Seventeen people are running for three seats on the on the nine-member Hoboken City Council on May 10.
Council members earn approximately $20,000 a year.
There are five slates of candidates running, as well as two independents.
This week, the slates of businessman Frank Raia and Councilman Michael Russo are profiled, as well as the two independents. Last week we ran the profiles of candidates on the mayoral slates of Councilwoman Carol Marsh, activist Evelyn Smith, and Mayor David Roberts. (See www.hobokenreporter.com.)
The answers to the questions below are in the candidates’ own words. Responses were limited to approximately 200 words.
Frank Raia ticket
Theresa Burns
Board of Education member Theresa Burns is a teacher for the Caldwell/West Caldwell School District and is married with two children who attend the Hoboken public schools. She is a graduate of Montclair State University, a former Marine, an active member of the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), and is also active in the HOPES, which is a Hoboken volunteer organization dedicated to stomping out poverty.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
“The Hoboken City Council’s role is to guide in the development of policy that provides the basis for decision-making. It will be my responsibility to foster a sustainable community that protects the health, safety and welfare of our residents.
Hoboken is my home. It is where I have chosen to raise my children. We have all the amenities and challenges of a big city, and the personality of a small town. When we disagree, there is great amount of open affection among Hoboken people.
I have experience. Having been elected to the Hoboken Board of Education three times, I have demonstrated over the course of my years an honest, pragmatic approach to governance. I have been honored by the trust that the public has continually placed in me to serve. The practical knowledge I have acquired aligning budget and educational priorities will be necessary as the council makes decisions affecting the fiscal future of our city.
Sometimes this is a tough place to live. Every day, I experience the search for a place to park my car. I commute to my job and deal with the increasing rush hour traffic. I shop on Washington Street but I am frustrated by the turnover of stores and the need to carry a roll of quarters to feed 15-minute meters. We lack recreation space.
Our leadership team not only offers plans – we have the diversity, experience and ability to ensure that our solutions are implemented.”
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken, and briefly describe how you intend to address these issues, should you be elected?
“Our finances must come first. Shutting down the city to force the council to agree to sell an asset in yet another short-sighted budget balancing scheme is trouble. The additional ratables in town should have more than covered any increase in health costs for city workers.
So, where’s the money? Contracts? Additional workers? Redundancy? As a member of the council, I will hold the concerns of taxpayers paramount.
Secondly, we must act on our plan for the future of this community. The Master Plan was written at substantial cost and with a great deal of input from many concerned citizens. It addresses overdevelopment, traffic patterns, preservation, progress and much more. But what good is it if the recommendations aren’t written into our city codes? Meanwhile, more of the wrong kind of buildings are approved and less space is available. I will act quickly as a member of the council to stop some of the more egregious violations of public interest that have been permitted under the current administration.”
b>Anthony Mussara
Anthony Mussara is currently President of the Hispanic Democratic Civic Association, which provides meals and activities to Hoboken’s seniors. In addition to his time with seniors, he provides block parties to bring the community together with activities and petting zoos for the kids. He is an officer with the Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee and a member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Elks. Mussara is married to his wife Carolyn and has four children.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
“I know I am the most qualified candidate because I will never give up my fight for what I believe in. I am a non-stop worker, and won’t back down. I don’t believe that the City Council should have ever allowed spending to get so out of control or have the nerve to shut down the city, leaving hundreds of workers without paychecks, and shutting down services to seniors. I know what Hoboken and its residents need to prosper, and I don’t think the current administration has delivered in the last four years.”
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken, and briefly describe how you intend to address these issues, should you be elected?
“There is one thing that effects each and every part of Hoboken: parking. Lack of parking hurts local businesses when customers can’t get near stores and restaurants. It hurts seniors who often have more trouble than the rest of us walking long distances from their cars to their homes. We need more affordable housing and senior housing. We can’t let the people who have been in Hoboken all their lives be priced out. The future generation of needs to be able to live where they grew up also.
