Hoboken 1st Ward council candidate Paul Presinzano is swinging at Mayor Ravi Bhalla over his veto of a Hoboken ordinance that would’ve banned new parklets as part of ongoing rat mitigation efforts.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The mayor’s veto is yet another example of failed leadership making bad decisions that work against the interests of the people of Hoboken. The rat crisis we are currently facing could have been avoided if the administration had taken swift action,” Presinzano said in a statement.
“Now, with experts suggesting the parklet structures are contributing to the rat infestation, it is clear the mayor is content to let the problem fester. Since this rat crisis could very well spawn another public health crisis, that is just simply the wrong move for Hoboken families. We must prioritize the health and safety of our community.”
Presinzano continued that he favors council amendments to implement removable seating areas instead of permanent structures. He feels this approach allows businesses to continue offering outdoor seating while addressing the ongoing rat infestation issue.
“When you have a problem that could become a citywide health crisis, you do everything you can to stop it, like we did during Covid. We need to be proactive in finding solutions that support our small businesses without compromising the well-being of our residents.”
The city council approved a measure sponsored by 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino and co-sponsored by 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher that would ban new parklets while still allowing existing ones, as well as parklets.
The vote was 5-4, with 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco, 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, Fisher, and Giattino voting yes.
Council President Emily Jabbour, 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, Councilman-at-Large Jim Doyle, and Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero voted no.
By the next morning, Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced that he was vetoing the ordinance, preferring a five-month moratorium that was introduced during new business by DeFusco and Cohen (it passing unanimously, 9-0).
Bhalla also said that he agreed with the Hoboken Business Alliance that banning new parklets would hurt local entrepreneurs.
“In my opinion, the ordinance does not effectively address the issue is aims to resolve and simultaneously hurts the business community, to the detriment of our broader Hoboken community,” he wrote in his veto statement.
A city spokeswoman did not return an email seeking comment.