Hoboken Councilman-at-large Peter Cammarano is currently under review by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission for what one group say was improper activity in last year's Hoboken, Assembly and Senate municipal elections. Read his side of the story in an exclusive interview with realhoboken.com, where we touch upon that issue, as well as the Hoboken SWAT team Hooters debacle, Beth Mason's lawsuits, and Hillary Clinton's chances.

1) The head of the ELEC says that you violated election law by chairing the CPC. Given your legal background, does this have allegation have any merit? When the investigation is completed, what do you think the final outcome will be?

When asked to serve as the chair of Hoboken Democrats for Hudson County (a continuing political committee, or "CPC"), I agreed, but only after consulting the relevant statutes. According to these statutes, a "candidate" is forbidden from chairing a CPC, and "candidate" is defined as someone who is (1) actually running for office, (2) an incumbent officeholder who is receiving contributions and making expenditures through their own campaign account, or (3) engaging in conduct known as "testing the waters." In my estimation, I did not qualify as a "candidate" under any of these definitions while I served as chair of the CPC. We’ll see what ELEC determines. If ELEC finds the allegation has no merit, it will end there.

2) You claimed in a Jersey Journal story that this was a "political hatchet job" being carried out by "an enemy" of yours. Who is the enemy and what prompted him/her to take this action?

This entire episode has been orchestrated by the People for Open Government ("POG") – itself a Political Committee — and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Councilwoman Beth Mason’s political operation. POG is operated and funded by the same individuals who operate and fund Mason’s political campaigns. I cannot be certain what prompted their action. But, if it was done with an eye on next year’s mayoral election in Hoboken, then their action was both premature and clumsy.

The mayoral race is a long way off. Right now I am keenly focused on being the best Councilman I can be for my friends and neighbors here in Hoboken. I love this City and care deeply about its future. And I will fight to make Hoboken more affordable for the working families who live here – whether you’ve lived here all your life or whether you’ve recently moved here.

3) One grass-roots community blog calls you "Scammarano" almost every time you are mentioned on there. Why, in your opinion, does this blog relentlessly promote the political agendas of certain Hoboken city council members but attacks other members without ever asking for their side of the story?

Personally, I don’t ever check that site, but a few people have filled me in on some of the nasty things that are said on their boards. And with the racist names that have been given to others on that site, my nickname could have been worse than a silly word like that. Hoboken411 is the Fox News Channel of websites in Hoboken. It is not a news source, but rather reminds me of the yellow journalism of the late nineteenth century, in that its political commentary is simply a propaganda tool for those entities which line its pockets.

Ideally, the internet shouldn’t be a place for bullying or attacks, it should be used to educate and bring people together. And blogs are great when they promote a free and open exchange of ideas in a civil, educational manner and allow for discourse.

Earlier this year, I was proud to use the internet in a proactive, positive way when I launched www.stopthepathhike.com to stop the Port Authority from raising the PATH fare 33%. Thousands of people visited the site and hundreds signed the online petition. Together, we succeeded in bringing attention to this important affordability and transportation issue. And I’m happy to say we played a part in getting the Port Authority to only raise the fare 25 cents – half of what was originally planned. This was a victory for everyone who uses the PATH and for everyone who believes we should be encouraging public transportation in order to unclog our roads and combat global warming. This was an entirely grassroots effort which was fueled by the online petition and the blogs. That is the positive power of the internet!

4) In other news, awhile back you endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. Can she still pull it out? And if she didn’t win both Ohio and Texas this month, do you think she should have dropped out of the race?

I am proud to be a part of Hillary Clinton’s campaign. She won New Jersey and had terrific numbers here in Hoboken on Super Tuesday. Hillary’s message is really resonating with voters.

I remain confident that Senator Clinton will be the Democratic nominee for President, and will defeat Senator McCain this November. Everyone involved in the Clinton campaign, from President Bill Clinton on down, was fully aware that Hillary needed to win both Ohio and Texas to maintain her presidential bid. Fortunately, she won both states, and in Ohio by an overwhelming margin. And as they say, "as Ohio goes, so goes the country." Hillary’s double-digit margins of victory in crucial states like Ohio, California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida demonstrate her strength as a national candidate.

Right now, the Democratic Party is blessed with two sterling candidates – either of whom will be history-making and bring about much-needed change in Washington and throughout our country. They both stand in stark contrast with John McCain – who wants to continue the Bush-Cheney legacy and keep us in Iraq indefinitely. Personally, I believe that a Hillary-Obama ticket would be a dream ticket. And, I know Hillary Clinton will be a phenomenal President who is ready to lead on day one.

5) Was the proper action taken in the Hoboken SWAT team situation?

This entire incident has been an embarrassment for the City of Hoboken. While the recent resignation of Police Chief LaBruno was a surprise in its suddenness, this step was entirely proper in light of all that has been discovered in this case.

So much wrongdoing has become apparent – from racist acts, to mishandling of firearms, to unauthorized allocation of men and material to Louisiana, to new questions surrounding the collection and control of SWAT team dues. In the wake of these startling discoveries, it is ultimately the chief of the department that had to be held accountable in some fashion.

That being said, the resignation of Chief LaBruno will not be where the accountability ends in this matter. The discipline to be meted out is by no means over. And if the Chief’s head is the only one that rolls when this is all over, then this sorry episode will have been botched by the City in the way it was resolved and dealt with.

Beth Mason (courtesy of The Jersey Journal)

6) Beth Mason is "addicted to lawsuits" according to the Mayor. From a legal and political perspective, what’s your perspective on her most recent loss in court?

If it is, in fact, clinically possible to be "addicted to lawsuits," then Beth Mason would certainly qualify.

She has filed lawsuit after lawsuit against the City, against the Board of Education and against the Hoboken University Medical Center. Mason has lost the overwhelming majority of these cases, but not before costing the City hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorneys’ and legal fees.

As a Councilman – and as a taxpayer – I am encouraged by the City’s winning record in these cases. But, I am deeply disturbed by the outlay of attorneys’ fees these cases have required, as well as by the fact that another Councilperson (i.e.- a fiduciary of the City’s coffers) has caused such financial havoc.

We have to get Hoboken’s financial house in order. The budget is up dramatically from last year and so is our cost of living here in town. I believe that an open government is the best government. But, the facts in some of these cases are abysmal for her position – both legally and politically. Yet, Beth Mason insists on continuing to litigate them all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court, which is costing the Hoboken taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

'For questions or comments regarding this interview, email Joe Concha at realhoboken@yahoo.com. You may also actively comment on this piece (or any other topics you wish) by signing up for our censor and ban-free message boards by clicking here.