
Change is in the air.
As you may have seen, and as expected, Mayor Bhalla announced on Friday that he will not seek re-election after two terms in office. While we did not always agree, he should be commended for his long service to Hoboken, including navigating us through COVID. I wish him and his family well on their next chapter.
SO, WHAT NOW?
In the coming days and weeks, you will see more activity from candidates seeking your vote to be Hoboken’s next mayor. Some of this has already started, with social media ads and campaign-driven emails, perhaps without you even realizing it. According to recent news, four councilmembers—CW Jabbour, 4th Ward CM Ramos, 3rd Ward CM Russo, and myself—are currently considering running. I am sure there will be others. Petitions to be on the ballot are due at the end of August, and the election is in November.
The best news is that voters will have choices on Election Day, and because of the runoffs reinstated after the 2017 election, our next mayor will be elected by a majority of Hoboken residents.
MY PLANS
As many know—and as I’ve shared in prior newsletters—I am exploring running to be your mayor. What does this mean? It means I am speaking with neighbors about issues and assessing support, putting together a team of professionals, and talking with others who may want to run with me as At-Large City Council candidates. Feel free to reach out if you are interested. Running for office is a process and a partnership with the community—and I will not do this without your input and support.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE CITY COUNCIL?
In November, we won't just elect a new mayor—we'll also vote for three At-Large Council seats currently held by CW Jabbour, CM Quintero, and CM Doyle.
- If a ward Councilmember (like myself, Ramos, or Russo) runs for mayor and wins, their council seat would be vacated, and the City Council would have until January 30th to appoint a replacement. If they lose, they continue serving the remainder of their term.
- If an At-Large Councilmember (like Jabbour) runs for mayor and wins, their seat would automatically be filled by one of the three newly elected At-Large Councilmembers. Unfortunately, if they lose, they would no longer hold a position in local government—so the risk is greater.
YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT...
Wait to commit your support—even for me—until you know all of the candidates. This is going to be one of the most important votes you will cast for a long time. Who we elect as mayor will determine our quality of life today and the direction of Hoboken’s future.
View every message, headline, announcement, dollars raised, and actions taken through a campaign lens:
- What is being promoted? Is it for campaign points or to help others? Sometimes it can be both, sometimes it’s not.
- What are they not saying? Are they addressing tough issues with real solutions, or avoiding them altogether?
- Who is funding their campaign? Hoboken residents and close friends and family, or outsiders with special interests?
- Why are they running? Are they driven by personal ambition or by serving our community?
- What about corruption? Do they fight against it or side with it?
Consider the track record of anyone seeking your vote. Leadership is not just about words or promises—it’s about actions, challenges faced, and representation. A leopard does not change its spots.
Decide what you believe a mayor does—and should do. Is it more of a figurehead role focused on short-term wins? Should national issues come into play? Should they have outside, full-time employment? Will they unite or divide our community? Do they have the vision and experience to oversee city operations and finances, manage redevelopment projects, collaborate with schools, and serve all residents?
IMHO, a mayor should be the city’s CEO—a full-time role with no outside employment, skilled in addressing challenges, questioning the status quo, and prioritizing the best ideas over politics. Hoboken needs a leader who celebrates all successes, not just those of allies, and fosters excellence across city government. In other words, a real change from what we have now.
THE OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD FOR HOBOKEN
As I explore running and continue speaking with many neighbors, it's clear Hoboken residents want and need a leader who will embrace and continue with Hoboken’s successes while bringing meaningful change. Our next mayor should:
- Make public health and safety the top priority. If elected officials cannot meet this core responsibility, they cannot fulfill any others. From safer streets, parks, and sidewalks to addressing rodent concerns and public health issues, our next mayor must challenge the status quo to ensure community needs are met.
- Reform our government to be as good as the people it represents. Hoboken deserves a government that reflects the values and aspirations of its residents. The next mayor should lead her/his team of well-qualified leaders who are excited to deliver for Hoboken in a transparent, accountable way. Instead of the current “one-voice” approach, we need a “more-voices” approach to governance that values diverse perspectives and ideas.
- Make affordability a fundamental goal. The cost of living in Hoboken continues to rise, threatening the city’s diversity and livability. Our next mayor must prioritize expanding rent control resources, requiring higher affordable housing set-asides from developers, and partner with the Housing Authority to redevelop public housing, ensuring Hoboken remains a place for everyone.
- Demand financial accountability and controls. Taxpayer dollars must be safeguarded with private-sector audit standards. Hoboken needs a mayor who ensures every dollar is spent effectively and transparently, preventing waste and corruption like recent cases of embezzlement and conflicts of interest.
- Enforce all laws consistently and fairly. Our next mayor must ensure laws are enforced across the board by providing sufficient resources and leadership, reinforcing fairness, and rebuilding trust between residents and city government.
