Wednesday, October 4, 2017

The Jersey City Desk: Never for sale

In the nearly nine years Johnny has helmed the Jersey City Desk (and the three years before that at the old Ypsi City Desk) he likes to think he's created a kind of brand around town. The Jersey City Desk is always the blog unbeholden to advertisers, politicians or those with something to sell you and can and has always been up front and honest with you. We can criticize the mayor and council and department workers and bosses as we don't have any kind of built-up palsie walsie cultivated friendship. We don't go hang with the candidates and officeholders socially. Not what we do. We don't take ads, Johnny has been bombarded with opportunities to sell things here and make some coin, he refuses.

We also do not endorse candidates for local offices. Johnny doesn't believe in pitting one neighbor against another in writing a dismissive missive for one or two neighbors for no other reason than 'that's my guy/gal,' as it just isn't a good enough reason. You end up holding back on the one you endorsed to look good and wise. What Johnny does do is take on candidates on their words and deeds. Since he hasn't endorsed anyone he's free to have critiques and even little digs and elected officeholders and those running. Example, on Twitter yesterday Johnny disagreed with James Solomon, candidate for Ward E, on a city parking issue. If Johnny had publicly come out and endorsed Mr. Solomon (and he's a very good candidate thank you very much) he wouldn't have been as insistent on his point for fear, "Hey, you endorsed him, dumbass."

So, with a mayoral election and all the council seats up for grabs wouldn't you like to know there's one place that doesn't go all in with the candidates and can be completely objective? Isn't that where you want to get your Jersey City politics fix? Johnny does thank you for the trust you put in him by showing up here to read his writing. He'll continue thanking you by being a true independent voice for Jersey City residents. 

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