Dear Editor: I’d like to take this opportunity to comment on John Parchinsky’s recent letter to the editor regarding relations between the Hoboken administration and the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce which represents some businesses in Hoboken. Contrary to what my friend John wrote, the Administration has made every effort to work with Hoboken merchants and restaurants. The City has gone to great lengths to improve our downtown Washington Street business district. A $1 million sidewalk improvement program with historic lighting, benches and new trees has transformed the area and made it more attractive to shoppers. Loading zones have been installed, easing the flow of traffic and providing a safe way to load and unload goods. The City offers free garbage collection to businesses even though most other communities require store owners to hire private haulers. And the City has for several years now assumed the cost of Holiday lighting in our main shopping districts; decorations which were once paid for by the Chamber of Commerce. Over a year ago, the Parking Authority began an experiment with different timed parking meters and the administration met with merchants to discuss problems with double parking and truck deliveries. Everyone was in agreement that the safety of the public was paramount. It was decided that the time settings on parking meters would be changed on certain blocks so that shoppers would have ample opportunity to shop or dine in Hoboken while at the same time, ensuring the spaces would not be occupied for a long period of time by a single car. The changes to the parking meters work very well as evidenced by the rapid turn-over of spaces. However, certain store owners continue to park either in front of or near their store front, feeding the meters all day thereby depriving their potential customers of a place to park, creating the risk of a double parking ticket and defeating the purpose of meter changes which would ultimately be beneficial to everyone. Mr. Parchinsky’s letter made reference to seeking and being turned down for “free parking” in the municipal garages on Hudson Street. Actually, there is an underutilized program that has been in existence for many years called the “Park and Shop” program. The Hoboken Parking Authority offers discounted rates to local businesses for their customers and employees. Businesses may purchase a book of 100 two-hour coupons for $100 to be given to customers. This works out at a cost of 50 cents per hour to park, usually less expensive than parking at a meter. Additionally, for the past six years, Mayor Anthony Russo has directed that alternate parking and metered parking violations be suspended for a two week period during the Christmas season. Mr. Parchinsky’s comment about Police Officers assigned to the shopping district is puzzling. Why would the presence of two police officers on each block from 1st to 7th streets along Washington Street be a “discouragement” to shopping? Actually, this “Santa Patrol” is a tradition originally started after discussions between the old Chamber of Commerce 25 years ago and the Mayor and Chief of Police at that time. If one looks, the number of summonses issued during the holidays has gone down over the years. Hoboken is known as a safe community and this is a direct result of the coordinated efforts of our Police Department and administration. Contrary to Mr. Parchinsky’s comments, the City has a good working relationship with most Hoboken businesses, not all of which belong to the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber, however, has made no effort to establish regular meetings or communications with City officials and continue the dialogue which once existed. Hoboken indeed has some of the finest retail businesses and restaurants in our region. The City of Hoboken encourages shoppers to visit Washington Street and our other business districts. We support the efforts of local businesses who work with the administration to ensure that adequate parking is available, that our streets remain clean and foremost that residents and visitors alike are safe. One of my wishes for the New Year is for the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce to spend a little more time working with the administration to solve whatever differences may exist, for the betterment of our entire community. Michael J. Korman Hoboken Public Information Officer