How many municipal vehicles does Hoboken have/need?

by Carly

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 7:58 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowHoboken resident Gary Holtzman calls for a reduction of Hoboken's municipal vehicles.

A resolution tonight authorizing the city to auction off a surplus of city equipment and abandoned vehicles prompted Hoboken resident Gary Holtzman to ask for a comprehensive list of exactly how many municipal vehicles the city of Hoboken actually has.

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The future of parks in Hoboken: SW6 and Block 11 on the City Council agenda tonight

by Carly

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 4:19 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowThe owner of Block 11, Nat Salvemini, is now suing the city of Hoboken to buy the land from him and pay him damages.

The future of Block 11 and the rest of SW6 (six acres of contested park land in Southwest Hoboken) will be discussed at tonight's Hoboken City Council meeting:

There are two resolutions tonight on the agenda regarding SW6:

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Hoboken City Council preview

by Carly

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 3:39 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowA resolution concerning Church Towers' PILOT payments has been taken off the agenda tonight.

The first Hoboken City Council meeting of 2009 will be at 7 tonight in City Council chambers. You can see the agenda for tonight's meeting and here's a preview of what'll be on (and what's been taken off) that agenda for tonight:

• We heard representatives from the Hoboken police and fire unions will be at the meeting tonight. In the midst of Hoboken's budget mess, many in town are calling for reductions in the police and fire departments as a means to save money. Not surprisingly, this has upset union leaders and we're told they'll be there tonight to publicly defend the Hoboken police and fire units.

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Can't make it to DC? Watch Obama's inauguration speech in Hoboken

by Carly

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 2:05 PM

AP Photo/Lawrence JacksonPresident-elect Barack Obama at a news conference yesterday where he introduced Nancy Killefer to the newly created position of chief performance officer.

Obama fans in Hoboken: Don't fret if you can't make it down to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration (or if you didn't want to shell out $500 a night for a hotel room).

The Hoboken for Obama folks have arranged an Inauguration Open Bar at the upstairs of Carpe Diem for Tuesday, January 20 from 7:00 to 10 p.m. $30 at the door pays for open bar for three hours. There will also be light refreshments and full coverage of Barack's swearing in and speech.

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Mid-day Rush: DiDomenico elected chair of freeholders

by Tom

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 12:15 PM

Byron Smith/THE JERSEY JOURNALBayonne's Doreen DiDomenico was elected chairwoman of the Board of Freeholders

In local political news, yesterday saw the shuffling of duties on Hudson County's Board of Freeholders.

Doreen DiDomenico of Bayonne was elected chair of the board.

The Political Insider points out that Hoboken's new freeholder, Anthony Romano, cast his vote for her thanks to powertician Union City Mayor Brian Stack.

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New finance director coming to Hoboken

by Carly

Tuesday January 06, 2009, 4:04 PM

Photo credit: City of HobokenNicola Trasente, an in-house employee, will replace outside firm Donohue, Giaronda and Doria, which served as Hoboken's financial consultants for the past three years.

In what looks like an effort to clean up the city's financial quagmire, Hoboken's state monitor Judy Tripodi announced today she is bringing in a new financial director.

Nicola Trasente is a former Administrator and CFO of Highland Park and a municipal auditor for New Jersey's Division of Local Government Services' Distressed Cities Team.

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Tony Soares appointed to Hoboken Zoning Board

by Carly

Tuesday January 06, 2009, 3:05 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowA meeting of the Hoboken Zoning Board this past fall regarding the Neumann Leathers site.

In an announcement that has some in Hoboken buzzing, Tony Soares was appointed yesterday to the Hoboken Zoning Board by Mayor Dave Roberts.

There have been two absent positions on the Zoning Board for a while now and Soares and Michael Novak were both named this week to fill the spots. Soares said he's not sure, but he thinks he's the alternate. "I think I make people's palms sweat a little," Soares joked this afternoon.

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Dawn Zimmer throws fundraising party; calls for change

by Carly

Friday January 02, 2009, 4:50 PM

Amy Sara Clark/Hoboken NowZimmer at a June 2008 Hoboken City Council meeting.

