Hoboken SWAT Debacle Continues
411 told you so: SWAT Cops get $2 Million from Zimmer
Back on May 2nd, Hoboken411 exclusively reported Mayor Dawn Zimmer was ready to throw two million dollars at five Hispanic officers who accused former SWAT team leader Angelo Andriani of being a racist.
Today at noon, attorneys for the officers will hold a press conference announcing terms of the deal at a Newark hotel, where they’re expected to confirm Hoboken411’s original story. Here’s 411’s report of the settlement nearly two months ago:
5/2/2011 HOBOKEN411 EXCLUSIVE:
$2 Million settlement proposed in Hoboken SWAT case,
Dawn Zimmer protects Andriani and Roberts while taxpayers pay
The lawsuit that brought national attention to the Hoboken SWAT Team is about to be settled. Hoboken411 has learned Mayor Dawn Zimmer is asking the City Council to approve a $2 million dollar payout to five police officers who sued the city over treatment by former Lieutenant Angelo Andriani.
The rub? Zimmer’s settlement will relieve Andriani and former Mayor David Roberts of any burden they faced in the lawsuits related to the SWAT case. The $2 million would be split among the five Hispanic officers who brought the case.
How this all started, and the SWAT scandal that followed
Back in October 2007 (see original reporting on the case after the jump), Sgt. Edwin Pantoja, Det. Cesar Olavarria, Det. James Perez, Det. George Fonseca and Det. Mario Novo filed suit against the city charging Angelo Andriani was a white supremacist who discriminated against them because of their ethnicity.
After the suit was filed, Hoboken411 showed the world the pictures of the post-Hurricane Katrina exploits of Andriani and his SWAT team. As a City Council member, Dawn Zimmer voted (along with Peter Cunningham) to allow former Police Chief Carmen LaBruno to retire with a $525,000 cash payout and full pension of $148,000 a year (plus full benefits for life) rather than face an investigation for his management of Andriani and the department.
Zimmer and Cunningham allowed LaBruno to leave with a golden parachute rather than shine light on the problems of the department. Now, Zimmer is again looking to settle a case without further exposure to the people who may have been most culpable.
EXCLUSIVE: Terms of the $2,000.000.00 Settlement
Here’s a look at what each of the players would get as part of the settlement:
- The 5 plaintiffs: $2,000,000.00 to split between themselves and their lawyers with no admission of liability by any party, and the City will dismiss all preliminary notices of retaliatory disciplinary action against the officers.
- Angelo Andriani: In exchange for the city footing the bill for the settlement, Andriani drops his counter-suit against the 5 officers, and releases the City and former Mayor David Roberts of any claims regarding actions PRIOR TO the October 24, 2007 filing of the original lawsuit.
Andriani does NOT release the city from his pending appeals of his firing and disciplinary actions, which so far he has been winning.
Thanks to Zimmer’s knee-jerk firing of Andriani for political headlines, he very likely will get to retire with a full pension.
David Roberts: The former Mayor’s fight to avoid being deposed under oath about his time as Public Safety Director overseeing LaBruno and Andriani is successful, and he will face no further legal jeopardy under the Zimmer settlement. The plaintiffs agree to provide a full release to Roberts, who will also face no further action from Andriani.This is the second time Zimmer has protected Roberts from exposure.
The first was when she voted to allow the golden parachute for LaBruno.
- Hoboken Taxpayers: They get the added burden of higher insurance rates after the city’s insurance carriers make the $2 million dollar payout to the 5 officers. They also lose out on the opportunity to get more facts of the case. One by one, the players in this drama are getting out better than they came in while the taxpayers foot the bill.
A resolution to settle the case is on the agenda for Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
Hoboken SWAT Headaches
6/3/2008 Update:
Want to read your very own copy of the leaked Hoboken Police misconduct report?
Graciously provided by internalaffairsNJ.com, a new site dedicated to “review and discuss the process and investigation of citizen complaints against police officers.” Thanks!
5/28/2008 Update:
The internal report on the investigation of the Hoboken SWAT Team scandal has leaked to FOX 5 News. It paints an embarrassing picture of a SWAT Team commander given free reign to act however he pleased thanks to his friendship with Police Chief Carmen LaBruno, who stepped in to protect his pal when others complained. The report essentially says LaBruno let Lieutenant Angelo Andriani set up his own dues paying club and allowed him to do what he pleased with no benefit to the people of the City of Hoboken.
