In a letter to the editor, Hoboken GOP Chair Pavel Sokolov gives his two cents on how the city can “move past divisive politics” by electing 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo as mayor.
Dear Editor,
On December 2nd, the residents of Hoboken will choose between four more years of the status quo under Team Bhalla–Jabbour or a decisive new direction with Team Russo.
This election is an opportunity to move past divisive politics and embrace leadership focused on good governance and unity.
The Jabbour Record: Divisiveness and Questionable Governance
Councilwoman Jabbour, the Team Bhalla mayoral candidate, has continued a political approach characterized by confrontation rather than collaboration.
Concerns regarding fiscal responsibility and education include:
- Taxpayer Burden: Jabbour’s record positions her as the high-tax candidate, marked by votes to raise taxes and support for extravagant development projects on the taxpayer’s dime. This pattern of spending, coupled with the hiring of failed political allies to key city positions, raises serious fiscal concerns. It is paramount for renters to understand that through her tax and spend policies, Jabbour raises rents by increasing property taxes. These increases go beyond the rent control caps and specifically hurt those who rely on rent control protection and cannot afford exorbitant rent increases.
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Opposition to Public Education Options for Parents: In an act seen as contradictory to Hoboken’s diversity, Jabbour actively fought against the expansion of the Elysian Charter School by writing a letter to the New Jersy State Department of Education recommending that the school instead be shut down as a distinct institution. Public charter schools, which educate ~30% of Hoboken’s K-8 students, offer Hoboken parents with important educational options, so Jabbour’s attempt at imposing a strict “one size fits all” approach for our children should be a wake up call for us all.
On matters of public safety and ethics, her actions have been criticized for:
- Neglecting Public Safety: Jabbour has been criticized for her complicity in the lack of enforcement of the e-delivery biker safety ordinance. It is clear that because her political opponents, Russo, Presinzano, Ramos and others, advocated for the Test and Vest ordinance, Jabbour purposefully coordinated with Mayor Bhalla to see this program fail. Furthermore, the escalation of violence in locations like Church Square Park, which led to a physical assault, begs the question of why officers were not assigned sooner, suggesting political optics may have been prioritized over constituent safety. The refrain from the administration has always been that Hoboken is perfectly safe and that any naysayers were just being hyperbolic, but recent events have plainly laid out for all to see that avoiding the issues is not a solution.
- Campaign Contributions and Voting Record: She is accused of rushing through theCLEAR camera program, refusing to allow the council significant time to debate or think through potential issues. Even more concerning are the campaign contributions to Jabbour’s Mayoral campaign and Bhalla’s Assembly campaign from leadership of the organization that won the camera contract. The program has been criticized by both privacy advocates as well as the small business community for unfairly penalizing shoppers, drivers, and employees, directly hurting sales and the ability for our local businesses to make rent.
Exclusion and Bigotry:
- Support from Anti-Semitic Groups: Jabbour has been endorsed by and supported groups that display openly Anti-Semitic views and call for the destruction of Israel, exemplified by caricatures of Jewish individuals and Israeli flags with either Xs or violent speech displayed on them. This fits a wider pattern of disregard for the large Jewish community in Hoboken, made clear with Jabbour’s silence on the outcry following the Palestinian flag raising at City Hall by Bhalla, which clearly featured a Israeli Flag with a large X through it with photo evidence widely publicized on social media.
- Defunding of Hoboken Community Non-Profits: Jabbour has voted to defund grants to Hoboken Non-Profits, specifically those that serve our most vulnerable communities. Children that reside in the Hoboken Authority especially felt the cuts as programs that provide them with enrichment, athletics, and education were put in jeopardy by Jabbour’s callous actions. To make matters worse, Jabbour voted to increase fees on our Non-Profits for the use of City land and property, further stretching already tight budgets. It cannot be ignored that Jabbour clearly targeted BIPOC populations in our town who she recognizes are not part of her voter base.
The only marginally good idea Jabbour had was to cross party lines by putting a Republican on her ticket, but, unsurprisingly, it turned out to be a ruse as she immediately sold Steve Firestone out to score cheap, nonsensical, partisan points
. I empathize with Steve, who is by all accounts a qualified and decent man, and condemn his being tokenized by Jabbour. This is a regular pattern with Jabbour, as she quickly sells out her former friends for the sake of political convenience.
After eight years Jabbour demonizing anyone who falls out of her narrow view of acceptable politics, religion, and race, it is no surprise that all these different groups are coalescing to support a unified Hoboken against her.
Ultimately, this run off is an opportunity to repudiate the politics of hate that have long gripped our home and instead welcome Councilman Russo’s message of tolerance and acceptance, regardless of one’s, race, religion, or political affiliation.
I recognize that this letter will inevitably be used by Jabbour’s campaign for another personal smear against me and my friends, but I believe silence is complicity and that everyone who calls Hoboken home deserves equal representation and protection under the law.
