Don’t think Democrats have hegemony on voters in Hoboken.
About sixty people showed up for an event last month sponsored by the Hoboken Republican, a newly formed group designed to draw on the suburban loyalties that many of the newcomers may have had in homes elsewhere in the state.
Garrett Miller, who has been a resident of Hoboken for about two years, said he and others got the group together to “have some fun,” and to building an organization.
“We met with core people and we started building the organization just after the election,” he said.
The surprisingly large turn out for such a new group was promoted by hanging a few signs around Hoboken and leaving a few pamphlets in gym magazines.
“Half our events will be social based,” he said, noting that people needed to get to know each other and have a good time.
The idea is that Hoboken’s huge a transient population makes it difficult for people to meet and discuss politics.
“Most people are quiet about politics, and this will give them a chance to meet like minded people with the same ideology,” he said.
Although called “Hoboken Republicans,” membership includes people from throughout Hudson County.
So if you’re political leaning is in that direction you can get more information by emailing them at: info@hobokenrepublicans.
The Republican movement has won the praise of one prominent Hoboken official, Councilman Tony Soares, who said the city and the county are ripe for a “real” alternative to the Democratic Party.
“These are people that actually believe in their party, not just a facade for getting a job,” he said.
Meanwhile Hoboken Council Michael Cricco broke with Mayor Dave Roberts last week when voted with opposition on a critical financing resolution, leaving some political observers to wonder what this bodes for the future.
Doria said no to college prez job
In declining the proposed offer to become president of Ramapo College, State Senator and Bayonne Mayor Joseph Doria may have dashed the hopes Councilman Peter Brennan who rumors claimed would have been appointed to take Doria’s seat on the Senate.
This means Doria will be around to help lead the opposition to state Assemblyman and Bayonne Councilman Anthony Chiappone, whose assembly seat will be disputed in the June primary. While the Hudson County Democratic Organization made its deal with Assemblyman Lou Manzo as a token of peace, no love has been lost for Manzo’s running Chiapponne. Reports suggest the HCDO will back Willie Flood to take Chiapponne’s place. There has been some pressure from women inside the Democratic Party to seat more female elected officials. Odds are that one of the Jersey City Freeholder seats will also go to a woman, probably Latina women from the Jersey City Board of Education. No one is naming a name yet, however.
Meanwhile Arnold Bettenger may be seeking to unseat Councilman Steve Lipski in Ward C in the May Jersey City Council races. Some people claim he has been telling them he has the official nod from the HCDO.
The real story in Jersey City, however, has been the shootout between Jimmy King, of the Parking Authority and Carmine Venezia though ostensively on the same side politically, you wouldn’t know it from their relationship, both using Jersey City to reenact the shootout at the OK Coral. Question is: which was is Wyatt Eurp? Or more precisely, which one can shoot straight.
Venezia’s resignation from the Jersey City Board of Education may have been the result of King’s allies pushing and pulling inside the Jersey City power structure. Venezia’s lack of protection makes him vulnerable to King allies. The silence from the county executive’s office makes Venezia fair game since he cannot count on being protected politically.
King said he has a score to settle with a Jersey City columnist, who King believed treated him unfairly. King told the Hudson Reporter this week that he would get even down the road. Kings Civic Association drew about 150 people last week with Jersey City Police Chief Robert Troy.
Holloway may declare in February
The early report that Melissa Holloway will run for mayor of Jersey City may become a reality in early February. Originally, Holloway was to make the announcement outside of Jersey City, surrounded by union officials from whom she expects to get significant backing. Now she looks to make her announcement in Jersey City for black history month.
Dan Frowoth, formerly of the L Harvey Smith for mayor campaign, may soon be leaving his job as director of Real Estate for the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation.
Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons has raised significant attention among Hudson political people because he has been seeking to meet with a lot of people lately. He has never seemed so eager to talk to so many people before. He apparently has really caught the peace bug that has been floating around Hudson County lately. Perhaps he fears rumored challenge by Hoboken’s Michael Schaffer?
A long time friend of former Freeholder Nidia Davila-Colon Dr. Hatie Miranda, deputy County Human Services Director Carol Ann Wilson, will reportedly vacate her job this week as part of a budget tightening ahead of the county budget. Miranda made about $80,000 and will apparently not be replaced.
Silence out of Union City?
While Fitzgibbons has been remarkable sociable, others say Assemblyman and Union City Brian Stack has been remarkable quiet. You would think with peace former Assemblyman Rudy Garcia and Rep. Bob Menendez making peace Stack would be happy enough to celebrate.
Stack’s referendum victory avoiding the implementation of an elected school board may have come with a price. Literature he sent out to the public encouraging them to vote against the referendum, while still supporting local Democrats, had one minor detail missing: Democratic candidate John Kerry for President. Stack apparently knew that a significant portion of his constituency intended to vote to reelect President George W. Bush. So Stack to keep voters in line with priories and vote against and elected board, chose to snub the Democratic presidential choice and put Menendez at the ticket’s top.
Stack, of course, is a bit of a mystery to many. Some wonder why Stack bothered to become a state Assemblyman when his interests are mostly local. He is not expected to get many choice committee assignments during the term of Acting Gov. Richard Codey.
Codey may lose a few votes among legislative workers, who because of state budget issues have not yet been paid for work they did in December. This may hint strongly of the budget problems the state will have to face shortly.