Dear Editor:
I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of the second ward for working with me to ensure the Hoboken’s Department of Public Works Garage did not end up on our beautiful waterfront or in a residential neighborhood.
And as a long-time advocate of using shared services to cut municipal budgets, I would like to commend Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner for announcing a shared services plan that will provide substantial cost savings for the taxpayers of both cities. Putting our taxpayers and residents first, is critical in these tough economic times.
Like all successful community efforts it took the assistance of our neighbors, the business community and elected officials working together to find the right solution. There are many people who made this effort possible but special thanks go to my council colleges Terry Castellano, Michael Russo and Nino Giacchi who worked to inform our neighbors and saw there were better alternatives. Mayor Healy and Councilman Steve Fulop of Jersey City and Freeholder Anthony Romano who offered alternatives. And most of all my appreciation to the many second ward residents who provided their input to me throughout this process. We came together to protect the small town feel of our neighborhoods – a public works garage does not belong in the neighborhoods where our families live and our children play. Fortunately, our voice was heard and we found an innovative and dynamic way to solve a problem.
I look forward to continuing our efforts on many other important matters as we continue to make Hoboken a better place to live and raise a family.
Sincerely,
Beth Mason
Councilwoman, 2nd Ward