Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and his council-at-large slate are pledging to bring back the city’s office of constituent affairs, expanding their recreation department, and much more in their quality of life plan.
“Building on the substantial improvements that we have implemented in Hoboken over the past four years, our quality of life plan is designed to make Hoboken an even better place to live and raise a family,” Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour said in a statement.
The team, which also includes Councilman-at-Large Jim Doyle and first time candidate Joe Quintero, suggests bringing back the constituent affairs office to focus on rent stabilization, affordable housing, and flood resiliency.
The department was abolished by a vote of 6-3 back in June 2020, overriding a previous veto by Bhalla. 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, Jabbour, and Doyle voted no.
The measure was sponsored by 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, who both defended the vote by saying it reduced expenses and restructured the city government efficiently.
Furthermore, the slate calls for adding more employees to the rec department to keep up with the local demand for activities, as well as introducing a new website that is easy to navigate – something Council-at-Large challenger Paul Presinzano had suggested last month.
Other new priorities mentioned by Team Bhalla include continuing to push Vision Zero forward, increase physical fitness and other opportunities for seniors, and bringing an on-demand bus service – similar to Via in Jersey City – to the Mile Square City.
In August, the city announced that they would be allocating $500,000 of their American Rescue Plan dollars towards a new microtransit system.
They also cite increasing the amount of bike lanes and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
The non-partisan Hoboken municipal elections are on November 2nd, where 10 candidates are vying for three council-at-large seats.