For this (and the national embarrassment that went along with it) Chief LaBruno will be allowed to retire with a one-time payment of up to $375,000 for unused sick pay and 1 $150,000 contract termination fee, plus an estimated $148,000 annual pension and benefits for life. At 59 years old LaBruno could get millions of dollars out of the deal even though the city’s own report appears to show what could be an abuse of the Chief’s position that at best deserves further investigation by an outside agency such as the State Attorney General or U.S. Attorney’s office. If LaBruno were charged and convicted of a crime he could lose the multi-million dollar pension and settlement payments.
Among the many allegations in the report prepared by city labor attorney David Corrigan and leaked to FOX 5 News:
- The SWAT Team served no purpose, and was a waste of money and time that led to alleged acts of misconduct by Andriani
- Chief LaBruno allowed Andriani to work from home in Verona, leading to SWAT Team members engaging in private work on the Unit Commander’s home.
- There was alleged hanky-panky with a deal LaBruno struck with Andriani to let the HPD use Andriani’s boat (which they never did) and city taxpayers paid $15,000 in docking fees for no purpose
- LaBruno allowed Andriani to collect SWAT dues without exercising oversight on the money, and many, many more…
Corrigan’s report uses words like “secret” and “illegal” to describe the activities of LaBruno and Andriani. Critics of Chief LaBruno say this report is just a small glimpse at how the department has been run over the last several years. Many police officers have sued the city over the years (with several suits still outstanding) while others decided to take their careers elsewhere.
Should the city council approve the Golden Parachute that Mayor Roberts has put together for Chief LaBruno?
Post your thoughts in the comments section.
1/14/2008:
Charles Hack from the Journal today reported that (as we all predicted) no indictments will be pursued at a County level against the Hoboken Police Chief or Lieutenant, who were accused by the five Latino officers of racism and “house cleaning.”
Hudson County Prosecutor Ed DeFazio said there was “not enough evidence” against Carmen LaBruno and Angelo Andriani to warrant a case, and sent the matter back to Hoboken for “administrative action.”
A grand jury had been selected to help with this process, but were not involved in the decision not to pursue the case. Louis Zayas, attorney for the five officers suing the city said “It leaves us with the fox guarding the hen house, and the decision in the hands of the fox.”
12/19/2007:
Hoboken411 can’t be everywhere (especially with so many businesses dropping like flies) and wasn’t in court yesterday for the latest wrinkle in the HPD scandal. However, through our sources (and the Journal) here’s what we hear went down:
Attorneys for five Hoboken Police Officers suing the city failed to get the Hudson County Prosecutor removed from a criminal investigation into time they may have spent working on their superior officer’s home. The officers are suing the city claiming they worked on SWAT Lt. Angelo Andriani’s home on police time. They also claim they were told to remove building materials from Chief Carmen LaBruno’s basement.
The Journal’s Charles Hack reports a judge dismissed a motion to remove Prosecutor Edward Defazio from the investigation because of his long-standing ties to LaBruno, who served as the chief of investigators at the prosecutor’s office 18 years ago, when DeFazio was an assistant prosecutor. The attorney for the officers – Louis Zayas – claims DeFazio can not fairly investigate the charges involving LaBruno, but the judge found the officers had “no standing” according to Hack:
Zayas said his clients arrived for their evening shift last Tuesday and were ordered by the Hoboken Police Department Internal Affairs to answer questions the charges as part of DeFazio’s investigation.
Zayas also told (the judge) he was upset that DeFazio planned to have internal affairs officers present during the questioning of the four cops but would not allow him to be present. (The judge) said that DeFazio is not obligated to allow witnesses to have an attorney during questioning, saying only defendants have that right.
The officers were compelled to testify to the Grand Jury. Meanwhile the city continues it’s internal investigation into the matter as the county prosecutor does the same.
12/18/2007 Update:
I got wind that four Hoboken officers are scheduled to testify in front of a grand jury today at 1:30pm. More details to follow (if I get to it.)
11/24/2007 Update:
Do you think this might be a reason why the Latino officers chose not to meet with DeFazio’s investigators?
Apparently there were Internal Affairs (IA) members which were hand-picked by Chief Labruno present on two occasions when they went to meet with them. Jersey law specifies that IA isn’t supposed to be present while the Prosecutor probes a complaint.
Page 11-22 of this PDF you can download here.
New Jersey Attorney General Police Internal Affairs Policy and Procedure:
Requirement 6
Where preliminary investigation indicates the possibility of a criminal act on the part of the subject officer, or the investigation involves the use of force by the officer which results in serious bodily injury or death, the county prosecutor must be notified immediately. No further action should be taken, including the filing of charges against the officer, until directed by the county prosecutor.
