UPDATE
Who knew that a shit storm would blow in after posting Mike DeFusco's invitation this morning! I'll get to that shortly.
Mike's invitation has been updated as follows:
___________________________
First Ward Councilman DeFusco's term ends on December 31, 2019.
Hmm, so that leaves 1,057 days left in his term after the February 7th fundraiser.
Then of course, Mayor Dawn Zimmer's term expires on December 31, 2017, which leaves 327 days left in Defusco's term after his February 7th fundraiser.
Hmmmm...
What does it all mean?
Well, it never hurts to build a giant campaign warchest. It's smart, actually. But... it's early to a fundraise for a 2019 election, isn't it?
One month ago, Mike told GA he was not running for mayor ( I'd asked, "When are you running for mayor?")
This is a quote: "Mayor would be a significant pay cut and I'm enjoying my advocacy on the council."
Whatever you say, Councilman!
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| Not a special guest! |
Who knew that a shit storm would blow in after posting Mike DeFusco's invitation this morning! I'll get to that shortly.
Mike's invitation has been updated as follows:
Back to said shit storm.
So, I took my 14 year-old daughter to the Museum of Art and Design today. We were enjoying an exhibit called Crochet Coral Reefs: Toxic Seas when my phone rang. I texted back, "I'm at a museum in NYC. Text me if its important."
17 texts followed, which included the following sentiments :
"Ravi has been having fundraisers for years, your hatchet job on Mike was wrong... Ravi is trying to sabotage Mike's now.. isn't that who sent you this invite... Ravi is having an event that night... You're buying the Bhalla bs...You must have been asked to make up for yesterday's post... enjoy the tank..."
Was all that really "important?" Not to me.
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| Crocheted coral reefs, made with recycled materials |
What is interesting is the nerve that GA touched by posting Mike's invitation.
Like I ruined a surprise (?)
Posting DeFusco's invitation was not a "hatchet job." A political insider who would call it a "hatchet job" is curious indeed. It seems to me that such tirades are supposed to intimidate or bully one into writing what the texting-tyrant WANTS written.
Not happening. If you don't like the opinions expressed here, then SHOO.
First Ward Councilman DeFusco's term ends on December 31, 2019.
Hmm, so that leaves 1,057 days left in his term after the February 7th fundraiser.
Then of course, Mayor Dawn Zimmer's term expires on December 31, 2017, which leaves 327 days left in Defusco's term after his February 7th fundraiser.
Hmmmm...
What does it all mean?
Well, it never hurts to build a giant campaign warchest. It's smart, actually. But... it's early to a fundraise for a 2019 election, isn't it?
One month ago, Mike told GA he was not running for mayor ( I'd asked, "When are you running for mayor?")
This is a quote: "Mayor would be a significant pay cut and I'm enjoying my advocacy on the council."
Whatever you say, Councilman!
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| Welcome Mayor Fulop! |
Other targets with upcoming re-elections
ReplyDeleteRaj Mukherji, Assembly
Anthony Romano, Freeholder
Which begs the question, why Fulop?
What is Fulop's agenda?
He is going to make a big announcement that night.
ReplyDeleteDefusco 2017.
Since he has already said publicly that he is NOT running for mayor. And Fulop has already endorsed Mayor Zimmer for Mayor. What could it be?
ReplyDeleteBhalla has been having fundraisers for 3 years, in fact Bhalla just announced one today , whats so odd about having fundraisers early? Maybe Defusco is taking a page from Ravi's book?
ReplyDeleteGA, Did you ask Ravi if he's running for Mayor the last 4 years? Hmmm...
What the hell is wrong with you? Your extreme over-reaction to an innocous post--Mike's invitation--is strange. There is nothing nefarious about this invitation, but your over reaction is. As well as your text bombardment. I am not your personal blogger, so if you don't approve of this message, go eff yourself.
DeleteFundraisers are fine for everyone- Not everyone can be a wealthy housewife with husbands who can write big self funded campaign cheques like the last two Mayoral rivals
ReplyDeleteHe also said publicly that he is thinking of running for Mayor, and has been having meetings all over town with stake holders.
ReplyDeleteHey Grafix Avenger -- Mike DeFusco, here.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately since printing, Mayor Fullop is unable to attend. However, Mayor Zimmer and the entire Council have been invited as my guests, their invitations are in the mail. Keep in mind, when I ran in 2015, I put forth 10k of my own money to fight what many thought was a losing battle in the first ward. Fundraising in advance this time around will hopefully offset that expense for my next election.
