Change ?

Mr. Ramo's long time and ongoing conections to old school politicans including his close relationship to corrupt Peter Cammerano that had so damaged our City doesn't bode well for any positive change for Hoboken if he should be elected.

So when you use this ID you won't be calling the mayor "Dawn"? That's a nice change "Colin".

PS - do you prefer Curious Colin or ColinGal?

If Mr. Ramos wants to claim the positive things that he feels were done while he was part of former Mayor Roberts City Council Team as part of his record, then he must also be held accountable for the years of mismanagement that happened when he voted lock step with Mayor Roberts.

Voting without question for years of underfunded budgets and one time money tricks precipitated the State takeover of Hoboken's finances and resulted in an enormous tax increase to pay for the mess he and Roberts team made in Hoboken.

I doubt many people would want to see that kind of change happening in Hoboken again

Colin, the plan that was panned was a figment of someone's imagination. Nobody is suggesting putting a wall all up and around the entire city. Perhaps before you yourself pan things, you should know what you are panning and read the article in question? Any resident reading that article that discusses the Sierra Club's position can tell the guy who critiqued the mayor's ideas has no clue what he is talking about and has never even studied the flooding situation in Hoboken.

As for the guy's assertion that this is some backdoor way to allow further over development, how about you tell me between Zimmer and Ramos which candidate has gotten money from multiple developers over the years and is very supportive of developers based on their record? I will give you a big hint. It isn't Zimmer.

Ok, we'll make it CuriousColin.

So anyway, CC, "decorum," as you call it, has always been your secret sauce. It's the garnish on the plateful off BS you set before the public. That way when you make completely unsubstantiated claims like "a transparent attempt to reward engineering firms cozy with the Governor" people are meant to only notice how politely you said it.

Not working, but please continue. You're the leading source of entertainment on Patch.

Curious Colin, it was generous of you to admit your comment that the sea wall was "a transparent attempt to reward engineering firms cozy with the Governor" had no basis whatsoever. Now if you could only see that you have admitted to lying and continue doing it.

By the way Curious, you must be kidding with that "disguise."

Oh, good girl! Daddy is so proud of you. But don't overuse the anti-semitism on the first day. Spread it out over the course of the campaign.

Do try to sound a bit more like a new person though, dearest. Using the same snotty prep school princess repartee would be fine if you just wanted them to chase their tails. But when you stir the anti-semitic pot you must avoid letting anyone know that we're behind it. There will be time later for the Nazi truck. This time, I promise, we won't apologize for it.

Your biggest fan,
Joe G.

Irrational people don't make reasonable deductions. Now go eat a twinkie.

Blood diamonds, Curious Gal pal? They told us to tone down the anti-semitism at the meeting at 1200. You were there. Look, I need this pay check. Don't mess it up for the rest of us by saying every crazy thing that comes into your head. We're supposed to sound like newly engaged recent transplants to Hoboken. Like Mark Sterling at the top of this thread. Hopeful and positive were Beth's exact words. We're not supposed to sound like people who have been dragging the world's largest grudge around and are so full of hate that it doesn't matter who gets elected if Zimmer isn't killed in the process. Think about the rest of us for once, will ya?

CuriousGal,

You have libeled the mayor and governor with no evidence.

You have made the Zimmers into blood diamond merchants with no evidence.

You're just a rotten human being.

I'm not sure why you are bothering to use a new name because everyone here knows who you are. That Zimmer/reform/blogger hatred follows you everywhere like a stench.

You changed your name because I challenged you LIES? It doesn't matter which name you use, CuriousGal. Everyone knows who you are.

Why don't you instead defend your LIES?

You said the Zimmers made their money in blood diamonds. Defend that LIE.

You said the intent of the sea wall was to benefit developers friendly to Christie. Defend that LIE.

Only someone as nuts as you could explain how changing your name somehow makes all your LYING palatable.

Ojo Rojo - Poopy is still poopy even if it looks like something other than poopy.

You "called it"? Your comments here are more inane every time. You print constant rumors all day long that aren't true. Of course one of them is bound to be true, like a broken clock. When will you apologize for the things you've gotten wrong or just guessed at?

MSV got it right as in completely and linked to the January story. But MSV gets things right a lot even in its "Grist for the Mill" column which is on the rumor ladder rung.
Hoboken loves MSV because it gets it right.

Wait until Monday as that will really anger you. Can't wait.

Ha ha ha ha ha. He knows how to run a city? He hasn't managed to prove he knows how to run his own office.

Well said, FAP and I agree. Looking forward to watching this campaign unfold. There are many issues to deal with in Hoboken and Ruben has the experience and background to take Hoboken to the next level. Ruben is a great candidate and has my 100% support ! He will make an amazing mayor!

