A debate for Hoboken’s 2nd, 5th and 6th Ward Council candidates took place at the city’s Elks Lodge last night, where the hatred between Ward 6 Councilwoman Jen Giattino and Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia (D-33) was palpable.Â
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Hosted by the Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition and moderated by Bob Bowden, the first half of the debate was pretty tame, but things began to heat up when Bowden asked the candidates what issue they believe their opponent is most wrong about.
Both Garcia and Giattino accused the other of being a no show in Ward 6 outside of election season.
Unfortunately, that was just a sneak preview of what the Ward 6 scrap will look like, as Garcia left the debate early.
However, Ward 5 Councilman Peter Cunningham and his opponent, Eduardo Gonzalez, didn’t mind sparring a few rounds over topics such as open space acquisition in the Mile Square City – including the Union Dry Dock and the BASF properties.
Cunningham also took a parting at Gonzalez, exclaiming he’s running with a team that “loves to play politics†instead of getting things done.
With Ward 2 Council candidate Tiffanie Fisher opting to serve on the zoning board last night instead of attending the debate, her opponents Peter Biancamano and Bonnie Murray kept things pretty cordial.
Both Murray and Biancamano voiced their feelings on the controversial Monarch project.