Hi Mike. Ok, I will update when I get back from NYC. I am all for fundraising, so posting this will only help not hurt your effort. Right? Did Fulop over-book?
DeleteMayor Fulop did not over-book he found out Mike Defusco was trying to use him for his Mayorol campaign kick off fundraiser against Dawn.
DeleteBut, which one IS your next election, Mike? By the way, if you want to toss your hat in the ring, as far as I'm concerned - go for it! Don't know if I'd vote for you. I've been a Zimmer voter the last 2 times she ran for Mayor but, she's been a bit (understatement) of a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the return of the totally honest, not at all spinning "I voted for Zimmer last time but..." commenter, welcome back! You, and/or your alter-ego, haven't been around these parts since the last mayoral election (and the one before that...), good to know you still believe this commenting approach has some sort of sway with voters. Happy new year!
DeleteHa-Ha. Not a returnee spouting the same ol same ol. If this board wasn't completely anonymous, I'd be happy to put a handle to my comments. (not a critique of GA by the way, sometimes allowing anonymous comments is the only way to get a dialog going.)
DeleteI'm absolutely a twice Zimmer voter who is hoping for options in the next Mayoral if for no other reason than maybe, just maybe, the Mayor will broaden her current agenda to keep the constituencies who's mirror reflections are different than hers, in her voting court. It's 2017; election year. Would be great if we had Zimmer and all the city council members vying for the top seat and lots of ordinances that they all put forward and/or vote on to show what they REALLY stand for. And, heck why stop at the council, come one, come all.
Not a fan of anarchy and chaos.
DeleteI like the direction things are going in Hoboken with a united team.
Recent elections show most people also do.
The only recent election (not plural) was the school board and I noticed the Mayor changed her tune from past years on that one. Nervous much?
DeleteNervous why ? In case you didn't notice the latest B.O.E. ticket that the Mayor and all of the City Council majority swept the election.
DeleteYeah, but in the past few years the Mayor hasn't lifted a finger for the school board. Guess it was time to try and keep those votes for her upcoming Mayoral election because otherwise they'd have no reason to not look elsewhere.
DeleteSome day Hoboken will get to the point where having a ticket of 2 or more honest people won't be an invitation to split the reform vote and bring in the darksiders. Today is not that day.
DeleteBINGO
DeleteHow dare someone run for Mayor halfway through their first term!
ReplyDeleteWho would ever do that?
There you have it folks.
ReplyDeleteDefusco 2017.
I like Mike as a First Ward Councilman.
ReplyDeleteI would vote without any equivocation for Dawn mayor in 2017.
Have a nice weekend.
Good examples of dumbass bias. It's like confirmation bias except that it's starts with deciding what is true in your own little world and then saying every observation from the price of pork belly to the next song on the radio confirms your bias. You're never more than 2 sentences away from an I told you so because you are constantly being proved right.
ReplyDeleteThe breitbarting of America continues.
"little world"
DeletePlease provide a complete dictionary of approved verbiage.
Deletethe new 411- disagree , get yelled at, and innuendo outings fly...
Delete5:02- Since you equate this blog with H411 then don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. You are the ultimate pot calling the kettle black.
DeleteWasn't guessing who you are/were. To seize on the word "little" as if if can never have an appropriate context is just a form of blindness.
DeleteBy blindness, no offense is meant to the visually impaired. Rather it's meant to suggest a perspective so narrowed by anger and perceived slights that one might as well be blind. The ultimate cause of which is letting one's world become too small. Ah crap, there it is again.
when the insurgent becomes what it once detested, the new machine sets out a media attack on anyone stepping out of order, critiquing them or posing imaginary threats - goid old Hudson County politics are here again!
ReplyDeleteAnon 5:12 PM - Others disagreeing with you is certainly fair and pointing out when your rants go off the deep end is too. If you don't like that or your ego can't cope with any criticism, simply don't post here.
DeleteCould it be the thin-skinned prick that sent me 17 texts when I was at the museum with my kid today?
DeleteIn my professional opinion Councilmen Michael Defusco is suffering from what we call in politics The Occopintti Syndrome.
ReplyDeleteIts when you actually believe you won your council seat by yourself without help from anyone else, and your base of constituents are actually yours.
Councilmen Defusco thinks because he beat a 4 term council member he can now run for Mayor. He really believes the Mayor's base in the 1st ward did not help put him over the top, and thinks, it is his base now.
Good luck in November Councilmen.
Sincerely,
Doc.
Does anyone else think this Doc is the same poster who was spamming this site all day trying to sound like a different person ?