If I were Ruben I'd ask you to retract. You can't be good for his image!

FAP - you are right, that is what the campaign should be about. But like campaigns run by this faction in the past, that won't at all be what this campaign is about. There will be midnight flyers, street workers and checks galore, vote farming, paid political operatives from all over the darn place and who knows how much in independent expenditures that will never be reported.

But I challenge Ramos to prove me wrong. Don't take campaign money or in-kind help above the limit allowed by law. Don't run your campaign out of office space paid for by someone else like has been done apparently in the past. Don't hire any street workers for $40. Don't go farming for votes in the HHA. Ban the out of town operatives from infesting your campaign. Disassociate yourself w/ the people who habitually involve themselves in shady practices around election time that annoy so many people year after year. Do that and then you make this a campaign about ideas. So go ahead Ramos, I triple dog dare you to make this campaign about ideas and only ideas.

Oh he did fight and beg and plead to keep his place in teh Assembly. However, he was cought drunk bragging about how he was going to knock off Congressmen Sires. Had nothing to do with how he voted on anything in Trenton (which people keep spinning). RR just showed incredibly poor political judgment and got tossed from the ticket. BTW, how many public pensions is he in line to receive, last time I counted, it was three. He has spent his life (along with his family) on the public payroll and I can find nothing in his background to suggest that he has the managment skills to run the Ciy better than the Mayor. Nice enough guy, but that is about it. If he is to have any chance, he needs to stake out a clear path away from the Axis of No. His choice of ticket is interesting but tells me that neither Russo, Raia or Mason will throw him support.

Talking about compromise and working together w/ the Axis of No is a sure sign he won't ever steer a path clear away from them.

I love a family friendly city. That's exactly what building more parks will do. That's what protecting the city from additional flooding will do.

How many new screen names are you going to start up today? The one and done comments are a bit obvious, don't you think?

i luv quote of "a touch of the old Hoboken"...hate the break the news but there was also a lot of corruption during the days of old Hoboken and my family has no interest in seeing us go back to those old corrupt days. i am sure mr. ramos is a nice guy and hopefully has good intentions but he has associated himself with the russo family and others who have wreaked of ethical issues if not criminal issues for many years so he will not get our vote. that he is associated with beth mason also insures he is not getting any votes from the 2nd ward...so I just don't see this election as being even close.

And another one and done commenter makes an appearance! Nice to know you are consistent but don't you think having so many show up in a half hour is a little obvious?

I'm sorry that Ojo insulted you RP. No one should criticize your sincerity or voice. I'm tired of all this negativity in the world from people who don't have anything postive to say.

If? LMAO. I expect this campaign to be no different than ones waged in the past by this faction.

Well it all depends on if that faction has his back.

Ah well, a gal can dream.

Hmmm. It may have been nice if you identified yourself as his business partner.

My full name, image, and bio is referenced in my comment. I don't hide behind nicknames when commenting either. Additionally, I don't feel the need to introduce myself prior to commenting on an article. However, part of the reason why I am Joe's business partner is because of my approval of his character.

Simon- I have nothing bad to say about Joe but I know Ruben Ramos' record on City Council and it is none too good from a fiscal sanity standpoint. As a favor from Mayor Roberts, Ruben's mother was on the payroll and payed quite handsomely for doing very little to my knowledge and that is just the tip of the iceberg. I wonder if Joe knew about this when he signed up.

When someone signs up for a slate they are buying into that person's record and style of campaigning. When Ruben ran with Roberts in 2005 I saw evidence of organized vote buying on his behalf and this continues to this day from the Old Guard. If someone thinks it is ok to buy votes then they should vote for Ruben's slate based on past performance.

I don't have a personally ill feeling toward Ruben either. It is just his record on City Council and these election issues that I feel could greatly tarnish Joe's reputation (not because Joe would personally sign off on them) but because he is associated with the dark political forces that in the past have participated in patronage deals, bad fiscal policy, vote buying, intimidation of HHA residents, voter intimidation including assault and questionable procurement practices that led to the arrest and conviction of Jon Corea under Mayor Dave Roberts.

I fear that Joe is walking into a mine field but I hope that Ruben decides to go the clean campaign route. If past experience is a guide I have my doubts.

- Kurt

I commend those that have a lot of passion for politics in Hoboken, just as long as that passion is used to express view points instead of resentment and hate. We've grown our business hMAG on passion and an optimistic view point of Hoboken. Whether you're a business owner or a resident its important to help promote this town, its beneficial to all of us; probably more so then ever because Hoboken has been getting quite a bit of media coverage.

