3/19/2010 Update:

Blockbuster Considers Bankruptcy Filing

In an update to this story from six months ago – Blockbuster made news this week:

“In its annual report filed Tuesday, Blockbuster said its declining sales and cash flow, coupled with increasingly competitive industry conditions, “raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.” Blockbuster provided similar warnings nearly a year ago before it was able to refinance its long-term debt in the fall.”

Their annual report indicated that they suffered a more than $400 million dollar loss in the 4th quarter, and are close to a billion dollars in debt.

How much longer can they hang on?

9/21/2009:

Is Hoboken’s Blockbuster doomed?

Last week – Blockbuster made the news – indicating that despite trying to re-invent themselves over and over – are still suffering. They plan to close over 800 more stores before the end of 2010.

The simple question of the day is:

 Loading ...

Technorati Tags: Bankruptcy, blockbuster, Business, Doomed, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, QOTD, Question of the day

3/12/2010 Update:

What started out as a “Reader Mail” about the validity of the Hoboken Taxi Dispatcher, then added another complaint about driver “Ride Stacking” – plus today’s update – gave me the idea to turn this post into the “Hoboken Taxi Complaint Zone.” You can find this category on the right under “Rants, Raves and more” to use it in the future. So what brought this out?

Do you find the new taxi stand layout terrible as well?

Since the Taxi stand moved, Hoboken411 has received SO MANY complaints about it – I cannot even begin to compile them all. Key words such as “horrible,” “messy,” and “dangerous” to “free for all,” “ill-planned” and “no thanks, I’ll walk.”

With that being said – other than the dispatcher, most complaints were directed at actual drivers and the arrangement of the new setup. As always, one of the most responsive departments of City Hall is indeed the Division of Taxi & Limo Licensing. Just give Annette Chaparro a call at 201-420-2368 or 201-216-1090 if you have a valid complaint. She’s super friendly and can usually answer most questions you may have.

SEE PREVIOUS UPDATES AFTER THE BREAK…

[Click to continue reading the rest....]

Technorati Tags: city government, Hoboken, Hoboken411, New Jersey, NJ, Reader Mail, Taxi Complaint Zone, Taxi Complaints, Taxi Dispatcher, taxi stand, Taxpayers, waste

9/29/2009:

In the final Hoboken411 Reader Mail segment this morning – Jesse wonders about band rehearsal spaces in town. Can anyone help him?

Any places in Hoboken – or is it all condos now?

“As a musician approaching 40 yrs old, I can remember back in the day when Hoboken had an awesome music scene. The city was also much rougher around the edges to say the least, and more space was available in general at lower prices. I am wondering what happened to rehearsal spaces in this town, do they still exist?

I am sure there are plenty of musicians here, do they all go in to the city to rehearse?”

Too bad Jesse doesn’t live near Baltimore, MD – they have businesses that offer secure rehearsal spaces for cheap! Anything similar at the Monroe Center or Neumann Leathers site? (A good business idea for those enterprising enough…)

Technorati Tags: Hoboken, Local Bands, New Jersey, NJ, QOTD, Question of the day, Real Estate, Rehearsal Space, rentals, Studio

9/25/2009:

Party Pooper?

The vast majority of daily Hoboken411 readers absorb the articles but do not post in the comments section. Many also read the comments, but don’t log in and directly participate. It’s similar to how many people read the New York Times but don’t write letters to the editor. A couple readers have told me they don’t want to post because they don’t want to be in the line of long-time commenter strand tramp’s continuous fire. Frequent commenters complain of how strand tramp brings unnecessary cruelty into every thread. Others say they find strand tramp to be offensive but amusing.

Many say strand tramp has jumped the shark.

This week I got an unprecedented number of complaints and flags about strand tramp. I was forced to remove a comment or two that blatantly ran afoul of the community post rules. Strand tramp has been warned several times before. The nastiness that oozes from every post has grown tiresome to many 411 readers. Strand tramp has also (in the estimate of readers) been racist. Yesterday strand tramp was in “rare form,” calling other commenters names like idiot, dipsh1t, moron and limey, among many others.

The question is, do YOU think strand tramp should be banned, once and for all?

POLL

 Loading ...

Have a happy weekend (strand tramp) and everyone else!

Technorati Tags: Banning, Blogs, Commenters, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, Strand Tramp, user community, website

9/15/2009 Update:

Crazy talk, or real possibilities?

I stumbled across this video on YouTube – about what may happen this fall and winter regarding the H1N1 “Swine” flu. Not sure who this guy was, but the things he was saying didn’t make me feel too comfortable, if true. I mean forced vaccinations and being held against my will isn’t something I want to be part of whatsoever.

READ THE ORIGINAL QOTD AND POLL AFTER THE JUMP…

[Click to continue reading the rest....]

Technorati Tags: concern, fears, H1N1, Hoboken, Immunization, NJ, Novel, Outbreak, Shot, Swine Flu, Task Force, worry

9/3/2009:

Unofficial end of Summer this weekend

Since it’s been so long that I’ve been in corporate America – I often forget about these holiday weeks / weekends that many people enjoy. And it’s hard to tell if anyone is on vacation judging by the traffic on Hoboken411, since it keeps going up.

Like I’ve said in the past – I never liked taking vacation when everyone else was off. It was actually more fun to be in the office when times were slow. What about you? Do you take advantage of the long weekend and unofficial “end of summer?”

QotD: Do you have any special plans on Labor Day Weekend?

 Loading ...

Submit your own questions!

[If you have a question you'd like to get public opinion on - feel free to send an email to Hoboken411. Subject must start with QotD - and follow the same format: Opening statement - then Question.]

Technorati Tags: Hoboken, Labor Day, New Jersey, NJ, Summer, Vacation, Weekend

9/1/2009:

I know I promised a 30-day moritorium on “Cake” – but this is different – we’re talking CUPcakes!

Do you have a favorite?

A very simple question today:

QotD: What is your favorite cupcake place in Hoboken, and why?

 Loading ...

Submit your own questions!

[If you have a question you'd like to get public opinion on - feel free to send an email to Hoboken411. Subject must start with QotD - and follow the same format: Opening statement - then Question.]

Technorati Tags: Favorite Cupcakes, Hoboken, Hoboken411, New Jersey, NJ, Poll, QOTD, Question of the day

8/31/2009:

On the job training!

Today’s question of the day comes from Hoboken411 reader Vinny who says:

“The acting Mayor is asking for resumes for a bunch of job openings at town hall, calling it an “open process to create the strongest team possible.” However, what are Dawn Zimmer’s qualifications? Let’s see HER resume! From what I understand, other than being a rookie councilperson who has accomplished nothing so far, she was just a mom who took pictures with a camera!

In November, I’d like to see the resumes for all candidates side by side, and we’ll see who has the strongest skill set and experience to lead Hoboken!”

QotD: If the city demands qualified applicants for jobs at city hall – should the Mayor and other elected officials be held to the same process?

Oh, an if you’re interested which jobs the city is accepting resumes for, continue reading…

City Hall is hiring…

• Corporation Council (In-House)
• Director of Community Development
• Director of Health and Human Services
• Director of Environmental Services (Public Works)
• Director of Parking Utility (including Traffic)
• Public Information Officer
• Deputy City Clerk
• Municipal Prosecutor

Submit your own questions!

[If you have a question you'd like to get public opinion on - feel free to send an email to Hoboken411. Subject must start with QotD - and follow the same format: Opening statement - then Question.]

Technorati Tags: acting, city government, Dawn Zimmer, Hoboken, Jobs, mayor, Qualification, Resumes