In Hoboken, Russo says he'll vote 'no' tonight on Mason's salary ordinance

By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter

Hoboken Councilman Michael Russo: Politicker file photoHOBOKEN - Councilman Michael Russo won’t vote for Councilwoman Beth Mason’s salary ordinance at the Hoboken Council meeting tonight unless Mason amends the ordinance.

Patterned on Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop’s reform initiative, Mason’s ordinance would restrict to $1 the salary of any councilperson who already draws a public salary.

"I would vote for it if it only pertained to restricting elected officials from receiving two or more salaries, absolutely," said Russo. "But I would never say a person who’s a janitor or policeman shouldn’t receive an additional salary as a councilperson.

"Let’s take a janitor," Russo said. "Maybe he makes $25,000. You think I’m going to restrict him from making another $25,000 as a councilman? No, I’m sorry, I couldn’t do that."

The councilman’s family has some history in this matter.

Russo, whom Hoboken sources describe as a sure-bet mayoral candidate next year, said his grandfather on his mother’s side was a Hoboken fireman who successfully sued the city for the constitutional right to seek office.

"I’m not going to let anyone hurt the little guy," said Russo, who has cut to part time his work as a physical therapist to focus on city issues, and calls himself the only councilperson with an income of under $100,000.

Mason’s reform measure specifically targets Assemblyman/Councilman Ruben Ramos (D-Hoboken), who also works as a public school teacher in Paterson.

MAX PIZARRO is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.

Related topics: Ruben Ramos, Michael Russo, Beth Mason

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