11/24/2007:
Latino cops subpoenaed
The Hoboken Police officers suing the city for discrimination and intimidation are now being ordered to testify in front of a grand jury on December 18th.
Up to now, the officers were not willing to be interviewed by Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio without their lawyer Luis Zayas present. Some say they were concerned about the close relationship DeFazio has with others in Hoboken, including Chief Carmen Labruno, and have requested an independent investigation. DeFazio denies any “conflict of interest” exists, and say interviewing without counsel present is “general protocol”.
One of the big debates about this whole case is whether a “fair” investigation can take place if it’s done within Hudson County, which many say is wholeheartedly corrupt and will not be handled properly. Besides the officers suing, even Councilwoman Beth Mason recommends that an unbiased and outside investigation take place.
11/22/2007:
Today’s Journal has an “exclusive” interview with the Hooters bimbo that essentially adds nothing to the story that we didn’t already presume.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama must be a rather boring place if Hoboken cops coming in to drink and play with guns is considered “One of the wildest moments at Hooters”… and have you ever heard the phrase “touchy craziness”?
The waitress was thrilled to think she looked like a video game character: “I really love that picture of me holding the gun,” she said, referring to a picture the Journal never obtained. “I look like (Tomb Raider video game heroine) Laura Croft.”
She added that she didn’t know what time they left, and assumed some phone numbers got exchanged. Also in this shocking interview, was her realization that they tipped well, and “had a good time”. I’m speechless! I’ve never heard of such things happening at a bar!
She’s since moved on to bigger and brighter things, from “food coordinator” at Hooters, to down the street as an “advertising coordinator” at a local paper.
Zzzzzzz.
11/20/2007:
The (former) Hoboken SWAT team is now getting scrutinized by TV tough guy’s show Anderson Cooper 360°.
Cooper is on assignment for the next two to three weeks (he arrived in New York this evening), and had another anchor take his place
On the “What were they thinking?” segment of tonight’s show (which airs Monday – Friday at 10pm), correspondent Erica Hill reported:
“Remember the Hoboken SWAT team partying with Hooters waitresses in Alabama? That wasn’t really the big issue. It’s the fact that these guys let the ladies pose with high powered weaponry! After that got out, Hoboken’s Police Chief said the photos were embarrassing to the city, and the SWAT team was disbanded, but it didn’t end there, oh no!
There are more racy snap shots of the CHIEF HIMSELF! On the same trip, but in New Orleans, with a woman that appears to be flashing, looking for some beads apparently, and another which shows two women “cozying up to the chief” if you will. Yeah.”
The anchor responds:
“And they say that’s embarrasing.. I think.. how do they define humiliating?”
Some other pre-clip sound bites:
- “This isn’t a Halloween photo, and those aren’t toy guns… Wait till you here who’s doing the posing…”
11/19/2007:
This thread should be renamed: “Vacation pictures gone bad”, or “Why I hate digital cameras & the internet”.
Now more pictures are surfacing with the top cop of Hoboken, too.
Today, Charles Hack, from the Jersey Journal reported this about Chief Carmen Labruno:
Just last week, LaBruno called pictures of Andriani’s SWAT team members partying with Hooters girls in Alabama, “embarrassing to the city.”
And adds:
Andriani, who’s on desk duty now, denied the allegations yesterday and said his lawyer would be providing evidence to defend him.
“The accusations being made by these guys are outrageous and unconscionable,” Andriani said. “Now they are trying to bring the chief into it.”
Even CNN has run a video about this story.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/11/19/hoboken.swat.hooters.wabc
11/16/2007 Update:
Reader “bornandrazedinhobo” mentioned that Lt. Andriani has been assigned desk duty, and the SWAT team has been disbanded.
See his comment here for full details.
11/16/2007:
Another reader writes in:
“No one is addressing the most important issue:
How will this affect Hoboken’s chances of getting a Hooters franchise?”
11/15/2007 Update 2:
Story is getting picked up by other networks.
So far:
11/14/2007 Update:
Apparently at 10pm on Fox 5 News, there will be a report about some “tape” that shows Hoboken’s finest taking a little R&R break while on their trip to New Orleans in 2005. Having fun with cute Hooters girls isn’t a big deal to me (I’d do the same, although I never really liked the Hooters girls for some reason.. maybe the ones here in the Northeast are lame compared to down south). Some people feel it was improper behavior to allow these girls to hold actual weapons.
