be clear I have supported Kids First in the past as well as Maureen Sullivan independently in 2008. It is important to let my readers know where I stand so they can make their own judgments above what is written above. ◦
