Dear Neighbors,
Here are your monthly updates for October.
City Council Affirms Hoboken is a Fair and Welcoming City
Last week, I proudly sponsored the Hoboken Trust Act, which codified into law Hoboken’s longstanding commitment to being a Fair and Welcoming City.
The Hoboken Trust Act ensures Hoboken will not cooperate with ICE detainer requests or administrative warrants that lack a valid judicial order. It also formally commits Hoboken to protecting all residents from discrimination based on race or national origin.
The ordinance passed by a vote of 6–1–1 (CM Presinzano opposed and CM Doyle abstained). Importantly, it codifies Mayor Bhalla’s first executive order on January 1, 2018, declaring Hoboken a Fair and Welcoming City, a policy currently the subject of a lawsuit filed against Hoboken and three other New Jersey cities by the United States Department of Justice.
The preamble to the Hoboken Trust Act affirms our values: Hoboken’s diversity is a source of strength. Local enforcement of federal immigration laws undermines public safety by eroding trust between our immigrant communities and law enforcement. By clarifying the city’s role and its commitment to protecting residents’ privacy and rights, the Hoboken Trust Act strengthens community policing and commits to all Hoboken residents that they can live and pursue their livelihoods in peace and prosperity. You can read the Hoboken Trust Act here.
City Council Says “Enough” — Stands with Local Small Businesses Against Harassing Litigation
We expect local leaders to support locally owned and operated businesses who are model neighbors. Instead, “Team Tiffanie” City Council Candidate Liz Urtecho and “Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis,” an organization Liz co-founded and serves as President, are suing the Hoboken Planning Board for its vote permitting a local business to operate and also suing the business in a misguided case that has already forced the business owners to spend over $100,000 defending it.
Last week, the City Council passed a resolution calling for Liz and Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis to immediately drop the case, and abide by the Court’s ruling. The Council majority also called on Tiffanie Fisher to finally get on the right side of this issue — after spreading fear and division over cannabis’s introduction in our community — and publicly urge her Council running-mate to drop the case.
You can read the City Council resolution here.
Sign the Petition
I am encouraged by countless residents who are sick and tired of Team Tiffanie’s reefer madness. Members of the community can sign a petition here to urge Liz, Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis, and Tiffanie to drop the case against Blue Violets, which they insist on fighting all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
New 5th Ward Project Includes Significant Affordable & Workforce Housing and Community Benefits
In my role on the Community Development Committee, I have supported a new Redevelopment Agreement that the City Council unanimously approved September 17th. The mixed-use development by Advance at Hoboken LLC (Advance), includes 26 affordable housing units, five workforce housing units, and a privately operated indoor pickleball facility at the corner of 15th and Adams Streets.
- 26 affordable housing units (including affordable units transferred from The Harlow, as part of a litigation settlement with Advance);
- 5 workforce housing units (reserved for households earning up to 120% of the area median income);
- $1 million community benefit contribution to support infrastructure upgrades and other public projects in the North End.
- Storage for 117 bikes;
- A large green roof, and underground stormwater detention to manage rainfall and protect against flooding.
You can read more about the project here.
Election Information for Hoboken Voters
Election Day is right around the corner. Hoboken residents will have several important contested races on the ballot, including:
- New Jersey Governor
- State Assembly
- Hoboken Mayor
- Hoboken City Council
- Hoboken Board of Education
Hoboken voters can participate in the election by voting early in person, voting by mail, or casting a ballot on Election Day at their designated polling place.
Vote by Mail (VBM) Information
To submit your completed VBM, you can either mail it, drop it off in one of Hoboken’s three secure drop boxes, or drop it at the Board of Elections:
1. Mail. Return your VBM by placing it in your nearest mailbox using the U.S. Postal Service. The ballot must be postmarked on or before October 28th and received by the Board of Elections.
2. Secure drop box. Hoboken has three secure drop box locations:
- Hoboken City Hall at 94 Washington St. on Newark Street;
- at Stevens University Gateway Building at Hudson & Sixth Street;
- at Monroe Street between Seventh & Eighth Street.
3. In person drop-off at the Hudson County Board of Elections at 257 Cornelison Ave., 4th Floor, in Jersey City. Applications may still be submitted IN-PERSON to the Hudson County Clerk Division of Elections by 3 PM on November 3rd.
Early Voting is Easier than Ever in Hoboken
Early voting in New Jersey will take place in two locations from Saturday, October 25th through Sunday, November 2nd — including a new, convenient early voting location uptown in Hoboken’s 5th Ward. You can now vote early at the following locations Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. No appointment is necessary.
- Hoboken City Hall’s first-floor conference room (94 Washington Street at Newark Street); and,
- Mile Square Theatre (420 14th Street).
Election Day In-Person Voting
Residents can cast their ballot at their registered polling locations on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th. Polls are open from 6 am to 8 pm. Your polling location can be found here or here.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the Home Edition
On Monday, October 27th at 12 pm, I will host my monthly Coffee with Cohen … the home edition community event with special guests Mayoral Candidate Emily Jabbour and the “Team Emily” Council Slate.
You can RSVP to join this virtual meeting here. If you have questions, please send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com and I will try to address them.
Staying Up To Date
If you have any questions, or I can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com.
Phil Cohen
Hoboken City Councilman
Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(201) 639-4082
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken (as well as read this newsletter and prior newsletters) on my website philcohen.org.
P.P.S. If you like this Newsletter, and want to support my community service, please consider a contribution in support of my efforts.
