What are you doing here?

The fight between Johnny, Mayor Fulop and former Fulop ticket candidate Dan Levin is on Twitter tonight. Click this handy link.

The city of Jersey City has utterly insulted and failed the Monopoly artist

You've no doubt heard the invented faux outrage at certain parts of the Monopoly styled art piece on Newark Ave. The police, professional groups who exist to bring up faux outrage, and the city have all decided they needed a say in someone else's artwork. The reactions by the police was all too predictable, the professionally outraged need to ask why they immediately see shade where they should be learning about the artists intent, not that it even mattered in this case, or ever does with groups like this one. Their own publicity is something they always manage to see in a good light. Invent an outrage du jour and get your name out there.

The city was the worst of the snivelers, you have to go read this fine analysis of the outrage every Jersey City resident should heve at Mayor Fulop and his gutless and ham-handed administration. Tris McCall wrote this so Johnny didn't have to and did a better job of exposing just how pathetic the city's response was and how narrow the group complaining about the artist's self image in the 'In Jail' corner square as he said it is indeed a part of his life and he wanted to insert himself into the mural. The horror.

Go read, Dan Levin also pointed out on Twitter how the city insisted on an advertisement in the mural, despite the artist's wishes. The Fulop Administration has now managed to screw up even the mural program.

Sounds like the voices in the wilderness are being heard after all

Jersey City Council again unanimously voted for a tax abatements for the new 50 story twin to the high-rise already at 70 Columbus above the PATH station. The owners are politically connected Democratic bigwigs we're told by Terrence T. McDonald. So why didn't these guys get a 20 or 15 year abatement, the kind mayor Fulop favors in such cases? Why did city council only agree to a FIVE year abatement on the project?

Johnny's gonna come out and say here and now he, along with others, most notably Dan Levin have been all up in council and the mayor's face on social media over the ridiculous and dangerous abatements given all over downtown. Between Johnny and Dan Levin pointing out we're going to have a reval coming, we're going to have the earliest abatements coming due soon enough, we've already left over 100 million in tax breaks off the Jersey City tax rolls and the continued problem with spending in this city and people have started to listen. No doubt Council was sick and tired of being called out. They don't want to open up their Twitter feeds and see criticism levied at them over irresponsible tax votes. They don't want to hear it on Facebook but good citizens hearing about it they are and we're pretty sure the pressure being applied by citizens and more importantly citizens on social media dropped this to a five year deal.

Johnny's best advice, be engaged! Follow your council member on Twitter (Unless you are in Ward C and don't have a WANG word processor). Follow the city and mayor on Facebook and do not be afraid to be heard or soon you'll be paying down even more of a millionaires lifestyle while you struggle to make ends meet.

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* On a personal note, as Dan Levin pointed out on Twitter after Ward E councilwoman Candice Osborne had a cow about a skunk under or near her own porch:

Daniel Levin ‏@DanLevin_inJC  59m
murder left and right, out of control spending continues, NO budget and the only thing concerning downtown is skunks

* Atlantic City has raised property taxes 29% to cover what the failing casinos can't put back into the coffers (though they PROMISED it to get tax abatements). Ironically Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is in AC today talking to AFSCME workers. No doubt telling them they'll pay more if his wrongheaded 95 story casino at Liberty State Park ever gets off the ground. Casinos in NJ are a bad bet for everyone.

* For long-time New Jersey residents or those who are fascinated by cold cases, a woman living in Florida has finally been charged with the 1991 murder of her son in Sayreville.

* The Port Authority has said "No way Jose" to the charges that they owe Jersey City some $400 million is a lawsuit filed by JC Mayor Steve Fulop.

* Accuweather is predicting early snow for the Garden State, Thanksgiving to be exact. They say a big snowstorm is practically expected around Turkey Day this year.

* Finally, a trip to Jefferson Township New Jersey where a bear has it ALL figured out. People, I'll act like people...

Steve Fulop has been elected mayor of Jersey City!

And what an early call. Well, the call itself was from outgoing Mayor Healy to incoming Mayor Fulop conceding the race. Fulop's candidate in Ward E, Candice Osborne has also won her race defeating Dan Levin and Fletcher Gensamer. The other races may be headed to a runoff which would be well over the three number Johnny set earlier. More updates as they come in or you can just click here for the Hudson County tally.

As of 9:20pm:

COUNCIL AT-LARGE
(Top three vote-getters elected)

*Peter Brennan -- 5,392
*Viola S. Richardson -- 5,788
Omar Perez -- 5,158
Ramon "Ray" Regalado -- 1,840
Sean M. Connelly -- 2,151
Joyce E. Waterman -- 7,576
Daniel Rivera -- 7,464
*Rolando R. Lavarro Jr.-- 7,398

WARD A
Francis "Frank" Gajewski -- 290
Charles T. Epps Jr. -- 443
Ricky "Rick" Johnson -- 111
Jayson H. Burg -- 18
Lori Hennessey -- 61

WARD B
Chris L. Gadsen -- 377
Khemraj "Chico" Ramchal -- 1,244
Gerald Meyers -- 1,141
Esther Wintner -- 570

WARD C
Adela Rohena -- 210
Janet Chevres -- 678
Richard Boggiano -- 1,000
*Nidia R. Lopez -- 872

WARD D
Mario Gonzalez Jr. -- 708
Sean Connors -- 1,344
Michael Yun -- 1,783
Grace Giron -- 196

WARD E
Fletcher Gensamer -- 224
Daniel B. Levin -- 719
Candice Osborne -- 1,680

WARD F
Jermaine Robinson -- 1,113
Kenny Reyes -- 190
Chantel D. Snow -- 200
*Diane Coleman -- 1,229
Deborah King -- 71

* -- incumbent.

