On Thursday, Hoboken residents got the first mailer in the upcoming Nov. 3 municipal election. It's a glossy mailer from candidate (and Councilwoman) Beth Mason, criticizing Dawn Zimmer for retaining her council presidency as she simultaneously serves as acting mayor. The mailing also says, "Zimmer is filling all the top jobs in City Hall with her friends and political cronies. There are no checks and balances."
It is true that so far, Zimmer has hired people known to her. New parking head Ian Sacs had participated in public meetings and worked with her on the Southwest Hoboken Traffic Workshop. She hired him for $103,500. Her new aide, Daniel Bryan, had helped out on her campaign. And Jake Stuiver, whom her council majority recently appointed to the non-paying Hoboken Housing Authority board, was Mason's campaign manager who endorsed Zimmer in the runoff.
Mason says in the mailer, "Council President Zimmer is approving her own appointments!"
Actually, she is among those approving them, since she needs the rest of her majority to get things passed on the nine-member council. Since three of the council people ran with her, and a fourth is strong ally Peter Cunningham, she is usually assured of their votes.
However, Zimmer has only held the two political positions for less than two months, after former Mayor Peter Cammarano resigned.
The mailer notes, "No Hoboken politician since former mayor Anthony Russo has wielded so much raw political power!"
A shot at Russo? From Mason, who was criticized last spring for becoming allied with Russo's son, Councilman Michael Russo? Perhaps this is an attempt to distance herself from the Russo family.
What do you think? Comment below!
Well put, my friend. You are countering beautifully your own (very silly IMHO) argument by saying two things:
First, Zimmer can't do much without the consent by the state supervisor. So, where is that excessive power then?
Second, you talk about POSSIBLE abuses of power by Zimmer. That has not happened yet and IMHO will not happen in the future either. So, what exactly is your point?
Swibinski is harping on this because he does not have anything else to complain about.
Dawn did not do anything to cause the current situation which will be resolved with the election in a month. The arrest of our former mayor did.
She is following the law and has been very open in her appointment processes. She has stepped up and done an admirable job as both acting Mayor and councilman. I don't see why she should have to give up her hard fought position, as councilman and allow the 4th ward to go unrepresented for the next month.
We are talking about a month here, if it were more I may share your concern. What decision can Dawn make now that can't be reversed by a new mayor a month from now?
Also, if she was interested in power would they have pushed the appointment of the zoning board members back to the council?
Also, Dawn still has Judy Tripodi controlling the purse strings, so what power is she talking about?
Dawn steps up and accepts the temporary job as mayor until the election, and in exchange she is supposed to give up her 4th ward seat?
Have Beth promise to give up her council seat if she loses the election, and then her complaints won't seem so hollow to me.
i agree, the russo comment certainly is very interesting in light of beths previous comments