And to add fuel to the fire, Hoboken Now got the following invite from Zimmer to an upcoming party and fundraiser -- and she co-opts Barack Obama's call for "change." Well, probably a safer bet than "maverick."

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Anthony Romano takes office as Hoboken's county freeholder

by Margaret

Friday January 02, 2009, 1:45 PM

Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey JournalAnthony "Stick" Romano, a Hoboken police captain, was sworn in this morning as the city's representative on the Hudson County Board of Freeholders.

Hoboken Police Capt. Anthony "Stick'' Romano was sworn in this morning as the city's representative on the Hudson County Board of Freeholders, the county government's legislative body, The Jersey Journal is reporting on Hudson County Now.

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Morning Rush: Anthony Romano takes the oath of office

by Carly

Friday January 02, 2009, 8:13 AM

The newest member of the Hudson County Board of Freeholders -- Hoboken's Anthony Romano -- will be sworn in this morning at 9 a.m. in the Freeholders' Chambers.

A $1.3 billion project to replace a 100-year-old railroad bridge in the Meadowlands should lead to increased NJ Transit trains into NYC.

And what's a "Hoboken Speedball"?

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Belfiore: No run for me, but maybe I'll vote for Cammarano

by Margaret

Monday December 29, 2008, 6:13 PM

PolitickerNJ.com caught up with Perry Belfiore, a former council candidate who says his wife won't let him run for office again -- but that doesn't mean he doesn't have opinions.

Perry Belfiore, who lost his bid for a Fifth Ward council seat in Hoboken's 2007 council races, told PolitickerNJ.com that he won't be running this May -- his wife won't let him.

Asked whom he'll support, he said Peter Cammarano is so far looking good for mayor, but Dawn Zimmer is probably a "pawn'' for the Hudson County Democratic Organization.

The HCDO-Zimmer connection was brought up by The Jersey Journal's Political Insider, who posits that the county may meddle in the Hoboken race as a way to get a firm hold of the Jersey City mayoral race.

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Hoboken's 47 percent tax hike slows down real estate market

by Carly

Monday December 29, 2008, 10:00 AM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowHoboken's tax hike is resulting in lower offers for real estate in town.

We all know Hoboken's real estate market is softening and this past fall's 47 percent property tax increase has hit homeowners hard.

But what about potential buyers in Hoboken? Has the tax increase deterred people from owning in Hoboken, once the crown jewel of the gentrified Hudson County waterfront?

"The Hoboken market has been very difficult over the past few months," said Nick Costantino, owner of Empire Realty Group at 4th and Washington. "I haven't seen people say 'no' to homes because of the tax increase but people are making lower offers on homes because of the tax increase. If your taxes go up 47 percent your price will have to come down, they just have to."

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Hoboken election documentary set to air next month

by Tom

Sunday December 28, 2008, 6:32 PM

Reena Rose Sibayan/Journal PhotoM. Jean Baptiste, left, Jason Maurer, center, and Ryn Melberg filmed a documentary about election day in Hoboken. They were photographed at the Hoboken Terminal waiting room.

Staff Writer Lisa Zimmermann reports that an Election Day documentary should be available online next month. The film, "Election Day Excitement," centers largely on the election on Hoboken and will be available on the Hoboken Democratic Party's Web site.

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Standing ovation for outgoing Hoboken Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons

by Earl

Wednesday December 24, 2008, 3:50 PM

Byron Smith/The Jersey JournalHudson County Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons, who represents Hoboken and didn't seek reelection, gets a standing ovation during his final meeting yesterday.

Outgoing Hudson County Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons of Hoboken was lauded by his colleagues yesterday afternoon during his final meeting in office as they recounted individual instances they said demonstrated Fitzgibbons's kindness or dedication.

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Do you win Jersey City in Hoboken? If you're the HCDO, yes

by Carly

Wednesday December 24, 2008, 1:14 PM

Amy Sara Clark/Hoboken NowYou scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Political Insider says Dawn Zimmer will be helping out the HCDO -- and vice-versa -- in Hoboken.

