MSV and the Hoboken Journal announce: Operation Bounty is back!

MSV and the Hoboken Journal announce: 

Operation Bounty is back!

 Anti-voter fraud program reintroduced by MSV and the Hoboken Journal with $1,000 reward*

Back in the fourth ward special election in 2010, MSV broke new ground in the battle against rampant voter fraud - in this case shedding light on the paper trail left by hundreds of Vote by Mail ballots purportedly paid $40 per vote on behalf of the Timmy Occhipinti for City Council campaign. 

MSV is again rejoining forces with the Hoboken Journal announcing the return of Operation Bounty!

With hundreds of Vote by Mail ballots already confirmed coming out of the corner of the 4th Ward Hoboken Housing Authority, it is again time to shine the light on the daring illicit acts of those who wish to undermine the integrity of the Hoboken election and disenfranchise YOUR VOTE!

"Operation Bounty," is a plan to take Vote-by-Mail fraud (previously known as absentee ballot fraud) head on with at least a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individual disenfranchising the vote and/or illegally paying for Vote by Mail to secure votes for any candidate in the Hoboken Novemer 5th election. 

“Operation Bounty” is non-partisan and is not affiliated with any campaign, political group or organization.*

No matter the campaign responsible for any illicit voter fraud activity, both the Hoboken Journal and Mile Square View commit to reimburse the person responsible for reporting the incident. The reward is payable for the first legitimate tip leading to an arrest and conviction.

We encourage our readers to spread the word throughout the 4th Ward and elsewhere that the citizens of Hoboken demand fair elections and do not subscribe to the notion of “winning at all costs”. This offer pertains not only to using Vote by Mail to buy votes but doing so leading into and on Election Day itself (another purported illicit program). We in no way wish to prevent voters from using VBM's to cast legal votes. When used properly, Vote by Mail can increase voter participation.

*Operation Bounty is paid for by friends of the Hoboken Journal and Mile Square View but will not accept any funds from elected officials or their families. If you wish to make a pledge to support the goal, email kurt.gardiner@gmail.com or smartyjones@me.com. The $1,000 reward will be increased if sufficient pledges become available. Any difference not covered by fundraising will be underwritten equally by the Hoboken Journal and Mile Square View.

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MSV and the Hoboken Journal announce: Operation Bounty is back!

City of Hoboken: Progress Toward a More Resilient Future One Year After Hurricane Sandy

The City of Hoboken courtesy of Mayor Dawn Zimmer recaps plans for resiliency for Hoboken a year after Hurricane Sandy......

ON SANDY ANNIVERSARY, HOBOKEN MARKS PROGRESS TOWARD MORE RESILIENT FUTURE

New legislation would prevent development on waterfront piersPublic awareness event to be held 4:00pm-6:30pm in front of City Hall

Hoboken Cove park and natural landscape for coastal defense and recreation. Concept by OMA team, Rebuild by Design competition (www.rebuildbydesign.org/project/comprehensive-strategy).

One year after Superstorm Sandy flooded nearly 80% of Hoboken and left more than 90% without power, the City is making progress towards implementing a comprehensive Resiliency and Readiness Plan based on a “layers of protection” approach to protect the community from future storms and disasters.

“We’ve made significant progress towards physically and financially protecting Hoboken, but we still have a long way to go,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “Flood pumps and green infrastructure are key parts of our comprehensive plan, but they alone can’t stop a storm surge or protect us from skyrocketing flood insurance costs. Through a combination of grants, low-interest loans, bonding, public-private partnerships, and the redevelopment process, we will make Hoboken a more resilient city.”

The City’s concept for a comprehensive flood-mitigation plan, which includes flood pumps, green infrastructure, and coastline protection from rising seas and storm surges, is being developed and refined by teams in the federally-funded Rebuild by Design regional competition. Winning projects will be implemented with federal disaster recovery funds and private funding. Residents may view the various projects and submit their input on which should proceed to the final round by visiting www.rebuildbydesign.org.

“Hoboken is stronger than ever, not just because of what government is doing, but because of our amazing community,” added Mayor Zimmer. “More than 150 volunteers have stepped up to build our Community Emergency Response Team, and the grassroots MileMesh initiative to build a resilient wireless communications network is inspiring dozens to help build a stronger Hoboken. I encourage every resident and business to be a part of making our City more resilient. Prepare a home emergency kit, join our CERT team, submit a comment to support a Hoboken-related Rebuild by Design project, or visit www.milemesh.com and volunteer to be part of this exciting effort.”

The Administration will also introduce legislation at the next City Council meeting that would ban residential and commercial development on waterfront piers. Legislation that would result in lower flood insurance rates for all property owners, which was previously voted down by the City Council, will also be reintroduced.

“I recently met a Hoboken couple whose flood insurance costs skyrocketed from $750 to $5,000 per year,” added Mayor Zimmer. “My ultimate goal is to demonstrate to the federal government that our city is truly protected, so Hoboken residents and businesses can be free from the unfair National Flood Insurance Program that provides us almost no coverage when we need it most. Until then, we will work to lower everyone’s flood insurance rates by improving our score in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.”

