HOBOKEN - Councilwoman Beth Mason will introduce an ordinance on2nd Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason: Politicker file photo Wednesday night that would limit public salaries of city council representatives who already hold public jobs to $1 apiece.

The Mason ordinance would also prevent council members from receiving healthcare benefits.

A Hoboken elected official who receives health benefits from employment outside the city would be given financial compensation in lieu of the city’s health benefits to a maximum of $2,500 per year, according to a release issued by Mason.

At-Large Councilman Peter Cammarano: Politicker photo 

HOBOKEN - Even members of his inner circle swear that they don’t yet know whether Mayor Dave Roberts plans to run for a third term in 2009.

Whatever his intentions, other Hoboken diehards are surfacing. No one’s announced yet, but fierce political battles now will undoubtedly have political consequences next year in this city stung by the embarrassment of a state takeover of its finances.

There are all of the usual speculations surrounding possible candidates. A sighting of former Councilwoman Carol Marsh at a municipal meeting provokes the conclusion in come corners that she’s definitely running. A recent inundation of photos of Mayor Roberts on the Hoboken website prompts someone else to opine that Roberts is running - bet on it.

Businessman and neighborhood kid made good Frank "Pupie" Raia?

Of course, he’s running, say Hoboken insiders. He always runs, and no doubt he will perpetuate his longstanding animus this year with Councilman Michael Russo, who clubbed him last year in their 3rd ward showdown.

At-Large Councilmen Peter Cammarano, left, and Ruben Ramos: Politicker photo 

At-Large Councilman Ruben Ramos today responded to Second Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason in a letter in which he addressed the self-styled government watchdog as "Boss Mason."

"As a lifelong member of the Hoboken community, I am appalled that Ms. Mason thinks she can mask her intention to be a political boss, by having the audacity to call herself a reformer," Ramos said of the likely mayoral candidate.

Hoboken Councilwoman Beth Mason: Politicker photo 

HOBOKEN - Taking a nod from Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop, freshman Hoboken Councilwoman Beth Mason intends to introduce an amendment that would ban city elected officials from receiving more than one public salary or pension.

"I am sure that Councilman Fulop recognizes, as do I, how difficult it is to create a more responsive and responsible government when the primary interest of many elected officials lies in perpetuating a cumbersome, costly bureaucracy that rewards the few, at the expense of the many," Mason said.

Elected last year to fill a vacant seat in the city’s second ward, Mason - like Fulop in Jersey City - is a likely 2009 mayoral candidate.

COHEN/CRYAN/RAMOS/CRUZ-PEREZ BILL TO PERMANENTLY DESIGNATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ADVANCES

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Neil M. Cohen, Joseph Cryan, Ruben J. Ramos, Jr., and Nilsa Cruz-Perez sponsored to designate each October as “Hispanic Heritage Month” in New Jersey was released by the Assembly State Government Committee.

Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, his wife Norma and family are proud to welcome the newest addition of their family into the world. Ryan Jesus Ramos was born at 11:08 AM this morning at Hoboken University Medical Center, weighing 7 lbs, 12 oz., and measuring 20 inches.

New Jersey Democrats News Release

www.njsendems.com & www.assemblydems.com

COHEN/CRYAN/RAMOS/LESNIAK INTRO BILL TO PERMANENTLY DESIGNATE OCTOBER HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

(TRENTON) - Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen, Joseph Cryan, and Ruben J. Ramos, Jr., today announced the introduction of legislation that would statutorily designate each October as "Hispanic Heritage Month" in New Jersey.

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak announced he will sponsor an identical version of the legislation in the Senate.

The beer wasn’t free at Brian Stack’s victory celebration, but the crowd loved it anyway.

Several hundred people turned up at Fomento Hall to see Stack give his victory speech, and were treated to the first minute or so of Queen’s classic song “We Will Rock You,” loudly looped over and over again for a good half an hour.  Leading up to Stack’s appearance, the audience grew so antsy that a cheer rose up when a balloon popped.

Stack had just trounced his opponent, Sal Vega, getting 77% of the vote.  He even beat Vega in his home town of West New York, where he’s mayor.  The two assembly candidates on his slate, Ruben Ramos, Jr. and Caridad Rodriguez, also won.

Hoboken Councilman Ruben Ramos marches in Union City with running mate Cary Rodriguez of West New York.
In the race to represent Hoboken in the State Legislature, one-time political allies Carol Marsh and Ruben Ramos must resign themselves to what happens at the top of their respective tickets.

That has not happened in almost 15 years, or ever since Bernard “Bernie” Kenny began his service as district 33 state Senator, where his steady consolidation of power in Hudson County as chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) assured Hoboken of prominence.

Now Kenny’s retiring, and the power is shifting.

Hoboken Councilman Michael Russo was re-elected
Councilman Michael Russo appeared in his campaign headquarters on Adams Street, striding across the expansive room with outstretched hand. At a nearby table, his uncle proudly wore a yellow shirt featuring the first game of baseball played in Hoboken, which someone told him he should go home and change because the campaign workers of Russo’s rival, Frank "Pupie" Raia, were wearing yellow shirts all over the Third Ward.