Dear Editor:
On behalf of Mayor Roberts and the City of Hoboken, I would like to thank everyone who attended this past Tuesday’s opening reception of "9-11, Remembering & Healing," a community art show commemorating the World Trade Center tragedy. The reception, which was the inaugural event of the Hoboken September 11th Fund, was a very moving event that the City hopes will be the first step in our community’s healing process.
"9-11, Remembering & Healing," is currently displayed in City Hall, and all Hoboken residents are invited to view this incredible collection of artwork by local residents. City Hall is open during normal business days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Hoboken September 11th Fund is charged with facilitating the construction of a memorial on Hoboken’s waterfront. It is our hope that this memorial will honor the memories of Hoboken neighbors we lost, as well as provide a sense of comfort to our community.
On behalf of Mayor Roberts and the City, I would like to thank a number of people without whom the opening reception of "9-11" would not have been possible. First and foremost, we thank the many Hoboken residents who contributed artwork to the show. The display at City Hall is truly breathtaking, and it is a tribute to the breadth and depth of artistic talent this City possesses.
We also wish to acknowledge the head of the Hoboken Cultural Affairs department, Geri Fallo, for her hard work in coordinating the incredible display that adorns the lobby of City Hall. We also thank the volunteers who assisted Geri with the display: Robert Burczey, Jonathon Butler, Kelly Darr, Lynn Massiello, Monica Pallatucci, Jean Paul Picard, Danny Shot, Sandra Sweider and Cliff Tisdell.
We would like to especially thank Cliff Tisdell, who initially approached the City with the idea for an art show. Cliff also contributed a sculpture to "9-11" entitled Reincarnation, which is currently on display on the second floor of City Hall.
Others we wish to thank are James Kocis, president of the Burgiss Group, who has donated a 40-foot by 40-foot space as a display site for "9-11" and for the Holiday Crafts Fair. Finally, we would like to thank Susan Newman for donating her time and talent toward designing the artistic concept for "9-11, Remembering & Healing," as well as other relief efforts the City has undertaken.
Thanks again to everyone who made the inaugural event of the Hoboken September 11th Fund such a success, and we invite all Hoboken residents to visit their building, City Hall, to view the community art show, "9-11, Remembering & Healing."
Michael Estevez
Director of Public Affairs