More pie in the sky from the Mayor last night

Mayor Steve Fulop gave his 'State of the City' address last night and as usual, he had a lot of praise for himself. A video ran before the speech of former President Clinton giving Fulop accolades. Kinda tells you what comes next. Fulop touted what he called "the greatest growth and expansion ever seen in Jersey City's history."

OK Mr. Mayor, so why is the budget so flat? When are we getting rebates or lower property taxes? This building boom should have our city coffers in much better shape, there should have been talk last night about Jersey City residents getting something back. You sure missed on that one. Do you think people don't notice all the construction and loss of parking around town? We're not blind Mr. Mayor and frankly your promises on city finances are coming up short. You might also want to point out that most of what you see going up now you're taking credit for Mr. Mayor was signed off on and started under former Mayor Healy. Somehow you missed telling us that.

Fulop also made a big deal last night about, since every empty lot is either under construction or is in the planning stages, he was back in his effusive praise of affordable housing downtown. His words have never rung so hollow. Remember when Fulop was Ward E councilman? Remember the community arts building that once stood, in Fulop's ward that Lloyd Goldman had dragged down to build a new 38 story high rise WITH of course 10% set aside for art space and affordable housing? Well as soon as this proposal got the green light Goldman, as he no doubt planned to do all along, then reneged on his affordable apartments and art space. Fuck that Goldman said, he didn't want the poors living there despite what he signed off on to get tax breaks he was never made to pay back. So, that did Councilman or Mayor Fulop say about this deal? Absolutely fucking nothing on record. Thanks Mayor for your support and undying work on affordable housing in Jersey City. If your next work is anything like your previous work on getting residents downtown into affordable units just admit your speech last night was just that, a pie in the sky speech.

So the Mayor gave a speech and practically nobody outside his inner circle were impressed by it. In fact, we're going to give the Jersey City Desk famous last word to Ward D council member Michael Yun:

"He painted a pretty picture, but we're looking for more substance."