Dear Neighbors,
Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas, and Seasons Greetings!
Here are your monthly updates.
Congratulations to Mayor-Elect Emily Jabbour!
On December 2nd, Hoboken elected a new mayor, my friend and Council colleague, Emily Jabbour. It was important that so many Hoboken voters came out for a December runoff election on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to participate in an election that will have a profound impact on the future of our City.
I was gratified to see the 5th Ward that I represent support Mayor-Elect Jabbour by a 63% to 37% margin — providing Emily with a decisive 540 vote margin on Election Day.
On her path to victory, Emily defeated Councilman Russo in the 2nd Ward (despite 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher’s enthusiastic Russo endorsement), and decisively carried the 4th Ward, and the 6th Ward.
I look forward to working with Mayor‑Elect Jabbour, and I know all Hoboken wishes Emily every success when she takes the mantle of city leadership on January 15, and is sworn in as an historic figure — Hoboken’s 2nd woman mayor.
Election Night Celebration With Mayor-Elect Jabbour
Congratulations to Joe, Caitlin and Steve!
On December 2nd, Hoboken re-elected Joe Quintero to another four-year term as Councilman-at-Large, as well as Council newcomers, Caitlin Layson (the first Asian-American ever elected to the City Council), and Steve Firestone. Congratulations to Joe, Caitlin and Steve! I’m looking forward to working together as Council colleagues to make Hoboken an even better place to live, work or raise a family.
Winning a Long, Hard-Fought Battle for our Public Waterfront
On January 15, 2018, along with a number of residents and City leaders, I attended an emergency NJ Transit Board meeting in Newark, where Governor Chris Christie, in the final hours of his Administration, scheduled a special meeting on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to acquire Hoboken’s Union Dry Dock site and then lease it back to New York Waterway for a new ferry maintenance facility — a NJ Transit lease that would thwart our long-held vision for a fully-connected, public waterfront park.
January 15, 2018 — Newark, NJ — NJ Transit HQ
Years of work, negotiations, lobbying, litigation, and challenges ensued, which culminated in last week’s official groundbreaking for Maritime Park — an 8.7-acre waterfront park along Sinatra Drive.
Maritime Park will transform the last industrial parcel on our shoreline into a recreational, ecological, and educational destination shaped by extensive public input. Planned features include a modern skatepark for all skill levels, flexible lawn space, a learning pier, living shoreline, nature-based playground, public plaza, community building, expanded beaches, and an extension of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, along with resiliency measures such as native plantings and flood-adaptive design.
Construction on Phase I is expected to begin in early 2026 and will include the skatepark, waterfront walkway connections, and a public plaza. You can learn more about Maritime Park here.
December 10, 2025 — Maritime Park Groundbreaking
Congratulations to Mayor Bhalla, Governor Murphy, my Council colleagues, our County partners, local activists, and so many concerned citizens for realizing this major milestone in Hoboken’s years-long effort to create a fully connected, publicly accessible waterfront.
A Message on Hanukkah, Community, and Unity
As Jewish communities around the world mark Hanukkah, our hearts go out to the Jewish community in Australia at a deeply troubling time. No one should have to face fear, intimidation, hate, or terror simply for observing their faith. Hanukkah reminds us of the power of light in times of darkness, and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. That’s why it was so meaningful to join with leaders of Hoboken and Hudson County, of many different faiths, and join together on the day of the Bondi Beach anti-semitic massacre to light a menorah in front of Hoboken City Hall.
Values of respect, tolerance and inclusion guide my approach to addressing divisive issues confronting us. Last Monday, the City raised the Palestinian flag at City Hall without consulting the City Council before doing so. In the past, when invited to take formal political action on divisive issues that have roiled the Middle East, the Council has demurred. At that time, the entire City Council declined to take up an inherently divisive “ceasefire resolution” and called on Hobokenites to “respect one another and honor the rich diversity of our community, and stand together resolutely against all forms of bigotry, hatred, and discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.”
I have discussed these issues with Mayor-Elect Emily Jabbour, and we are committed to rethinking our approach to future flag raisings and cultural observances with transparency, intention, and a commitment to unity. Our goal must always be to bring people together, and ensure that every member of our community feels seen, respected, and safe.
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.
