Thread by @jmikola

Jmikola Reporting Live from the first @CityofHoboken mayoral debate hudpost.com/livestream/

Opening remarks from all candidates touching on helping small businesses in Hoboken. From the Washington St redesign to parking and shuttered shops.

Ramos on the balance of enjoying Hoboken’s nightlife and also respecting quality of life concerns among residents. Cited uptown Biergarten as a model example (although I do miss the original ownership).

Jabbour first to mention Hoboken public schools in her response to the question of balancing business and residential interests.

The “30 seconds” and “15 seconds” announcements from the sidelines are incredibly distracting (and throwing off the candidates). I don’t want to put anyone out of a job but @hudpost should consider using a less invasive sound effect.

@hudpost Ajmani first to mention issues with bail and prosecution. Cited previous case where a released criminal from Hudson County went on to stab someone in NYC hudsoncountyview.com/suspect-in-nyc…

@hudpost Conversation moving on zoning and permitting for small businesses.

Fisher mentions difficulty fostering cooperation between city hall Hoboken Business Alliance.

Waiters calls out favoritism and cliques responsible for some businesses receiving preferential treatment.

@hudpost Ajmani provides a few anecdotes about struggles from Brooklyn Dumpling (since closed) and Angelo’s (needing a vent hood to sell fish).

Russo has a 100 day plan to “digitize everything” in an attempt to reduce delays in the permitting process.

@hudpost Fisher expecting 20% population growth over the next 7-8 years, with 2/3 of that in northwest Hoboken. Will take investment from NJ Transit to support this growth.

@hudpost Ajmani, citing her @NJTRANSIT experience, says the 126 is a money maker for the agency and we can lean on that to support the city’s growth.

Ramos shares some details on funding his idea for $5 ferry rides (4-8 days a month) using state grants, city funding, etc.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT There’s no debate on stage that @PATHTrain is floundering.

Ramos and Jabbour both talked about having @NJTRANSIT expand 126 bus service to Madison and Monroe to better serve the west side of town.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Ajmani suggests a public/private partnership with ShopRite to increase parking availability for residents.

Russo wants to reinvent the Hop with more availability and on-demand transit (akin to existing senior Hop service).

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Keeping traffic out of the center of Hoboken is a priority for Ramos. Helping residents and visitors utilize garages on the perimeter and services like Hop for interior travel.

Jabbour is first to mention the decaying midtown garage (next to the hospital).

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain As the debate shifts to delivery services, Ajmani cites failures of the vest program and suggests using delivery drivers’ cell phones for tracking violations.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Ramos pledges to enforce the “test and vest” legislation he helped push through city council.

Jabbour follows by citing failures of Ramos’ legislation and the task force. Proposes a hub (with amenities) for delivery drivers off of Washington.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Russo: “when you want something to die in government, you create a task force.”

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Fisher, an author of “test and vest”, claims the administration didn’t want it to succeed.

Waiters pulls up a photo where she was helping register drivers outside Capital One bank (also now closed).

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Russo appealing to renters (and non-resident business owners) by pledging to support more affordable housing.

Waiters’ presence on stage hampers execution of his “I’m the only renter on stage” soundbite.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Ramos: “I appreciate your consistency”

Addressing the timekeeper on the sidelines as he runs over time and gets the gong. 🔔

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Fisher wants to enforce rent control and incorporate workforce availability into affordable housing initiatives.

Ajmani: “building affordable housing is different than keeping Hoboken affordable.” The latter needs limited tax increases and guardrails on rent increases.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain If you need a drinking game at home, take a shot whenever the timekeeper tells Ramos “your time is up.” 🥃

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Candidates trading stories about their experiences with rainfall and flooding in Hoboken over the years.

Waiters says she hasn’t seen much benefit from Rebuild by Design.

Ajmani mentions Hoboken may have reached peak population. Cited frequent water main breaks.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain Russo suggests using Hoboken’s three votes on the @nhudsonsa to lobby for change.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain @nhudsonsa Jabbour brings up Washington St benches as a point of contention between local businesses and homelessness. Cites importance of public restrooms.

@hudpost @NJTRANSIT @PATHTrain @nhudsonsa Ajmani mentioned that a local resident’s ex-husband is using her home’s proximity to the Hoboken shelter as an argument to gain custody (after an incident where their child was threatened).

“Your time is up, your time is up”

Fisher isn’t concerned with having a divided council and says she wants to elevate good ideas for better outcomes.

Waiters says her intention was to run for council at large but she was bamboozled. Says she’s not here to spoil the election.

Ajmani says of her time in Trenton, the NJ AG office knew of Hoboken because its council people frequently reached out to request investigations into political opponents.

Jabbour: “the larger community wants us to collaborate.” Says she would hold regular town hall meetings as mayor.

Closing remarks coming up.

Ramos: back to basics.

Jabbour: no improvement too small.

Fisher prepared a closing statement for businesses but acknowledges the vibe shift and decides to put her notes aside and wing it.

Waiters, distancing herself from council members, wants to stop recycling mayors and political teams. Thanks her 3,000 supporters in Hoboken.

“I’d rather eat cheese and be pleased than eat steak with a snake.” 🧀

Ajmani asks voters to consider the amount of money going into this election. Says she is self-funded and not beholden to special interests.

Russo concludes with an appeal to affordability (e.g. limiting tax increases) and again references his 100-day plan.