Running in the Third Ward
Councilman Michael Russo is running for a third term.
Although Hoboken politics is nothing new to Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo, one thing has fundamentally changed since the last time he ran for council four years ago: he is a father now.
“I’ve grown so much,” Russo, 36, said over pancakes recently, “I’m a husband and a father.” Russo is running for his third term on the Hoboken City Council.
Like many of his council colleagues and fellow candidates, Russo said he wants to add more park space to the city. One specific is the tow yard—otherwise known as “the Pino site”—in the Third Ward. “That’s something I want to see happen,” Russo said. The city recently bonded $20 million to acquire park land somewhere in town.
As far as the budget surplus is concerned, Russo shares the same opinion as Council President Beth Mason and Fourth Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti. Russo said the roughly $5 million the city currently has as a cash surplus should be deducted from the tax levy.
How much taxes would be lowered per family, depends on the value of each individual house and is hard to predict or calculate, Russo said.
As far as other cuts are concerned, Russo said he wants to start at the top down in city hall. “Why aren’t we cutting unnecessary positions?” he asked. The problem with the current budget, he added, is the spending. “The spending is the culprit,” Russo said.
Russo said also that he wants the city to enforce a "residency law," which would mean that only people who live in town can be hired to work for the city of Hoboken.
Russo is known as a staunch critic of Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her administration, and said he disagrees with her on some "major things." But, he added, he has also supported her in the past.
"I was one of the voters to make Dawn Zimmer council president," Russo said about his vote on the matter in 2009. Russo didn’t say whom he thinks should become the new council president after the elections.
Russo resigned as council vice president recently, after tapes of a meeting between him and FBI operative Solomon Dwek were released.
Another example on where he likes the city's programs and policies, Russo said, is the city’s Corner Cars program. The council majority—which includes Russo—voted against an ordinance to permanently create the parking spots for the car sharing program. Rather, the council voted to create the parking spots on a temporary basis. Parking spots are usually created by ordinance.
“I disagree with the way they implement the program,” Russo said, but added: “I agree with the program.”
Russo also disagreed with the mayor about her decision to lay off and demote police officers to cut cost. Although the lay offs were prevented, nine officers were demoted late last year. The mayor is still working on a reaction to a recent fire department audit.
Russo said he had not yet looked in depth at the fire audit and its findings. “The closing of a firehouse is absolutely unacceptable,” Russo said.
“We have one of the best Fire Departments,” Russo said, “why would you want to degrade that?"
Fire Chief Richard Blohm wrote a response to the fire audit after it was released and said that—although hesitantly—he would be open to closing one fire company.
Overall, Russo said, he is also looking to improve the regular day-to-day quality of life issues for residents. "But right now," he said, "my goal is to win."
Hoboken1653
1:14 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
"The problem with the current budget, he added, is the spending. “The spending is the culprit,” Russo said."
Yet he has NEVER once tried to make any meaningful cuts. And his corruption, and his family's corruption, is legendary.
Vote for Lincoln and get rid of this trash
Journey
1:46 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
Here is how they can improve quality of life. They can stop double parking in front of the civic association. Then it would be safer to cross Adams.
HobokenOwl
3:25 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
If you want real changes vote for Lincoln. Russo has proven time and again he's all about politrickin' as usual.
Bob R
3:08 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
I personally like a councilman who likes to party. He has my vote!
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/04/more_trouble_for_josue_velez.html
HobokenOwl
3:26 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
Good one. Remember, that was YERAS ago. He is so much more mature now, 3 years later. What a piece of work Russo is.
GOTV and get him out of office!
Journey
3:32 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
What time do the polls open. Last time voted with the toddler in-tow she hit the Vote button before I made my selections on the referendum. I want to go with out the wee little beastie this time, I can't afford to take any chances.
HobokenOwl
3:34 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
I believe 6am. And, despite the "tone" of my last post, I know you're voting for Lincoln and not Russo. Sorry about that. :D
rtrux
3:33 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
"Although Hoboken politics is nothing new to Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo, one thing has fundamentally changed since the last time he ran for council four years ago: he was caught on video tape agreeing to accept bribes, responding "r-u-s-s-o for hoboken' when asked how the illegal check should be made out."
Eric
3:46 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
Send this guy packing. Sorry, but if you're agreeing to accept bribes and trash talking pay to play laws designed to take the money influence out of politics, you don't deserve the position. Boot him out and give someone else a shot.
I don't understand how at 33, this guy had no idea what he was with Dwek was very very wrong. He got married, his wife has a baby, *NOW* he knows right from wrong because now he's all grown up and wears big-boy pants!
He may not have gone through with the transaction, and that will keep him out of jail, but the court of public opinion isn't limited such strict interpretations. The mere fact that he entertained accepting bribe money, as if it was just another day doing business as usual is enough to convince any rational person that Mike Russo is not a man who can be trusted to not only follow the law, but do what everyone knows is the right thing.
Journey
4:45 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
The only way he could redeem himself in my eyes after that meeting with Dwek, would have been to call the authorities and report the incident. "Hey I would like to AG that some developer just offered me a me money, I played along with him, but I think it was very dirty..."
But he never came clean until the tapes came out.
Eric
4:52 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
The only redemption would be a statement like: "Thank you Solomon for the generous offer, but I can't accept money for favors. I'm afraid you'll have to wait in line just like everyone else."
Redrider765
4:53 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
Well at least now that the tapes are out, nobody can pretend they don't know how crooked the guy is when they vote for him (or vote against him).
Bob R
7:35 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
The crooks are fighting for their right to party with your tax money.
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/04/more_trouble_for_josue_velez.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk
Hobbs
7:47 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.
How many more excuses can people make for the Michael Russo and the rest of his family before they say enough ?
Voting for Greg Lincoln will give Hoboken a fresh clean start.
Redrider765
8:00 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
On Tuesday we will find out if those people were fooled or if they have always known what Mike was and just don't care.
uggh
8:02 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
I can envision them sitting around the card tables now at the Russo Civic association, eagerly anticipating their potential winnings, divvying it up like a pokerpot after the race is over.
A digusting lot the Russos. I will never forger seeing that idiot brother in law on tape as cfo. What a pathetic schmuck, and he was earning 100k a year. They are a disgrace, bowling ball head and crew
Redrider765
8:04 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
How did he not get fired for cause b/c of the budget fiasco? We have an illegally unfunded overspent budget and the CFO keeps his job? WTF? If this were the corporate world, he would have been the first employee shown the door.
Bob R
9:42 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/04/more_trouble_for_josue_velez.html
Hoboken1653
11:17 pm on Monday, May 9, 2011
I have a funny feeling, a hunch if you will, some people will be watching tomorrow's events very closely. I can only hope these brazen fools are dumb enough to try something
Hobbs
9:00 am on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Hoboken's first family of corruption wants to stay in power any way they can.
Michael Russo has shown he will continue the family tradition.
Some traditions need to end.
Vote for Greg Lincoln .
Journey
9:44 am on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
So are Mike's illegal sign down near the CT polling place?
George
12:52 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
wow. you guys have a lot of time (and screen names) on your hands, eh. Go try to cinvince voters that your guys is the right choice. Not so easy, is it. The proof is at the polls!
Cheese
3:17 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Actually, the proof is on an FBI tape.
Eric
4:58 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Voter apathy is the biggest challenge for reform candidates.