What Was Beth Mason Up To Wednesday Night?
Listening to her constituents, the way she’s always done, the Second Ward councilwoman said.
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For Beth Mason, the last year or so has supplied its share of setbacks and miscues. In 2009, the Second Ward Councilwoman lost two mayoral elections and, in the first quarter of 2010, she picked a fight with two of her city council colleagues and her husband backed a losing slate in the BoE election.
In what was viewed by some as a vexing move, Mason took a swipe at fellow council members Ravi Bhalla and Peter Cunningham last month, accusing the two of having a conflict of interest after voting to award special counsel Paul Condon a new contract. Bhalla shares a law office with Condon, but argued that the two attorneys maintain separate practices. Condon and Cunningham's wives collaborate on a real estate business.
But, Mason made the commotion after the city council—Mason included—voted unanimously to award Condon the $29,000 contract. The city council seemed to placate Mason at a meeting, engaging in a lengthy discussion about the appearance of impropriety, and the issue seemed to blow over.
After a group of landlords filed a class-action suit in early February against Hoboken over its rent control law, Mason led a subcommittee in meetings to address possible changes to the city's rent control law. But any recommendations on what to do about rent control have yet to be made public.
More recently, the councilwoman's husband, Ricky Mason, published a letter in The Hoboken Reporter endorsing Real Results in last week's BoE election. The Kids First slate swept the election and the winners were sworn in on Tuesday.
So, what is a politician who might be spinning her wheels to do? Hobnob with her constituents over a round of free cocktails at a swanky waterfront restaurant? Hire a new consulting firm? Stay committed to being accessible to the residents she represents?
How about all of the above?
Mason recently employed the services of The Cratos Group, a Lyndhurst-based firm that provides strategic and fundraising counsel to elected officials (she still retains the services of Vision Media) and last night she hosted a meet-and-greet at Lua for Second Ward residents.
About 75 people turned out to meet the councilwoman—some to voice their concerns to Mason, some to show support for her and some to discuss the challenges facing Hoboken with fellow community activists. A handful of other notable locals turned out for the event, including county Freeholder Anthony Romano, Liz Markevitch and Patricia Waiters. Bhalla, a Councilman-at-Large and Second Ward resident, was not in attendance.
Was the meet-and-greet public posturing orchestrated by her new consulting firm or was there a genuine exchange of ideas and concerns between constituents and elected official? Most people on hand didn't seem to think it was posturing and many were appreciative to get some face time with their city representative.
Jay Boucher, 39, and Desiree Goldfinger, 36, said they found the meet-and-greet to be an effective way of voicing their concerns to Mason. The couple has lived in Hoboken for 15 years and has two young children. They said they spoke to Mason for about 15 minutes about a speed-bump that was removed on their street during repaving and hasn't been replaced since the work was finished.
Boucher, a Web designer who sits on the Board of Trustees for the NJ chapter of the ACLU, lauded Mason's work on behalf of the Second Ward and local government in general. "The work she does for open records is really good for keeping municipal governments accountable," said Boucher, noting that the free drink was a nice incentive to show up.
That sentiment was echoed by people like 68-year-old Jesus Diaz, who's lived in Hoboken for 47 years and used to work at Bethlehem Steel, and Dave Walensky, 37, who said he attended because, "The way Hoboken is right now, you have to support who you believe in."
Mason is no stranger to these types of outreaches to the community. Last year, between her losses in the May and November mayoral elections, Mason held a number of community meetings at which she channeled Al Gore and used a nifty slide show to promote her development plan for a 25-block stretch of Hoboken's northwest quadrant.
The concept, drawn up by the Manhattan-based Obelisk Architectural Consultants, included rudimentary sketches for the construction of a minor league baseball stadium, indoor and outdoor recreation space, a pedestrian mall, and more parking, among other things.
That plan has seemed to fade from her priority list in recent months due to a lack of public support, said Liz Markevitch (a candidate who ran for the BoE on the Real Results slate).
