Most NJ Thing Ever? Hoboken Councilman Trashes Colleague Over Garbage Discussion (VIDEO)

HOBOKEN, NJ — Those who believe New Jerseyans "trash talk" too often might want to watch this moment from a recent Hoboken City Council meeting.

The council was dealing with two serious issues at the meeting related to rent control, at a time where Hoboken's rents are among the highest in the nation and some tenants fear displacement.

At one point, Councilman Michael Russo, the son of a former mayor, who is rumored to be considering a mayoral run, took to task one of his newer colleagues, Councilman Joe Quintero. Quintero is an ally of current Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who may leave office if he's successful in his current run for Congress, opening a spot for a successor.

Russo has, at times, been at odds with Bhalla's administration, but has been allied with them at other times (and Bhalla chose not to run a candidate against Russo when the latter ran for re-election last year).

The war of words began after Russo disagreed with an emergency resolution to condemn the language of a petition meant to put rent de-control on the ballot.

Councilman Phil Cohen had said he believed the language used by a landlord group could dupe the public into signing petitions for a special election they disagree with, but Russo said he believed Cohen's resolution was premature.

Quintero spoke on the resolution next, saying he opposes the proposed referendum, which would allow landlords to remove their units from rent control if they pay a fee.

He also referred to Russo's comments as "the hyperbole coming from my right."

Russo became frustrated, referencing comments allegedly made during an earlier committee meeting, about trash contractors.

"I'm tired of the nonsense coming from you, Joe," Russo said. "I really am. You are the most condescending person I've ever served with on this council. I sat through a committee meeting about our garbage collection, and you had the nerve, the absolute gall, to sit there and make comments about the garbage world...you love to throw digs, you love to say all these things...if you disagree, you disagree. But you want to throw digs? I'm going to start calling them out."

See Russo's and Quintero's comments starting at 1:55:oo

Read about the meeting and rent control debates here.

Read about the proposed vacancy de-control referendum here.