I debated whether to call this Part 2 or not, but because it is so "content rich" (aka long...)
...with some serious issues covered, and also because I couldn't get it out on the same day as Part 1, I have made this stand alone Newsletter #50. Which feels like a milestone of sorts. As a reminder, there is a City Council meeting tonight at 7pm. You can watch live on both Facebook and YouTube. You can click here for the agenda.
So let's dig in... in this newsletter:
- Rodent Mitigation and Control – Community Education Session TODAY!
- Silly Season: Transactional Politics in Full Swing
- Goose Update
- Supporting our Hospitals
- Should 16- and 17-Year-Olds Vote in Local School Board Elections?
- All Schools Open House – October 15th
- Delivered Vacant Screening – This Friday
- Period Products Drive – Support a Great Cause
- Small Business Spotlight – Boomerang Bites
RODENT MITIGATION AND CONTROL – COMMUNITY EDUCATION SESSION
Just a quick reminder that today at 4:30 PM is the rescheduled Rodent Mitigation and Control Community Education Session. The session will be held at the Multi-Service Center (124 Grand Street, Senior Community Room) and will cover important topics such as the rodent lifecycle, how to seal burrows on private property, and city-wide mitigation strategies. Please see the flyer below for additional details, and I hope you can join me in attending!
SILLY SEASON: TRANSACTIONAL POLITICS IN FULL SWING
We are officially entering "silly season"—the time leading up to the 2025 mayoral election. It is now fairly certain that Mayor Bhalla will not be seeking re-election and is expected to run for state office instead. I know this because I’ve been approached to run against him, but I declined. My focus remains, and will continue to be, 100% on Hoboken.
As several council members (myself included) are now exploring the possibility of running for mayor in 2025, it’s important to recognize the transactional politics at play. Like the recent push by the administration to suddenly begin the potential upzoning of buildings directly across from the PATH station—clear examples of short term decisions being made to repay political favors and appeal for future donations, with long-term consequences for our community.
After initially lacking City Council sponsors, the controversial resolution is back on the agenda tonight for a vote. The zoning is currently at 60 feet, but if the resolution is approved, a planning process would be started to potentially allow for the 23-story residential tower the property owners would like to build—or at the very least to get approvals and sell the rights to someone else to build. This is actually second bite at the apple - the first time it was determined by the Planning Board that there was no need to pursue a zoning change - and is being pushed by the administration on behalf of a property owner who made $8,200 in donations to Mayor Bhalla’s congressional campaign. CW Jabbour has now signed on as the second sponsor of the resolution, enabling it to come back for consideration.
IMHO, voting against this resolution tonight would be a step toward preserving Hoboken’s long-term vision for the area, instead of voting for pay-to-play politics. My hope is that my colleagues will join me in voting against it and that we delay this decision until more progress has been made on the LCOR/Terminal site. We should move forward on a timeline that makes sense for Hoboken, not just for property owners and political benefits. With thoughtful planning and patience, we can ensure that any development in this area truly benefits our community.
For those less familiar, "pay-to-play" is the term used for donations made by individuals or companies seeking favorable treatment from elected officials in exchange for financial support. Another term is "quid pro quo" aka "something for something". Here are a few concerning examples of the ties between political donations and city decisions:
- $43,200, combined, to the mayor and a city council member from those who bought two residential buildings and flipped them to the city in an off-market deal for $250K more than they paid just six months earlier.
- $16,500 to Mayor Bhalla’s congressional campaign from a real estate developer actively working in Hoboken, who just received a settlement allowing for an additional 40+ residential units, valued at nearly $10 million.
- $15,000 from a bar on 1st Street, that now gets a street closure every Sunday to host an outdoor beer garden.
- $11,400 from business owners who have a no-bid, lucrative contract with the City of Hoboken.
Hoboken once had the strongest anti-pay-to-play laws in the state, keeping big money from influencing our local elections. But in 2021, those laws were changed by Team Bhalla under dubious circumstances that tried to shroud it from the public. And in 2023, Governor Murphy signed a law that reinstated allowing pay-to-play practices in New Jersey (I know...). As the 2025 mayoral race heats up after November, you can now expect to see big money pouring into some of the campaigns of those looking to run begging the question: What will these candidates give in return for these donations?
If I decide to run for mayor, which you will be a part of that decision, I am making a commitment today—I will not accept any money from developers. Not because I don’t support development; I actively work to secure responsible development that works for Hoboken. But I refuse to be influenced by the kind of money that could sway decisions for personal or political gain.
