Dear Neighbor,
“Do you know Rafi?”
I was about to leave 84 year-old Diana Matesic’s 4th floor walk-up apartment, when she asked me that question. I had already spent 20 minutes with Diana, my constituent in the 5th Ward, who had a host of chronic illnesses and other serious problems. Our volunteer ambulance squad would routinely carry Diana down her building’s four flights so she could see her doctors, and the wheelchair she ordered was too wide for her apartment and needed to be exchanged. Diana lived on the 900 block of Park Avenue, far from Hoboken’s 1st Ward where Rafi lives, so I was surprised that Diana knew Rafi Córdova.
Diana told me that Rafi had been helping her for years — getting her medicine, taking her to doctors’ appointments, and regularly checking in on her to make sure that she was ok, as Diana’s husband had passed away, and Diana lived alone.
I came to learn Diana was just one of many seniors Rafi had been helping for years. He did it without forming a Civic Association, he did it without giving seniors stuff with his name printed on it. He did it because that is who Rafi is. Rafi gave Diana, and so many other Hoboken seniors, something more valuable than a t-shirt or a water bottle. Rafi gives his heart, he gives his compassion, and he gives his time freely to others who need his help.
When I learned Diana passed away a few months ago, I called Rafi to offer my condolences, and we talked about Diana and her family and what a special person she was.
“Do you know Rafi?”
To the voters of the 1st Ward, I urge you to get to know this man. Rafi Córdova is committed to public service for all the right reasons and I strongly endorse his campaign for Hoboken City Council. Please vote 1B on December 5 for the 1st Ward run-off election.
Best regards-
Phil Cohen
Hoboken City Councilman
Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(862) 234-9053
