Dear Editor:
As I traveled around town collecting petitions to be eligible to run for Council-at-Large, I rediscovered some reasons why Hoboken is a great place to live. Certainly it is because of the diversity and warmth of the people who call Hoboken home. So many residents welcomed me into their homes and offered food and drink and some shared their biggest gripes.
It doesn’t take a genius or an expensive poll to figure out that many people are disgusted with the congestion in and out of town at all hours of the day. They are fed up with the construction on every corner on every other day. And many fear their own children will not be able to afford to remain in Hoboken if they chose to do so. And most are not real happy about Hoboken becoming the let’s party hearty capital of the East Coast.
While gripes alone won’t bring positive change, collective voices will. Call your council representatives, the mayor and various city coordinators to voice your opinions and suggestions. They work for you and are paid by you. Contrary to what some people in Hoboken think, it is still a free country, isn’t it?
Beyond reducing the congestion and protecting and adding to our affordable housing stock, there are many other areas in town we can all (residents, employees and elected officials) work together on to improve the quality of life for all. I share some of the ideas I have for improving the social and living environment for our young people.
1.With all the increase in ratables, I think we can continue to upgrade the field at North Park so it is much more usable for our young soccer, softball and baseball players. Speaking of fields, anyone involved in recreation knows we desperately need another practice field.
2.The hockey rink on 2nd and Grand streets looks beautiful. Now it needs to be available more for some “open” skating (roller and ice skating).
3.Would some bar owners be willing to sponsor some teen nights in Hoboken? They would still make money, they would be giving something back to the community, and our teens wouldn’t have to travel to Sayreville and God knows where to dance!
4.Would HUD ever give up the management of the housing on federal property? If its not broke, you don’t fix it. If it hasn’t ever worked, shouldn’t you try something different? We need to provide safe, affordable housing for our youngsters.
I’d love the opportunity to be one of your representatives on the City Council. I would be grateful for any help you could offer. (Home: 798-5446 emailTCLmath@aol.com.pager 901-3421).
Terry LaBruno
Council-at-Large Candidate