Folks, GA knows nothing about this young fellow, Nicola Maganuco, except for what was reported today on Hudson County View, and what he's told us in this 6-minute video.
Nicola is @HobokenCommuter on Twitter, an advocate for quality-of-life transportation improvements, who invites the public to submit video clips of their commute.
He comes off as earnest, sincere, with a passion for Hoboken; his platform appears to be reducing overcrowding on the 126 Bus and slashing the number of parking permits.
Maganuco also highlights his youth, appearing to tweak the Council saying he offers a "fresh perspective," and slamming the Mayor as ageist; he seems to compare his youthful candidacy with that of presidential candidate Pete Buttegeig (age 37) and "just as young" Alexandra Ocasio-Ortiz (age 29.)
John Heinis reported that Maganuco "feels this a great opportunity to advocate for better public transit options and to give the council a voice for the city’s population between the ages of 18 and 34."
Hmm, I guess octogenarians like Emily Jabbour represent Hoboken's wheelchair and adult-diaper wearing demographic...
GA is not sure that slamming a popular mayor and inferring the 9-member Council is a stale bunch of old farts representing an over-the-hill constituency will go over in the 5th ward. But, ya never know.
John Heinis reported that Maganuco "feels this a great opportunity to advocate for better public transit options and to give the council a voice for the city’s population between the ages of 18 and 34."
Hmm, I guess octogenarians like Emily Jabbour represent Hoboken's wheelchair and adult-diaper wearing demographic...
GA is not sure that slamming a popular mayor and inferring the 9-member Council is a stale bunch of old farts representing an over-the-hill constituency will go over in the 5th ward. But, ya never know.
May the best man or woman (no old farts, please!) win.
News flash, Hoboken doesn't run NJ Transit. So if getting more bus lines is your platform, I suggest you might as well go fly a kite for all the good you will do folks on the CC. Hard pass.
ReplyDeleteHey There! You're correct Hoboken doesn't run NJ Transit. We need more collaboration and partnership to ensure advocacy for our residents who use the 126 bus line. Happy to chat further 201-228-0620
DeleteI hope Nicola develops a stronger platform. Hoboken has little say in NJ Transit and Port Authority affairs. Councilpersons and Hoboken City can raise a stink, draw attention from the public and news outlets, and hopefully have enough of a public response to draw ire and condemnation to motivate change, but that's all you can really hope for. I'd love to hear how he will get more buses and trains into and out of Hoboken. If he doesn't have a plan for that, then his aspirations are as good as the promise of a floating pool in the Hudson.
ReplyDeleteHey there! My platform on most issues (not all) can be found on my facebook page www.facebook.com/NicolaForHoboken . My platform goes beyond advocating for improved quality of public transportation, but I do have proposed suggestions. Collaborating cross-jurisdiction with NJ Transit and looking into how we can optimize the schedule so it caters towards heavy congested peak periods is one thing. Also implementing a plan to ensure and guarantee buses are skip downtown stops and start mid/uptown. And also just simply reviewing the numbers of ridership and advocating for increased service! Port Authority may not be equipped to handle additional buses (also understood), but lobbying for more buses for our city perhaps over other municipalities that may need it less is another option. The city can only do so much, but it needs a cheerleader on this issue! Over 50% of our residents use mass public transportation.
DeleteHow do you plan on building a new school? How would you go about skipping downtown stops - would downtown stops then lose buses during peak hours? Would they keep the buses and those which pick up downtown would skip mid/uptown? If skipping occurred, how would you deal with the confusion this created for people waiting at bus stops and seeing their buses fly by? Are you asking NJT to simply run more buses in Hoboken, but start at different parts of town - like have individual express buses for different parts of Hoboken? Would our fares increase - as in, does this make fiscal sense for NJT? So we get more buses, that means our neighboring towns get less? How does that help or complicate our relationships with our neighbors? What if they lobby to increase their services while removing service from our city? Cheerleaders aren't quarterbacks. Quarterbacks aren't coaches.
DeleteHe made his announcement in front of people who don't live in Hoboken, and nattered on about that which he knows nothing. Same misdirected strategy, "energy", and ignorance of the basics as DeFusco. He thinks Pier 13 is the go-to place for decent food. Probably drinks wine from a box. Could he be more annoying?
ReplyDeleteActually, he does remind me of DeFusco. Wasn't his platform all about NJT also?
DeleteIt is easy to complain about something everyone hates when you know you will also have almost no impact and absolutely no responsibility related to fixing that issue no matter how much you complain.
DeFusco made a lot of noise - that he called "new energy; new ideas", but it was rabid energy and half-baked ideas that could never fly, and he either knew it, and didn't care, or didn't know it and didn't care. He just said shit to get low-information voters and the Columbian Towers seniors interested in him.
