The discussion over the use of a city-owned community bus to transport seniors to a Christmas party turned into an unruly political free-for-all at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting.
With the City Council elections coming up in May, the fervor surrounding the issue was anything but mundane. Councilman at large and 4th Ward resident Tony Soares had accused 4th Ward Councilman Christopher Campos and the organizers of a recent Christmas party of improperly using a city bus to shuttle seniors to what he believed was a political and not a community function. Campos contended that it was a free neighborhood party to which everyone was invited, and that the bus was only used to transport seniors on a cold night.
Throughout the council meeting, Soares traded barbs with Campos and Human Services Director Carmelo Garcia, a close friend of Campos and a co-organizer of the event. It is widely rumored that Soares will be running against Campos in the May elections. Soares was allied with both men until he split with Mayor David Roberts.
Soares said Tuesday that he is considering running but is not yet ready to make an official announcement. “If I don’t run, I’m at least going to support a big name in the 4th Ward,” he said.
Neighborhood event vs. political rally
On Dec. 21, there was a party at the Boys and Girls’ Club in the city’s 4th Ward, the southwest part of town. Flyers stated that Councilman Campos and Mayor David Roberts sponsored the party.
According to Campos, over 300 people attended that party. “This was a community event that brought together a diverse group of people from the 4th Ward to celebrate,” said Campos Thursday morning. He added that it was completely free to the residents, and he noted that he did make an announcement at the last council meeting December that everyone from the community was invited.
“There were no political collections or political speeches made, none at all,” said Campos. “This was all done in the utmost spirit of the holidays. Money and politics had nothing to do with this party.”
At Wednesday’s meeting, Soares called the event a political rally. He held up the invitation and pointed out that his name, Councilwoman Carol Marsh’s and Councilwoman Theresa Castellano’s were all left off the flyer advertising the party. Those three happen to be critics of the administration.
Campos responded that it was not a political rally and everyone was invited, and that he even personally invited Soares. Campos said that Soares had even left a message on Campos’ answering machine stating that regrettably could not make it to the party because of a personal commitment elsewhere, and wished him success. Campos played the tape for the Reporter.
Soares said that he hadn’t known what sort of party it would be, and said he didn’t know they would use a city bus.
Get on the bus
Campos contended last week that it had been a cold night, and use of the bus was the only way to get seniors to the party. At the meeting, he blasted Soares, saying he was using the issue for his political advantage.
“It’s disgusting and alarming that you [Soares] would use a Christmas party that celebrates our cultural diversity to advance your political aspirations,” Campos said at the meeting. “Making an issue of transporting seniors is about as petty as you can get.”
Soares countered that it was a misuse of city resources to use the bus for a political party.
After the party, Soares had written to city Business Administrator Robert Drasheff pressing for a full investigation. Soares even said at Wednesday’s meeting that taking the bus was an abuse of public property, and at one point he even called Campos a “thief.”
During the caucus, Drasheff addressed Soares’ call for an investigation.
“The premise of the letter is not correct,” said Drasheff, who attended the party. “This was a neighborhood party for a part of town. It was entirely a non-political party.”
He added that several seniors asked whether the city could provide transportation. “We should accommodate our senior citizens,” said Drasheff. “We felt it was an appropriate use of the bus to provide senior citizens with transportation.”
At the caucus portion of the meeting, more than twenty Hoboken seniors, many of whom had taken the shuttle on Dec. 21, showed up.
The seniors cheered when Campos finished one of his speeches that criticized Soares for allegedly using the seniors. They also booed when Soares spoke. The seniors appeared to be somewhat organized. They all entered the council chambers together, and between the caucus and regular council meeting, they all left together.
Thursday, Soares responded that he had been ambushed by his political adversaries.
“My inquiry has nothing to do with the seniors or the disabled,” said Soares. “My problem is that someone in a position of authority doled out city resources for people who are in their favor. These resources were handed out in an arbitrary fashion for one group’s politically slanted rally.”
He added that it was his belief that Campos was using the seniors for political gain. “They were misled to believe that I want to take away their bus,” said Soares. “It’s despicable to use seniors citizens like this. They are using senior citizens as a human shield to cover up their misdeeds.”
Insurance, driver and policy
Another aspect of Wednesday’s meeting included Soares and Marsh grilling Human Services Director Garcia. It is Garcia’s department that oversees city-owned transportation vehicles, and it is Garcia and Drasheff who authorized the use of the bus.
Marsh asked what the policy is for using the bus. She asked whether or not there is a written policy or if any community groups can use it at any time. Garcia said that there is no written policy and requests are rendered on a case-by-case basis.
“A community group can make a request, and if we can accommodate that request, we will,” said Garcia. He added that the bus has been used in the past by the Chamber of Commerce, All Saints Church, and the Artist Studio Tour. He said the bus is insured 24 hours, seven days a week, in case there ever was an accident.
He also said that the driver volunteered his time, so the only cost was for gas.
Soares said Thursday that the policy is completely subjective and sets itself up for abuse.
Marsh said Thursday that if the bus really is available for the public then the administration should develop a consistent policy for who can use the vehicle.