Big choice coming up. Incumbent Bill Gaughan who has been on the council since, well, a long time, is retiring and Assemblyman Sean Connors (Team Fulop) and Grace Giron (Team Healy) are your Ward D candidates. This will mean big changes in The Heights. Luckily to help you decide the Jersey Journal has posted a recent debate between the two online and just a click away.
Informed voters are the best voters.
Showing posts with label Jersey City councilman bill gaughan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jersey City councilman bill gaughan. Show all posts
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Jersey City Councilman Bill Gaughan is hanging 'em up
Ward D councilman Bill Gaughan will not seek reelection in May. The longest serving city council member has served since 1993. Said Gaughan:
“Throughout this historically long opportunity to serve, I was glad to listen to the concerns of the people of the Heights, and try as best I could to get City Hall working on their side,”
This May makes for a very wide open election with so much at stake. Already the sitting council members in wards A and B are not running for reelection. Intrigue, allegations, insults, debates, half-truths, mmmmmmmmm, Johnny can just smell those stories cooking now.
“Throughout this historically long opportunity to serve, I was glad to listen to the concerns of the people of the Heights, and try as best I could to get City Hall working on their side,”
This May makes for a very wide open election with so much at stake. Already the sitting council members in wards A and B are not running for reelection. Intrigue, allegations, insults, debates, half-truths, mmmmmmmmm, Johnny can just smell those stories cooking now.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
It's a funny thing about campaign contributions -- Those who make them expect something for them
Unless it's someone's mom or relative who want to make a good-faith contribution because they really like their kid campaign contributions come with expectations from those who make them.
So Jersey City once again we head down the long, slow road of sleaze.
The FBI has been in touch with Jersey City Councilmen Peter Brennan and William Gaughan about brokerage services with Bergen County insurance broker Joseph Bigica whom the Jersey Journal calls a "prominent campaign contributor." When asked about Bigica Councilman Brennan had this to say:
"I don't really know the guy. I might see him once a year. All I know is he makes a lot of campaign contributions."
But yet he fills the coffers doesn't he Mr. Brennan? Do you have any other contributors you know of that simply just give a lot of money you have little to no contact with?
Again, campaign contributions come with strings. Like a no bid contract perhaps? It's been known to happen.
The Jersey City City Council in September 2010 unanimously awarded, without public bidding, a three-year brokerage contract to Frenkel & Co., a New York firm that has a consulting arrangement with Bigica, calling it "an extraordinary, unspecifyable service," according to The Record.
A NO BID Contract for a big campaign contributor? Certainly the Mayor's office is all over this and is mad as all get out. Oh wait, this is Gaughan and Brennan we're talking about.
Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said she had no idea why the no bid contract would be approved (uh huh) but it's OK in the end since the city saved 30 pieces of silver.
The FBI is snooping around City Hall, ah, just like old times here in Jersey City. Let's gather round the Christmas tree and Menorah in Grove Square sing the refrain from the Talking Heads song 'Once in a Lifetime'
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was....
So Jersey City once again we head down the long, slow road of sleaze.
The FBI has been in touch with Jersey City Councilmen Peter Brennan and William Gaughan about brokerage services with Bergen County insurance broker Joseph Bigica whom the Jersey Journal calls a "prominent campaign contributor." When asked about Bigica Councilman Brennan had this to say:
"I don't really know the guy. I might see him once a year. All I know is he makes a lot of campaign contributions."
But yet he fills the coffers doesn't he Mr. Brennan? Do you have any other contributors you know of that simply just give a lot of money you have little to no contact with?
Again, campaign contributions come with strings. Like a no bid contract perhaps? It's been known to happen.
The Jersey City City Council in September 2010 unanimously awarded, without public bidding, a three-year brokerage contract to Frenkel & Co., a New York firm that has a consulting arrangement with Bigica, calling it "an extraordinary, unspecifyable service," according to The Record.
A NO BID Contract for a big campaign contributor? Certainly the Mayor's office is all over this and is mad as all get out. Oh wait, this is Gaughan and Brennan we're talking about.
Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said she had no idea why the no bid contract would be approved (uh huh) but it's OK in the end since the city saved 30 pieces of silver.
The FBI is snooping around City Hall, ah, just like old times here in Jersey City. Let's gather round the Christmas tree and Menorah in Grove Square sing the refrain from the Talking Heads song 'Once in a Lifetime'
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was....
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Mariano Vega sentenced to 30 months in prison -- The usual suspects come to his defense
Sometimes in Jersey City it's just not enough to plead guilty to crimes of confidence. See, like Mariano Vega you can be convicted of a felony, sentenced to 30 months in federal prison (what was it the movie Office Space called those again?) for being on the take from your city job afforded you by the VOTERS and STILL there is the same little cabal of Jersey City elected officials who think you got a raw deal (project much guys?). Here are some of the comments from certain elected officials in our fair city in Vega's sentence with Johnny's commentary after:
"He was a respected man in the community, all the years of service in the community -- I think that should have meant something." -- Peter Brennan (Yeah Peter, it DID mean something, it means he got to hang onto his city council job refusing to give it up even after being indicted. It probably also kept him from a bigger yet still well deserved sentence)
"I just feel badly that he lost judgment on this issue. He's a hard-working family man, and my heart goes out to his family." --Bill Gaughan (If by hard working you mean trying to not get caught taking bribes then yes, he worked very hard)
"We wish him and his family the best and we're hopeful he can now move on with his life in a positive direction" -- Mayor Jerramiah Healy (Yes, we hope he can move on to another community, one he didn't steal from and live out his days not disgracing Jersey City one more day)
Face it, when you're willing to throw everything away for 30K you're nothing but an elected hooker.
"He was a respected man in the community, all the years of service in the community -- I think that should have meant something." -- Peter Brennan (Yeah Peter, it DID mean something, it means he got to hang onto his city council job refusing to give it up even after being indicted. It probably also kept him from a bigger yet still well deserved sentence)
"I just feel badly that he lost judgment on this issue. He's a hard-working family man, and my heart goes out to his family." --Bill Gaughan (If by hard working you mean trying to not get caught taking bribes then yes, he worked very hard)
"We wish him and his family the best and we're hopeful he can now move on with his life in a positive direction" -- Mayor Jerramiah Healy (Yes, we hope he can move on to another community, one he didn't steal from and live out his days not disgracing Jersey City one more day)
Face it, when you're willing to throw everything away for 30K you're nothing but an elected hooker.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Jersey City council to discuss permanent benefit guidelines tonight
Since the state of New Jersey changed the law regarding how much time an individual must work for a municipality before collecting the old golden watch, the Jersey City council will address their ideas on the amount of time worked necessary for full permanent benefits at taxpayer cost.
There are a few differing ideas on the time one should put in before collecting such benefits, ranging from 10 years to the maximum of 25 years. Council members Steve Fulop and Viola Richardson want the maximum of 25 years worked while Ward A councilman Michael Sottolano wants 20, at large councilman Ray Velazquez wants 15 and Ward D councilman Bill Gaughan wants just 10.
Ten? Are you kidding Mr. Gaughan? Really, for FULL benefits and health care? Get real.
While we here at the Jersey City Desk think it should be set at 25 years we could see our way clear to compromising on a 20 year plan. Pensions (and that's basically what this amounts to -- only from tax monies) SHOULD be difficult to get. They SHOULD mean a job well done after 20 years. They shouldn't be shortened or trivialized in any way shape or form.
The meeting is at City Hall tonight at 6 pm.
There are a few differing ideas on the time one should put in before collecting such benefits, ranging from 10 years to the maximum of 25 years. Council members Steve Fulop and Viola Richardson want the maximum of 25 years worked while Ward A councilman Michael Sottolano wants 20, at large councilman Ray Velazquez wants 15 and Ward D councilman Bill Gaughan wants just 10.
Ten? Are you kidding Mr. Gaughan? Really, for FULL benefits and health care? Get real.
