Dear Editor:
I would like to take a moment and introduce myself. My name is Frank Raia and I am running for City Council on the One Hoboken ticket. I am supporting Tim Occhipinti for Mayor and Peter Biancamano and Brittany Montgomery-Cook for City Council. Having been born and raised in this city and an active member of the community for 62 years, I want to ensure that the next generation sees a united Hoboken — a city that finally brings the new and old together and all that matters is that we all help one another as neighbors.
I have seen all in this city, and I have changed and grown as the city has changed and grown. I have served on the City Council before, during former Mayor Vezzetti’s term. I also served two consecutive terms on the Hoboken Board of Education in Hoboken and I am currently a board member of the Hola Dual Language Charter School. Most people know me for building the ShopRite uptown, which I am proud to say helped to create over 200 new jobs in town. I am the current chairman of HOPES CAP Inc., a social and educational non-profit for which I have served for 30 years now. I have also spent 22 years with the North Hudson Sewage Authority, of which I am also a current chairman. During my time with the North Hudson Sewage Authority we were able to bring the sewers up to compliance in 1989 for the first time in close to 30 years; by bringing in a top engineer we replaced 150 year-old sewers through block by block rehabs. I am also proud to say that I have built 115 units of affordable housing right here in Hoboken and above all else I have never stopped giving back to this community. I love this city and I have done whatever was in my power to help its residents. From implementing senior citizen programming, to delivering free infant care at HOPES, to paving the way for building the first sewage pump, I have been through it all. I’ve also held a community-wide birthday here for 25 years bringing in live bands and free food and drinks to add to the vibrant social life that already exists here. That is why it is so crucial to me to see this city finally come together as one and get things done. The One Hoboken team is the only team looking to do this and I greatly appreciate your support on November 5 for Frank Raia, Tim Occhipinti, Peter Biancamano and Brittany Montgomery-Cook.
Frank Raia