Official release:

“Mayor Bhalla’s distorted view of reality when it comes to the municipal budget is almost as troubling as his continual misuse of taxpayer resources for his own petty politics. The DCA absolutely did not reject the city budget as the Mayor said in his political attack delivered on a city platform, and the only potential job cuts in this budget will come from a bloated Mayor’s office that has increased its spending by 40% over the prior administration and engaged in highly questionable political hit jobs. It’s unfortunate Mayor Bhalla feels the need to keep personally attacking two dedicated community leaders who have done so much for our city in Councilwomen Giattino and Fisher, and I hope that all residents can see through his bizarre rhetoric and understand that the City Council is doing its job to protect taxpayers while the Mayor only cares about political attacks.” Read More...

Official release:

On Wednesday night, the City Council gave final approval to adopt the 2019 Municipal Budget that reduced the previously proposed tax increase of 2.8% to 1.7%. This budget includes full funding of city services and makes responsible spending cuts to protect the best interest of Hoboken taxpayers. Council President Jen Giattino and Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, chair of the budget revenue and finance subcommittee, released the following joint statement: Read More...

In a 5-4 vote, the City Council approved the Hoboken budget last night.

A budget amendment introduced by Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher sought to roll back Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s proposed three-percent tax increase to approximately one-percent and remained largely intact.

A furious lobbying battle ensued with the mayor’s office pulling out all the stops to block spending reductions across non-essential services including $115,000 in the mayor’s office.

Bhalla doubled the staff of the mayor’s office and increased spending in his office by 40%. Read More...

Official release:

                                   United States Attorney – District of New Jersey

The City of Hoboken received a lifeline with the Monarch Project as the uptown towers proposed by Ironstate Development is headed to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

The announcement the court will review the case comes amid expectations of a negotiated settlement where the two 11-story towers in the northeast corner of town would potentially see a solution elsewhere.

Residents in the third and fourth ward have been hostile at the notion of denser development in their neighborhoods.

The New Jersey Supreme Court granted a petition by the City to review the litigation where Hoboken saw Appellate Court rejections surrounding a controversial Planning Board decision not to hold a vote on the matter during the Zimmer Administration. Read More...

Official release:

Official release:

                                   United States Attorney – District of New Jersey
                                                               

HOBOKEN MAN ADMITS CONSPIRING TO PROMOTE A VOTER BRIBERY SCHEME Read More...

Ending week one of the Hoboken e-Scooter pilot allows a chance for evaluation and necessary self-criticism.

The Hoboken pilot didn’t kick off too well. Any educational efforts leading into the launch were inadequate with the public response strong in favor and in opposition. All agree continuous education is necessary.

Talking over the weekend to a man and woman traveling on the upper Washington St. sidewalk; it was clear they didn’t have any idea they were doing anything wrong. They admitted they hadn’t read much other than to get the e-Scooters rolling. Read More...