Markevitch, a Mason supporter who was there to discuss issues and challenges facing the city with other Hobokenites, also said that the positive work Mason's done for the community has been overshadowed by the losses in the mayoral elections and a calculated effort to discredit her image.
"I think the last year Beth got branded by people spreading lies, rumors and misinformation," said Markevitch, adding that Mason's generosity is too often overlooked. When asked for an example, Markevitch said Mason gifted the Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA $20,000 to help it pay off debts to PSE&G and stay in business. The YMCA closed its health and family programs last month.
When asked about the donation to the YMCA, Mason said she donated $10,000 and loaned another $10,000, but never sought repayment of the loan, thereby making it a $20,000 gift. Mason said she made the donation because she and her husband were concerned that people would've been thrown out on the street and they did so quietly because "it is not necessary to publicize it."
As for last night's gathering, Mason said the objective was hearing what her constituents' dreams are and keeping people in Hoboken for the long-term—a common theme discussed by elected officials and those only tangentially involved in local politics.
"We need our people to stay here. We want them to stay in Hoboken and support the businesses here," said Mason. "Tonight is just a continuation of things I've done all through my tenure."
Mason said her northwest development plan isn't dead, but seems to have been abandoned by a public concerned with more pressing quality-of-life issues, like the budget and the roads.
She said she still has hope for development in northwest Hoboken and noted that if something went forward in that part of the city, there's a chance the Toll Bros. construction company would support the project and donate Maxwell Place Park to the city in return.
"We could get something better for our kids, better for our residents and more profitable for the city," she added. "It's always a possibility, but unless the constituents in the Second Ward and otherwise want it, it won't happen."
Mason also addressed the issue surrounding rent control. She emphasized that the city is not ending rent control and has submitted recommendations to Hoboken Corporation Counsel Michael Kates.
"On March 30, we had our last meeting. The subcommittee came up with three potential recommendations to the council," Mason said. "Since that time, it's been sitting in corporation counsel's office and that's all I'll say about that."
While the last year or so has been politically unstable for Mason—enough that she has at least two consulting firms strategizing for her—one constant has been her constituency, which remains loyal and appreciative.
"It's always great to have someone listen to the concerns of constituents," said Michael McDonald, 44, another supporter.
The extent to which that sentiment is influenced by Mason's political machine is hard to know, but the support of her base will almost certainly keep her relevant until she starts campaigning for next year's election—that is, if she hasn't begun campaigning already.
The State
2:32 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
She quietly helped the YMCA? There was no reason to publicize it?
Check her fan site, Hoboken411, for her press release, which came right in the middle of a mayoral campaign:
http://hoboken411.com/archives/18258
Putting out a press release isn't considered quietly, at least not in my opinion.
She wants to let Toll Brothers develop more in exchange for giving the city the rights to an existing park (Maxwell Place Park) that they should have already given the rights to the city for? Really??? Nice to see she's all for making backroom deals with developers for property that's not even in her ward.
All Mason is concerned with is her own dreams and whatever cost it takes to achieve them. Lucky for all of us that's pretty transparent.
randyrandy
5:41 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Moneybags Mason is playing "catch Up" after 3 years of doing nada, she thinks she can buy votes.
She should start by avoiding Hudson County Sleazebag consultants and make certain the people at her events live in her ward!
HobokenDad
6:35 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Mason's clearly have a great deal of money to spend and are willing to spend it, but to have that many people on retainer to hold on to a City Council seat this far in advance of an election is more than a bit offputting and the divisiveness of those who she has suround herself even more distasteful.
hullabaloo
7:17 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
"I think the last year Beth got branded by people spreading lies, rumors and misinformation," said Markevitch.
.... because that's what happens when you spread lies, rumors and misinformation and Markevitch should know after her own campaign failed using the Mason formula of lies, rumors and misinformation.
khoboken
7:39 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
"I think the last year Beth got branded by people spreading lies, rumors and misinformation," said Markevitch.