DeleteI think his thing was PATH, even though he was biking to the ferry, where all he did was make a virulent pest of himself with the Riders' Council, and he now takes full credit for things like WiFi in the stations, incorrectly claiming it's on the trains too.
Those sort of talking points just suggest the speaker is a twit. You either have ideas or you don't - and chances are no matter how "new" you think they are, someone else had that idea first. Just say what your ideas are without any of those fancy qualifiers you use to disguise the fact you have no idea WTF you are talking about.
DeleteCertainly want to be the BIGGEST advocate (and liaison with NJ Transit) for better improved public transportation for our residents here. Something I feel very passionately about especially as the city continues to grow and develop. Having deeper relations and collaboration to express this will be a big priority of mine. Bringing on someone who understands taking the 126 from Clinton & Willow-- I want to bring to bring that fresh perspective to the council.
DeleteNews flash, NJT doesn't give 2 shits about what you or anyone else says. People have been demanding better service in Hoboken for years. We got it temporarily after Sandy and only b/c FEMA and other groups picked up the tab.
DeleteWhat, do you think you are the first person to discover that we need more bus service?
Sorry you feel that way, but I don't think that's the type of thinking Hoboken deserves. If someone on the council doesn't advocate for better public transit and regularly hold the dialogue with NJT then that is unfair to our residents who suffer the most. I may not be the first person to discover the need more bus service, but I certainly want to be the first to do something about it!
DeleteA. You clearly don't know that the city regularly discusses these issues w/ NJT.
DeleteB. You clearly do not understand the role of a legislator if you think this is what CC members are elected to do.
Importing New Yorkers to announce his council run in New Jersey on a platform for more commuter bus service to NYC... he should do well in Brooklyn.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of friends in New York! They are big supporters :)
DeleteI really hope Peter, Jen and Tiff endorse this guy - after meeting with him to discuss the issues and coming away highly mpressed of course.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a real shame, and unfair to Nicolo, if they backed off from the agreed upon plan just to avoid looking ridiculous.
Thank you! I hope so too! Regardless will focus on the issues that really matter to residents and be their voice
DeleteIs he a Democrat or a Republican?
ReplyDeleteWhat's his plan for more buses when NJ Transit says they can't accommodate more?
Does he realize that the demographic he's trying to reach may live here, but they don't vote here, if at all?
Does he vape?
Who grooms his sideburns?
Ha! I need a haircut soon. Actually thinking about going today on 6th & Park (Mr.L's--Awesome low-key Italian barbershop). To answer your question I am registered Democrat, but have voted republican before. As written in other responses above, if NJ Transit cannot accommodate more buses we need to advocate the demand and need for more in Hoboken--whether that is re-evaluating other municipalities that do not have heavy ridership or other options. But the collaboration shouldn't just stop with NJ Transit. We need to work with the state to push for subsidized ferry fares so increase the ridership on our expensive ferries! We need a strong advocate and collaboration with NJ Transit and the State of NJ to lobby for our city!
DeleteThe State of NJ already subsidizes Imperatore by building out the ferry terminals for him, financing the purchase of Union Dry Dock, and ignoring their own mandate which is transportation, not development.
DeleteThe word on the street is that the developers who support your downtown doppelganger, don't want the ferry refueling station at Hoboken Terminal, even though NJ Transit's own study, which we paid for, determined it to be the best place.
Until the Port Authority renovates the NYC bus terminal, there are no more stalls for buses. Get read for an even worse commute during construction.
Imperatore is also a big financial supporter of Menendez, who tells Murphy what to do. Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver let the cat out of the bag last week when she gave her support for NY Waterway being located at UDD, which explains why he's sitting on his hands on this. Where do you stand on this issue?
Are you affiliated with Giattino, Fisher, Cunningham & DeFusco?
Do you support the current administration?
Did you know about how awful it is to commute into NYC before you moved here?
When are you getting your real estate license?
Hi Nicola, thanks for stopping by! Two things in your video caught my attention, so if I may query further:
Delete(1) You've advocated for construction of a new school based on overcrowded classrooms. A traditional public school or a charter? Where do you think the school should be built? Which grades would it serve: primary, secondary, high school?
(2) You went after the mayor pretty hard right out of the gate for being an ageist, then compared your candidacy to Pete Buttegeig (age 37). That kinda surprised me because your opponents are Phil Cohen and Perry Belfiore, not Mayor Bhalla. (Also note: Bhalla was younger than Buttegeig when he ran for Council.) So, do you think taking pot shots at the mayor will attract 5th ward voters who don't know who you are, and who would like a council who can work harmoniously with the mayor?
OK, that's it for now. Thank you.
