Auggie Torres of The Jersey Journal Calls for Peter Cammarano's Resignation

Auggie Torres of The Jersey Journal Calls for Peter Cammarano's Resignation

When the campaigning for the May Hoboken mayoral race was coming to a close and after an editorial board session with The Jersey Journal, this newspaper endorsed Peter Cammarano after much internal debate. Cammarano won the subsequent June runoff by 161 votes.

The Jersey Journal now calls upon the mayor to resign the office.

His once promising political career has quickly turned to powder. There is no one to blame except the mayor.

To read the rest here is the full story

http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2009/07/editorial_hoboken_mayor_must_r.html

My Comment:

The Jersey Journal has a pretty consistent track record of endorsing machine politicians as they endorsed Dave Roberts in his second term in 2005. Maybe if those on the staff of the Jersey Journal had attended a few City Council meetings to see Peter Cammarano's arrogant and condescending manner come out again and again they might have seen his candidacy in a different light.

I respect the many years Augustin Torres has put into covering local politics and he is a far better writer than I. I disagreed with his endorsement when it first came out but I am glad to see that the Jersey Journal is making the right call now. It is time for Hoboken to turn to "home rule" (Cammarano phrase) and have the citizens of this City who actually live here shape the political opinion rather than outsiders that have no skin in the game. I hope that doesn't sound too harsh but I feel that is why blogs have sprung up all over to cover local events and not just have the citizens rely on institutional reporting. ◦

Auggie Torres of The Jersey Journal Calls for Peter Cammarano's Resignation

Hoboken Revolt to Hold Press Conference and Protest Tonight at City Hall

Hoboken Revolt to Hold Press Conference and protest Monday July 27th, at City Hall- Tonight!



Here is the notice on their website as well as the email I recieved...

IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT INDICTMENT OF MAYOR PETER CAMMARANO:

HOBOKEN REVOLT WILL BE CONDUCTING A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY, JULY 27TH AT 5:00 P.M. ON THE STEPS OF CITY HALL FOLLOWED BY A COMMUNITY RALLY AT 6:00 P.M..

CITIZENS ARE ASKED TO BRING THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN AND OUTRAGE OVER THE ALLEGED ACTIONS OF OUR MAYOR.THE EYES OF THE NATION ARE UPON US...LET'S SHOW THEM HOW WE FEEL.




Here is the protest video that I took from Saturday's rally outside his home. It has about 2,000 hits thanks NJ.com's Carly for providing the link on her site:

◦

Hoboken Revolt to Hold Press Conference and Protest Tonight at City Hall

Get your T-Shirts here - Rally Tonight

Here is a note from a protestor that is selling t-shirts with the slogan "Powder to the People" :

Some constituents who'd rather not be ground into powder have created this tee to wear in solidarity. A very limited run of the shirt will be sold tonight ($10) at the protest and orders can be made at Hobokenpowder@yahoo.com. Hoboken powder unite!

◦

Get your T-Shirts here - Rally Tonight

Mike Novak resigns from Peter Cammarano's Transition Team

See NJ.com's Hoboken now for Mike Novak's statement of resignation as well as calling for Peter Cammarano's resignation as well.

http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2009/07/supporter_and_close_friend_mik.html#comments

Also, Eric E. Tomaszewski of the Transition team is calling for his resignation in the comments section. ◦

Mike Novak resigns from Peter Cammarano's Transition Team

Jason Maurer Resigns from Peter Cammarano's Transition Team

Jason Maurer Resigns from Peter Cammarano's Transition Team

Here is a very brief statement from Jason Mauer released to the local media:

Members of the media, at 12 noon, I resigned from Peter Cammarano's transition team. Much of the leadership of the transition committee has done the same.

Regards,
Jason Maurer
Peter Cammarano Campaign Volunteer and Trasition Team Member ◦

Jason Maurer Resigns from Peter Cammarano's Transition Team

Timothy Occhipinti - Resigns from Peter Cammarano's Steering Committee

Timothy Occhipinti - Resigns from Peter Cammarano's Steering Committee

Below is his statement for the local media:

The events that unfolded last Thursday were both stunning and unsettling to the thousands of supporters that voted for Peter Cammarano during the mayoral election. As an independent council candidate who endorsed Cammarano, it is especially difficult. As I stated during my campaign, I believe our elected officials should stand for honesty, integrity, and character and it is time we hold them accountable for their actions.

