Roque should've gotten at least 8,000 signatures to cover his backside. His failure to do so tells me either one of two things. Either he's too lazy to do things the right way or he isn't that serious and is just doing all of this for the sole purpose of making Sal Vega's life miserable. I personally think it's a little of column A and a little of column B.

Truth of the matter is, Sal Vega's only crime was betting on the wrong horse two years ago by aligning himself with Nick Sacco and the HCDO and trying to run against Brian Stack.

For all the obligatory bellyaching Roque and his supporters like to do over quality of life issues and trying to lay it all on Vega's doorstep, the fact of the matter is, conditions were no better when Sires was Mayor for eleven years. Does Roque condemn Sires as well? If he does, he should have the guts to say so publicly. He won't however because he is in all likelihood, only a brain dead meat puppet doing the bidding of Sires and Stack who want Vega out of power.

I don't normally go out of my way to support Democrats that I disagree with on a lot of issues, but I've met Sal Vega a few times and he's a genuinely nice guy who really wants the best for the town. It's sad that so many people want to destroy him.

Roque wants to claim that West New York is run like Cuba? First of all, that's a very cruel slap in the face to Vega whose family, like Roque's, risked life and limb fleeing the tyranny of Communist Cuba when he was a boy. Roque should have a lot more respect for their mutual plight. Second, if he feels that WNY is a dictatorship, again, what does he think of people like Albio Sires who are probably pulling his puppet strings?

From all the video and news clips I've seen of Felix Roque, he's nothing but a ballbuster who goes around looking for trouble on purpose. Perhaps he would care to take the time to show me and everybody else here what he inteds to do to improve West New York and what changes he plans to make. What does he plan to do that Sal Vega hasn't already tried to do? What is his vision for the town?

Does he even have one?

"One strength of the communist system of the East is that it has some of the character of a religion and inspires the emotions of a religion- Albert Einstein

This Roque guy has no clue. He's being used and has no clue of the hornet's nest he's dealing with. Should he prevail - which I doubt since he offers nothing of value - the stack/sires boys will control him to no end and render him useless. Just check out Caridad Rodriguez. Roque let his ego get the best of him when stack/sires said ..."you'd make a better mayor senor doctor .." This poor guy is going to be in for it ...

It’s always and attractive read when a self proclaimed “Republican Atheist” comments with an inspiring note from Albert Einstein that in itself quotes religion in a theoretical functional manner.

Perhaps giving the fact that Mr. Rivera mainly scorns Dr. Roque for not getting 8,000 signatures that I identified the odd attentiveness he shows for what he calls “a failure” on a subject where he should actually be happy only said amount of signatures were gathered.  During the past gubernatorial campaigns, West New York was only able to produce 5000 voters to turn up in polls, and in previous elections the numbers were even greatly reduced.  My guess according to Mr. Rivera’s point of view is that Governor Christie and previous Governor Corzine were colossal failures at their campaigns since Roque has 1000 signatures above what they were able to get. I’m persuaded to believe this was a small oversight in Mr. Rivera’s article.

Dr. Roque’s purpose in life, although a very amusing and tempting thought, is not to drive Mayor Vega’s life to misery.  No one disfavors Mayor Vega for running against Stack; running to better themselves and the people they represent is the basic principle of politics and I don’t think anyone can chastise him for trying.  Instead, Rivera blames a sure demise to an alleged “alliance” with Nick Sacco two years ago and a collective masterminded puppetry by Albio Sires and Brian Stack forged in a style that would make Jim Henson return to life and sue for infringement.  Forget the words and opinions of the residents who are directly affected by the Mayor’s decision; the same people who have volunteered their time and efforts to get what you call are futile number of signatures, what do they know? They only live in West New York.  Let’s just keep barraging more political names in the mix so I sound intelligent.  I’m glad you set the record straight.

Why not discuss contradictions. You’ve observed all the videos and you’ve swallowed all the media articles from the website, forums and social networks (I praise you sir. I was beginning to consider I had no audience) and seem very intrigued in Dr. Roque’s disclosure of plans for the future; sounds as if not very confident in parading around blue and yellow signs for the next election.

(“From all the video and news clips I've seen of Felix Roque, he's nothing but a ballbuster who goes around looking for trouble on purpose”)

That’s funny I guess you missed these two articles in your immense research.

http://hudsonreporter.com/pages/full_story/push?article--BREAKING-+Police+are+called+again+regarding+latest+clash+in+West+New+York+recall+effort-Man+alleges+that+Lange+confronted+him+over+political+signs-%20&id=4331323--BREAKING-+Police+are+called+again+regarding+latest+clash+in+West+New+York+recall+effort-Man+alleges+that+Lange+confronted+him+over+political+signs-

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/11/wny_recall_leaders_car_vandali.html

But hey let’s not get off the real subject, Let’s not discuss about Dr. Roque’s achievements in the community, the countless amounts of awards and humanitarian aid he’s provided all over the American Continent. A Colonel in the US Army and a successful and respected doctor in his field all while not contemplating a public position; No, let’s worry about the fact he drives a fancy car. Well damn me for looking at a Mercedes Benz this weekend.

Mr. Rivera, for a person who does not go out of his way to support a Democrat, you sure didn’t disappoint us in your clear thoughts and comprehensive and accurate arguments you gave us with your comment.

We thank you for enlightening us.

