As stated before, Hoboken did get the $3 million for the SW Park but in my opinion the meeting was marred over petty bickering over two small contributions to two upcoming ethnic parades in Hudson County. The two resolutions in question were:
35) Resolution authorizing contribution to Jersey City Puerto Rican Heritage Festival and Parade, Inc. - $1,700.00
36) Resolution authorizing contribution to the Dominican American Parade of Hudson County, Inc. - $2,300.00
When this item came up it started a tiff between Tilo Rivas who is of Dominican heritage and Jose Munoz who is of Puerto Rican Heritage. Each one essentially criticized each other's political motivations behind how to fund these events. It got a bit ugly and the discussion was drawn out over a good half hour. See the video clip below below which does not even contain the most heated sections of the commentary. Bill O'Dea did try to smooth things over with a compromise. Anthony Romano actually looked good in this exchange by staying out of what appeared to be a Latino political turf war gone personal. That is because perhaps the bar is set pretty low to begin with. In the immortal words of Rodney King: "Can't we all just get along".
Here are some of the highlights of the lively banter which might remind some of a Hoboken City Council Meeting:
My Comment: Just take a look at some of the major money related ordinances that came up at this meeting either for first reading or final vote. Don't you think the Board would be better off spending time directing the appropriateness of the costs of these measures rather than starting some petty ethnic parade turf war? I sure do! My advice to the quite capable Chairman Bill O'Dea is use that gavel sir, and direct this petty bickering to subcommittee after 10 minutes of getting nowhere. It reflects poorly on the board of the whole and has me convinced that at least a few of the sitting Freeholders need to get their priorities in line.
1) $18,000,000!: An Ordinance of the County of Hudson, State of New Jersey authorizing the guaranty of the payment of the principal of and interest on not exceeding $18,000,000 aggregate principal amount of County-Guaranteed Special Acquisition Bonds issued by the Hudson County Improvement Authority for the purpose of providing additional security therefor, consenting to such financing and determining certain other matters in connection therewith.
2) $15,750,000!: Ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain interests in real property located at 830 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City and the execution of installment purchase contracts in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,750,000 to finance the cost thereof.
3) $12,000,000!: An Ordinance of the County of Hudson, State of New Jersey authorizing the guaranty of the payment of the principal of and interest on not exceeding $12,000,000 aggregate principal amount of County-Guaranteed Special Acquisition Bonds issued by the Hudson County Improvement Authority for the purpose of providing additional security therefor, consenting to such financing and determining certain other matters in connection therewith.
4) $10,500,000: Ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain interests in real property located at 830 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City and the execution of installment purchase contracts in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,500,000 to finance the cost thereof.
Below are some more photos from the meeting:
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| The Freeholder meeting started with Hoboken and Jersey City Heights Representative Anthony Romano not present. He also missed a good chunk of Tuesday's meeting due to a personal issue. |
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| The Hudson County Board of Freeholders with Summer Youth Program donors and contributors. |
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| Anthony Romano unlike his political pal Carmelo Garcia (infamous for skipping BOE meetings) at least shows up for meetings but was not on time for the Thursday meeting. On Tuesday he missed a key part of the meeting pertaining to Hoboken. Oops I already said that above. Kind of like Ground Hog Day over at MSV with respect to the FBI. |