Writes the Insider:

The Hudson County Democratic Organization and Jersey City Democrats are expected to get surreptitiously involved in the Mile Square race. It is part of a strategy to cut off support for Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy's rival, former Assemblyman Louis Manzo.

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Gov. Corzine puts out YouTube holiday message

by Margaret

Tuesday December 23, 2008, 2:17 PM

Perhaps taking a page from the Obama digital playbook, Hobokenite Gov. Jon Corzine has released a holiday message on YouTube.

And what will the gov be doing this season? According to the Associated Press, Corzine will be out of town with family from this afternoon until New Year's Day. The governor's office declined to say exactly where he'll be but noted that state Senate President Richard J. Codey will be acting governor.

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Status: Turning Hoboken into an Urban Enterprise Zone

by Carly

Tuesday December 23, 2008, 10:29 AM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowRamos thinks making Hoboken a UEZ would help many stores in town stay open, avoiding the fate of Wee Beasties and Emack & Bolio's, both of which closed this year.

A while back we wrote about how Hoboken Councilman-at-large and 33rd District Assemblyman Ruben Ramos wants to designate Hoboken an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). What's the current status on Ramos' plan?

If you own a business in town, you might have gotten one of these petitions. Working with the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce, Ramos' aides distributed the letters to shopkeepers in town this month, as well as distributed petitions for shoppers to sign in Hoboken stores.

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Morning Rush: Marsh would back Zimmer (if she runs)

by Carly

Tuesday December 23, 2008, 8:07 AM

Former Hoboken Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Carol Marsh says she won't run for Mayor this spring if Dawn Zimmer runs. "If she runs, it would be ridiculous for me to run. Dawn and I share the same vision for Hoboken," Marsh tells PolitickerNJ.

And Hoboken resident Noel Aird tells us why gag gifts around the holidays are fun.

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Meet with Brian Stack tonight in Hoboken

by Carly

Thursday December 18, 2008, 2:30 PM

Hoboken Now ran into Hoboken attorney and Democratic committeeman Ravinder "Ravi" Bhalla this afternoon and he told us about a neighborhood meeting he's holding tonight with State Senator Brian Stack.

Jersey Journal file photoMeet with Union City mayor and State Senator Brian Stack (he represents Hoboken) tonight at Turning Point Cafe.

Bhalla is a Democratic committeeman for Hoboken's 2nd Ward, 3rd district. All Hoboken residents are invited to attend and bring up any concerns on their mind -- those skyrocketing property taxes, traffic and pedestrian safety, noise complaints, etc.

The community meeting will be held at 7 tonight at Turning Point Cafe uptown.

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Salary-cut proposals sent back to committee amid anger and frustration

by Amy

Wednesday December 17, 2008, 11:04 PM

Amy Sara Clark / Hoboken NowResident Forde Prigot, left, as for a legal opinion after Councilman Nino Giacci announces he is sending several resolutions concerning salary cuts back to committee.

Four ordinances concerning salary and benefit cuts were withdrawn from the agenda and sent back to committee (and Judy Tripodi) at tonight's city council meeting.

The move, which was initiated by Council President Nino Giacchi, caused an angry outburst from the spectators, and was hotly protested by Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer, who sponsored three of them.

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No pitchforks, but angry protesters storm Hoboken City Hall

by Carly

Wednesday December 17, 2008, 8:46 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowHoboken homeowner Jay Imus at the rally tonight, standing in between signs.

Holding posters and megaphones, an angry mass of about 250 Hoboken residents assembled outside Hoboken City Hall tonight, taunting Mayor Dave Roberts and the City Council and angrily shouting against the recent 47 percent property tax increase.

For most Hoboken homeowners, the 47 percent tax hike was reflected in their most recent property tax bills. For the median Hoboken home assessed at $250,000, homeowners paid an additional $625 to $650 per quarter. Owners of homes assessed much higher had to pay much more.

