Hoboken Business Administrator Jason Freeman will be leaving City Hall on May 7th to pursue an opportunity in the nonprofit sector, officials said this evening.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Jason over the past several years, and his dedication to Hoboken has been unwavering,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.
“From his role as Deputy Chief of Staff to his time as Business Administrator, Jason has been instrumental in advancing key projects that have transformed our city, including the acquisition of the Monarch site for critical open space and expanding our Vision Zero efforts.”
He continued that Freeman was a real asset to his administration, wishing him the best in the future.
His tenure in the Bhalla administration began almost immediately as deputy chief of staff in 2018 before becoming the business administrator in 2020.
In addition to acquiring the Monarch site and expanding Vision Zero effort, the administration also credited Freeman with improving the city’s bond ratings, securing funding for the construction of Resiliency City Park, as well as restructuring municipal offices and implementing technological upgrades.
“It has been a true honor to serve Hoboken and contribute to its growth and resiliency. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated public servants and passionate community members,” Freeman explained.
“Together, we’ve accomplished so much, from expanding open spaces to improving safety and sustainability, and I am proud of the lasting impact we’ve made on Hoboken’s future. Thank you to Mayor Bhalla, the City Council, and the entire City Hall team. While I’m excited for the next chapter in my career, I will always appreciate my time working for the City of Hoboken and the memories of the work we’ve done here.”
The mayor’s office said that plans for the next administrator will be announced in the coming weeks, with no mention of an interim replacement, though Assistant Business Administrator Caleb Stratton has often filled in when Freeman was absent.
A wise person once said “Don’t let the door hit your a$$ on the way out.” You are a complete failure as BA. The budgets have been blown open and your lies are coming out. I hear Mikie R has the good on you. He has the evidence that you lied to the Mayor, Council and city employees. You are going to leave a wake of lawsuits and payouts because of your stupid moves. How many employees have you screwed that have filed lawsuits against the city and how much money have you paid out? Bye Bye!
So much failure costing Hoboken so much yet tabulated, plus other activities subject to federal investigation.
The Ravi Bhalla crew.
No Kevin – Jason didn’t lie to the Mayor. He loyally carried the Mayor’s water and any lies he told were on the Mayor’s behalf. He likely has the “goods” on Ravi, Vijay, Mike Russo. But he’s been a loyal soldier for 8 years, and as much as Hoboken deserves to finally hear the truth Jason is unlikely to spill the beans. Both out of misplaced loyalty to a Mayor who has no loyalty others and who treated him like crap, and because he would have to implicate himself.
Yes, so getting out now and getting a good lawyer is the right move.
He was never up to the job. Overpaid and underqualified. Glad he’s leaving.
Wow- ol’ Jason leaves behind quite a fan club. Given the naked hostility in this, and many other recent posts, Team Bhalla holdovers like Jabbour and Quintero have to be concerned about their chances in the Fall.
Completely in over his head and universally disliked. He was likely fired, but offered the opportunity to resign. Hoboken is so much better off without this incompetent around.
The less than qualified Business Administrator is fleeing the scene before another Ravi budget is released. He’s returning back to the nonprofit world from where he came. That doesn’t foreshadow good things for Hoboken’s budget Ravi is hiding. At all.