It's true!
A source 'in the know' tells GA that Hoboken mayoral candidate Ravi Bhalla will announce his slate tomorrow at "around 11 AM."
Bhalla will announce a full slate- three At-Large council candidates!
If my source is correct, this slate 'brings it'- fresh, progressive, energetic, ready to hit the ground running, with a strong record of community service.
No Trump donors, Tea Party members or opportunists seeking contracts with the City. These good folks are motivated by principles, embody Reform's commitment to transparent, clean government.
Two are relative unknowns, one is a respected longtime Reformer.
Guess below!
I'm going to guess the respected long-time reformer is Doyle (because they're on the council together now). In that scenario, Mello is either looking to commit elsewhere, not running or running without a ticket. I'm interested in how this plays out.
ReplyDeleteAs for the relative newcomers: I'm going to guess it's two people I don't know. :)
If I'm right about Doyle I'm going to see about changing my name to Snoopy-damus. I kid, I kid.
HobokenGuy- I would give Jen Giattino the same courtesy I am giving to Ravi. I don't believe in hurting good people. So go suck on your thumb and pout.
DeleteTo HobokenGuy- why are you being such a douche? I understand you are close to Mello, but really. Get over it.
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DeleteHobokenGuy, buy a clue. If you don't like this site, I'll return your subscription fee.
DeleteHG, " In a post Zimmer abdication political world in Hoboken there are no secrets and very few loyalties left anymore."
DeleteSo that's it? It was all just a cult of personality and once that personalty left the stage everything descended into tribal warfare? There were no principles, no shared values just "Zimmer - good" "no Zimmer - bad"?
I wish someone had told me.
If HobokenGuy is posting on behalf of Mello, then this doesn't help the public's perception of Mello. It's kind of like when HobokenedOut posts on behalf of Defusco.
ReplyDeleteActually I am not but apparently that is the narrative GA wants to project.
DeleteApparently you are on the warpath because your pal got some news this afternoon. Yes, Mello admitted to knowing you- it looked like he knows you very well. You are not doing him- or yourself, any favors. The narrative I want to project is to cook dinner but some angry buzzard is spamming my site.
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DeleteYou know, your behavior is atrocious and incredibly disrespectful to me and this blog. My kid needs to eat tonight, and I have other obligations than to clean up after you. Ever hear of a teaser? Obviously you are privy to inside information. After the first delete you should have respected your host- you are in my house. Post it on your facebook page, shout it on the street corner, make an ad. It is clear that I did not want you to use this venue to take a dump on tomorrow's release. But, in spite of my making it obvious, like an ungrateful brat you spammed my house. Yes I am about the truth, and I am about respect. Go suck your thumb and pout.
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DeleteI asked for GUESSES. You weren't GUESSING, you had a cheat sheet.
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DeleteThat's where you're wrong. Many others did not know. Very few could have known. The campaign made calls to a few persons. You got it from a person who received the call or ARE a person who received the call. That is a tiny group. Since you admit you "knew the answer" you were not GUESSING. It is meanspirited to dump on a fellow Reformer's announcement. And harassment to spam this blog.
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DeleteA source tells me that only Dave Mello was called, which means you got it from him after 3 o'clock. Sure MSV knows by now- from you. HCV saw it here, courtesy of your obsessive posting. Really, as I said I don't give a damn if you post it on facebook or shout it from the rooftops, just don't USE this venue. That is my editorial choice. I respect the campaign's right to break their news. This post was supposed to be fun, a teaser but like a killjoy vampire, you've sucked it dry. Congratulations. Pat yourself on the back. What other people write, what they do is not my business.
DeleteWell. Who knows with Mello GA .. he needs to ask for permission first .. just saying . Interesting choice by Mello if it's a go as the other half of that REFORM seems more likeable by old Hoboken .
ReplyDeleteReputable , motivated , committed .. transparent ? I wouldn't go that far .
He just didn't get a chance in the mDF train ...
The "Trump Train" is where you go to switch your brain off, pretend all climate science is false, pretend coal mining can be brought back by sheer will, pretend ISIS is a bigger threat than Russia, pretend gutting the EPA and clean water regulations is "good for the economy," pretend eliminating the NEA and CPB are sound budget choices, pretend all of the above and 1000 more are "making America great again."
DeleteI would have thought the "Fill-in-the-blank Train" metaphor as a descriptor for political momentum would fall out of use for a while. Guess Defusco feels otherwise.