"Our taxes went from $17,000 to $26,000. We have to pay $3,000 right before Christmas," said Diane Imus. Imus, and her husband, Jay, own a three-family home, part of which they rent out. "We are hard-working people but we are now going to have to pass that tax increase on to our tenants."

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Hobokenites pack City Council budget hearing

by Amy

Wednesday December 17, 2008, 8:07 PM

Amy Sara Clark / Hoboken NowMore than a hundred people packed the City Hall budget hearing tonight, and more than a dozen more spilled out into the hall in Hoboken on Dec. 17, 2008.

More than 100 Hobokenites packed the City Council meeting room tonight to share their anger over the 47 percent tax hike.

Many came to the hearing directly from a tax reform rally held directly beforehand (stay tuned for more on that ...)

Many residents took the opportunity to criticize Hoboken Mayor David Roberts, who gave a brief speech at the beginning of the meeting defending himself and promising future cuts. Later in the meeting Roberts said he was requiring department heads to cut their budgets by 10 percent.

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Reminder: City Council meeting tonight!

by Amy

Wednesday December 17, 2008, 5:14 PM

Amy Sara Clark / Hoboken NowJoin these friendly faces and many more at tonight's City Council meeting, starting at 7 p.m.

Don't forget that there's a meeting of the Hoboken City Council tonight at 7 p.m. at Hoboken City Hall. There's also the tax reform rally at 6 p.m., outside Hoboken City Hall.

Kudos, btw, to City Hall officials for getting both the agenda and the full texts of the resolutions and ordinances online in advance of the meeting.

So what's on the agenda? Here are some highlights:

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Tax reform rally in front of Hoboken City Hall tonight

by Carly

Wednesday December 17, 2008, 1:16 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowAngry about your 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills? Come to a tax reform rally at 6 tonight in front of Hoboken City Hall.

Here's a reminder that newly formed taxpayer advocacy group Hoboken Revolt is holding a rally tonight at 6 p.m. in front of Hoboken City Hall. Anyone in Hoboken who is angry with the state takeover, the municipal tax levy increase or the property tax hike (uh, take your pick) is welcome to join them.

Weeks after Hoboken residents were hit with a 47% property tax increase, Hoboken Revolt calls for fiscal responsibility, an end to what they call "out-of-control municipal spending," a moratorium on new PILOTs and tax abatements and a property revaluation in Hoboken.

The protest rally begins at 6, with several Hoboken residents publicly speaking. Who'll speak?

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Hoboken Board of Education considers teacher contract

by Amy

Tuesday December 16, 2008, 10:44 PM

Amy Sara Clark / Hoboken NowGary Enrico, president of the Hoboken Education Association, made a plea to the board to approve the contract tonight.

The Hoboken Board of Education went into closed session tonight to consider a contract with the Hoboken Education Association, the union representing the teachers, clerks and other school workers.

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Hoboken teachers may get a 4.3 percent raise

by Amy

Tuesday December 16, 2008, 3:25 PM

AMY SARA CLARK / THE JERSEY JOURNALGary Enrico, president of the Hoboken teachers' union, speaks at a Board of Education meeting last spring as Hoboken public school teachers stand in support.

As we know, Hoboken's teachers haven't had a contract for months, but that may end tonight if the final details can be worked out at eleventh-hour negotiations just before tonight's Board of Education meeting at 7 p.m.

There's a gag order on the details of contract, but a person familiar with the negotiations gave Hoboken Now the basics:

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How much should Hoboken's City Council salaries be cut?

by Amy

Tuesday December 16, 2008, 9:14 AM

Amy Sara Clark / Hoboken NowFinance committee members Peter Cunningham, left, and Mike Russo, shown here at a City Council meeting this fall, both think the Council's salaries should be cut, but they disagree on how much.

