Dear Editor:
My name is Dan Levin and I am running for Ward E City Council on ballot position 3C in the May 14 municipal election. I have lived in downtown Jersey City with my wife since 1996, and our two children attend our public schools. For 10 years I owned and operated a small art framing business in Hoboken, giving me an understanding of the needs and challenges of small business owners.
Enacting positive change has driven my work as an activist in downtown Jersey City. I have served with neighborhood associations and community groups, working with residents, city administrators, and elected officials to create change. As councilman, I will work effectively with everyone in our community to deliver results and create a downtown that every Jersey City resident can embrace.
During my time as president of the Harsimus Cove Association, we spearheaded the creation of the hugely successful multi-use plaza at the Grove Street Path Station. This plaza now regularly hosts a farmers market, art market, and live entertainment.
I was a founding board member of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, which landmarked the Powerhouse and worked towards redeveloping it into an arts district. I also founded and led as president the good government organization Civic JC that created, developed, and led the effort to have Jersey City adopt the Contracting and Redevelopment Pay-to-Play ordinances – the toughest ethics reforms in the state.
I co-founded Bike JC, which organizes the Jersey City Ward Tour; every year 700 bicyclists ride through all six wards. We also worked with the city to develop a bike lane plan, which will be implemented this summer. Not only will this provide bicyclists with a safe place on our streets, but it will reduce speeding. Most recently, I worked with the city to have the Liberty State Park footbridge that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy replaced by FEMA.
I care about what happens next in Jersey City.
As councilman, I will work for a sustainable future and support environmental initiatives that will mitigate flooding. I will help create a more vibrant downtown, expanding cultural ordinances so that small businesses can host live entertainment. I will prioritize the realization of the 6th St. Embankment as open park space and work for a black box theater space because I believe these are essential to the future of downtown and an asset to all residents of Jersey City.
I will continue to fight for sensible spending and good government practices, including reforming the insurance procurement process and implementing an open appointment process for the city’s 40 boards, authorities, and commissions.
As our city grows, we need to create more public communal spaces from plazas to parks to libraries. Like Village Park on First Street, I will make use of private-public partnerships and outside grant monies to bring needed open space to our neighborhoods.
Simply put, I want to get things done and I will do the best I can to make your life in Jersey City better.
Sincerely,
Daniel Levin
Candidate for Ward E Council