It's been a while since I've blogged forcefully (I've been very backed up the last few weeks, and quite frankly, I needed a little break after a long stretch without much of a break). But I am back now, and I thought I'd start off with a hodgepodge Corner, something I haven't done in a while.So, here it goes.
• MSNBC did a deplorable job this morning covering the death of journalist and former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. When NBC's Tim Russert died, MSNBC did itself a big disservice by blanket covering his death. And this, of course, is not to say Russert didn't deserve the coverage that he got. Because he was a true giant in the media and an even greater human being. But in cases like this, when someone like Snow, similar in age, similar in career, dies, it's next to impossible for the coverage to be fair.
MSNBC barely covered Snow's death and conversely, it covered Russert's passing for days on end — non-stop.
As someone in the mainstream media wrote days after Russert died, it is possible to overdo coverage of the death of someone important. And in Snow's case, it is certainly possible to under cover all the same.
• Yesterday, I had a chance to ride the NJ Transit Light Rail for the first time. I went from Bayonne to the Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City. Talk about a tale of two cities.
The first leg of the journey passes through much of the Greenville Section of Jersey City — and the second leg through Downtown Jersey City. It's hard to believe it's the same Jersey City — it seems like two different worlds. The start of the journey takes place in a depressed Greenville neighborhood, only to end up in the privileged Downtown, with high-end, high-priced posh apartments and office buildings.
I still have never understood how mayors of Jersey City have allowed so much attention to be paid to Downtown, while completely neglecting other parts of the city (yes, I mean Jerramiah Healy, Glenn Cunningham, Bret Schundler and Jerry McCann).
Still, it ought to be interesting to see how the city's new mayor (there's an election in 2009 and with any luck, Healy will be packing his bags) handles these other neighborhoods.
• I read this week's editorial in The Observer. Can anyone explain it to me?
• Speaking of The Observer, I found it interesting Publisher Lisa Pezzolla was the focus of a story in The Kearny Journal this week. Hey Jon Chundak, are you reading this? Remember what happened when you were the focus of a Kearny Journal story? Think maybe she'll pull her own column now?
• Jersey City's Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop has successfully gotten two ballot initiatives on the November ballot for Jersey City. One is a pay-to-play type deal and the other would bar sitting members of the Jersey City Council from being employed publicly. This writer is extremely pleased with Fulop's initiatives — and we'll have much more on this first victory for Fulop later on this coming week. Way to go, Steve.
• Bret Schundler is planning a run for Jersey City's Mayor in 2009. Can you believe he actually thinks he could win again? A two-time loser for governor, Schundler has as good a chance at winning the mayoralty as Jerry McCann has at becoming Jerry Healy's best friend.• Only East Newark has received extraordinary aid from the Department of Community Affairs for the new fiscal year. This is terrible news for the people of Kearny. Get ready for another tax increse, Kearny residents. (Keep in mind, however, that it won't be as bad as last year's. Then again, we're just a year away from the next Kearny mayoral election — so of course the increase isn't as harsh. Doesn't it always happen this way)?
• Speaking of the race for Kearny's mayor — 2009 should be one of the more intense campaigns. Al Santos, from all indications, will seek another four-year term. Yet 2009 should be a lot different for Al. Chances are good there will be a host of candidates running against him, given Kearny's tax situaion and a plethora of other reasons. It wouldn't be all that shocking of there were people in his own Democratic Party who decided on a run. Wonder if Jim Mangin is reading?
• That's all for now. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and remember: There are just 191 days until the Bush family vacates the White House once and for all! If that's not reason enough to celebrate, what is?
Was Schundler that bad for JC?
ReplyDeleteI do believe his record proves somethings he did were terrific for JC and really got the ball rolling. Question for you? Who do you think will run and win for JC Mayor in the upcoming election and what is the word on the street about Chris Christie and his political ambitions?
As always a dedictated and loyal fan!!
I probably should have been a lot more specific about Schundler. Bret was great for Jersey City. In fact, the city saw some of its best years under his leadership. That said, the coalitions he built with Democrats can't be rebuilt right now without a serious breakdown in the HCDO. I just can't see that happening right now.
ReplyDeleteRight now, the three front-runners have to be Healy, state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, who is the wife of the former Mayor Glen, and Councilman Steve Fulop.
Fulop's candidacy is most interesting because in the November election this year, he has the two ballot initiatives that I mentioned in the post. If the initiatives pass — and I hope they do — this could very well be a litmus test as to how Fulop will do in May 2009.