North Bergen Manchurian Candidate DeFusco calls Jen "potentially-criminal"

Defusco approves Flower Shop knockdown for luxury condos across from new Southwest Park

What is funnier than North Bergen Manchurian candidate Mike DeFusco calling Goody-Two Shoes Councilwoman Jen Giattino "potentially criminal?"

Not much!

GA had a belly laugh this morning, that this ethically bankrupt North Bergen Manchurian candidate had the coconuts to call an honest public servant like Giattino "potentially-criminal."  

There isn't a "potentially-criminal" bone in Giattino's body, while DeFusco's skeleton is a made from potentially-criminal bones. 

Giattino deserves fault for politicizing the SUEZ contingent liability (along with Fisher and Cunningham's absurd attempt to "investigate" the Mayor's SUEZ negotiations) because this created a door for an ethically-bankrupt, opportunistic predator like Mike DeFusco to slither through.  

Of course he would!   That's what snakes do. 

That said, it is hilarious that the true scoundrel amongst our field of candidates, whose associates could be voted "Most Likely to Be Arrested" would impugn Ms. Giattino as "potentially- criminal". 

DeFusco should count his lucky stars. Reform's internecine conflicts have drawn attention away from giving his candidacy the scrutiny it deserves.  

For example, why is a North Bergen boss, Joey Muniz, squiring DeFusco around Hudson County, introducing him as, "Hoboken's Next Mayor?" 

Oh yeah, this North Bergen boss does Business Development for Remington & Vernick, an engineering firm that (one assumes) would love contracts in Hoboken.  

What is less speculative is Mike DeFusco's record as Commissioner on Hoboken's Zoning Board of Adjustment.

It did not matter how many variances that an Applicant asked for, DeFusco was a reliable "yes" vote.

The project in the graphic above, 14 Paterson Avenue, went before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on  March 25 and April 29, 2014, seeking 7 variances:

Excerpt from the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment 6-17-14 Resolution of Denial 

This corner lot is across the street from Hoboken's new Southwest Park.

DeFusco obediently rolled over with a "YES" vote on all 7 variances, approving the demolition of the former Vera's Flower Shop, an existing 3-story building with a rear yard, to build a klutzy 5-story nightmare with 100% lot coverage. 

Fortunately, all but one Zoning Board Commissioner denied the developer variances for this eyesore.

DeFusco's record as a Zoning Board Commissioner is telling.

Back then, if he was viewed as a  "developer-friendly" Commissioner by his peers, no one knew about his hunger for political power, that he would do ANYTHING to get it; he would betray everyone who gave him opportunity, like Terry Castellano, who sponsored him and whipped the vote to get him appointed to the Zoning Board, and Mayor Zimmer, who put him on her Reform slate, only to have him plant a knife in her back one year later.  

He has, and will, use anyone to get what he wants. He will say anything, do anything. He will sell-out Hoboken to developers. He will play footsie with North Bergen bosses who don't want friendship, they want contracts. He will accuse Goody Two-Shoes councilpersons and our Goody-Two Shoes Mayor of criminality. He has no moral compass.  Every proposal comes with an expensive, professional rendering- produced where?  

In retrospect, it is easy now to see his record of ZBA "YES" votes were a collective dog-whistle to Hoboken's development community.  He is a Cammarano.  Just not as bright. 

But like Camarano, a constellation of Dark Stars back him. And like Camarano, he can win. Self-defeating Reform infighting has allowed this thing of Hoboken political nightmares to metastize.

The only way to stop him is to make sure he loses.