In a letter to the editor, Hoboken 2nd Ward council candidate Marla Decker gives her view on the meaning of participating in Saturday’s “Banned Books Read-a-Thon.”
Dear Editor,
With the drive to ban books, especially ones with LGBQTIA+ themes, reaching a fevered pitch in our nation, I was proud to join many other Hobokenites this past Saturday at the Banned Book Read-A-Thon, organized by our public library.
Book banning is not an imagined problem – there were more than 1,200 attempts to ban books at public libraries in 2022, more than twice as many as in 2021, according to the American Library Association.
As I observed at the event, the books read were heartwarming stories meant for a young audience using a child’s voice and perspective on LGBQTIA+ issues and experiences.
There were children and adults of all ages in attendance. As a parent, I came away with additional age-appropriate ways in which I might discuss these topics with the younger members of my family.
It was especially disappointing that false information, some containing graphic imagery, was widely spread on social media about the content of the children’s books to be read.
If elected as a Hoboken councilperson, my aim will always be to distribute truth and facts and condemn fear-mongering masked as information.
I was disappointed that a number of elected officials, including my current council member, were publicly silent for days as the false posts went viral.
I believe elected officials have an obligation to protect the integrity of information circulating about public institutions and events and speak up when the facts are misrepresented. This is even more important on topics that may stir debate.
We may not agree on conclusions, but we should have a public discussion based on accurate facts.
The suggestion that our public library would choose books with explicit sexual content (as was spread across social media) was both untrue and an insult to the integrity of our library and the LGBQTIA+ community.
The Hoboken Public Library is a vital resource for our community.
Besides standing up against censorship, the library boasts an impressive physical and digital book catalogue and offers a wide range of services for kids and adults: from the popular youth art in the park program to social services for navigating programs like SSI and Medicare.
To learn more, visit their website or follow Hoboken Public Library on social media.
As a matter of policy, I strongly support the expansion of the library through the new planned uptown branch, and look forward to the activities that will come online at this location.
Additionally, if elected, I will advocate for the expansion of library services currently located at the Multi-Service Center, and will push for this to include a larger community space with more expansive services geared towards our growing teen population.
If elected, I look forward to working cooperatively with my community on providing more information on important resources the library and our other institutions offer, as well as always standing up against misinformation that has the effect of marginalizing our LGBTQIA+ and other minority communities.
That is what I have done as a private citizen. That is what I will do as a council member.
Sincerely,
Marla Decker
Candidate for Hoboken City Council – 2nd Ward
Giving more ammo to the valid belief that Decker is just another Bhalla Rubber Stamp Drone.
Well, Marla didn’t write that drivel. Ravi’s crew did and continue to play their hate and division misinformation game. If parents get out of line and stand up for their children, Ravi will label them haters.
Here’s how it went for a minority community in California. The reporter happens to be gay but he provided an accurate story on how parents standing up for their children led to them being targeted with Leftist violence:
https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1671394225848475648
It’s so refreshing to finally see someone who wants to represent the Second Ward through in person action, not just in tweets, #fbmemories and in 10k word newsletters. Thank you, Marla for stepping up to be the true leader that the Second Ward desperately needs and deserves!
You’re talking about the woman who made a big deal about supporting refugees and then forgot about them the moment the news cycle moved on? This is the first we’ve heard of Marla even acknowledging LBGTQ, we don’t need a fake progressive representing us, we have the Dem Chairwoman of Hoboken already. Please clarify what action Marla has actually done other than trying to defame Tiffany.
This rubber stamp is anything but refreshing. Hoboken needs to keep independent voices like Tiffanie’s on the city council and to bring some new voices, as well. Enough of Ravi and his puppets.
Thanks, Ravi.
Yes definitely criticize a council person for having too much information in her newsletters. Please spare us. Let’s see Marla talk about something new she wants to accomplish where Ravi failed. Which reminds me, John, you do a great job so can you please check into the new rec director after a year of almost nothing new? The only summer prigrams under recreation this year (not cultural affairs dept) are gymnastics and baseball same as before. Look at every other town. 2 prigrams in a town like this is emarrassing after hiring a new person for 6 figures in 2022. Let her say what she’s doing to give Hoboken kids to do this summer. This ain’t it. Why spend the money and go back in a promise to kids? Why?
Don’t hold your breath waiting for Ravi’s candidate to opine on Mayor Fulop’s 14th Street lobby cannabis store The B-Team has already promised it to their very good political crony and the heck with the residents of the Second Ward. But expect more virtue signaling.
Marla supports weed sales in a family neighborhood so she doesn’t need to mention it ever again. 🤡
While I applaud you for having the ba—er, courage, to openly admit you support pedophilia and Ravinder’s personal career ambitions, I’m still unclear on your position concerning our current rat infestation.
Can you please share?
Suspicious that Marla’s kids are nowhere to be found. Dangerous hypocrite.
The people most outraged over other people’s genders and or sexual attractions are often the ones who have closets so full they should appear on. TLC’s hoarders
Next episode, a closet full of trump wigs and toilet shaped sex toys
Par for the course for team bhalla, what hate crime are you gonna fake next?
Rumor is Marla is throwing in the towel.