Dear Editor:
I had heard that the Ringling Brothers circus left New York recently, but they must have made a stop-over in Hoboken before heading out for good. This is the only explanation that I can give for the Council majority’s performance at Monday night’s City Council meeting. There was Council President Richard Del Boccio, normally a very dignified and composed man, shouting like a circus barker (“Call the question! Call the question!”) while Councilwoman Carol Marsh was trying to state her views calmly on the Mayor’s ill-conceived proposal to sell the municipal garage. Not to be outdone was Councilman Campos, pitched forward in his chair like those tigers that you see in the main ring, ready to swat down any constructive idea that came his way. And in the middle of it all, of course, was Ringmaster David Roberts, who orchestrated the evening’s festivities to hide his own abysmal performance as mayor.
Ticketmaster would have been proud of the performance, but as a long-time Hoboken resident and taxpayer, I was appalled. I like a good show as much as anyone else does, but not when it masks a serious issue. And that’s what the Council majority tried to do Monday night. The sad facts are that when David Roberts became Mayor four years ago (with my help – I supported him loudly, and voted for him), the City’s budget was $54 million. Now, it’s $74 million and counting, and despite all of the massive developments in town that were supposed to bring in big tax dollars to compensate for our lack of open space and parking, we are running an operating deficit of at least $8 million, if not a lot more. So after observing the Mayor’s performance over the last four years, culminating in Monday night’s circus, I have decided to do what we should do with all shows that start off well but have gone on too long – cancel it. On May 10th, I am voting for Carol Marsh for Mayor. It’s time for a new act, and this time one that is serious about fixing our problems.
Ricky Mason