The news that State Senator Brian Stack has picked HHA Executive Director Carmelo Garcia for the Hoboken Assembly slot may be fresh, but GA's already heard there may be one man to thank for it.
Ruben Ramos, close personal friend of Carmelo Garcia.
Ramos' influence on Stack's Hoboken and Jersey City selections will come into focus as the dust settles.
But GA can tell you this (in my opinion) this was a huge F-U to Zimmer and Bhalla. Here is what one reader sent:
So basically the boy's club again stuck up a middle finger to Dawn, excluded her the elected leader of Hoboken from the process. He's an empty suit that will add no value. Instead of a friend in the Assembly who could work with the Governor, we have an enemy.Some have even suggested that Garcia's Assembly Seat may advantage him to sweep the Vision 20/20 Plan through- though I don't agree. The fate of that project lies in the hands of the HHA Commissioners.
But I believe Garcia will have to step down from his seat on the Board of Education- the way Anthony Romano did in 2009 when he was elected Freeholder.
And whether or not he can and will keep his Executive Director position at the HHA is unclear. The last meeting ended with a decision to renegotiate the terms of his contract. Becoming a State Assemblyman would render his HHA directorship to a part-time position; he'd be dividing his time between Trenton and Hoboken.
Can an HHA Executive Director be a part-time position?
One more thing: GA heard that somebody's pissed about about Ruben's role in the Carmelo pick. As a result, that somebody just may run for mayor.
Guess who?
Agreed. If her were to win this election, he would have to give up hi BOE seat.
ReplyDeleteNJ eliminated dual office holdings a few years ago. Those at the time were grandfathered in. There are still 4 dual holders including Sacco and Stack. Sacco is actually a triple dipper. Another is our "friend" Paul Sarlo who wants to give NJ Transit control of the railyards project, The 4th is Gary Schaer D-Passaic. All are Democrats. Ruben Ramos was also on the list until he declined to run for another Council seat.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politickernj.com/60699/dual-office-holders-four-remain
ReplyDeleteEven though, they were grandfathered in. I think that would only count for offices that were already held. Future elections should not be exempt from this rule.
ReplyDeleteEver heard of the Hatch Act. People paid with federal funds cannot hold partisan political offices. He would have to resign from the housing authority.
ReplyDeleteIs an Assembly person a paid position? If so what is the salary?
ReplyDeleteGood q.
DeletePer Wikipedia, here's the base salary info, plus they receive health insurance and undefined other benefits, a staff salary and operating expenses. I would assume pension benefits for serving 'x' number of years, whatever the 'x' is. Not a bad gig.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_General_Assembly
Members of the NJ General Assembly receive an annual base salary of $49,000 with the Senate President and the Assembly Speaker earning slightly more.[1] Members receive $110,000 for staff salaries. In addition, they receive 12,500 postage stamps, stationery and a telephone card. They receive New Jersey State health insurance and other benefits. The total cost to the State of New Jersey for each member of the general assembly is approximately $200,000 annually.
Looks like Jake and Zim Girl better start playing nice with him or it will bit them on the backside. Word on the street is he has the man power and votes in large numbers.
ReplyDeleteYou a make a point- it looks like Ruben's helping Carmelo also puts a lock on those "votes in large numbers".
DeleteWhich would dim the lights for Timmy. Unless he believes he can poach enough voters from the 'Zim Girl'.
Timmy better start working with him. "Zim girl" lost many votes during Sandy. I will not vote for her, at least the Born and Raised guys keep our street without snow,potholes,and flood water for weeks.
ReplyDeleteIf you think Zimmer lost votes due to Sandy, you might need a new hobby.
DeleteStack really knows how to pick them. He picks someone who is working against the Mayor in Hoboken and a JC pick, Raj Mukherji, with a serious rap sheet.
ReplyDeleteStack's pick plead guilty in federal court to identity fraud, you can find that here: http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2012/03/jersey_citys_newest_deputy_may.html
He also was indicted for stalking. You can find that here: http://www.goleader.com/05dec08/05dec08.pdf
Would it at all be possible to have politicians in Hoboken without a super shady past. I don't think Stack cares at all or the JC people completely snookered him. Either way, pathetic.
Yikes. So you went scuba diving?
Delete