The truth of the matter is that putting aside the "embarrasment" issue raised here and any reading of who supported who at this debate this is still going to be a close election because the mayor has the MACHINE in his corner.

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This is a good post which I mostly agree with but for the exception of not blaming the mayor.Sure you can't blame him for everything you mentioned but you can criticize the steps to dealing with problems.You can as is quoted acknowledge shortfalls and have plans in place to stop them.I feel the overall problems could be dealt with more effectively than they are being dealt with now under the present mayor.

When you were watching the debate did you get a feeling that he wanted to be somewhere else or no?

What is a shame is that whatever interesting things came to light will not be available to be viewed on cable TV/Comcast because the debate in the Loew's is the only one that is/will be televised unless things have changed from last news I have heard.I guess this is a good thing for Healy if many people had the same impression as what ErinMaiden wrote above.

IMO being stubborn can be good with some things but refusing to admit there is a problem is no way to improve things be it in public or private matters.

Not to put you on the spot, but what were some of the interesting things that came to light?

There was another debate yesterday sponsored by the Heights coalition which took place at Christa McAuliffe Elementary school.The news coverage of debate was posted by Grove Path under the thread "The Heights Coalition will host two candidate forums in preparation of May's municipal election".

I did not read anything regarding the I will not embarass you comment covered in this article by Journal staff writer Amy Sara Clark.

According to the article there was some type of survey after the debate,it does'nt say who did the survey but from the looks of the article I would think that it was the reporter.
The article says that those surveyed after the debate were most impressed by Manzo and Levin.Three people were quoted.Of the three people 2 had positive comments for Levin and 3 had positive comments for Manzo.I wonder if this is a microcosm of the public's feelings.

Sometimes people may judge you by the company that you keep.

...Those were two key recommendations of the governor's blue-ribbon panel studying immigrant policy.




Was this the Pabst Blue Ribbon panel!
Are you kidding me?In State tuition rates for someone who has entered the U.S. illegally.But more expensive tuition rates for a college bound kid who wants to go to a NJ public college and maybe grew up in Delaware ,Pennsylvania,or
New York.Maybe the out of state kid lives a couple of miles from the NJ border and would really like to go here but can't afford the out of State tuition rate but then someone here illegally could get a lower rate.Is there something wrong with this picture?


I wonder if there are any reduced rates for a education in a foreign country by virtue of the fact that the student is a U.S. citizen.I doubt it.

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I agree as do all my friends that we will NOT be voting for Healy.As far as I know about the other candidates I can only comment on Harvey Smith and Louis Manzo.
I have not met Smith recently but I have seen him on TV and in the newspaper.I read not too long ago that he gave up some type of Sheriff job to concentrate on running for mayor.I know he was a acting mayor briefly and is now in the assembly.I also read somewhere that he was one of the sponsors of a recent bill changing laws regarding bedbug infestations in multi family buildings.I think I need to research him further but he sounds like a interesting candidate.I would'nt mind meeting him like I did Lou Manzo.
A couple of days ago I met Lou Manzo downtown who was out walking and speaking with people.Manzo introduced himself and asked if he could have a minute of my time so I stopped and listened.He said he was running for mayor and reminded me to vote May 12th.I asked why should I vote for him,and he said he was glad I asked.Manzo talked about his accomplishments in the assembly such as implementing anti-gang laws,funding senior programs,sponsoring legislation increasing the minimum wage and some other things I wish I was capable of explaining.What caught my attention was when he said he was the sponsor of a bill that gave the largest tax rebate in State history.Not to be selfish but what I was most interested in was the part about the property tax rebate and I intend to research that further.As I was leaving Manzo said something like he would'nt embarass Jersey City if elected but not a hundred percent sure on the wording.If I had to guess this would be a reference to the Healy administration.
Thats about all I can tell you.Look up their internet sites or go to the upcoming debates

I checked out the patsshows website and found that there are a variety of different political figures being interviewed and expressing their opinions.To name a few I saw a Freeholder forum and a site for Tom DeGise the County executive.I also saw a site with information being presented by law enforcement officials.
Check out the site there is some good information,interviews and presentations on it.
I see that the top 10 reasons for not going to the debate were listed in another post here and taken from the website.This was taken from the Election HQ page.There was another issue that was cited above the top 10 reasons at point #2 in a separate list.If you go to the site and click on election HQ you will see this additional list.
Point #2 says home owners taxes hiked approximately 40 % in Healy's 4 years.I have not figured out the precise amount but is anyone here disagreeing with that figure?Comments of disagreement or agreement as to what is posted on that Election HQ page are welcome.

