HOBOKEN – Maybe it’s just a sign of the times, but a local political regular who is often aligned against Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her allies was accused this week of allegedly swiping two political signs from a local store. The signs are in support of Jennifer Giattino. Giattino has the mayor’s support in her upcoming race against Councilman Nino Giacchi.
Watch the video HERE.
“I cannot even begin to convey the level of disappointment I am feeling right now,” Giattino said in a release. “We have run a clean, honest campaign about issues affecting the 6th Ward.”
Giattino’s opponent, Giacchi, also condemned the action. On early Monday afternoon, Giacchi issued a statement in an e-mail to the Hudson Reporter.
“I find it very unfortunate that Mr. [name of accused person] has been tearing down posters representing any of the campaigns for City Council in Hoboken,” Giacchi said in the e-mail. “I know of him, but not personally. He is not a representative of my campaign nor is he involved in any way with the operations of my campaign. My campaign is run by my wife Mary, and my campaign manager. I do not condone Mr. [name of accused]’s actions, nor support his recent behavior in any way. Hopefully it will cease to continue.”
According to a press release, the owner of the local store forwarded the surveillance tape and a statement to Giattino’s campaign, saying that “a man walked into [the] store on April 19 and said he worked for Jen Giattino. He told me she knew there was a $100 fine for having her posters in a store’s window.”
Signs are required to be removed after elections, but are currently permitted in stores.
The video, which does not have audio, shows the young man allegedly remove two signs and exit the store.
This isn’t the first time the man’s name has been in the news. In 2007, he was involved in a well publicized incident with Zimmer, who was running for City Council at the time. Read about it HERE.
The Reporter is attempting to get a response from the man and will post it when we get it.
For a complete preview of this race, and the final installment of the series of previews of City Council races, make sure to pick up a copy of The Hoboken Reporter this weekend. — Ray Smith