There are two competing items on this week's city council agenda:

AN ORDINANCE REDUCING THE SALARIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL BY TEN PERCENT. (DR-388) (sponsored by Castellano/Russo)

AN ORDINANCE REDUCING THE SALARIES OF THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL BY FIFTEEN PERCENT. (DR-389) (sponsored by Zimmer/Cunningham)

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Hoboken Housing Authority meeting tonight

by Carly

Thursday December 11, 2008, 2:08 PM

There will be a Hoboken Housing Authority Board meeting tonight, at 6 p.m. in the community room of Adams Gardens, at 220 Adams Street.

Amy Sara Clark/Hoboken NowAfter all that shouting, it's so long Angel Alicea, hello Hector Claveria, pictured above, on the Hoboken Housing Authority Board -- in a vote that had some crying politics.

What makes this meeting worth noting? Well, for starters, this will be the first meeting the HHA's newest commissioner, Hector Claveria, will attend. Newcomer Claveria beat Angel Alicea, an 18-year veteran on the HHA, for a seat in a contentious nomination process that divided the City Council.

Also, Fourth Ward Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer has some concerns about safety in public housing she'd like to address before the board tonight.

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Tax reform rally in front of Hoboken City Hall

by Carly

Wednesday December 10, 2008, 12:20 PM

Jersey Journal file photoAre you a Hoboken property owner who's angry about your 47% tax increase? Come to a rally in front of City Hall next Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Just got this e-mail today from a reader:

I just got a copy of this notice and thought it might be something you'd be interested in posting on Hoboken Now. BTW, I'm not affiliated with this organization, but I do support a revaluation.

Rally on Wednesday, Dec. 17th, Hoboken Revolt in front of City Hall. Protest rally begins at 6 p.m. in front of City Hall, 94 Washington St. Promptly after a press conference will be held at 6:30. At 7 p.m., the Hoboken City Council will be holding their bi-monthly meeting and a public hearing on the proposed $121 million budget.

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Health benefits in Hoboken? Tripodi says Mike Russo is wrong

by Carly

Thursday December 04, 2008, 1:46 PM

Jersey Journal file photoMayor Roberts and Judy Tripodi are currently looking into Hoboken's city health care plans.

So, Hoboken Mayor Dave Roberts called me this morning ... and disputed what Mike Russo said last night about 90 city employees erroneously receiving health benefits.

Roberts said he and Hoboken's state monitor Judy Tripodi are reviewing the health care policies of the city -- there may be some contracts that need to be changed, but Roberts said it's not nearly as many as the 90 Russo claims.

In fact, here is a statement from Tripodi herself on the matter:

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Hearing tonight on Neumann Leathers

by Carly

Thursday December 04, 2008, 11:31 AM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowYou might notice the Neumann Leathers building as you drive in and out of Hoboken, on Observer Highway.

There will be another special Hoboken Zoning Board hearing tonight to decide the fate of the Neumann Leathers building.

Neumann Leathers, which used to be a tannery, now houses art studios and industrial work spaces. The aging building is currently under threat of being knocked down by developer Trammell Crow. Trammell plans to build residential units, shops and an artists' loft there.

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Hey Mo DeGennaro, what's a blueberry?

by Carly

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 8:09 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowA blueberry. Steve Kleinman.

In a moment of City Council meeting levity...

Hoboken resident and Council regular Maurice DeGennaro got up and demanded accountability from the City on a number of issues -- the mayor's salary, three paid city spokespeople, the council's salary, the high tax hike, etc.

He demanded of Hoboken's city attorney Steve Kleinman: "What're they doing up there?!" But Kleinman appeared to be distracted ... and was fiddling with something in his lap?

DeGennaro accused Kleinman of not even listening and "typing on his blueberry." Um, Mo, did you mean BlackBerry? And Kleinman, were ya?

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Angel Alicea takes on Dawn Zimmer

by Carly

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 7:52 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowAlicea tells Zimmer to "get the facts" before attacking him.

Oooh, anger over the hotly contested Hoboken Housing Authority election reared its head again tonight.

During the public portion of the City Council meeting, ousted Hoboken Housing Authority director Angel Alicea got up and addressed the council.

He thanked those Council people who supported him as he tried to cling to his spot in the HHA. And then he lashed out at Dawn Zimmer, who backed Alicea's opponent Hector Claveria.

