HOBOKEN – Two Hoboken residents were physically removed from the City Council meeting on Wednesday Oct. 21 by City Council President Ravi Bhalla after making comments about Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s husband, Stan Grossbard.
Grossbard, the residents alleged, referencing an article on PolitickerNJ, had exchanged emails with Hoboken Housing Authority members in regard to the termination of the former HHA executive director, Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia.
“Since I have been involved in politics there has been a raging question: What is the extent to which a sitting mayor can intrude on a sovereign function of an independent body or board?” said long-time Hoboken resident Perry Belfiore.
The exchange can be viewed on a video on the City Council website.
“Detractors of the mayor would say ‘None.’ Fans of the mayor would say ‘As far as she could go or he could go, and then some.’ The question has never been posed ‘What of the mayor’s spouse?’ What rights does the mayor’s spouse have?” Belfiore continued, before being cut off by Bhalla for making comments about a private citizen.
Garcia alleged in a 2013 lawsuit (which is still in litigation) illegal interference in the HHA in addition to accusing Zimmer of pursuing a campaign of “ethnic cleansing.”
Following Belfiore’s comments and removal by police officers, David Liebler – a sometime Zimmer critic – also brought up Grossbard’s alleged involvement in the HHA.
“Just like I expected, just like we all knew. Stan Grossbard is the unofficial mayor of Hoboken. He has never been elected,” said Liebler.
Bhalla immediately interjected. He said: “No, no, no, no. You can speak, but there are parameters.”
As Leibler was escorted out by three police officers, he questioned why he was being ejected.
“Why? Because you’re a disgrace!” said Bhalla. “It is very shameful that people come to this dais and need to disparage private citizens.” – Steven Rodas
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