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Is 1st Ward candidate Terry Castellano feeling the heat?
GA doesn't recall Castellano advertising online in 2011; she sure is now.
Challenger Mike DeFusco is reportedly working hard to knock incumbent Castellano off the City Council dais after a 21 year run. DeFusco can't match millionaire Terry's bank account, but he appears to make up for it in drive. DeFusco is everywhere. That makes the First Ward race a real contest.
All bets are off; voter turnout is everything. Who will get out their vote?
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| 2011 challenger Eric Kurta's billboard faced Terry's Washington Street schmata shop |
In the meantime, Castellano has got to go. GA will not miss her glowering from the dais, rolling her eyes and occasionally sassing members of the public. Worse, no one will miss her voting record.
Here's a sampler of "Terry C's Greatest (S)hits:"
Sept. 21, 2011- Castellano votes “NO” to emergency $5.5 M bond ordinance to keep hospital openAfter all of those "NO" votes on 'good' things for Hoboken, including a 9-11 memorial, has Terry Castellano ever SUPPORTED anything?
Sept. 23, 2011- Castellano votes ‘NO” on bonding for traffic light at 1600 park, delaying park opening
Oct. 20, 2011 – Castellano votes "NO" on a free midtown garage bond refinance, costing taxpayers $4.5 million
June 6, 2012- Castellano votes “NO” on the use of eminent domain to acquire land for SW Park
June 20, 2012- Castellano votes “NO” to replace 5 HOP buses and a “bucket truck” damaged by Sandy
June 20, 2012- Castellano votes “NO” on the use of eminent domain to acquire land for NW Park
March 6, 2013- Castellano votes “NO” on Sandy repairs of Pier C Park
March 21, 2013 - Castellano votes “NO” to bond for construction of a 9-11 memorial on Pier A park
Oh yeah, she supported Carmelo Garcia. Castellano supported him on August 4, 2014, the night the HHA Executive Director was fired for taking campaign contributions from HHA vendors he'd awarded no-bid contracts.
Yeah, right Terry.
Did Castellano ever read HUD's scathing report on Carmelo Garcia's management of the Hoboken Housing Authority?
Terry: "It's all cleared up."
GA asked 1st Ward candidate Mike DeFusco what he thought about Castellano's record of inertia in his ward. He replied:
"Councilwoman Castellano's campaign marketing touts 'leadership' and 'results,' so then, how have those qualities benefited Washington Street? In 2013 she voted 'NO' on a bonding ordinance that would have repaved both Washington and Newark Streets, two vital thoroughfares in the first ward. Without her support and advocacy, that ordinance failed, leaving our city's main street to fall into disrepair. Two years later, another bonding ordinance to repave Washington was introduced and the Councilwoman recused herself from that vote, this time claiming a "conflict of interest". Luckily for progress, the ordinance moved forward without her. I don't think that politics should ever be put above progress. I'm running on November 3rd because I know I can work with everyone, whether I agree of disagree with them politically, to move things forward. "Folks in the First Ward, it is time to send Tired Terry packing. Do it, Mike!
Not only is she a terrible councilperson who consistently votes the wrong way, but she looks like she swallowed a mouthful of turds every time I see her hideous face walking around Hoboken.
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty damning list of no votes
ReplyDeleteTerry, You don't understand you couda had class, You coulda been a contender, instead of a bum.
ReplyDeleteTerrible Castellano's arrogant disregard for most of her ward is disgusting.
ReplyDeleteWhere was Terrible during Sandy? Not in the flooded out parts of the First Ward.
She was hanging out on dry land in the lobby of Marineview.
Never even saw her at the relief center at Columbian Towers or the PSEG relief center on Washington.
The Castellano's multi-million dollar real estate holdings on Washington and Hudson Streets were not effected by Sandy so she had no reason not to have been out helping.
DeleteCastelano-Russo characteristically saw the devastation caused by Sandy as useful political weapon to attack Mayor Zimmer. Terry to make public and privately that Zimmer was only interested in the photo ops and did nothing.
Theresa Castellano is a vicious nasty woman who has over the last 20 years has come to think that she and her onerous family are entitled to hold public office.
Michael Defusco is the chance to give First Wards real representation.
