Dear Editor:
While Hoboken had interesting mayoral elections in 1985 and 1993, I am not sure candidates in the upcoming May election will rise to the occasion and give us something worth paying attention to.
While Hoboken has become a better place to live for my wife and I in many respects, it still has enough areas for improvement, that we deserve to hear candidates talk about issues in a real way. There is talk about parking, traffic, open space and development but where are the ideas, imagination and vision for improved liveability?
How about the best public library in the state with expanded hours? Shouldn’t we have a bike/walk/greenway around the entire town, not just the waterfront? Shouldn’t there also be a greenway along Fourth Street linking Jackson Street with Sinatra Drive? A greatly expanded crosstown bus service with real bus stops, monthly passes and ties into a network of new parking garages would be great. How about a “Green” campaign to fill all those empty street tree pits and planters? Why are there any treeless blocks? Can’t there be more garbage receptacles on corners? Let us locate unsightly utility lines below the ground. How about replacing Henkel Chemical with a New Jersey Botanical Garden?
In 1985, the New York Times had long since proclaimed Hoboken’s “renaissance”, and indeed Hoboken had come a long way in a decade from being the poorest city in the poorest county in the state. However, Washington Street was filled with graffiti and empty storefronts; Third and Madison Streets was a drug bizarre; no dog owner cleaned up after their dog; garbage littered most streets and realtors would not go west of Willow Avenue. That year, a very wacky (and charming) character fooled everyone and got elected mayor because too many residents felt ignored by the three term incumbent. Condo conversions had displaced many residents, and people were scared and angry at the “boss” attitude of the mayor. Unfortunately, the new mayor proceeded to let Hoboken’s decline continue.
In 1993, Anthony Russo was elected mayor, among 5 candidates and “economic expansion” had not yet hit the area. Hoboken’s City Hall was symbolic of the town, musty and dirty inside, cracked sidewalks and rubble in the planting beds outside. City services were scarce and despite pockets of building rehabs, the city generally still languished in decay. Since then, Wall Street growth brought a wave of development to the region. In Hoboken, this brought positive additions: a waterfront walkway, both new and rehabilitated parks, more parking, dog runs, new and attractive stores and restaurants. Russo’s administration can directly take credit for some of this as well as improvements to Washington Street, a renovated City Hall, more professionally run City Hall, semi-annual street festival among other things.
In 2001, what might the candidates focus on besides the wonderful things listed above? While Anthony Russo’s administration has done much, there are areas for improvement. Word has it that the mayor has mellowed since his bout with cancer. He certainly has handled a serious illness in a most admirable way and hopefully this will result in the end of his bullying tactics of intimidation. I have seen both sides of the man, the vindictiveness as well as the warmth and love of community. He brought a hardworking, dedicated group of directors and other people to City Hall, but also attached himself to some self serving local politicians and individuals who have no business being involved with the governing of the City. He has added needed parking but has not resolved the 916 Garden Street garage fiasco. He took control of the School Board but squelched an effort to bring new life to a school system mired in mediocrity.
David Roberts is the longest standing member of the City Council. He had always been a kind person with a sense of humor until his political life was threatened by giving his support to rivals of the Mayor. In his 1999 re-election bid, David showed unprecedented courage and character in what was a very mean spirited election. Unfortunately this experience has apparently turned him and his team into everything they are critical of. His allies (with the exception of Bernie Kennie who has consistently served Hoboken well) appear to exist solely to fight against the current administration, rather than for Hoboken. They speak about unity and inclusion but then vote no and complain.
The strongest issue we hear about so far is “overdevelopment” which does not make sense to me. The recent census shows that our population is where it was 15 years ago (38,000), there are plenty of firefighters and police officers, the schools are underutilized, citywide water usage has not increased and a new sewage plant was built in the 1990’s. The issue is really about parking and traffic, and this dialogue has only recently begun.
Hopefully the campaign dialogue will improve and outgrow the narrow-mindedness which has become too common in our elections.
Hank Forrest