Hoboken, NJ – At the end of last week, Elec 825, an affiliate of the Local 825 Operating Engineers union, ran an attack ad against Hoboken Councilman Jim Doyle on NJ12 criticizing Doyle for his “No” vote on the proposed Hilton hotel in Hoboken; a vote that was inconsequential in the 8-1 outcome.  Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s election campaign benefited from $85,000 in advertising spend through the Stronger Foundations PAC which is funded by Elec 825...  

Hoboken, NJ – After weeks of deliberation, the Mayor of Hoboken and the City Council subcommittee have agreed with KMS Development on the terms for the proposed Hilton Hotel to be built on Hoboken’s southern waterfront... 

Hoboken, NJ – The City Council subcommittee responsible for evaluating the proposed Hilton hotel is announcing that late Wednesday night it received a verbal commitment from KMS, the developer of the hotel, to increase the total community benefits by $350,000 to $4.85 million.  This increase will provide further investment in education and infrastructure in surrounding neighborhoods.  With this increase, the subcommittee supports the improved plan, trusts that Mayor Bhalla will see these expanded contributions as beneficial to more Hoboken residents, and recommends that the City Council vote 9-0 on Wednesday, October 17^th in support of this revised plan... 

"We are happy to see that collaboration with the mayor and the developer has resulted in a 50% increase in the community give back to $4.5 million and that the scope has been expanded to include critical infrastructure, affordable housing, and charter schools.  Additionally, KMS also committed today to fund immediately the much needed feasibility study to officially launch the restoration project for the former YMCA so that it can be shovel-ready when the remainder of the give back is paid after the hotel opens.  This is what is possible when our city works together." 

Hoboken, NJ – The Hoboken City Council subcommittee, tasked with evaluating the proposed Hilton Hotel project, was briefed for the first time recently with the revised plans for the hotel that have tentatively been agreed by Mayor Bhalla and KMS, the developer.  The modifications include changing the overall architectural feel of the project by adding three more stories to the plan that the mayor announced in April and 20% more bulk and square footage than what was previously approved in 2017 by the City Council which the mayor (then councilman) opposed...  

“How can we all not feel bad about this?  Both the message itself and how it was disclosed only on his personal Facebook page on a Friday evening before a long holiday weekend.  

His commitment to being a full-time mayor, his commitment to ending any conflicts or perceived conflicts with his politically connected law firm, and his commitment to putting Hoboken first and not using the platform of the mayor as a stepping-stone to higher office were all questioned during the election...   

Hoboken City Council President Jen Giattino, Councilman Peter Cunningham, and Councilwoman and Chair of the Revenue and Finance subcommittee, Tiffanie Fisher have issued the following joint statement concerning the Suez Water contract: 

"On Wednesday evening we had an ad hoc subcommittee meeting comprised of members from both the finance and revenue subcommittee and the ad hoc infrastructure subcommittee.  We were joined by representatives from the Administration and its financial consultant who has advised the Administration to date on negotiations with Suez concerning the contract for water services in Hoboken.  Councilman Michael Russo was also invited, however did not attend.  The primary purpose of the meeting was to review the Administration’s responses to the many questions that were posed by City Council members during the council meeting on August 2^nd concerning the proposed contract extension between Suez Water and the City of Hoboken.  

A huge shout out to the photographer who took my website and marketing photos - my hometown, 2nd ward neighbor Anthony Johnson. I found him on Instagram where he has posted a picture of the sunrise every morning.

What a treasure the uptown block parties are...when the best of Hoboken is at its best. Plenty of food (although I missed the fresh mutz). Conversations on the stoop. Movies on the sidewalk. Thank you to Cindy Cray, Paul Somerville and Diedre Wall for for introducing me to so many of your neighbors and friends. I could have talked with them all night. 52 days.. #‎Hoboken2nd.#‎CountdowntoNov3.