Dear Editor,
If we’re looking for campaign finance reform to happen, we needn’t wait for some watered-down legislation in Washington, D.C. We can effect change right here in Hoboken.
Consider this. For the upcoming municipal election, a former Hoboken school special ed teacher with a lousy attendance record is capable of raising a half million dollars for re-election in this tiny mile-square city of twenty thousand voters. Of that amount, only $2,275 came from contributions of $300 or less (NJ ELEC report dated 4/6/01). The rest comes in the form of large donations mainly from persons or firms that do business with the city. We shouldn’t be so naive as to think that anyone doing business with the city is looking to give money away. More than likely, there is at least a dollar-for-dollar return on their investment. Quite possibly, that return is higher. The end result is that our tax dollars, spent on inflated salaries and padded contracts, indirectly fund the mayor’s campaign fund. The dollar amounts involved are huge, as the combined budgets of the city, school and parking authority total roughly $100 million and all are under the control of the mayor.
We can effect our own campaign finance reform right here and now by simply removing the mayor from office on May 8 and keeping a watchful eye on his successor’s fundraising methods.
Eric Kurta