The "Faithful Four" And the Price of Obstruction

  Ward 4- MAYORAL- Certified Vote Totals

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OUCH! Tim got an anemic 481 votes in his OWN Ward!

Ward 4- At-LARGE COUNCIL- Certified Vote Totals

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YIKES! Tim got FEWER votes than ALL At-Large candidates except Montgomery (-45) and Waiters (-336)!

Well, folks, tonight's City Council meeting should be interesting.

One need only to look as far as Hoboken411 to see how any Reform agenda item will be spun by the 'Faithful Four" obstructionists before they vote "NO". 

But here's what is interesting.

The only member of the "Faithful Four" to appear on the ballot last month was Tim Occhipinti. 

How was Tim rewarded for his 'faithful" obstruction?  (You know, his litany of  'NO' votes, some accompanied by grandstanding, petulant rants, and insulting Corporation Counsel to the point where she gave him legal notice.)

Remember Tim's 'NO' votes squandered free' grant money to repair our roads, kept Doyle off the City Council which prevented critical board appointments, delayed Pier C park repairs and reopening after Sandy, delayed opening 1600 Park by voting down bonding for a new traffic light, hurt our HOP bus system by voting 'NO' to replace storm-damaged buses, allowed a $3M County Grant to expire by voting 'NO' on acquisition of land for the Southwest Park, tried to 'kill'  the hospital sale, blew a $4.6 Million dollar hole in our surplus by voting 'NO' on a FREE garage bond conversion... and that's far from all.

The 4th Ward was the hardest hit by flooding from Superstorm Sandy with some areas under 5 feet of water. I am sure some in his Ward recall his opposition to $2.5M additional emergency appropriations after Sandy along with his remarks arguing against the interests of Hoboken flood victims:

Tim: We don't have a guarantee we're going to get a specific number from FEMA but once we go out and buy these items, we have to pay for them, one way or another... the taxpayers will foot the bill for what we don't get from FEMA.  We've already gone out for 4 point-something million... another 2.65 million.  My question is is that... some of these items could possibly hold till we know exactly where we are to be reimbursed... there's only so much money that can come from the Federal government... they've gotta bring it from somewhere... the entire Jersey shore coastline was almost destroyed... we had some very terrible devastation ourselves but we're not facing the structural damage of an entire town washed away.

Giatino: speak for yourself.  Im sorry.

It is any wonder that his own constituents can't stand him?

The certified vote totals in his own Ward tell the story.  Tim scored a last place finish in his own Ward.   And 17% of the total votes cast citywide.

Yes, his campaign was lousy.  Yes, it was infested with MOLES.  But the fact that Timmy did not- could not- connect with his OWN voters is a seismic wake-up call. 

Back to Hoboken411.  Remember that cyber-tabloid has been the online venue for the Beth Mason's political operations, propaganda and 'home' for pro-Mason anonymous bloggers.  So, tonight will we see if there is daylight between the strident, anti-Administration obstructionism telegraphed today on Hoboken411 and Tim Occhipinti.

Specifically, the Council is proposing a 2-week moratorium on all municipal garage parking fees, a boost to local businesses, restaurants and bars during the Season to Eat, Drink and Shop.  The proposed time frame in December 20- January 2.

On the Council agenda: proposed  'FREE' municipal garage parking dates (in yellow)

Hoboken411's spin on this terrific proposal (and presumably that of the "Faithful Obstructionists")  is "WTF"?  His, um...'point': it's too late to shop, will encourage drunk driving.

Well, I suppose Christmas shopping began on Black Friday.  Is the City supposed to offer 6 weeks of free parking?  How would Hoboken make up that lost revenue?

GA thinks the proposed 'free parking' falls over a 2 week period during which most folks take time off, and schools are closed- a perfect time to come to Hoboken, stand on a 5-hour line to shop at Carlos' bakery, then eat in one of Hoboken's terrific restaurants AND do more shopping!

So, we'll see tonight which Obstructionists trash-talk this great idea that will help our local economy,  or if at least one of them has learned from the Trouncing of Tim.