GA's two cents, which may not be to anyone's liking: the Mello-'Stick' Romano union is in the best interest of Hoboken.
Here's what I mean.
Given the Bhalla-Giattino Reform split, Moneybags DeFusco, and 3 other candidates drawing from the voter pool: Karen Nason, Ron Bautista, and Angelo Vitale, Anthony 'Stick' Romano has a realistic chance of being Hoboken's next mayor. No, it's not a foregone conclusion, but like any other 'top tier' candidate, Stick has a chance.
Now, his first council pick, Laini Hammond, may be terrific but she has no experience in Hoboken government. Not only does Mello have 8 years of Council experience, he has been a part of the city's tremendous advancement under the Zimmer Administration, and is wonkish, to boot.
What does Mello do for Romano?
Romano, an affable guy, likes to glad hand and schmooze; he is all about people. Sure, he's no dope, but he's not Think Tank material, either. Stick badly needs the advice and counsel of a Hoboken policy wonk--not a political operative, grifter, developer or sycophant. He needs a wonk.
Mello is a wonk- a Reform wonk. He can (and one hopes will) make Stick more informed, and better prepared if- you-know-what happens. Mello can push Stick toward the light.
Moreover, Mello was rightly a tough critic of Freeholder Romano's inability to protect Hoboken residents from steep County tax increases. Maybe as a running-mate, he can have an impact, as an advocate for lowering Hoboken's share of County taxation. It can't hurt.
So, like I said above, Mello can do good for Romano, and by turn, Hoboken. That is,if Romano does eke out a victory.
Sorry people, GA is a realist. You want a happy tune, go buy a jukebox.
Unsolicited advice to Stick: consider disinfecting your HQ. You know what I mean. GA hears DeFusco's HQ is filled with vermin.
"Hoboken Guy" if you are out there... yes, your behavior was highly obnoxious that one night. But, all is forgiven if you would like to return.
This is just sad. We all know if someone other than Romano had offered Dave a spot he would have taken it and campaigned against Romano. That he wasn't offered a spot and is backing Romano smacks of someone whose public service is about themselves and not the issues or serving the community.
ReplyDeleteI would have respected Dave if he ran on his own using his 8 year record, win or lose.
yup. i venture to say that unless my preferred mayoral candidate had all stellar council candidates in the ticket, i most likely would have voted for dave as an independent. i know some reformers have had issues with him in the past year but we also saw him stand up for good government many times in the past eight years. i'm actually pretty bummed about this, like knowing a friend has drifted to the dark side.
Deletethanks for all you've done, dave. wish things had gone differently.
David clearly wants very badly to stay on the Council and thinks this is his best shot so he's taking it.
DeleteNo matter how this election turns out, Hoboken owes David a debt of gratitude for his 8 years of service.
He was a big part of changing Hoboken for the better.
i think what dave did is nothing compared to what is going on with the other blog and the campaign to split the reform party. I said as soon as this mess started that Romano could take it...i guess i wasn't alone in thinking that. Reformers have to work together or get use to Mayor Romano....
DeleteHas Romano fully rounded out his ticket yet, or is there still a spot for one more? Because I know one candidate not yet spoken for who knows more about Hoboken issues than anyone else ever. More than Vezzetti. More than Sinatra. More than Brando. And he thinks Dawn Zimmer really screwed the pooch and she and her friend Bhalli Ravioli need to go! He's available, Stick, but you better pounce quick if you wanna have any shot at being a real contender with a real gigantic reformer on your ticket!
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DeleteHoboken Citizen-
DeleteThe IRONY of your attacking me and this web site as "Pravda" and "Hoboken411" on MSV where I am BLOCKED- and you know I am so have no ability to defend your attacks- is comical. Here is what you wrote as "Gardiner4Council". "More Shenanigans from Nancy Pinkus and her all in for Ravi Bhalla but bash everyone else Hoboken Pravda Grafix Avenger website" Interesting remark- I guess you endorse all of DeFusco's "shenanigans" I've been writing about.
I have made it clear that I am not interested in arguing with (so-called) fellow Reformers, nor suffering your stream of vitriol and that is why I blocked you on Facebook. Frustrated, you continued the vitriol in an unwanted barrage of texts with even more extreme vitriol. Juvenile, nasty, personally insulting. All because I don't support your candidate. I asked for none of it, but when you came at me, I engaged. I don't run from bullies.
Funny, you didn't think this site was "Pravda" when I endorsed and supported YOU time and time again, for all these years. Now that I am not on your "side" your private behavior, and now you've taken it online, is personally repulsive.
No, I don't find puns with Ravi's religion funny- they are offensive, obnoxious and reveal something about you: "absolutely do not talk about Ravi's law firm Sihking, Government contracts..." You think that shit's funny? I'm Jewish- what's next: Jew puns?
All this vitriol against me and my site for going a different way. Too bad, so sad. Cry and whine on MSV411 all you want, Gardiner4COuncil, where I am blocked from posting. Call me names, make fun of this site. That is your playground. That is where you belong.
Oh, and "SomeGiantIdeas" has a right to parody your MSV doppelganger. Clearly it bothers your thin-skinned self. What a shame.
RE: "I am not the only person in reform that feels that the hand-off, baton toss was forced and helped exacerbate the divide in reform."
Deleteoh for crying out loud, kurt, since when you you such a sensitive snowflake? this is the big bad real world, get over it already, will ya? yes, i agree, could have been handled differently...but it happened, it's over, be a grownup and focus on the greater good instead of whining about your hurt feelings. otherwise, it isn't zimmer who will screw the pooch, it's a divided reform that will.
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DeleteHoboken Citizen-
DeleteKurt, I didn't "take down and put up" your responses, I did not censor you, I have no idea what you're talking about. But it really doesn't matter. Your bullying and abuse to a person who has supported you for many years, has no connection with reality: calling me "unhinged", this site "Pravda" , "Hoboken411" and so on. I am not interested in what you or any other KKKK (Krusty Konspiracy Kook Krew) members have to say at this point. I retract any prior complaint I had about your lack of participation here- I didn't realize how good I had it. Go back there and type more insults about this site and yours truly.
Down with the KKKK!
sorry, citizen kurt. i too looked at the candidates and feel ravi is the best choice. no one told -- much less forced -- me to make the selection. that's another example of crazy horseshitville-induced fantasyland.
DeleteSo, how long will it be until all the Stick stories start coming out? Over the last 25 years I've spent some time on a stool in L&Js, and I've got about five or six shady stories about him, and I know there are folks with even worse tales. Should they drop now? Or wait until October when they damage anyone who hooks their wagon to his as well?
ReplyDeleteFunny you should say that. I had a similar conversation with a friend the other day. My 2 cents: the bar for public officials is set so low now- America elected a (married) president after he bragged about grabbing p*ssy- I don't think a candidate's alleged sexcapades will matter. Stick is single, right?
DeleteThere once was a man from Hoboken
ReplyDeleteAnd boy was this fellow outspoken
He liked to wordplay
And thought it funny to say
That Bhalli was just a Sikh token
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