Dear Editor:
During the course of a political campaign one can expect to hear smears, lies and less than accurate statements about opponents. The last place I expected to encounter such false statements was in the pages of this newspaper, as was the case last week regarding my friend and runningmate, Councilman Chris Campos.
For the record, Chris is a man of modest means; a young man who grew up in a single parent home in public housing. Just this month, Chris was sworn in as an attorney and has great ambitions of returning what he learned to his community in the 4th Ward. With all the obstacles and distractions, he was able to keep his eye on what he wanted; going to law school, becoming an attorney. He achieved this without all the support systems many of us rely on. I am very proud of Chris.
I first met Chris four years ago as a group of reform-minded citizens and elected officials formed Hoboken United. He is a dynamic individual and a role model to many young residents in his neighborhood. I was so impressed with his potential and ability that I urged his appointment to fill the vacant 4th Ward council seat in July 2001. He subsequently won the seat outright in a special election in November.
Now Chris is running for a full four-year term on a stellar record of achievement which was accomplished through hard work and coalition building. In 18 months. Chris has given much to his community, including securing over $1 million in aid for various 4th Ward projects. He was instrumental in securing $400,000 for the Jackson Street streetscape project which will begin later this year. He fought for enhanced public safety, and as a result, we have a permanent police station located at the Hoboken Housing Authority. As an advocate of recreation, Chris was a leader in initiating Jackson Street Park, which is currently under construction, and to assist single parent households, he was a strong advocate for the Family Life Center.
Chris Campos has fought for tenants and homeowners; residents new to the Ward and those born and raised here. He is a fine example of someone who has overcome obstacles and hardships to prosper and serve. It is truly unfortunate that unnamed sources could be allowed to malign his reputation and character. Councilman Chris Campos represents Hoboken’s future, and that future is now.
Mayor David Roberts
Editor’s note: For more on this, see p. 4.