The Journal said:
“Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said he’s seen the tape and that he saw “nothing criminal” on it.
He refused to go into detail about what was on the tape. When asked if it’s true that the waitresses are shown holding SWAT weapons, DeFazio said “If they were, there was no evidence of criminal intent.”
One person sent me email with some photos:
“Editor,
I’ve been advised that your site is frequently by concerned residents of Hoboken. In case you were not present at the public gathering last week I have attached several photographs that were the center of discussion.”
Here are the pictures I received. Criminal, or just men having a harmless good time?
11/8/2007:
update:
Rally wrapped up at City Hall (I’m under the weather here), but it sounds as if there’s a bit of a commotion. They’re currently marching to Police Headquarters, and the HPD has put plenty of officers in place at various detail points in the surrounding area.
Anyone with pics can send them in. Otherwise, “just another day in Hoboken”.
11/8/2007:
News conference / Rally tonight at 6pm
Down in front of City Hall, the NJ State National Latino Peace Officers Association, the Latino Leadership Alliance of NJ, and the NAACP (Hoboken Chapter) will speak about the racisim charges the five latino officers are bringing against the HPD. They’re requesting that AG Anne Milgram begin an investigation into the Hoboken Police Department.
You can contact Carrie Gilliard, Head Hoboken chapter NAACP: gilliardcarrie@yahoo.com.
10/24/2007:
Update from 1010wins:
Five Hoboken Police Officers Sue Department, Claim Discrimination
HOBOKEN, N.J. (1010 WINS) — Five Hispanic police officers have filed a lawsuit against the Hoboken Police Department, claiming they’ve been discriminated against because of their ethnicity.
Their federal lawsuit claims a commanding officer is a white supremacist and that bosses have fabricated charges against Hispanic officers.
Police Chief Carmen LaBruno has not issued a comment.
A spokesman for Hoboken Mayor David Roberts says they haven’t seen the lawsuit and have no immediate comment.
Photos issued from lawyers for plaintiffs.
Top photo: Plaintiffs (l-r) Det. Cesar Olavarria, Det. James Perez, Det. George Fonseca, Det. Mario Novo, Sgt. Edwin Pantoja.
Insert photo: Lt. Angelo Andriani
From the newswire:
5 Hispanic officers claim discrimination by Hoboken department
Five Hoboken police officers are suing their department, charging they have endured constant racial slurs and intimidation because they are Hispanic.
The federal lawsuit claims a commanding officer is a white supremacist and that superiors fabricated charges against the Hispanic officers.
Police Chief Carmen LaBruno did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
A spokesman for Hoboken Mayor David Roberts says they have’ seen the lawsuit and have no immediate comment.
Hoboken NJ
598 Responses to ** Hoboken SWAT Debacle Continues **
May 2nd, 2011 |
Great Caeser’s Ghost! Two million smackeroos! That’s nothing to sneeze at. Why can’t I get harassed at work? It’s like winning the lottery now.
Login or Register to reply
May 2nd, 2011 |
Speaking of old lawsuits (or potential suits) against this Mayor, did the former Zoning Officer ever sue for getting pushed aside for that Zimmer crony? After nearly 20 years in the system and scoring #3 on the Civil Service test she was apparently bumped off so Zimmer could hire that Holtzman woman away from Beth Mason. Cronies-R-Us at Hoboken City Hall.
In response to whineanddineinhob who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
bmcqueen’s explanation in 578 & 580 makes a lot of sense to me, but I just pray that the city is up to date with payments and any terms of that insurance so we are covered.
It still burns that people at the top who allowed this malfeasance to happen are getting away unscathed, and will full pensions to boot.
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
The $2M isn’t all that much, actually.
1/3 for the lawyers leaves $1,340,000
Split that 5 ways and you have $268,000 per person. Does that include the interest after four years of fighting? If so, that’s not all that much per plaintiff after enduring Andriari (based on the allegations)
In response to xyzpdq who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
Lawyers get 1/3? What a racket!
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
I totally agree.
Thank you BMAC for the awesome explanation.
In response to krewedetat who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
The weak foundation ‘cast’ by the administration and legal counsel [at the time] causes any legal case strength today to be weak and so to speak ‘crumble’. (IMO). Unfortunately, in city government there are always legal problems when you have to deal with human employees and there are many cases still in the pipeline, each of which has to be judged on it’s individual merits. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Elect the best and hopfully they will hire the best.
