Dear Editor:
Recently someone brought to our attention a flyer and its content upset the HRCB (Hoboken Resident Council Board) deeply. In spite of the fact that we begged that the Hoboken Housing Authority not be involved in any of the political maneuvering, issues were presented that need to be addressed:
1. Responsible for organizing the resident councils. Prior to the dissolvement of the previous resident councils, the current resident councils were organized under the auspices of Ms. Lillie Dortch and Mr. E. Troy Washington. After several resident meetings, the councils began to re-establish themselves. Under no circumstances were any members of the city council involved in its structure. The residents of the Housing Authority organized themselves and became an incorporated entity recognized by the state. This was accomplished without outside interference, by the Hoboken Resident Council Board (HRCB).
2. Responsible for flat rents. This flyer further downplayed the role and intelligence of the residents and the HRCB by insinuating we must continue to be led by the hand to enact HUD rules and regulations. The flat rents adopted by the Board of Commissioners required that the resident representatives be incorporated. The residents incorporated themselves and soon after a committee (a member of the HRCB, a commissioner and the executive director) was formed to study flat rents. A month and a half of meetings involving budgetary issues, reasonableness, energy cost, etc., the committee concurred on the current rents. This was done entirely in house and without outside interference which was neither encouraged nor offered. The HRCB is taking a stand and will not be denied its recognition for its few accomplishments to date. The HRCB (and those individuals mentioned above) is solely responsible for settling the issues cited, and we will continue educating the residents to the resources available to them.
Wilfred McLean, Chairperson
Joseph Dimonde, Treasurer
Jean Rodriguez, Secretary
Hoboken Resident Council Board