HOBOKEN -- Councilman Tim Occhipinti, a member of the City Council minority faction typically opposed to the administration of Mayor Dawn Zimmer, said that he feels Councilman Ravi Bhalla and Zimmer have a "blatant conflict of interest" because of a recent personal lawsuit in which Bhalla apparently represented Zimmer and her husband.
According to documents sent to the Reporter, Zimmer and her husband were named as defendants in a complaint on behalf of plaintiff Branch Services, Inc. The suit, which was settled June 29, sought the collection of debt for services for that the plaintiff had allegedly performed, including attempts at remediation for water and leakage damages.
A counterclaim had also been filed, according to the documents, seeking compensatory damages from Branch Services, Inc. for allegedly causing damage during the remediation.
According to documentation and civil court records, then-Council President Ravi Bhalla represented Zimmer and her husband in the matter. It was unclear whether or how he was compensated.
Bhalla, who is no longer Council President but still serves on the City Council, is typically allied with the administration.
The documents include a letter apparently from Zimmer's husband explaining the matter to Bhalla, and saying, "Feel free to charge if real work is involved."
"It's just another indication of this administration operating behind closed doors," said Occhipinti. "Under the [time] that he [represented them], he was voting on resolutions submitted by the administration."
Voice messages for comment were left for both Bhalla and Zimmer, and have not yet been returned. They will be posted here once responses are received. --Stephen LaMarca
I think even the Mason's understand that this latest attempted attack was destined to fail and that is why they had their messenger boy Councilman Occhipinti deliver it.
As far as moving the "story" many other articals are still billboarded and this "story" got buried.
Methinks that you are desperately trying to salvage yet another Council minority political attack gone bad.
Because something seems wrong here no matter where it came from. Doesn't the mayor wants to explain why she did something that seems against reform? Why leave these questions hanging?
Don't know what you're meaning is about the reporter moving the story, the story is a few days old now , methinks you protest too much but when are you going to ask the tough questions. She should answer these questions not you. When will she answer?
"Councilman Tim Occhipinti, a member of the City Council minority faction typically opposed to the administration of Mayor Dawn Zimmer, said HE FEELS...."
Sounds very odd doesn't it.
"Councilman Tim ...."
Notice even the Hoboken Reporter moved the story.
Perhaps they feel their credibility being undermined with these manufactured stories by the Mason's staff political operatives like Mr. Bertoli.
I see the Mason Civic League has another half page ad in this weeks Hoboken Reporter.
Look up "reform" in the dictionary.
If any real conflict of intrest had occured this would not have been handed over to the Hoboken Reporter and Tim Occhipinti would not be the chosen minority member to put his name on it.
It appears to be yet another political stunt manufactured by the Mason's staff of polltical operatives, perhaphs even Mr. Bartoli who tried to get the Hoboken Reporter to run with his "Nazi" story earlier that was exposed and discredited.
As others have asked do you see where there could be various conflicts in the exec and legislative branch with this issue? Why would she not explain this.
Oh by the way and for those who do not know, the person below who links to aweb site in the comment's below is linking to his own site that acts as a daily shill for city hall. It will never ask legit questions about this issue. It exists to make city hall look good and he hopes you won't realize that when you go. If there is any question about the mayor he sweeps it under the rug. The blog is meant only to attack the mayoral oppoisition and no one else. Here is a question he could ask, Was Ravi paid and how was he paid? Here is another, is this not a legislative and exec seperation problem if one branch owes the other personally? And why didn't the mayor hire someone outside city govt to do her personal work? IT IS JUST WORTH ASKING THE QUESTIONS THAT IS ALL. I am glad we still have honest people willing to question all political sides not just 1.
If this is the stuff we find out about then what is going on that we don't know? Keep looking, press.
Guess the exclusive on Mile Square View about Beth Mason's Mason Civic League "charity" employee involved in some less than savory behavior triggered by a incident with a celebrity in a St. Louis airport really caused some heartburn. Mazel Tov Beth!
Read all about the harassment incident involving the wrestling WWE champ that opened to the door to far more!
http://www.hobokenhorse.com/2012/07/beth-mason-paid-operative-matt.html
Okay you operatives, back to your manufactured pimple. LOL
You can change the names but game doesn't change.