While we here at the Jersey City Desk think it should be set at 25 years we could see our way clear to compromising on a 20 year plan. Pensions (and that's basically what this amounts to -- only from tax monies) SHOULD be difficult to get. They SHOULD mean a job well done after 20 years. They shouldn't be shortened or trivialized in any way shape or form.
The meeting is at City Hall tonight at 6 pm.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
It took THIS long to start a recall of Mayor Healy?
OK, so Johnny didn't start it either so he's as much to blame but hats off to Jersey City residents John Lynch, Riaz Wahid and Martha Larkins who sent a letter to the city clerk's office to announce their intentions.
Mayor Kwame Healy of course had no comment, or rather his spokesman had no comment, the mayor is busy and has no time for such questions about his competency.
Wahid told the Jersey Journal "I believe the people of Jersey City deserve leadership that is committed to aiding us in our day-to-day struggles, I have grown frustrated seeing my taxes go up with nothing to show for it." You tell 'em Riaz. We agree.
We'd owe these fine upstanding citizens our thanks for taking on Healy's job but there's more to this story. The group is ALSO going after Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano, Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez, Ward D Councilman Bill Gaughan, and Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson. GIDDYUP kids, you go!
Honest and hard working members of the Jersey City Council, Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop and Ward B Councilman David Donnelly are NOT on the list to be recalled as they provide valuable and HONEST representation.
When you notify Nidia Lopez about the recall effort put extra postage on the letter, it's going to Florida.
Johnny wants to know when and where petitions will be available to be signed off on, you can advertise here for free.
Mayor Kwame Healy of course had no comment, or rather his spokesman had no comment, the mayor is busy and has no time for such questions about his competency.
Wahid told the Jersey Journal "I believe the people of Jersey City deserve leadership that is committed to aiding us in our day-to-day struggles, I have grown frustrated seeing my taxes go up with nothing to show for it." You tell 'em Riaz. We agree.
We'd owe these fine upstanding citizens our thanks for taking on Healy's job but there's more to this story. The group is ALSO going after Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano, Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez, Ward D Councilman Bill Gaughan, and Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson. GIDDYUP kids, you go!
Honest and hard working members of the Jersey City Council, Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop and Ward B Councilman David Donnelly are NOT on the list to be recalled as they provide valuable and HONEST representation.
When you notify Nidia Lopez about the recall effort put extra postage on the letter, it's going to Florida.
Johnny wants to know when and where petitions will be available to be signed off on, you can advertise here for free.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
We are in full agreement with Council member Steve Fulop, political appointees do not need nor deserve paid health care
Neither does the City Council here in Jersey City but that'll be taken up next week.
Fulop is trying to address the fact that currently two appointees (as well as scads of other political appointees) get full health care benefits at the cost to Jersey City taxpayers. Fulop's point is well made that if you take a look just at the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, their meetings are averaging out to 12 hours a year. For this they get taxpayer funded health care. Let's get nutty and say they work 24 hours a YEAR, that's still not worth the cost. Fulop says his proposal (and good luck with it Councilman, you're the last bastion of clean government in this city) would save taxpayers upwards of $400K a year. That's HUGE in this day and age.
When business as usual council member Bill Gaughan tried walking Fulop back to say he didn't really know if it was just 12 hours a year Fulop stood his ground:
“It’s all political patronage, that’s what it is.”
Political patronage? In Jerramiah Healy's Jersey City?
Say it ain't so.
Fulop is trying to address the fact that currently two appointees (as well as scads of other political appointees) get full health care benefits at the cost to Jersey City taxpayers. Fulop's point is well made that if you take a look just at the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, their meetings are averaging out to 12 hours a year. For this they get taxpayer funded health care. Let's get nutty and say they work 24 hours a YEAR, that's still not worth the cost. Fulop says his proposal (and good luck with it Councilman, you're the last bastion of clean government in this city) would save taxpayers upwards of $400K a year. That's HUGE in this day and age.
When business as usual council member Bill Gaughan tried walking Fulop back to say he didn't really know if it was just 12 hours a year Fulop stood his ground:
“It’s all political patronage, that’s what it is.”
Political patronage? In Jerramiah Healy's Jersey City?
Say it ain't so.
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