Yes, they did.
Consistent with that position, both she and Fisher were AWOL from the park's February 2017 ground-breaking.
So, some might say that if both Councilwomen took a principled stand against the Monroe Street Development project including developer givebacks in 2016- even campaigning against the project in 2017-- isn't it unprincipled to run to the ribbon n-cutting photo op?
That is the equivalent of Beth Mason attending the Hoboken University Medical Center sale press conference; even Beth Mason knew better and stayed away.
That analogy is right. Mason did everything possible at the City Council to stop the sale of the HUMC to a private entity, Councilwomen Fisher and Giattino did everything possible at the City Council to stop the tax abatement for the Monroe Street Development project. Like I said, a principled position. But....
Then both show up in election season to stick their smiling faces in the camera at the ribbon cutting, next to people who actually busted their humps to make the park happen. From a reader:
Both Fisher and Giattino vigorously opposed the Monroe Street Development project with its $57 million in developer givebacks, including 2 acres of green open space and a large gymnasium for the neighborhood, including low and moderate income families.
In fact, Jen Giattino for Mayor campaign literature bragged that she voted "NO" on the 7th and Jackson park, part of a $57 million developer giveback in exchange for a substantial tax abatement.
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| Giattino 2017 campaign literature (the DeFusco part is a HOOT) |
You know, it was admirable that both Councilwomen voted with their conscience at the July 2016 Council meeting. They took the unpopular stance at the time, and stuck to their guns.
Both of them--Fisher and Giattino-- felt that the givebacks of the 2-acre park, gymnasium, 450,000 gallon storm water retention tanks, 10% affordable housing units, were not worth the $100+M developer tax abatement. That is one perspective that is probably shared by other residents. So, the Councilwomen may have lost that vote, but at least they expressed a principled view, and provided the public with an explanation.
Further, Giattino was so convinced that the park and gymnasium and other givebacks were a mistake, that she campaigned on her "NO" vote in 2017. She used that "NO" vote to market herself as a fiscal conservative, and she was a still a registered Republican at the time. That may have appealed to some of her voters.
Consistent with that position, both she and Fisher were AWOL from the park's February 2017 ground-breaking.
So, some might say that if both Councilwomen took a principled stand against the Monroe Street Development project including developer givebacks in 2016- even campaigning against the project in 2017-- isn't it unprincipled to run to the ribbon n-cutting photo op?
That is the equivalent of Beth Mason attending the Hoboken University Medical Center sale press conference; even Beth Mason knew better and stayed away.
That analogy is right. Mason did everything possible at the City Council to stop the sale of the HUMC to a private entity, Councilwomen Fisher and Giattino did everything possible at the City Council to stop the tax abatement for the Monroe Street Development project. Like I said, a principled position. But....
Then both show up in election season to stick their smiling faces in the camera at the ribbon cutting, next to people who actually busted their humps to make the park happen. From a reader:
It was great seeing David Mello there getting well deserved credit for a project he worked hard on, Mayor Bhalla showed real class inviting him to speak. I was really surprised to see Fisher and Giattino there taking credit for Dawn, David, Michael and Jim's work.
Why is anyone shocked that Fisher and Giattino would try and take credit for the work of others? Why are we surprised they showed up at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a project that they completely opposed? Narcissism is the defining characteristic of their political careers. Flip flopping whenever it suits their political goals is what they do. And putting their interests ahead of the interests of the rest of the town is what they do. I am no longer surprised at how low either one of them will sink in pursuit of their own personal agendas.
ReplyDeleteGiattino brags in that lit that she voted against the Washington Street redesign too.
ReplyDeleteBragging about unpopular votes was a pretty dumb political strategy, but at least Fisher and Giattino deserved points for honesty.
Taking credit for popular stuff you opposed is pretty dishonest, but its actually much smarter.
Every rational person is in favor of fiscal responsibility, but that's not what their votes are ever about, and Just as with the turban bigotry aimed at Bhalla, their only intent was to make him, and Zimmer, and their administrations look bad.
ReplyDeleteEither they have forgotten what they say and do, which is unlikely, or they think the rest of Hoboken has, which is also unlikely.
Saturday's appearance by these obstructionists was one of the few remaining opportunities for them to be seen by the broader public, and not just their sycophants. They know it, we know it, and they will start insinuating themselves into every situation. Hell, they'll attend the opening of an envelope if they think it will help.
But it won't. In 128 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes, they'll be voted out of office.