What a year 2025 was.  It felt like a double year. Despite having a mayor with two feet out the door, a mayoral race that started early and seemed to go on forever, and just about every daily frustration you can imagine — we didn’t just survive it. Our sense of community is stronger, we delivered real wins along the way, and we now have a clearer path toward Hoboken’s best future.

And the bonus? For the first time in too long, we had honest, citywide conversations about what Hoboken needs next.

We made it through extended road closures and the worst traffic our city has ever seen; reckless e-bikes that make pedestrians feel unsafe; disappearing parking; Transportation Armageddon; a waterfront that was mostly inaccessible; multiple watermain breaks; a massive development on Hoboken’s western edge forced on us; streets in desperate need of repaving; and a renewable energy overbilling kerfuffle.

And still, together, we accomplished a lot.  We made safety improvements in Church Square Park; addressed rat concerns with new laws that require cleaner, better-maintained parklets; progressed several long-fought parks and open spaces - including Southwest Park, Church Square Park, Tom Olivieri Park (aka Froggie Park), and Maritime Park; started negotiations with the former YMCA for an uptown recreation center; approved new Class III officers for our schools; added new stop signs across the city (including 13th & Park and Bloomfield in the 2nd Ward); created new loading zones; strengthened rent control protections and extended affordable housing PILOTs; successfully pushed back against the Garage B redevelopment; and - although not to the level many of us had hoped - cut $1.6M to offset the mayor’s excessive proposed tax increase.

And we also did more of what we do best.  Things like coming together to help fund housing for a beloved local homeless resident and celebrating, side by side at Southwest Fest, Harvest Fest, Italian Fest(s), the Car Show, the Menorah and Christmas Tree lightings, and even a River Circus - all reminders that in Hoboken, even in a hard year, our sense of community is still our superpower.

Although exhausting, one of the lasting effects of a mayoral race with six candidates was that it opened up a true community conversation about the issues that mattered most to all of us.

Dini helped lead the discussion on financial responsibility; Ruben on the basic needs that aren’t being met; Mike on the urgency of improved safety; Emily on tackling affordability; Patti on equity within our community; and I focused on how the heck we are going to manage our growth. Taken together, those conversations informed Hoboken’s priorities and the possibilities for our future.

In 2024, I predicted that 2025 would be the year of change. It turned out to be less the year of change than I expected — and more of a transition year:  a year toward change, and a year toward these possibilities.

As we head into 2026, I believe this is the year of possibility.

With new leadership ahead - and a new precedent set for open, community-wide conversations about the issues that matter - real progress feels within reach.

Curbing reckless e-bike riding is possible.

Fiscal responsibility is possible.

Parking solutions are possible.

Expanded and more reliable public transportation within Hoboken - all possible.

A new recreation center, and yes, a pool - possible.

Safer streets and public spaces are possible.

More affordability protections, possible.

A more inviting business community - finally possible.

A more coordinated, humane local response to homelessness is possible.

An open City Hall is possible.

An end to toxic politics is absolutely possible.

And most important to me, and something I will continue to fight for, a residents-first approach to governing is now possible.

Possibilities become realities when we work together with a shared vision. Even when we’re on different sides of a debate or a candidate, a common thread always prevails: our fierce support, defense, and celebration of the place we all call home — our Hoboken.

ENDING THE YEAR WITH OPTIMISM

As we close out this exhausting but important year, I wish you and your loved ones a year ahead filled with happiness, good health, healing, hope, and optimism.

On a personal note, this was also the year I ran for mayor — what?! Definitely was not on my bucket list, but now officially added and checked off.  Along the way, I met so many incredible neighbors across my second hometown who I will forever hold dear. As I look ahead to 2026, I’m excited to reclaim a little bit of balance: more time with family and close friends, back to the gym (finally), some travel (Amsterdam, Florida, Puerto Rico, Alabama and London are already on the list), and even upgrading my kitchen and bathrooms after 25 years in the same home. And yes - I am more than ready to leave COVID and broken ankles in the rearview mirror.

And while I’m looking forward to that balance, I remain fully committed - as I have been for the past decade - to being the different kind of Councilwoman you’ve relied on me to be. That means continuing to engage with you, inform you, advocate for you, and support thoughtful leadership and important campaigns that strengthen Hoboken and our democracy. Together, I’m incredibly optimistic that we can turn the many possibilities of 2026 into lasting realities for our city.

Happy New Year.

Tiffanie Fisher

Hoboken City Councilwoman

Engage. Inform. Deliver.

“More Voices are Better”

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