The Hoboken City Council moved forward with hiring a public information officer for the police department, as well as an independent appraisal of the Union Dry Dock property at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“I totally love every of trying to take some of the administrative functions off of the hands of our police officers so they can actually handle public safety,” 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said about potentially hiring a police spokesperson at $75,000 salary.
“I just wish there was a way we could absorb this role into what are a number of different people performing communication type functions. We have people we pay close to $650,000 including salary and benefits, three of which have been hired in the last year and a half. It would be great to have a full understanding of what this role will actually do and how much work is needed.”
The salary range ordinance in front of the council would budget $75,000 for the PIO, which Fisher and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos expressed trepidation about since the city already has a spokeswoman, public safety director, and deputy public safety director.
“Jersey City is the second largest city in our state, and they don’t have a public information officer specifically for their police department. This could be handled administratively,” Ramos added.
1st Ward Councilman Mike De Fusco praised the police department and their personnel, noting he’d support hiring more officers, but this particular hire did not make sense at the moment.
“I struggle with all the money we’ve put behind the police in every other area that these positions are absolutely necessary right now. I applaud the administration for working with the police. I just can’t support this right now,” he said.
Council President Mike Russo said that officers needs to be in the streets, especially in light of the murder of 28-year-old Christopher Garcia, not preparing information for the press.
“We currently are 12 officers under our table of organization. We have budgeted for every single penny for those 12 officers. That is sitting in our budget right now,” he explained.
This is a way where we get to remove one of our officers from an administrative position and put them back in the street. think it’s important that we have another police officer in the street doing their job. Councilman Ramos opened up this meeting with a moment of silence for someone murdered in our housing authority. We need more officers on the street.
The salary ordinance was approved 5-4, with DeFusco, Fisher, Ramos and 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino voting no.
The council also authorized Summit-based Lasser Sussman Associates, LLC to appraise Union Dry Dock, the 2nd Ward waterfront property that New York Waterway had coveted as a ferry refueling station for years.
The ordinance estimates the current value at $13.36 million, about 15 months after the city announced they had come to terms on acquiring the property fro NY Waterway for $18.5 million.
The first reading was approved unanimously (9-0), without any discussion from officials or the public, which is not uncommon for an initial ordinance vote.
Someone on the Council or within the Administration should be required to provide a running tab on what all these newly created positions, with benefits and inflation factored in, will cost taxpayers in future years. Once we have that number we can tally up all the other projects under consideration to determine how much more homeowners will be paying 5 and 10 years out. We discuss these jobs/projects as a series of one offs — then get into a fight over the budget in June. Those discussions really should be happening publicly as the year rolls along — and with an eye on the future cost of living in Hoboken.
Don’t be concerned Mrs. Taxpayer. Development, and pot dispensaries will pay for it all! And if it doesn’t, our fiscally responsible leaders will just “redevelop” the police station, some fire stations, and garages.
Never let tomorrow stop you from getting what you need politically today.
Why does the City need a $75k per year do nothing police spokesperson on top of a $75k per year do nothing police “consultant?”
It sure ain’t because we need more cops on the street.
More likely the City “needs” this position because someone with clout wants to hire a “friend” as a political favor.
Like when they hired Romano, the dots will connect themselves when the job is filled.
Ravi is turning Hoboken into grift slush fund machine. His boy Russo is equally excited. Doyle look at what you’ve become.
As for the rest of the Ravi council clan, you’re what Hoboken fought against for years!
What ever happened to former Councilwoman Vanessa Falco?
It has been ten months since she has been on the City Hall payroll.
She is being paid a boat load of taxpayer money plus expensive benefits and after she was given a new position especially created just for her and she immediately disappeared from the public view.
Is it too much to ask what Hoboken has got for their money?
Good question! Also keep in mind that Ms Falco was a bit of a wild card on the council – sometimes with the administration, other times not. Her move to City Hall left an opening on the Council that was ultimately filled by Joe “Sunshine” Quintero, who assured voters that he would not be a rubber stamp for the administration – and has become just that. Oh well…
Not too much to ask, and at the Sept 7 city council meeting one of the members suggested that Ms. Falco come to the next meeting to report on what has been done over the past 10 months. She wasn’t there on Monday. Has there been any follow-up to that request?
That would be a riot! She is useless…. It seems like She has little professional expertise out there. Imagine her CV?
4 Years Hoboken City Council
As the deciding vote I horse traded for what I wanted.
In Year 4 Selling out my running mates -and joining with the group widely rumored to have forged a flyer against my past friend Mike DeFusco. Ruining his reputation and losing his Mayoral chances…
Speedy Results: Spent less time on waiting lists for affordable housing than people on public assistance.
Willing to sell soul for 80K
Not to trash the family, but Her Uncle is the ex Chief who is suing Zimmer, Her Cousin is one of the cops that busted down the doors of the house on Garden St of the child that was being home schooled, she lives in a subsidized apartment herself and also had an application in for a new apartment at 770 House.
They certainly can get themselves in Church Towers and Raia’s affordable buildings… Too bad at 80,000 a year she cant get the really poor into Marineview, Church Towers or her building/…
She and Ravi’s crew will remain silent.
If anyone dare question anything about her they will be reminded that she is a woman of color.
I’m hearing the non paid interns that are actually doing all the real work are demanding to get paid. They might be meeting with local delegates to help with this process. Does anyone have any updates?
It takes alot of effort to run a constituent services program in a mile square town, especially when your only qualification is being a political yes woman. Obviously we need interns to do all the work. Can’t wait till a new mayor comes in and we can fire all these corrupt cronies. Not surprised to see Debenetto shilling for the Jabbour BoE Team, gotta keep collecting those paychecks.
Vanessa where are you