All hail the new King and Queen of the Hoboken Democratic Party!
Last night, after delivery of a voting machine was blocked by the proprietor of Room 84, the venue hosting the HDP re-org meeting, GA was told wooden ballot boxes sent from the County did arrive.
What happened to the vote by secret ballot?
NOTHING, as the meeting degenerated into a coup by the Russo faction, beginning with Russo matriarch's "unrecognized" nomination of Carmelo Garcia as Chairman Pro Tempore, a chaotic "raise your hands" vote count, unauthorized parties allowed in the room (Beth Mason) and subsequent election of two male top officers in violation of HDP by-laws.
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| HDP's new logo |
Cryan had appointed a Chairman Pro Tempore to take nominations but, acording to witnesses, before they could proceed Cryan was shouted down by Matt Calicchio, Michael Russo, Joe Branco, and Carmelo in an orchestrated coup to stop the secret ballot. What followed was orchestrated chaos: the Russo faction refused to acknowledge the Chair, seized the microphone, shouted, and finally took control of the mic. Chaos won. There was NO secret ballot, all forced to vote under the watchful eye of Garcia, Branco and the Russos.
Here is what an eye witness told GA:
"Michael, Matt Calicchio and Branco walked around telling people to raise their hands. Non Committee people were raising their hands. They pretended to count and then announced Romano as Chairman."
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| No Calicchio or Branco intimidation mentioned in the bylaws |
Well folks, this is a lesson to the entire city of Hoboken what government looks like under Romano, Russo, Garcia 'leadership.'
It ain't a pretty picture. GA predicts the videotaped bedlam will bite them all in the ass for years to come.
As for Beth Mason, she showed up with the expectation she would 'get' something. She got NOTHING. GA was told: "she stormed out in a huff, dragging her checkbook behind her."
Tonight is the HCDO re-org, where GA hears Beth Mason will get even more NOTHING.
OK, so here are the 'winners' in last night's coup:
Finally, GA contacted Jamie Cryan for comment. Here is his statement:
It ain't a pretty picture. GA predicts the videotaped bedlam will bite them all in the ass for years to come.
As for Beth Mason, she showed up with the expectation she would 'get' something. She got NOTHING. GA was told: "she stormed out in a huff, dragging her checkbook behind her."
Tonight is the HCDO re-org, where GA hears Beth Mason will get even more NOTHING.
OK, so here are the 'winners' in last night's coup:
King: Anthony Romano
Queen: Mike Russo
Honorary King: Carmelo Garcia
Money Handler: John Castellano
Girl Friday: Joe 'Carmelo BFF' Branco
Seargeant at Arms: Ms. Petruzelli
Finally, GA contacted Jamie Cryan for comment. Here is his statement:
"It has been my pleasure to serve in the capacity as Chairman of the Hoboken Democratic Committee over the past 4 years and it's been a great honor to have worked alongside some amazing committee people. I wish nothing but the best to the new leadership during their tenure and hope they continue the legacy of doing what is right for Democrats in Hoboken."
Well, that's class, unlike the conduct of the Russo faction last night. See for yourself (courtesy of Hudson County View):
Russo had the votes and the could handled the meeting with some class but just couldn't help being ass.
ReplyDeletewhat a joke. i'm no fan of cryan but he got bumrushed for sure, rules need not apply for the russos and their OG followers. disgusting, let's make sure these thugs don't gain a council seat (never mind mayor).
ReplyDeleteLook at some of these troglodytes raising both hands
ReplyDeleteIt is customary when confronted by a thug during the commission of a crime that you raise both hands.
DeleteThis was a dry run. There's not that much money in the Dem Committee. They will loot that money and then it's on to City Hall!
DeleteIt's reasonable and cutomary for a dry run before you rob the public coffers. This was it.
Please now join Michele Russo in hijacking this meeting.
Wrestlemania Mason thug: I zecund dat!
Patty: All right Carmelo!
Goon Squad.
Mob rule. And I do mean "the mob".
ReplyDeleteI felt a momentary lapse of empathy for Cryan but then realized he should have seen this coming. If this is the crowd you hang with then you shouldn't be surprised when they turn on you at the first opportunity. Also didn't he get in some sort of physical altercation with an avid Ramos/Carmelo supporter during the last Mayoral? I'm sure they haven't forgotten that
ReplyDeleteWhy is anyone in the least bit surprised that Michael Russo acted like a dirtbag thug ?