Only reasonable response to that insane statement is: Pot, meet Kettle.
watchdog
8:18 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hull and Kho -- will the campaign never end for you two? Markevitch's campaign spread no lies, rumors or misinformation. Not one fact put out by her campaign was ever successfully challenged or disputed, though lots of people tried. Saying that the facts put by a campaign are lies does not make it so, no matter how many hundreds of times willfully misinformed bloggers say it. To the contrary, Markevitch was running against a slate that never bothered with any facts--or even went to the trouble of saying what it would do, much less putting together a whole platform. Instead it spent the whole campaign engaging in personal attacks and purposely confusing the issues. It worked, so well done, I guess.
jane
6:38 am on Friday, April 30, 2010
Almost every fact Real Results put out was challenged and proven to be a lie, but nice try. I see you'll be working on the Mason smear campaign. Good luck.
khoboken
8:27 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Watch woofie
Was I alive and breathing in Hoboken at the same time as you were? What about the drama program beign "threatened", the smear job on Romano, the list goes on. As to what KF "would" do, they ran on their record - what a wacky concept in Hoboken - to say look at what we have been able to do and vote for us to continue the work - they didn't need to say anything else - the disingenous Republicans in sheep's clothing imploded. And Mis M. was front and center. Sure, now blame KF for being the "mean girls". What a crock.
randyrandy
8:32 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Watchie say... "Not one fact put out by her campaign was ever successfully challenged or disputed,"
The voters on April 20th beg to differ!
Oh, and why hasn't Liz Markevitch registered for Hoboken High yet? A campaign lie or an oversight?
randyrandy
8:37 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Liz Makevitch, you are right it was a big lie that Beth Mason was running with a Russo Slate.
It was a rumor that she extended the PILOT on Church Towers for rich tenants and it was open and transparent when she unilaterally designed plans for a baseball stadium without legal authority. Placing many property owners and business in fear of government land grabs.
watchdog
8:37 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Well the drama program is no longer being threatened. The word at the high school today is that Paula will have to teach five courses in September and if she stays, the drama program will take a back seat. If KF hadn't been so in denial, you could have joined with the community in speaking out in favor of the drama program. Smear job on Romano? What are you talking about? He dropped out four days before the filing deadline and the campaign started (though that was unethically withheld from the public and the rest of the board), so he was never an issue. And there was no smear job before then, either, just a discussion of his suitability for the job that stuck to the relevant facts. Actually, the only irrelevant personal information that was maliciously spread around came from KF supporters.
jane
6:43 am on Friday, April 30, 2010
Gasp! "The "word" at the high school"...Those are some strong references you've got.
Blah blah blah, no smear campaign on Romano-LOL! It must be fun over there in Masonville.
hullabaloo
7:13 am on Friday, April 30, 2010
And here's the "word" from the BA Davis explaining the incontrovertible NJ state laws that prompted the change from contract employee to teaching position in the theater program.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6164378
randyrandy
8:39 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Oh like Forsman's the 3rd's wife voting in the wrong district?
watchdog
8:41 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Liz can correct this if I'm mistaken, but I believe this article is wrong. From what I understand, she did not support Mason in the mayor's election last year.
hullabaloo
9:43 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Which makes it all the more curious why she was at Mason's 2nd ward residents get together; doesn't Markevitch live in the 3rd ward? Was she thanking Mr. Beth Mason for "his" letter of support in the last week of the election or is she like Forsman's wife confused about where she lives and votes?
randyrandy
7:55 am on Friday, April 30, 2010
Teaching? Is that a bad thing? Maybe she'll TEACH music?
TEACH performing arts?
TEACH voice?
TEACH acting ?
That would be bad?
And she can NOW DO IT SO THE STUDENTS CAN GET SCHOOL CREDIT RATHER THAN AFTER SCHOOL ELECTIVES!
-Ensuring students will get home a t normal hour and be well rested for the classes in the AM!
This isn't about PAULA! It's about the students.
