- In the eye of the storm: Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
The noise around the Hoboken St. Patrick's parade-that-won't-be is nearing the level of bagpipes that would have played down Washington Street this Saturday.
A local priest has blasted the mayor for her unwillingness to compromise in order to save the cancelled parade. The police chief has issued a public letter to residents and visitors warning that bad partying behavior could lead to $2,000 fines on the date the parade was supposed to step off.
And, wait for it, dueling leprechaun pub crawls set for non-parade day are now taking swipes at each other online.
The parade committee cancelled the 26th annual march after a dispute with Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who wanted the parade moved from the first Saturday in March to a Wednesday night to discourage some lawless, drunken incidents that have occurred on parade day in recent years.
"The parade has always been a well-organized and family-oriented community event," wrote Father Alex Santora, Pastor of Our Lady of Grace in the New Jersey city.
"The drinking and debauchery that developed independently around it has certainly gotten out of hand and needs to be curbed. You may recall years ago New York City experienced the same kinds of problems," Fr. Santora continued.
"They did not cancel the parade, but cracked down on the public drinking and lawlessness. I have confidence that our public safety personnel can do the same here in Hoboken. But they were not given the chance to do so. The day after last year's parade, Mayor Dawn Zimmer, without consulting the parade committee, said she would only allow it on a weekday evening," his church bulletin message went on. "She cited two alleged cases of sexual assault, which never materialized.
"I asked her to consider allowing the parade to be held on a Sunday, which would attract fewer out-of-towners since Monday is a work day, and restrict the sale of alcohol for much of the day," added Fr. Santora. "She refused to consider it," he said.
"I think the sign of a wise politician is learning the art of compromise," he concluded. "I pray she can acquire that skill someday. Certainly for next year's parade."
Meanwhile, local law enforcement is gearing up for the crowds coming not to see a parade, but the city's bars.
"In past years, some of our residents and guests became disorderly and unruly, making it a difficult and unpleasant day for our residents," Hoboken Chief Anthony P. Falco wrote in a letter to the public.
"In order to keep our city under control and create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, I will have all of my officers working on that day, out on our streets, on patrol. The Hoboken Police Department will shut the party down and clear out the apartment or house if it is determined that a hazardous or reckless condition exists."
Such actions, observed one long-time resident, result in large numbers of drunken young people being forced back on the street unable to enter bars, some of which are charging a $20-plus cover.
Then there's Lepre-con and Leprecon - rival pub crawl groups.
The latter proclaims on its website "we are the original and only Leprecon" and warns readers to "beware of imitations trying to sell t-shirts that promise you deals that they don't even list. It's a total scam."
They are selling "official" VIP passes for $12 offering discounts and specials at bars. The site claims a portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity but do not list any specific group.
Lepre-con, is selling "official" t-shirts for $20 each that "will be used to identify you as participants of this year's events." On their Facebook page more than 16,000 people are listed as attending the event.
The Leprecon Facebook page has less than 1,000 revelers attending their crawl explaining "the fake one tried to hack our account and deleted our event...Now THIS IS WAR!!!!"
On the other group's page, James Murphy wrote "just a warning, there is a scam LepreCon event being promoted. Not long after we started our event, he created a website and a Facebook Event. He is now seeking to raise "Donations" via his website. He is trying to put the CON in Lepre-Con."
Websites for both outings have begun listing participating bars and what benefits come with dressing as a leprechaun in Hoboken on Saturday. Most discounts appear to be half price of $20 entrance fees and drink specials at a few establishments.
Working with city officials, most bar owners in the city have agreed to push back opening time until 11 a.m., a move which forced Lepre-Con to adjust their bar tour which was set for a 9 a.m. start. They are inviting participants to "the pre-Lepre-Con kick-off" at the Feile Bar & Restaurant in Manhattan near a PATH train station beginning at 8 a.m.
"At around 10:30 we will head over to the PATH and catch the train to Hoboken for the day's events," the group stated.
"We're preparing for the worst and hoping for the best," Mayor Zimmer told the Hudson Reporter newspaper. "This Lepre-Con event, how widespread it really is going to be, is anybody's guess."
