Reader: Draft Steffens
Oct 22nd, 2009 | By Greg Hazley | Category: On tap, OpinionTo the Editor:
I’m happy to report that I have some breaking news for all of my fellow Secaucus residents.
It looks like Mike Gonnelli and Rob Constatino finally came back to pay me a visit after my complaint about the two candidates sticking a flyer in my door saying they’ll be back but never showing up. I’m unhappy to report though on the meeting itself.
As I approached the door, I was anticipating Mike’s vision for the town and Rob’s vision for my ward. I opened the door and it was about as awkward as a heat wave in January. Mike asked if I had any questions for them. Obviously my answer was no because they were the ones knocking on my door. Mike then proceeded to proudly say he was running unopposed, but was at my door to ask for my vote for Rob, who offered no comment whatsoever on any town topics. Of course, being the polite Secaucus resident I am, I shook hands and tried to hear them out, but there was nothing being said.
Something good did come out of this visit though. To hear Mike so convincingly and proudly say that he was running unopposed and not offer me a vision for this town, I was appalled.
Based on this, I am encouraging all Secaucus residents to not just vote for the “unopposed candidate” or leave the slot for mayor blank. Let us all vote for a man that has already openly been declared by all parties as someone who is good for the town and can get along with everyone on the council. That man is none other than our current mayor Richard Steffens.
We must not forget that just because the Hudson County Democratic Organization gave us no Democratic mayoral candidate and just because only one man is running unopposed that we are forced to vote for him. We still have something on the ballot called “Personal Choice.”
I’m personally writing in Richard Steffens for mayor. After all, Councilmen Gonnelli, Jeffas and Bueckner have expressed their approval of and willingness to work with him as the mayor now. Why not keep Mayor Steffens and this town moving forward the next four years instead of the “unopposed candidate” who will “take Secaucus back”-wards with his open lawsuits against this town he wants to be mayor of?
Dave Lopez
Third Street
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This is the same David Lopez who has written numerous letters criticizing Gonnelli over the past few years, so he has no credibility. He wasn’t home or didn’t asnwer the door the first time Gonnelli and Costantino went to his house. They left a note saying they would be back, but got criticized by Mr. Lopez because they didn’t come back quick enough for him. When they do go back, they get criticized by him again. Mike and Rob came to my house and made a very good impression. Dawn McAdam came to my house with Dennis Elwell, who did all the talking. Guess who my family is voting for.
Hey Dave,
I don’t care if you write in the names of Mickey Mouse, Santa Claus, Or the Easter Bunny! It’s your vote use it as you see fit!
My apologies– Mickey Mouse was our last mayor. How did that work out?
Why the animosity towards TBS? There must be some deeper issues/reasons other than they did’nt bring you cookies during their visit. I was happy with the visit they paid me. Dawn just leaves me flyers in the middle of the night.
Richard Steffens made it clear that he did’nt want to run for Mayor.
I believe the TBS “vision” has been made clear and most importantly it does’nt seem to involve any form of corruption. At this point in time that’s good enough for me. I’d like to hear the “vision” of Dennis Elwell and Alan Bartolozzi on how they plan to decorate their prison cells.
BTW– since you are so tight with Dawn, please ask her who drove the getaway car. I’m sure she knows and noone on your side seems to want to address it.
It also happen to me in the thrid ward. Secaucs is moving backwards.
What also happened to you Greg? You did’nt get any cookies either?
Please folks– Tell me how Secaucus is moving backwards? Our Mayor was arrested by the FBI for crying out loud!!!!!
TBS is going to fight an uphill(possibly un-winable) battle against what has taken place in this town!
I agree the town may have to take a step backwards in order to move forward again but that blame goes to the previous administration.
I’d really like to hear some more informed opinions here.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE IS THE AMERICAN WAY- THEIR IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A WRITE IN BALLOT-I HAVE BEING GOING TO TOWN MEETINGS FOR MANY YEARS AND RICHARD STEFFENS HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT MAYOR AND IF PEOPLE IN TOWN ELECTED HIM IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN VINCENT ELECTING MIKE WITH HIS ONE VOTE-FREEDOM OF CHOICE IS THE AMERICAN WAY!!!!!!