Markevitch knows NOTHING ABOUT HOBOKEN SCHOOLS!
Elizabeth Markevitch
1:49 pm on Friday, April 30, 2010
The Cartel - Corruption in Education
" Bowdon interviewed Board of Education member Theresa Minutillo. In the film, Minutillo—who was Board President at the time of that interview— some janitors earned six-figure salaries in 2005. "
http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/after-national-release-the-cartel-comes-to-hoboken
During the 2010 campaign Real Results talked about janitors earning 6 figures
KF & supporters called us liars.
We in fact cited many of the facts from the Movie and again were called liars.
If Theresa complained about the high salaries of janitors in 2005 -why did they vote to give them an increase 10.9 % on top of hefty longevity pay, free health care, eye, dental, prescription benefits, full pensions, long vacations and many holidays ,personal and sick days, and $750 for uniforms
Why did Rose , Jean Marie and Irene claim to have no knowledge of social promotion during the debate?
Why are good teachers still demoralized after year of KF?
movie trailer here:
http://www.TheCartelMovie.com
“Is your school sub-par? Are costs for education still high? Bob Bowdon can connect the dots.” Read more.
-Timothy J. Carroll, Hudson Reporter
“Bowdon rips apart the massive waste, and literal disappearance, of money in schools.” Read more.
-Philadelphia City Paper
I don't give them hell. I just tell them the truth and they think it's hell."' Harry S. Truman
hullabaloo
2:16 pm on Friday, April 30, 2010
You based your campaign on a movie and movie reviews? Didn't it debut mid-campaign?
Was the rumor about the theater program "under threat" in your platform and campaign literature also from the movie?
The custodian's contract was praised by Republican Education Commissioner Bret Schundler; he extended his praise to the board and union for givebacks in a tough economy (and the historic 1st time a municipal union in Hudson County pays towards health care). Sullivan signed this contract and then at a subsequent board meeting called it good and stated how hard everyone worked.
randyrandy
3:05 pm on Friday, April 30, 2010
Liz, did you really miss the Public School Registration Filing Deadline?
Hope it was an oversight and not a false campaign exploitation that you "planned to send your daughter to Hoboken High in the Fall"
We all agree School Trustees should know the deadlines and proper procedures right?
morristhecat
3:57 pm on Friday, April 30, 2010
the cartel interviewed minutillo in 2005. earlier in the year sullivan reported that custodial overtime had been cut from over 600,000 5 years ago to around 200,000 last year, THAT is why the 6 figure custodians went away. someone fed Real Results old facts. quess who?
randyrandy
3:03 pm on Friday, April 30, 2010
"I'm ready for my close up now Mr Demille"- Liz Markevitch
morristhecat
4:03 pm on Friday, April 30, 2010
good teachers are demoralized? what? good teachers are fine under the current administration. I know because my kids have good teachers in Hoboken Public Schools and they are FINE. The only "teachers" who are not happy are those that now have to really perform and those that were NOT TEACHING BUT REAPING THE BENEFITS ON THE TEACHERS CONTRACT that now have to TEACH.
hullabaloo
5:07 pm on Friday, April 30, 2010
Old facts and figures are a Sullivan/RealResults favorite for their shock value; especially when they fail to mention that they are using old facts and figures. In addition to using custodial salaries and overtime from 2005; Sullivan/RealResults prefer to use the 2008-2009 per student costs of $24K instead of the 2009-2010 per student cost of $21,845 or the proposed 2010- 2011 per student cost of $20,054. The only thing better for shock value than old facts and figures is unsubstantiated facts and figures: take Sullivan/RealResults "estimate" of 200 out-of-district students for which they have no evidence. Shocking indeed.
randyrandy
10:37 am on Saturday, May 1, 2010
Real Results/MarkevitchMason:
YOU were trounced at the polls. You outspent everyone and again LOST!
Parents and REAL Concerned citizens were on to you.
Now Liz is going to join Mason in punishing the city that once again told them NO!
Markevitch won't answer any direct questions.