I say all of this because I know Joe to be an eternal optimist; someone who sees potential and good in people. I'll let Joe present himself and his ideas to those that know him and to those that will take the time to know him in the coming months as I'm just here to offer my support for him running for city council.

Its important to respect the past, but its even more important to have a vision for the future, have an open dialogue with those that don't necessarily share your view points because if we all felt the same way about every issue in this town, politics wouldn't exist and I think we'd all be bored out of our mind.

Then you have not met a lot of people in the past two years.

Would he agree to step up and have him, the rest of his slate and Ramos accept the challenge I wrote up above? He does that and actually runs a campaign on ideas and maybe I might believe you. He runs a campaign "the Hoboken way" and depends on hundreds of street workers who vote by mail and all get $40 checks like the last guy w/ a similar pedigree to the one you describe did, I will never agree with or believe you.

What is a real "Hobokenite"? Is that someone who believes to lax enforcement of local laws, graft, corruption and patronage? Someone who went to the finest public H.S. Hoboken has to offer? Seriously, the B n' R's are the ones who continue the losing battle and "us v. them" mentality.

Russo's felon father was a real Hobokenite and Dave Robert was as well...thus your memory is somewhat off.

Scott, I find that to be a cheap shot, early on from a vocal non-resident. With all due respect and I have a lot for you. I have credited your outreach at past city council meetings as one of the main criteria's of why I started to get involved. You are mis-representing Ruben and his overall success with not only Hoboken, but the State.

Let's not go down the patronage angle so early on, as I will publish the Zimmer Donors to Hoboken Board Seats Roster! OR how about the increased pay to certain individuals on city payroll....do you want to talk about the $2,500,000 Million in legal fees + planners expenses!

You moved far out of town, right? And have no stake in this election? You are just commenting for your ego as usual, right?

David, I think the patronage angle might be a wee bit difficult when you compare a paid municipal job to being on a board for no pay. But perhaps you will provide a new angle on how being politically active in Hoboken and serving on a board is the equivalent of a paid job.

As for legal fees, I would be proud to support you after you and/or Ruben decry the tens of thousands rung in the manufactured lawsuit by Beth Mason and the Russo clan. I'm ready to applaud you and Ruben on that today if you actually stand up for Hoboken on this.

So when Beth wheels money into the campaign in violation of pay-to-play laws, and when hundreds of people that Joe never saw lift a finger for the campaign show up as $40 "workers" on ELEC reports - what should we expect from Joe? Same thing we got from Move Forward? "We have no idea who put a Nazi truck in front of a school."

Speaking of respect for members of the public - is that what Russo, Mason, Castellano and Occhipinti showed Phil Cohen this week?

The same dad's group that believes it doesnt need insurance to cover taxpayer liabilty? That dad's group?
Scary thought: Does he feel the same?

@pdq. When you put your name to a comment, I will address your misguided mudslinging.

@Thismeanswar: When you put your name to a comment, I will address your misguided attempt to lump Joe in with others he has no affiliation with. Personally it sounds like a weak attempt to hold hold onto power by discrediting another and not running on your candidate's record. As someone who waited 15 minutes to navigate the Observer and Jackson gridlock "its a great place for a park" corner yesterday, I can understand why you have chosen this strategy.

That is an utterly disingenuous reply. Mason money and VBM farming come with territory where Joe has planted his flag. Denying it is insulting to common intelligence.

But given the unbroken history of election fraud - which will now be put to work for your friend regardless of whatever plausible deniability he imagines he has - I can see why you have changed the subject to a bad intersection.

Here's two questions which many people have. You don't have to answer, and your friend doesn't have to answer. Consequently the public will form its own answer.

Do you really think Tim Occhipinti had 575 paid "workers" when he got 1240 votes?

Do you really think the people behind Ruben's campaign aren't planning to do the same thing for Joe - whether he manages to intellectually disassociate himself from it or not?

Go ahead and answer the questions, Brian as MSV will restate them under its well known moniker.

Have you learned nothing from your behavior before government meetings? Not that I'd lump Joe in with your performances as that would not be fair and no one actually has heard Joe come out on a single position of importance in Hoboken among several critical ones in recent years.

You however did speak on the municipal garage issue and claimed it was threatening the neighborhood around Pino's which was a complete Michael Russo political operation. You followed that with your attacks on the City Council majority who you said you would work to see replaced.

You followed that with a woeful appearance at the BoE misleading people at the meeting about a pool party even misleading one of the speakers at the microphone with you.

So while Hoboken and myself don't have a single reason to know where Joe Mindak stands on any issue, we've certainly seen some of yours. Not thinking your endorsement is helping him.

