Dear Editor:
Since June 2009, Hudson County residents have been reading about political corruption, so it is a no-brainer that council members should do everything to rise above any conflict or appearance of conflict. Unfortunately, not every council member agrees with me.
At the June 20th council meeting in Jersey City, I told Councilwoman Ahmad and the rest of the body that it was inappropriate for Councilwoman Admad to vote on any abatements since her web site states she does redevelopment work (commercial, market, affordable housing, enterprise zones, abatements, permits, etc.)
In addition, Councilwoman Admad was appointed by Mayor Healy to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency.
Abatements are nothing new, however, some council members like to say they like to look at an abatements based on its “merits.” This logic is lost if your business is redevelopment and you’re on a JC Redevelopment Agency; therefore you will vote on all abatements because it reflects your business.
In the past, Councilman Fulop complained about former Councilwoman Willie Flood and her son who worked as her aide. He felt it was inappropriate, I believe this is worse.
If Jersey City wants to clean up its image, then Councilwoman Ahmad must not vote on any future abatements.
Yvonne Balcer