GOOSE UPDATE
In my last newsletter, I shared the disturbing story of someone who intentionally ran their e-bike into a goose, ultimately causing injuries so severe that the goose had to be put down. I wanted to provide a quick update: the Hudson County Prosecutor's office, which supervises the county animal cruelty task force, is now investigating the matter. Because Canadian Geese are protected under federal law, this is an indictable offense, and hopefully, it will be presented to a grand jury soon.
Since sharing that story, several people have reached out to me, telling me about individuals who either chase geese or allow their dogs to do so. While this may not be illegal unless a goose is harmed, I find it upsetting to witness and ask again that you please refrain from encouraging your dogs to be aggressive toward any wildlife or animals.
SUPPORTING OUR HOSPITALS
As many of you know, I serve as the City Council representative on the board of Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC) and was recently elected Chairman of he board. HUMC is one of the three hospitals that are part of the CarePoint system along with Christ Hospital in Jersey City and Bayonne Medical Center. CarePoint, has been facing significant financial challenges due to the actions of its prior owner, Vivek Garipalli. Garipalli extracted significant profits from the hospital system, avoided making necessary investments by leasing critical equipment instead of purchasing it, and sold the land under the hospitals to third parties with exorbitant lease payments that continue to burden the system today. Despite these financial pressures, HUMC continues to provide exceptional care, with services like emergency care, women’s health (including maternity), and inpatient child behavioral health standing out as critical resources in the region.
Hudson County is the most densely populated area in New Jersey, and HUMC isn’t just a Hoboken hospital—it serves the entire region. For instance, 20% of HUMC’s patients come from Union City. The hospital is a vital asset to our community and beyond, offering high-quality care to patients across the insured spectrum. I’ve spoken directly with leaders from the state’s largest hospital systems and confirmed that the volume of patients currently treated by CarePoint hospitals cannot be absorbed elsewhere. Having a hospital nearby, especially as traveling in and out of Hoboken becomes more challenging, is critical for our community’s health and safety.
For the past few years I’ve been advocating for state, county, and local support to secure the future of these hospitals and I was happy to see Governor Murphy recently acknowledge his intent to help ensure the future financial stability of these hospitals. However, the financial strains remain significant, especially with the land under both Hoboken and Christ Hospitals being so valuable for potential residential development.
The CarePoint board (the parent, not the HUMC board that I sit on) recently voted in a new CEO, Dr. Jawad Shah, president of Chicago-based Insight Health, and we hope that his leadership, along with plans being developed for a financial restructuring, will help drive the system toward stabilization.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla both recently joined the CarePoint board. Although I think this is a positive, having local officials have a seat at the table, it is notable that Mayor Fulop has received large donations for his candidacy for Governor from key stakeholders—$250K from the leaders of Hudson Regional Health and $100K from Avery Eisenreich, who owns the land under HUMC and Bayonne; entities who are believed to be collaborating. In 2016, it was also revealed that Garipalli donated $1M to the same pro-Fulop Super PAC. These connections raise questions about conflicts of interests, how decisions are being made and who is truly being prioritized.
Hoboken, and our surrounding area, benefits enormously from having a strong local hospital. As our city continues to grow, it’s more important than ever to have reliable emergency care close by. I urge you to sign this petition and join me in showing our leaders that these hospitals are important to our community and demand that they work hard to secure their futures, ensuring that they continue to serve our community for years to come.
SHOULD 16- AND 17-YEAR-OLDS VOTE IN LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS?
State legislators and Governor Murphy are currently considering a change to New Jersey's voting laws through Bill S3240/A4369, which would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local board of education elections. Governor Murphy recently visited Hoboken High School to discuss this with students, emphasizing the importance of youth civic engagement and voting in elections that directly impact them. He highlighted how empowering young people to vote in school board elections could lead to greater long-term voter participation.
I’ve spoken with our State Senator Raj Mukherji, one of the sponsors of this bill. While the idea is well-intended, I’m not sure it makes sense for a place like Hoboken, where students attend various high schools in and out of town. For example, a student attending High Tech High School in Secaucus would still be eligible to vote in Hoboken's Board of Education elections, which feels as disconnected as voting for the mayor of another town. I suggested to Senator Mukherji that it might make more sense if voting was restricted to students attending district schools, but I understand that tracking this could pose challenges.
Would you support this legislation that gives 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections?
While I Have You...
I’ve also raised with Senator Mukherji the idea of allowing permanent visa holders (green card holders) to vote in local elections in certain situations. This is something that is already happening in a few places across the U.S. For example, non-citizen legal guardians of children in San Francisco can vote for members of the Board of Education. Several towns in Maryland, such as Hyattsville, Takoma Park, and Chevy Chase Section Three, also allow green card holders to vote in various local elections. You can read more about where this is permitted here. Would love any thoughts you have on this as well.
