Hoboken in 2011: Top Five Newsmakers of the Year

1. Mayor Dawn Zimmer

Mayor Dawn Zimmer's second full year in office was marked by , a and was and . Together with other newsmaker (but not on this list), Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority Chairwoman Toni Tomarazzo, Zimmer became the face of the sale. While at many moments it looked like the , a . 

2. City Hall E-mails

A little abstract perhaps, but emails between city officials and the mayor have made multiple headlines this year. The first time city hall emails made headlines was in April, Claiming that Melli and Bryan were doing political work for Zimmer on the city's dime, , Ultimately, however, Mason didn't receive the emails and never folllowed up on

The City Hall servers and confidential emails to and from Zimmer were back in the news on Nov. 9, that followed an . Ricciardi Ricciardi was scheduled to re-appear in court in January 2012. Three individuals were mentioned, but not named, in the FBI's complaint. According to Hoboken's fervent political bloggers, the other shoe will drop in the new year.

3. Hurricane Irene

It was the storm of the century. , it was still one of the biggest newsmakers of the year. For days Shops and bars were closed. Cars left town. Never had the streets of Hoboken been so free of parking. Large parts of the southwestern part of town flooded,

4. Cake Boss Buddy Valastro

Most Hobokenites may not think about him on a regular basis, but Buddy Valastro—Hoboken's most famous baker, with three television shows, a book, a tour and two bakeries—keeps making headlines. Other than weekly recaps of the show, Recently, Valastro has expanded his menu with an online option to

5. Councilman Michael Russo

While most Hobokenites don't show up to the bi-monthly City Council meetings—Hoboken Patch is there for you!—and often have trouble naming their council representative, one councilman made state wide headlines this year—Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo. it became evident as part of operation Bid Rig in 2009. the councilman decided to step down as council vice president but won his re-election in the Third ward anyway.