Congratulations to Occhipinti for sticking to the issues
ReplyDeleteNov 21, 2010 |
Dear Editor:
I would like to congratulate the 4th Ward’s newly elected councilman, Tim Occhipinti, for running a positive and issue-based campaign. Despite unwarranted attacks from his opponent, Tim stuck to the issues and the voters responded for change. Having known Tim for a number of years, I can affirm that the residents of the 4th Ward elected a good man whose integrity is rock solid, whose ideas are pragmatic and whose optimism is infectious. The 4th Ward desperately needed a dedicated representative, not a politician, to address a number of issues, and they’ve now found that in their new councilman.
Now, the time has come for City Council to get to work and, more importantly, work together to benefit our city. I believe that Councilman Occhipinti will be a strong voice for his constituents and bring a sense of reason to the council. To that end, I encourage the council members to work with their new colleague to pass legislation, not point fingers. I would hate to see politics get in the way of progress.
Michael DeFusco
“One Hoboken”
May 08, 2011
Dear Editor:
We all love Hoboken. It’s an amazing city with history, active citizens and innovative small businesses. A place where neighbors of every nationality and social background live together in a positive and safe atmosphere; this is the town we love, this is the place we all call home.
With City Council elections on Tuesday, we need to ensure that we get the city back on track, by electing leaders who care about all residents of our city and give everyone an equal voice. As a young marketing professional, I am reluctant to vote for a candidate simply because they are part of a slate backed by the mayor; rather, I believe in individuals who truly have independent voices and their own plans to advance their wards and represent us, their constituents. After all, what is democracy if we don’t have diverse voices, engaging in productive debate and working for the people of Hoboken?
One such community leader is Fourth Ward Councilman, Tim Occhipinti – a man I have known for a number of years and someone who I am proud to call a personal friend. When Tim and I first met at a community meeting, I remember thinking that his ideas were so positive and so productive that he had to be joking. He wasn’t. Since then, I’ve watched as Tim formed Hoboken Volunteers, a non profit that connects residents to community organizations. I was proud to see him run an issue based campaign, taking on Michael Lenz, an administration backed candidate who at the time was collecting two government paychecks. After winning the special election, Tim immediately took action and gave a voice back to the forgotten Fourth Ward. From re-routing the NJ transit bus route which plagued the intersection of Newark and Monroe to combating pot holes created by the administration’s mismanagement of the snow storm, Tim demonstrated that he is a man of action, compassion and integrity.
We all need to come together and blur the perceived boundaries between “new” and “old” Hoboken, building community relations, not breaking them down for the sake of politics. I strongly encourage everyone in the Fourth Ward to re-elect Tim Occhipinti, and to my neighbors across the city, I urge you to look for the true independent voices, not necessarily ones that simply call themselves ‘reformers’.
Michael DeFusco
Castellano or deFusco
ReplyDeleteor
Two sides of the same coin
As with flipping a coin, one side you win and one side you lose.
DeleteIf the coin comes up Castellano in November the First Ward loses...again.
Here he is supporting Cammy and Cammy's support of Robert's budget
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty PATHETIC that Zimmer couldn't cultivate a reform person to run.
Bringing Hoboken back
DeleteJun 07, 2009 | 687 views | 0 0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Dear Editor:
As a young property owner in the first ward I’m worried about our city’s future. Our taxes have skyrocketed while city services have diminished. Our quality of life is decreasing yet the rising cost of living makes it difficult for residents to enjoy all that our mile square city has to offer. On Tuesday June 9th we need to elect a mayor who understands the enormous challenges facing the city, defend the interests of all residents, and creates a destination which encourages small businesses to flourish. In my opinion, there is only one candidate whose professional background, unwavering vision for the future of the city and personal passion would represent us all during these uncertain times -- Councilman Peter Cammarano.
Last year, Councilman Cammarano expressed serious concern over the size and scope of the mayor’s 2009 budget, he saw the consequences of not unifying together to approve it. While the councilman was trying to avert a state takeover, others on the council were busy opposing the mayor budget, simply to make a point. It was this politically motivated inaction which only ended up affecting taxpayers, myself included, who were already hurting at the start of a national recession. Mr. Cammarano was the only one who put politics behind him and stood up for the interests of taxpayers across the city.