"Perhaps giving the fact that Mr. Rivera mainly scorns Dr. Roque for not getting 8,000 signatures that I identified the odd attentiveness he shows for what he calls “a failure” on a subject where he should actually be happy only said amount of signatures were gathered. During the past gubernatorial campaigns, West New York was only able to produce 5000 voters to turn up in polls, and in previous elections the numbers were even greatly reduced. My guess according to Mr. Rivera’s point of view is that Governor Christie and previous Governor Corzine were colossal failures at their campaigns since Roque has 1000 signatures above what they were able to get. I’m persuaded to believe this was a small oversight in Mr. Rivera’s article."

Nothing makes me laugh more than a pretentious ignoramus attempting to sound educated. Let's look at the facts here since Carlos doesn't seem to be very interested in them.

Roque needed to collect between 5200 to 5300 valid signatures from registered West New York voters at the bare minimum in order to be successful. I believe the exact number is 5,267 or something to that effect. Roque and his supporters collected less than 800 signatures above that minimum requirement. Common sense should tell you that when you need that many signatures by law and you can't confirm for a fact that every signature you collect is legit, you should get at the very least, between two and three thousand signatures more than you're required. Had Roque done so, he wouldn't be so quick to cry conspiracy as soon as he submitted his petitions. When you're a well organized grassroots coalition with strong support behind it that does what you're supposed to do, you don't have to worry about such things or resort to such tactics right off the bat.

In his infinite wisdom however, Carlos cites how a mere 5,000 voters came out to vote for Governor this past year in an off year election where there was no enthusiasm whatsoever from Democrats to re-elect an incompetent Jon Corzine in order to somehow validate and downplay Roque's shortcomings. Actually, 7,481 voters in total participated in the general election with Corzine himself receiving 5,328 of those votes. Not to mention that 13,000 registered voters came out to vote in the Presidential election in West New York the previous year. That said, in an effort to collect petition signatures for a recall effort that both Republicans and Democrats could've signed, all Roque and his supporters could muster was an anemic 6,000 signatures???

Furthermore, it's true that if a day care center receives public funding, it's illegal for them to display political signs of any kind on thier building, their vehicles or otherwise. It's the proprietor's responsibility to know that. He had no business attempting to put up a fight and he was completely in the wrong.

As far as Roque's vehicle being vandalized, you have no proof that it's the result of retaliation for anything by anyone connected to Sal Vega. You may have a potential motive, but no proof. Infact, the article clearly stated that the police report did not include Roque's political activities.

"Dr. Roque’s purpose in life, although a very amusing and tempting thought, is not to drive Mayor Vega’s life to misery. No one disfavors Mayor Vega for running against Stack; running to better themselves and the people they represent is the basic principle of politics and I don’t think anyone can chastise him for trying. Instead, Rivera blames a sure demise to an alleged “alliance” with Nick Sacco two years ago and a collective masterminded puppetry by Albio Sires and Brian Stack forged in a style that would make Jim Henson return to life and sue for infringement. Forget the words and opinions of the residents who are directly affected by the Mayor’s decision; the same people who have volunteered their time and efforts to get what you call are futile number of signatures, what do they know? They only live in West New York. Let’s just keep barraging more political names in the mix so I sound intelligent. I’m glad you set the record straight."

Carlos, you and pretty much all of Roque's supporters (who are really Stack's supporters) are extremely transparent, I would contend, to the point of embarrassment. This has everything to do with Brian Stack wanting more and more power for himself by getting Vega out of the way and trying to use his errand boy Albio Sires to do so. His ties to Stack are evident and touted by Roque himself.

"Doctor Roque receives proclamation from Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack"

This recall effort has nothing to do with what's best for the people of West New York and if most voters felt that it did, perhaps Roque would've been able to collect a lot more signatures for his petitions. This effort has everything to do with what's best for one person and one person only.

Brian P. Stack.

"I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotisms."- Albert Einstein

Your comments are clearly geared towards Union City Politics and have little to do with the West New York Recall. If you so desire in your crusade to make poignant views of Senator Stack I do suggest you find a Brian Stack tagged article and comment away.

I cannot speak that of which I cannot verify or defend and the beauty of words are that they stay recorded for as long as the their medium exists. Until then, not much defending to do here; your words speak clearly and I thank you for the kind adjective.

"A strong article needs quote no one to make a point."
Carlos Perez

Carlos, you are either missing the point or deliberately attempting to cover it up. I'm pretty positive it's the latter.

Roque is a hack being used by Brian Stack and Albio Sires is going along with him for the same reason he parted ways with the HCDO and aligned himself with Stack two years ago, to protect his congressional seat from Stack who could take it away from him whenever he feels like it.

Needless to say, this has everything to do with Union City politics as it is Brian Stack who can't seem to keep his nose out of West New York's business since he clearly wants West New York under his complete control. The only way he can accomplish that is to get Vega out of the way and put his puppet, Felix Roque, in his place.

Sal Vega is a good man and a good Mayor and is working hard to try and undo the damage done by Albio Sires after eleven years of failure and reducing a once thriving Bergenline Ave. to a third world flea market. If Stack were any kind of Mayor himself, he would stop interfering in West New York's affairs and worry about his own town which last I checked, has a pretty nasty case of tooth decay itself.

"I cannot believe in the immortality of the soul. . . . I am an aggregate of cells, as, for instance, New York City is an aggregate of individuals. Will New York City go to heaven? . . . . No; nature made us--nature did it all--not the gods of the religions."- Thomas Edison