Dear Editor:
The July 26 edition of the Hoboken Reporter referred to the comments I made to the City Council on July 22 concerning the appointment of Zoning Board members.
The Hoboken Reporter stated that in the past I received phone calls from a past Mayor to look kindly on favored projects, especially for campaign contributors.
This however is not correct.
My statement to the council was: I was appointed to the zoning Board in 2000 and served as its chairman for a year. I saw first hand the conflicts of interests and political pressures the board members face. I did receive phone calls from city hall reminding me of what roles the applicant played in the election of the Mayor. I understand completely that the Mayor wants to appoint members that will act favorable on certain applications.
Mayor Roberts never called me to tell me how to vote on any application. He did however voice his opinion on my voting record to me and decided not to reappoint me.
I do want to reiterate my support of the city council’s desire to reform how the members of the zoning board are appointed. I believe that the Mayor should nominate a person for membership, that the city council should discuss that nominee at a meeting and then vote on the nomination.
The Reporter’s story does not reflect my statement and may cause ill feelings towards Mayor Roberts. It is important that the Reporter print a correction.
Sincerely,
John Branciforte