If anything, Gonzalez said, "we need more maintenance guys."
LOL! Hey, Mr. Gonzalez, can you please share an HHA employee list so the board can determine if they actually need more maintenance guys? Carmelo is MIA at the HHA too? Bring in a Deputy! Where in the world is Carmelo Garcia?

Did the HHA need a Deputy Director when they hired a young man named Carmelo Garcia for the job? Did the task that the HHA management faces get smaller after Carmelo was appointed to full Director?
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Why did we need a Deputy before but not now?

Someone needs to remind Commissioner Gonalez that having a Deputy Director is not unheard of in the HHA. In fact Carmelo Garcia was promoted from the position of Deputy Director to Executive Director in 2009.
http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/2565738/article--Carmelo-Garcia-hired-as-Hoboken-Housing-Authority-director-

well i guess that would be a vote of no confidence in carmelo garcia...I really do not know enough about the situation or the people involved but personally I am willing to give stuiver the latitude he needs to make whatever changes he believes are necessary to get things moving away from corruption and the old ways of doing things in hoboken. there has been a lot of rumbling that such things were happening in the past...

Let's not look for more ways to add taxes to the people PAYING the taxes which pay athe salaries. If someone is not doing his/her job......let them go!

Funny, his "busy travel schedule".

Doesn't the director place the CFO on the agenda?

"I don't need one," Garcia said. "I was surprised."

"I have a CFO who is basically my deputy," Garcia said.

What is the big deal about a new auditor?

I heard that Branco and Callichio were publicly warning Judy Burell not to vote on the agenda item because she is an employee of the school board and the director sits on that board. Why would they intimidate her over a deputy director position? The deputy is there to help the executive director. Does this seem odd to anyone?

Why the Intimidation for a helping hand? Why was police presence needed to keep order over a deputy director position? Shouldn't the executive director be thankful that he is being given more help to do his job?

Well we know he's not MIA because he's at a BOE meeting. He's MIA for those too.

Why is the HHA paying for anyone to travel anywhere? At most the guy should be taking a day trip to DC and covering the cost of his train fare. He could leave at 5 AM and be back by 10 PM w/ plenty of time to attend some seminar in DC at HUD at minimal cost. There is absolutely no need for anyone to attend multiple multi-day conferences.

Forde,
You know history yet continue to post misinformation. Carmelo was chosen by Acting Ex. Director, Bob DiVincent, to be the full time Assistant Ex. Director of the HHA because Bob works full time for the North Bergen Housing Authority and only worked part time for the Hoboken Housing Authority. I cannot recall the HHA ever having a full time Ex. Director with an Assistant Ex. Director, whether full or part time.
Perry

Duh! Does anyone not understand what is going on? The Board is getting ready to get rid of Carmelo. Put in a deputy that Carmelo has to train. After some amount of time, fire Carmelo and the Deputy becomes the new Executive Director.

It's an oversight hire, just what the HHA needs. Needed more for when Garcia is there than when he travels.

Carmelo's people packed the house last night, and folks were riled up because of misleading texts and phone calls. There was so much tension in the room some thought a riot would break out. And police back-up were called for one individual who lost control of himself and was screaming in a Councilman's face.

http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-hha-follies.html

I'm troubled with how Director Garcia is acting. He seems to be trying to quash normal changes in auditors, lawyers, and now the beefing up of the HHA management team. A more suspicious person than myself would likely suspect Director Garcia at some point did something wrong and is afraid that new oversight in law or finance would discover past or present misdeeds.
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His very good friend Joe Branco seems to be doing everything in his limited power to defend his friend and the question is from what? A change in auditors every 2 to 3 years is customary and a board changing attorneys from time to time is reasonable.
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The question is what are Director Carmelo Garcia and his very good friend Joe Branco afraid the next lawyer and auditor will discover? Can the HHA and its residents afford not to find out?

I wonder if this is a setup to get a racial discrimination case. What I'm hearing is that a hispanic board member threw up some mighty big theatrics. Carmelo quits, claims he was forced out and tries to get paid. It's not like Timmy didn't already threaten a lawsuit about a commissioner being removed for her failure to take classes. Anyone know where that lawsuit is? Of course, if this year's audit shows anything strange, that would be a big problem.

