10/12/2007:

Just to give you guys a heads up, Michael Mullins, lead reporter from the Hoboken Reporter called me yesterday afternoon, because he’s writing a story about the ELEC reports from the 4th Ward Election. Not sure what the gist of the story will be, but Hoboken411 might be mentioned.

As many of you probably already know, my name had been on Dawn Zimmer’s ELEC reports since the first election in May because I was hired to design her website/blog. Since Hoboken411 started in April of 2006, I’ve done many other website development jobs on the side, fully independent of Hoboken411 (in and outside of Hoboken). Dawn and her campaign manager had approached me because they needed a website in a hurry. I obliged, and made clear that it will not influence what posts are made on Hoboken411. Two separate and independent business entities.

After developing Dawn Zimmer’s site, Peter Cunningham approached me as well, but initially changed his mind because I was the contributor to Hoboken411. However, as his initial web guy turned out to be a bust, he called me back and offered me the job. I even designed the Kids First website for the Board of Education candidates. FYI, in case you want my help, I’m presently not accepting new jobs until I can get the help I need to run 411. It was hard to juggle 411 and administer / develop sites for others, and I’ve turned down multiple offers already this year.

More importantly, creating those other sites in no way affected what was published on 411. Heck, if Chris Campos wanted a site too, I’d treat his site exactly the way I did Dawn’s. Again, separate entities.

Specifically to Hoboken411: In addition to having an entry for each council candidate, I wrote here on multiple occasions that ALL candidates were more than welcome to submit press releases, sign up to comment, and publicize whatever they wanted to make public. Only certain candidates understood that and recognized the reach of Hoboken411, but the door was (and is) always open.

Hoboken411 as an entity, is supported by advertisers, like any magazine, newspaper or public TV show. Various Hoboken groups have chosen to advertise in the past. Tom Foley, Scott Delea, Peter Cunningham, Dawn Zimmer, Kids First, Southwest Parks, the Candidates Forums and Sunshine Week 2007 have all advertised on Hoboken411. You can also look at all candidates ELEC reports to see how much money each candidate paid the Hoboken Reporter as well.

Hoboken411 has also published every press release received. From Mayor Roberts, Chris Campos, Theresa Castellano, Michael Russo, William Noonan, Richard Tremitiedi, and many more. This, on top of every single video interview that was shown on Cablevision. Also, I recently interviewed both Campos and Zimmer after the election re-do was announced.

I’ve even published reader complaints towards Dawn Zimmer. Hoboken411 works independently outside of anyone’s political interest. Some people choose to provide me with information, and others don’t.

The bottom line is, does it matter that I have many talents? If I have a skill set that people are willing to pay me for, then that makes me quite happy. I’m a DJ too! (But I don’t do weddings anymore!).

Not sure how the Reporter is going to spin this article, but you heard the truth here first. Let’s see what they have to say. Maybe it won’t contain any pot-shots.

Technorati Tags: ELEC Reports, Hoboken, Hoboken Reporter