Beth Mason on the 'reformers' [part two]

Addressing 'FAP'.

Responding (anonymously, of course) to our accusations of fraudulent 'reformers', 'FAP' trashed us on Hoboken Now. That's his right, and we don't much care.

'FAP' knows nothing about us aside from whatever he's heard on the rumor mill, and has never bothered to check what little he thinks he knows, with us. (It's not as if we're hard to find - 'FAP' knows where this site is.) There's no point responding to all his accusations, since 'FAP' is unwilling to come here, use his real name, and make them (as Eric Kurta recently did).

But here's the bottom line: We say Cunningham and Zimmer are in thrall to the HCDO. 'FAP' says this charge is made out of 'bitterness' and because we don't really know what's going on - and he does.

Since we've forgotten more about Hudson County politics than 'FAP' will ever know, we stand behind our charge 100%. So, here you go 'FAP':

From: Beth Mason
Sent: Sun 5/11/2008 12:37 PM
To: [undisclosed recipients]
Subject: Dear Friends

Dear Friends,

About two weeks ago, an e-mail written by Councilman Peter Cunningham was sent out. Perhaps you received it as well. I do not want people to take my delayed response as acceptance of the statements Councilman Cunningham has made. Peter said his letter was his opinion on the recent school board race. The facts are, however, it was full of inaccuracies. Unfortunately, Peter did not speak with me before writing his letter. I am disappointed he would not seek out the truth before writing it. When I saw it, I asked Peter to send out a correction, but he refused. Peter is, of course, welcome to share his opinions but not make up his own facts.

And given the recent newspaper story from last weekend and those who seek to continue to perpetuate these false statements, I feel it is important to set the record straight.

First, let me state what many of you already know. I endorsed three candidates in the school board election: Maureen Sullivan, Ron Rosenberg and Tricia Snyder. I believe in supporting the best candidates regardless of whether they run on a slate or independent as I did.

As many of you know, Maureen Sullivan was one of Theresa Minutillo’s strongest supporters when she joined the board in 2006. Why she chose to run as an independent, I will let Maureen speak for herself in her own eloquent way. But let me say this, when I spoke with Maureen in February about her continued interest in running, I told her if she was offered a spot on the Kids First ticket she should take it and I would support her. How the Kids First ticket came together, I do not know.

The issue of attempts by Kids First to have discussions is another false statement. Given Councilman Cunningham never participated in these discussions I wonder how he would know. Following a lengthy board of education meeting, I was having a conversation with Theresa Minutillo when Tricia Snyder came up and asked me to support her. Tricia did not mention the Kids First “ticket.” I responded that I would be happy to have a discussion but given the hour and place we should schedule a meeting. Following that discussion, I attempted numerous times to set up such a meeting. Scheduling, however, proved difficult. Nonetheless, I continued to try to reach out. As the copy of her email below shows, Tricia apparently didn’t feel a need to meet until AFTER the election.

As for the poor showing of the Kids First ticket, the fault for the loss lies directly with those who ran the campaign. It is time for the people who ran the Kids First ticket to accept their responsibility instead of blaming people who were not involved in the operation. Choosing two candidates who had never spoken their mind at a school board meeting would not have been my idea of a strong slate.

You all know I supported Theresa’s independent run in 2005 and Kids First in 2006 & 2007. For years, I have worked to improve our public school system and to get the best candidates elected to the board. I fought to have the board meetings videotaped and televised. I worked to settle with the superintendent to improve the transparency of the board and access to public records. I remain committed to working with the board, the superintendent and parents to improve our school system.

As for the “split” in the “reform” movement, I believe those of us who have fought for better government in Hoboken remain committed and united. However, I am disturbed by the continuing misinformation and, yes, lies being spread by a certain few who are trying to improve their standing with the HCDO. Some of us have been fighting the machine and remain committed to the hard work ahead. But I cannot and I will not join the very organization so many of us have fought against.

Please, if you have questions please feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to speaking with you. There is much work to be done and a great many things we can accomplish together for the good of all who proudly call Hoboken home.

Sincerely,

Beth Mason

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"A certain few who are trying to improve their standing with the HCDO."

But Mason's just bitter, right 'FAP'? That IS the standard dismissive response, isn't it? And it's just not possible that either she or we know things you don't - is it?

You want to know what's going on, 'FAP', you go to the source and get your facts straight, instead of sliming people and advancing the agendas of those who live in the shadows (as you yourself do). Otherwise you may just make a fool of yourself again. In fact, we GUARANTEE you will.

Of course, maybe that's not a real problem for you. It could be that, in your case, dealing anonymously in innuendo and rumor is simply the lifestyle you prefer. Perhaps in your world, innuendo is fact, demonization is 'reform', and whoever shouts loudest is right.

UPDATE: Shortly after this post was written, Zimmer and Cunningham undermined Beth Mason's candidate for freeholder, choosing instead to tacitly (or overtly, depending on who you ask) support the HCDO's candidate. We predict, however, that these two will come to realize that the HCDO is not a trustworthy ally going forward, and will be forced to draw nearer to the Mason camp. Not that she has any reason to trust them but... politics and bedfellows...