We need to take Vincent’s vote away. How can we have a common construction worker dictating the policy for our town??? Might as well ask a random freshman in college, at least they have a few months of eduction.
I have no personal connections or agendas with anyone in town politics. I’m just comparing notes when it comes to Dawn and Rob, and Dawn wins the vote from me. Dawn is involved and has been so for years – Rob is a newcomer. Dawn has made things happen with the Keystone site, and other issues in the first ward. In my one meeting with Rob, it was just a generic talk about sports and the family dog. I’m not saying these guys are evil, I just can’t see the town being run by them.
My biggest issue is that everything in the TBS campaign is about talking about the past and what’s been done wrong, but there’s never a plan of how to solve anything. YES, I already know and agree the Rec Center is a financial disaster, YES, I know Elwell and Bartolozzi were arrested, YES, I know there’s a problem with overdevelopment, but NO I haven’t heard a way to fix the problems from the Independents – not even during the debate.
One other thing I’ve noticed is anyone who is pro-TBS (I like the acronym by the way jdjustice) is very agitated, angry and sometimes sarcastic in their letters whenever someone like me writes negatively about the Independents. I am glad to see at least 2 of the 5 people responding here are with me.
Dave,
I did’nt invent the TBS acronym. I’d like to take credit for it but I can’t.
Angry? Agitated? Sarcastic? You betcha!!! I was an innocent victim of the past administrations corruption back in 2003. I’ll never forget that or allow it to happen again without speaking out. Moving forward we are all victims via our tax bills.
I’m glad you agree with me Secaucus alarm clock who is shouting like a “Ticking Time Bomb”. You can write in whoever you want. How about Tony Soprano? John Gotti? Donald Duck?
I actually respect your opinions Dave to vote for whoever you want. Your entitled to those opinions.
My point is this– Did anyone see the TBS ad in todays home news? I think there platform for a small town like Secaucus could not be anymore clear and concise and I don’t think many people would argue the merits of their platform. Once in office it will be up to us to hold them accountable for carrying out their platform and doing so in a honest fashion.
Did anyone see the oppositions Ad? They are celebrating things such as the Rec center and day care center. Most of the platform they are ‘touting” are sore spots with town residents.
What am I missing here?
Dave,what is wrong with you? To say Mike and the TBS team will take the town backwards. Where have you been the last few years? Ex Mayor Elwell was arested by the FBI , Alan was arested 3 times for stealing town money and drugs, John Shinnick had 400 complaints for harrassment against him at HCCC, Dawn McAdams is useless on the council and was only appointed so Dave, her husband would drop his lawsuit against the town. Then we have John Reilly who’s only comment about the mayor’s arrest was “it has nothing to do with the town”. To date, not one of the Democrats have come out and said anything about Elwell’s arrest because he still behind the scenes. We have a rec. center that has put the town in a huge hole, it took 8 months to get a buget approved. As for Steffens, he is picking up where Denny left off, he’s just another puppet. Get over it, Mike will be mayor and TBS will WIN the seats in all the wards.
Jennifer: “This is the same David Lopez who has written numerous letters criticizing Gonnelli over the past few years, so he has no credibility.”
As opposed to the nitwits who blame the Secuaucus Dems for everything from the cold snap last week to the failure of two supermarkets.
Voice of Reason: “How can we have a common construction worker dictating the policy for our town???”
You’re right. We need a landscaper and former lifelong Town employee (read: couldn’t get a real job) to dictate policy.
dawnsout: “Dawn McAdams … was only appointed so Dave, her husband would drop his lawsuit against the town.”
So is MG going to drop his lawsuit once his vendetta election is won?
And I love how everyong continues to ignore the massive conflict of interest that this Town will have when plaintiff Gonelli becomes mayor. [Yes, I know, his suit only names Elwell and Iancono. But he is suing them in their official cpacity, so the Town's insurance carrier is HAS TO DEFEND THEM. So Mayor Mike is going to be able to dictate the terms of the settlement that the Town's insurance carrier will pay him.]