ALL SCHOOLS OPEN HOUSE – OCTOBER 15TH
This is actually one of the most informative events we have in Hoboken for Hoboken current and future families. October 15th from 4 – 7pm the Hoboken Family Alliance (HFA) is hosting the All Schools Open House - an opportunity for parents to explore a wide range of educational opportunities, both locally and in neighboring areas. The event will feature representatives from over 20 educational institutions, including all K-12 schools in Hoboken and many schools from Jersey City, Manhattan, and northern New Jersey. It’s a great chance for parents to learn more about their options and for our public schools to highlight their strengths. To RSVP and learn more about the event, click here.. Space is limited, so be sure to register soon!
DELIVERED VACANT SCREENING – THIS FRIDAY
A very powerful documentary, Delivered Vacant, is being shown this Friday evening at the Hoboken Community Church at 6th and Garden. I won’t be able to go due to Yom Kippur, but for those not observing, I highly encourage you to attend. This award-winning documentary chronicles eight years of housing wars in Hoboken during the 1980s, highlighting all sides of the real estate struggle—from politicians to developers, Hoboken natives, and newly transplanted residents.
According to Vincent Canby of The New York Times: “Delivered Vacant' is a story of greed, hope, political action, bewilderment, free enterprise, idealism and rampant opportunism...an urban epic."
Regarding the current rent control issues we are seeing and the Hoboken Ballot Question this year, remember:
- Vote NO - If you want to keep Hoboken as affordable as possible
- Vote YES - If you want Hoboken to become even more unaffordable.
It’s that simple.
Once we get through the vote, if the No vote wins, we can then make needed changes to help restore the balance between tenants and landlords. If the Yes vote wins, we will not have any ability to make changes again for three years, and the damage will already have been done.
PERIOD PRODUCTS DRIVE – SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE
For the fourth year in a row, The Hoboken Girl and Jersey City based The Flow Initiative are hosting a Period Products Drive to help combat period poverty—a topic not everyone is comfortable discussing, but it’s a real issue. When I was growing up, I remember being frustrated when I learned how much money my mom had to spend each month on tampons. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t use that money for something I wanted, but now I realize just how essential these products are for women's health.
The lack of access to period products can make a huge difference in a girl's confidence, especially when it comes to attending school. It’s simply a fact of life. By contributing to this drive, you can help young women who struggle with affordability concerns gain access to the health supplies they need, alleviating fears of not having sufficient resources.
According to Hoboken Girl: "The road to ending period poverty has made some progress in recent years — but access to period supplies continues to affect millions globally every day." The Flow Initiative was instrumental in passing Bill A1349 in 2023, which requires New Jersey schools to provide free menstrual products to students. Additionally, a second bill passed last year mandates that feminine hygiene and sanitation products are available in New Jersey shelters.
Here’s how you can help: Items Needed (must be new boxes/packages):
- Pads (all sizes)
- Tampons (all sizes)
- Panty liners
- Individually wrapped sanitary products
- Personal heating/menstruation pain relief pads or patches
If you can’t drop off items at one of the local collection points, they’ve made it easy to contribute with an Amazon wishlist—products will be delivered directly to the Jersey City-based organizers, The Flow Initiative. You can find the Amazon wishlist here.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT – BOOMERANG BITES
I am obsessed with Boomerang Bites, the women-owned artisanal bakery known for its bite-sized Aussie ‘slice’ recipes. A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by with Jen Giattino while near City Hall—and I’ve been back three times since! They’re famous for their "bites" of deliciousness, and I was thrilled to find out they offer gluten-free and vegan options that are equally fantastic. But it’s not just about sweet treats. I recently hosted a group event in their charming rear yard and enjoyed their breakfast menu, featuring giant egg bites, avocado toast & sandwhiches, and great coffee!
During my last visit, I spoke with Andrea Rizvi, the owner, who shared exciting news about their menu expansion. Starting THIS WEDNESDAY, Boomerang Bites will be offering Australian comfort food like Beef, Bacon & Cheddar Pies, Chicken & Leek Pies, Butter Chicken Pies (aka The Jordan Mailata), and Australian Sausage Rolls. Join me at their launch event this Wednesday from 3–5 PM! While the crust isn’t gluten-free, I’ll be taking a short gluten-free holiday for the day... Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you Thursday at the Uniting for Harris-Walz 2024 Hoboken Stamp Party / Connect and Celebrate event! And mark your calendars for a drive to Philly on Sunday… no, not to see a baseball game, but to knock on doors for Harris Walz! I know not everyone supports this ticket, but if you do, you're welcome to join us!
As always, please share this with everyone you know who may be interested and reach out any time on any issue important to you: 201-208-1764 or [email protected].
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