In the wake of a video surfacing of Jersey City Mayor’s Office research assistant Brooke Hansson on an expletive-filled rant, a few questions need to be answered by Mayor Fulop.
By Michael Shurin/Hudson County View
Before I begin this editorial, a few parameters must be set.
First, we all have our bad moments, and we should not be judged as a society solely on our worst moments. I’m not perfect, never pretended to be either, and this piece isn’t about who Brooke Hansson is as a person.
Unfortunately for Hansson, she’s in a position of influence regarding serious public policy matters.
Let’s not forget it was Mayor Fulop who once told the River View Observer, “My expectation is that all city employees will be role models both on and off duty.”
Second, we do not know whether Hansson was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. It’s hard to tell the difference between what is an emotional rant vs. drug-induced without any scientific facts.
I’m assuming Hansson was sober.
As well, there is no need to fire Hansson for a first offense. An apology letter isn’t necessary, but would be the wise move.
On to the questions for Mayor Fulop:
1. What does she know about f***ing police brutality?
It would be interesting to know what exactly Brooke Hansson knows about police brutality in Jersey City. All I can hope is that she’s informed the mayor, public safety director, and police chief, and a plan to stop police brutality is put in place.
Maybe she knows what happened to Lavon King, a 20-year-old unarmed black male killed by a Jersey City Police Officer on June 24th, 2014. Many at King’s funeral, including Rev. Herbert Daughtry, questioned the official story.
2. Does this mean Jersey City’s “Stop the Drop” anti-litter campaign was a failure?
It’s now public knowledge not only that Hansson lives in the vicinity of where the rant took place, but that she is the coordinator of the city’s anti-litter campaign. I’m pretty sure accosting people at 3 a.m., especially in your own neighborhood, for litter is not a sign of success.
One may wonder if her program was another waste of taxpayer dollars.
3. What happened to Hansson’s vision for 127-133 Martin Luther King Dr.?
“We envision this place where kids can film, record, create art, and create youth-led newspaper.”
That was Hansson’s amazing vision a few years ago for the blighted property on MLK Dr.
Fast-forward to the present and the administration she works for is supporting the building becoming a funeral home.
The real question now is “can we have a funeral for her vision for Jersey City?”