Props to Mayor Bhalla for uniting our neighbors to the north, south and west-- plus Hudco's Chief Executive-- to plea on Hoboken's behalf last week; Union City Mayor Brian Stack, North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, County Executive Tom DeGise and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop signed Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla's letter to Governor Phil Murphy asking him to please consider moving the (approved) New York Waterway Diesel Depot to a more appropriate location than the former Union Dry Dock site.
Those of you following Hudson County political drama know that the aforementioned parties have somewhat strained relationships with each other. Recall how Stack and Fulop wanted to boot Tom DeGise from the County Executive position, that Stack ran for HCDO Chair-- against DeGise's daughter Amy DeGise... and after Stack lost, everyone seemed to pile on Fulop, making him the scapegoat. Then of course Nick Sacco was the power backing DeGise. BAM! BANG! POW! In the meantime, Hoboken Mayor Bhalla has been building alliances with our neighboring municipalities.
GA spoke to the Chief of Staff John Allen today about on City Hall's success in uniting this group to stand with Hoboken.
He said, "We recognize that Hoboken doesn't exist in isolation and the we need to show the governor that we're not alone. So we've developed relationships with other mayors in Hudson so we can present a united front. We've been upfront and honest in our dealings and that's been appreciated so they're here for us when we ask. It sends a very powerful message to the governor."
No shit! But will the he listen?
Frankly, GA is growing disappointed with Governor Murphy's failure thus far to move NY Waterway's smelly, dirty ferry maintenance depot to the Lackawanna Terminal. How hard is that? He's the Governor. He's got that magic Governor's wand. What more do we have to do to make him hear us?
Do we have to give the Fab 5 musical instruments and make them sing? Can you imagine how terrible that would sound?
Please, Governor. Don't make them sing! Please...
why is it that mayors like stack and sacco who have been investigated often get a pass around here but local pols who criticize ravi get taken down nearly every day here? a few people have asked me that and I think it's a point to be made. you can see the last 5 nbc I-team reports on sacco, it's just a very strange standard
ReplyDeleteHello, Anon. Not exactly true. This is a Hobokencentric blog. When/if Stack and/or Sacco intervene in Hoboken, I write about them. I certainly have. Try the "Search this blog" feature and you'll find articles. If they stay out of Hoboken, I generally don't cover. As for corruption in other Hudson County municipalities, let them get their own bloggers.
DeleteI don't criticize pols because they criticize Ravi. I criticize pols because they say/do petty, dopey and (sometimes) mean-spirited things. For example, refusing to pay for croissants that the mayor served at a public meeting-- a pittance in a $14M Claims-- then stiffing a worker who paid out of pocket for them. Or holding a 2-hour hearing to interrogate and HUMILIATE good guy then kick him of the off the Planning Board, instead of accepting an apology for an honest mistake.
And I criticize pols for corruption. For example, Ruben Ramos giving a hospital board seat to a political crony-- a seat that belongs to a Council member. Or raking in huge political contributions that exceed Hoboken Pay-to-Play laws.
None of the above has anything to do with Ravi. Pay attention. It has to do with the conduct of pols who don't follow rules, play politics 24/7, then lie to the public