If Joe Mindak is so prepared on issues, how come Hoboken has yet to hear even one?
Remember that hospital "thing." Where was Joe Mindak then?

@thismeanswar. Please come out from behind the curtain. If you must throw stones at named people, why won't you use your own?

Joe is now part of a slate that is headed by Ramos. The last time Ramos ran for city wide office, a ton of people got $45 checks and that is a fact you can verify by looking at the campaign filings. If he doesn't like being lumped in w/ that guy then he shouldn't be on his slate.

Deflect! Deflect! Deflect!

Mr. Murray, At the Hoboken Dads 'Kiddiepalooza' event in Church Square Park last September, you sat at a table covered with stacks of Move Forward campaign literature. Perry B., Ines GK, and Felice Vasquez (candidate) were at your event handing out Move Forward literature.

Did Hoboken Dads denounce the use of a Nazi Truck on October 16 and 17th by the Move Forward campaign? (the campaign Hoboken Dads hosted at Kiddiepalooza)

If not why not? If so- when?

As a founding member of Hoboken Dads, has Joe Mindak denounced Move Forward's use of swastikas in a School Board campaign?

http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/09/has-hobokendads-become-pac.html

I haven't thrown any stones. I've asked about documented behavior. Wheeling, 575 paid "workers" for 1240 votes, etc. All of it on the record. That you want to characterize it as a personal attack is interesting, like Colbert telling us the facts have a liberal bias.

I asked you 2 rhetorical questions. Here they are again. At this point, it probably doesn't matter whether you answer or not. But just know this. Everyone here *does* know the answers. These aren't questions seeking information we don't have. They're really questions about who you are. Namely, do you think the ends justify the means that will inevitably be used by the team Joe has joined. I think we have our answer. Since you feel that way, do you seriously think anyone is going to give you a name?
***
Do you really think Tim Occhipinti had 575 paid "workers" when he got 1240 votes?

Do you really think the people behind Ruben's campaign aren't planning to do the same thing for Joe - whether he manages to intellectually disassociate himself from it or not?

PDQ, I think you're right. The complaint about ill-treatment of members of the public had to do with the Dad's group at BOE when they didn't have insurance to use the pool. I can't think of an example of a member of the public being treated disrespectfully by the council - except the way Phil Cohen was treated last week. On the other hand, Jake Stuiver is treated like absolute dirt by the 'public' and says "thank you" to each one of them.

@ GA Ms. Pincus. To set the record straight. Move forward left literature at an unmanned table at Kiddeapalooza to provide information to attendees. HDG was not approached by Kids First to leave similar literature although Mr. Gold, Ms. Sobolov and Ms Minutillo of Kids First spent several hours at the event as compared to the five minutes Ines and Felice spent as they walked through the public park. The Hoboken Dads Group is not a political organization and has no affiliation with any group of hate. I personally denounce any group that uses or creates hateful propoganda. Does this mean I am denouncing you too ? Didn't you create the graphics that Joe denounced?

Brian Murray, you posted this to me: " Didn't you create the graphics that Joe denounced?" Oh boy... "that Joe deounced." Right, on his Nazi Truck.

So you are ADMITTING that your buddy, Hoboken Dads' Joe was behind the Nazi Truck! Well, we all knew it- but he's not man enough to fess up nor apologize. All of you are cowards. I've never heard you denounce your friend Joe for using a Nazi truck in his campaign.

As for the graphic on Joe's Truck- I pulled it down off my website in 2010- on November 18, 2010 to be exact. The same day I apologized publicly and to our rabbis for having offended anyone. That takes character- which none of you have.

No, your friends saved the image for 2 years, then REPUBLISHED IT, played it to the public- including kids.

I denounce the use of that image by Move Forward, yet you ALLOWED your Kiddiepalooza event to become a Move Forward campaign event. And have never denounced the use of swastikas in the Move Forward campaign. THEIR choice to display on a video truck. Leave me out of it.

Minutillo and Sobolov have kids, they did not hand out lit nor campaign.

http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/

I didn't say Joe was a bad guy. I said he has no history of expressing any opinions on any Hoboken issues. Based on his biography and record the only opinion one can discern is that he wants to be on the City Council.

Brian said he'll "have his own opinions." Do any of those "opinions" that "he'll have" exist yet? The people I support have opinions and that's why they run for office. They don't form opinions only because they want to get elected.

Scott Delea is a nice guy with a real resume of charitable work that's likely a whole lot more impressive than Mr. Mindak's. And he's certainly a nice guy every bit as nice as Joe. But the only substantive policy idea he seems to have is his desire to be elected to something. Unless Mr. Mindak has a record of expressing views on policies we are so far unaware of, the comparison to Mr. Delea appears quite apt.

