Hoboken spokesman Juan Melli is departing City Hall when Mayor Dawn Zimmer does, instead opting to start his own private sector and political consulting firm.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
In a Facebook post last week, Melli announced that he is launching Progressive Strategies, which will specialize in message development, political strategy, press releases, speech writing, website design, social media and much more, according to their website.
“I’ve really enjoyed working as Communications Manager for Hoboken and will be staying on through the end of Mayor Zimmer’s term. Years ago when she interviewed me for the position, I admitted I didn’t know how to do half of the things I thought the job entailed (as it turns out, there was a lot more I didn’t know),” he wrote.
“She said I could do it, and I’ll always be thankful to her for putting her trust in me. I can honestly say I looked forward to going to work *almost* every morning, and I’m going to especially miss all my great colleagues who made the job fun.”
Melli, the BlueJersey.com founder and also a former PolitickerNJ writer, has served as the city’s chief communications director since May 2010.
A spokesman for Mayor-elect Ravi Bhalla, who will take office in January, did not immediately return an email seeking comment regarding who would be replacing Melli.
Earlier this week, Bhalla’s camp announced that former running mate and attorney John Allen will serve as his chief of staff. He will start his new gig under Zimmer on December 4th.