Hoboken Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman Responds to Hoboken 411's Lies

In response to the utter piece of non-factual garbage that was posted on Hoboken411 today, Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman has the following response and felt compelled to set the record straight after being the target of yet another Beth Mason hit piece.

Another factually challenged hit piece from the bowels of Lane Bajardi and Hoboken 411 was published today. Big Surpise. Lane is filled with hate for Ann since she no longer supports his "Dear Leader" Beth Mason.

Hoboken Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman Responds to Hoboken 411's Lies

The 411 piece this morning would actually be funny if it were not so blatantly false. Only those who are in the wrong would say that politics played any role in my actions, unless, of course, it’s your opinion that politician should get a pass. I, on the other hand, feel they should be held to the same standard as anyone else who violations the zoning ordinance.

Meanwhile, this whole thing is running cover for Mason who had neither a Zoning Compliance Certificate nor a CCO for her office which she opened last weekend, despite the fact that I sent Mason an email earlier in the week reminding her the paperwork needed to be filed, and then follow up by stopping by her office on Friday to remind them to get it done. No application was filed with my office or documentation provided until the following Monday afternoon.

I was advised Monday morning that an attempt to end-run my office was made by former Corporation Counsel Steve Kleinman (who should know better), on the Thursday after I emailed Mason. He called the Construction Office, demanding they come do an inspection even though no Zoning Certificate had been issued. It is my understanding that the Construction Office did accommodate them and the inspection was done. However, no CCO was issued until the Construction Office was in position of the Zoning Compliance Certificate on Monday.

In the “no good deed goes unpunished” column; I emailed Mason to give her an opportunity to file her paperwork, and avoid being in violation. Her response - she sends her attack attorney’s to “deal” with City Hall. In her paranoia, my professionalism and proactive communication was construed as an attempt at political retribution; for what? Now, her attack dogs are going to come after me on Hoboken411 for doing my job. I find it sad that she and her team really think everyone is out to get them.

FACT CHECK:

• My position is a Civil Service position, not a political appointment. I was hired by Director Forbes, not the Mayor, after a publicly noticed search was conducted and numerous candidates were interviewed. I believe the Mayor may have signed off on my hiring, but I did not meet with nor was I interviewed by the Mayor.
• The Kurta/Pinchevsky office was issued a Zoning Compliance Certificate four (4) days prior to their opening, as such they were operating within the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance which I administer. I am not responsible for administering Construction Code. The document that was later issued by the Construction Office was a Certificate of Continued Occupancy, not a Certificate of Occupancy. No CO is required for the use of an existing commercial location unless significant alterations are made which would require the issuance of construction permits.
• The Kurta/Pinchevsky office was never ordered to close.
• Mr. Occhipinti’s election was on November 2nd. By ordinance the signs should have been removed immediately following the election. By December 6th, a full month later, they still had not been removed, and I sent him a notice to remove them. 
• Occhipinti was issued a ticket by my office only after he had been noticed three (3) times. The first notice was made by both mail and email. The second notice was delivered in person via a one-on-one conversation. Mr. Occhipinti was noticed a third time via email the week prior to the ticket being issued on December 20th. 
• A day or two after the ticket was issued and mailed, a city employee friend of Mr. Occhipinti came by my office to let me know that it would be taken down by the end of the week. Not until the ticket had been issued did they make any effort to take action. 
• It is the judge’s prerogative to issue a change of venue whenever he/she feels there may be the appearance of conflict. Because Mr. Occhipinti is a sitting council person, the judge referred the case to Secaucus. 
• My appearance in Secaucus court, at taxpayer expense, was required as the issuing officer. If Mr. Occhipinti had complied when noticed to do so, neither he nor I would have had to appear.

Ann Holtzman
Resident of Hoboken ◦

Hoboken Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman Responds to Hoboken 411's Lies