DeleteAnon 5:40, are you suggesting that the Mayor ran a huge VBM campaign in the 1st ward on DeFusco's behalf? (since that's what the dark side did for Occhinpinti, I guess you are.) I think you are very mistaken, the Mayor opposes VBM fraud.
DeleteI also think it would be crazy to suggest that Defusco won only because of the Mayor. Kid ran tirelessly to snag that seat. I've heard the Mayor's sycophants do this in the past with the school board and the rent control folks. Really arrogant to suggest that other victories all belong to the Mayor.
Wait isn't Anon 5:40 the same person as Anon 6:21 ?
Delete6:31- No.
DeleteMichael DeFusco indeed worked hard for his victory.
DeleteAlong with many people from the other Wards in the city who also worked to elect Dawn Zimmer and the other members of majority of the City Council. Elections are team sport.
Removing long time Councilwoman Castellano was collaboration of many diverse people and factions in Hoboken.
Terri Castellano was not as strong a candidate as she once was after she and her family were no longer in control of the majority of the City Council. People who were once afraid of crossing the powerful Russo family were now no longer afraid and saw the doomsday predictions they made fall apart. Her long standing relationship with the much despised 2nd Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason, who dropped out of the election along with her open checkbook also hurt her as did the ever changing demographics of the 1st Ward. I would also add that Ms. Castellano's own often bitter, nasty, condescending personality was a big part of her loss.
Zimmer supported Kurta- and put a hell of a lot more effort into that race.
Deleteback when Zimmer was in her first term and at her strongest....
Time for term limits. 12 years is a lot for anyone!
Delete#Time4Tiffanie2017
Terri Castellano always looks like she sucked a lemon. She's a true sour puss!
DeleteDr. Michael Russo who has been sitting on the City Council since 2003 would vote for term limits, right after voting for his big tax subsidized apartment with parking to go market rate.
DeleteAs Mike Russo once said at a Council meeting, "Hoboken politics is a full contact sport." That is true- see above thread.
ReplyDeleteSo any bitches that want to cry and moan when they are under the SAME kind of FIRE they shoot at others, then have the nerve to call this site "411" you don't belong in politics and you certainly don't belong HERE.
Defusco is a good councilman. If and when he decides to run for any other office that is his choice. God forbid we have to choose from multiple good candidates.
ReplyDeleteShouldn't that be the ideal situation, an embarrassment of good choices? I would love to choose from 3 like minded good candidates as opposed to a loser like Mason, an Old Guard Corruptocrat, and 1 reformer.
In theory yes. But in Hoboken, the problem lies more with how the votes fall - and which candidate gets the votes which are paid for. There are really only two sides in Hoboken now. If DeFusco enters and goes against Zimmer, he is choosing his side - and jumping in and becoming friends (as in "a friend of ours") with the people (Russo, Raia, Romano and Ramos) who are behind all the bought and dishonest votes. That type of candidate - not unlike Parents' United - is less and less attractive to Hoboken voters. You are who your friends are. I would hope more for DeFusco and that he wait a cycle and develop a stronger base of honest backers. The "kid" as someone said, has a strong future in politics, I just hope he doesn't throw it all away now by making the wrong choice of who is friends are.
DeleteCant wait until that entire cast of characters is gone or behind bars so we can actually have a real election with real candidate choices.
DeleteWhat are Defusco's big accomplishments in the last year that merit him (hypothetically) running for Mayor? He has more work to do to build up his own record.
DeleteI like that quote - embarrassment of good choices. I am all in favor of more candidates so that there can be a better debate about the issues impacting hoboken, including zoning, flooding, open space, schools and safety.
ReplyDeleteGood one, Anon 7:37. I guess a certain Zomborgland would love to see lots of candidates toss their hat in the ring too.
DeleteIf Ravi and Defusco are having a fundraiser on the same night, which one will Dave Mello go to?
DeleteCouncilman DeFusco has said he will not running for mayor 2017.
ReplyDeleteThere is no reason to not take him at his word.
So if Politics is a contact sport and your followers here object or counter you, why do you get so enraged? You're putting out there a public story and the public is reacting. Seems more than just the posters need to get thicker skins.
ReplyDeleteI am "enraged" at only YOU alleged friend who completely disrespected me OFFLINE then comes ONLINE and pretends the problem is your opinion. I don't give a damn about your opinion, just your crazy ass OFFLINE behavior, followed by skulking here ONLINE to equate this site with H411, the favorite tool in your tool chest when you don't like what's here. You need therapy.