If you go to that website listed in post one it is a interesting read.The article quotes Manzo as saying that none of the other debates are televised.
I would think that a major televised debate is not something a incumbent(Healy) would normally miss.
Hopefully things change and we get a opportunity to see all the candidates together on television.

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NewHeights and victoria,

You both need to calm down,take a step back and relax.You can still become good friends.

Now several questions have arisen that I would like answered after reviewing your posts.

First off NewHeights what is your knowledge of victoria's armpits and why do you think they need to be shaved?Do you think you could overcome your apparent dislike for her if she took this small step?Further are you aware that NOT shaving one's armpits is common practice in Euorope and have you considered that you are maintaining a narrow American perspective on this isssue?Maybe you would be best served to consider your position from a more wordly view instead of our own local perspective.

Now victoria if you could only contain your glee for a moment we could accomplish some things.Stop your laughing and PLEASE do not bring NewHeights mom into this conversation.Bringing family members into a conflict to advance one's point rarely engenders public support and often has the opposite effect.I think you are treading on thin ice when you include NewHeights mom in the conversation."BEHOOVE"-Who was that public commentator who always used that word,I can't think of him now but I know it was somebody's trademark.Moving on to the next issue you raised... I see that you are offering NewHeights the opportunity to experience your armpits up close and personal.Is this a limited offer to NewHeights or are you opening this to the public?I am also a little confused but maybe I am a prude,do guys really pay for that?If they do to your knowledge is there a price difference between shaved and unshaved?

Thank you both NewHeights and victoria to your anticpated response to my questions.

Lets be friends

Yvonne,

What is the benefit if any for the City in granting these abatements?

Are there any situations ,generally speaking, in your opinion where it would be beneficial for the City to grant an abatement?

How can the benefit to the "City" be separated from the benefit to the current "Administration" or any administration for that matter?

Quote:





Dear Xerxes,

Who specifically are you referring to?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Gee-whiz!

What a novel idea.Can any one tell me what is unique about this year 2009 compared to the last few years.The money is going to have to be paid back either way because it is a deferral.

IMO the analysis of this move by one city official as a election year gimmick and also by Yvonne as causing a future problem are right on the money.

What is happening to that horse in that picture,my gosh it looks horrible?

Maybe the horse is drunk?

Maybe they just want to see if the horse wants to play baseball with them,yeah that is probably the answer.

Quote:






I agree as far as competition being a way to improve things.Competition is good to maintain or increase the quality of a product and is usually thought of in the private sector,not very often in government.Your idea is a interesting one.I am not sure if the billboards are the way to go because it might lead to a lack of cooperation.

Your reference to brushing all the problems under the rug is
coincidental to a paragraph contained in an article printed in today's Jersey Journal entitled "Once more into the breach Healy himself opened".This article references a incident where the quotation "swept under the rug" was
said to have been used.

Anyway,I believe you are right because I believe it is often best to air out problems before they fester.

The Jersey Journal
Political Insider
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
By Agustin C. Torres



Once more into the breach Healy himself opened
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
H ere we go again!

Will Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy's "Beach Blanket Bingo" with Bradley Beach police officers eventually come back to bite him or will he manage to reverse his public relations image and convince voters that he is the victim?

Yesterday, at-large council candidate Joseph Cassidy, a former Hudson County sheriff, filed an objection to Healy's petition for candidacy with City Clerk Robert Byrne, who turned the matter over to the city Legal Department

Cassidy, a member of former Assemblyman Lou Manzo's ticket, notes in his objection: "My objection pertains not to the number or validity of signatures, but to the fact that Mr. Healy is ineligible to hold the Office of Mayor of Jersey City." The at-large council candidate argues that Healy is barred from holding office because of Healy's 2007 disorderly persons conviction, including interfering with police officers, stemming from a June 2006 altercation outside his sister's bar in Bradley Beach.

Specifically, Cassidy is saying that Healy's conviction "of obstruction of justice" makes his offense one of moral turpitude under the Faulkner Act.

"After reading the police reports, it's clear to me that (Healy) tried to influence the arresting officer and tried to use his official authority to get away with a crime," Cassidy said yesterday. "I'm running for office and I don't think he should be allowed to."

The city administration responded to the latest strafing.

