City Council Meeting Recap from 9-1-2010

Paul Swibinski (left) PBA PR mastermind

Last night, Hoboken held its first City Council meeting in September. As expected, the Police Union had their representation out in force including officers from the Port Authority and elsewhere in a show of union solidarity.

Political gun for hire and PR mastermind Paul Swibinski was spotted  before the meeting outside of City Hall Paul is on retainer from the PBA Union to handle their PR blitz in protest of the Mayor's layoff plan.

Union makes their showing with "Stop the Zimmer Layoffs" t-shirts

The normal meeting schedule was suspended with the budget being presented first by the Mayor's opening remarks and then by Nick Tresente and then the floor opened up for public comments. The police had over 100 people out in force and many of them got up to speak during the public portion including Chief Falco and Captain Anthony "Stick" Romano.

After the long public portion that was filled with much emotion and tales of potential hardship, the budget was voted on for introduction by usual 5-4 margin. Beth Mason had tried to push a resolution denouncing the layoffs but ironically her resolution was tabled using Roberts Rules of Order with a superseding motion postponing it until the next City Council meeting.

The rest of the meeting progressed through its normal agenda but most watching online at that point had headed off for bed.

Part 1 of last night's meeting:


Part 2 of last night's meeting:


To see the rest of the archived videos of the meeting go to:
http://www.ustream.tv/user/cityofhoboken/videos%20

Hoboken Patch has an good recap of the meeting. Click the link below:
http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/mayor-council-and-chief-respond-to-police-officers-plea-to-avoid-lay-offs ◦

City Council Meeting Recap from 9-1-2010