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| Source: https://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/christie-appoints-beth-mason-hoboken-housing-authority |
On January 12, a blast of media coverage announced that outgoing Governor Chris Christie had appointed former 2nd Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason to the Hoboken Housing Authority.
Many in Hoboken saw this appointment as a giant middle finger ("tall man") to Mason nemesis Dawn Zimmer and her successor, Ravi Bhalla.
Outside of Hoboken, the Mason 11th hour HHA appointment (to a seat that had been vacant for a year and a half) may have been seen as Christie's "tall man" to the incoming Murphy Administration.
Long-rumored to be seeking the Lieutenant Governor slot on Democrat State Senator Steve Sweeney's gubernatorial ticket, she famously supported Murphy's rival Sweeney with fundraisers at her home and elsewhere, and gave Sweeney's SuperPAC hefty donations. But... when Sweeney withdrew his candidacy, Mason's largess did not transfer to Murphy. No, Phil Murphy was closely allied with then-Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Well, an elephant never forgets. Nor did the guy whose administration shut down a lane on the George Washington Bridge for spite.
It appears that on his way out, Christie flipped Hoboken and Murphy the "tall man", dropping Beth Mason back into public life.
Or did he?
According to a Facebook post by HHA Commissioner Dave Mello, the Mason appointment has not been made "official" by the Murphy administration.
More specifically, the new administration's Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
What is going on?
Has the Mason appointment fallen through the cracks, or is it tied up in bureaucratic red tape, or...
Did Christie have the legal authority to make a DCA appointment? GA doesn't know the answer!
But, is it possible that Christie's HHA appointment wasn't done properly through the DCA and is unenforceable?
Was he messing with all of us- including Beth Mason?
If I recall, Governor Christie was no fan of hers. Remember how Mason took a big swing at Christie when he came to Hoboken in 2011?
Time will tell whether the Mason appointment is simply held up in red tape, or whether in Christie's haste, he screwed up...
If Christie's appointment does not come to fruition, my crystal ball tells me litigation will follow...
I don't know what happened here but technically it's the DCA's appointment not the governor's directly. If the DCA didn't do the paperwork Christie's announcement means nothing. It's Sheila Oliver's decision now. If the paperwork was signed but just not sent out then Mason is in. That said given Mason's contributions to Sweeney she might get the position either way.
ReplyDeleteDon't know, but got the sense the problem is that Christie shot off his mouth without going through the DCA... this Mason announcement came 4 days before Murphy's swearing-in. I imagine the Gov had plenty of loose ends to tie on his way out, other than paperwork for a Hoboken Housing Authority appointment. We'll find out!
DeleteShe should see if Pat Ricciardi has any hookup at the statehouse for any emails that could shed some light on the matter.
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ReplyDeleteShut up and listen when Dave is talking! He gave up a VERY promising singing career so he could bloviate for us.
ReplyDeleteDave will always be an honorary giaFishco. That's for sure.
He'll just never be a real one. Shhhhh.... No need to share that with him just yet. We need to milk this cow for all its worth first, if you catch my meaning. We do like the way Dave prepares for meetings now more than when he was actually an elected official. He's gonna want us to give him something for it eventually. We'll finesse that bridge when we get to it. Moooooooo!
If it's being held up, and I don't know it is, I would think Murphy will use it as low level trade or a sweetener with Sweeney over something.
ReplyDeleteThis is not an appointment anybody at the state level gives a crap about. It is interesting and entertaining that David Mello suddenly seems to be an advocate for Beth Mason.
ReplyDeleteAlmost as interesting and entertaining as David's sudden love affair with Jen Giattino. Back in the day (which wasn't very long ago) David wasn't shy about his (fully reciprocated) animus toward Giattino including his pretty strong feelings about the fact that she was a Republican who thought Republican thoughts. Listening to David rant about Ravi's evil partisan attacks on his " colleague" Jen, it's hard not to be astounded.
Interestingly, in hindsight David and Jen were each right about the other back in the day when they despised each other. David saw Jen for who she truly is and it wasn't a pretty picture. And Jen saw David for who he really is and that wasn't a pretty picture either.
Well - I am sure one of the reasons they dislike each other is they are both cut from the same cloth. Probably is a lot like looking at all the worst attributes of yourself in another person.
Deleteremember the good ol' days when mason was convinced she was heading off to a cabinet position in the hillary clinton administration? now she's angling for a board seat on the hoboken housing authority. my, how things change.
ReplyDeletealso, who would have thought beth's princess of hoboken crown would be snatched away by a "former" republican?
Of note, Mello in this FB post does not say he opposes Mason’s appointment or urges the appointment of someone else. That says it all to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes Dave used to go off on Jen, and yes in part for being a Republican. Jen could not stand Dave. Now Dave is engaging in this sad public
bootlicking. He must feel so humiliated inside on all counts.