"It is totally without merit," City Corporation Counsel Bill Matsikoudis, who read the two-page objection, said yesterday, "and the New Jersey courts recently ruled on this issue."

Cassidy is relying on the same arguments that Manzo used that led to a lawsuit in Monmouth County last fall. Then, Monmouth County Assignment Judge Lawrence Lawson threw out Manzo's attempt to remove Healy from office, ruling that the former legislator and Healy nemesis did not have legal standing in the case.

Lawson ruled that only a county prosecutor, the state attorney general or a "public employer" could seek forfeiture, and that if they do not, a court cannot compel them to do so.

The Monmouth County judge noted that Manzo had the option of a recall election, but according to state law, a recall cannot be brought in the first or last year of a term of office. The judge also noted that had Manzo or anyone filing the suit had been a candidate in a municipal election, there might have been further discussion.

Does anyone doubt that Cassidy's objection will be rejected in City Hall? The issue is expected to wind up in Hudson County's state Superior Court in Jersey City, where Cassidy will claim to have standing.

Try analyzing the filing through the prism of politics. Should Cassidy lose, the issue of the mayor as a champion of law and order still takes a hit as voters are reminded of the Bradley Beach scuffle.

Expect a rehashing of Monmouth Prosecutor Luis Valentin's arguments against Healy and his wife, Maureen, who in 2007 sued the Shore town and two of its police officers, saying the officers used excessive force and knocked her to the ground while subduing the mayor. The Healys lost the suit.

At the trial, Valentin said that Healy acted as a political bully, trying to intimidate police officers who had arrested him for interfering and resisting arrest. The prosecutor even released some grand jury testimony by the officers, who said Healy, after he was put in handcuffs, had asked for the incident to be "swept under the rug."

In the meantime, the Healy Team will shout about how Manzo's camp is afraid to face them at the ballot box and wants to win the race in the court room.

Actually, beating an opponent before voters get a chance to cast ballots is a tradition.

In his first Illinois Senate seat race in 1996, President Barack Obama kicked three challengers off the ballot, including an incumbent, and ran unopposed. There are plenty of examples in Hudson County.

INSIDER NOTE: The Jersey City mayoral debate by Comcast at the Loew's Theater is actually on April Fool's Day at 1 p.m. All those city workers can go to the theater today.

The Jersey Journal
Political Insider
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
By Agustin C. Torres
www.nj.com/hudsoncountynow

Read in the Jersey Journal there is a Jersey City mayoral debate Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Loew's Jersey Theater.

Does anyone get what the author of the Jersey Journal article in post #1 is trying to convey with "the Bradyless Healy bunch".Obviously a reference to the popular TV series,but I still don't get it.

Both mayoral candidate Manzo and Downtown councilman Fulop have come out against the use of the Jersey City Incinerator truck at the parade.

I am glad to see Councilman Fulop has made the distinction between a cultural event and a political campaign.

Manzo talks about a "in kind contribution".Is anyone familiar with that terminology?

It would be interesting to see what the teen party mentioned in the article was all about.Where was this teen party held and if there are many problems that come about in Newark because of this location of the teen party.Don't know what time this horrible beating happened but sounds like it was late at night after the concert.Wonder if Newark has some type of law they could use to keep these attackers off the street late at night being they are young.

Hopefully they have a speedy recovery.

A polictical banner touting the Healy team alongside the image of a big pint of beer.Is'nt it possible this very association has been a factor in some problems experienced over the last few years by the current administration?Even if it could be argued that it was'nt a factor,there is at least a perception of a problem.

WHY would you associate your team next to that image.Whoever was hanging that banner on the Jersey City Incinerator Authority truck may have been thinking ...hmmm.Is this really a good idea?

Thank you super_furry for listing the entire article because if someone were to read post #4 without referencing the
entire article they would only get one side of the story,which is the most beneficial to Mayor Healy.A reading of the entire story obviously shows what the conflict is about.

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I will not defend either Manzo or Healy(IMO the 2 likely frontrunners in the upcoming election) in this post but I do think your comment regarding Yvonne is ridiculous.She has posted valuable information to the readers of this board time and time again.Yvonnes' comments are intelligent and comprehensive.If the truth be told many of us here,myself included, could not hope to possess the knowledge she does about the intricacies of the workings of our city government especially the tax structure.

Do you have a positive comment for anyone?

For you to reduce her postings to a simple two sentence negative comment shows the vast gap between her analysis of issues and yours.