I ask the residents of Hoboken this December 2nd to join Former Democratic Hoboken Chairwoman and Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, Former Democratic Assemblyman and Councilman Ruben Ramos, Democratic Councilman Paul Presinzano, and former Democratic Councilman Michael Defusco in voting for Mike Russo as Mayor so that we can put the divisiveness of the past in the rearview mirror once and for all.
Pavel Sokolov
13 Year Hoboken Resident
Hoboken GOP Chairman
This photo here is ironically from a campaign event Russo held with his effort in 2015 leading his Carmelo-Russo municipal council ticket. (As many know, Mister Carmelo awaits sentencing for his criminal crimes during his government job in Newark.)
In 2015, Councilman Michael Russo was actively involved in political efforts to reshape Hoboken’s governance, advocating for a return to what he described as the city’s former “glory” and calling for a “sweep of the City Council ward elections,” and to “Change it back to the Hoboken we all know”.
These activities occurred amid ongoing scrutiny of Russo’s past, including FBI surveillance video from 2009 showing him agreeing to accept bribes from informant Solomon Dwek, a fact he denied at the time.
The narrative of reclaiming Hoboken was framed by Russo and his allies as a restoration of traditional power structures, despite persistent allegations of corruption and unethical conduct.
This comment not paid for or an endorsement of Emily Jabbour for Mayor.
Funny, how many MAGAts (like Pavel) support Russo.
Why the crying about one or two people supporting Russo when so many people think he’s the lesser of two evils. People think Emily’s record is awful and her support of Ravi’s horrid government equally so. Hoboken is tired of the constant abusive hate and division to distract from their actions: both Ravi and Emily.
We’ll find out how many voters think Russo is the “lesser of two evils” on election day, but we already know the author of this hateful, divisive screed worships an evil orange abomination named Trump.
One week left of you hateful, insufferable Ravibots.
Careful there, NTV. The neutered nag adores his orange blob of decomposition even more than his anti-vax flapdoodle.
We should trust Hoboken’s finances to a guy who filed for bankruptcy twice?
With a potential city council that would make sure we have checks and balances, I prefer Michael over tax and spend Emily.
Someone that blindly followed “Dr” Johnson and was choosing to increase taxes by 20%, which you adamantly thought no one would care about.
You would prefer a known criminal with an imaginary council (which he helps design) to reign him in?
Bartender – this guy’s done. Take the car keys.
Emily Jabbour trusted Hoboken’s finances with Michael Russo when she nominated and voted for him to be City Council President in 2022
Just hearing for the first time here that the council president unilaterally controls the city’s finances. Fancy that!
Bartender – this guy’s done too.
Did Tiffanie Fisher ghost write this long winded work of fiction?
I’m not sure which image is more entertaining: Mike Russo collaborator and unifier, humble and lovable Mike Russo or Mike Russo budget hawk.
Of course the actual candidate is Mike Russo the confrontational corrupt bully who tried to destroy Hoboken’s hospital 14 years ago, who was caught on tape agreeing to accept what sure seemed like a bribe, and who voted for every penny of Bhalla’s spending and then against the budgets needed to pay the bills he himself had approved.
If this sounds at all like DJT, it’s because Russo and DJT are a lot alike, even down to filing multiple bankruptcies. The biggest difference is that DJT actually created his own brand, built a successful business and even built his own political machine.
Mike piggybacked on the machine built by his parents and drove his physical therapy business into the ground.
Of course “Dr.” Mike is also part “Dr.” Jill Biden, proudly using a title that while technically true is intended to convey a status they didn’t earn.
Dude, you’re a MAGA Trump supporter. Nuff said.
Pavel the Gaslighting Trumper’s claim that Jabbour wanted to shut down Elysian is a typical Pavelian lie, which makes him well- qualified to lead Hoboken’s GOP (Guardians of Pedophiles).
No, Jabbour did not want to shut down Elysian.
In a letter, Jabbour asked the NJDoE to direct funds for the Elysian expansion to the Hoboken District instead BECAUSE while Elysian enrolls 5% disadvantaged students, the district enrolls 43% disadvantaged is sorely underfunded to meet the needs of its student population. Gaslightin’ Pavel doesn’t know this.
In addition, as most know (except Pavel), the Hoboken District cannot turn down ANY student no matter their disability, which is why Hoboken school staff and facilities have to meet the needs of every child no matter how seriously impacted by their physical or learning disability, and provide aides. Instead of appreciating that Jabbour is fighting for Hoboken’s most disadvantaged student population, Trump- luvin Pavel is spreading disinformation. Typical!
Quite late for a denial about Emily’s written action against Hoboken’s Elysian Charter School. Way past late to try any denial. Emily Jabbour has remained silent about what she did. Why? Because she’s G-U-I-L-T-Y.