I assume you believe scott delea to be a "bad thing"?

demosthenes,

Please show me where Jen Giattino was on the record about anything prior to her election campaign.

POG, filed a verified complaint against Mayor Roberts, Councilman Ramos and the City of Hoboken. The complaint sought to compel Roberts and Ramos to report to the City Council certain campaign contributions received by the Roberts Team, which allegedly violated the Ordinance, and to compel Roberts, Ramos and the City to enforce the Ordinance.

Developers with No-Bid Redevelopment/Planning Contracts

Contributions

Dean Geibel, Metro Homes, LLC 4/20/2005 $10,400 Roberts Team Dean Geibel, Metro Homes, LLC 4/21/2005 $7,200 HDP

Dean Geibel of Metro Stop, LLC has a no bid contract to develop 800 Jackson Street in the Tarragon and URSA are partners in various development projects in Northwest Redevelopment Area.

Tarragon Realty Invstrs. 4/19/2005 -$10,400 - Roberts Team

Arthur Garfield, Tarragon Realty Invstrs. 4/20/2005-$7,200 -HDP

Michael Sciarra, URSA Development 4/14/2005-$10,400- Roberts Team

Michael Sciarra, URSA Development 4/21/2005-$6,000-HDP

Other No-Bid Contractors

Steve Edwards, Business Governmental Insurance Agency $1,600 (4/12/2005) Woodbridge,

James Caulfield, Fields Development Group (City contract via Marchetto-Caulfield Assocs.) $1,800 (5/6/2005) --
Sarkisian, Florio and Kenny $28,000 (5/5/05) via intermediary of Election Fund of Senator Kenny Roberts Team
7,200 (5/9/05) via Senator Kenny HDP
40,000 (5/16/05) via intermediary of Hudson Cty. Dem. Org. headed by Kenny-HDP

I disagree. I think there would be the same amount of lawsuits, just a lot more "settlements".

Dear Editor:

As election for Hoboken Mayor approaches, I would like to express my support for Mayor David Roberts and his slate of at-large council candidates, Ruben Ramos, Terry LaBruno and Peter Camarano. I believe that Mayor Roberts and his team have done a fine job leading the City over the last four years. Mayor Roberts is honest, hardworking and he commits himself every day to making Hoboken a better place to live and work. He has always been responsive to the needs of our residents and employees, and I believe he deserves a second term to continue to improve Hoboken.

Thanks for your consideration of this letter and please come out and vote for Mayor Dave Roberts and his team on May 10th.

Yours truly,
Raul Morales

Read more: Hudson Reporter - Join me and vote for Roberts his slate

Ramos will be flogged with his own voting record.

There is nothing slanderous about bringing up the campaign finance reports of the slate Ramos himself was a part of. Those contributions, those checks, that spending is all a matter of record and indisputable checks. You just don't like how bad it looks for the guy.

Oh cASSandra, you always have the wittiest insight into everything. BTW, what slander has bandied about here today? Please let me know, I know so little about the subject.

"Oh he did fight and beg and plead to keep his place in teh Assembly. However, he was cought drunk bragging about how he was going to knock off Congressmen Sires."

Written by khoboken above; guess his definition of slander is different then mine

google his assembly page...generally there are voting records there. You can also google voting records of nj assembly votes.

The Old Guard? Wasn't Ruben elected with Carol Marsh and Tony Soares? Wasn't he supported by the "Reformers"?

First, Zimmer. Unfortunately she had to spend some $$ in lawsuits because of all the messed up bull $hit that the past administrations created (yes I like"some" things Zimmer stands for/does and "some" Ramos does). And we all know how bad the past was here in Hoboken, hell just look at our wonderful police force still. LOL Although, if she wins another term, I hope she steps it up!

Second, Mindak. If you do some research, stop assuming and actually be an "educated" voter, he seems to be a very solid guy. Starting to actually like him the more I hear and read about him. Looks like he has done more for this town than anyone else on the board now or running for it, and seems to be friends with both side of the Hoboken political BS world. Sh*t, maybe we should be voting for him for mayor! However, why he is running with Ramos is still something I guess he'll have to explain however, as long as he (Mindak) keeps doing all that positive stuff in town, I could care less who he is running with. (Jacko) Integrity is created by your actions, values, principles, not by who you run with.

Third, Mr. Ramos. Hmm... seems to me he is stuck with the past biting his ass. Yet, we all know that the past doesn't make who you are today, so I hope he let's us all know where is stands today, now that he is older and (hopefully) wiser. And I hope it is not still with his past peep's beliefs.