What’s next in Hoboken?

On the last warm Friday before November settled into a deep freeze, Mayor Dawn Zimmer was seen near First and Garden streets, apparently taking care of city business downtown. At the same time, Councilwoman Beth Mason strolled along Washington Street near 11th Street, possibly on a similar mission.
In some ways, these two figures make up the opposing political poles of Hoboken, although the anti-Zimmer camp is clearly fractured, with others such as Carmelo Garcia and Ruben Ramos also viewing themselves as anti-Zimmer leaders.
But it is clear that the future of local politics may well change dramatically in the November 2015 midterm municipal elections, as various sides broker for control of the City Council. The council has nine members, a majority of whom are presently allied with Zimmer. Mason leads the opposition.
Zimmer’s new “rolling reassessment” of properties in the city – as with the revaluation done last year – will help her solidify her voter base, but will win her few additional votes. The real question is: Why did her four opponents on the City Council vote for the measure? They certainly had second thoughts about it afterwards, perhaps finally understanding the political reality.
Zimmer managed to win citywide election in 2013 because she was able to mobilize her base while also convincing voters to approve an election that did away with a runoff. With a divided opposition, Zimmer was able to squeak out a victory, not only as mayor, but also won back control of the City Council. Off-year elections that are not city wide, but by ward, are a whole different ball game, relying largely on the personal base of each candidate – and the amount of money candidates can raise.
With six seats up on the City Council, it is possible for anti-Zimmer forces to retake control of the council if they can overcome their own petty squabbles (an unlikely occurrence).
The recent challenge of Peter Biancamano’s absentee ballots in the school board election seems to be aimed at the 2015 election, rather than overturning the school board election. Even without the mail-in ballots, Biancamano came in with enough votes to win his seat. With the mail-ins, he looked a little too strong for comfort, since the victory would put him on a possible path to running in the 2nd Ward if Mason decides not to run for reelection. Biancamano would also likely have a big war chest pumped up by Mason and Frank Raia.
A weaker opposition candidate in the 2nd Ward would give Zimmer breathing room if one or more of her current council allies decides to not to run next year.

Roque’s fund raiser drew Hudson County elite

More than 350 people attended West New York Mayor Felix Roque’s Fall Reception at the LaReggia in Secaucus on Nov. 13. While not everybody could afford the $500 VIP reception, there was a host of people forking over $150 to rub shoulders with the comeback kid of North Hudson. Part of this success comes as a result of a successful campaign that allowed his candidates to sweep the Board of Education election 10 days earlier. But more importantly, Roque has made a number of good moves over the last year, making up for an equal number of mistaken moves prior to that. One of these good moves was bringing on Donald Scarinci as town attorney, and letting Scarinci rebuild municipal government from the inside out.
“Donald ought to run for mayor,” said Freeholder Jose Munoz, Roque’s harshest critic. “I might even vote for him if he did.”
The biggest question is no longer whether Roque will seek reelection, but who will run on his ticket.

Elwell again?

Some Secaucus Democrats hope the return of former Mayor Dennis Elwell will reunite the party against current Mayor Michael Gonnelli.
Elwell and Gonnelli had become arch rivals prior to July 2011 when federal authorities stepped in and arrested Elwell for allegedly taking a bribe, something Elwell still denies, despite serving 30 months in federal prison.
Opposition to Gonnelli has been weak largely because it lacks a leader. While Elwell seems to want to settle down and live a quiet life, there appear to be some who want to draft him into the political fray. Elwell can’t run again, but he can provide the focus the opponents of Gonnelli need.

DeGise fundraiser

Tom DeGise is running for reelection as county executive. To date, he seems to be unopposed. But he’s looking over his shoulder and doing everything possible to discourage anyone from trying to run against him. He has won a number of endorsements from powerful people around Hudson County. Freeholder Bill O’Dea has suggested he wants to run, and may still run, but he agrees that DeGise has powerful allies. Most recently, a draft-Sandra Cunningham movement has started, although people close to Cunningham claim she likes her role as state senator.
The most recent fundraiser for DeGise was largely a show of force, sending a message that whoever tries to challenge him won’t find it an easy fight.

Yun recall?

Jersey City Councilman Michael Yun laughed off the prospect that people might try to recall him over his allegedly living outside Jersey City. He claims the recall rumor was generated out of Mayor Steven Fulop’s political camp, which is uncomfortable with his stances on the City Council. The recall is somewhat misguided, since residency is a legal issue, not a political issue. If anyone could prove his legal residence is outside of Jersey City, they could file a complaint and the courts would rule on it.
Most people along Central Avenue in Jersey City Heights know that he has an apartment above his store, and is seen on the street often, walking around, talking with residents and business owners. Perhaps the real problem for political people who dislike Yun is that he is around too much.

Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.

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