There are times when Dave Roberts misses the authority that comes with being the mayor of Hoboken. Last week, the Hoboken Terminal clock tower wasn’t illuminated at night, like it usually is. The situation caught Roberts’ eye, so he called and texted some friends in high places, asking why. A friend later assured him it would be fixed the next day.
“I always enjoyed [as mayor] calling up and getting something done immediately,” Roberts said in an interview. “Now, that bothered me that I wasn’t able to do that this time.”
“We’re back to trying to be productive citizens in Hoboken.” – Former Mayor David Roberts
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Roberts has remained detached from the public political scene mostly because he has had other, more important issues to attend to, like his family.
Roberts’ wife Anna was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, and the fight has taken up most of his and his family’s energy.
“Going through a change of no longer being a mayor of a city, that’s one transition, but when you’re really confronted with things that matter, that’s a bigger transition,” Roberts said.
The news began to turn positive for the Roberts family when Anna was declared cancer free in October 2010. She is currently in remission.
Roberts is holding a fundraiser at his Mexican bar and restaurant, East L.A., at 508 Washington St. on March 31 at 6 p.m. Funds raised will benefit the Hoboken chapter of the American Cancer Society.
“She’s a remarkable woman,” he said of his wife Anna. “It was so meaningful for all of us to see how the community kind of wrapped their arms around her. It made it easier for us, our children in particular, to see how much their mother is appreciated by people in town.”
Return to normalcy
Roberts said his family is now making their way back “into what life should be like.”
“We’re back to trying to be productive citizens in Hoboken,” he said.
Roberts began a day last week by dropping his younger son off at school in Jersey City, just like many other fathers. Then, later in the day, he went to his office on Fifth Street to work on new business projects. He currently owns commercial and residential real estate, and works alongside his wife as a manager of different properties.
The Roberts family still has their foot in Hoboken civic life.
“Anna continues to be a board member on the Hoboken Library Board,” Roberts said.
It appears the roles have switched in the family. “I drive her to meetings now,” he said.
Roberts said he is just glad to see his wife out and about once again.
“Anna has displayed such strength and courage and really to all of us she’s such a remarkable person,” Roberts said.
Current politics
Roberts is hesitant to re-enter and discuss the political scene in Hoboken, and said he doesn’t think critiquing the local government’s performance would be helpful. However, he does keep an eye on what’s happening in town.
“There was a period when I didn’t [pay attention to Hoboken politics] for obvious reasons,” Roberts said. “But you know what I found interesting – whether I’m paying close attention or not, the outcomes seem to reach the same destination.”
Roberts said he reads the local newspapers and occasionally looks at blogs.
“I pay as much attention as any productive citizen should,” he said.
There are a few things that still bother him about local politics, such as Hoboken’s “perpetual political fighting.”
“I want our government to perhaps be more harmonious,” Roberts said. “There’s a little too much combativeness that sometimes stops progress.”
Roberts himself was an ally of former Mayor Anthony Russo for most of Russo’s reign, then began criticizing Russo in the last few years and left Russo’s fold in 2000 to ally himself with former State Sen. Bernard Kenny and former Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons.
Roberts ultimately drew support from the city’s reform movement and beat Russo in the 2001 mayoral election. He served for two terms and then decided not to run again.
Roberts had served on the council since 1985 and is a former firefighter.
Political future
While Roberts does not wish to re-enter the political realm, he admits he is anxious to see the city’s redevelopment plans. The city is considering various proposals for the formerly industrial areas near the borders. Roberts still has thoughts about the area and its future, and said he hopes the city can build a community near the NJ Transit terminal.
Roberts is sometimes criticized by current politicians in Hoboken, mostly for a spike in taxes during the latter years of his administration, and he does take notice.
“I wouldn’t be honest with you if I said it didn’t bother me,” Roberts said. “I try not to take [the criticism] personally, and I wish there would be less of it.”
But he understands being questioned and criticized comes with the job.
“I suppose criticism in moderation is acceptable,” he said. “It goes along with having the great honor of being the mayor.”
Roberts said he hopes that the city can re-evaluate the way the governing body operates. He thinks there should be only one municipal election every four years, in which five council members run with a mayoral candidate, and school board members run on the same ticket. He thinks it would end the constant cycle of elections, which he believes contributes to a “corrosive” nature of politics.
Right now, six of the nine City Council seats are up for election (see cover story), and that means frequent verbal battles at council meetings between the incumbents and their potential opponents.
For the most part, Roberts is enjoying his time in the shadows of Hoboken politics, away from the spotlight.
“There’s still much work that our current mayor and future leaders still have to do and I wish them the best of luck,” Roberts said. “I appreciated my time as mayor. Now, I’m happy to be part of the community.”
Tickets for the fundraiser are $25. Those interested in purchasing tickets can call East L.A.at (201) 798-0052, or Former Mayor David Roberts directly at (201) 290-4193. Tickets are also available by way of a $25 donation to “Team Roberts” on the American Cancer Society website. To donate and purchase tickets online, go to http://tinyurl.com/4j2zhqm.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com