Jabbour wrote to the NJDOE and asked they reject any expansion of Elysian and then added it should be shut down and have those parents forced into sending their children into other Hoboken schools. Those Hoboken parents have rights to send their kids for an education they decide – not Emily!
As for pedophiles, it was Ravi and Emily standing up for NAMBLA-styled comic books recruiting boys with an instruction manual on how to service elder males performing oral sex on them. Ravi and Emily proudly stood in Church Square Park and called those pedo-cartoon comics “literature” which deserve to be available to children in the Hoboken Public Library.
Justice is coming for Epstein’s pals, Ravi, Emily and the whole rotten lot of you.
Back in 2020, Emily’s letter asked for expansion funding be directed to the Hoboken District;. she did NOT ask the NJDOE to shutter Elysian. Why don’t you and Pavel get a room? You two MAGAts gaslight each other…just don’t light a match. KABOOM.
The Emily letter was published so all the facts came out weeks ago. It’s been widely circulated. No one’s going to forget no matter how much you lie for her. Try lying for Epstein, Larry Summers and all the Bill’s. You might have better luck there.
Looks like you have your next midnight flyer all set to go, neutered nag! How exciting for everyone.
Pavel & his pet pony are typical Trumpers manipulating facts (“alternative facts”) for an untruthful political narrative, always a character attack on their target. In this case, they are shilling for Mike Russo, gaslighting that Emily took a “written action” to shut down Elysian Charter. Here’s the actual letter which should destroy the credibility of the aforementioned Trump hacks:
page 1–
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0TBsqYtfTKUxe9JKrWhOMhmwS7al4YJT5MCQAnngInxzQ8hfD3oFKL2HkT-WwT8spytAOjStM218TWqJeiCMLNkOdwW5joFoMvoLjt7znhctFgO6XwAZxjvfRd9mHZuOACbOFmiewv-9cGSsJONF2if33QoK46HQxTZxQHdfdOPHN_KTgXbpURugCJfRh
page 2–
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfEbHkViq3qc953tq1ywJAWit0QVSs0Uk1JrqCMD-y4GoKsCdg2LQat5cDcOLvprTdT7Bs44QDcdzvupzCgOUp_2RPEhG2m0APPO4-uCHX0l0xYIhbfxFXs2w-a5miGQJDgqDqfTMKOwZDclc-icvCWXT0W3xVuAc2_Nx0lIG0Xb18g8mCSRI28T5898-k
They lie and run away. They’re still talking about the flyer the neutered nag did back in the 80s.
Where’s my sandwich? Extra MAGA sauce, babe.
“Electing Mike Russo as Mayor — to lead our city and set the tone from the top — would take Hoboken backwards, to a time when leaders served themselves first and residents last.”
-Tiffanie Fisher, Sept. 25th, 2025
Ah yes, nothing says “ending divisiveness” quite like a multi-paragraph hit piece labeling an opponent bigoted, corrupt, incompetent, and dangerous. Truly a masterclass in unity politics.
MAGA + insufferable blowhard Fisher + shameless grifter Russo.
Ick. Might as well add Epstein while you’re at it.
Lyin’ Pavel’s accusations of “antisemitism & bigotry” are projection
Take the dumbest rock in the box and you’ve got Pavel the Trump- luvin’ GOP Kingpin. Watch out- Pavel thinks Haitians eat dogs and cats, just like his idol, Orange Jesus.
Imagine, accusing Jabbour of “supporting anti-Semitic groups” and being “supported” by them… without naming a single one. Know why? Cause he’s gaslighting the Hoboken Jewish Community to score votes for Mike Russo. Interesting how every Hoboken Republican I know is supporting Russo; so are DINOs like Tiffanie Fisher. I get it- the GOP is attracted to corruption; they elected a felon and convicted sex offender for president. They just can’t help themselves.
Well, Hoboken Jews who support decency, good government and a Mayor who’s never been in an FBI sting nor covered up the theft of millions of quarters, are voting for Emily Jabbour and her slate. As a Jew, it really disgusts when Gentile political hacks (like Pavel) pull the “anti-Semitic” card to pander to the Jewish community. These political predators exploit us for cheap political points. What a shonda.
This letter presents a compelling vision for a shift in Hoboken’s political culture. The argument that a candidate from outside the current establishment can bridge divides and move beyond “tribal” politics is a powerful one that resonates with many voters who feel disconnected from the process. The emphasis on collaboration and practical problem-solving is certainly an appealing message.
My question is about the practical application of this unifying vision: In a city known for its passionate and often divided political landscape, what specific, tangible first step would this candidate take to genuinely build trust and foster cooperation with the factions and council members who have been their longstanding political opponents?
Russo is from “outside” the establishment? Russo?
Bartender – call a cab. This one’s completely s-faced.