Joseph Branco, I am curious (and I am not making any accusations here) but what exactly is your concern here? why are you involved? do you live in the HHA? it does not sound like you do so I am sort of confused about your involvement? I have heard your name bounded about, I am guessing you want to run for office? It also sounds like you have associated yourself with people that many in the community are offended by (beth mason, mike russo, etc.)...these people do not seem to be looking out for the best interests of hoboken residents therefore anyone associated with them unfortunately are tainted in the eyes of others. Unfortunately, I have not put my down to protect my family from tactics used by certain individuals to intimidate others in our community (present company excluded).

This is the first step to giving Carmelo the door. This is the proper way to do it in most industies. Hire a #2, get them trained, replace later. I smell a "reformer" puppet coming to the HHA in the not to distant future. Prediction: Carmelo gets fired. Carmelo sues. Carmelo wins a boat load of money from the city. Typical Hoboken scenario/politics/power grab!

Joe Branco should put a lid on it and use an anonymous name like everyone else. Now I understand the concerns of the parents who didn't want their charter school fundraiser at Room 84. They told Joe is was a capacity issue, it's actually a "he's a jerk" issue. Your quest for power has ended. Would be smart of you to shut up and fall back if you plan on ever holding another charity for our schools in your establishments ever again.

Interesting had no idea he owned that establishment. Definitely will never visit it again. Why do I get the feeling this guy is going to have legal problems in the near future. Trying to disclose info from a closed session meeting...not a smart move.

Hi David Liebler,

Perhaps you can explain the legal theory under which Garcia will win a"boatload" of money? I'm not familiar with any such "boatloads" being won since Zimmer became mayor but maybe I missed something.

Beth Mason brought up appeals the other day regarding the Al Arriza and Bill Campbell cases two employees that were also going to win "boatloads of money." So far the only boatloads of money have gone to their lawyers.

Accountability only scares those with something to be accountable for. David, you seem to think better oversight will lead to new information that could get Garcia fired. If that's what his friends think, then imagine what his enemies think.

Personally I hope Liebler is wrong and Garcia's job security is not threatened by any past, present or future improprieties.

I believe changing auditors is good practice.

When I worked for a financial company they rotated the accountants into different departments. One reason is that it makes it hard to cook the books if you don't know who is going to be working on the books 2 years after you are in the department.

Why would any honest person not want that type of transparency?

First of all I am surprised that this is even happening. For as long as I have known Carmelo, I have only seen him as someone who truly cares and has been out for the best interest of the HHA and the residents who live there.
Here are my questions.....
Did you he do something wrong?
Was he written up if in fact he did something wrong?
Did he not perform his responsibilities?

To me I see this as a political witch hunt. Out for someone who is not a reformer but a BNR, old hobokenite. Wasn't it Carmelo that help Mayor Zimmer with the entire police situation?

Usually when people hire a #2, there is a serious issue.....I am not seeing the issue!

I am NOT surprised by the administration wanting to hire a Deputy Director for the Hoboken Housing Authority. Since the hire of Mr. Garcia, the Hoboken Housing Authority has been strictly POLITICAL and has lost the true meaning of what Public Housing has to offer. It became more of an ego trip for the Director rather than helping individuals in need. To date, he has lost (due to his large EGO) most of the true hard working, dedicated employees that made the Authority a helping place. The employees that remain will feel freed from the Prison Mr. Garcia has built. Kudos to Jake Stuiver for accomplishing the future removal of Gsrcia! Good luck to the new Director in the near future!

Carmelo is only out for Carmelo. From this outsiders perspective, it seems to me that if he happens to help the HHA residents doing something he wants to do, that is merely a secondary consideration. Talking to him for five minutes at a political event I attended, I determined he was of the same ilk as a used car salesman. I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him. Given his reticence to open the HHA books and share information (such as employee lists or hiring new auditors) I think it's fair to believe he is likely to be found dishonest.

So If I see this correct, poor Jake Stuiver could not get a question answered in the time manner that he wanted so therefor we should hire another person, another salary so Jake can get answers in a quicker time line?
Give me a break and cut the PR crap. We all know what this is about. Reformers want Carmelo out, period. I would have more respect if the comment read, "we want him gone" Enough with the BS. It is known throughout Hoboken that Reformers and Zimmer hate OLD Hoboken and Carmelo just happens to be one of them. So regardless of the job he is doing, let's create a fake issue around Jake not getting an his answers quick enough, go out and hire another person, train them and kick Carmelo out when his term is up.