- Partner with schools to plan for their future. Hoboken’s schools have faced resistance instead of collaboration from City Hall. The current mayor refused to meet with district and charter leaders to discuss PILOT allocations and ignored and pushed back against opportunities to partner on land use decisions related to their facility plans. Our next mayor must work proactively with schools, not against them, to support their growth and the needs of Hoboken’s students.
- Redefine Vision Zero to prioritize real street safety. Hoboken’s Vision Zero plan lacks meaningful public engagement and falls short of addressing today’s challenges, like e-bikes, delivery drivers, and rideshares. Success cannot only be measured by traffic fatalities; it must address the pervasive sense of danger pedestrians and cyclists feel every day. Hoboken deserves a Vision Zero effort that truly delivers on safety—not just optics.
- Demand development works for Hoboken. Development is the single biggest threat and opportunity for our city’s future. Hoboken needs a leader with real-world experience to negotiate projects that benefit residents—not special interests or political ambitions.
- Reimagine and modernize public transportation within Hoboken. Hoboken’s current system, The Hop, is outdated and no longer meets the city’s growing and evolving transit needs. Our next mayor must invest in a modern electric trolley or bus system that loops the city, providing reliable and accessible transit for residents and visitors alike within Hoboken to reduce car trips and ease congestion.
- Establish a recreation committee to represent all stakeholders. Instead of one person deciding how scarce recreational space is allocated, Hoboken needs a collaborative resident committee and a comprehensive plan to meet residents’ diverse needs, ensuring all voices are heard.
- Create more recreational space. With limited land available, Hoboken must think outside the box to expand recreational opportunities. Our next mayor should work with developers to include indoor recreational space in their buildings, finalize plans for the Multi-Service Center, and partner with the Hoboken Community Center to complete an uptown recreational facility at the former YMCA. These efforts will ensure that all residents—young and old—have access to the spaces they need to play, gather, and thrive.
- End corruption and transactional politics. Elected officials should work for the community—not campaign donors or political allies. Hoboken’s next mayor must end the cycle of retaliation and quid pro quo demands, putting the city’s interests above personal and special interests.
- Finish the green circuit. Hoboken’s master plan envisions a recreational path circling the city. The next mayor must make this a priority to provide safe spaces for biking, running, and walking, improving both quality of life and mobility.
- Coordinate regional efforts to address homelessness. Homelessness is a growing national issue that cannot be solved by Hoboken alone. Our next mayor should take the lead in reaching out to state, county, and local agencies, as well as hospitals, nonprofits, and neighboring cities, to establish a coordinated, ongoing regional effort. This collaboration should focus on addressing the root causes of homelessness and ensuring that Hoboken and its neighbors work together effectively.
- Prioritize public space maintenance. Parks and public spaces must be safe, clean, and functional. From delayed repairs to poorly maintained infrastructure, Hoboken deserves a mayor who views maintenance as a core responsibility and essential investment in safety and quality of life.
- Address parking needs head-on. Parking remains a major quality-of-life issue for many residents. While reducing car dependency is important, the next mayor must address parking challenges effectively, balancing the needs of the community.
- Ensure Hoboken’s resilience against climate change. Building on the Rebuild by Design project, the next mayor must expand sewerage and drainage upgrades, flood pumps, and other initiatives to protect Hoboken from future challenges.
- Support small businesses and commercial property owners. By strengthening partnerships with the Hoboken Business Alliance, the city can better support businesses through improved zoning, impactful events, and a more vibrant commercial sector.
- Conduct an uptown traffic study. Building on successful studies in Southwest Hoboken, the next mayor must prioritize traffic solutions for the city’s northern areas to improve safety and reduce congestion.
- Focus on expense management and reducing taxes. Handing out contracts to political allies must stop. Hoboken needs a mayor who prioritizes taxpayers interests and ensures competitive bidding, smart budgeting, and disciplined spending practices.
- Maintain our roads through regular repaving. Full design upgrades are valuable, but annual road resurfacing is essential to keep Hoboken’s streets safe and functional.
- Celebrate all successes, not just those of allies. Hoboken needs a leader who supports all elected officials and public servants, regardless of political alignment, fostering unity and collaboration instead of division.
This is a long list because Hoboken is a complex community—one that has a small-town feel but faces big-city challenges. We need a mayor who is not only willing to roll up their sleeves but also capable of delivering the myriad results our community wants and deserves. Leadership in Hoboken requires vision, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to making life better for all who call this city home.
Regardless of who ultimately runs, just the four I mentioned above, or others who may enter the race. You will have choices in November. And you have 10 months to learn about the candidates, understand how they will address the needs of our community, and make your choice.
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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