Dear Editor:
Previously, I wrote to express my enthusiastic support for the re-election of 5th Ward Councilman Peter Cunningham and 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino, two proven leaders with extraordinary records of accomplishment.
Today, I write in support of three excellent candidates seeking their first terms on the City Council: Mike Defusco in the 1st Ward, Tiffanie Fisher in the 2nd Ward and Dana Wefer in the 4th Ward.
I also write in support of three terrific candidates for School Board: the Reach Higher ticket of Tom Kluepfel, Shellah Dallara and Addys Velez.
Mike, Tiffanie and Dana have clearly demonstrated their readiness for City Council with their strong records of civic involvement as private citizens. Mike and Tiffanie both serve on the Zoning Board and Dana is the Chairwoman of the Hoboken Housing Authority.
Through his work on the Zoning Board, Mike has demonstrated a commitment to smart balanced development, a firm grasp of the issues and an openness to consider alternative points of view. Perhaps most importantly, he will bring to the City Council a fresh outlook together with a civility that will enable him to work with others to get things done for his neighborhood and our City. His opponent, by contrast, has been a City Councilwoman for more than 20 years. For the past several years she has, in my opinion, consistently put politics and even personal animus ahead of her responsibility to serve her constituents.
As a private citizen, Tiffanie has stepped up to lead not only her building’s condo association, but her entire neighborhood’s fight against the Monarch project, the large scale residential development proposed on an uptown pier in place of the tennis courts promised by the developer years ago. Her activism stands in sharp contrast to her opponents, whose voices have been silent prior to this election campaign. One of her opponents, Peter Biancamano, still has not taken a clear position against this outrageous developer game of bait and switch, played at the expense of the residents of the 2nd Ward.
Dana has brought independent, honest and transparent leadership to the HHA, charting a strong positive course for our City’s most vulnerable residents. One of her many accomplishments was leading a nationwide search that has culminated in the hiring of a highly experienced new Executive Director who will begin work soon. Her experience at the HHA has demonstrated her leadership skills, as well as her integrity and her commitment to all of our 4th Ward residents.
As a proud Hoboken High School parent (my son Alex is a HHS freshman), and a former Elysian Charter school parent, I am proud to support Tom Kluepfel’s well earned re-election. Sheillah Dallara and Addys Velez are district parents with backgrounds in finance who have demonstrated their strong commitments to our schools and our community.
On November 3rd, I urge you to cast your votes for Mike DeFusco (1st Ward), Tiffanie Fisher (2nd Ward), Dana Wefer (4thWard), Peter Cunningham (5th Ward) and Jen Giattino (6th Ward), and for Tom Kluepfel, Sheillah Dallara and Addys Velez for School Board.
Thanks for listening.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer