Dear Editor:
It’s no secret to the readers of The Hoboken Reporter that the upcoming Hoboken Council race in the 4th Ward is an election of critical importance to our city. What concerns me greatly about the election is the candidacy of one of the candidates, Tim Occhipinti, who seems to be scurrying around Hoboken campaigning like a chicken with his head cut off.
Tim Occhipinti is probably the least knowledgeable candidate for Council that Hoboken has seen in quite some time. Does anyone actually know what he stands for, besides being against any sensible idea and solution the Mayor and her administration have put forward? Much like the inane tea party movement taking shape in our country today, Tim provides nothing but destructive politics to our city. And like many tea party candidates, one would be hard-pressed to get an answer from Tim on what solutions he would actually put forward should he be elected to the town council – only negativity and hate spew from his mouth. It’s not surprising that Tim didn’t even have an issues section on his website until just a few short weeks ago – listening to him at council meetings and campaign events, it’s clear that his knowledge of the actual issues is extremely limited and short-sighted. For example, Tim suggested we learn about flooding solutions from watching the Weather Channel! Good luck trying to explain that to 4th Ward residents facing flooding damage after each major rain storm, Tim.
Perhaps Tim’s short-sightedness on the issues comes from the lessons he learned from his former political mentor, disgraced ex-Mayor Peter Cammarano. An unabashed enthusiastic supporter of one of the biggest embarrassments Hoboken has ever seen, Tim has surrounded his campaign with the same political hacks and supporters of the man now behind bars in a jail cell. Now that their political opponent is mayor, the Cammarano team, led by Occhipinti, will do anything to regain a slice of the power they once had, which includes resorting to lies, smears, and all sorts of destructive behavior – exactly the opposite of what Hoboken needs in a city councilman, especially given our city’s recent history. Hearing alternative plans or viable solutions to Hoboken’s problems come from the Cammarano/Occhipinti team is about as likely Tiger Woods being faithful to his wife – it just won’t happen.
With such important issues facing Hoboken today, do we really want to take a chance on an inexperienced, power-hungry, and negative individual like Tim Occhipinti to represent the 4th Ward? For the sake of Hoboken’s future, let’s make sure we don’t let that happen. We need to keep our city moving forward by electing Mike Lenz to the City Council.
Jonathan Gold