In a letter to the editor, Hoboken Board of Education President Ailene McGuirk spells out why she feels Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour will have “a common sense” approach to city government as mayor.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I am proud to offer my full endorsement of Emily Jabbour for Mayor of Hoboken, and Team Emily for city council at-large.
Emily has long demonstrated the steady leadership, compassion, and practical problem-solving that our community needs, and I know she is the right person to guide Hoboken into its next chapter.
I first got to know Emily in 2017 when she was running for her first council at-large term. During the course of that race, I got to know Emily as a person who was dogged in her pursuit of understanding what residents of Hoboken wanted to see from their leaders.
It was refreshing to see a Mom of young children, roughly the same age as my own kids, out there and engaging with the community. Emily’s campaign was definitely an inspiration for my own run for Board of Education the following year.
One of Emily’s greatest strengths is her unwavering advocacy for our public schools. She understands that strong schools are the foundation of a thriving community, and she has consistently championed policies that make Hoboken a safe place to raise a family.
That advocacy isn’t just lip service, it is working to make sure that our Police and Fire Departments have fair contracts. It is voting to support budgets that honor those collective bargaining agreements, versus using a budget vote to gain political points.
Emily has done the right thing for Hoboken consistently, and is brave enough to withstand the political universe that is Hoboken. Emily’s work ethic and grit are simply unmatched.
Emily has been a steadfast leader on gun safety, a topic that demands both courage and clarity. She has worked tirelessly to advance evidence-based approaches that keep our community safe—balancing the need for responsible reform with respect for the values of all residents.
Her commitment to protecting our families is not theoretical; it is reflected in her record, her advocacy, and her voice at every level of government where safety and prevention matter.
Perhaps most importantly, Emily brings a common sense approach to city government. She is accessible, thoughtful, and focused on what works—not what is political or divisive.
Her decisions are grounded in data, shaped by community input, and guided by a belief that government should function efficiently and transparently for everyone.
Emily leads with practicality and empathy, always striving to move Hoboken forward in a way that improves daily life for all residents.
Emily’s team for council at-large brings a similar vision and passion. Joe Quintero has been a great asset in his four years on the City Council, and I look forward to seeing Caitlyn Layson and Steve Firestone bring their practical experience to the Hoboken City Council.
Ms. Layson knows our community and our children so well, and both of my children had the honor of spending time in the classroom with her.
Mr. Firestone has served the residents of Hoboken on the Zoning Board of adjustment with dignity and reason, qualities that will serve him well on the City Council.
Hoboken deserves a mayor with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving our community. Emily Jabbour embodies all of these qualities, and I am confident that under her leadership, our city will continue to grow stronger, safer, and more united.
I hope you will join me on December 2 and vote Emily Jabbour for Mayor of Hoboken and Team Emily (Quintero, Layson, Firestone) for council at-large.
Ailene McGuirk
Hoboken
While the author of this letter, Ailene McGuirk, is a member of the Hoboken Board of Education, the letter expresses only Ms. McGuirk’s personal opinion and has not been authorized by or written on behalf of the Hoboken Board of Education.
Perhaps you and Emily should reveal your secret plans to bring back a High School plan – just without a Hockey Rink
Oh no! Hockey High School flyer on the way!
https://youtu.be/oz7KYUkdlvE?si=cYPw6Bhus36DS_ds
The new plan sans hockey rink is getting around. McGuirk & co. hoped no one would find out.
Shorter runways to short-circuit common sense. No thanks.
Absolutely! It’s all the rage on 4chan. Not so much in the real world though.
Are you going to do one of your flyers about it like back in the 80s? The Terrier Flyer? Turgid Flyer? Something like that?
Get one of the good shopping carts with 4 good wheels so it goes faster this time and you don’t get caught so easy.
Who’s Roman? Your ex-BF or someone you’re in love with from afar? 🤣
Oh he’s spoken for. He’s Mike Russo’s new biggest fan. Him and Beth 2.0.
Speaking of incel romance – does the hobbit thing make you feel special? You know, mannish. Not quite a man but closer to it than you usually feel?
Ailene specifically tells you why not to vote for Emily. Emily is a sycophant like the rest of the mommy brigade and put no thought to what their actions mean for the rest of Hoboken. “Unwavering advocacy for the public schools” is the deathnail. We all want good public schools and for them to strive to improve but not blind yes people.
And Emily stated as much at the debate held at the Hoboken High School.
is boe member chetali khanna who’s campaigning for russo a “hobbit” or just moms who support jabbour?
it seems that you don’t like women (aka “mommy brigade”, “hobbits”) but remember this: you wouldn’t be here but not for your own mom, though we’d all be better off if she’d had a headache on that fateful night.
“Common sense approach” in these endorsement letters is a sign the candidate has no plans to quote and the writer is a friend. Absolutely meaningless.
McGuirk is a snake. You know how to handle snakes? With extreme prejudice.
Ailene ran interference for Emily during the Referendum debacle, hardly an unbiased endorsement.
Both candidates are awful choices for Hoboken Mayor. 1 who has documented corruption and personal finance issues, 2 who has zero experience managing anything. SMH. It’ll be who gets out the vote. Russo has history of paying for that, and look at how his votes came from Applied Bldgs Election Day.
Let’s recap here….. The $241m School Referendum was launched shortly after a School Board election during which the plan was not sufficiently discussed with the public – -it was hidden. The plan was notable for its price tag, the secrecy with which it was developed and the fact that it featured much about shifting athletic facilities and far less about program changes. The $241m was to be spent on a high school which, at that time, housed less than 500 students with a fingers crossed assurance that the number would swell to over 1000 students in our lifetime…. Little attention was paid to things like curriculum enhancements and AI preparedness — or what the amortized cost would be to Hoboken taxpayers.
Now, given the transient nature of this community, it is safe to say that many who live here today were not around 3+ years ago, plan to leave before the bill for this type of project would come due and/or really don’t pay attention to these sorts of issues, anyway. This is not new in Hoboken. What is new and somewhat outrageous, however, is that the Mayoral candidate who was clearly aligned with this project is now being touted as the one who will provide a “common sense” approach to running the city. Say what?
$241million. 500 Students. Planned in a backroom. Let’s think hard about this one.
Just imagine the grift up for grabs in the next $241M high school referendum. Yum yummy. Somebody sure could wet HIS beak in that one.
Keep hammering this endorsement cause that’s the fool you are.