Advocating for new school construction: another sign that this guy knows nothing about how the state mandated school construction is planned and receives funds, but Belfiore can tell him ALL about it. His Republican puppet masters will only be in favor of charter schools though. Maybe he can put our students on the shiny new NJ Transit buses into his supporting districts in New York.
DeleteI call bullshit on this candidacy. Not worth anyone's time. Only in there because Giattino, Fisher, DeFusco and don't-let-the-door-hit-you-in-the-ass Cunningham can't support Belfiore and need anyone at all to run against the universally liked Cohen, even if their choice is a know-nothing who is easily exploited.
Great questions! Lets start with #1) If a new school would be built I see it in a Re-Development area such as the North-End. Indifferent on traditional or charter would like to speak to more parents on what they think. Honestly we have an immediate pre-k issue. We're seeing record numbers in enrollment with younger families staying/moving in Hoboken --and I think some of the focus should start there. Would like to establish a good relationship Christine Johnson and the HCS Board of Trustees to learn more about the issues and lean on them to make recommendations. I am not a parent (I'm still 27!), but I went to a good public education system (Wayne) and I know how much it has contributed and cultivated who I am as a person. I would want the same for the future generation of Hoboken kids. City Council is limited to what it can do, except make good land use decisions when it comes to development (would be great for developers to provide funding for cultural and recreational facilities) !
Delete#2 -- Yes I made a reference about the mayor. There's a video out there ( https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/bhalla-bashed-young-crowley-challenger/ ) where he's calling out young candidates-- insinuating we shouldn't run for public office. I don't think that's right! I can definitely work with the Mayor -- by all means he can make whatever comments he wishes -- but I'll call it out if it doesn't sound right! I'm sure he has good intentions.
Now to the Anonymous author above this--Yikes sorry you're not a supporter! For the record I am running for myself and what I believe in. But I do hope the council members you referenced as well as the residents of Hoboken believe in me and my platforms and would like to see a fresh perspective (especially from someone who is not in the political arena). I hear they are not supportive of Phil so I guess that speaks more to who he is--if they support me by default I'll take it! Also probably better to work with people you don't dislike.
Answer to # 1 proves you don't know the first thing about how the State of NJ mandates how / when / if new schools are built and funded. You're too new to town to know that the council meddling in school board issues is radioactive.
DeleteAs to your answer to numberscruncher, Cunningham is not well respected and your timing aligns with Giattino's pulling more petitions. If another candidate doesn't emerge, we'll know that she was your messenger girl. At least that would be a job.
Cunningham did some good things, but the overall record is not stellar. He was / is a Republican, and carries all the toxicity that party now represents at every level of government, and was one of the people (by her own admission), who told Giattino to register as a Democrat in order to get re-elected. I suspect you're a Democrat in name only too. The Cunninghams were overheard at a local cafe recently, going on in very favorable, nauseating terms about the current, fascist POTUS. So we're all glad the 45 supporting liar is going, and we don't need another one in his place.
Thanks, Nicola!
DeleteI have to give you props for your candor, civility and engagement with folks here, whether or not they have been receptive to you. Your attitude is refreshing and truly appreciated-- and diametrically opposed to incumbent, Mike DeFusco's, whose continued social media blocking of Hoboken residents may be challenged by the ACLU in a coming class-action suit (rumor has it. ) Which he will lose, BTW- even Trump has unblocked Twitter per U.S. Supreme Court decided law. So let me follow up with that First Amendment issue, if you don't mind!
(1) Do you believe that Hoboken elected officials (Mayor, Council, Freeholder, etc.) should block members of the public on their 'official' social media accounts (not personal accounts)? Why or why not? ("Blocking" includes inability to view and/or comment.)
Yes, my previous #2 question was more commentary than question; the Mayor's statement at a pre-election Crowley event was well-publicized. Since you have launched your campaign in defiance of the mayor's alleged discrimination against young people in politics, isn't that disingenuous considering he hired a 29 year-old Deputy Chief of Staff, an early-30's Chief of staff, and his slate of candidates-- except Old Man Phil-- are a "younger generation" with respect to the mayor (age 45). So, a follow up:
(2) Do you believe that was a statement said in the heat of battle (you'll know it when you get there!) or do you really believe the mayor is an ageist?
Do you see my point? A ward candidate who slams the mayor as ageist right out of the gate is a strong statement; you are defining your candidacy in relation to views you purport the mayor holds. That is something you will have to defend. Now, if you chose to slam Cohen or Belfiore as old farts (note, they both have full heads of hair- Perry's is soft and fluffy) that makes more sense (to me.)
Listen, you don't have to convince anyone here, but it's wonderful that you are engaging with folks, and are welcome back here anytime.
My fear for you is that though well-intentioned, some deeply dishonest folks are ready to devour you like a big, juicy steak. Be careful.
