SOTC and other Acronyms

Mayor Zimmer giving her SOTC (State of the City) Address

I like to use acronyms.  For example,"ELEC" (for "Election Law Enforcement  Commission") or "SLAPP" for...

SLAPPs are Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.  These damaging suits chill free speech and healthy debate by targeting those who communicate with their government or speak out on issues of public interest.

SLAPPs are used to silence and harass critics by forcing them to spend money to defend these baseless suits.  SLAPP filers don’t go to court to seek justice.  Rather, SLAPPS are intended to intimidate those who disagree with them or their activities by draining the target’s financial resources.

SLAPPs are effective because even a meritless lawsuit can take years and many thousands of dollars to defend.  To end or prevent a SLAPP, those who speak out on issues of public interest frequently agree to muzzle themselves, apologize, or “correct” statements.

Think about it, people.

The "SLAPP" acronym is one syllable; "Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation" is fourteen.  That's wear and tear on the lips and tongue, not to mention the Uvula.

So yesterday, after one acronym was dismissed, GA attended another: the Mayor's SOTC. As usual, the annual event was held at 7PM at  Stevens' DeBaun Auditorium.  

So what did she say?   The Mayor spoke about the great things our City is accomplishing, including a comprehensive flood plan, a recent audit of Hoboken public housing units, a proposed web site to track available public housing units, freed-up space in Hoboken's municipal garages (yes, there are vacancies) and improvements to Hoboken's power grid infrastructure.  GA's favorite part of the speech:

"Providing all of our children with a high quality education is one of government’s most important roles, and I am completely committed to supporting all of our City’s public schools... And as mayor, I will do everything I can to help make all of our schools as successful as they can be."

Thank you, Mayor!

Under the Kids First School Board leadership, our public school district has risen from years of neglect and abuse; our district's terrific children and faculty are so deserving of your support!  

Moving along... 

GA would like to give props to Councilman Tim Occhipinti, who showed class by showing up; unlike his AWOL peers on the Council minority.  (Note, Timmy also showed up on the witness stand at the dismissed acronym-- as well as Peter Cammarano, Patrick Ricciardi, Anthony Petrosino, and Beth Mason.)  

Great bar

So, after the SOTC, GA and friends went to celebrate at Freeholder Anthony "Stick" Romano's bar- my first time there.

What a cute place!

And guess who showed up?

Yep, Freeholder Romano! 

We had a nice chat; Romano had  been told about our legal victory at his Freeholder's meeting.

Good news travels fast!

Yes, Freeholder Romano appeared pleased that bloggers' First Amendment rights were upheld in the legal attack on Hoboken political discourse.  

And that's it folks, after a very long day,  an SOTC then celebration at an NFHB (Nice, Friendly Hoboken Bar) after successfully defending TFA (The First Amendment) with PICA (People I Care About).  What I call that an GD (Great Day).