ReplyDeleteYou know who his parents are. You have seen him act like that many times before.
Last night the Russo family was scared of any kind of honest ballot and screwed over people they will need in the future, people who will find ways to get even.
As a resident of Hoboken video evidence of meetings like this embarrass me. As someone who hopes to be honest and law abiding, the video angers me. These buffons are stuck in the wrong century. If things aren't going there way, then to hell with procedure and by-laws, the loudest and most obnoxious control the room and pretend that they accomplished something by raising their fat paws in the air. Their behavior is a joke. Russo, Romano, Garcia - all longing for days of Tammany Hall, where graft and intimidation could control a population.
ReplyDeleteThese are the final days for this group of misfits - They have very little left to hold on to in terms of power. So watch for them to fight with all of their able effort to keep from becoming completely irrelevant.
And that fat kid up front, I think his name is Matt. He is the biggest laugh of all, pretending to be something of meaning in this world hanging out with "big kids". Back to Grandma's couch for you.
All I can say is that was quite a show for control of a $4000 war chest. Anyone who thinks this is over needs to put the pipe down.
ReplyDeleteThey are up to something. At the very least positioning Romano as heir apparent tot the mayor and Russo pulling the strings from the council.
DeleteMayor needs to work the next year to lineup a REAL Operation Mayhem Opposition campaign. That is if they do these Org meetings each year
You kiddin? The Russos wanted a laundromat. Scrub a dub.
DeleteAnd that Joe Branco character is right at home with all of them.
ReplyDeleteReform was right to stay clear of this hoodlum. He tried his hardest to play into reforms hands but luckily Zimmer saw the light and extinguished him. It isn't long before evil shows its true colors.
She wanted him as 6th Ward Council. It wasn't until her supporters refused to support him that others convinced her to support Giatinno.
DeleteI don't know about the mayor, but I know at least one vocal member of reform loved Joe & Carmelo. . .they were "great guys". It took a long time for that person to be convinced he was wrong.
Deletewe all make mistakes, snoopy. let he who is without sin cast the first stone, etc. as long as reformers are all on the same page now, that's all that matters, nothing to be gained by dwelling on the past.
DeleteFrankly, a couple of years ago when I didnt know what Joe was about, I liked him. Over time I liked him less and less, then his campaign libeled me in midnight fliers then put me on the Nazi truck. A person of character would have at a minnimum apologized. No remorse, just arrogance.
DeleteWe all know much better now.
@Anon 9:22 - I was responding to the assertion that the Mayor backed him but her supporters didn't. Actually, at least 1 (and probably more) did back Joe. There's nothing wrong with making a mistake unless one makes it over and over again.
DeleteI don't know anyone with any credibility who would say a kind word about Joe now.
Agree with GA on this one. The constant carping about non-candidate discussions that went absolutely nowhere is a nasty little trademark. Getting the Hudson Reporter to print similar insidious and incorrect remarks which claimed the mayor backed Carmelo Garcia for the school board is another in that little series. Maybe this miniscule BS of pernicious lying ends here? Let's hope.
DeleteHDP bylaws will be tinkered with to cover Romano/Russo/Garcia shenanigans. Money washing in and out... but you know roaches scatter where there's light.
ReplyDeleteWest New York Mayor Felix Roque was indicted today on corruption charges.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Jamie Cryan work for West New York ?
Is there state or federal branch of the party that has any oversight of this committee of clowns?
ReplyDeleteSome of old Hoboken who are not fans of Carmelo (The Wire) Garcia and his inflated ego are amused over him inviting a reporter (Jim Hanus - Hudson County News) into what had always been a closed meeting only to film and distribute a video that shows the insanity and ruthlessness frenzy of Romano, Russo, Garcia and Branco and their crew as they seized power.
ReplyDeleteHe is setting them all up. They really are that stupid.
DeleteIs there a bigger ahole than Carmelo Garcia?
ReplyDeleteHere's his read on last night's coup.
Democracy belongs to the people and when it's exercised, there is power and progress.
We Can, We Will, Watch Us make a difference!
What was exercised at the meeting was not democracy.
DeleteI am ashamed of Freeholder Romano for being a part of this sort of thing.
Really? Romano has always been crocked. He is cancer.
Delete