You are getting confused .. the only Relublican running for Mayor is Jen .. you can't brainwash someone who's already brainwashed .. scary she could be making such big decisions for a town like Hoboken .. really scary .. she's the one you should be asking if she can turn her brain switch off
DeleteFolks if it's true that David is not on Ravi's ticket, let's take a moment to thank him and his family for his service. Sadly, I think the writing was on the wall for Dave when his Council mates would not support his bid to be City Council President as was reported widely. If he lost the confidence of the people with whom he works with most closely, it's tough he keep him on for a 3rd term to work with those same people. He should be thanked though for the countless hours he put into City Council work. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should thank him for his service. But I am not counting him out until he says I should. He may run with another ticket or on his own if he's interested. Unless he tells us, we can't know what he's thinking or if he even wanted to be on the Bhalla ticket. Maybe he's always dreamed of running alone or being done after 2 terms.
DeleteAnother quick thought, it really looks like people skills --- how you get along with people, build a team, consult, handle passionate discussions --- are playing a determinative role in Reform's fate. We're sadly not fighting over policy at all unlike 2009. It's all personality disputes anongst clique of perhaps 10-20 people who are or imagine themselves to be decision-makers. Quite sad that Anthony is on his way to winning for reasons not having to do with policy amongst Reform. When we lose, I hope the younger reformers clean house and learn from our seeming inability to get it together for the greater good.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very good chance that the egos of perhaps 10-20 "key" reformers will lead to a Mayor Romano. I too hope/wish/pray that reform gets it together for the greater good.
DeleteI don't know why everyone (or Ravi supporters, not sure which) is so sure that we're gonna end up with Mayor Romano. Of the 4 primary candidates, (Jen, Ravi, Mike and Stick) I wouldn't begin to place any bets at this point. It's too early to call. One thing I might bet on would be the growing possibility that no slate sweeps everyone in.
ReplyDeleteit's simple math, indie. ravi and jen split the reform vote, allowing the OG to vote buy their guy in. not sure if stick is "their guy", but it sure ain't gonna be ravi or jen.
DeleteIndie, two seasoned political campaign operatives have told me "Gattino takes him out"- and Giattini loses too. Switch the names if you like, "Ravi takes her out"- and he loses. You and others don't want to hear it, but that is the opinion of people who have decades of experience running campaign's in NJ including Hoboken. One has done polling here. So, if Reform tanks and the city is returned to Dark Side management, personally I pack up my toys and shut out the lights. Yeah, I am disgusted.
DeleteHmmm, so the experts (political ops) are telling us that with 2 'reform' candidates Romano or DeFusco win, as we currently stand, is that it? Are they affiliated with any campaign in particular? Not snark, we're all human and support for a candidate/slate can color perspectives whether that's an intention or not.
DeletePerhaps - the situation we are in could be an unintended consequence of the no runoff initiative (one unintended consequence.) Although, I remember some reporting at the time of the initiative that eliminating the runoff could leave us with a Mayor that had a very low percentage of the votes - so we did know this. IMO, as we did know this - a very BIG reason why the handing over the baton behind the backs of, minimally, the reform city council and perhaps some open dialog with residents that have been/are very politically involved was a BIG mistake....and a BIG exposure. And I hear ya' on this - what's done is done. Question is - was it a fatal move? And, if so, who should bend?
Without personal benefit of being a seasoned campaign pro - I'll just say that I've been paying attention for long enough to have seen the impossible happen. From the Vezzetti win, to the Karasick loss, to Mason not making the runoff and Zimmer winning on the machines during her first mayoral run- not to mention the waterfront referendum and the rent control initiative(s).
Just a non-professional observation - tone-deafness seems to plays a role in what is missed. Something that the polls don't pick up. Regardless, I'll be here no matter what the outcome....never giving up on this town - always hoping for the best.
Listen, I am an immovable object. No, I won't give up on the town I live in. But the extraordinary amount of time I have spent advocating for good government and shining light in dark corners (with deleterious economic consequences for me personally, not to mention a SLAPP suit- in its 5th year stuck in the Appellate) is done. I don't regret a minute of it. But if people wish to gamble on "seeing the impossible happen" they are not worth my time. Being honest. I am not that kind of risk-taker. I am not. I don't gamble. When I go to Atlantic City I stay on the beach. Ironic that some of the peeps whom I have defended here on this blog have gone silent since the 'split'. Listen Indie, you have the right to your opinion, I respect that. And I have mine. We are two immovable objects. I don't want to go bump!
DeleteRe: the ops- believe it or not, I have developed friendships over the years with folks who (seem to) respect what I do, and have no stake in the outcome. Surprise!
Deletehey GA - life is a risk...;-)
DeleteI don't gamble either GA! But I am not a fan of the AC beach, so I just hang at other locations. :)
DeleteThis blog is an act of faith. Call it risk, if you want. All of us together have achieved a lot in Hoboken. I think putting that at risk is reckless, irresponsible, selfish and to me- very, very disappointing. You can be glib about it ("life is a risk"). That attitude is exactly what I find so disappointing, and I am being honest. I think we should leave this one alone.
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