Thursday, September 2, 2010

City Council Meeting Recap from 9-1-2010

Paul Swibinski (left) PBA PR mastermind
Last night, Hoboken held its first City Council meeting in September. As expected, the Police Union had their representation out in force including officers from the Port Authority and elsewhere in a show of union solidarity.

Political gun for hire and PR mastermind Paul Swibinski was spotted  before the meeting outside of City Hall Paul is on retainer from the PBA Union to handle their PR blitz in protest of the Mayor's layoff plan.

Union makes their showing with "Stop the Zimmer Layoffs" t-shirts
The normal meeting schedule was suspended with the budget being presented first by the Mayor's opening remarks and then by Nick Tresente and then the floor opened up for public comments. The police had over 100 people out in force and many of them got up to speak during the public portion including Chief Falco and Captain Anthony "Stick" Romano.

After the long public portion that was filled with much emotion and tales of potential hardship, the budget was voted on for introduction by usual 5-4 margin. Beth Mason had tried to push a resolution denouncing the layoffs but ironically her resolution was tabled using Roberts Rules of Order with a superseding motion postponing it until the next City Council meeting.

The rest of the meeting progressed through its normal agenda but most watching online at that point had headed off for bed.

Part 1 of last night's meeting:


Part 2 of last night's meeting:


To see the rest of the archived videos of the meeting go to:
http://www.ustream.tv/user/cityofhoboken/videos%20

Hoboken Patch has an good recap of the meeting. Click the link below:
http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/mayor-council-and-chief-respond-to-police-officers-plea-to-avoid-lay-offs ◦
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Posted by Hoboken Resistance at 8:45 AM

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EasyE's avatar

EasyE · 761 weeks ago

I can't help but feel sorry for the guys getting laid off. It sucks for anyone to lose their job.

I remember when I was young and had the realization that, unlike my Dad, I wouldn't be retiring after 30 years working for the same company and it took me a long time to adjust.

That's the way most Americans live these days, and I think it's why there's such a disconnect between what these guys expect and what regular citizens expect. We're just getting used to being disposable I guess. How sad.
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p1ywood 98p · 761 weeks ago

That's poetry.

PS: I'm a sucker for tradition but I like "EasyE" better.
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EasyE's avatar

EasyE · 761 weeks ago

OK what was that kook at around 2:13.00 yammering on about? Was she addressing the council or the crowd? What was she trying to say? Public speaking isn't for everyone, someone please stop her from ever doing that ever again, my head hurts.
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Lookforward's avatar

Lookforward · 761 weeks ago

We have heard the comments and after demonstration, should come negotiation. "Let us never negotiate out of fear but let us never fear to negotiate." - John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961
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EasyE's avatar

EasyE · 760 weeks ago

“if the administration does not rescind these layoffs/demotions, the hpd will unleash a fury on this town, never b4 seen.”

Well, this will be interesting.

By the way, thanks Plywood. Funny, I can't log in anymore, I guess someone decided that his fair and balanced approach wasn't in his best interest when there's a dissenting voice on his blog. *shrug* Meh.
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p1ywood 98p · 760 weeks ago

That's silly. You are one of the rare persons who is never really nasty on that site either.
It's unfortunate - it seems to me he has less and less tolerance for other viewpoints and is really playing more and more to anyone who says exactly what he wants to hear, and it's inconsequential how confrontationally they or he posts. I don't understand all the anger. It's too bad.
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p1ywood 98p · 760 weeks ago

[youtube rY0WxgSXdEE&ob=av3e http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE&ob=av3e youtube]
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EricK's avatar

EricK · 760 weeks ago

Consider the odd (and selfish) reluctance of John Castellano to retire. With 31 years on the force, he could retire with a $56K pension plus health benefits for life. But never mind that. He and wife Terry Castellano own a million-dollar-plus home on Hudson Street (purchased from family ten years ago for $170K), two income properties on Washington Street (207 and 209-11), and a half-million-dollar shore home in Belmar. The rent roll on their apartments is over $300K a year, with rents from four storefronts (including Terry’s discount shop) very conservatively estimated at another $200K annually. That’s a gross income in excess of a half-million a year.

Remarkable that he chooses to stay on to squeeze a few more dollars out of the Hoboken taxpayers. That’s two younger guys that could stay on. Two officers that might actually provide value to the city’s residents.

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