HOBOKEN – It was recently announced that relative Hoboken newcomer Tim Occhipinti, who has become run for office and involved in some charitable events around town, plans to run in the special election for Hoboken’s 4th Ward council seat in November against incumbent Mike Lenz. Lenz was picked last year to replace Dawn Zimmer in the seat when Zimmer won a special election for mayor.
June may be a bit early to start campaigning for a November seat, but it’s the only election going on in Hoboken until all six ward seats are up in May of 2011.
The 4th Ward is the southwest area of town.
Apparently in response to Occhipinti’s announcement, Lenz’s allies announced Monday that they’re “preparing to defend Mike’s 4th Ward seat” and will hold an election kickoff of their own.
Interestingly, the event will be at the home of Jake Stuiver, who was once Councilwoman Beth Mason’s mayoral campaign manager, and criticized her in a letter last week posted on this site (see “most commented” stories at the right of our homepage, www.hudsonreporter.com). Stuiver now is allied with Mayor Dawn Zimmer and with Lenz, although he had publicly accused Lenz last year of a near-physical tussle with him during a school board race (see last year’s breaking news item).
Since taking his council seat, Lenz has become one of the more vocal council members, especially on budget issues.
It’s likely that we’ll hear a lot more about both candidates – and any other potential opponents – over the next five loooong months.
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