There is still time to go see the remaining embers of Mayor Healy's time in office flitting about outside the Jersey Journal offices

"I wasn't thinking that well."

No duh.

Hizzoner is on his way to crashing towards the finish line in a spectacular flame-out over changing his story about super happy drunk time on the porch and is now pointing the finger at three mysterious Hispanic girls. The heat from that stupid answer grows and grows. Know what Healy does? Gets mad that Fulop uses it. Mayor, when you mention the three girls to the paper of record don't get mad when people talk about your suddenly new version of events.

Said Healy “I’m done talking about something that happened nine years ago.”

Apparently you're not. Please continue. We liked the part where you allegedly called Nidia Lopez "baby". We're sorry for some of the good people on your ticket who care very much about Jersey City like Dan Levin are getting broadsided with this.

Beth Mason, that's $46K to you for a guy who right now isn't thinking that well.

If you are a Ward E voter, this story is for you

The Jersey Journal has posted a video of last week's debate between ward E candidates Fletcher Gensamer (Independent), Dan Levin (Team Healy) and Candice Osborne (Team Fulop). The video has been edited down to just the answers, none of the fluff you don't need to help make an informed decision. Serious issues are discussed in a serious format without the usual snarky crappy stay-on-talking-points debates.

The debate can be seen here. 

Dan Levine plans to run ON the Healy ticket next May, color us surprised

Dan Levine, whom Johnny has a lot of respect for because of his genuine concerns about our fair city, has decided to join Team Healy and run for the Ward E seat next May. Levin you may remember called for Healy to resign three short years ago. Levine, who also ran for Myaor in 2009 told the Jersey Journal:

"I've put great thought into this decision."

Current Ward E councilman Steve Fulop seemed less than enthused about Levin's decision in this statement:

"How can (Levin) eviscerate Jersey City machine politicians one day, then jump in bed with them the next?"

Now Fulop has endorsed his own replacement as he runs against Healy for Mayor, Candice Osborne so you can understand his wonderment about the Levine choice.

It sure sounds to us here that the next Jersey City elections are going to be not just bruising but the kind that breaks bones.

Former Jersey City mayoral candidate Dan Levin wants to clean up the mess at city hall; The Jersey City Desk is backing Dan Levin's plan

Since Mayor Healy has been named in the corruption scandal and he came in first in May's election for mayor, and Lou Manzo who came in second is caught up in the same mess one may wonder where reform hope lies. How about with a guy who finished down the list, Dan Levin? A mea culpa, Johnny did not vote for or support Mr Levin in the mayoral race, he had questions about why a man who wanted to run Jersey City would set up his business in Hoboken BUT, that being said, Mr. Levin like any other Jersey City resident wants clean and fair elected representation. He's not asking to become mayor, he's asking to clean up city hall and Johnny in no way shape or form is going to nitpick with that.

Levin issued a press release today calling for Mayor Jerramiah Healy, City Council President Mariano Vega and Councilwoman Nidia Lopez to resign. Levin's group One Jersey City has suggested several changes to benefit the residents of Jersey City who would like to restore integrity and credibility to city hall. Among the changes One Jersey City is pushing:

* Adoption of the Redevelopment Pay to Play Reform ordinance written by Civic JC
* Application of the State of New Jersey’s Ethics Code in Jersey City
* The halting of all permits and approvals for new construction, development, and redevelopment until proper safeguards are in place
* The resignation of Mayor Healy, Councilman Vega, and Councilwoman Lopez
* The selection of interim mayoral and council replacement appointees from outside the existing political system

Mr Levin and One Jersey City, you have the Jersey City Desk's full support and if you would like to send us information on meetings or strategy this site is all yours. This city need a champion right now, and your reform ideas look like they make you that champion.

How can we help?

Sounds like Mayor Healy might be a little chicken

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy is ducking the first mayoral debate scheduled for April 1 at the Loew's Theater. Healy had some crap-assed excuse about this not being a fair and unbiased debate which, where Johnny comes from is another word for chicken. The other mayoral candidates will be there, they see no problem answering debate questions by the radical and biased TV host Pat O'Melia, Political Insider Agustin Torres, Jersey Journal columnist Earl Morgan and writer Ricardo Kaulessar of the Jersey City Reporter. Yeah, smart reporters with REAL questions. We can see why Healy would be dodging such an event. They might ask him about his record or something. They might ask him about the rampant crime going on. You know, questions that Healy doesn't want to answer in a televised forum in downtown Jersey City.

The mayoral candidates who WILL be attending are Lou Manzo, Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, Dan Levin, and Phil Webb.

The Jersey City Desk should hope the organizers would put a big empty chair with a sash that says MAYOR on in that can cluck answers when asked.