This year, during the course of his issue-based mayoral campaign, Mr. Cammarano tapped a disparate group of people from across the city to develop an extensive policy platform. This 14-page document isn’t merely a collection of words and political propaganda, it’s a complete outline of the issues facing our city coupled with substantive and logical solutions. Most importantly, these ideas were designed and developed by ordinary citizens in tandem with the candidate; good policy should be about representing everyone in town, not just one group of voters. It’s easy to say “change” or an omniscient statement like “change that works”, but having a firm grasp of the issues and the ability to bring together an already divided city is what we need and what Councilman Cammarano is capable of.
As a young professional who prides himself on his career and community, I respect hard work, straight forward policy and an overall reform to city hall that embraces our past and looks to the future. I support Peter Cammarano and urge all my neighbors to do the same.
Michael DeFusco
The Castellanos, Russos and Bajardis also supported Cammarano after Mason dropped out.
DeleteDeFusco thanks council for zoning appointment
ReplyDeleteJan 30, 2011
Dear Editor:
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the City Council for appointing me to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as a regular member. This is a great honor, a great responsibility, and one that I do not take lightly. As a property owner and young professional, I have enormous pride in our city, in my neighbors and in the sense of community that we share. In my opinion, what makes Hoboken a fantastic place to call home is actually, in many ways, a product of our community, forged by close knit neighborhoods and concerned citizens. It is this belief in our city that led me to apply for a position on the ZBA and it is this respect for my neighbors that will be a driving force throughout my term of service.
I would especially like to thank Councilwoman Theresa Castellano for placing her trust in me by sponsoring my application for the board. The councilwoman was one of the first to welcome me to the neighborhood six years ago and has always been a dedicated representative and excellent resource for all residents of the First Ward. I would also like to thank Councilman Tim Occhipinti; the councilman understands the importance of community and his motivation to serve comes from a heartfelt respect for the people of the Fourth Ward. Finally, a sincere thank you to the entire council for entrusting me with this position. I fully intend to meet their expectations and hold the interests of Hoboken first and foremost.
I look forward to working with my neighbors to represent my neighbors, and in doing so, serve on the board honestly and fairly. I anticipate many late night meetings and a lot of paperwork to review, but it is with a deep respect for my community, our great city, that I accept this responsibility.
Respectfully,
Michael DeFusco
Commissioner, Zoning Board of Adjustments
I guess Terry is feeling the heat if her crew's last few posts are any indication. Took some time to dig those up. well done. Doesn't matter. DeFusco is a better choice than Terry. Way better choice
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of big signs, Maybe you should ask Eric Kurta what he thinks of DeFusco? Especially the banner sign that was hung on DeFuscos's home for Castellano by "reform's" new found friend.
DeleteDo you folks forget he was appointed to the ZBA by Mason and Castellano when Mason bought the Council Presidency with Timmy's massive VBM stolen election?
If you think Mike DeFusco is going to be with Zimmer after he's sworn in you're all fools.
You drones have lost all sense of perspective.
Don't cry when you see him vote with Ramos to fill the Zoning Board with some big surprises
GA is right. The Castellano paranoia is palpable. Never seen anything like this before.
DeleteNotice all the really excellent reasons these dweebs are giving to vote for Terri?
Alotta nada.
If these are the big guns, Castellano deserves a refund. Or she should stop buying operatives at stores that sell the same cheap shit she does.
DeleteThese posts are having the opposite of the intended effect, making voters see that the candidate's own stooges can't think of a single reason to vote for her. Maybe they should follow that idiot Biancamano's lead and show a picture of a branch that fell on a car and pretend that's a winner.
His grammar is astoundingly bad.
DeleteHalloween came early last night when Castellano with Gonzales went door to door. SCARY to open the door to see those two standing there.
DeleteBWAA HAW HAW! Anon @ 10:31- are you in the 4th or the 5th Ward?
DeleteSo funny! Did they say "Trick or treat?"
You reminded me of when a "Move Forward" candidate (Vasquez) knocked on my door after the Nazi Truck, and I blasted her! She practically ran up the block!
