The Hoboken City Council voted unanimously (9-0) to approve changing the phrasing of the interpretive statement that goes along with the November 5th rent control ballot referendum.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
During the public comment, Eileen Lynch argued the Mile Square Taxpayers Association (MSTA), which is spearheading the referendum initiative, insisted that their interpretive statement was too complicated and violated state law, drawing some applause.
Emily Wirt also urged the governing body to replace the language prepared for the fall ballot.
“It’s blatantly predatory. When an out-of-town corporate interest that doesn’t have any true care for the most vulnerable communities in Hoboken tries to manipulate our city’s politics, they shouldn’t also be able to lead with more dishonesty than they already have,” she began.
“ … We have absolutely no say in what we pay for in this market.”
She also asserted that the signature gathering tactics were deceptive and that rents in Hoboken are very expensive.
“In my opinion, and a lot of people’s opinion, it’s pretty obvious that the language put forward by the MSTA is deceptive,” began rent control activist Cheryl Fallick.
“They say they don’t change the rent control ordinance at all. That is true, they amend the ordinance, so they’re layering in language about what can happen when a tenant leaves or is pushed out or is asked to leave at the end of a lease if it’s an owner occupied two- or three-unit building … It’s not an affordable housing ballot question, it is a vacancy decontrol ballot question.”
Nate Hutchinson jokingly referred to himself as “a co-conspirator” with the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America in light of the MSTA’s criticism, adding that changing the ballot language was the right thing to do.
5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen declared that the proposed statement is misleading and therefore changes were necessary.
“I was pleased it was unanimous … that this statement the council is looking to be replaced needed to be replaced. It should be easily understood … I think this is addressing the spirit of the critiques we heard.”
He continued that he drafted the new version before the governing body said only feedback from Charles Gormally, counsel for the MSTA, was considered and no one from the DSA was involved.
3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo was concerned about a letter from Gormally that said they couldn’t legally change the language at this point. He as a result, he asked the opinion of Corporation Counsel Brian Aloia.
“There is case law that supports your ability to do this. You’ve come up with a very neutral statement … while I don’t believe the other one was neutral,” Aloia replied.
Councilman-at-Large Jim Doyle, who served as acting president since Councilwoman Jen Giattino could not attend in person, said accepting the MSTA’s ballot language would have been unacceptable.
“I think the intention was to be clear as possible,” 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher added.
“I voted to put this on the ballot after listening to constituents and not accept the compromise,” 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano noted, speaking about the prior council meeting where a compromise was rejected in favor of settling things at the ballot box.
“If the city council can arbitrarily change the wording of a citizen’s referendum, then … what’s the point of the process we have?” he asked.
Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero said this statement was more neutral and clear, which Cohen and Doyle agreed with.
The measure passed unanimously (9-0), with Giattino voting over the phone.
“I commend the City Council for taking a stand and adopting a transparent interpretive statement for the upcoming rent control referendum,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement this morning.
“This action is essential to ensure that Hoboken voters are not deceived by the original statement, which was crafted by corporate landlords and lobbyists with a blatant intent to mislead and misinform. With this new statement, we are ensuring that residents can make informed decisions based on facts, and not self-serving misinformation from those who will realize massive profits from the abolishment of rent control.”
MSTA Executive Director Ron Simoncini was succinct in his reaction to the latest council vote in the matter.
“I think the council has no jurisdiction over this issue, so we’re standing by waiting for their next move,” he said.
The new interpretative statement can be read here.