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
What some people don’t seem to get here is Hoboken’s liability insurance costs are through the roof because of this stuff, and Zimmer is even worse than Roberts was when it comes to adding new employee lawsuit fuel to the fire. She has her Business Administrator on a suspension-without-pay binge designed to squeeze people out of jobs. These are all lawsuits in the making.
Don’t be fooled. The insurance companies don’t just write checks for payout after payout and say “Thank You Sir”. They raise premiums and/or cancel policies. Didn’t Joann Serrano and George DeStefano each get a half-million bucks in their lawsuits? Lenz even got $180k out of suing the city. Any truth to the rumor there have been so many employee lawsuits that Hoboken is now self-insured?
The money is only one part of the equation in the Andriani settlement. Don’t miss the fact that Zimmer is letting Andriani and Roberts off the hook here.
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
“Thanks to Zimmer’s knee-jerk firing of Andriani for political headlines, he very likely will get to retire with a full pension. ”
“This is the second time Zimmer has protected Roberts from exposure.
The first was when she voted to allow the golden parachute for LaBruno”
“Hoboken Taxpayers: They get the added burden of higher insurance rates after the city’s insurance carriers make the $2 million dollar payout to the 5 officers.”
THANKS FOR SCREWING THE TAXPAYERS, ZIMMER!
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
Higher insurance – get a different broker. There are more than 20 carriers in the market right now. Maybe 30. The pricing is beyond cut-throat. Buyers’ market out there. Not gonna be a problem. I know. I’m a market participant.
In response to youme66 who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
What you don’t get is there is no hook for her to let those two on or off. Assuming the city has an insurance policy, they’re insureds. If there is no insurance policy, the city is liable for their actions under the doctrine of respondeat superior. They’re not on the hook for misconduct – WE are, as taxpayers for the city entity. Cutting a deal is probably the best option available.
In response to 4th Ward Guardian who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 3rd, 2011 |
Of course it’s a problem. Zimmer is the one choosing the broker. She overpays her Directors and personal staff by at least 20%. Big problem.
In response to bmacqueens who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 4th, 2011 |
Aw cripes. I mean switch among Aon, Marsh, Willis, or any of a dozen smaller shops. They’re long-established insurance brokerages that dominate the market for such kinds of insurance.
Aiyeee.
Here’s your tinfoil hat.
/\
/ \
__/ \___
——————-
Enjoy wearing it.
So – who is paying you to troll around here? Russo? Mason? Castellano? Or the HCDO headquarters?
In response to youme66 who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 4th, 2011 |
bmac, how did you get indoctrinated into the zimmer cult so easily?
- You really think she’s doing a bang-up job? Things getting better? Tax bills lower? improved services?
- And why is anyone that doesn’t shadow the zimmer cult automatically a russo, mason or castellano supporter? That is a tell-tale sign of someone victimized by indoctrination.
- Don’t you think with your rhetoric that anyone else can ask you who’s paying you to troll?
Take a step back, look at who you associate with both personally and online. If that is the company you choose to be with, why are you here? What’s your purpose other than to muddy the waters?
Using the typical attacks like that have already lowered your credibility beyond recognition. Tin hats? Really?
Have a normal conversation without dragging the same tired no one wants to hear it repetitive labels the core zimmer lovers have been uttering since the day they were brainwashed.
Zimmer? Bhalla? Marsh? Lenz? Dwek? Soares? Grossbard? Lottery tickets? Withdrawing from office? Avoiding testimony? Hypocrisy? Nepotism?
I could go on, but you refuse to look into the collective mirror.
In response to bmacqueens who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 4th, 2011 |
I’m learning a lot about insurance here. Thank you.
In response to bmacqueens who said:
Login or Register to reply
May 4th, 2011 |
John – I make the same invitation to you that I did to our host a few weeks ago – he deleted my invitation rather than respond to it. Instead of talking snap about Zimmer, imagine that the election is in a few weeks. Name the candidate that you think is best suited to be our new mayor and tell us about that person. What are their qualifications? What previous experiences and accomplishments make them the most qualified person?
I am not in the local government, nor am I a candidate for any race, nor do I work for any of them. I have a private industry job in Manhattan, always have, after putting myself through both law school and then business school at night, while still working full time, several years later (finance major, Beta Gamma Sigma, btw).
I can and shall explain to you in a non-aggressive manner why I back Zimmer at this time. This does not mean that I am betrothed to the idea of her having a second term – anybody in town is welcome to present a convincing argument for another candidate. However, I currently back Zimmer because I see her as the least bad candidate of any of the major players that I can picture in the next mayoral race. And I can tell you precisely why I think that.