Yvonne has been involved in the downtown community for many years and she deserves much credit for her watchdog mentality and bringing issues of public concern to the forefront.

I believe your comments regarding her are unfair and without merit.

People need to make a conscious effort to buy American and use money to support American business.Too many goods are made in foreign countries and bought here.Similar effect when employing people here illegally over our own citizens.It was'nt too long ago relatively speaking that America was the great exporter.

OK lets hear it,why am I wrong?

The Jersey Journal
Editorial
Tuesday,March 17, 2009

Pols seem ready to hear your pitch
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
T here is a Hudson County politician who has business cards that say "Call me anytime, not just election time." Jersey City seems to be practicing the corollary of this by trying to get an administration's full-term of business done at election time.

As pointed out in The Jersey Journal column "Morgan's Corner" by Earl Morgan, last week's City Council meeting had on its agenda many resolutions involving local projects, almost everything of importance to a good many city residents. Even funding requests for the "kitchen sink" may have been on the agenda.

As Morgan points out, these projects that have languished for months, even years, are getting, if not a green light then at least an amber one.

At the Wednesday City Council session, the panel approved several applications for funding from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund, including a $500,000 request for the long awaited Ercell Webb/Lafayette Park swimming pool. There was also a request to finance a study of the old Harmon Street swimming pool on Communipaw Avenue. City officials said the Harmon Street site, unused for about 25 years, could be renovated or converted to a wading pool.

After more than four years of contentious squabbling between City Hall and the Friends of the Loew's, the nonprofit group that's been working to restore the Loew's Jersey Theater, there was approval for a funding request for the landmark movie palace.

Other funding inquiries were made for park and recreation improvements at Liberty State Park; renovating and rebuilding handball courts at Camp Liberty; synthetic turf and lighting at Caven Point's soccer field; and a park in the Hilltop neighborhood.

If there is a project - perhaps a pocket park, landmark renovation, basketball courts - that requires funding, organized residents may still have a chance at recognition by the administration. While a funding request, at a time when local governments are losing state aid, seems a difficult prospect, there is no harm in asking.

Understand that there is a very small window of opportunity to get the city administration to act on your cause. The May 12 municipal election is fast approaching.


The Jersey Journal
Editorial
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
www.nj.com/hudsoncountynow

Agreed,best way to travel but too expensive on a daily basis.

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I really dislike the way people sometimes use that word
"yuppies" in a derogatory way.A young urban professional,what is so bad about that?If we rephrase the above quote it would go something like this:email is for professional people who have chosen to live in a urban neighborhood and happen to be young.Silly right.Out of touch,yes.

I see that the Downtown candidates for council running
are incumbent councilperson Fulop, Mr. Vazquez, Mr Tarrazi,
Mr. Catrillo, and whoever Mr. Levin is running with if any.

Is Mr. Levitt still running Downtown,I have not heard anything else one way or the other?

What about other independent Downtown candidates,anyone I missed that will be running?

That prison is much too nice for him.Hopefully he lives a long time and stays in jail remembering what got him there.

Councilman Fulop and other Ward E council candidates,

Do you think there is a "familiar local government theme"?-please refer to post #16.

Can you comment on the general culture cited in post #21?

Also see post #19 and # 20.It looks like there is concern on this issue.

The incumbent is not the only candidate in Ward E, it would be nice to hear differing thoughts from the other candidates also.

Thank you for any input you may have and for your participation in the electoral process.

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If it's true that the entire program was not initiated because opposing mayoral candidate Louis Manzo was the sponsor of the legislation creating the program then we have sunk to a new low in politics.If this is the case then the Healy administration needs to be taken to task for this.
If that is not true then there are still many questions that need to be answered as to why the entire program was not implememted.According to article Mayor Healy said the entire program would be implemented "ASAP".This means that when he said that the program had not been implemented in it's entirety,right?

Two million dollars is alot of money and there needs to be a way to apply again for the money to fully institute the program.

Who controls the money?I don't know but I am sure someone here does know.

For WHATEVER reason funds were lost there needs to be another claim filed for the money.Probably not that easy though.

What does that mean the money is no longer available?
Is it because the money was spent on another City or did we miss some type of deadline.

If it's because a deadline was missed and the money is still unspent then we need to get that money back here.Jersey City can't lose out if the case is that the program was ignored as article says.That's a bunch of BS.

If the money is no longer available because it was spent somewhere else then that's a different story.