Dear Editor:
Hoboken First wishes to thank all the residents of Hoboken who participated in this year’s School Board and City Council elections. Of course, we especially thank those who voted for our candidates, John Madigan, Debra Fullam Alicea and Jose Ponjoan for School Board and Dominic Lisa, John Corea, Vincent Addeo and Anthony Mussara for City Council. However, we also want to thank all those who may not have voted for our candidates, but were willing to listen to our issues, discuss our vision for the future of Hoboken and for giving us an opportunity to have a healthy, positive discussion.
Hoboken First entered the campaigns of 2003 with two goals. First, we wanted to force other candidates to discuss important issues, such as parking, traffic congestion, education, smart growth, development of new tax ratables, zero based budgeting and the process which is required to govern our city on a day-to-day basis. Second, we wanted to wage a clean, issue-oriented campaign free of the mudslinging and rancor of the past. We achieved both thanks to good candidates and voters’ willingness to give a new group an opportunity to be heard.
Unfortunately, we fell a little short in getting into the run-offs in three wards, the 1st by 15 votes, the 2nd by 43 votes and the 3rd by 66 votes, and came in second in a ward that was won outright by an impressive campaign for the incumbent. These losses have not diminished our commitment to Hoboken and its residents.
If Hoboken First is to continue to provide an avenue for open and frank debate about the future of our city we must continue to be involved in our governmental and political process. To this end, Hoboken First, as an organization, has decided to endorse candidates in the upcoming run-off elections to be held on June 10th.
As we discussed our options for the run-off it became very clear which candidates we should endorse. We wanted to support candidates who would continue to move Hoboken forward. We wanted to support candidates who shared some of hometown values while working to incorporate the ideas of those who have lived in Hoboken for only a relatively short period of time. We wanted to support candidates who are willing to admit they might have made mistakes, but are seeking to adjust their course without recrimination or hostility. Hoboken First wants to be a part of the future of our city and work together with constructive individuals to achieve our progressive vision.
Hoboken First is proud to announce our support for four candidates who meet our criteria. We are endorsing Theresa Castellano for re-election in the 1st Ward, Richard Del Boccio for re-election in the 2nd Ward, Rosanne Andreula for re-election in the 3rd Ward and Nino Giacchi for re-election in the 6th Ward.
These candidates represent the best hope for a stable and progressive future for Hoboken. Although we may have disagreed on some issues, we as Hoboken First believe they will best represent the interest of the people of Hoboken on our City Council.
Michael Schaffer
President, Hoboken First