Six Days from Cammarano

GA would like a dollar for every time political mudslinger Lane Bajardi has called me "Zimmer- appointed"- he did it again on Patch.  

Which got me thinking.  And thinking...

You all remember WHO became Mayor on July 1, 2009?

Cammarano loyalist Lane Bajardi, gushes like a schoolgirl at the new mayor's side.

What else happened on July 1, 2009?

The new City Council held it's reorganization meeting, which included the introduction of an ordinance to remove Mayor Cammarano's authority to appoint zoning board members.    It passed 5-4.  Voting against: Russo, Mason, Giacchi, Castellano.

On the City Council Meeting Agenda of July 22, 2009 was  the 2nd reading and FINAL vote of the ordinance to transfer zoning appointment power FROM the mayor BACK to the City Council.

Many impassioned members of the public came to speak in favor of the ordinance. Very few spoke against.   Of those pleading for Mayor Cammarano to keep his zoning appointment power, the most forceful, impassioned argument was made by Lane Bajardi. 

Bajardi admonished the City Council for trying to take Camarrano's authority over the zoning board away,  calling the move "legislation designed to poke the new mayor in the eye, and that's a shame". 

Making a forceful defense for Mayor Cammarano to retain control of ZBA appointments

Here's what he told the City Council:

After the last 3 years of acrimony, what Hoboken needs now is an attempt to cooperate and move this city forward. Instead what we're getting in this legislation is argument for argument's sake. A first salvo fired by a vanquished opponent and her new allies on the council. Couldn't this Council majority, couldn't this council majority have given this city even an hour's hope that our elected officials would tried and move forward together to build on common ground. No, instead we have this needless attempt to remove power from the Mayor's office. I didn't think it was possible to legislate sour grapes but this ordinance shows it is. It's been drafted based on assumptions and innuendo, I see your internet clowns are here Councilwoman Zimmer, Its been drafted based on assumptions and innuendo that have no basis in fact.

If (redacted)is an example of the type of person Mayor Cammarano would appoint to the Zoning Board then I see no reason to remove the authority from the mayor. No reason that is beyond sour grapes.

Impressive, huh? 

Such an impassioned defense of a Mayor who had promised zoning board 'favors' to F.B.I. informant Solomon Dwek ONLY 6 DAYS EARLIER on July 16, 2009.

From The United States of America Vs. Peter Cammarano  III  vs. Michael Schaffer (pages 9, 10):

 On or about July 16, 2009, the Consultant and JC Official 1 met the CW ("cooperating witness", Solomon Dwek)  at a diner in Hoboken, where they were joined by defendants Cammarano and Schaffer. During the ensuing meeting, the CW informed defendant Cammarano that “[t]here’s two properties. There’s a property on Grand Street that my guys are looking at. I, I haven’t seen it yet.” In response to defendant Cammarano’s question about the property’s exact location, the CW indicated that the CW did not know the cross street, but stated that “I think it’s, it’s a parcel of land or something that’s available.” The CW added “[a]nd then on, uh, Hudson, uh, Street, there’s an apartment building that’s all rentals now . . . and the whole building might be coming on the market.” The CW told defendant Cammarano, with respect to that building, that “maybe there’s an opportunity to go higher, add some density, go wider.  I don’t know, you know, there will be different things so–- between the two projects.” The CW then remarked that “I’ll, uh, let you know as, uh, we get, uh, closer. So, I know I got your support so,” prompting defendant Cammarano to reply “[y]es, wholeheartedly.” The CW quipped “[a]t least I bet on the right horse this time,” to which defendant Cammarano replied “[y]eah, you did.” Subsequently, the CW stated “so, uh, Peter, and I know 10 [the Consultant] and [JC Official 1] said that, you know, you needed some, uh, help or something.” Defendant Cammarano responded “I need all the help I can get.” The CW remarked “[m]e too, at some point will need you.” Defendant Cammarano was then informed by the CW that “I’ll give the, uh, uh, Mike [Schaffer] the, the ten thousand, uh, you know, green,” and defendant Cammarano stated “[y]eah.” The CW then reminded defendant Cammarano “[j]ust make sure my name, like the other times,” prompting defendant Cammarano to state “[y]eah, I’m planning, and we’ll, uh, yeah.” The CW again remarked “[j]ust don’t put my name on nothin’. I don’t need any, uh, issues.” Defendant Cammarano then asked the CW about the location of his proposed project on Grand Street, and the CW promised “I’ll get you all the info next week.” A short while later, the CW, in the presence of defendants Cammarano and Schaffer, asked the Consultant “[w]hat was that? They wanted twenty [thousand], ten . . .?” The Consultant replied “[t]wenty altogether.” The CW then stated “so what I’ll do is I’ll give ‘em the ten, ten now. And then we’ll meet again, you know, and next week or something, I’ll do the other ten. This way, you know, we’ll be in good graces.”

18. The group then left the diner and walked into the diner’s parking lot, and the CW and defendant Schaffer walked to the CW’s car. The CW opened the trunk and handed defendant Schaffer an envelope, stating “[h]ere, this is the ten thousand, uh, cash,” prompting defendant Schaffer to reply “[o]kay.” The CW reminded defendant Schaffer “[d]on’t put my name like . . .,” prompting defendant Schaffer to laugh and state “I know, I . . . I know the drill.” The CW noted “then we’ll, we’ll see you, you know, we’ll do end of next week or something,” referring to the next $10,000 payment. Defendant Schaffer agreed and then told the CW to “let us know the address.” Defendant Schaffer then walked to his vehicle and placed the envelope containing the $10,000 in cash in the trunk of his vehicle. The CW then walked over to where defendant Cammarano was talking with the Consultant and JC Official 1. Defendant Cammarano thanked the CW who stated “I’ll be in touch with you next week.” The CW then added “I’ll take care of the other, uh, the other ten,” prompting defendant Cammarano to respond “[y]eah . . . just give me a holler.” The CW promised to provide defendant Cammarano with “those two addresses,” and said “[j]ust, you know, make sure I have your support . . . expediting my stuff.” Defendant Cammarano replied “[y]eah, yeah,” and added “I’m with you.”

Do you get it?

• July  16, 2009- Cammy  promises a zoning variance to Solomon Dwek at the Malibu in exchange for cash.

• July 22, 2009 - Lane Bajardi urges the City Council to let Cammy retain control of the ZBA

Political operative Lane Bajardi appears FOR for Peter Cammarano at the City Council  to keep control over the Zoning Board LESS THAN ONE WEEK after Cammy 'deals' a Grand Street variance at the Malibu Diner in exchange for CASH.

Does anyone think this appearance wasn't coordinated with Camarrano?

What did Cammy's City Council defender know about the Dwek variance deal only 6 days earlier?

Did the FBI ask Cammy's Zoning Board advocate what he knew and when with respect to the exchange of money for 'influence'?   GA knows the Feds read our blogs.  Another question: when are we going to Mamoun's for a falafel?  Mel is going to join us.

GA wonders if the F.B.I. has explored this avenue of interrogation when they questioned the not-paid-for-friendship operative.

GA had no idea the timeline was this close.  It smells to high hell.

Guess what happened just ONE DAY AFTER Bajardi begged the City Council to let Cammarano control zoning appointments?
 
Cammy was arrested.   On July 23, 2009.