Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is counterpunching mayoral candidates Emily Jabbour and Mike Russo for making “inaccurate” comments about the much discussed reinstatement of Fire Chief Brian Crimmins.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“It recently came to my attention that Council Members Emily Jabbour and Michael Russo have made inaccurate comments regarding a highly sensitive personnel matter, based on an incomplete set of facts. It is reckless for both Council Members Emily Jabbour and Michael Russo to actively interfere, clearly for political reasons, with a personnel matter that impacts the functioning of our Fire Department,” Bhalla began in a statement.
“If they simply picked up the phone and asked me for an update, they would know that the City is in the middle of active and constructive discussions to conclude this matter amicably and in its entirety, within the 10-day period referenced in the civil service letter.”
He added that the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (NJCSC) has indicated that they are encouraged the city is working towards an amicable resolution, despite the matter being in litigation and under appeal and cross-appeal.
“However, rather than make a simple status inquiry with my office, both Council Members Jabbour and Russo decided to compete with each other for political points. I find this disappointing, and expected better from Councilwoman Emily Jabbour in particular,” Bhalla stated.
On Monday, NJCSC Chair Allison Chris Myers wrote to Hoboken Business Administrator Caleb Stratton that the city is committing a crime if they do not reinstate Crimmins, which would potentially end a four-and-a-half year saga.
Back in May 2021, Crimmins was placed on administrative leave and Anton Peskens was named acting chief before returning to work as a firefighter in April 2023, before an administrative law judge and the NJCSC ordered his reinstatement, all as HCV first reported.
Then in September, the Hoboken City Council voted 4-3(1) for the city to reinstate Crimmins, with Council President Jim Doyle, 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, and Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero voting no and Jabbour, a councilwoman-at-large, abstaining.
Earlier today, Russo and Jabbour called for Crimmins to be reinstated immediately, with Jabbour calling out Bhalla by name.
“The New Jersey Civil Service Commission has made it clear: Mayor Ravi Bhalla must comply with the court order and reinstate Brian Crimmins as Hoboken Fire Chief. His continued refusal to follow the law is unacceptable and a disservice to Hoboken residents,” she said this morning.
In response, Bhalla said his two potential successor are letting election season get the better of them.
“Both Jabbour and Russo appear to be too consumed with electoral politics. I would remind them they are still sitting Council Members with a primary responsibility to our residents,” he concluded.
“And I hope in the future they are both more mindful of their civic responsibility to the public, as they try to demonstrate to Hoboken’s residents that they are well prepared to lead our community.”
While Crimmins is acknowledged by civil service as the fire chief again, he has not assumed the role just yet.
As for Bhalla, he is the state Assemblyman-elect in the 32nd Legislative District, opting to run for a different office instead of seeking a third term.