Nice making fun of physical appearances ....assholes
DeleteI didn't but you did 11:32
DeleteI was thinking more along the lines of Trick or Treat.
Hysterical! Can you smell the fear?
ReplyDeleteI can't blame them for panicking- Terry's record of voting against the welfare of her constituents is abysmal. When she had a chance to do the right thing for the people of Hoboken, she played politics instead. There are many I forgot: such as suing Jim Doyle off the City Council in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy when a fully-functioning legislative body was needed most, voting down bonding for critical safety repairs/renovations for police headquarters, voting against bonding for emergency snow removal equipment... please folks, feel free to email me others with LINKS to a supporting news article: grafixavenger666@gmail.com
Re: the vintage DeFusco letters: so what? Some of Beth Mason's closest supporters/campaign members dumped her camp for Zimmer's, they're now some of the mayor's closest, most dependable allies.
I served on the Zoning Board with Mike for 2 years. He NEVER, in my opinion, voted against the PUBLIC GOOD.
So, after Terry's lengthy record of putting politics ahead of US, Hoboken residents, why the hell should ANYONE re-elect her?
Great point GA. Loads of reformers were big Mason supporters at some point. Then she turned her back on good and fair government so she got dumped. (Even one of her most trusted acolytes saw it coming when she did it)
DeleteI don't think voters are looking for so called Zimmer Zombies as candidates. We want people who will look out for the public good and not their own pockets, or the pockets of their corrupt godsons and family.
It just so happens that Terry's interests have rarely if ever covered the public good
you're so full of it GA, Mason, fooled us and later everyone who was lied to switched to Zimmer.
DeleteWe know Defuse is part of the Old Guard and was long after all those Mason folks went over to Zimmer.
Sure he may be better than Terry, but you really surprise us, supporting a guy who was so strong against your dear friend Mike Lenz, who was a loyal friend to you and not mention your best defense witness . So to brush aside Defusco's far more recent attack on reform via letters and signs on his house for Castellano against Kurta , Lenz and Zimmer. It not even a close comparison. He wasn't just with Terry, like some reformers were with Mason, he was with Terry up until last year when he realized he needed to be with Dawn for HIS purposes of being elected since Terry wasnt stepping down. If there was a vacancy, he would be with Ramos and Russo.
To say you know based on your limited time with him on the Zoning commission is silly. Be careful what you wish for, I bet you'll be attacking him by this time next year. Lets see on January 2nd
Nice try, Anon 11:30 AM.
DeleteHave you talked to DeFusco? Maybe he was "fooled" by the OG, like you profess to have been fooled by Mason. Does that make you a fool? No, it makes you wiser.
I am not sure what Mike Lenz or his willingness to do the right thing re: Bajardi v Pincus has to do with Hoboken politics or this election. My best defense witness(es) were Lane Bajardi and Kim Cardinal in 50,000+ of their emails.
So Terry's minions are trying to tarnish DeFusco because he had some association with people that Terry was and still is incredibly tight with.
DeleteIf it's so bad that DeFusco supported these people, what's Terry's excuse for continuing to do so?
Bernard Kenny was at the Zimmer ticket fundraiser this week along with a large group of supporters including Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
DeleteHe has been a friend and advisor to the Zimmer Administration for years.
Does he know what Terry Castellano and her side show is saying and doing ? He most probably does, does he care at this point ? Certainly not.
The momentum to put an end to embarrassment of the Russo family is something not only the residents of Hoboken are work towards but also those on the County and State level.
The hope is a reform sweep in November will go a long way to make that happen.
Well GA, MSV and your 5 readers, you're in good company Peter Perry Belfiore, the RAAAAAAAvi hater is supporting Defusco too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can all knock on doors in Marineview and tell them you'll protect their PILOT
And not to fear Zimmer since :"she wont have the votes to change it "
If there are only 5 readers, why stop by? Why comment? Why care?
DeleteSaw that Horse posted some recent traffic figures showing well over 6,000,000 visits. Bet he's sent over lots of readers to the land of Grafix Avenger too.
DeleteIt's been awhile since the darksiders tried the no one's reading "the blogs" as the Hudson Reporter quaintly refers to MSV and GA.
