EXCLUSIVE: It's official.
The Mayor's announcement at last night's 10th and Willow fundraiser was confirmation of what many have expected: he will run a full-slate of new ward candidates in 2019, replacing the current 2nd, 5th and 6th ward Councilpersons.
Unfortunately, I didn't tape the speech/take notes; I listened.
To paraphrase, Bhalla said
'we are running a full slate... I've reached my breaking point with this council... we need good people from our community to step up... we need to start now.'The room broke out in applause when the mayor spoke about the current council's dysfunction (my word).
After the speech, I asked the mayor if this was the first time he had stated publicly his intention to replace Giattino, Fisher and Cunnngham.
"Yes," he replied.
Again to paraphrase, the mayor continued,
'They could have chosen to work with Jim and Emily... we could be working together... instead they chose Ruben and Mike... and now this*... I've reached my breaking point.'(*GA thinks he meant Ordinance B-10.)
Bhalla didn't sound angry, just resigned to a logical conclusion.
From the very beginning (the council reorganization), the 2nd, 5th and 6th Ward council members chose to shut out Jim Doyle and Emily Jabbour, to consolidate a majority voting bloc with Ruben Ramos and Mike DeFusco instead, and hijack all board appointments, giving Zimmer appointees the BOOT. Next, the new anti-Bhalla coalition chose to reverse Reform's 2012 election reform to bring back run-off elections (low turnout elections that heavily favor vote-buyers). Next, a steady drumbeat of press releases attacking Bhalla's of-council position after he'd answered all 26 of their questions (he will be under scrutiny like any public official would- but this council chose to pre-empt findings of fact to bash him in the media, to sway public opinion against him.)
But GA speculates mayor's breaking point was this ridiculous showdown to undermine the mayors appointment powers- to change the law- so that 2 friends of Giattino can be reappointed to the Hoboken Rent Leveling Board. And when Giattino broke Hoboken law to accept a North Bergen Sacco-ally's legal opinion (a gift bearing a value of "$25 or greater"), written specifically to undermine Hoboken's lawyer- who is looking to protect Hoboken, not Giattino's friends- I believe that did it. I believe that confirmed to the mayor (and the public) that these (3) people have truly lost their way.
They no longer represent what's in the best interest of Hoboken. They chose to follow a dubiously obtained legal opinion from North Bergen.
So, there you go. I wish none of this ever happened, but it did. So here we are. Reform has no choice but support council people who don't play political games, don't dirty themselves with political favors from North Bergen, don't reflexively attack the mayor and his Council peeps at every turn.
Reform needs to get back to clean, transparent governing. Backroom deals with North Bergen to undermine the City's legal advice is not clean, nor transparent.
#FreeJim
Aren't DeFusco, Ramos and Russo up for reelection next year too? Hope Bhalla intends to clean house completely.
ReplyDeleteYes and yes- he said ALL wards.
DeleteButt-hurt nation won't be pleased about this one. Jen, Tiff, Peter & their supporters are going to have to either stray into even more morally objectionable territory and lick the boots of the vote farmers or they will end up in 4th place like Jen did when running against Ravi. Russo and the OG will run their slate. The vote farmers will run their slate. And Ravi will run his slate. You may not see a full slate across all factions, but it is clear that Butt-hurt nation either has to suck up to the vote farmers or they will be running all by their lonesome.
ReplyDeleteExcellent news.
ReplyDeleteGood for Ravi. I've long wondered if Jen, Tiffany and Peter have thought about the long term consequences of their shenanigans. Ruben, Russo (and possibly DeFusco) have absolutely nothing to lose. Their base will support them no matter what and I have to think they are laughing their heads off the way this crew has put their integrity at risk to go along with them.
ReplyDeleteA lot can happen in a year but Ravi's off to a great start, plus he connects with people in ways that were more difficult for Dawn. The Washington Street project gets done, taxes remain stable and if he can get some progress or relief on our County taxes, he'll be even more popular giving voters in the 2nd, 5th and 6th wards turned off by the actions of Jen, Tiffany and Peter every reason to consider his slate.