City Hall News: 7/21/2009
21
July
7/21/2009:
A couple announcements from the Mayor’s office at City Hall. Collaborating with the Farmers Market in an effort to educate kids about healthy eating – and suggested new ordinance limiting the value of “gifts” received by city employees.
Ordinance to restrict value of gifts
Mayor wants threshold lowered to $25
“Mayor Peter J. Cammarano and his Administration are seeking the passage of a restrictive ordinance amending and supplementing the Code of the City of Hoboken as it relates to the acceptance of gifts by municipal officials and employees of the City. The ordinance states that, “No officer or employee of the City of Hoboken shall directly solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift having a value of $25 or more…”
“The existing threshold of $400 for gifts could possibly create a conflict of interest,” said Mayor Cammarano. “By amending the ordinance to $25 and creating in clear and unambiguous terms the penalties for compromising this policy, the City of Hoboken will be more in line with State standards regarding the acceptance of any gifts or solicitations.”
The policy proposed in the ordinance is meant to supersede any previous gift policy established by the City of Hoboken. Mayor Cammarano is sponsoring the ordinance in conjunction with his campaign pledge to implement a zero tolerance policy in regard to any perceived or real improprieties in the City of Hoboken.
A copy of the proposed ordinance, which is part of the agenda for the Wednesday, July 22nd City Council meeting, is available in the City Clerk’s office located on the first floor at 94 Washington Street.
Veggies better than Doritos
“Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano will joing with local children and representatives of the Hoboken Farmers Market to distribute produce and discuss healthy eating as part of the Mayor’s ongoing “Healthy Tuesdays” nutrition program (today at 3:30pm) – at the Jubilee Center (6th and Jackson).
The Mayor and “Jersey Fresh” farmers will discuss the value of incorporating locally grown fresh fruit and produce into a healthy lifestyle.”
July 21st 2009 - 13:37:25 |
Well, both sound good to me! Thanks for the update, Mayor’s office and 411.
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July 21st 2009 - 17:19:51 |
I am pleasantly surprised. The ordinance is a small step in the right direction.
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July 21st 2009 - 17:46:24 |
Hold the phone! This just in from the press release desk of Dawn Zimmer:
“Council President Zimmer claims Mayor Cammarano’s move to lower gift threshold proves he is pro-corruption”
Today Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer introduced legislation that would lower the threshold of gifts allowed to be accepted by Hoboken employees to $19.95. Zimmer said “Mr. Cammarano’s legislation does not go far enough, and shows he is not serious about cleaning up City Hall. Councilman Cunningham and I are demanding the gift threshold be lowered another $5.05 below the flawed Cammarano levels.”
Zimmer’s proposal follows her attempt earlier this year to cut council salaries by 15% after other council members introduced a bill cutting them by 10%. “When I saw the 10% reduction resolution I knew this was a great opportunity to add a line to my campaign literature, which – let’s face it – was sorely lacking in any actual accomplishments.”
Zimmer went on to called her proposal “A clean break from the failed policies of the past 152 years.”
(The above is satire, or is it?)
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July 21st 2009 - 18:46:40 |
Good one!
In response to Red Haven who said:
“Council President Zimmer claims Mayor Cammarano’s move to lower gift threshold proves he is pro-corruption”
Today Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer introduced legislation that would lower the threshold of gifts allowed to be accepted by Hoboken employees to $19.95. Zimmer said “Mr. Cammarano’s legislation does not go far enough, and shows he is not serious about cleaning up City Hall. Councilman Cunningham and I are demanding the gift threshold be lowered another $5.05 below the flawed Cammarano levels.”
Zimmer’s proposal follows her attempt earlier this year to cut council salaries by 15% after other council members introduced a bill cutting them by 10%. “When I saw the 10% reduction resolution I knew this was a great opportunity to add a line to my campaign literature, which – let’s face it – was sorely lacking in any actual accomplishments.”
Zimmer went on to called her proposal “A clean break from the failed policies of the past 152 years.”
(The above is satire, or is it?)
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July 22nd 2009 - 01:24:27 |
LMAO! That is classic! She was probably pissed it wasn’t her idea! Unfortunately, this can’t be considered “reform” because her and Cunningham aren’t the originators.
