Every year, I’ve started my final newsletter with the words, “What a year…” But this year, I truly mean it: What a year 2024 was.
It wasn’t an easy one—filled with challenges and moments that tested us in ways we didn’t expect. Yet, it’s in these times that Hoboken’s incredible and enduring sense of community shines brightest. Our community shows up for each other, and with each other, like no other. And this year, we saw that collective strength in action time and again whether to deal with safety concerns, defend affordability, or to fight for quality of life issues. But there was no better evidence of this strength than when we mourned together the losses of cherished neighbors like Aaron Lewitt, Damon Murray, and of course, Jen Giattino, among too many others.
Following what I called the year of #morevoices in 2023, 2024 didn’t disappoint. The strength of our community is the strength of the voices within it. And we have continued to see so many more of our neighbors find their voices, demanding change on important issues ranging from local concerns like safety in our parks and on our sidewalks, affordability, and our day to day quality of life, to national elections and heartbreaking global conflicts.
Your voices, and more of them, make the difference. And in spite of the challenges, 2024 was also a year of many great accomplishments when together we:
- Allocated PILOT funds directly to our public schools, after four years of trying, providing critical support for our students.
- Broke ground on Rebuild by Design, after nine years of planning, bringing us closer to long-term flood protection.
- Saved rent control, preserving stability for countless neighbors in an increasingly expensive city.
- Took an important step toward protecting neighbors from reckless eBike riding by passing the “Test and Vest” ordinance, in the face of significant, politically driven resistance.
- Implemented the ‘Skip the Stuff’ ordinance, reducing single-use plastics and promoting sustainability.
- Improved traffic flow around the 15th Street closure by channeling neighbor feedback—on traffic cops, light timing, and more—into actionable changes that eased disruptions in Hoboken’s north end.
- Installed EV charging stations city wide and approved two for the 2nd Ward that will be operational in 2025.
- Moved to the next stage of Maritime Park, advancing an incredible design that beautifully reflects our community’s vision and priorities.
- Expanded our police department for the first time in a decade, approving 10 new officers to enhance safety and better support our growing population.
- Celebrated achievements in our schools and welcomed new businesses that continue to make Hoboken more vibrant.
- Changed practices and secured support for Road Closed Ahead signs, improving safety and clarity on our streets.
- Pushed for financial accountability, reducing the municipal tax increase from Mayor Bhalla’s proposed 5.9% to 3.4%, easing the burden on taxpayers.
- And engaged. A lot. 60 newsletters, 5 surveys, multiple meetings, and ~ 300 conversations on issues important to our community.
*word cloud generated from my #morevoices newsletters
And we will continue to engage more in 2025 because as we celebrate what we’ve accomplished, we need to double down on solving challenges we’ve yet to overcome including, among others:
- Improving safety in all of our public spaces, with a focus on bringing a neighborhood watch program to Church Square Park.
- Solving a growing rat crisis uptown in the 2nd Ward.
- Pushing for solutions to end free, late-night garbage collection for Shipyard and the noise issues disrupting neighbors’ quality of life for over two years.
- Fixing all the maintenance issues in the NW Resiliency Park.
- Making our sidewalks safer for everyone, especially as it relates to eBikes.
- Working hard to remove the barricades along the waterfront and restore access to the public.
- Ensuring the myriad development plans where Hoboken has a seat at the table move forward guided by the interests of our community—not headlines and special interests.
2025: A YEAR OF CHANGE AND OPPORTUNITY
As I look ahead, I want to focus on the possibilities of 2025—a year of rare and transformative change. With a new U.S. President and, in November, elections for New Jersey Governor, Hoboken Mayor, four City Council members, and three Board of Education members, we have an enormous opportunity to shape our community’s future.
Change happens when people like you step up, get involved, and bring fresh ideas to the table—whether it’s running for office, joining a board, volunteering, or staying informed. 2025 is our moment to embrace change, and I’m energized knowing you will bring the same passion, love, and sense of community that makes Hoboken so special. Even when we’re on different sides of a debate, a common thread always prevails: our fierce support, defense, and celebration of the place we all call home—our Hoboken.
ENDING THE YEAR WITH HOPE
So with all this, I wish you and your loved ones a year ahead filled with hope, happiness, healing, and good health. Thank you for continuing to partner with me to make Hoboken stronger, more united, and more vibrant. I remain fully committed to continuing to Engage with, Inform and Advocate for you so together we make 2025 Hoboken’s best year yet.
And as we move into 2025, let’s also carry with us the legacy and inspiration of my friend Jen Giattino, whose light continues to guide us in all that we do together.
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]. Happy New Year!
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