What the mayor and council clearly don’t realize is that Hoboken’s real estate is probably the most valuable square mile in all of New Jersey. We don’t need to give builders tax breaks to build condos here; they want to anyway. These developers are making millions of dollars from their projects and not giving anything back to the community. I want to help run Hoboken with Frank Raia because he is the only person who has helped give back to our community. He built the ShopRite and a block of parking instead of a four-story condo. Then he spent his own money to build a park. The mayor has, and the Russo term before him have, allowed over 14,000 new condos to be built without affordable housing or senior housing, and [not enough] new parking. The most important thing we can do is elect Frank Raia and our team to ensure that we have people running City Hall who have the experience necessary to get these things done. The Roberts and Marsh team have had four years with no results. Let us do our job.”
Ron Rosenberg
Ron Rosenberg has been a community activist in Hoboken for over a decade. A leader in his synagogue, where he is completing his sixth term as synagogue president, a key leader in the fight for Pay-To-Play reforms, and a candidate for the 2003 City Council, Rosenberg demonstrates a commitment to serve his community.
Rosenberg holds an MBA in Finance and Strategic Planning from NYU and has extensive corporate experience in those fields. He currently operates his own Hoboken based computer components business.
He was born in Jerusalem, Israel and is a former member of the Israeli Air Force. Rosenberg has lived in Hoboken for a quarter of a century.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
“My financial and strategic planning experience is sorely needed at the City Council. We should be able to run this city on $72 million a year, but we don’t. Some operational solutions can be implemented quickly while others require a longer horizon. We need to develop and present the people of Hoboken with a sound five-year fiscal plan which demonstrates ways of resolving our structural deficit as a win-win solution to both our taxpayers and municipal employees.”
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken, and briefly describe how you intend to address these issues, should you be elected?
“Hiding from our problems will not make them go a way. Failing to confront our structural budget deficit simply means that we will have to find yet another property to sell in the next budget cycle. Failing to create affordable off-street parking simply means that we will continue to see three cars competing for every available parking spot in years to come, which in turn will continue to pose a danger to our pedestrian safety for years to come too. And hiding government from the people simply means we fear the people.
We need leaders who are willing to be engaged in resolving issues, rather than look for their picture on issues of newspapers. We need leaders who are willing to lead. I led much of my life, and I am ready for this challenge.”
Independent candidates
Scott Delea
After moving to Hoboken eight years ago, Scott Delea became actively involved with many community groups and founded Party With Purpose, which has raised money for local causes. Delea is an executive vice president on the board of the Hudson County Boys and Girls Club, which recently honored him with a Community Service Award.
Providing positive leadership to children is important to Delea. He has mentored a New York City high school student, and has been a tutor for third Graders at the Connors Elementary School. Delea is a graduate of Syracuse University, receiving a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Business Management.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
“Hoboken has been ravaged by partisan politics and special interests, resulting in the recent government shutdown. We are in desperate need of independent city council members who have the leadership ability to bring people together to find positive and effective solutions to our problems.
I have a proven track record of being able to bring people together to accomplish great results. I manage a 45-person company, DigitalGrit, recently named one of the best workplaces in New Jersey. This requires maintaining an atmosphere in which people feel the company’s goals they’re working toward benefit everyone. The company was built from nothing five years ago. One basic rule is we don’t spend money we don’t have. Our city needs to be run in the same way. I also founded a charitable organization, Party With Purpose, which raises funds for (and awareness of) worthwhile causes. PWP has raised over $45,000 without a single paid employee. Electing an entire team or ‘slate’ hasn’t worked in the past, so why should it work in the future? It is time for Hoboken to elect an independent candidate who answers only to the voters. As an independent councilperson I will be free to work with other council members on the basis of what makes the most sense for the city, not on what advances a ‘team’s’ agenda.”
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken and how do you intend to address those issues, should you be elected?
“There’s just one issue: Leadership. We all want the city to have more parks, stable taxes, a balanced budget, more open space, and other amenities. But without leaders, nothing gets done. The city’s shutdown was merely the most dramatic example of our government’s lack of leadership.
That word gets thrown around so much that, I admit, it’s a cliché. But when it’s missing, you feel it. Leadership means persuading people to work toward a greater good – not the good of one’s ‘group’. It’s coalition-building – not factionalizing. It’s challenging and tough, requiring people skills, energy, and perseverance. Voters should look for tangible evidence of leadership skills in potential council members.
When elected, my first priority will be to ensure the city government lives within its means. Until we do, we will continue to mortgage our future. Specifically, I would like to see the city reduce spending by 10 to 15 percent immediately.
