Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards

Impalement is fairly common? Wow! I would not have guessed that.

Not my style to brag. When I firmly believe in something I will go all out in support of it and keep myself informed about it, which is what I did during this election. For the past 4 years I have attended almost every Council & COW meeting. I learned a lot. I am confident that things will change in Hackensack and that the new Council will do what is in the best interest of the residents, not special interest groups.

Very gracious of you. We all have to support the new Council and let them know our concerns. They have promised to listen to all of us and it is our job to make them aware of issues.

This is an exchange I had with Sen Weinberg on my Facebook page. She addresses the Booker robo call and "Tea Party" claim and the fact that Hackensack elections are nonpartisan

Regina Whitehead DiPasqua
18 hours ago near Hackensack
When the residents of Hackensack were asking for help from our elected officials did Senator Menendez or Cory Booker care? Did they want to get involved then? No and No. Why are they getting involved now? How about Valerie Huttle, Gordon Johnson or Loretta Weinberg, where do they stand?
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Loretta Weinberg I must say I was rather surprised to just learn about this. I also think that perhaps Mayor Booker was misled by some. I respect everyone 's right to run in this NONPARTISAN election and I don't really know most of the individuals on either slate. However, I do know Mr. Labrosse's record on the Council, and I think it is admirable and worthy of support by the citizens of Hackensack!
3 hours ago · Unlike · 1

Loretta Weinberg I also do not think Ms Canestrino or her running mates are "Tea Party" folk. That's a very "over the top" accusation and makes it more difficult to fight the real "Tea Party" folk on issues!
3 hours ago · Unlike · 1

Regina Whitehead DiPasqua Thank you Senator Loretta Weinberg for responding. Mayor Booker has not responded to our requests for an explanation as to his reason for the robo calls asking for support of one slate in our nonpartisan election. I admire you for listening and responding to your constituents.
2 hours ago · Like

So a strong woman is not a team player but a strong man is a leader? So 1950's..

Hackensack council candidates answer question from public during forum
Friday, May 10, 2013
BY  JENNIFER VAZQUEZ
NEWS EDITOR
Hackensack Chronicle

HACKENSACK — Dozens of city residents congregated inside The Camelot apartment building to hear from the council candidates vying for the five seats on the governing body.
 



BERNADETTE MARCINIAK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
City council candidates took time to answer questions and voice their stance on certain issues, during an event, on April 29, organized by Prospect Avenue Coalition. Jeff Mullarckey, top right, moderated. 

The Prospect Avenue Coalition organized the April 29 event, asking candidates various questions that dealt with the proposed Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital, taxes and the city’s future. Prospect Avenue Coalition formed to oppose the construction of the acute care facility.

The company behind the proposed 19-story LTACH sued the city in November over the denial of its application. The applicant wanted to demolish homes on Prospect and Summit avenues to construct the facility.

Candidates for the Coalition of Open Government, Citizens for Change and independent candidate Victor E. Sasson, all stated their opposition to the project. However, their positions on other topics were not as unanimous.

All slates had varying opinions when presented with the fact that the city spent $6 million in lawsuits brought on by police officers against the Police Department and yet only $22,000 was spent on LTACH hearings, according to moderator Jeff Mullarkey who posed the question how each slate planned to fight the LTACH appeal.

"[There was] $22,000 spent and we got a 5-0 decision," said Coalition for Open Government slate candidate Jason Nunnermacker, who is a current Board of Education member. "I say you got a pretty good deal. In all honesty, you will have to spend money on attorney fees. That’s just the way it is... But I am very, very confident we’ll win and if the city only spent $22,000 that is a great thing."

According to Sasson, while he thinks Hackensack will win the appeal, the important thing is for the city to have a competent attorney representing the case.

Kathleen Canestrino, who answered this question on behalf of the Citizens for Change slate, believes budgeting is necessary.

