Old Guard Bully Tactics Are Becoming Nauseating

Once again the Hoboken Old Guard is out to harass and annoy a Hoboken official, former resident Jake Stuiver. Before this was a weak attempt to harass Councilman and HHA member Dave Mello at his residence. Earlier last fall was the disgusting attempt to vilify reform blog writer Nancy Pincus. Recently on the blogs there were threats to go to Nancy’s house and then to Mayor Zimmer.

I am not disputing anyone’s 1st Amendment rights, but there is a difference between reasonable protest and harassment. The reform movement is not blameless, but except for one time there are major differences.

When Peter Cammarano was caught red handed taking a bribe there was a protest at his home, even though everyone knew he wouldn’t be there. I believe that the right to protest should be in the public square so I refused to attend and am glad I did not. There was a large demonstration at City Hall against the corrupt official and I attended because I believed that was the proper venue. Of course some Old Guard people told me that to protest at City Hall was the wrong place, I stated that the 1st Amendment allowed for public protest at governmental sites.

When the Hispanic officers believed there was racism in their department did they go to the police chief’s home? No, they protested at the police station.

When the despicable Westboro Baptists came to Hoboken did they protest at Mayor Zimmer’s home? No, they protested at City Hall, which was their right.

I drove around Hoboken with Joe Bronco and Jake Stuiver with the Michael Russo Dwek tape, but the protest centered at City Hall.

When Joe used the same truck to vilify Nancy over her Nazi satire, I felt it crossed the line. Not that criticizing her is wrong (I criticized her too). It is one thing for an adult blog to display that imagery, but to drive around Hoboken and parking at the BOE with little children seeing Nazi imagery I felt it crossed the line. Not that it was illegal, but it was disgusting. Luckily I spoke to many people who had no interest in the BOE race or Kid First, but that tactic backfired leading to a landslide for the reform movement.

Using the truck for the third time to harass Jake and his family shows desperation and thugishness. In a short period we have witnessed Old Guard protests at Dave Mello and Jake’s home and the Nancy truck. Did anyone see a protest at Joe Bronco’s home? No. Carmelo Garcia’s home? No. Beth Mason’s home? No.

That is the difference. If the reform movement debases itself and uses the same tactics I will be against it and like the one at Peter’s home I did not attend. We should never lower ourselves like the Old Guard. No doubt with this being an election year, I expect more Old Guard bad behavior and similar tactics to be employed. Hopefully, like the BOE truck it will backfire and lead to the continuation of the reform movement and to continued fiscal responsibility, a death of perp walks and continued positive improvement for all of Hoboken.

It is time for the reform majority to enact legislation to prevent the harassment of any individual, and restrict such actions to the public square where they belong. Of course since the Old Guard knows that we not stoop to their level I’m pretty sure they would block such action.