Dear Editor:
Neither the press nor our elected officials have provided much information about an important ordinance that will come before the Council very soon. This ordinance is the re-writing of Hoboken’s existing rent control ordinance. Because a majority of people who live in Hoboken rent their apartments, I’d like to take the opportunity to share a few things about the way these changes, which will affect thousands, have been handled by a councilperson we elected.
One reason these proposed changes have been on the down low may have to do with the number of council members that are landlords; as far as I can ascertain, at least four. The changes to the rent control ordinance being considered would likely profit them. It would be nice if these council member-landlords would recuse themselves from voting on this ordinance, but really, how likely is that?
Take a look at the tape of the council meeting of Sept. 15 to see Councilwoman Beth Mason act as “secretary” to the Mile Square Tax Payers Association (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9602149 at 1:27:23). This organization sounds innocuous enough – after all, we all pay taxes, right? However, the dues to join this ‘tax payers’ group are $100 per each unit that you own. But don’t worry – the dues cap is $30,000, a bargain for the professional landlord who owns 500 condos. Watch this clip and you’ll see Councilwoman Mason, after Councilpersons Lenz, Bhalla, and Marsh concur that proceeding with a first reading of the ordinance would be a mistake because the council only received it at 4:30 (at this point in the meeting, it’s after midnight, with very few members of the public in attendance). Mrs. Mason, clearly disappointed, hands an envelope to the City Clerk, indicating she wants it given to the City Attorney. Councilwoman Marsh asks Councilwoman Mason what it is she is passing along; Mason replies, “It’s from the Mile Square Taxpayers Association and their response.” Councilwoman Marsh then asks, “Are you saying that Mile Square Taxpayers Association already saw the draft I got at 4:30 this afternoon?” A pertinent question that is never answered. Instead Councilwoman Mason replies “Here’s what I…Let me back up for everybody…the committee has been working in a very open and transparent way…” She continues but never answers the question.
Who does Beth Mason work for? What I saw and heard was my council representative making sure that a group of wealthy developer/landlords (many of whom do not live/vote in Hoboken) preferences and requests on this issue handed directly to the city’s lawyer. However, as a 2nd Ward resident, and one of many renters in a ward comprised overwhelmingly of renters whose protections will be eliminated or severely weakened should MSTA’s interests be put before theirs, I am still waiting to hear the answer to Councilwoman Marsh’s question. Did MSTA see City Attorney Kates’ draft before the council did? I’ve asked Beth Mason this question in e-mails dated Sept. 23, 28 and Oct. 3. I have yet to receive an answer.
Eileen Lynch