DeleteAMEN.
DeleteI have to say the picture at the top of this post of Beth Mason's new look is stunning and by far her most becoming in years.
ReplyDeleteAngry text-man thinks you spoiled his next gig: at-large council candidate. Don't pick him Michael! He's unstable!
ReplyDeleteHoboken needs leaders with even-keeled temperaments. We deserve work horses, not whiners and narcissists.
DeleteSide bar - A vicious letter attacking Mayor Zimmer in the Hoboken Reporter this week. Coincidence ? The paycheck and the medical benefits of a councilperson may be the real sirens call.
ReplyDeleteWhy attack Ravi when the post is about DeFusco's event. Doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteIt does if you are plotting a run for Councilman-at Large seat for yourself.
DeleteLet's get real. Raia supported Zimmer in her entrance into politics.
ReplyDeleteOld guard corruptos are weak and can't take back the reigns of power in the next election cycle no matter what they do, but the remnants will vote for someone, doesn't make them DeFusco's friends anymore than Raia is Zimmer's friend. They would just be a means to an end. After all, we don't discount Michael Russo's vote when we ultimately count the votes, do we? It's not an old guard vs new guard any more.
If this ends up being a Defusco vs Zimmer race, it'll be very interesting. It will be a developer-pro-millenial candidate, everyone else be damned vs a parks-rich, white people candidate, everyone else be damned.
Let's make it really interesting and get our 'I only talk to 5 people' Mayor to step aside and let the games begin.
What a load of recycled bull.
DeleteIn my 40 years in Hoboken Mayor Zimmer has a reached out and not only spoken to a wider demographic and number of people then any Mayor has ever done.
Some think if their opinion is not acted upon that feel need to lash out.
I guess we are not supposed to say who those people are by name but we all know who they are and frankly 99% of what the say is ego driven passive aggressive bullshit.
1:23- That's very true. I don't recall previous mayors having regular open office hours for the public to come in and talk to them. I also don't recall previous administrations having as many public meetings to solicit community input on public redevelopment projects. Which goes to show you that political opponents who don't have better ideas will lie like a carpet. Free advice: the mayor's opponents should be clear about what they can offer, instead of spouting verifiable falsehoods such as she "only talks to 5 people."
DeleteYou mean the "5 minutes" that she pushes you out after 3 minutes once a month open office hours?
DeleteHaving gone to one of those open office hours and that is simply not true. I know because I had to wait a for twenty minutes as the woman before me spoke with the Mayor and her aide.
DeleteThis thread is crazy. I can guess who the tester is. If Mike wants to run for Mayor and has a good platform & his council record, good for him. If Mayor Zimmer wants to run for Mayor for her 3rd term on her record, good for her. Let the people decide.
ReplyDeleteWhy the angst?
Yep. Posting DeFusco's invitation sure touched a nerve. A lot of them.
DeleteZimmer says she is running, DeFusco said he is not.
DeleteAgreed. And anyone else that's got a vision is welcome.
DeleteAnthony "Stick" Romano may also run and splitting the reform ticket would be of a great help to him.
Deletewatch out for what you wish for. DeFusco may split the OG vote more than reform.
DeleteR U really expecting anyone to believe that ?
DeleteStick knows he screwed up the last BOE election big time.
DeleteOh don't worry someone will run on #makinghobokengreatagain and promise to put in the old parking meters and remove the flood pumps-you know back when hoboken was uh "great."
ReplyDeleteIsn't that always Russo/Romano's campaign.
ReplyDeleteMayor Zimmer is a gifted politician who has demonstrated tenacity throughout her years of service in Hoboken. She has my vote!
ReplyDeleteME TOO.
DeleteShe lost mine. But, I'm sure she'll be sucking up and around asking for it come election season.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor is exceptional at outreach. You could learn a thing or two about how to build rapport with others.
DeleteI don't need to do outreach, I'm not running for office
DeleteDeFusco for mayor, why not?
ReplyDeleteWhy ?
DeleteTrump asked the same question to African-Americans. That's turning out great so far. DelFusco has never been trusted completely by any faction shows that he has a big mountain to climb.
ReplyDeleteI want mayoral candidates who are experienced and accomplished enough to handle the job. Can the DelFusco supporters here please spell out his experience and accomplishments that qualify him too be mayor? And please don't respond with the lazy "Dawn didn't have lots of experience either", because I'm not asking about Zimmer many years ago. I'm asking about Michael, now.
ReplyDeleteI don't have anything against him, just curious as to how his experience and accomplishments are being spun.
As far as I know he has no real accomplishments. One or two very hyped re-cycled grand ideas that have little chance of coming to fruition and he has been in the room at the Zoning Board and when good things have happened on the City Council.
DeleteMaking the assumption Mike is actually going to try to run for mayor when he has said to GA that he makes much more money working for ESPN and was not interested in running is premature.
Mike works at ESPN? I may need to do some outreach with him to see if I can network myself into a job.
DeleteI thought it was CBS Sports but he may have changed jobs.
DeleteI think he works at CBS.
Delete80 posts. Is it the weather?
ReplyDeleteDoubt it's due to the weather. My guess is most of the people who used to comment at MSV are now doing it on GA instead.
Delete^ Ding Ding, we have a winner!!! ^
DeleteChecked MSV this afternoon. Aside from one comment today, the most recent comment there was five days ago.
Delete4:30- There's no need to be mean. Horsey's personal sacrifices have helped shape Hoboken and keep us all informed over the years.
DeleteTotally agree, GA, and I've made that point here previously when expressing my disappointment at how his blog evolved. Didn't think I was being mean, or intend to do that, apologies if I was.
DeleteYou are a good one, 5:45.
DeleteI like Mike and think he's done an okay job as a rookie councilperson. He seems to have some good ideas that aren't really plausible, remake the area by the PATh that NJ Transit owns into a pedestrian park for instance.
ReplyDeleteIf Mike wants to run for Mayor I have no problem with that. I won't be voting for him and I think running prematurely could color how people view him but it's his decision.
I like the direction the City is going and see no reason to change horses now. When Mike has more experience and a demonstrated legislative record I might consider him.
My feelings exactly. Mike's a decent guy who might have a shot at mayor someday but, if he decided to run this year, I would still vote for Mayor Zimmer.
DeleteAgree. Don't know why he'd want to roll the dice now. If he loses he can join occipinti in Siberia.
DeleteApparently the old biddies are pissed.
DeleteI think Hoboken should apply for federal funding for mental health centers -- one in each ward -- to treat some of the responders to your story on DeFusco's fund raiser. This only becomes a real story if DeFusco were to raise over $100,000 then all the conspiracy theorists can believe that something is up. As an impartial observer I can make two observations. One, how can someone propose Michael Russo for mayor when he owes his political career to his father, who still owes the city thousands of dollars? Two, from a governmental standpoint, Hoboken is in the best shape it has ever been.
ReplyDeleteYour computer student.
I miss you!
Delete...and then there is the whole www.russocorruption.com thing (take a look if you haven't seen before)... and that darn video of him agreeing to take a bribe from the same guy who bribed Camarano...
DeleteLook at the bias of this blog. Anyone dares to step away from the Diamond Dealing Boss and he sicks his attack dog on them. Zimmer will be in jail when Garcia's lawsuit exposes all this corruption. Enjoy your time at the cool kids lunch table it is coming to an end you thin skinned scank.
ReplyDeleteMust be fun being you. Enjoy fantasyland.
DeleteWow, someone's bitter. Want a little anti-semitism with your whine?
DeleteUgh. GA, you really have hit a nerve. All over your innocuous post about a non confidential and publicly available flyer for a political fund raiser. WTF? Whoever is the ass bucket that threw the temper tantrum on Saturday needs to stop and take a deep hard look at their actions. If that person is someone who has political ambitions, their actions completely disqualify them from participating as a public official. That kind of out of control anger and vitriol cant stay under wraps and will eventually be exposed and the person identified, by their own hand. The minute that sunlight beams down on that person, they will become a pariah and will likely be shunned. GA, that person is no friend of yours and owes you a deep apology. I would not be critical of you if you banned that person from ever posting again. At a minimum- block them from contacting you.
Delete2:11- what an ugly comment. I will leave that up as a testament to your inner ugliness.
Delete"Skank" not "Scank." No one likes an anti-Semitic scumbag who can't spell.
DeleteI wonder who was on the first tier of invitees. It sounds like the Mayor and most council people weren't.
ReplyDeleteThe invites were emailed last Friday. No "tiers"
DeleteRecently Councilman DeFusco hosted a public relations reception for the real estate group hoping to put up a high-rise hotel tower behind Post Office fronting on the riverfront. By doing so will he now need to recuse himself if and when the City Council votes on the proposal ?
ReplyDeleteHmm...well he certainly wouldn't need "more information", LOL.
DeleteWhich real estate group is that?
DeleteKMS Development.
Delete