In response to Red Haven who said:
“Council President Zimmer claims Mayor Cammarano’s move to lower gift threshold proves he is pro-corruption”
Today Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer introduced legislation that would lower the threshold of gifts allowed to be accepted by Hoboken employees to $19.95. Zimmer said “Mr. Cammarano’s legislation does not go far enough, and shows he is not serious about cleaning up City Hall. Councilman Cunningham and I are demanding the gift threshold be lowered another $5.05 below the flawed Cammarano levels.”
Zimmer’s proposal follows her attempt earlier this year to cut council salaries by 15% after other council members introduced a bill cutting them by 10%. “When I saw the 10% reduction resolution I knew this was a great opportunity to add a line to my campaign literature, which – let’s face it – was sorely lacking in any actual accomplishments.”
Zimmer went on to called her proposal “A clean break from the failed policies of the past 152 years.”
(The above is satire, or is it?)
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July 22nd 2009 - 02:38:45 |
Here’s a photo from the “fruit instead of fat” shindig at the Jubilee Center (along with a note from city hall):
Mayor Cammarano Kicks Off Healthy Tuesdays Program
Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano joined over 50 children at the Jubilee Center to kickoff his “Healthy Tuesdays” program. The project (which he privately sponsors) provides fresh produce for children at Hoboken’s Jubilee Center and teaches the young people involved about importance of proper nutrition and exercise. Farmer John Melick of Melick’s Olde Town Farm (who participate in the Hoboken Farmers’ Market) in Hunterdon County participated in today’s program by talking with the children about farm life and donating peaches. Union Hill Farms which also sells fersh produce at the Hoboken Farmers’ Market donated corn for the kids from the Jubilee Center. Pictured with the mayor and children is Jubilee Program Coordinator Craig Mainor.
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July 22nd 2009 - 08:40:08 |
i’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
take a bow for the new revolution
smile and grin at the change all around me
pick up my guitar and play
jjust like yesterday
then i’ll get on my knees and pray…
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July 22nd 2009 - 11:51:22 |
Strand, great reference but not everyone knows the next line. I hope we won’t be fooled again.
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July 22nd 2009 - 11:55:58 |
The budget will be presented this summer, right? If Petey submits anything above $90mm then we will know for certain that this mayor has no interest in “Real Change”.
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July 22nd 2009 - 12:34:13 |
I think Judy is doing all the real work. Petey is an empty suit. But he sure does take a good picture!
In response to gazzosdriver who said:
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July 22nd 2009 - 14:14:26 |
Someone placed an empty briefcase on Beth Mason’s front steps yesterday……..paranoia or is someone sending a message? Red Haven what say you?
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July 22nd 2009 - 15:54:08 |
Consider yourself lucky, Matt, because if Dawn’s ability to run a meeting is any indication, these photo shoots would take five hours! She would have her ipod do a little jingle each time the photographer was to click another picture!
In response to matt_72 who said:
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July 22nd 2009 - 16:53:22 |
I doubt Dawn would be wasting her time on photo ops when there are pink slips to fill out.
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July 22nd 2009 - 17:57:36 |
Your right, Matt, there is no reason to waste her time with the common folk. Let’s face it, she hates associating with the little people in her ward. Places like the Jubilee Center and Boys & Girls Club are beneath her now that she is the 5th Ward Co-council person.
In response to matt_72 who said:
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July 22nd 2009 - 18:18:40 |
I love CSI!!! If we’re talking theme songs, maybe Marsh, Mello & Bhalla’s could be the Geico commercial,
“Would you one time
let me be myself
so I can shine
let me be myself”
In response to strand tramp who said:
take a bow for the new revolution
smile and grin at the change all around me
pick up my guitar and play
jjust like yesterday
then i’ll get on my knees and pray…
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July 22nd 2009 - 19:05:14 |
The common folk? You don’t get elected to jump around & take photos, you get elected to run the city. And I voted for her to cut spending. That requires digging into how the city is run and finding out where you can cut spending. Passing out peaches & jumping around w/ kids can be done on weekends & holidays, not during office hours & certainly not in the 1st few weeks in office when the mayor should be working on a budget. But this guy ain’t doing any of that stuff anyways b/c he is Mr. Status Quo.
In response to jc5201 who said:
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July 22nd 2009 - 20:35:39 |
Matt,
Don’t bother. This is probably Jc5201’s little plan to try and do his/her best to undermine Dawn over the next 2 years.
I’m sure he/she hopes that if they repeat “Dawn hates the residents of her ward” long enough and loud enough that some people might believe it.
In response to matt_72 who said:
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