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Who's getting health benefits from Hoboken?

by Carly

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 7:44 PM

Mike Russo then moved on to inquiring about City's health benefits.

"My understanding is we have over 90 individuals on health care plans who should not be getting them -- people who left the city, left the job, spouses of people who died," Russo said.

"This is over a million worth of monies every year that they have been getting on their health plans," continued Russo. "I pray I'm wrong, but we have an issue here."

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Where are Hoboken's PILOTS? Um, good question.

by Carly

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 7:43 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowFred Bado, left, answers a question from Councilman-at-large Peter Cammarano, far right, at tonight's meeting.

Slim turnout at tonight's City Council meeting. We got there a little late, just in time for the "new business" portion of the meeting.

Third Ward Councilman Mike Russo started off by asking Hoboken's Community Affairs Director Fred Bado for reports on all the city's PILOTS (controversial payment-in-lieu-of-taxes plan for new development in Hoboken) in the city, for review.

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This time, Roberts really IS a lame duck

by Carly

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 5:08 PM

Way back in 2007, Roberts announced he would not seek re-election.

Jersey Journal file photoQuack, quack.

The he started organizing polls earlier this year, trying to show that he had the best name recognition among potential mayoral candidates.

And now? With the state takeover, budget fiasco and that 47% tax hike, stick a fork in him, he can't run, says today's Political Insider.

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Hoboken City Council meeting tonight

by Carly

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 4:08 PM

Jersey Journal file photoDum da dum dum ...

*Update 4:08 p.m.: Some people are abuzz about one of the resolutions on the City Council agenda tonight -- authorizing the rate change (read: increase) for resident parking permits. Terry LaBruno, chair of the Traffic and Parking sub-committee, called Hoboken Now to let us know it has been taken off the agenda tonight. She said the resolution has not gone before the subcommittee yet and never should have gone on the agenda.

Well, there's a City Council meeting tonight -- starts at 7 p.m. in Council chambers of City Hall.

Here's the proposed agenda for tonight -- note that the public hearing on the 2009 municipal budget has been pushed back to the Wednesday, Dec. 17 Council meeting.

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Hoboken GOP helps out Steve Lonegan

by Carly

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:18 PM

Photo courtesy of Lonegan.comLonegan is the former mayor of Bogota, New Jersey. He became known nationally for his tough stance against illegal immigration.

Nathan Brinkman, a 32 year-old Hoboken resident, is in charge of raising $340,000 in donations to qualify for matching funds to Lonegan's governor campaign, reports PolitikerNJ. Lonegan, along with Peter Morgan, is one of the co-founders of the Hoboken Republican Club.

Lonegan spoke this past spring at the Hoboken GOP's annual Lincoln Dinner.

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Older Hoboken having trouble meeting tax hike

by Carly

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 11:24 AM

Photo credit: Stuartpilbrow via flickr; cc license appliesSome Hoboken residents are worried they can't cough up enough money to pay their increased taxes.

More bad news about Hoboken's tax increase...

Hoboken Now was chatting with a local real estate agent last week and he said since the 47% tax increase was announced, he's seen several Hoboken homeowners come into his office, worried about how they're going to make the increased payment.

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A better pump for Hoboken's flooding problem?

by Amy

Monday December 01, 2008, 10:39 PM

Courtesy of EmNetThe flood prone areas of Hoboken, NJ. The red areas are below the normal high tide elevation, the beige areas are below the normal storm high tide elevation, and the blue areas are in the 100-year storm floodplain.

The North Hudson Sewerage Authority announced it is moving forward on one of the four pumping stations designed as a bailout for Hoboken's massive flooding problem.

Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer is pushing for the Sewerage Authority to design the pump in conjunction with the Indiana company EmNet, which has developed wireless technology to control combined sewer overflows (which is what Hoboken has) that it has installed in South Bend.

