Fact Checking the Attacks - Dual Jobs

You have heard the False Charges -- Now here are the Facts:

When Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano was arrested on political corruption charges Hoboken city government was thrown into turmoil.  When Peter Cammaranno resigned on July 31, 2009– to provide for some stability – New Jersey state statutes provide that whoever was serving as Council President at that time also serve in the additional office of Acting Mayor until an Interim Mayor was selected or a special election was held.  In this case, Dawn Zimmer will serve in both capacities for only 96 days.  This is not a loophole; it is what the law requires.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Did Dawn Zimmer create this situation?

A: No. Peter Cammarano created this situation by resigning after being charged with taking bribes.  Once that happened Dawn Zimmer automatically became acting Mayor by action of law.

Q: How long will this go on?

A: It will end immediately upon the certification of the November 3rd election results, at which time Hoboken will have elected a Mayor to serve through June 30, 2013.  If the results are immediately certified,  Dawn Zimmer will have been acting Mayor for 96 days.  No matter who wins the November 3rd election, Dawn Zimmer will hold only one position after it has been decided.

Q: Is an Acting Mayor free to take two salaries?

A: Yes, but Dawn Zimmer has chosen not to.  She takes only her salary as Mayor, and that only after instituting a 10% pay cut in the Mayor's salary-- which means that on an annual basis she is being paid $13,000  less than Peter Cammarano.

Q: Can the City Council appoint Dawn Zimmer Interim Mayor?

A: No.  The last day that such a step could legally have been taken was August 29.  Had the Council taken that action at the August 5th Council meeting, and had Dawn accepted, she would have become Interim Mayor and a vacancy created for Council President and for her 4th Ward seat.  As it happened, no Council member – including Beth Mason -- made that suggestion when it was legal that night.   Now it is too late – the law does not allow it.

 Q: Why didn’t Dawn Zimmer propose, on August 5th – when it was still possible – to be appointed Interim Mayor and give up her Council seat?

A: Of course, Dawn Zimmer will resign her Council seat if she wins the Mayoral election in November as she is required to by law.  As Mayor she will work for all of Hoboken, including the 4th ward.   That was her intention when she ran for Mayor.   But to resign her 4th ward seat without being elected as Mayor would put her ability to represent her constituents at risk, and that she would not do.