Dave,
Dawn sounded like someone who had no clue when I listened to the debate. Rob Costantino did offer solutions for many of the issues during the debate. He was articulate and did not read a script prepared by his coaches. I like when he stated he would remain Independent and run town like a business. He also brought to light that Dawn was an independant 10 years ago and hated everything Elwell stood for only to change her stripes to become a Elwell supporter in everyway, including at last weeks meeting. She flip flopped and we need leaders that will stand up for what they believe in and not cave in to pressures from HC. It’s OUR town not Nick Saccos’. Gonnelli and his whole team have a lot of work ahead of them, but atleast they are asking people to hold them accountable, while TEAM ELWELL is still making excuses.
BillO
What conflict of interest? Who said Gonnelli is going to settle? I can’t wait for a trial so the entire town can see and hear the incredible harassment suffered by the Gonnelli family. And I hope Elwell and Iacono pay through the nose. And who said the court is going to rule that Elwell and Iacono were acting in their official capacity? They were arrogant, treated town employees like indentured servents, and harassed anyone if they didn’t get their own way every time. This town needs to get back to civility, where neighbors can support different political groups and not have to worry about it, or get mad at each other, or fear for their jobs. Yankees fans and Red Sox fans may hate the other team but not each other. Mike Gonnelli and his group will create a kinder Secaucus. I bet we see the results rather quickly. And so much so that politicians in the future will never try to rule by fear again as Elwell and Iacono did.
BillO – “You’re right. We need a landscaper and former lifelong Town employee (read: couldn’t get a real job) to dictate policy.”
At least the guy has experience MANAGING something more than a hammer and nails.
If he does a poor job, we’ll vote him out next term, that’s all. But he deserves a shot. Nobody on the other side of the ticket can be trusted IMHO.
First things first: “And who said the court is going to rule that Elwell and Iacono were acting in their official capacity?”
No Court has to rule on that because .. wait for it … that’s the way that Mike G is suing them. (http://www.northjersey.com/towns/Paramus_official_accused_of_threats.html – fourth paragraph: “Elwell and Iancono acted in their official and individual capacities …”) Therefore, the Town is automatically liable for those actions under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Plus, the Town will have to indemnify them by providing the Town’s insurance to cover legal costs and any settlement or judgment.
“Who said Gonnelli is going to settle?”
Why, Mike himself did. (http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/Likely_Secaucus_mayor_has_suit_against_the_town.html – second paragraph: “Gonnelli said he has sought for years to resolve the lawsuit.”) Oh and did you see the seventh paragraph of that article: “Juan Fernandez, a lawyer for the town and Elwell in the matter …”
“What conflict of interest?”
I already laid it out for you. And this will be at least the second time that Mike G has clearly ignored the legal conflict of interest of the position he is running for. If he was so interested in Secaucus, he could have run for council or mayor all those years that he worked for the Town. Instead, his entire campaign has been a “grudge match” which is a pretty pathetic reason to get involved in politics and it certainly isn’t fair to drag all of the voters into it.
Finally: “This town needs to get back to civility, where neighbors can support different political groups and not have to worry about it, or get mad at each other …”
And again I would point to the very UNcivil Gonnelli groupies who dominate the public comments at every council meeting. Sure they’re going to be “civil” after their guy is mayor — which just goes to show that all their complaints are petty stunts designed to embarass this Town.
I’ve posted numerous times that I’m not a political person nor do I know any of the candidates or past administration personally.
I do know, however, that something has been going on in this town for quite some time that just “is’nt right”.
Our taxes are now paying for who knows what in this town. Unlike you BillO I don’t mind having them go to pay for a lawsuit that may actually uncover what has been going on in this town and finally rectifying it. I have no idea what this lawsuit is all about and who is at fault. Let the courts decide.
The articles you did post above connect Anthony Iacono with organized crime??? Hint! Hint! The same union that took off with the pension plan of the Meadowlands/Stadium workers? Both he and Elwell were supporting something that had enviromental groups up in arms and Mike did’nt support? And he and his family get threats? This is Secaucus and the Sopranos was supposed to be nothing more than a TV show?
Nah I’m not a groupie at all. Just a concerned taxpayer that expects my town to be run without corruption.