Sour Grape Whine

Hoboken BoE ELEC filing status as of Nov. 17, 2014

GA got pretty tipsy from all that whine in this week's Hoboken Reporter.  Bitter whine, made from sour grapes.

Danzker was perhaps the frankest in her criticism of the election. “At the end, it was the political machine that secured two seats on the Board of Education and big money that secured the third seat,” said Danzker, ostensibly referring to Parents for Progress’ support from the Kids First majority and Mayor Zimmer, and Education for all Children’s backing by Hoboken politico Frank Raia. Danzker said she had support from neither, although her slate did have the backing of State Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia. 

I guess the "political machine" is Mayor Dawn Zimmer who wasn't quite as machine-y when she endorsed the HoLa expansion against the will of the Hoboken district School Board majority and its Superintendent.  One may assume the Mayor wasn't very machine-y then.  One may assume the "machine"endorsement was honky-dory when it served the self-interest of this candidate, who finding herself on the other side of the Mayor's endorsement now calls her the "political machine."

Then there's the allegation "big money that secured the third seat."

In fact, I agree that 'big money' is toxic to Hoboken's democratic election process.  And "big money" appears to have corrupted another election; when one candidate can score 466 absentee ballots- almost 6 times greater than number of VBMs counted for the machine vote winner (77) that's stinkier than a dead guy rotting in the closet.  That said, the "big money" did nothing for Frances Rhodes Kearns nor was it decisive for Peter Biancamano, who secured the third spot before 466 VBMs arrived.   

But you know, the source of the alleged "big money that secured the third seat" appears to be the same source who secured philanthropic grants for HoLa, such as $2,000 in "special revenue" noted below.

HoLa's COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2013- page 53

So, if a person accepts "big money" grants from a source whom they allege "secured the third seat" in an election with "big money," does he/she have the moral authority to complain about it?  Because if  Mr. "Big-Money's" generosity to HoLa is to be lauded (it is), his alleged generosity to "securing the third seat" is not.    To the whinemaker: it's your school who rewarded  Mr. "Big Money" with a Board Trustee position, now you complain about his "big money"? 

Finally, what kind of money paid for signs mounted 12' above street level all over Hoboken? Was it big money or little money?   Or in-between money?
 

Who paid for the design, printing and posting?

That kind of printing and distribution is  not cheap. Was it an in-kind donation?  Who paid for it, and how much did they give?  Check Parents for Change's ELEC report.

Oh, right.  They didn't file one.

Parents for Change is the only slate who has not  filed an R-1.

Why not?