David Liebler’s 20 Myths- Part 1

1)      Liebler: “Did not resolve flooding - never created a pump - not even 1”

 Truth: David take a walk to Washington St and Observer Highway. Across the street is a multi-pump system. Also Google, Hoboken uptown pump proposal and you will find stories about the recent deal with the North Hudson Sewer Authority to finance an uptown pump as well.

 2)      Liebler:  “Did not reduce property taxes by 25 percent”

 Truth: Factually accurate but misleading. Candidate Dawn Zimmer during Round 1 did make that statement. She never once repeated that pledge in the other 2 rounds or any time since. Mr. Liebler conveniently forgets that a major financial meltdown occurred, making all projections moot. In reality, Mayor Zimmer has cut taxes by almost 13%. Out of 566 NJ municipalities, under Mayor Zimmer, Hoboken ranks number 2 in tax cuts.

3)      Liebler: “Did not create affordable housing”

 Fact: There has been little major development in Hoboken because of the poor housing market. That is normally how affordable housing is created. There have been deals with smaller developers to put money into an affordable housing fund, but that has been ping ponged over the future of COAH.

 4)      Liebler:  “Fewer police on street”

 Truth: Under Mayor Zimmer there has been a slight reduction in Hoboken’s police force, but by hiring retired police such as Terry Castellano’s husband and Class II officers more police are available to be put out on the street. The independent report called for fewer police than we currently have.

 5)      Liebler: “Has never supported the local businesses”

 Truth: Under Mayor Zimmer the outdoor seating ordinance has been eliminated so that restaurants and bars can now operate that area year round and Hoboken has been named a host city for the Super Bowl which will be the biggest payday for Hoboken’s merchants. She has also sponsored cultural events like the NJ Symphony Orchestra, Bob Dylan and Mumford and Sons bringing large numbers of visitors into Hoboken. After and prior to these events many partook in our lively eating and drinking establishments.

 6)      Liebler: “Made the parking rules more difficult to conduct business”

 Truth: What regulations has she offered and enacted that have made rules more difficult? Please elaborate David.

 7)      Liebler: “Has not been open and transparent”

 Truth: David, take a look at the city website. You will find an array of financial information; audits, budgets, financial statements and even budget workshops. In terms of parking there is a plethora of info, including a section on how to never get a parking ticket.

I sat on the HUMC stakeholders committee with ordinary citizens allowing us to participate in the process.

There is now a Nixle service so that all citizens can receive updates on city matters. You can access or apply for OPRA records online and for bidding on city services. Want information on the reval process? That and other information is readily available.

 8)      Liebler: “Zimmer offered $5,000,000 of taxpayer’s money to the developers for the hospital sale:

 Truth: Yes she did. Mayor Zimmer believed that it was better to pay $5 million to save HUMC from closing. David would seem to prefer that our city’s largest employer and the only critical care unit in Hoboken to have to be shuttered. He also seems to prefer the $52 million bond principle and $11 million in interest to be paid via Hoboken taxpayers.

 9)      Liebler: “Runs $2M in legal expenses a year”

 Truth: Yes she does. Like me, she believes that Hoboken should no longer roll over and let developers and disgruntled city employees (75%+ of lawsuits) get whatever they want even if it harms Hoboken. In fact Hoboken has won or virtually broke even on over 90% of legal cases. The alternative is to surrender and that would alternatively cost Hoboken taxpayers millions of dollars more in judgments.

 10)  Liebler: “Never created a new park/supported eminent domain to steal private property”

Truth: David apparently has not been to the northern viaducts to see brand new 1600 Park and has also not mentioned the newly acquired 1 acre park in the Southwest. He doesn’t understand the Constitution of the United States of America that allows private property to be legally acquired via eminent domain, historically for public purposes, with just compensation. He infers that instead of utilizing a $3 million county grant he would rather spend 5 times that amount at 100% taxpayer paid expense for Tim Occhipinti’s pocket park.

 Note: If you misspell Liebler, the first spell check suggestion is “Libeler”.

 Note: Until last Friday I was working for the Zimmer campaign so I decided it would be a conflict to post a blog on their behalf. Now that I am starting a new job I am returning to the blogosphere.