No one is talking about anyone else. Those are the two big independent websites in town. So I say rock on to ya both!
Guess who's endorsed by this Bernie Kenny,
ReplyDeleteSenate majority leader overcame the criminal past of his father
Monday, December 13, 2004
By Jeff Whelan
Newhouse News Service
After Bernie Kenny's father was convicted on public corruption charges in the 1950s, his parents set him on a path away from Hudson County.
He attended a prestigious boarding school in Morris County, an Ivy League university in Philadelphia and law school in New York City. His mother hoped he would wind up at a nice suburban law firm.
Instead, he landed a job at the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, which had helped federal authorities put his father in prison. Then he went into politics.
"I really didn't know what I was doing. But I was very influenced by the 'Godfather' movie, when Michael Corleone comes home from the Army and he has all of these options, but he stays with his family," Kenny said in a recent interview at his Hoboken district office....
You're attacking former Senate Majority leader Bernie Kenny?
DeleteDoes Terry Castellano hold Kenny's dad's criminal past against him? I don't think so, since Castellano "cleared up" the disappearance of 4 million quarters from Hoboken parking meters.
Does Terry Castellano hold Anthony Russo's criminal past against him ?
DeleteNope, but then again he is family.
While we are on the subject of the Castellano family is her son John Castellano running her campaign. We remember what he did when he was involved in previous elections.
Her son ever file those campaign finance reports from the last campaign or two he was involved in?
DeleteCastellano is attacking Bernie Kenny's FATHER!
ReplyDeleteDoes Terry approve of this message? Not nice. Bernie has a LOT more friends in a lot more places than she ever will.
Terry is fighting for her life. You bet she's worried. Mike DeFusco is running a hard campaign and is appealing to a demographic she can't, new Hoboken.
ReplyDeleteMike will be a breath of fresh air in the 1st Ward!
Vote Mike DeFusco on November 3rd!!
*Mrs. Castellano usually has two opinions one that she says to your face and one that she says behind your back.
ReplyDeleteDear Bernie,
ReplyDeleteTake a look at what Theresa Castellano is saying about your family. Yes, her people speak for her. Disgraceful.
Thank you for supporting the campaigns of Jen, Tiffanie, Peter C., Mike D., and Dana.
castellano smearing one of new jersey's most powerful and influential democrats on a blog. good going.
ReplyDeleteThe odious dead fish smell of Castellano's fear is overwhelming Hoboken. Gas masks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteNEWS ALERT for 7 idiots..... Terry is not posting on this site. But you know that. What's really fascinating is the hypocrisy here... hopefully GA will put on her big boy pants and explain why she doesn't care about Mike's past letters to the editor in support of Tim while Tim was loaded up on "illegal" VBM's. Don't count on it, it's all cleared up! Besides, I wouldn't be posting this if the opposition wasn't so scared- comedy gold!
ReplyDeleteAn yet, you keep returning to tell everyone that no one is here and you are not scared.
DeleteThat's the same line a certain stinking weehawken tuna used to use. I hear he's been begging for work since mason cut him off. must be freelancing since nobody in their right mind would hire him. he's a punch line in hudson county.
DeleteDeFusco supported Castellano five years ago -- so what?! ALL OF THE VOTES mentioned in the post came AFTER she was elected in 2011. Performance should be evaluated election to election not as black or white, old vs new. DeFusco saw the results of his support and thinks he can do better, I believe he can.
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
DeleteOne person for twenty plus years in the same elected office is not good on so many levels. I can not think of one positive thing she has been responsible for getting done. Looking at the other posts here I can see many of the negative things she has done.
On an unrelated note, anybody else lose power? My block is dark, Willow Terrace North. I finished cooking with a flashlight.
ReplyDeleteBlown transformer affecting uptown Hoboken. Approx 4,600 homes affected. Grab your candles, peeps!
DeleteCastellano was Chairwoman of the Hoboken Zoning Board while her cousin Mayor Anthony Russo who was latter convicted of multiple felonies for taking illegal money from developers. What a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteYeah, and after I eat 5 bean chili, my farts smell like roses.
DeleteHad to laugh when the snarky Castellano uttered her infamous line again tonight :
ReplyDelete"So it's all been cleared up"