Re: tonight's Hoboken council meeting: Zimmer says she’ll veto salary reduction ordinances
Jun 15, 2011 | 2294 views | 6 6 comments | 23 23 recommendations | email to a friend | print


HOBOKEN – Mayor Dawn Zimmer sent an e-mail to City Council members on Wednesday afternoon indicating that she will exercise her veto power if the council votes to lower the mayor’s and directors’ salaries at the Wednesday, June 15 council meeting.

The ordinances passed by a 5-3 margin at the June 1 council meeting when they were introduced. But they await a final vote.

On Wednesday night, the public will have a chance to sound off on the ordinance in a hearing during the meeting, and then the council will vote. Under Hoboken’s style of government, the mayor can veto ordinances by the City Council. A veto can only be overturned if at least six out of the nine members (a two-thirds supermajority) vote against the mayor’s veto.

The proposed ordinances would lower Zimmer’s salary from $115,950 to $100,000, and the directors’ salaries would also be set at a lower range.

The legislation was introduced by Council President Beth Mason, who often opposes Zimmer, and Mason said she has been advocating for cuts from the top as a way to save the city money.

Zimmer said that the proposed cuts go beyond her own 10 percent reduction that she took when she assumed the duties of mayor.

In the email, Zimmer said the proposals seem to be politically motivated, and said they are “not in the best interests of the City of Hoboken.”

She urged the council to vote down the legislation in the email, and said if the measures are passed she will veto the two pieces of legislation. -- Ray Smith

Comments
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WESTY
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June 16, 2011
What was needed was some real cost cutting measures from the City Council majority head up Councilwoman Mason. Those have not materialized in the months she has had the budget prepared by the Zimmer Administration.

What is not needed and is harmful to Hoboken is more of the same political sniping.
Skyclub
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June 16, 2011
Not the best idea to go against cutting high public sector salaries for a mayor and directors when the rest of the city is suffering with private sector job loss and high taxes! More political greed! Ugh!
ConvenientPolitics
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June 15, 2011
So, there you have it! Ms Zimmer's true colors come shining through. First, she won't return the surplus! Second, she won't lower her salary! Mayor this not the private sector, please take your talents and work elsewhere! Zimmer's elitist followers and her greed are exactly what will get this town in trouble financially again. Please council vote for the salary reduction and put Zimmer and her cronies on record for the next election. Please Beth don't let up and keep representing ALL of Hoboken!! Go Beth!!!
HobokenReformer
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June 15, 2011
Way to go, Mayor Zimmer!
greenshirt
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June 15, 2011
BAAAK-BAAAK Nothing here but us Beth Mason - Mike Russo chickens.

They bring nothing to the table, do nothing on real cuts and fight the real cuts that have been made earlier saving millions.

Other than that Beth Mason and Mike Russo are incredible budget chicken hawks.
ss1959
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June 15, 2011
Good for the Mayor. This the last dying gasp by the Mason/Russo Chicken Hawks.