Hudson Reporter holiday deadlines
Because of the holidays, the Hudson Reporter newspapers are closed Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1. There will be a special year-end issue published Sunday, Jan. 3.
We will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4, and resume normal publishing dates and deadlines that week. Happy new year!
If you have questions about these deadlines or any other issue, please call (201) 798-7800. Remember that breaking news is continually updated at our website, www.hudsonreporter.com.
Hoboken tax group asks for audits
Hoboken Revolt, a tax group in Hoboken, asked the administration of Mayor Dawn Zimmer last week to release various audits of City Hall spending and efficiency, in preparation for next month’s budget hearings.
A letter from member Toni Tomarazzo said, “One of the objectives of Hoboken Revolt is to drive a significant reduction in property taxes without compromising the safety and soundness of our town. Obtaining forensic and efficiency audits of city agencies and departments is an essential first step toward identifying cost savings, while ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of the community.”
She added, “Any completed audit reports should be released immediately to facilitate meaningful public discussion at the upcoming budget hearings. The Hoboken Revolt Steering Committee anticipated with great interest the release of the Public Safety audit report last winter. The report recommended workforce reductions in the Police and Fire Departments by mid-2009. You yourself, as candidate for mayor last March, called for release of this audit report and Ms. Judy Tripodi indicated that the final report would be available to the City Council by April 1. Nine months later, to our knowledge, the Public Safety audit report has yet to be released to the public.”
She also wrote, “Hoboken Revolt was informed that an audit of City Hall employees was conducted. We request that any such audit report be released. If no report is available, Hoboken Revolt requests a status report regarding any such audit.”
Roque responds to claim of deceased petitioners
Dr. Felix Roque, who is leading an effort to recall West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega, responded Monday to allegations of the two deceased people who signed petitions in favor of the recall.
Roque said Monday morning that of the two, one is alive, and the other lied about who he was. Roque said Pedro Costales is alive and well and that he wished the town clerk or Vega’s attorney had made sure of that before announcing that he was deceased. He said that after hearing of the reports, Roque went to the man’s home with this circulator to verify whether he was alive or deceased.
Last week, town clerk Carmela Riccie released a report to both Vega and Roque stating that she rejected nearly half of the petitions submitted by Roque. The report included incidents in which two deceased people signed petitions. Vega then announced his attorney would file a formal request for a criminal investigation with County Prosecutor Edward Defazio and State Attorney Anne Milgram regarding the incidents.
Keep following the Reporter for more updates on this story.
Local baker creating celebrity cakes
Now that Hoboken bakery owner Buddy Valastro of Carlo’s Bakery is a reality TV star, he has been baking for other stars, according to E! on-line.
The story reports that Carlo’s recently created a cake for Rhianna’s record release party in New York City and Miley Cyrus’s “’80s-themed birthday bash.”
The story also asks him how he feels about MTV reality show “Jersey Shore.” He replies: “Being Italian-American, I’m not like, ‘Oh, my god. I’m so offended by it. It’s taken out of context. I was on the Jersey Shore. My buddies and I had a house in Seaside Heights. We lived there for the summer. So I know what that scene is like and I understand it. Is the show probably dramatized and over-the-top? Of course it is. It’s TV.”
He also says he doesn’t plan to let his personal life become part of the show. “My wife knows me and we are in love…She trusts me and that’s kind of what it comes down to,” he says.