Tuesday night was the first of the council ward forums with candidates debating various issues.

The event was hosted by Stevens at the DeBaun Auditorium with the Quality of Life Coalition and moderated by Hoboken resident Bob Bowden and Hudson County View publisher/editor John Heinis.

First ward candidates: Councilman Mike DeFusco, Migdalia Pagan-Milano, third ward candidates: Councilman Michael Russo, Ron Bautista, fifth ward candidates: Nicola Maganuco, Phil Cohen and Tim Crowell.

Talking Ed Note: One of the big issues is the massive redevelopment being pushed by Mayor Ravi Bhalla who attempted to see a final vote with no public notification. Listen to the candidate’s answers about it very carefully.

Thursday night at 7:00 pm it will be the second, fourth and sixth wards at the same location.