Dear Editor:
Hoboken Revolt and Lower Hoboken Taxes would like to notify the public on who has submitted the Hoboken Revolt questionnaire in response to the March 4th tax rally demands. As part of the rally, Hoboken Revolt and Lower Hoboken Taxes asked for a budget cut plan of at least $10MM.
Please be advised that 3 board members have responded to the questionnaire – Dawn Zimmer, Peter Cunningham and Peter Cammarano. To see their responses please go to www.hobokenrevolt.com.
Beth Mason has not responded to the questionnaire including the question pertaining to her budget cut plan.
Beth stated on April 18 that she would submit her questionnaire including her plan. When asked again at Wednesday’s Council meeting for the questionnaire, she responded by saying she was busy ‘doing her job’…. I thought finding solutions to this tax crisis was her job??
Michael Russo contends that he submitted his plan to the public at a public meeting although he refuses to submit it to Hoboken Revolt or Lower Hoboken Taxes for posting with the other respondents. He did not say which meeting that was where he gave his plan to the public. Hoboken Revolt will request his document via the OPRA process. Theresa Castellano developed this plan with Michael. Because she does not have a working public email address, Hoboken Revolt and Lower Hoboken Taxes have been corresponding with Michael Russo asking him to submit it to the public on behalf of both of them.
Nino Giacchi has not responded and has not indicated that he will respond.
Neither has Terry LaBruno nor Rubin Ramos have responded, albeit they are not seeking re-election.
The next phase will be to evaluate the plans. If council members don’t submit their plans, we will move forward without them.
The public has been asking for action since our taxes went up 47 percent, Hoboken Revolt requested a plan at the February 4th town council meeting, and again as part of the rally on March 4th in front of city hall. Tax relief by cutting our expenses is the most pressing responsibility of the board not only in coming up with a plan but working with council colleagues and the administration to get those reductions through in a timely manner.
Donna Antonucci