As part of the ongoing 'Hoboken Ready' initiative, the City and members of CERT will hold a public awareness event in front of City Hall from 4:00pm to 6:30pm to educate the community on emergency preparedness and the City’s various initiatives for flood and energy resiliency.

The City’s Resiliency and Readiness plan addresses power outages, flooding due to storm surges and rain events at high tide, and increasing threats from climate change and other disasters. The City's progress on this plan during the past year includes:

Stormwater/Flood Management

• Applied for $11.5 million low interest loan for 2nd flood pump
• Requiring the funding of two additional pumps as developer givebacks
• Supporting and advocating for North Hudson Sewerage Authority’s FEMA grant application for 3 flood pumps
• Acquired 1 acre for new park in Southwest Hoboken, to be expanded through the Rehabilitation process, and in negotiations to acquire 7 additional acres of property for open space in Western Hoboken, and incorporating large scale flood mitigation strategies into park designs
• Awarded $500,000 in planning assistance through the Rockefeller Foundation-funded Re.Invest Initiative to design and identify financing mechanisms to implement large-scale flood mitigation strategies into new parks
• Developed a city-wide stormwater strategic plan with a $90,000 grant from Together North Jersey
• Awarded a Sustainable Jersey grant to design and build a rain garden curb extension demonstration project
• Designed a sustainable block plan for City Hall to serve as a city-wide model for disconnecting downspouts and capturing and delaying stormwater from entering the sewer system
• Finalizing the Green Element of Hoboken’s Master Plan

Energy Resiliency

• Entered into first-of-its-kind partnership with the Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, PSE&G & NJ Board of Public Utilities to design a resilient microgrid. Initial design expected in early 2014. State of New Jersey/Governor’s Office offering assistance for development, which may be financed through a public-private partnership
• Bonded to purchase 7 backup generators for Police, Fire, Ambulance Corps & City Hall
• Awarded $142,080 grant from State for emergency energy systems
• City Administration & Council expressed support for PSE&G Energy Strong program to combine and elevate Hoboken’s three electrical substations

Shoreline/Storm Surge Protection

• Collaborating with design teams from the federally-funded Rebuild by Design competition to design and fund regional resiliency measures, including coastal flood protection
• Redesigning Hoboken Cove park to incorporate storm surge protection along the Hoboken/Weehawken border
• NJ Transit Redevelopment Plan being revised to include storm surge protection along the Hoboken/Jersey City border
• Working with researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology to evaluate concepts for protecting vulnerable coastline areas from storm surges

Personal Preparedness Readiness

• Hosted Hoboken Ready information sessions in community centers, schools and senior buildings
• Mailed Hoboken Ready information flyer to all residents and businesses
• Expanded Community Emergency Response Team to over 100 members, with 60 more in training
• Hoboken Community Emergency Response Team recognized by FEMA and the White House

Other

• Bonded to purchase a surplus military high water vehicle to safely reach flooded areas
• Supporting the grassroots-driven “MileMesh” initiative - a wireless mesh network with backup power for communications resiliency
• Established Resiliency Task Force and the position of floodplain manager in the Zoning Office
• Pursuing National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System to lower property owner’s flood insurance rates city-wide
• Amending Flood Damage Prevention ordinance so buildings are built to more resilient standards
• Awarded $200,000 state grant to 1) Update design standards 2) Prepare hazard mitigation plan 3) Prepare 5 year capital plan 4) Update stormwater management plan and ordinance 5) Prepare open space plan to incorporate green infrastructure in City parks and open space
• Applied to Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Challenge for $1 million resiliency grant
• Working with NJIT Center for Resilient Design studio for the renovation & rehabilitation of the Multi-Service Center site

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City of Hoboken: Progress Toward a More Resilient Future One Year After Hurricane Sandy

Photo of the Day Zimmer Team and Kids First pose for Photo at Church Square Park

Today just before noon the campaign to re-elect Mayor Dawn Zimmer (5J) and her slate of Dave Mello (11K), Ravi Bhalla (12K) and James Doyle (13K) and the Kids First Board of Education team of Leon Gold (3I), Irene Sobolov (5I), and Jennifer Evans (8K) and their core supporters gathered at recently renovated Church Square Park. 

In addition to the team photo there was one other voting block that Dawn Zimmer was able to win over, that of Zombies. Zombies for Zimmer may not be the largest voting block but this young supporter shows voters how Mayor Zimmer reaches out to all kinds of people in Hoboken, both living and the dead. As a former Mason political operative and Hoboken 411 ghost writer (paid or unpaid through friendship) once said "Zimmer Supporters are Zombies!". Well, at least one thing he said turned out to be true.

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Photo of the Day Zimmer Team and Kids First pose for Photo at Church Square Park