Dear Mayor Fulop and Council:
I am writing on behalf of Civic JC, a not for profit 501c4. We are a Jersey City community-based initiative whose mission includes developing a comprehensive, positive vision for the future of Jersey City as a “World Class City”. As Jersey City is now searching for a new director of planning to replace Robert Cotter due to his retirement, the need for a comprehensive search is key to finding the best individual for this role. Jersey City needs to do more than placing a job posting on the city website. We encourage Jersey City to conduct a more in-depth nationwide search to attain a top tier planning director that shares the core values of our residents and will take into consideration the needs of the diverse communities throughout the city.
The process should include establishing a search committee from all areas of the city to aid in vetting and recommending candidates to the mayor. This committee should be tasked with creating the search criteria, the process of interviewing and selecting applicants for the mayor’s review. The committee should consist of the mayor or a representative, council members, and members of the public which would include; businesses, community organizations and individual residents that reflect a cross section of the of the population. Mr. Cotter’s departure, following more than 25 years of service has left a lasting impression on Jersey City that will continue for decades to come. We now have a once in a generation opportunity to move the city forward in selecting his successor. Jersey City has a rich history and should continue in that tradition in order to maintain the rich legacy we now have. Though our proximity to New York City is an attribute, it does not define us. Jersey City has been much more in the past and needs to be much more in the future. The next planning director needs to have a grasp of what makes Jersey City unique and be the best we can find in stewarding and guiding us in the future.
Sincerely,
Esther Wintner, President Civic JC