And you thought that Hoboken residents will choose our next mayor?
Not according to the Hudson County buzzards allegedly circling Hoboken City Hall, waiting to swoop down.
That's right.
A stunning InsiderNJ report by Max Pizarro reveals how a political operative for North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco is working behind the scenes to unseat Mayor Dawn Zimmer. According to Pizarro, the political operative- Joey Muniz- is a "fierce DeFusco backer".
Hoboken residents must ask: (1) WHO the hell is Joey Muniz and (2) WHY the hell is he interfering in our Hoboken mayoral election?
About Muniz
He's been called North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco's "right hand man." Three years ago, the Hoboken Reporter's Power List called Muniz a "political prince under the dominion of Sacco.... looking for ways to become the next generation of political bigshot...." and gave him the #25 slot.
And, access to that kind of power comes with perks.
According to the January 25, 2017 Jersey Journal's, Which school employees in Hudson County earn more than their superintendent?, Muniz is the Board Secretary for Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST) earning $183,942. To put it in perspective, Muniz earns $26,442 more than Hoboken Superintendent of Schools Christine Johnson and $67,842 more than Hoboken Mayor Zimmer.
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| Jersey Journal: Salaries of HCST employees which exceed the superintendent salay cap of $155K |
In addition, Muniz is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC), a huge non-profit foundation providing comprehensive health and social services for northern New Jersey residents.
As a Board Chairman who oversees the activities and finances of the NJCAC, Muniz shares enormous political power and influence.
Why is Muniz butting into Hoboken's mayoral election?
That's a matter of speculation and/or opinion.
At the end of the day it always comes to money, and when it comes to Hoboken, the money's in development.
What's not in doubt (according to Pizarro) is that Hudson County bosses are wheeling and dealing against Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
This is the same Hudson County crew that loot Hoboken every year with exploding County taxes. Now they want to pick our mayor.
Pizarro excerpt:
"Now, the former assemblyman [Ramos] is Muniz’s ace in the hole to ensure that stick Romano stays out of the Hoboken mayor’s race;... Yet still, Muniz belongs to the team of Stack’s old rival, state Senator Nick Sacco (D-32), and while Stack and Sacco have formed an alliance going back to 2010, Stack probably is not enamored of Sacco’s prime operatives collecting the mayor’s seat in Stack’s district."
"...Sacco's prime operatives collecting the mayor's seat in Stack's District [D-33]"
Yeah, fat chance Hoboken residents will let Hudson County interlopers pick our next mayor.
If you piss on Mayor Senator Brian Stack's shoes expect him to kick you where it hurts. Just say'n
ReplyDeleteNHCAC's $45,000 divided between 880 workers about $50 bucks each. Just about what election day workers get paid ?
ReplyDeleteYou are missing a few zeros.
DeleteUgh. Mikey has turned into a real fart blossom.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a fan of DeFusco in the first place, while everyone on this site was praising him during the ward elections. But what I'm confused about now is, why does anyone have a problem if he is considering a run for Mayor? I don't get it.
DeleteMaybe its the quality of the folks he's hanging out with and the backroom games being played by scumbags like Ray Ferraioli and Joe Muniz on his behalf. But you already know that, especially since you weren't a DeFusco fan in the first place right?
DeleteNot true. Some who did not trust him expressed it here. Turns out they were right. No one who praised him is happy that he turned on the mayor after 1 year, and he's been acting like a dick at meetings, been rude to colleagues. Do you get it now?
DeleteWow, sure sounds unnecessarily aggressive and angry, and for no reason. I don't know who Ray Ferraioli and Joe Muniz are and, quite frankly, I don't care.
DeleteI didn't trust DeFusco, but obviously the Mayor did, or maybe she was just using him. She did have an option. She could have backed nobody in the first ward. But, maybe she thought she'd look better with a full winning ticket (just like she thought it would look better appearing to support Christie by tweeting how we were 'all lucky to have Christie' AFTER it was clear to her that he was tying Sandy funds to development.) Nothing like a Mayor who will compromise on values and throw the entire citizenry under the bus in a means to her ends.
I agree that DeFusco's gotten testy at meetings and I don't like it. I've also seen Jim Doyle get testy and I'm usually on the same page as he is so, strangely, that doesn't bother me as much (now, why would that be?)
Anyway, perhaps DeFusco has turned on the Mayor (if he, in fact, has) because he had the audacity to disagree with her on something and she'll no longer deal with him on anything. That is her behavior pattern. I mean, how dare he or anyone else disagree with the Mayor, right? Disagree and you're the Enemy with a capital "E".
So reminiscent of how it used to be. Once there's a taste of power, there's no more looking in the mirror.
Since you hate Zimmer, vote for Romano or DeFusco instead. Doubt you'll have much company.
DeleteAnonymous at 5:26. You forgot to tell me that my mother wears army boots.
DeleteMy bad. 5:40- your mother wears army boots.
DeleteSounds like Muniz wants control of Hoboken.
ReplyDeleteToo bad - he can want all he wants, it ain't happening.
DeleteAugie gave Muniz Honorable Mention on his 2017 Power List. Stack was #1, Sacco was #5.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/01/brian_stack_no_1_in_hudson_county_2017_power_list.html
-- Joey Muniz of North Bergen has the ear of Sacco and the Assembly Speaker and he's the town crier for the county's Democratic Party.
Hoboken voters as the HCDO has learned, are not like the rest of Hudson County. As the rapidly shifting demographics continue to work against them and for the Zimmer Administration.
DeleteMy two cents, all the rearranging of the HUDCO deck chairs will not stop their ship from sinking in Hoboken.
So far Councilman DeFusco only success he can claim credit for has been getting a hairdresser to keep putting up an ugly feather flag outside his shop.
I'm surprised the HCDO and North Bergen are bad. I recall being introduced to Tom DeGise, Sen Kemmy, Nick Sacco and a woman named Jenny Davis and others who were really nice and came to a Back Yard party to meet Dawn in my neighbors place on Adams street. They spoke about the Park Tax and why the County and HCDO supported Dawn. They must have turned quite bad since back then. But then again it's Hudson County.
DeleteThe battle for Hoboken has always raged between the corrupt Hudson County Democrats, and the more corrupt Essex and Union County Democrats.
ReplyDeleteIf her pursues this, DeFusco will serve one term as councilman, and that's it. It's great that he won over Castellano, but he's not a reformer. On the contrary, he's being used in the same way they use anyone who they think will appeal to old guard and newcomers, but will ultimately do their bidding. Romano's just playing his cards so they cut him in on a deal. He and De Fusco both know that in a three way race with no runoff, Zimmer will win.
"Her" ? wow, guess the hate speech has begun
DeleteMust say taking why was an obvious typo and trying to make an issue about it very petty and sounds even more desperate.
DeleteSorry _ "Must say taking what was an obvious...."
DeleteI don't want make another typo into an issue.
WTF does a board secretary do and why is he paid so much? Seems like a six figure waste of money.
ReplyDeleteYou left out Muniz's gig working for Remington and Vernick - a big engineering firm that feeds of government business reputedly steered to them through Muniz's business. Many believe that Muniz's grudge against Zimmer is due to Hoboken not giving Remington and Vernick a leg up on Hoboken contracts so Muniz can claim credit. Muniz also fundraises for Speaker Prieto.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a 6 figure taxpayer funded job, you aren't supposed to have any other jobs. Jeez this guy is taking the taxpayers to the cleaners. Another reason to never support anyone he supports.
DeleteMakes perfect sense. Muniz gets his puppet in office then steers contracts his way.
DeleteGeez, Romano and DeFusco apparently are willing to get into bed and some really disgusting guys.
ReplyDeleteThese jerks are NOT going to determine our city's future. Enough with election meddling!!!
ReplyDeleteI will admit it: I was fooled by DeFusco. I stuck up for him here and elsewhere when he ran against Terry, despite the warnings from some commenters. Maybe I was just eager to replace Castellano, maybe I just didn't want to believe Mike could be shifty and two-faced.
ReplyDeleteI was wrong, and I no longer trust Mike DeFusco.
Um, excuse me but who the hell is this Joey Muniz character to tell Phil Murphy who he should associate with? Really? I hope Phil's people told Joey the hack to go %$# himself.
ReplyDeleteI bet Phil Murphy said the same thing :)
DeleteConsidering the amazing performance of Hudson County Hi-Tech, I doubt many Hoboken parents clawing to get their talented kids into that great school really would think those salaries too high relative to the results.
ReplyDelete