Other important initiatives include leveraging technology to provide for a more open government by broadcasting City Council meetings on cable and the Internet, posting public documents on our website (especially past budgets), making our streets safer by enforcing speed limits, ensuring taxi cabs are clean and safe, providing more efficient inspections of new homes and businesses.”
Andrew Amato
Born-and-raised Hobokenite and former two-term 4th Ward Councilman Andrew Amato is running as an independent for and at-large seat on the City Council. Amato, the former director of Public Works, ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1993 and 1997 against Anthony Russo.
At 73, Amato is now retired from real estate, construction, and various other self-owned business which he started and grew both here and across the river in Manhattan.
He is married with two daughters, a son, and eight grandchildren.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
“Having predicted and encouraged the influx of young professionals that would revitalize the city, I see irony in the fact that today I am the only senior citizen on the ballot for public office in Hoboken. I guess it makes me the bridge between the old and the new. I stand for the old-timers who have seen the dramatic changes and accepted and embraced the new and all the good that has come with it. Still, I want my generation, my children’s generations, and their children’s generation to be able to afford to remain in this great city as it continues to grow and prosper. I believe that my life long record of community involvement and service to my hometown speaks for itself. I am most proud, perhaps, of my strong record of independence. I think that elected officials should be able to disagree without the bitterness and derisiveness seen in local government today.
Anyone can tell you that Amato is no shrinking violet. I speak up, sometimes maybe too loudly for my point of view. But in the end, everybody on the council is, one way or another, doing or saying what they believe is best for the city. I believe that people can disagree without hatred and animosity we’ve been seeing these last few years.”
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken and how do you intend to address those issues, should you be elected?
“I see the need for rational, cooperative leadership as one of the major issue of this campaign. The ability to work together while maintaining one’s heartfelt convictions has been lacking, to the detriment of Hoboken’s city government.
I have run as the head of a full slate of candidates twice, in 1973 and in 1991, but I see my independent run this year as an asset, despite the uphill battle in running amid five tickets with more funding and manpower.
I’m out asking my friends and neighbors for their help to elect a real independent. Together we have done it before, and we can do it again. Amato will put the city and the people of Hoboken first, every time.
Having predicted and encouraged the influx of young professionals that would revitalize the city, I see irony in the fact that today I am the only senior citizen on the ballot for public office in Hoboken.
I guess it makes me the bridge between the old and the new. I stand for the old-timers who have seen the dramatic changes and accepted and embraced the new and all the good that has come with it. Still, I want my generation, my children’s generations, and their children’s generation to be able to afford to remain in this great city as it continues to grow and prosper.”
Michael Russo’s ticket
Genevy Dimitrion
Genevy Dimitrion, 33, is native of New Jersey and has been a Hoboken resident for 11 years. He is a graduate from Rutgers University with a Bachelors of Science degree in finance.
He is currently the vice president of Product Management at the State Street Corporation, and has worked in the financial industry since 1993.
In Hoboken, Dimitrion serves on the board of his condominium association and has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, New York Cares, and local mentoring programs for young adults.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
“After 12 years of working in the financial industry, I believe I can be a tremendous help to the city of Hoboken. My goal is to work with Mike Russo to improve our school system and our community for the future of my family and yours.
Serving on the Hoboken City Council is no small feat. It is an important and significant job that I am very capable of taking on. I don’t pander to one side or the other. I want what’s best for Hoboken. I’m not interested in creating shouting matches or engaging in unnecessary political warfare. I want to work within the city as a smart and sensible official who represents what is most important to the people.
I see changes that must be made within the City Council and I would love to be a part city government. Hoboken must be protected from overspending and over-developing. As a professional in the financial industry, I believe that my history will be a great benefit to city governing and decision-making.”
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken, and briefly describe how you intend to address these issues, should you be elected?
“Hoboken needs more and improved services that families can utilize. I want to keep my future family in Hoboken. It would mean a great deal to me for Hoboken to have more active parks. I want to help initiate and support parks that would house a variety of sports. Hoboken’s children need space for active recreation. Greenery is very important, but so are tennis courts, softball fields, soccer fields, etc. On the City Council, I would look forward to bringing these initiatives to the table.
