In an editorial, Jersey City resident Kevin Davis gives his take on Automotus, who provides the technology for Hoboken’s CLEAR program, donating $1,000 to Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, a mayoral candidate.
On August 26th, Councilwoman Emily Jabbour’s mayoral campaign received a $1,000 donation from Jordan Justus, CEO of Automotus, the company Hoboken hired to run the city’s camera parking ticket pilot.
That was the same day she chaired the Transportation and Parking Committee meeting where the City Council was first informed about the pilot program.
Two weeks earlier, on August 14, the Automotus CEO gave $1,000 to Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s Assembly campaign, after Bhalla had already secured his primary and was all but guaranteed a win this November.
Within 14 days, Automotus donated to the outgoing mayor and the councilwoman who wants to replace him, according to reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Why does that matter? Because the pilot isn’t permanent. It runs until the end of this year, and then the next mayor and council must decide whether to renew Automotus’s contract.
The stakes for the company are obvious, and they’re making sure their checks land in the right campaigns.
Meanwhile, Jabbour has voted twice against pausing the program until after the election, even while admitting the rollout was mishandled. That’s like saying the food is undercooked but insisting everyone at the table eat it anyway.
And fairness is the real issue here. Hoboken residents can pay up to $150 whether the ticket comes from a police officer in the field or an Automotus-assisted staffer clicking “approve” behind a desk.
Same fine, less accountability. It’s like paying Peter Luger prices for a steak from 7-Eleven.
The unfairness becomes even starker when you consider the mayor himself. Bhalla faces scrutiny over several dismissed parking tickets, including for blocking bike lanes, allegations he strongly denies.
Ordinary residents don’t get that privilege. They don’t have a direct line to City Hall. For them, it’s pay up or else.
So when Jabbour takes campaign money from the same company that benefits from keeping the program alive, while also voting against giving Hoboken voters a say through the election, it’s not just about optics — it’s about whose side she’s on.
August tells the story. On the 14th, Automotus backed Bhalla. On the 26th, they backed Jabbour. By year’s end, the council will decide whether to renew their contract.
Hoboken voters should decide if they want a mayor who stands with residents, or with the company cashing in on them.
Kevin Davis
Jersey City, NJ
Won’t someone think of the car owners who desperately need to double park on Washington?
No wonder the actual bike advocates hate this bootlicking car-brained dolt. Masquerade the pro-car propaganda all you want, but it’s too obvious whose side you’re really on.
Wheely, Emily? This is the “transparency” that you tout in your campaign?
According to Emily’s own lit, “Real transparency in how decisions are made.”
Well this is absolutely transparent to us! You lied to us!
Every which way you look, Emily is cutting a backroom deal against Hoboken residents! First with the quarter billion dollar high school, now with this parking ticketing vendor!
Oh, she’s the worst! Never Russo, Never Emily!
But then again, Kevin Davis lives in Jersey City, so why should he care what goes on here? And why should we care what he thinks?
Why not since people go to both all the time? Sure pointed out some simple truths about Emily Jabbour.
The only thing I can say is, illuminating and more people should know.
And Bike Hoboken’s “Guru” Moved to California
She’s now running things through Andrew the new leader but she still tweets about us here
Agree- I too was hoping Emily would lift us out of the ethical quagmire that has largely defined the Bhalla years. Guess not. Another politician who probably got in for the right reasons, only to get mugged by reality.
Mr paul had Kevin write this
Also Mr Paul says Jersey city residents shouldn’t poke their nose in Hoboken business
Please thank Kevin, Mr. Paul, from all of us sane with eyes wide open in Hoboken.