Nicola - good luck on your campaign. I'm a supporter of Phil Cohen and don't live in the 5th ward anyway so you're not going to get my vote, but I look forward to learning more about you and your vision for the Hoboken.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious whether you were planning to run against Peter Cunningham or decided to step in only after he decided not to run.
Did you feel that after 3 terms it was time for a change or would you have supported Peter's re-election?
Hey there! Thanks for being upfront and honest and wishing me luck. Still here for you as a neighbor! Also great question. I had a strong willingness to run for City Council since 2017, but made the decision not to around Nov/Dec of 2018 which is around the time I had to seriously think about creating an infrastructure for a run. Truth of the matter is Peter Cunningham is well respected and has done good things. He also has a solid base of supporters. Found it to be an uphill battle (lets face it it's hard to run against a well-respected incumbent!), but expressed my uptown concerns and e-mailed him on buses and education during his last term. So yes as soon as I heard he wasn't running for an additional term I found this to be the best opportunity for my candidacy.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Phil-- limited term limits! 3 Terms is a lot. You start to become comfortable and in a bit set in your ways--not specifically Peter, but speaking in general. Peter was great, did great things especially on development, definitely good intentions, but again I found issues uptown with our public transit and sometimes you need a fresh face in the Council to keep the motivation and energy going.
Way to hang in there, NM.
DeleteUnfortunately (or fortunately) people frequenting this blog have seen a lot of political shenanigans in this town and are inherently suspicious.
The vote buying in the news lately has gone on a long time. In fact 2 people originally thought of as "reformers" have thrown in with 2 people closely associated with that practice. Added to which they are suddenly receiving favors from machine boss Nick Sacco and his PR firm Vision Media (which so far have not turned up on ELEC forms). People may start out looking at public service one way. But at some point they just seem to fall in love with their voices and the illusions of power. The get corrupted. And they want to take others with them. I'm sure they're thinking about you.
All that by way of saying trust tends to come slowly. And people have earned their suspicions, which have the best interests of the town at heart, though it may not feel that way on the receiving end.
Good luck to you.
Thanks Nicola for your replies - it's really refreshing when a candidate for office is willing to engage like you have.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind some more questions.
You said you were a registered democrat but you had voted for Republicans. Can you share why you registered as a democrat and which Republicans you voted for and why?
That would help us to understand what your core beliefs are, which is important since you don't have a track record of speaking out on local issues.
Hey Nicola -- Yes, refreshing to see a candidate engage! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFew more questions on key issues, including transit (no, not the one with the capital "T!" -- instead, the one where Council has a say and sway........
Micromobility -- e-scooters: terrible, or the best thing to hit Hoboken since, say, Pier 13?
Do you use Lime? Ojo? Neither? What's your favorite way of getting around town?
Pedestrians -- What are the three worst pedestrian-safety problems/locations in your ward? Remedies?
Climate -- What flood zone (letter of the alphabet) is your building in? What should City Council do to address heavy rain flooding, sea level rise, storms surges from the Hudson?
Per your interview, Nicola, we now have reason to rejoice as AOC is our representative!
ReplyDeleteFrom Wikipedia: "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to by her initials, AOC, is an American politician and activist who serves as the U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district. The district includes the eastern part of the Bronx and portions of north-central Queens in New York City."
We realize that your part of the 5th ward is so far northwest that it's essentially part of the Dakota territories, but who knew that Hoboken's 5th ward was actually in NYC's 14th congressional district!
Is this your ingenious plan to annex NYC and avoid the pesky commute altogether?
Not even elected, and you're already improving things for Hoboken! Albio Sires and the county bosses who've infested the cabal that supports you may want to have a few words with you though.
I’m pretty sure he intended the royal we when he said “our representative.”
DeleteBut where are you getting county boss support for Nicola from? We already have a place we can go for unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. Is there anything behind yours?
That may be true, Anon. He was speaking to a small gathering of millennials, but then chose to put it on social media where it reaches a much more diverse audience: Repubs, old geezers, etc. Nicola said verbatim, "AOC who's our congresswoman..." But really, she isn't. If he misspoke, he is a new candidate and will learn from making mistakes.
DeleteAs for "County boss" backing.... It's early, but word is Nicola is backed by Mike DeFusco, and on Facebook (Hudson County View) the story about his candidacy had 2 "likes" -- one was a Vision Media team member who is representing DeFusco, Fisher and Giattino. I heard that Ruben is not sold on him, and went with Perry B. And that Giattino and Fisher are looking for their own 5th ward candidate.
Realistically Nicola was never any kind of threat to Phil in the race, on the contrary as Mike and Ruben's chosen candidate he would siphon off votes from Peter, Jen and Tiff's candidate, what's his name, and could even prove be helpful to Phil.
Delete