Last night, the Hoboken Democratic Committee held its organizational meeting and the big contest was Ravi Bhalla versus Ines Garcia-Keim for chair. The vote was actually tabulated twice since the first time somebody apparently voted twice. "Only in Hudson County" some might joke. After re-tabulation the vote was 38-27 and Ravi Bhalla was confirmed chair.
The Column B slate aligned with Mayor Zimmer actually did better than expected with the chair vote going 58% in their favor versus 42% for Column C and the Russos/Masons. That vote margin wasn't close but right before the vote Mike Russo was looking at the attendance sheet and predicted a tie vote for the first round. It didn't pan out that way. Mike Russo was actually gracious in the defeat and shook hands with Brian Assadourian and others who were not on the committee but allowed to sit in the back room. I was able to hear everything. The surprise show up for the night was Lane Bajardi who when asked by this blogger "why is he here if he is not a Democrat, is it to report for Hoboken 411", he snarled "I am an independent, and you don't know my ideology". He went on to say he didn't care to talk to me which quite frankly I was fine with that. I am happy to report no one tried to grab my camera.
Once the vote was completed for chair the Zimmer ticket ran the table on the rest of the executive committee:
*Dawn Zimmer Honorary Chair
*Ravi Bhalla Chair
*Ilsie Bennen Vice Chair
*Phil Cohen 1st Vice Chair
Latrenda Ross 2nd Vice Chair
Keith Furman Secretary Recording
*Rami Pinchevsky Secretary Correspondence
*Gary Holtzman Treasurer
*Peter Biancamano Sergeant at Arms
* Means committee persons depicted in photo.
While Mike Russo was generally gracious, his mother walked by Dawn Zimmer and did not even make eye contact. Many in the Russo faction pulled out when the vote for Dawn Zimmer for honorary chair was called.
What amazes me that right before the count both Mike Russo and Lane Bajardi had very smug looks on their faces like they were going to win. What also amazes me is that the former Finance Chair can't do basic math or really counted on votes that were not there. The smug look quickly was wiped off little Beth Mason's bastion of belligerency (Lane Bajardi depcited left) when the tally came in. On the way out Lane Bajardi told one committee man "Fuck you, Fuck you you piece of shit". I confirmed this with several sources that this is what happened.Moving on the a more positive note here is a Facebook message from Phil Cohen about tonight's victory:
"Congratulations to Chairman Bhalla! Column B came out IN FORCE tonight. 38 for Ravi Bhalla; 27 for Ines Garcia Keim. I look forward to working with Chairman Bhalla as we work together to build the Hoboken Democratic Party." - Phil Cohen
Also, I was able to confirm with Mayor Dawn Zimmer that she never wanted the chair position. So much for those Hudson County power play theories.
In retrospect these predictions by two local sites are actually comical. Do these guys actually verify any thing before writing. Honestly, I admit I was concerned about the potential for defection or people not showing up for Column B but my analysis from my sources was pretty spot on.
Auggie Torres on NJ.com:
http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2010/06/political_insider_sheriff_who.html
"Tonight, the anti's now have about as many party committee people as the administration, which had their people on the HCDeadO line. Look for heavy wrangling with independent committee people and a big donnybrook on Monday evening.
The big shock is that at the end of it all, the head of the Mile Square City Dem-i gods could very well be Councilman Michael Russo.
If this happens, it may mean GOP Gov. Chris Christie's visits may be a thing of the past and there will be more public political mud wrestling."
Hoboken 411:
http://hoboken411.com/archives/41386
"Don’t believe the Zimmer-fan hype that the Mayor’s slim majority is a great victory. The rest of the county Mayors see the Hoboken results as a sign of Zimmer’s weakness, and there are more developments to come. Just two defections from the column B team could mean a tie vote, and that’s assuming everyone shows up."
Hoboken Journal:
I had it 40-32. The vote was 38-27 or 58% to 42%. Not exactly a slim margin. The two other websites can't count. Numerical remdiation is necessary for an intervention.
Note: Tonight The Republicans of Hoboken swept their committee executive committee seats during the re-org meeting at Nine. Nathan Brinkman who lost was asked to leave the meeting and eventually left. More deatils tomorrow. ◦
