In a letter to the editor, former Hoboken 5th Ward Councilman Peter Cunningham explains why he’s supporting 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher for mayor, along with her city council slate.
Dear Editor,
From 2007 through 2019, I had the honor of representing Hoboken’s 5th Ward on City Council. Having lived through many challenging times in Hoboken during my tenure, I’ve worked with most of the current mayoral candidates.
In recent years, I’ve spoken out against our local government’s direction under Mayor Ravi Bhalla and his council allies taking Hoboken backwards to those darker days of zero transparency, political self-interest, poor developer driven projects and fiscal irresponsibility.
With the election next month, however, I’m looking forward with optimism to those who can bring proven experience and integrity to guide Hoboken, taking on the challenges to our quality of life: from financial, infrastructure and affordability.
There is only one candidate for Hoboken mayor who has the proven record of experience, integrity, service and capability to tackle these problems head on – and that’s Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher.
Since 2016, she’s demonstrated leadership on the City Council putting Hoboken residents first versus creeping special interests, big developers and backroom deals.
Moreover, she’s brought a council slate with equally strong candidates who demonstrate similar integrity and commitment to Hoboken in former councilman Dave Mello, Liz Urtecho, Carter Craft and Diane Imus in the 6th Ward.
Dave Mello served with great distinction with me on the Hoboken City Council for eight years. His passion to bring a Southwest Park and accountable government to Hoboken were key to our many successes.
Liz Urtecho ran previously for the Fifth Ward City Council. While she came up a little short, she’s continued her activism and commitment for Hoboken. Her energy, fighting for transparency, fairness and accountability are unparalleled.
Carter Craft is a senior-level urban planner well-versed in rebuilding strategies for coastal, urban environments. With the ongoing Rebuild by Design project, his lengthy maritime and urban experience will be an invaluable resource in the role of councilman-at-large.
Diane Imus has been in Hoboken for over 35 years and raised three children in this city. As a working mother, Diane has been a community leader and parks advocate speaking out against out of scale development.
Moreover, she has the endorsement of the Giattino family.
On November 2nd, please join me in voting for what’s best for Hoboken’s future: Tiffanie Fisher for mayor (11G) and a council slate team of Dave Mello (14H), Liz Urtecho (13H) and Carter Craft (15H), and for 6th Ward Diane Imus (1I).
Thank you for your serious consideration,
Peter H. Cunningham,
Former 5th Ward Councilman, City of Hoboken
When people talk bad about Hoboken government and corruption, they have a point. Especially with this administration.
Some of us remember the fine leadership and City Council under Peter Cunningham. Thank you, Peter.
Yes, there was a time, not THAT long ago, when the City government appeared to be leaning in the right direction; tranparency and fiscal responsiblity were very much in style. Bhalla and his tribe have remade our culture and operating processes, choosing secrecy, vindictiveness and patronage over the greater good.
We (rightly) complain about the “lack of guts and character” among Washington Republicans for not standing up to the President, but where have Quintero, Jabbour and Cohen been all these years as the traffic, budget and headcount kept swelling? Did any of them take an independent stance and say: “Mr. Mayor, these lawsuits have to stop, the rats must go, let’s pause on the construction until we fix the pipes?” Nope – they kept taking their campaign contributions and somewhere along the line lost their way.
Tiffanie Fisher has never lost her way. Yes, her newsletters are too long and, yes, some find her unnecessarily combative — but she stays in this game for all the right reasons. She is a public servant in the best sense of the word — and, along with the rest of her slate — is worthy of our vote on November 4th.
We remember a time when Mello and Cunningham hated each other and Cunningham said Mello was lazy
Stop with that noise. Provide support for your campaign team by offering positive proposals.
Cunningham and Mello got a ton of good things done on the City Council.