Dear Neighbor,
I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Valentine’s Day and a happy Black History Month. So far this month has already been chock full of excitement. Here are some of the items that have taken place or that I think would interest you to know.
Hospital Zoning
At our City Council meeting last Wednesday evening, my Council colleagues and I unanimously approved on first reading an emergency ordinance to zone our hospital property as a hospital district, to prevent it from being used for future residential development. Although the future of our hospital is once again uncertain, working with Mayor Bhalla’s administration, we are doing our part to help secure a future with a hospital continuing to serve our community. By acting to diminish the appeal of the hospital’s land to a real estate developer seeking to profit from the hospital’s precarious financial status, we are working to increase the likelihood that the hospital continues to provide critical public health services to our community. To read more click here!
Spring Recreation
Since 2018, the City has expanded recreation opportunities for children through the re-launch of the flag football program, the introduction of tennis clinics, the expansion of basketball for children with a new division for girls, and this year — a new girls’ volleyball league.
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken are pleased to announce the launch of recreation tennis, and for the first time, girls’ volleyball for the spring season. Registration will open on a first-come, first-serve basis for both sports at 12:00 pm on Friday, February 14th and will remain open until March 2nd. To register, visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/register.
Art in the Park
On February 11th registration began for Hoboken’s popular Art in the Park program, a six-week creative arts program this summer for children ages 1-4 years of age. You can sign up at www.hobokennj.gov/register.
This picture of Anna, 17 years ago, shows how much my family has enjoyed this terrific program which is run so well by Nora Martínez DeBenedetto. Though Anna is in college now, our Art in the Park program is still here, going strong and better than ever!
It’s not too soon to plan for our fun Art in the Park program. Register today!
Pet Waste Station Adoption
Note the empty roll on our 11th Street pet waste station, which I personally “adopted”, and which used to have 200 bags. It’s pretty clear that our pet waste station is being well-used, and our 11th Street sidewalks look pretty clear too! 🐕 🐶 💩 🐕 🐶
This initiative from Mayor Bhalla’s administration seems to be working well. Let me know if you would like to adopt a Pet Waste Station if you don’t have one nearby, and we will follow-up or visit www.hobokennj.gov/petwaste for more information. Let’s keep our streets clean together!
Coffee with Cohen
Thank you to everyone who joined me for February’s Coffee with Cohen and our gracious host, the beautiful bwe kafe at 1401 Adams! I enjoyed discussing Rebuild by Design, the proposed sale of our Hospital, Recycling, Parking Permits, the City’s Budget and Public Safety.
I want to say a special thank you to Mayor Bhalla and Fire Chief Crimmins for joining us. I appreciate the time both of you took out of your day to come and talk to the 5th Ward constituents.
I hope to see you at my next Coffee with Cohen event on the first Monday in March! Stay tuned!
Census
A reminder that the 2020 Census is still hiring (age 18+)! To help with this important undertaking, the U.S. Census Bureau is hiring thousands of employees. Local Census taker positions pay $22/hour, with paid training and flexible hours. The Census offers great jobs, great pay, and important work for our community. Learn more at www.hobokennj.gov/census.
Congratulations to Anne Lockwood and Joan Allman!
Congratulations to Hoboken’s newly appointed Planning Board Commissioners, Anne Lockwood, and Joan Allman, who were sworn into office last week. Best of luck to Anne and Joan, longtime engaged 5th Ward residents, and thank you both for your service. Hoboken is fortunate indeed to have such talented people serve our community.
If I can ever be of any assistance you, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com
Thanks, and best wishes to you and your family,
Phil Cohen
5th Ward Councilman
City of Hoboken, New Jersey
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken on my website,
