Old Guard and Anti-Zimmerists show up for Timothy
Editorialized Coverage: I observed Timothy Occhipinti's HQ Grand opening yesterday down by the corner of Monroe and Observer Highway. In attendance were fervent Mason supporter and Zimmer detractor Lane Bajardi, Ines Garcia Keim, Terry Labruno, Mike Russo, Fred Bado, Perry Belfiore and some others of the old guard in Hoboken politics. It should be duly noted that I got there after the 11pm start of the event around 12:15 PM or so but another observer placed the crowd at about 35-45 people. It should also be noted that other than his core there were very few actual homeowners and tax payers there and not the HHA turnout you might expect. Perhaps those people are kept separate at Timmy's second HQ over by Benny Love's "Go Postal" business. Put another way, his
"Monroe HQ is for show, Benny Love is for dough*!" (*Note: before the launch of his HQ Tim's supporters had rented out space for an HHA meet and greet with Tim from Benny Love who rents to many parties as a business man in Hoboken) More on that later in the week.
Of the people who showed up it was pretty telling that they were mostly the usual old guard anti-Zimmer faction that seeks power and to obstruct the Mayor's agenda. They can do that by regaining the majority and stonewalling progress for 6 months to 2 years (IMHO) depending on the results of the May election. Regardless of where you stand with Mike Lenz on a personal level, it is time to choose a side. If you like what the Mayor is doing in general, Mike Lenz is the man to put your whole-hearted support behind whether you are from the 4th Ward or not.
I predict a steady stream of developer cash coming Tim's way pretty soon. Maybe not as much in the past but enough to make him very competitive and making it all the more necessary for Mike Lenz to get donations from as many reformers and progressives as possible from all over Hoboken. If you want to see things return to the way of Dave Roberts and previous administrations with underfunded budgets, over development, PILOTS that screw regular taxpayers, bloated no show jobs, and the avoidance of other governmental best practices it would then be Timmy Occhipinti as your choice. People in his camp are trying to paint him as an independent. Given his backers that are around him I can't find that a reasonable person in the know could come to that conclusion and remain intellectually honest. In fact the Hudson Reporter has a quote from a Occhipinti's supporter alluding to their unofficial campaign slogan - "Stop Lenz". What I think they really mean is "Stop Zimmer".
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| Lane Bajardi, Fred Bado, Terry Labruno, Mike Russo and Ines Garcia Keim were some of the Zimmer detractors present. |
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| Lane Bajardi and Former Director Fred Bado share an intimate moment. |
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| Tim's HQ window with his print media on display. |
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| Big friggin' surprise here - Old guard endorsement for Tim from former 2nd Ward Councilman Del Boccio |
In fact at the 911 ceremony a few weeks ago I overheard Del Boccio complaining that the Zimmer Administration "can't get anything right" (paraphrased) as he did not realize the ceremony was over by the end of Pier A and not in the tree area by the temporary monument area as it had been in the past under Dave Roberts. In fact there were plenty of chairs and the 911 ceremony was very well planned and conducted. Some people can't handle change, even that of venue. It was telling to me in that remark from Richard and how indicative it is that the current Administration is under siege from a well organized voting minority. They can't even give Dawn or the Administration the benefit of the doubt on something like this and in this case Richard's presumptions turned out to be wrong. Richard Del Boccio's comment was a very minor example of some of the venom coming from the old guard and it is time to finally put an end to it once and for all. Some of the old guard think Hoboken is "my town", I like to think of it as our town. It should not matter how long you have lived here in order for your voice to be recognized.
Again, this is a race for the 4th Ward Council seat but a hell of a lot more is at stake. It is the continued progress of the current Administration.
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| 9/11/2010- Tim Occhipinti with Del Bocchio, Beth "Not your Mayor" Mason , Terry Castellano and Ricky "Real Results" Mason |
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| 9/11/2010- Another shot with Tim Terry Castellano and Richard Del Bocchio |
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Timothy Occhipinti's campaign HQ Grand Openning and Editorial
