Mugwumps Rule!

Dear Editor:
I’m a mugwump! In case you don’t know what that is I’ll elaborate. A mugwump is like a little bird sitting on a fence. It has its mug on one side of the fence and its wump on the other side.
I’ve always strived to avoid being swayed by negative ads and based my vote on substance and facts. Therefore, I’m offering a challenge to the new city officials. I challenge them to write a response in next week’s Hoboken Reporter as to the following two issues.
Issue number one: The corner of Hudson St and Hudson Place is easily the most congested, as far as pedestrian and vehicular traffic is concerned. At night it is dimly lit, and uncontrolled. In short, it’s an accident waiting to happen. What will you do about this dangerous situation?
Issue number two: We are quickly approaching the ten year anniversary of Nine-eleven. More than fifty Hobokenites perished on that tragic day. Most of them passed by Hudson St and Hudson Place. They were on their way to work one final time, when they passed by that fateful corner.
One of them was a gentleman named Wayne Hobson. He owned the restaurant and bar called Hobsons Choice located at, yes you guessed it, Hudson St and Hudson Place. He was an entrepreneur who believed in Hoboken. His name is listed on the acrylic tribute to Hoboken residents at Pier Park as well as having one of the dedicated trees that was planted there.
I propose to have Hudson Place to be renamed Hobson’s Place. The officials can address next week the merits of this proposal.
Just to make it easier for them, I did a little research I’d like to share. First of all, contrary to popular belief, Henry Hudson didn’t discover the Hudson River. That honor belongs to Giovani da Verrazano. Besides, why do we need two streets to honor Henry Hudson?
Secondly, I’ve heard from other politicians that “The State will never go for changing the street name.” Well, Frank Sinatra Dr was River Rd before they changed it. Besides, Gov. Corzine lives here. He is the State.
Good luck, and don’t forget, mugwumps rule!!!

Eric Garrison

© 2000, Newspaper Media Group