I am also very concerned about the city’s budget. After 12 years in finance, I know when a budget is being overspent. The current Hoboken budget is a far cry from where it was four years ago. In my opinion, this is unacceptable. We need to use zero-based budgeting to justify every dollar spent, cut salaries for mayor, City Council, and top-level city management, and conduct regular audits to keep track of our city’s fiscal health.
Finances need to be scrutinized and reasonable sources of revenue must be assessed. The last thing I want is a tax increase for Hoboken residents. If the city keeps spending money like it has been, then I’m afraid a less scrupulous administration would turn to taxpayers to fill the gap.”
Manny Ortega
Manny Ortega, 34, a Cuban-American, is a lifelong resident of Hoboken. For over thirty years, his family has been actively a part of Hoboken’s small business community in Hoboken. Currently he is the owner of ‘Nail Concepts,’ a salon on Willow Avenue.
Ortega is also employed at the System Administrator for the non-profit organization Mental Health Association in New York City.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
This city is a true home to my family and my friends. I am a business owner and have been fortunate enough to make my living in this great city. The issues and concerns of Hoboken are vital to my life, which is why I watch over this city with caring but vigilant eyes.
If elected, I want to bring diversity to the City Council – not just culturally, but in ideas. I think I can offer a responsive and active dynamic to the council. I want to work for the people and businesses of Hoboken.
Quality of governance is based on how well you can respond to the demands of the community. A governing body must adhere to the will of the people, and I look forward to ensuring that the voice of Hoboken is not lost on the City Council.
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken, and briefly describe how you intend to address these issues, should you be elected?
On the City Council, I want work for the best interest of residents and small business owners. We must protect the local small business community. I don’t want to walk down Washington Street and see that a family business has had to close because of escalating rent prices.
I don’t want to see that parking problems are turning away customers. I intend to work with Mike on some important initiatives such as creating long-term parking garages, and increasing the number of parking spaces on Hoboken streets. We can reduce the 25 foot corner parking restriction to 8 feet, creating over 1,000 new spaces. This is a benefit to all! These are all feasible solutions to our problems.
Affordable housing is also something that should be a top priority of the City Council. We need to require that 20 percent of all new residential development be allocated for affordable homes. We can put new affordable homes at Eighth and Clinton Streets, as a result of Hoboken High School’s planned relocation.
More affordable units must be ensured when new development projects come to the city. I will consistently pioneer this issue with Mike, as it is a great concern of this team.”
Brian Keller
Brain Keller, 26, is a graduate of Seton Hall and a nine-year Hoboken resident. Keller, who comes from a large Irish-American family, is the youngest of five children and one of 16 grandchildren.
He current works at Ryan Labs Asset Management in New York City as a fixed income portfolio manager. He is a registered Republican.
Why are you the most qualified candidate to serve on the Hoboken City Council?
“I feel that it’s important to maintain a high standard of living that benefits future generations. Providing Hoboken residents with what they need is an integral part of governing any city. It is through honesty and integrity of city government that these standards are made possible. As a councilman, I won’t play politics. I will not work against the interests of residents or the general community. It’s important to have an open government that supports the people and not the individual interests of local politicians. I have no reason to act any other way. I want to change things – I want government to be more effective and more efficient. I don’t sit on the sidelines and allow others lead – I get out there and I protect the best interests of the things that mean something to me.
As a professional, I want to bring professional ideas and propositions to the City Council to improve Hoboken.”
What do you believe to be the most important issues facing Hoboken, and briefly describe how you intend to address these issues, should you be elected?
“Being from a financial background, I have a problem with the fact that the city’s budget has increased by over $20 million in just four years. What could possibly be sending the budget soaring like this? I believe that Hoboken is being weighed down by the current administration’s fiscal irresponsibility.
The most important issues revolve around city finances. If elected, I will propose very strict actions regarding the fiscal duties of the city. Unfortunately, the current administration has formed a negligent bureaucracy. And the only way to curb spending, to get things back on track, is to impose strict administrative procedures regarding city finances.
Professionals work in this manner every day of the week – why should city government function any differently? I want residents to hold the mayor and the City Council accountable for their actions. I have no problem answering questions because I believe in government that is directly responsible to the people. If elected, I will see that financial functions of the city are heavily examined. There are no excuses for $20 million in four years.”