My issue is simple. Reformers are full of so much shit it stinks in Hoboken. Show me just cause for hiring another person, instead of this witch hunt BS!

And yes I do see it as a Zimmer is a US vs. Them with regard to BNR and OLD Hoboken as it has been said by multiple people over the years how Zimmer can not stand anyone who has worked for past administrations, committees etc. She wants her own people in there at all cost. This is a mayor who can not play well with others from the past, nor does she understand the meaning of negotiating.
Hence the eminant domain debacle that has already cost tax payers tons of legal expenses. Hows that one going for her? Grade F as in FRAUD

David, Here is a teeny sample of the exec. director's management skills without assistance http://myhhanj.com/2009%202010%20audit%20report.pdf . Now, aside from the fact that he has only posted 6 or7 pages (of one year) of ,an entire audit in the 3 or 4 years he's been exec. director, just imagine what the other pages he left out as well as the other "hidden" audits cite and this is without working on the 20/20 vision.

What is the 20/20 vision anyhow? and how will it work? Does anyone really know what it is and how it will effect the HHA? WHat happens when HHA property now has middle income families on site? Does the HHA control those properties? Who is responsible for maintenance on stores and middle income rentals? Who is liable for verifications? If the exec. dir. cant keep track of verifying and maintaining records for a sample of 50, how will he maintain 1400 records and oversee the 20/20 vision? and all of the new middle income units that will be added?

According to the audit, he has proven he can't even handle 50. Obviously he needs help.

You can keep pushing the Zimmer hates the "bnr" and "old Hoboken" all you like. That rumor has been circulated since she sat on the dais as councilwoman. It didnt work for the last 4 years you used it, who knows - maybe it'll work this time?

Mr Cermelo is hiding  he is planning how to cover all the holes that he has made

Mr Cermelo is hiding  he is planning how to cover all the holes that he has made

Mr Carmelo is hiding he is planning how to cover all the holes that he has made. "What a honest person?" Corrupt politicians

There will never be change in the HHA until they fire them all and start fresh. There is to much corruption and mishandling of the HHA budget. Look it has been over 90 days since the super storm sandy hit and the people living in the HHA "Projects" don't have any heat still, and look at the below zero wind chill weather we are having.The committee is made up of pure scam artist. Yea lets build a baseball field and state change, bs there not doing anything down there but putting up some fresh paint jobs and calling it rebuilding. The HHA is even trying to enforce a force work program, stating to residents if they don't work for free for HHA they will be evicted. This needs to be investigated, these people pay rent on close to nothing incomes, most are disabled seniors, or single mothers with infants and the HHA want to force this upon them, can anyone say slave labor. So what do they want the poor resident to paint,clean up and rebuild the HHA "projects" so the budget money proposed for the jobs get pocketed. That is so corrupt, and the HHA board continues to get away with their corrupt actions do to an uneducated HHA resident population who have no clue how to fight for their rights or even speak english to be able to. Fire them all get a thorough investigation done, prosecute those who have wronged the community and start fresh.

I dont know whas goin on with the elevators they are always broken I wonder if ancase of emergency we will die before reaching emergency room. where is the money I pay rent

Who is the real HHA Chairmen (jake) Lets see he is the same man who supported director Garcia from day one he was appointed in till Mr. Mello was appointed . He was also the same person to nominate Jean Rodriguez as chair women . All that changed when when former board member Maryann didn't vote for him for chair so what did jake do next he went out of his way to have an senior women removed from the board and still at this point jake was still voting with the director . Here come Dave mello an now all of a sudden jake has a change of hart . A part of being a man is think for your self and it is clear jake can't do. That hey he can't even support his family his wife dose that or he can't hold a job. Maybe he is mad cause director Garcia won't give him a job cleaning buildings but why he has never held a job more the. Two years. Last for anyone who reads this ask all of the board members living in the housing authority then ask the director the same ? And then ask the board members why do we need a dep director and make sure all members of the board tell u way they voted for a deputy or not I bet at least 3 members can't answer both questions then you will see who is really there for the resident and who is there for politics

Director Garcia supporter and current employee and former resident family still resides in HHA