An undetermined tax break
Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi announced last week that property taxes for Hoboken residents will be reduced this year, after they were drastically increased last year. The city is finalizing some portions of the budget and Tripodi expects introduction to the City Council and a public hearing in late November or early December.
The last candidate profile
Due to personal emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances, mayoral candidate Patricia Waiters’ profile did not run with the other six candidates in Hoboken’s mayoral election. Below are her responses.
Name: Patricia Waiters
Age: 47
Years in Hoboken: 47
Professional experience: Nursing assistant; juvenile detention officer; correctional officer; graduate of Passaic County police academy; senior chief of staff to Jersey City Councilwoman Willie Flood; presently attending Hudson County Community College as a criminal justice major.
Community experience: Volunteer at Jersey City Medical Center, Hamilton Park Nursing Home, Harborview Nursing Facility, Curries Woods cheerleaders; work with juvenile youth with social problems as a court advocate. Presently volunteering with Hoboken students to encouraging them to stay in school.
Top two priorities if elected: Investigating mismanagement and affordable housing.
What make you the most qualified candidate for the position: Integrity, self respect, and strong moral fibre. I have common sense and I know it don’t take a rocket scientist to be a mayor. It’s an elected position that is chosen by the people. I’m a very sociable person and a great advocate, public servant, and leader. Being the mayor requires more than an impressive resume, some of the most highly qualified government officials have deceived the people with corruption for far too many decades. Nonetheless, some government officials have the best education money can buy, bragging about their big leadership position in big million dollar business, however they come to a small city, buy the mayor seat, and deceive the people by getting arrested. I know I am more qualified because my trust comes with no strings attached. I will work hard and hold all political parties involved in the corruption accountable for their actions. I refuse to let corrupt politicians buy their way out of trouble every time they break the law. The high power government officials need to stop abusing our tax paying citizens, and I’m the only mayor that can give your city back to you. Hoboken needs a mayor with integrity not a millionaire with a high priced dream and impressive resume.
Parking by movie theater
Last week, 5th Ward Councilman Peter Cunningham and Councilman-At-Large David Mello held a community meeting along with Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs to discuss traffic and parking concerns around the recently opened Clearview Cinemas movie theater on 14th Street between Adams and Grand streets.
The administration was prepared to install meters in the area. However, after opposition from the public and some council members, they removed their request from the City Council agenda to further review the initiative and gather community feedback. The 75 metered spots would have removed some resident-only parking in the area.
Residents and government leaders discussed a set of preliminary recommendations, including a pick-up and drop-off area, bicycle racks, and a taxi stand.
According to city release, the community representatives were open to implementing pick-up and drop-off area as well as the taxi stand, as long as their operations are closely monitored. In response to resident concerns about taxis speeding and queuing, Sacs confirmed that he would pay special attention to those issues. Based on community members’ recommendations at the meetings, the city also agreed to conduct surveys of cinema patrons over the next few weeks to get a better understanding of how many moviegoers are driving, from where they come, and where they are parking.
The city will immediately implement a 30-day pilot program for a pick-up and drop-off area, as well as a taxi stand. If further analysis shows that these measures effectively address traffic and pedestrian safety issues, then an ordinance will be introduced to the City Council.
Veterans’ homefront issues forum
The city, Projected Images, ShrinkWrap Productions, the Board of Education, and American Legion Post 107 are sponsoring a Veterans Day Town Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 11 beginning at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) at Hoboken High School, 800 Clinton St. Admission is free.
The meeting includes a showing of “Leave No Soldier,” an award-winning documentary about veterans helping one another deal with troubling war memories. The film is by Donna Bassin.
The meeting will also include a staged reading from a new play, “Flashback,” based on the 2006 book by Penny Coleman, which explores issues of post-traumatic stress injuries from the point of view of widows of Vietnam veterans who committed suicide. It will be presented by actress Anne O’Sullivan.
There will also be a panel discussion with the audience, focusing on ideas and programs for helping veterans and their families handle war-related problems.
Flood sensors coming
Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced that the North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) has agreed to the City Council’s request to implement flood sensor monitoring technology.
“I want to thank NHSA Chairman Wolff and Executive Director Pocci for agreeing that the city of Hoboken can implement sensor monitoring technology to determine the most cost-effective solution for our city’s flooding problem,” she said in a release.
Legally, NHSA retains rights over Hoboken’s sewerage system, and implementing new technology requires agreement by NHSA.
“[The sensor] technology will enable us to fully analyze our flood events so we can use this data to assess and prioritize the four-pump plan proposed by North Hudson Sewerage Authority,” she explained.
The southeastern pump, which costs $14 million, will be funded by a NJ State Revolving Loan Program and a grant received by NHSA. The other three pumps, costing approximately $30 million, are expected to be paid for by the city of Hoboken.