10/14/2008 Final Reminder:

Public Hearing on tree planting TONIGHT

Just a reminder that as the new sign says, the public hearing on the proposal to plant a tree in memory of Annette Illing at Pier A Park is 7pm tonight at City Hall.

Here’s an artist’s sketch/rendering of what the area may look like:

See the rest of the sign original debacle after the jump…

9/12/2008:

Yes, this really is a real sign hanging today in Pier A park. It is not something I Photoshopped. It is however INCORRECT!

A few months ago 5th ward councilman Peter Cunningham and 6th ward councilman Nino Giacchi promoted legislation to allow for public input on any changes to existing city parks. This followed the controversy surrounding the unilateral decisions made by Mayor Roberts at Church Square Park, including the “murdered trees”, the planting of new ones, and the additional kiddie park and astroturf.

Now when the city wants to make a change in a park it must be publicly noticed with a public hearing.

This is the first test of that new law.

City has trouble getting things right

The problem this time: the sign shop put the WRONG DATE on the sign! The hearing on “planting a tree in Pier A park” will NOT be happening this Sunday the 14th of September, but on Tuesday the 14th of October, according to this notice on the Hoboken City Website aka “Dave Roberts’ MySpace page.”

The tree in question would be planted to commemorate the life of longtime Hoboken community activist Annette Illing, who was instrumental in fighting many good fights over the years, including the battle for Pier A park.

When the political establishment (including Roberts) wanted to allow the Port Authority to build a 23 story office building on the pier, Illing was among the key activists who organized the community against the plan. Supporters and objectors (if any) to the plan to plant this tree will meet at 7pm in the basement conference room at City Hall.

In case you still don’t believe this ridiculous sign is real and hanging right now in Pier A Park, check out this gallery with other angles:

PHOTO GALLERY (HOLD MOUSE OVER IMAGE TO NAVIGATE - 3 PHOTOS IN THIS SET)