A letter to Hoboken Reformers
30
January
1/30/2009:
Hoboken411 received this letter yesterday from a “Concerned Citizen.”
What are your thoughts?
Raising taxes is NOT an answer!
“Hoboken Reformers,
I would like to thank you so much for all the information you have brought to light on so many areas in Hoboken. For attending council meetings and trying to get answers and bring about change. I wish I thought what you have done was enough but I think its time to take your findings to the next level.
Every media outlet is running story after story about the economy and the effects on everyday people, about the layoffs, and cutbacks being made in both the private and public sectors across the country. They love pointing to Wall St and bonuses and the effects that will have on everyone. I think now more than ever you have an opportunity to get the major networks to run a story on Hoboken and what you have found.
Hoboken is home to Governor Corzine and Senator Menendez two of the states highest government officials yet we have heard nothing from them. Why are they not outraged that they have had to pay 48% increase in taxes out of there own pockets, why are they not outraged raises are being handed out, why are they not outraged that we have 35 fire captains, why are they not outraged at the exuberant health care and vacation payouts being given, why are they not outraged at the per pupil cost in our schools, why are they not outraged the town they live in has such disregard for its citizens in this troubling economic time? I know its not there place to meddle in local government but as these two announce/vote on their state cutbacks and national bailouts Hoboken has made no changes other than 7 retirements and closing the cross town shuttle. Hoboken helped vote these two men into office, do they not owe it to us to use there political power to help its everyday citizens fight an uphill battle?
We have had this budget issue for over a year and no major cutbacks have been made even with the state involved. This is not just an issue of the economy, Hoboken has the economy and the bloated budget Roberts created over the past 8 years to deal with. Ask why Hoboken has not IMMEDIATELY made changes and followed Union City’s lead and demand all employees contribute to health care cost, North Bergen’s lead of a max of 10k for any accrued vacation/sick days, joined the North Hudson Regional Fire Dept, a X% reduction in workforce in all areas and so many other huge savings options. We are told time and time again by our World leaders and by CEO’s that there is no time to wait that action must be taken immediately to avoid dangerous consequences in the future, yet Hoboken in a years time has made no major policy changes to address our financial situation. Raising taxes on citizens who are already struggling is not an answer.
It’s time to have your impressive information of blatant over spending, possible illegal corruption and the lack of response from Corzine and Menendez brought to a bigger stage for all residents of Hoboken and statewide supporters of Corzine and Menendez to hear. This type of exposure for our two biggest government officials and our current administration will have a major impact on the speed and amount of reform you wish to bring and all residents hope to have.
Thank you,
Concerned Citizen“
January 31st 2009 - 23:31:55 |
I don’t know who writes these blogs but when you use the
word there in the possessive form, it is spelled their. It’s bad enough some of the comments posted on 411 lack grammar but
come on guys, you’re the professionals, your editorials should at least be literate.
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February 1st 2009 - 01:16:54 |
Beejay wrote:
You’re right, you dont barrow long term to fix short term – yet you see this very practice advertised every day on tv. Walk by any H&R black and you will see this practive advertised as well.
There are two theories at work here – they have both been proven to work – but when they clash — thats when the problems arise.
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February 1st 2009 - 01:33:59 |
whitney wrote:
:: In mocking tone ::
I don’t know who writes these blogs but… Blah, blah. Etc., etc.,.
Shaddup!
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February 2nd 2009 - 11:58:30 |
This isn’t about big wigs and what they can do. It’s about having the information of blatant over spending and that corzine and menendez living here on Channel 2 4 and 7 news. Using there names to achieve maximum exposure. with a catchy phrases like:
While your 401k diminishes are city official walking away with big paydays?
While millions lose their jobs are city officials getting raises?
While millions struggling to pay there bills is your town wasting tax payer money?
A 48% tax increase for citizens while city officials receive free health care
headlines like that get every citizen thinking what’s going on in my town. This will have neighboring towns and state officials putting pressure to shut Hoboken up. No one likes bad publicity and the stuff that has been dug up is bad publicity for Hoboken and all city officials in other towns. May not be illegal but bad publicity.
Not to say Hoboken will be run like a business and nepotism wont exist, but guaranteed you see quicker results to get the budget to 70-80 million if the reformers can get NBC ABC etc to run an ongoing story about small town waste.
I hope the reformers do contact the networks and don’t stop until they get the story out there until news crews are outside Roberts, Russo, Camarano, Labruno, Mason, Zimmers and others houses waiting for a comment. News crews at every council meeting interviewing people about the results of the votes. Small towns get away with waste because there is no public scrutiny exposed. Bloomberg has everything he does as front page news. We are not NY and not comparing the two, just saying exposure and bad press is key in getting results.
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