Dear Neighbor,
It was my hope to “hit the ground running” as your Councilman when I took office, and as you will see below, I think that hope is being realized. Although I was sworn into office on New Year’s Day, I feel like January has already been a very busy month, and I want to update you in this newsletter about what is going on.
I was (virtually) sworn into office by the Hoboken City Clerk on January 1st, while I was in Ithaca with my family in upstate New York. Then, in Council Chambers before my first Council meeting on January 2nd, I was joined by so many friends and supporters who shared a very special moment in my life. I was especially fortunate to be sworn into office by my mother, Ellie Cohen, 27 years after I swore mom in, as the Mayor of Livingston, in 1993.
During the Council’s reorganization meeting on January 2nd, two council members were elected to the Council’s leadership roles. The council members unanimously re-elected Jennifer Giattino As president Vanessa Falco as Vice President. Ms. Falco’s election marks the first time Hoboken named an African-American To serve in a leadership role on the Council. Congratulations to Council President Giattino and Council Vice President Falco!
One of my campaign pledges was to be accessible to constituents of the 5th Ward and host regular community meetings in different 5th WARD neighborhoods, featuring local businesses. I hosted my first Coffee with Cohen event in December at Anthony David’s and Mayor Bhalla joined us as a special guest.
I held the second ”Coffee with Cohen” constituent meeting at Dolce & Salato on January 6th. We discussed north end redevelopment, budget, taxes, how to best support new local businesses, and enjoyed Dolce & Salato’s crazy delicious croissants and yummy sfogliatella pastries. If you haven’t been to this beautiful, new cafe with fresh Italian pastries, run, don’t walk, to Dolce & Salato at 1101 Grand Street! I am looking forward to seeing you at February’s Coffee with Cohen at the exciting and brand new Bwe Kafe at 1401 Adams Street, on Monday, February 3rd from 7:30 to 9:00 am.
On January 8th, I attended the official grand opening of a new multi-purpose gymnasium on Jackson Street between 6th and 7th Streets. The new, 6,835 square foot gym is now open for recreational basketball and other activities. It provides much-needed space for city-run programs as well as open gym space for Hoboken residents to use. The new gymnasium will offer open gym time for adults on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. No reservation is necessary and the gym will be open on a first-come, first-serve basis.
I was given a tour of the North Hudson Sewerage Authority facility and learned about NHSA’s operations. Thanks to NHSA Director, Richard Wolff, for arranging my tour and to Don Congar, Head of Operations, and Stephen Hudock of CH2M for showing me some of the capital investments Hoboken has made in our modern waste treatment plant.
Last, but not least, I want to thank every one of you who supported my campaign. Without you my election could not have been possible. I will work each day for you and look forward to being of service to you. I will do my best to not let you down.
If I can ever be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com
Thanks, and best wishes to you and your families for the New Year,
Phil Cohen
5th Ward Councilman
City of Hoboken, New Jersey
P.S. You can learn more about my ideas for Hoboken on my campaign website,
