The Hoboken Journal

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Revolt Lower Hoboken Taxes Protest Recap

The taxpayer advocate groups of Hoboken Revolt and Lower Hoboken Taxes had a rally outside of City Hall last night at 6:30 PM to protest the recent tax levy increase of 47% on the municipal portion. Some of the key speakers were Richard Pasquarelli , Bob Duval and Brian Wagoner. I am leaving a few names out since I yet don't know all the key speakers of both groups.

There were about 300 in attendance and maybe a little less than the last protest possibly due to the cold weather. Here are some photos that capture the spirit of the rally as well as video of some of the key speakers:

The crowd starts forming before the first speakers

A photo taken earlier of the Dave Roberts Mayoral Effigy

Even the Cluck-U Chicken had something to say about the tax situation

Video highlights:

Richard Pasquarelli adresses the rally with his opening speach

Bob Duval gives his reason for being angry with the current situation

Brian Wagoner speakes of how the tax situation is hurting all taxpayers

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HUMC Emergency Meeting 3/4 Recap

Update 3/5/2009 from a good source:
Yesterday’s hospital authority was fairly brief, as the only action taken was to introduce the budget so that it could be sent to the Local Finance Board for review. The $9.7M refi of the original $52M bond issue was a 6 month or one year note that is coming due soon and will be refinanced with a ten-year bond issuance.

The budget application to the LFB was due on November 1, 2008 (60 days before the start of the new fiscal year) but has been delayed because of “fiscal uncertainties” as the CFO put it.

New COO Spiros (?) was not introduced at the meeting. I asked Holzberg about him after the meeting. Spiros will be hired as COO for a few months while Holzberg remains CEO. After a transition period, Spiros will be named CEO and Holzberg will stay on as a consultant.

Authority Chairman James Caulfield confirmed that he is leaving but will remain until construction of the new ER has been completed.

The meeting lasted all of fifteen minutes.

Original Story:
Here is a an update from a very trusted source of mine:

I’ve just been told that there will be an emergency budget meeting of the Hospital Authority tomorrow at 4pm. The new CEO, Holzberg’s replacement, will be there.

My Comment: Why 4PM? Isn't there any thought of accommodation for those who have to work? Hoboken being the bedroom community that it is has the majority of those still employed working outside the City. It just makes it very hard for those who want to be informed to make it to meetings when the time is too early and the date coincides with a City Council meeting. ◦

Photo of the Day - Castle Point

Here is a street photo of Castle Point:

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Lame Duck Limerick

Mayor Roberts Effigy Doll - Get yours on EBay soon! (Just kidding)

Here is a little limerick I just composed about the Dave Roberts Mayoral Legacy:

There once was a Mayor named Dave,
Who squandered away money on Sybil’s Cave,
He spent away and failed to account.
The budget deficit increased in amount,
And his Mayoral legacy is now quite Grave.

Let me know your thoughts. Am I being to harsh or does this hit the mark?

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Reminder- Hoboken Revolt Rally at City Hall Tonight 6:30PM

Here is the final message to members of Hoboken Revolt for tonight's rally at City Hall at 6:30PM:

A message to all members of Hoboken Revolt....

TOGETHER WE WILL FORCE CHANGE

The City Council has done nothing. We demand efficiency, fairness, and fiscal sanity or we will recall!

We need you to come out tonight at 6:30 - 7:00 pm in front of City Hall so our voices are heard!

Details: (please pass along to friends and neighbors!)

Hoboken Revolt is joining forces with another local citizens action group, Lower Hoboken Taxes.com, to stage a rally in front of City Hall next Wednesday, March 4, 2009, starting at 6:30 PM. Dissatisfied with the lack of action taken by the mayor and city council to reduce the city’s property tax burden, the two groups hope to force change through the public gathering. Called the Force Change Rally, hundreds are expected to gather in front of City Hall to express their anger at the 47% property tax hike recently slapped on citizens and just as important, the council’s inaction in reigning in spending.

The two grassroots organizations, with over 1600 members since forming just three months ago, will be presenting a list of demands at the rally, imploring the council to take steps to drive a significant reduction in property taxes without compromising the safety and soundness of the city. Both citizen groups are looking into the recall process to oust elected officials who do not meet demands to reign in spending.

