Dear Editor:
My husband and I chose to raise our family in Hoboken because we love the vibrant, rich and diverse community. In fact, I have lived here for 10 of the last 20 years and could not imagine living anywhere else. Unfortunately, the combination of enormous property tax increases, losing control of City Hall to the State Monitor, and the arrest of our new mayor has left the community both embarrassed and exhausted. Even worse, it has left us divided and ill prepared for the reality of the most severe economic downturn in 100 years. It is time to put aside our differences and work together to ensure that Hoboken continues to be a wonderful place to work, live, and raise our families.
Hoboken needs a leader to take charge, unite the community, and have the courage to make tough decisions that are necessary for the survival of our town. I believe Beth Mason is the right person for the job. Beth and her husband and daughters are active members of the community. She is a strategic thinker who can lead a team to create and implement goals within a set budget. These are qualities that are critical to Hoboken’s success going forward.
Beth has spent years working to improve life for all Hoboken residents. She fought for open government and against over-development largely using her own resources to litigate. As a City Councilwoman, she has fought for taxpayers, taking a magnifying glass to the budget, and voting against every tax increase that has come before her. She is working both in Hoboken and at the state level to stop the 70-story New Jersey Transit towers. At the north end of town, she has proposed pro-resident development instead of the 40-story towers rumored to be in the works.
I encourage everyone to get out and vote on November 3. Let’s get Hoboken back on track and work together to make the city a better place for all of the residents.
Gretchen Brigden