Hoboken, look out!!!! While 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco is distracting you with his police car meshugas... On November 1, 2018 an application for variances to build a block-long, 13-story behemoth on the border of Hoboken's 4th Ward went before the Jersey City Zoning Board. Can you guess who came from Hoboken to speak in favor of the project?
The police car paparazzi, Mike DeFusco! And why not; the applicant is his pal and alleged campaign donor.
Here is how Mr. DeFusco introduced himself to the board:
Cute, huh? It's safe to assume that he introduced himself that way to create the (false) impression that his appearance was endorsed by the City of Hoboken, his constituents and Hoboken residents at large. But, the Councilman informed no one about his appearance, and got no buy-in from either the City or his constituents. He was there strictly on his own, as a politician pleasing an alleged campaign contributor.
Yep, he went quietly... and if a tree shills for a zoning application in a Jersey City forest and no one is there to hear him, did he make a noise?
Unfortunately for him, there were Hoboken residents there that night: Councilman Jim Doyle and a few others who learned of the application in Jersey Digs. Ooops. What to do? How to distract the public from such shady behavior? How to move public attention away from anticipated blowback for appearing at the Jersey City Zoning Board?
Hmmm.... in search of a distraction....
Found it! Last Friday, City Hall security caught Mike DeFusco photographing an unmarked police car used by the Mayor's security detail. Shortly after, DeFusco's photo appeared on a poorly-written local trash tabloid, beside some sensationalist gibberish so outlandish it prompted a rebuttal from HPD Chief Ken Ferrante. DeFusco minions apparently shopped the story to hMag, and an article appeared there on Monday which allowed the paparazzi politician to pimp hMag's article on Facebook!
Distraction Accomplished!
But, but, but... not so fast. This distraction is fatally-flawed. Some might say it even sucks. Because how can a paper-thin story about a police car mask a HUGE 13-story high-rise going up on the edge of Hoboken that the Councilman greedily shilled for behind his constituents' backs?
It can't.
Now Hoboken residents will know they've been betrayed by a politician who takes money from developers, then trades off on his title to shill for their profit.
Kinda makes sense now why he fought so hard for runoffs; he can keep shitting on Hoboken residents, untroubled about losing. His friends have his back: you do for me, I do for you.
Now, if Councilman DeFusco cared about transparency, about educating his constituents , he would have posted the Nov. 1st Jersey City Zoning Board hearing transcript instead of a photo of the police car! DeFusco testimony starts on page 125.
THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY
ReplyDeleteMr DeFusco did not advocate for the 13 story residential tower, Hoboken Councilman, Chair of the SW Redevelopment Committee and Hoboken Zoning Board Michael DeFusco advocated for this developer's project.
In my opinion Mr. DeFusco's words were chosen to make it seem he was speaking in his official capacity and by doing so he has compromised himself not only with any future development with members of the 2 Hoboken LLC may be involved with but any development in Hoboken and should step down from any position deciding development in Hoboken.
His words undermined the very fabric of all Hoboken's development and redevelopment plans.
Ms. Mills' testimony on page 124 states that the project will "produce more sewage than we can accommodate".
ReplyDeleteSo the project, like its champion from Hoboken, will be full of shit.
I approve of the use of my image in the graphic....
ReplyDelete