EmNet has been studying Hoboken's problem and produced an 11-page report, which we've reprinted here:

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Officials moving forward on Hoboken flooding problem

by Amy

Friday November 28, 2008, 4:55 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowWill Hoboken's notorious floods -- such as this one at Fourth and Jackson streets last winter -- soon be a thing of the past?

Due to Hoboken's fiscal woes, the North Hudson Sewerage Authority announced it will build one of the four planned pump stations to help with the city's flooding problem without financial assistance from City Hall.

Because of city's antiquated sewer system, even a short rainfall can result in knee-deep water in parts of the city when the tide is high. And because toilets and storm water feed into the same system, its not unusual to for Hobokenites to find themselves wading through raw sewage.

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Hoboken grassroots group moves focus to tax reform

by Amy

Thursday November 27, 2008, 1:33 PM

Remember the group of Hobokenites calling for a reval? Well the group, which now has about a 100 members, including a steering committee of 15, has decided to focus most of their efforts on bringing down taxes in Hoboken, although they're still going to push for the reval.

Hence, they've changed their name to Hoboken Tax Reform (after briefly considering REVOLT, according to a steering committee member) and have created a revised mission statement:

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Corzine's response to Hoboken's tax hike

by Amy

Thursday November 27, 2008, 9:08 AM

CONNER JAY / HOBOKEN NOWGov. Jon Corzine announcing his $2.8 billion investment plan as Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy stands by in Jersey City on Nov., 26, 2008.

At a press conference yesterday announcing $2.8 billion in New Jersey infrastructure improvements, a Bloomberg reporter asked Gov. Jon Corzine what he had to say to his fellow Hoboken residents about the city's 47 percent tax hike.

He didn't have much of use to say.

But then again why should he? He's governor of the state, not just of Hoboken. At any rate, here's what he had to say, verbatim:

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Hoboken pols strut around Atlantic City ...

by Carly

Wednesday November 26, 2008, 3:50 PM

Photo credit: Hoboken Now/Andrew J. Merlock Jr. via Flickr, cc license appliesMike Russo, Peter Cammarano and Beth Mason hobnobbed at last week's League of Municipalities Convention in Atlantic City.

Today's Political Insider recounts the antics (or lack thereof) at the League of Municipalities Convention that wrapped up last week.

The League of Municipalities is a yearly meeting for elected officials to attend seminars and meetings on how to better run, well, municipalities, covering topics like bonding, ethics, public works and healthcare, to name a few. We heard Mayor Dave Roberts rarely attends; Hoboken City attorney Steve Kleinman did this year.

But it's also a chance for pivotal political networking in glitzy Atlantic City casinos. Who from Hoboken attended?

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Tremitiedi Letter: Let Hoboken's fiscal monitor do her job

by Amy

Wednesday November 26, 2008, 9:06 AM

Amy Sara Clark/Hoboken NowRichard Tremitiedi, Hoboken's former fire chief, speaks at a City Council meeting on May 22, 2008 in Hoboken City Hall.

Richard Tremitiedi, Hoboken's former fire chief, and one-dollar-a-year adviser to the mayor, writes this to Hoboken Now::

Dear Editor:

In view of the hefty tax increase, it is natural to complain about the mayor's and the city council's roles in Hoboken's tale of mismanagement. It is easy for us to complain that Judy Tripodi, our fiscal monitor is not taking action fast enough, we don't like her management style or her decision to avoid joining what some have described as the 'circus atmosphere' of city council meetings.

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City Council votes out Hoboken Housing Authority veteran

by Amy

Monday November 24, 2008, 8:53 PM

AMY SARA CLARK / THE JERSEY JOURNALHoboken Housing Authority commissioner Angel Alicea, standing, listens as the Hoboken City Council votes in Hector Claveria to take his place on the authority on Nov. 24, 2008 in Hoboken City Hall.

Angel Alicea, an 18-year veteran on the Hoboken Housing Authority, lost his seat to newcomer Hector Claveria at tonight's City Council meeting.

The 5-4 decision not to renew Alicea's five-year term was met with anger and frustration from more than a dozen HHA residents who came to support him.

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