Public Relations

[Editor]

Hackensack to look into possible conflict involving PR consultant
Friday, March 7, 2014
BY  HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER
The Record

HACKENSACK – The mayor has asked the city attorney to look into the employment of its public relations consultant and whether his full-time job with Bergen County poses any conflict of interest.

Mayor John Labrosse said he was unaware that Thom Ammirato worked full time for Bergen County until a city resident raised the issue at a City Council meeting Tuesday.

- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/248951511_Hackensack_to_look_into_possible_conflict_involving_PR_consultant_will_look_into_possible_conflict.html?page=all#sthash.6L9vZsbd.dpuf

[Editor]

Subpoenas served in investigation of Hackensack public relations consultant
Wednesday, March 12, 2014    Last updated: Wednesday March 12, 2014, 12:36 PM 
BY  HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER
The Record

HACKENSACK — The Bergen County Prosecutor’s office has served subpoenas to Bergen County, Hackensack and North Arlington seeking information about the employment of a public relations consultant who works for all three government entities, sources have told The Record.

Thom Ammirato is a full-time employee in the office of County Executive Kathleen Donovan, earning $35,000 and benefits, The Record reported last week. He also works part-time as a spokesman for North Arlington and has managed public relations in Hackensack since July. In Hackensack, Ammirato does not have set hours but has claimed to work at least full time.

- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/Subpoenas_served_in_investigation_of_Hackensack_public_relations_consultant.html#sthash.yj7aHBjr.dpuf

2nd story:
http://www.northjersey.com/towns/pr-man-s-multiple-jobs-probed-1.738590?page=all

[Editor]

North Jersey townsdebate paying for public relations consultants
May 5, 2014    Last updated: Monday, May 5, 2014, 8:03 AM
By HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER
The Record

A handful of North Jersey towns and cities pay public-relations specialists thousands of dollars a year to answer press inquiries and put out public announcements, tasks that local administrators and elected officeholders handle themselves in most municipalities.

In those places with paid representatives — Hackensack, Cliffside Park, North Bergen, Passaic and North Arlington — officials defended the practice, saying that professionals are trained to craft statements, connect with the public and keep up with media trends. Some also participate in partisan politics — managing campaigns, guiding platforms and pushing agendas.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/towns-debate-paying-for-pr-1.1008971?page=all

[Editor]

Hackensack fires communications firm in apparent shakeup
JUNE 24, 2014, 8:24 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2014, 11:16 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY AND ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD

The spokesman for the city of Hackensack was abruptly fired Tuesday and his ally, interim City Manager Anthony Rottino, was notified that his job is in jeopardy in a government shake-up that also signals a major shift on the City Council.

The dual actions came a day after Rottino filed a bombshell lawsuit alleging that he was the target of a smear campaign by top city officials designed to run him out of his $176,000-a-year position. He also alleged that they were retaliating against him in part for his support of city spokesman Thom Ammirato.

- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/hackensack-fires-communications-firm-in-apparent-shakeup-1.1040716?page=all#sthash.ZucODyDu.dpuf

[Homer Jones]

If you listen closely, you can hear Joe Squillace and Wilbur Lind rolling over in their graves.

[BLeafe]

Interesting letter today in The Record's editorial page:


Hackensack needs a return to past

Regarding "City fires spokesman in shake-up" (Page A-1, June 25):

As a longtime Hackensack resident, I read with great sadness and futility about the latest woes and dramas plaguing our city. I may have come upon a solution for our problems.

We should have our city charter revoked and turn our government over to the last group that really ran Hackensack well: the descendants of Chief Oratam and the Leni-Lenape Native Americans. That would be a return to our true glory days.

Michael Massoni

Hackensack, June 25

[Homer Jones]

They wouldn't be crazy enough to get involved again.

[just watching]

We already stole their land (bought it with a gun to their heads), and pushed them out once.  Last I heard, the descendants are way out in OKklahoma

Does anyone believe the Bergen County logo, showing a shake of the hands ?  As if we respected them and made a basic business transaction ?  C'mon.

[Editor]

Thom Ammirato, former Hackensack spokesman, resigns county job
August 5, 2014, 7:17 PM    Last updated: Tuesday, August 5, 2014, 9:45 PM
By JOHN C. ENSSLIN
staff writer
The Record

Thom Ammirato, a former Hackensack communications consultant who was criticized when his other job with the Bergen County Executive’s office came to light, has resigned from that post.

Ammirato confirmed Tuesday that he has stepped down from his $35,000-a-year county job as a “public participation specialist” effective Aug. 1.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/thom-ammirato-former-hackensack-spokesman-resigns-county-job-1.1062639

[Editor]

http://www.northjersey.com/mobile/news/former-hackensack-spokesman-quit-bergen-county-job-in-deal-with-prosecutor-1.1107089