Dear Editor,
I want to thank my campaign workers, neighbors and friends who supported my effort to bring an independent representative to the Fourth Ward last Tuesday. I want to thank my opponent Anthony Mussarra for running a clean and positive campaign. Despite wildly outspending his opponents, Chris Campos avoided a run-off by just over a hundred votes. I have faith in the residents of my ward that one day real independent representation will prevail.
In last week’s edition, the victors (Dave Roberts and his candidate Chris Campos) repeated their false claim that I have not offered a “Single, solitary piece of positive legislation” since taking office. For the record, besides leading the council as President from July 2001 to June 2002 the following are just a few of the following resolutions and ordinances I have advanced:
The I1-E rezoning-which rezoned Stevens from placing a Parking Garage on Historic Hudson Street.
A resolution calling for a Sewer moratorium on the City’s west side flood zone
An ordinance banning “Pay-to-Play”
A Citywide hiring freeze
Co-sponsored The Master Plan RFP
Co-sponsored the Jackson Street Park Project
I did not, however, support many of the Mayor’s current initiatives, such as the increased spending cap, the raiding of the Parking Authority reserves, the $10 million spending increase or his recent increased spending appropriations -borrowed from next year’s budget.
Nonetheless, denying me credit for my efforts, even if untrue, is part of the way politics is now practiced here, and I accept it. What I do not accept is the bigoted attacks on my height and the attempt to connect me to a porn site coming from the Robert’s camp. Nor do I accept the thinly veiled attack letters against ‘newcomers’, or referring to my running mate as a “Rabbi” on the same site that again is rumored to be a tool of PR Flack Anthony Amabile.
If the Mayor truly sought to represent all of Hoboken, he would investigate and remove the perpetrators of this filth from his campaign, and from his administration. As for his claim that I printed and posted the hateful “Toss the Midget” signs to gather sympathy — well — for once in my life I’m speechless.
Thank you
Tony Soares