First, to you and your family - Happy Halloween!
Election Day is Tuesday, and I want to share a note about my friend Joe Quintero, from his wife Kim. Joe is a member of Team Bhalla, with Councilpersons Emily Jabbour and Jim Doyle, and I can't wait for Joe to join us on the City Council. Thanks for taking the time to read Kim's letter.
Kim Quintero:
Dear Hoboken Neighbors,
Since the campaign began, I’ve been overwhelmed by all the thoughtful comments and descriptions about my husband, Joe. Today I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my thoughts and a few stories about the man I married and why I know he is the right person to represent Hoboken along with Team Bhalla.
First, a quick story about how I fell in love with Hoboken, and Joe’s love for this City. Joe and I met in January 2011, and before then – given my New England roots - I hadn’t spent much time in Hoboken. However, a few days after our first date I got a card in the mail… it was from Joe. He had written me a note to say how much he enjoyed our date and invited me to come “hang out” in Hoboken – and he included a round trip PATH card! A little presumptuous perhaps, but I was smitten by him, and as soon as I emerged from the PATH for the first time, I was smitten by Hoboken too. A year later I joined Joe in Hoboken (we got a place on 3rd and Jefferson) and about three years after that we were married at St. Francis. Five years ago, we welcomed our daughter, Kara, who currently attends Wallace School.
Joe, our daughter Kara and I celebrating Halloween in Hoboken earlier today
Joe is smart, dedicated, and cares deeply about his community and helping out. Let me give you an example. Shortly after we had moved in together, both Joe and I found ourselves working long hours, yet wishing we could do something more meaningful with our time. After having seen a documentary (Brooklyn Castle) about a Brooklyn inner city junior high school which produces chess champions, but had fallen on hard times, Joe coordinated with the school and organized an office chess tournament which ended up raising over $20,000 to fund the school’s chess tournament travel budget. In short, Joe took the initiative to help those with a need, by encouraging coworker collaboration over the period of several weeks, to foster engagement and team building opportunities amongst his colleagues.
I see Joe taking this approach today with his campaign and with the initiatives he has outlined in his comprehensive flood policy, and parking and transportation policy. Joe looks at a problem and where many see few viable solutions, and he attacks it creatively and comprehensively and seeks a path forward. He listens carefully and educates himself thoroughly on the issue, then he both individually and collaboratively, works to prepare a well-constructed, multi-faceted, real solution-driven approach.
Additionally, Joe is incredibly proud of his Colombian heritage and is always cognizant of the work and sacrifice his parents have endured to ensure he has a better life. From his time serving as president of the Latin American Law Student Association at Fordham Law, to championing diversity issues at work and in his personal life, Joe is dedicated to ensuring anyone who feels left out or unheard (especially our Spanish speaking population) is properly represented.
While we feel fortunate, we are acutely aware that not everyone is working with the same resources and not everyone has the same needs. Joe has some substantial ideas worth reviewing on affordable housing and quality of life matters in Hoboken. Currently, there are many exciting community projects that need smart and thoughtful guidance by our community leaders with input from community members. I personally look forward to the days when our family can take a stroll along a contiguous waterfront and I trust Mayor Ravi Bhalla, with Joe, Emily, and Jim on his team to get us there.
You can learn more about Joe, why he is running and his love and commitment to Hoboken here. I am asking you to join me in electing Joe, Emily Jabbour, and Jim Doyle on Team Bhalla for a City Council that can work together to put forth thoughtful, tangible solutions from a team that understands the many challenges we face in the Mile Square city we all love!
Sincerely,
Kim Quintero
P.S. If you'd like to support Joe with a donation for the final stretch, we would very much appreciate it! Click here to donate, or, if you'd like to volunteer for Joe and Team Bhalla, click here.
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