"The key to anything is to budget for it," Canestrino said. "Budgeting is not a year-to-year plan. It is a three- to five-year plan. Therefore, what is budgeted on any given year, is not a surprise. It is part of a longer plan. Rather than examine each lawsuit and classify them individually, the current council has one size fits all when it comes to [lawsuit] payouts [involving police officers]. We need to budget our money."

All the slates also answered whether or not they will keep the same LTACH and city attorneys.

Former zoning board attorney Richard Malagiere, who was head of the LTACH case, resigned after code violations on one of his rental properties came to light following a fire that displaced families.

Current city attorney Joseph Zisa is part of the Zisa family and political legacy within the city.

Addressing the crowd, Nunnermacker said he would keep Malagiere, but the slate was still uncertain of Zisa.

"If elected we plan to keep the same LTACH [fighting] team in place through end of term," Nunnermacker said. "Why? Malagiere should be captain of the ship if he is willing to. He did a great job. And if he is on board with continuing the fight he should. As for Mr. Zisa. It would be irresponsible of me, and [the slate] to say one way or another because we do not have the full information to make this decision."

Citizens for Change had a similar view when it came to Malagiere.

"I would not allow Malagiere to take any further cases but at the same time I would not like to jeopardize the LTACH case so I’m willing to keep him on that case but with a co-counsel," Canestrino said.

Sasson vehemently opposed the rehiring of either attorney.

The recent city approval that aims to hire Class II officers, was also a topic of discussion with both Citizens for Change and Sasson agreeing it was a great way for the city to save money while still having the force necessary to patrol the streets.

Kenneth Martin, a candidate under the Coalition for Open Government and retired police officer, did not agree.

"If elected, we will look into this program with [Police Director Michael] Mordaga," he said. "Having Class II officers worries me because they are not fully trained and they are carrying guns around, interacting with our youth. These Class II officers will not just be from Hackensack. They can come from any other place."

According to previous interviews with Mordaga, Class II officers will receive the same training as full-time salaried police, including passing the required physical and psychological evaluations. However, Class II are paid hourly, do not receive benefits, and are required to turn in their guns at the end of their shifts.

Toward the end of the event, Mullarkey asked if the Coalition for Open Government slate, viewed by many as the "Democratic Party," has close ties to Lynne Hurwitz, and received contributions from her.

"All of our [contribution] reports are online," Nunnermacker said. "They are accessible through njelect.com… I do not know if she has been supporting us. On behalf of myself, if [Hurwitz] supports our slate, that’s great. I’m here tonight asking about the 50 people present for their support as well."

According to The Record, Hurwitz was a key strategist behind former police chief Ken Zisa and a dominant force in the city’s politics.

Replying to Mullarkey’s question, Sasson said he will be able to work and collaborate with either slate if elected.

When asked, Labrosse said that working at Hackensack University Medical Center will not effect his voting and answered concerns over the fact that he was covered under two insurance policies — one being the city’s.

"I am afraid that I might be fired from HUMC as a result of a vote," he replied as to why he had insurance with the city. "But I never filed one claim with the city of Hackensack."

The event was one of a handful of Meet the Candidates nights presented to residents of Hackensack.

"I wanted to see their stance on LTACH," said Tom Lydon, of Hackensack, when asked why he came out to hear the candidates. "I want better for the town I live in… Our schools need work. There is so much friction on the school board. I am hopeful that this city will turn around."

Maxine Soren, of Hackensack, was also optimistic of the city’s future.

"I want to see Hackensack rejuvenated," she said. "You have to vote and be hopeful of a change. So we’ll see."

Elections take place on May 14.

Email: vazquez@northjersey.com

You are the one who is making presumptions. Do not put something there that is not. I never gave an opinion as to who formulated the answers and clarified my use if the word "speak" just for your benefit. Read both of my posts again. I quoted the article. I never presumed anything. That was in your own mind. But since you put out 3 scenarios, and so you do not have to presume anything, I am going with some version of (c). I think more changes were made by the person who does all their writing and then it was submitted.

I think you post just to slam me.