Dear Neighbors,
Happy International Women’s Day! Here are your monthly updates.
Hoboken’s Outstanding S&P Global Ratings
As a member of the Council’s Finance and Administration Subcommittee, which includes responsibility over budget and finance matters, I am pleased to share important financial news for the City. S&P Global reaffirmed the City's exceptional AA+ credit rating, and awarded the City an SP-1+ short-term credit rating, the highest possible short-term rating. S&P’s credit report highlights Hoboken's "very strong economy," "strong budgetary performance," and "strong institutional framework" as key factors in these outstanding ratings.
In its report, S&P Global highlighted Hoboken's "strong budgetary flexibility," "very strong liquidity," and "very weak debt and long-term liabilities". The SP-1+ rating reflects S&P Global’s confidence in Hoboken's ability to make principal and interest payments with ease. S&P Global commends the City's ongoing investments in flood mitigation, and enhancements to water infrastructure, reflecting the City’s dedication to fostering a resilient, thriving community. These ratings save Hoboken taxpayers real money, driving down our costs of borrowing. You can read about these important ratings here.
The City Council’s Unanimous Statement on Conflict in the Middle East
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas weighs on the minds of many. At the Council’s February 21st meeting, for approximately 2 hours, members of the public spoke passionately about these issues and, again, at this week’s Council meeting, we heard more than an hour of public comment on these issues. I have spoken with community leaders and many of my Council colleagues about these issues. As a Council, we worked together and this week the 9 Council Members shared the following unanimous statement:
A vote on the conflict in the Middle East would be inherently divisive and counter-productive for all concerned. Therefore the Hoboken City Council has unanimously decided to put forward the following statement regarding the conflict in the Middle East:
“We, as representatives of the City of Hoboken, stand resolutely against all forms of bigotry, hatred, and discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. As a diverse and inclusive community, we embrace and celebrate our differences while fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. Recent events have underscored the importance of reaffirming our commitment to combating prejudice and promoting tolerance. We unequivocally condemn any acts or expressions of hatred directed towards individuals or communities based on their religious beliefs or nationalities.
As leaders in the community, we hear clearly the expressions of pain of residents of Hoboken and beyond, and we want to ensure there is no spillover of the conflict into Hoboken. We pledge to continue working tirelessly to promote diversity, educate our residents about the importance of mutual respect, and ensure that Hoboken remains a safe and welcoming place for all. Together, let us strive to build a more compassionate society, where every individual is valued and respected.”
Remembering Aaron Lewit
Aaron Lewit lived his 75 years with a passion to serve. He gave so much to our Hoboken community, and to many other communities (including Newark, NJ and Santa Fe, New Mexico). Even while struggling with the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis this year, Aaron attended our City Council meetings, beaming with pride, when we unanimously voted to approve The Hoboken Housing Authority’s (HHA) redevelopment plan that will transform the lives of all HHA residents. Aaron not only served as an HHA Commissioner (I proudly appointed and supported Aaron, along with fellow Council Members), and Aaron also served as a community leader on the boards of the Hoboken Community Center, the Hoboken Shelter, and the Fund for a Better Waterfront (where he served for a time as the FBW President).
There will be a celebration of Aaron’s life at a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 9th at the Hoboken Community Church (at Garden and 6th Streets) from 11 am to 2 pm all are welcome to attend.
Thank you, Aaron, and Rest in Peace
Kick Kids’ Cancer and Celebrate Life Event
Youth 🥎 Recreation ⚾️ Registration 🥍 Opens Monday
Additional instructional sessions are available for baseball/softball tailored for 4 and 5-year-olds, offering a chance to learn fundamental skills. Classes are slated for Saturdays, tentatively set to begin April 20th, and registration opens Monday, March 11th, at 5 pm.
Instructional lacrosse sessions for Hoboken kids in kindergarten thru 5th grade, on Sundays, tentatively is set to start April 14th, at Hoboken High’s Taglieri Stadium. Lacrosse, and registration opens Tuesday, March 12th, at 5 pm. Space in both programs is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register here for either program. For more information email recreation@hobokennj.gov.
Hoboken Period Product Donation Drive
Support those in need and contribute to Hoboken’s period product donation drive! The Office of Constituent Services, in collaboration with a local Girl Scout, invites residents to donate unopened packages of menstrual products, such as pads and tampons, at City Hall, located at 94 Washington St., on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm now until March 15th. This drive aims to address period poverty in our community, an issue highlighted by the Flow Initiative revealing one in three Hudson County students struggle to afford menstrual products.
Additional drop-off locations include:
- Alba Boutique, 716 Washington St.
- A X D Boutique, 503 Washington St.
- Bwè Kafe, 1002 Washington St.
- Hidden Grounds Coffee, 700 Garden St.
- Prime Cycle + Body, 86 River St. (2nd Floor)
Coffee with Cohen next Tuesday
Please join me Tuesday morning, March 12th, for my 96th Coffee with Cohen Community Event and March office hours at Anthony David’s (953 Bloomfield Street), a great locally owned and operated 5th Ward business, with special guest, Diana Aviles Hoboken’s Director of Parks, Recreation, and Public Works.
Director Aviles Joins Coffee with Cohen on Tuesday
What: March Office Hours with Councilman Phil Cohen
When: March 12th from 8 to 9:30 am
Where: Anthony David’s (953 Bloomfield Street)
Come for coffee, croissants, and conversation on issues affecting our community with Councilman Cohen and Special Guest Director Diana Aviles.
Staying Up To Date and Seeking My Assistance
I issue this newsletter every month. You can stay up to date by following me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. 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
(862) 234-9053
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.
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Paid for by Phil Cohen for Hoboken City Council |
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