Dear Editor:
I still don’t know who will be President, but it will be hard to drive across town tonight and harder to park. The elections that affect life in Hoboken happen in the spring: April (School Board), May (Mayor and Council — Round 1), and June (Mayor and Council– Runoff).
Some weeks back, I was mentioned here, along with Councilman Roberts and Mayor Russo, as a potential candidate for Mayor. Since my picture appeared, I have been gratified by the response. People from throughout the city have responded to my vision of a Hoboken free from corruption, and run for the benefit of the all its residents without concern for who, or even if, they voted.
But I am asked why I don’t join with the more “reform-like” of the better financed candidates to advance this agenda, and avoid “splitting the vote”. I explain that because of Hoboken’s “runoff” system my run in May could not possibly “throw” the election. Under NJ law there would be a revote, a month later, between the top two votegetters. If I didn’t qualify for the runoff, those who voted for me in the first round could choose between the others. But there is more to it.
Simply put, while both Russo and Roberts often claim to be reformers, and recently have taken some tentative steps in that direction, neither has committed themselves to a true reform agenda. What would that be, you ask? I happen to have one here:
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION — Appointments to be made to public bodies should be advertised so that interested residents have a chance present their qualifications. Public documents must be made available at cost to anyone who may ask. No appointee must ever be asked to look favorably on the request of a contributor, nor asked to harass an opponent.
GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY– Hoboken’s government is NOT efficient, but both “major” candidates have been in city hall for years, and done very little to make things better. How will they deal with ending a cycle of patronage and petty corruption that has endured for a century?
CITY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR — As a start, they must not hire a friend, relative or crony as City Business Administrator. This job, Chief Operating Officer of the city, should go to someone who has a track record running a city. They must commit to a nationwide search for someone with demonstrated ability to bring positive change to an entrenched city government. If that person lives in Hoboken, so much the better, but we must find the best person for the job.
CITY SERVICES — The new administration must judge each municipal employee, not by who they support, but on their ability and willingness to do a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. We need to establish a vision of a city government where excellent service is expected, and all residents are treated equally. We must be open to any resident’s complaint if that standard is not met, but not accept rude and abusive treatment of city employees. Professionalism must be the rule.
PARKING — There are no magic bullets. Unplanned overdevelopment has gone on too long for a quick fix. Steps to consider include: convenient and free access to (resident only) perimeter parking for long-term use, ending curb cuts for single car garages, ending the sale of municipal garage space to developers and encouragement of in-town employment so people can walk to work. But the first step must be to redirect the Parking Authority. The current administration has had them working harder to bail out city finances than to solve the parking crisis.
OVERDEVELOPMENT — A Mayor I could support would act to revoke the recent zoning liberalization. He (or she) would oppose the granting of any variances that would allow additional residential density. He (or she) would oversee a complete rewrite of the master plan to encourage open space, adequate parking, on-going employment for our residents and development/renovation of unsightly, poorly maintained property in a way that is consistent with our neighborhoods.
TAXES — In towns where “you get what you pay for” residents don’t complain about their taxes. That is not the case here in Hoboken. We are paying a lot, and we are not getting our money’s worth. That must stop. Further there is no excuse for late municipal budgets, resulting in delayed tax bills, or for granting tax abatements to new residential construction. But grandstanding on this issue is easy. We don’t need hypocritical slogans like “spend no more,” just responsible hard work to eliminate waste.
COMMUNITY BUILDING — Hoboken thrives on our sense of community. The new Mayor should encourage programs where this is built (e.g. Soccer and other youth sports, Concerts in the Park, Artists Studio tour) while questioning activities like the Art and Music Festival with a high cost in disruption, and modest local benefit. All of our public schools need to be supported, so that they can become something that brings us together, and of course adequate open space must exist so dog walkers, parents and kids can enjoy each others company. Oh yes, and as everyone pledges support for a municipal pool at election time, it should be built, finally, and open to all.
PUBLIC MEETINGS — People must get their chance to make their points, civilly and without interruptions. Public officials and members of the public who interfere with this right (even supporters of the administration) must not be tolerated. Except in real emergency, no major action should be taken at a meeting, unless it has been properly advertised. Where legally permissible, discussions should be held in public. New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act must be observed both in the letter and in the spirit.
This is my reform agenda. If you don’t like my ideas, offer others. If these ideas are too “extreme” for you say that too, but then don’t claim to be a reformer.
Neither Roberts, nor Russo, nor anyone else running for Mayor has yet truly committed to this type of agenda. That is why I first considered running. If someone else can better advance ideas such as these, let them stand up and say so. Until then I continue to explore the possibility.
But run or not, I will keep working with people from all over Hoboken to help make this a better town. If you’d like to get involved, please call 656-6287. We would sure welcome your help.
Michael Lenz