HISTORY!

 Vanessa Falco, Hoboken's FIRST African-American appointed to a LEADERSHIP position

Congratulations to Council Vice President Vanessa Falco, for making history last night, as Hoboken's first African-American appointed to a leadership position on the Hoboken City Council!  

Congratulations to Council President Jen Giattino for her reappointment, AND to the Hoboken City Council for baptizing council leadership in estrogen.  

Yep, two women are in council leadership positions- when was the last time that happened? Never-o'clock?  

PUBLIC SWEARING IN  

Last night's public swearing-in was candy for political junkies.  First, if Hoboken politics can make one tear-up, then Phil Cohen's swearing-in scored 5-hankies-- extra poignant since he lost his beloved dad in November, his father-in-law last week. His newly-widowed mom held The Bible as his family beamed.  COUNCILMAN Cohen posted on Facebook:  

"So fortunate to be sworn in to office by my mother, 27 years after I swore her in as Mayor of Livingston in 1993. Dad was there too, in the 1993 Livingston Town Hall photo I placed on the rail for the ceremony."

Still smilin' after 27 years

Y'know, it's nice to be reminded that our elected officials-- love 'em or not-- lead 3 dimensional lives; like  watching them accept the honor of working for Hoboken in front of family and personal friends. 

credit: photo courtesy of former Senator Bernie Kenny (MINUS GIANT ARROW added by me!)

Note, the giant arrow.  EXHIBIT A: Councilman DeFusco texted throughout his colleague's swearing in ceremonies, stopping  twice: once when Vanessa Falco swore him in, and next when Vanessa Falco was sworn in.  Are we sensing a theme?   

Props for the most brilliant political swearing-in goes to Councilman Mike Russo.  What did he do?  He emptied the dais and had all eight other council members 'hold" the Bible for him.  Not all could reach obviously, but the optics were smashing. I've always said, Russo's got some mad political skillz. 

OTHER STUFF: FIRESTONE LEAPFROGS MAGANUCO TO FIRST ZBA ALTERNATE

Not sure how that happened but it was the fair move. Firestone is an experienced ZBA incumbent in good standing.  GA has heard he's been an excellent board member. 

Also, I was heartened to see that Jim Doyle, who was unceremoniously plucked off the Planning Board in 2017 (zero absences in 3 years) for Mike DeFusco (8 absences in one year plus multiple recusals for donor conflicts) was put back in the Council's Planning Board seat.  Being nominated by Tiffanie Fisher was a nice touch.  So, now that Jim is vacating the "Mayor's Designee" Planning Board seat, that's open. 

Jim was also appointed to represent the City Council on the Hoboken University Medical Center Board.  This makes tremendous sense, as  Barnabas is attempting to buy the hospital, and the support of the City Council during this complex transaction will be critical.  As a lawyer, Jim's been there, done that.  The man has gravitas. 

All in all, GA is pleased that this council worked together professionally last night - well, except for you-know-who who came prepared with his usual diatribes.   Bla bla bla bla bla bla...  

And the newbie? Excellent: COUNCILMAN Cohen added qualitatively to the discourse, particularly with briefing the entire council and public on the need to approve easements for Rebuild By Design, as the clock ticks on a 2022 completion date to use our $230M federal grant.

RED FLAG:  Ruh-roh.  GA sees trouble ahead from "Councilman X," who asked a series of questions which appeared to challenge  the viability of the RBD project.  Folks, keep an eye on that one.  Just in case "Councilman X" has sabotage in mind for Hoboken's Rebuild By Design; specifically that "NO BUILD" swath of land cleared for the Flood Wall. Because if  "Councilman X" becomes Mayor, wanna bet our Flood Wall with the  "No-Build" land  goes POOF? 

Now who would be the beneficiaries if that happened?

Does  he like the Flood Wall any better in 2020 than here in 2017? 

BUDGET SHORTFALL ANNOUNCED

Ready or not, Hoboken is about to confront a perfect storm of rising costs and diminishing revenues.

They were noted last night as follows: pension plan increases (+$600k), rising health insurance costs (+$1.5M) and union contract settlement costs (6 unions, +$3.5M) with diminishing revenues from parking (-$600K), municipal court (-$400K) and building permits (-"thousands of dollars").

The anticipated shortfall is $7M.  Potentially very bad news for homeowners, renters, landlords, and city employees. Resolving this anticipated $7M shortfall can either mean massive City layoffs (80 employees) or municipal tax increases or both.   

Hey, remember when Governor Christie gave Hoboken a $5M grant to keep St. Mary's Hospital open until the sale went through?  Any chance Phil Murphy might kick us a few bucks???   Like maybe 7 million of them? 

C'mon Phil! 

In the meantime, this deficit won't be solved with a GoFundMe page.  

Any ideas?  Maybe e-scooters return with a contract that doubles, triples, quadruples the revenue the City was getting during the PILOT?   

In the meantime, expect Screechy Mike and his Miscreant Choir to blame Mayor's staff Juan Melli and Dan Bryan (oh wait, those punching bags were replaced with new ones!)

COUNCIL APPROVES HOSPITAL SALE TO BARNABAS 

So far so good, but... to be continued...