It is an excuse. Blame anything but personal responsibility, seems to be pretty normal for a Hudson county politician.

It's not a "misuse;" it's an ABUSE.

Get yourself into a program, Steve.

If he was that drunk he would have pissed his pants not pulled out his 'mini-me' and pissed on people.
I'm not buying this story and he has lost all credibility, however I do have empathy for his family.

On a side note, the 9:30 club is still a good place to see a show. Shame it got caught up in this thing - one of the best places in DC to see a show/concert.

The 930 Club is a great place to see a show, I saw many there when I lived in DC.

In any case, I hope people don't forget about this come election time in a few months. This man is disgusting in more ways than one. How convenient he kept that incident in Pennsylvania out of the press. Let's not forget about him hiring his wife to work at the charter school, firing the manager that suggested he use the competitive bid process for contracts at the school, or the school purchasing furniture that ended up at his house.

Also his failing to file state-required ELEC reports for four years in a row. He really thinks he's above the law.

I feel bad for his councilmember aide that had to field hundreds of angry phone calls from constituents though. She doesn't deserve the aggravation.

What I've also noticed is that there are quite a few letters in the Jersey City Journal and other papers supporting Steve, and few against him, despite all the scorn he's getting in the various online forums. Coincidence? I think not. I'd like to know who is working at the Jersey City Journal, and if they are friends with Lipski.

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Where's the remorse for the people he peed on?

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Or, the Journal is a favorite among alcoholics?

Lipski hosting anti-alcohol meeting for teens tonight
by Charles Hack
Thursday April 30, 2009, 10:00 AM

Shortly after Jersey City Councilman Steve Lipski was accused of relieving himself on fellow patrons at a Washington, D.C., nightclub in November, he confessed to battling an alcohol addiction for several years.

Having pleaded no-contest to a misdemeanor charge in a Virginia court in January, Lipski, who directs the CREATE charter school in Jersey City, is now warning young people about the dangers of booze.

He is scheduled to host and speak at a town hall-style meeting tonight at CREATE, 164 Lembeck Ave., from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The meeting is organized by the Hudson County Childhood Drinking Coalition, a state-funded group that combats underage drinking.

"A lot of people say 'Don't drink or just say no,' but there are tons and tons of messages that glamorize drinking without any consideration to those who have an addiction," Lipski said, noting he was first exposed to alcohol by his family when he was 8 years old.

For the incident in Washington, Lipski received six months to a year probation pending drug and alcohol counseling.

"I would not have blacked out and got arrested for something I never imagined myself doing if it had not been for excessive drinking," Lipski said about the episode. "People may think the guy's not perfect but he is making progress. By hearing my story it might discourage young people from ever starting."

Lipski said in January he would not seek re-election to his Ward C Journal Square council seat because he wanted to focus on "his recovery and health."

Lipski said he is breathing better and has lost weight since being sober for more than 170 days. He expects to complete probation and community service by the end of June.

Tonight's program will include a skit on drinking and driving performed by teen peer leaders from Horizon Health Care COPE, discussion groups, and booths from different groups dedicated to fighting teen addition, organizers said.

No alcohol or food like at last nights party for I forgot who up in the heights?

Steve Lipski ? a year later

Former JC councilman talks about sobriety, does not rule out political future

by Ricardo Kaulessar
Reporter Staff Writer

A YEAR LATER, A YEAR SOBER - Former Jersey City Councilman Steve Lipski spoke recently to the Jersey City Reporter about what he has gone through since his arrest for an incident in a Washington D.C. nightclub a year ago.
slideshow

First of two parts.

Steve Lipski sat in a booth last week at the Brownstone Restaurant in downtown Jersey City a relaxed man.

The former city councilman was in a very different place a year ago, when he was going through one of the darkest periods in both his personal and professional lives.

On Nov. 7, 2008, he was arrested for simple assault for allegedly urinating from a balcony during a Grateful Dead tribute concert at Washington D.C.?s ?Nightclub 9:30.? Lipski later admitted that he had had several drinks before the concert and some during.
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?I feel I am in a very good place.? ? Steve Lipski
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Lipski went to court and entered a not guilty plea. A few days later, at a council caucus meeting, Lipski apologized to the public, acknowledging that he is a recovering alcoholic. Then he received his sentence of one year?s probation in a Washington D.C. courtroom on Jan. 13, and paid a $50 fine and did community service.

Eventually, he decided not to run for a third term as Ward C Councilman after he was asked by Mayor Jerramiah Healy to not be part of his election ticket. His seat is now filled by Nidia Lopez.

Since then, Lipski has continued running the CREATE Charter High School on Lembeck Avenue in Jersey City as well the new CREATE middle school located on Canal Street in downtown Jersey City (occupying the old Learning Community Charter School space). He is also vice-president of the Board of Directors for Partners in Prevention, the anti-drug and alcohol resource center based in Jersey City, and he serves on several other boards.

But most importantly, he has been sober since the day after his arrest, having gone in for counseling and treatment.

?I haven?t touched a drink in over a year, and I am getting the help I need,? Lipski said. ?I feel I am in a very good place.?

A new life, a new day

Lipski engages in one of his favorite meals, a tuna melt and a Coke, while talking about changing his regimen. He goes to a gym, has been eating healthier, and sees a naturopath. The changes also include the way he approaches each new day.

?Every day I wake up I say my prayers and read positive affirmations,? Lipski said. ?I no longer have negative thoughts.?

What has also uplifted him is his marriage to his wife Yraida, as they will be celebrating 16 years together on New Year?s Eve. He said his wife didn?t look to leave him after his arrest. He said she was ?disappointed? yet supportive. Lipski said it was their strong religious beliefs that also kept them bonded.

Support of friends, both in and out of the political realm, also helped Lipski resist the temptation of alcohol. This was especially helpful to him during the time after the arrest when there were calls from some people to step down from his council post.

?What I find is, most people are extremely supportive, that they are truly empathetic,? Lipski said. ?Most people looked at what I had done as being disgusting, but they see that I am getting help, that I am working to run two schools and being responsible as possible.?

Lipski said he had to examine what he had been doing to his body for years, going back to his childhood, including the impact of alcohol upon his brain?s temporal lobe.

He lost his father at the age of 12 in a hit-and-run accident, and says that traumatic incident started him on his drinking problem. He said looking back on his youth has enabled him as an educator to do more for his school and the students.

?Let me just say when one door opens, another one closes,? Lipski said. ?Running the school, it really challenged me in terms of being the leader and how would I take this as a leadership moment. But after the arrest, I came back and shared with students and staff, which was painful.?

And Lipski saw other doors opening as some were beginning to close.

Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.

How ironic that the Buy Rite banner ad is at the top of the page! Over 1,500 beers!

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What's so ironic about it their ad is on top of every refreshed page or each time you sign on to jclist. It just goes to show you that without jclist's ad campaign or customer support these local businesses would loose their foundation.

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Wow, how do you come to that conclusion? Dig a little deeper.