Op-Ed: Enough is enough, the ‘integrity bashing’ must stop in Hoboken

In an editorial, speaking as a private citizen, Hoboken Democratic Committee Treasurer Marla Decker speak out against “integrity bashing” over the committee’s recent endorsements.

I ran for Hoboken City Council last November to represent the Second Ward. I ran because I care deeply about Hoboken, and wanted to put my skills to work to improve for everyone.

I also ran because I was tired of the character assassination and ad hominem attacks that seemed to be the go-to play book of Councilwoman Fisher when it comes to anyone associated with Mayor Bhalla, with whom her personal disdain is well known.

I didn’t – and still don’t think – that the manner and tenor of the animosity she expresses serves the 2nd Ward or Hoboken well.

I wasn’t elected, and while disappointing, I was able to tolerate it. Losing was a risk I signed up for, and there were so many positives I took away from the campaign.

But what I didn’t sign up for was the character assassination. By email and social media Councilwoman Fisher accused me of having no integrity, of being misleading, even a liar.

Characterizations that don’t even slightly resemble the person that I am and have always been.

The strategy is very Trump-like. Attack the speaker, not the substance of their arguments.

Accuse others of having unscrupulous intent in order to avoid accountability for your decisions and actions.

I have moved on from the election, yet here I am again faced with baseless integrity bashing.

Earlier this week, the Hoboken Democratic Committee, of which I am the Treasurer (though I write this in my personal capacity and not on behalf of the Committee or its leadership), held a vote to endorse candidates for Congressional District 8 and U.S. Senate.

Even before the Committee voted to endorse Mayor Bhalla and Congressman Kim respectively, Councilwoman Fisher took to maligning the integrity of the process and the people who led it.

She went so far as to publicly describe it as “undemocratic” and “corrupt.”

So I’m here to say enough. And to call on Councilwoman Fisher to accept the results without casting aspersions on the process or the people involved, regardless of whether she supports the outcome.

The choice to endorse candidates for this election was something that I advocated for.

As the Hudson County Democratic Organization admitted, not a single member of our committee was consulted when it made its endorsements, despite the fact that each member of the Hoboken Democratic Committee is also a member of the HCDO.

In pivotal election year where our voices had been shut out, I felt that our local committee owed it to members to allow them an opportunity to endorse candidates chosen through a one member, one vote democratic process.

Who would get the endorsements was not a forgone conclusion, and any discretion in determining process was used to prioritize equity between candidates, integrity in the results, and transparency.

We reviewed and followed our by-laws, properly noticed a meeting, and invited candidates to submit written statements, a step not required by our by-laws, but offered as a courtesy to all candidates.

The statements were shared simultaneously with all members of the committee days in advance of the vote.

Certain campaigns asked to attend the meeting, but for pragmatic and equitable reasons (i.e., fairly accommodating every candidate’s availability), we opted not to invite live participation from any candidate.

No candidate was prevented from reaching out to committee members individually. Nor were committee members prevented from informing themselves about candidates.

Committee members were not strong-armed, cajoled, etc. to vote in any direction by so-called “Bhalla insiders.”

70 percent of the committee members participated in the vote. We assembled in person and on Zoom. The atmosphere was collegial and professional. No one discussed their votes or tried to influence others. Names on the ballots were organized alphabetically.

Processes were in place to verify each committee member could vote only once. Votes were anonymous aka “secret.” Votes were counted carefully, and tallies were double and triple checked. The integrity of the process was impeccable.

And, contrary to Councilwoman Fisher’s assertion, the process was textbook democratic.

It resulted in the Hoboken Democratic Committee choosing to endorse Mayor Bhalla and Congressman Kim by wide margins. That is the story.

So enough with the integrity bashing. Claiming the process wasn’t fair or was rigged (again a Trump-like strategy) intentionally obscures facts and the will of the Hoboken Democratic Committee members, who have had to fight to have their voices heard.

As a final point, the attacks on the integrity of the process and Chairwoman Hodes personally, have deprived Ms. Hodes of being credited for the phenomenal leadership she exhibited during the process.

Her resignation that followed the vote is a loss to our committee and to Hoboken. I thank her for her selfless service, inspirational leadership, and above all else- unwavering integrity.