The rally also includes speakers representing a broad spectrum of citizens from across the city, both long-time residents and newcomers, who will share their thoughts on the burden brought on by the exorbitant tax increase, the lack of action to aid citizens and the general mismanagement of city dollars. Residents have seen the municipal portion of their tax levy go from $34M in fiscal year 2008 to $62M in 2009. Further outrage is directed at the improper granting of early retirement incentives to city employees that recently resulted in an additional $4.2M expense for the city.

Visit Hoboken Revolt at:

http://www.hobokenrevolt.com/ ◦

City Council Meeting Tonight Wednesday March 4th

Tonight, March 4th at 7PM following a protest rally by the two Organizations Revolt and Lower Hoboken Taxes at 6:30PM, there will be the biweekly City Council Meeting. The hot topic will be for the extension of the Church Towers PILOT which is resolution number 11.

City Council Agenda:

Hoboken City Council Agenda 3 4 09

View more documents from Kurt Gardiner. (tags: agenda council)

http://www.hobokennj.org/pdf/amr/cc/agenda/ccm-3-4-09.pdf

City Council Resolutions:

Hoboken City Council Resolutions 3 4 2009

View more documents from Kurt Gardiner. (tags: council city)

http://www.hobokennj.org/pdf/amr/cc/resolutions/respac-3-4-2009.pdf ◦

Peter Cammarano Meet and Greet at Elysian Cafe March 3, 6-8PM

Update 3/4/2009:

Peter Cammarano held his meet and greet event at the Elysian Cafe between 6-8 PM last night with his newly announced slate of Candidates Mike Novak, Frances Rhoades-Kearns and Angel Alicea. The event was well attended and according to his campaign manager they gathered over 175 signatures for Petitions and estimated the crowd to be around 200 people total since some came and went during the evening.

I got there at 8PM to a full restaurant when the event was originally scheduled to be wrapping up. Many stayed well past 10PM. Besides the candidates and Peter other notables that I spotted included Fred Bado, Maurice Fitzgibbons, Perry Belfiore, and Joshua Henne who is on his campaign.

Comment: I do not hide the fact that I have disagreed with many aspects of Peter Cammarano's voting record. I can tell you objectively that the event was very well attended and that is in no way an endorsement of one candidate over another.

I received this email from Mike Novak on Friday and Peter Cammarano and his slate are having a meet and greet tomorrow night at the Elysian Cafe Tuesday March 3rd from 6PM-8PM. Here is the text from the promotional email:

CAMMARANO '09
Lower Taxes - Real Change!

Meet the

CAMMARANO TEAM!

This Tuesday - March 3rd

Please join Councilman Peter Cammarano, me, and the rest of the Cammarano Council Team at our Campaign Kick-off on Tuesday, March 3rd from 6pm to 8pm at:

Cafe Elysian
1001 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ

(Refreshments served. $25 per person)

Mike Novak

http://www.cammarano09.com/

Lower Taxes - Real Change!

Peter Cammarano
Peter@Cammarano09.com

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17th Street Band at Shades - Saturday March 7th

I received this email from local musician Julio Fernandez of critically acclaimed Spyro Gyra getting the word out to let people know of a more mature musical option on Hoboken St. Patrick's Day.

Here is the note from Julio:
Hey friends......I am forwarding this for Tony Colasurdo who sings with Cat Lingo and has been a friend of mine for over 30 years. His band is playing at Shades on March 7th at 8:30 pm and it should be a lot of fun. Some good old rock and roll ... please show some support.

And the note from the band:
We're local on March 7, playing at Shades of Hoboken at 7th and Monroe Streets in Hoboken -- a great place with plenty of free parking in the back. The show runs from 8:30 to 11:30 ( an early evening for us old folks) and we'd love to see you there. Flyer with more details is attached. The club has two entrances, one on Monroe and one in the back off the parking lot. Hope to see you there!

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Introducing Ravi Bhalla for City Council Video

Here is the first in a series of videos from City Council at large candidate Ravi Bhalla. Technology is one way you can reach more voters in addition to walking the streets:

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Photo of the Day - 42nd Street Towers in NYC from Hoboken Waterfront

Here is a photo of the 42nd Towers in NYC from the Hoboken Waterfront:

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