Approximately three years ago, as we were getting ready for the last mayoral election, Peter Cammarano came to my building to speak to us about why we should vote for him. He promised us the world. This young, good looking, well educated and very well spoken person promised us that he was going to clean up the local government and, for once, we would have an honest, thrifty, well-running administration. I was sitting no more than five feet from him as he promised us the world.
This event was nearly simultaneous with the sting operation that brought him down, as he was taking envelopes stuffed with cash just up the street from us.
Now, Peter was the hand-picked successor to David Roberts, and was clearly the HCDO’s man. They had found their perfect little putz – malleable, ambitious, and willing to take the cash when offered. This hand-picked successor came after eight years of Roberts, who I consider to have been largely a disaster for the city. Roberts, in turn, followed on eight years of Russo Senior. Russo Senior predates my arrival in Hoboken. However, I understand that Russo Senior went to the pokey for taking bribes. You can feel free to correct my understanding, but I do have the general idea correct, right?
So — bribe-taking crook, leads to hapless friend of the developers who smothered this town in poorly constructed buildings while failing to deliver on most of the amenities and improvements that we were promised, leads to shining young putz who lied to my face while taking bribes within line-of-sight from my home. Are you detecting a pattern here?
You can say what you want about Dawn. Call her hapless, unqualified, inexperienced, maladroit. Say that she didn’t earn the position and merely ascended to the throne by default. Hell, you can call her late for dinner if you want. But compared to our previous leadership, I don’t consider her to be particularly corrupt. In fact, I’ve already caught folks around here telling lies and half-truths about her. When I corrected one about the relationship between her and Angel Alicea, it seems to have been deleted. (Angel lied to her when she asked him directly about the FBI – this was printed by the J.J. one or two days after a recent scathing article on the subject in these pages.)
In fact, as best as I can tell, through the pervasive half-truths and blatant smear attacks that are the unfortunate rule in this town, it seems to me that she has been trying to clean up this town for three years, while facing nothing but opposition from just about anybody else who wasn’t already on her campaign staff. That senseless, inexplicable hostility seems to include the two people who I shall now discuss.
The other front runners that I currently see in the election are Russo Junior and Mason. Russo just shot himself in the foot terribly when he got caught on camera talking smack. Character is what you do when you think that you are not being watched. When he thought he was not being watched, he boasted about many bad things. He may have lots of connections in this town, but it certainly looks like he lacks character. And, apples seldom fall far from the tree. No, he is not worthy to be our mayor. And, I want him as far from the purse-strings as possible.
As for Mason, she certainly seems to have the business and intellectual qualifications, but I do not think that she has the interests of the citizenry at heart. I think she’s beholden to certain business interests to the detriment of the greater population. That is her prerogative. She can back the horses that she wants, and they can back her. But that doesn’t mean that I have to support her in return. I would like to see her strongly turn away from the Russo connection (teaming up with him at the mayor’s race last time was a major WTF moment for me – how could she squander her reputation like that?) and instead use her face recognition and position at the head of the city council to finally ram through some long-overdue necessities.
Like what? Repave the roads west of Clinton Street. Rework the traffic patterns – make it possible to get through town on a street other than Washington. Cross-town options would be a nice surprise. PARKS. Cleaner streets – it’s a dump around here once you get West of Park and Garden. Crack down on bars that belch rowdy drunks into our streets at night. Loud motorcycles in the middle of the night. DWI checkpoints so that people aren’t smashing up our cars on the street every weekend. Just basic, meat and potatoes issues that would make this a better place to live.
Unfortunately, Mason does not seem inclined to use her power and authority, and frankly – persuasiveness – to lead this city to be a shining light on a hill. That is a shame. I think if she ran a clean, honest campaign to create a good government around here, people would listen. But several years of taint with that Russo connection from the mayor’s race, and senselessly attacking Zimmer instead of helping to lead us away from corruption and toward a better government, have really tarnished her brand. That’s a shame. She could have been a contender.
And there you have it. A polite, well-considered explanation of why I currently back Zimmer. If you would like me to back someone else, you are quite invited to present the argument in return.
In response to john14 who said:
Login or Register to reply
June 28th, 2011 |
This town is screwed!
Login or Register to reply
July 7th, 2011 |
slabbed.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/lo...nner-city-councilman/#comment-30289
Login or Register to reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.