A year ago, when David Roberts defeated incumbent Anthony Russo to become the new mayor of Hoboken, he decided to make sweeping changes within the existing administration. One of those changes included the removal of long-time public servant Robert Drasheff, the former director of human services and waterfront development under Russo who was not asked to continue his duties with the city after two-plus decades.
Drasheff didn’t have another job opportunity on the horizon, so when Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner asked Drasheff to consider becoming the township’s director of human services, Drasheff didn’t hesitate.
It began a solid working relationship that was believed to last a long time.
However, when there were stirrings that Laurie Cotter was on the way out as Hoboken’s business administrator, Roberts asked Drasheff whether he was interested in the position. After 23 years of working in the same place, it was hard for Drasheff to turn down the offer.
Not to mention a salary increase from around $70,000 to $105,000.
The Hoboken City Council approved Drasheff as the new business administrator and he will take the position beginning Aug. 1 – meaning that Drasheff will leave Weehawken on July 31.
"I leave a bit reluctantly," Drasheff said. "Weehawken is a great town with a nice work force and a mayor and council who truly care about the good of the town. I am really a little sad to leave Weehawken. I worked with such great people, who are dedicated to the town. I made a lot of friends while here."
Turner credited Drasheff for accomplishing plenty during his short tenure as a township employee.
"Since he’s been with us, he’s helped to make things operate easier and made things more organized in the building department," Turner said. "We’ve added more part-time building inspectors, and residents have been getting a faster result time in terms of inspections and follow-ups. It was always a problem, but we’ve been able to streamline the operation under his guidance and made the office much more efficient."
Turner also credited Drasheff for his diligence in getting the Weehawken waterfront moving in the right direction, with his solid connections with Public Service Electric& Gas, NJ Transit, NY Waterway, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the state Department of Transportation. Drasheff has served in different bodies of government and was once a county freeholder.
"[Recently] he was helping to coordinate the waterfront’s infrastructure," Turner said. "With the roads, the utilities, the developers, the light rail, he’s made sure that most of that coordination is already in place."
Added Turner, "Although Bob was only with us for 10 months, it was a very critical 10 months and he worked out well, doing a superb job. His talents will be missed. His wealth of knowledge cannot be found every day. His talent and dedication was a blessing. I wish him luck and thank him for his efforts and accomplishments."
Drasheff said that he felt good about what he was able to achieve during his brief tenure in Weehawken.
"I’ve been able to work on projects all initiated by the mayor and council," Drasheff said. "I was able to do a little bit of the leg work to get the Tot Lot [on Highwood Avenue] completed and open. I worked on the new community garden on Park Avenue and the improvements and beautification underway on Park Avenue. I was capable of handling all the development in the town, especially the St. Lawrence Estate town houses, which should be ready soon. I think the town has a rational approach to development, with plenty of available and open space."
But after you spend 23 years in one place, if you have a chance to go home again (sorry, Thomas Wolfe) – with a hefty salary increase to boot – well, then, you have to jump at the chance.
"It may look like a no-brainer, but it is very hard leaving," Drasheff said. "I am going to miss a lot of the people. Weehawken has a mayor in Richard Turner who is unparalleled in his responsibility to the people’s needs. The outlook for Weehawken is very bright."
Drasheff also made one promise.
"I intend to remain a volunteer member of the Weehawken and You Civic Association," Drasheff said. "It’s a great organization."
Turner said that he has not decided whether to replace Drasheff in the vacated position.
"We’re going to take some time to evaluate and see whether we’ll fill the position," Turner said. "Because of Bob’s great work, most everything is already in place."