The mayor/council election in Weehawken is still six weeks away, but the incumbents are running unopposed. Thus, it’s already certain that Mayor Richard Turner and the Weehawken Township Council will enjoy another four years at the helm of Weehawken government.
Instead of spending energy on a political campaign against…well, no one, the mayor said last week that he and the Town Council will hold forums with residents throughout April to give community members an opportunity to share their thoughts and voice their concerns about their specific neighborhoods.
“The real challenge is not running every four years, it’s conducting government business for four years.” – Robert Sosa
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Economy at the forefront
Last week, Turner said the major issue the town will face over the next year is dealing with the economy, jobs, and balancing budgets.
“Especially given the tremendous loss of state aid that we’re experiencing,” said Turner. “The key is how to balance the budget.”
Two weeks ago, Gov. Chris Christie announced that in the next state budget, he will cut state aid to schools and municipalities in an effort to balance the budget.
Turner said Weehawken has already been adjusting to the new economic realities for 18 months.
“We have a tremendous amount of people that have lost their jobs,” said Turner. “We’re fully aware that we have to continue to provide stable taxes and services while we’re receiving less outside assistance.”
The mayor’s greatest hope is that the economy will bounce back quickly, opening up the job market for Weehawken residents and allowing the progress in town to continue.
Community matters
Although this election year marks the second time in a row that the mayor and council are running unopposed, 3rd Ward Councilman Robert Sosa said that doesn’t change the dedication and passion needed to run the township.
“The real challenge is not running every four years,” he said. “It’s conducting government business for four years; that’s where the real campaign is, that’s where the real challenge is, and it doesn’t begin or end before an election.”
Sosa, who has been involved in town politics since the late 1970s, said that although the faces may have changed, the needs of residents today are the same ones from years ago.
“People want to make sure we have good education, clean and safe streets, parking,” said Sosa. “They want to feel like they’re part of the community.”
Sosa’s desire for Weehawken residents is simple but full of impact: “I want the people to be proud of where they live.”
Activities and projects
The town has lots of activities and changes coming up – the usual summer recreation program will be full of contests and fairs, and the town will see new facilities rise. The township has begun work on a senior citizen housing building that will take the place of a defunct hotel on Park Avenue. The total cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $8 million. The township has already received a $500,000 pledge from Hudson County and is hoping that state and federal grants will be secured in order to complete the project.
In addition, the city recently struck a deal with the American Legion to demolish their old building to turn part of the land into a waterfront park while the rest is used for the new building. That project is being funded through a state Green Acres grant.
Maintaining status quo
First Ward Councilwoman Carmela Silvestri Ehret said the task at hand is to keep things as steady as possible with fewer resources, while preparing for what may come next with the economy.
“Maintaining status quo really is a long-term goal,” said Ehret. “Because if you maintain that with everything that’s going on around you, you are doing better.”
Ehret said her wish for Weehawken over the next four years is that the council will continue to be able to take care of the young and old, because seeing people enjoy the programs offered really shows the difference being made in people’s lives.
“We provide a lot for the people,” said Ehret. “There are a lot of things that we have in our little town of many people that cost money. We’re going to try to figure out how we can maintain all of those things and perhaps identify other synergies that will decrease spending on some things so we don’t have to cut services.”
Hoping for a pool
Second Ward Councilwoman Rosemary Lavagnino said it’s a privilege to be part of a council that has been able to remain in office.
“It’s really gratifying to see that he majority of the residents are satisfied with the direction of the town and the changes we’ve made for them,” she said.
Lavagnino said the focus over the next four years will be fiscal responsibility, something that has always been a priority but will be now more than ever before.
“We’re going to another stage in this commission,” she said. “We hope to go out of it the same way we went into it.”
Lavagnino admitted her wish is truly a dream: a township swimming pool, or more specifically, a waterfront township indoor/outdoor swimming pool.
While she said it obviously can’t happen in the current economy, “it’s something to aim for in the future.”
Development and doggies
Councilman-at-large Robert Zucconi echoed the same sentiments as Lavagnino regarding the importance of finishing a waterfront park for residents that could include a municipal swimming pool.
“Part of our population doesn’t have the ability to drive down the shore for a day in the sun,” he said. “To be able to go down to the waterfront and go swimming or have a picnic would be just incredible.”
As for plans for Weehawken’s future, Zucconi said the next four years will be a lot more challenging than the previous four.
“We’re going to have to be creative,” he said. “We still have people who are eager to develop in our town. We always require our developers to be responsible, and part of that responsibility is to keep our community one that people do want to live in.”
And as a dog lover, Zucconi has one special project he longs for in the community – a dog run.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.