Dear Neighbor,
Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 Here’s your first update for June.
New Head of Recreation
Welcome to Jessica Lezcano the City's new head of the Division of Recreation!
Jessica comes to Hoboken after nearly a decade of recreation experience at the City of Passaic and the Borough of Rutherford.
In her role as Director of Recreation for the Borough of Rutherford, Jessica redesigned and managed creative ways for residents to engage in safe activities during a global pandemic, including launching borough-wide scavenger hunts, virtual races, and a new youth rock band program, among others. In addition, she introduced a variety of technology upgrades, such as online registration, and streamlined communication with participants which will come in handy here in Hoboken.
While serving as the City of Passaic's Superintendent of Recreation, Jessica planned, developed, scheduled, directed, implemented, and marketed year-round recreation, senior, and cultural affairs programs for the city. She also secured millions of dollars of grants for projects such as the construction of a riverwalk along the Passaic River, a state-of-the-art multi-sport field, and new playgrounds.
Welcome Jessica Lezcano
Jessica's responsibilities for Hoboken’s Recreation Division include managing city sports programs, including girls' softball, basketball, flag football, and other new offerings, such as volleyball, with the objective of ensuring thoughtful, equitable, and advance planning and notice of programming to benefit children and their families. Jessica will also bring innovative technology delivering improved service for our recreation programming.
Over 2,000 children between the ages of 5 and 18 annually enjoy sports and physical activity run by the Recreation Division through various youth athletic programs including baseball, flag football, soccer, tennis, basketball and softball.
Public Safety Community Engagement Forums
In an effort to increase awareness of public safety initiatives and education campaigns, Mayor Bhalla and the City of Hoboken are hosting a series of informal community engagement sessions. The first one was held last week at Johnny Pepperoni’s — one of my favorite restaurants in town (and the 5th Ward)!
In order to enhance public safety and community relations, Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante, as well as Hoboken City Council Public Safety Subcommittee Chair Councilman Joe Quintero, will host the Hoboken Community and Public Safety forums every other month.
The Hoboken CAPS forums will bring community members together with all public safety divisions, including the Office of Emergency Management, the Hoboken Police Department, the Hoboken Fire Department, and the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps for an open discussion. A representative from each public safety division will provide a short presentation about current trends in public safety as well as public safety tips.
For greater access to residents, the public forums will be held at different times and locations in the City. Coffee and pastries will also be provided at each event.
Chief Aguiar Addresses the First CAPS Forum at Johnny Pepperoni’s
Hoboken Library BookBike
Enjoy a special story time and more with the Hoboken Public Library Book Bike throughout June! BookBike is the rolling Hoboken library, able to lend books, share WiFi, and issue library cards!
COVID-19 Updates
Over 6.9 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 14.5 million doses administered in New Jersey, as of June 2nd. As of May 30th, Hoboken’s positive test results total 11,888 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic. Two weeks ago, there were 11,232 positive cases.
New Jersey’s transmission rate is presently at 0.99. Please stay vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands, and stay safe.
HUMC is now hospitalizing 2 people with COVID, 0 of whom are Hoboken residents. If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID, please quarantine and then schedule an appointment for a COVID test 5-7 days for those fully vaccinated and immediately for those unvaccinated after potential exposure. To find out when you should get tested, click here.
COVID Testing Updates
To get the current Hoboken COVID testing and hours click here.
Testing for Hoboken Residents and Business Employees:
605 Jackson Street (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Wednesday, Friday
Time: 8am - 12pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
At-home testing
The NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Services is offering free, at-home COVID-19 saliva test kits. To order your kit go to learn.vaulthealth.com/nj. I ordered four free test kits from the federal government for my family, and you can order yours at https://www.covidtests.gov/.
COVID Vaccination News
As of June 2nd, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and nearly 100% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Thanks to our seniors for stepping up and protecting themselves and our community!
99% of Hoboken residents 12 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 85% are fully vaccinated.
96% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 82% are fully vaccinated.
Nearly 100% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 98% are fully vaccinated.
95% of all Hoboken residents have been provided with at least one dose, and 82% are fully vaccinated.
To get current Hoboken information on the City’s vaccination and clinic schedules click here as new information is posted daily.
If you are a Hoboken resident and would like a copy of your vaccination record, please contact LMedeiros@hobokennj.gov. Vaccination records are also accessible for all New Jersey residents through the Docket app.
CVS pharmacies in Hoboken also supply the COVID-19 vaccine. Walgreens pharmacies in Hoboken are also supplying the COVID-19 vaccine.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
Last year, to practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen events, I turned to the internet. For my 57th Coffee with Cohen event, on Wednesday I hosted special guest Laura Lagano, Co-Founder of the Holistic Cannabis Academy. We discussed addressing the stigma associated with cannabis use, her thoughts about the likely impact that dispensaries will have on our community and much more. Over 80 people have already watched this event and you can check it out here.
My next Coffee with Cohen event will be in two weeks. I hope to see you there. Do you have a question? Send it to HobokenPhil@gmail.com as I try to address each one. These events are hosted on my Facebook page Philcohenforcouncil and you can watch them here.
You can always follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you have any questions or concerns, 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.