Effective immediately I am resigning my position as a subcommittee chairman on the Mayor’s Transition Team. I can not in good faith support Mayor Cammarano’s decision to remain in office. The public trust entrusted to him as our mayor has been shattered.

I can not foresee how Mayor Cammarano can effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities required to fulfill the office of mayor at this time. I respectfully ask for the benefit of the residents of Hoboken that Mayor Cammarano resign. We need to move this city forward and work together to resolve the issues at hand.

-Timothy Occhipinti
Hoboken Independent City Council at Large Candidate 2009 ◦

Timothy Occhipinti - Resigns from Peter Cammarano's Steering Committee

Channel 2 News Truck Already Setting up by City Hall

The Channel 2 News truck is already setting up outside City Hall
today. Either there is a press conference in the afternoon or they are
just getting ready for the press conference and rally scheduled for 5
pm today. ◦

Channel 2 News Truck Already Setting up by City Hall

God 1 - Elks Club 0

There was some crazy weather tonight with some pretty severe weather out there. I was walking home at about 6PM and all hell broke loose. The thunder was so loud I thought my windows were going to break. One clasp of thunder lasted almost 15 seconds which was so loud I had to cover my ears. Pretty harsh considering I am almost as deaf as Beethoven. :) There was also hail that I thought could crack my windows and then poof it was over. That was no doubt a severe thunderstorm.

Editor's note: see http://www.hoboken411.com/ for extensive coverage of the flooding in town.

I walked up to the Elysian to have dinner and outside the Elks Club the fire department was there. I was told by lightning struck the left corner of the Elks Club Roof. Below are photos of the aftermath. The fire department brought their ladder truck to inspect the roof for safety issues to ensure that there was no more loose debris.

Here are some photos of the aftermath:

Not an Asteroid fragment, but a piece of stone from the Elks left roof cornice

The HFD uses its ladder truck to inspect the roof for any loose materials as a matter of public safety

Elks bartender Jamie pointing out the location of the lightening strike. He seems happy doesn't he?

Fortunately, no one was hurt as a result of the lightening strike. The next question is will this be covered by the insurance or considered an act of god?

◦

God 1 - Elks Club 0

Soares says: Remove Michael Schaffer from North Hudson Sewage Authority (NHSA)

Soares says: Remove Michael Schaffer from North Hudson Sewage Authority. (NHSA)

Here is a press release from Tony Soares, former Hoboken Councilman:

Since 2001 Michael Schaffer has been a compensated commissioner (free health care) on The North Hudson Sewage Authority.

Mr. Schaffer votes on approvals for developments that come on line. He votes to allow or reject projects based on capacity of the system and Hoboken's ability to sustain each development.

In his role he decides whether of not a project is actually built. The commission's approvals are stronger than zoning. If they deny, the project is a no-go unless the developer/applicants can address their engineering concerns.

It was Mr Schaffer who on his 1st night as a Commissioner in 2001 abstained from voting on the large scale Sky Club. A project that was originally opposed by many-including the City Council.

Schaffer abstained because he said he was not familiar with the plan. The Plan was a regular front page debate in the local press for years.

At the time the project was being transferred from a developer with a 40 count indictment (Rene Abreau )to a local builder (Manhattan Building Co.) They in turn sold out to Toll Bros.

Because this project was granted nearly 20 variances, the NHSA's engineers recommended the plan be denied because flooding in the 4th ward was so bad.

Instead the Commissioners voted the project through.

While many wonderful families live there, they too experience a neighborhood that has an exacerbated flooding problem, not because of their homes, rather Michael Schaffer and the NHSA never compelled developers to address engineering warnings by their very own engineers!

Today, Mike Schaffer stands as a defendant. Now I can guess why he may have abstained on that 2001 vote, as well as doing so very little for the residents of Hoboken's Westside. ◦

Soares says: Remove Michael Schaffer from North Hudson Sewage Authority (NHSA)

More Coverage of the Cammarano Protest Yesterday

I was hoping someone captured the argument between Margaret O'Brien and the anti-Cammarano protesters yesterday and here it is. You have to give Margaret for standing firm outnumbered by so many in defending the same old politics as usual. Some (most taxpayers) may disagree with her but the woman has guts.

This is from CarenL27 of the Hudson Reporter:

◦

More Coverage of the Cammarano Protest Yesterday