Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Business Administrator Arch Liston went to Trenton and achieved a major milestone towards Hoboken's road to economic recovery. They successfully applied for a release from monitoring from the State of New Jersey. In other words, the tenure of the State's Fiscal Control Monitor, Judith Tripodi, is now over, and Hoboken has substantially regained control of its fiscal affairs.
This is a proud accomplishment for our City and a testament to how much progress has been made in the 12 months. We have a Mayor and City Council that are working together to move the City forward. The City Council has adopted a fully funded budget while rejecting fiscally irresponsible police union contracts. The Administration has hired a Business Administrator, Arch Liston, who will assume many of the duties undertaken by Ms. Tripodi, and a set of professionals as Directors of the City's various departments. We have made appointments to the zoning board, hospital authority, and other boards based on individual qualifications and commitment to advancing balanced development, fiscal responsibility, protecting open space and our shared goals for Hoboken. Hoboken is finally moving in the right direction again.
While we are taking substantial steps on the road to fiscal recovery, regrettably, some of my council colleagues continue to manufacture controversies, engage in personal attacks, and erode the civil discourse of our city, while adding little value to matters of public importance. Rather than be distracted by these antics, I will keep pushing forward on the issues that matter to Hoboken residents.
If you ever have any questions or concerns you want to share with me about any issues, large or small, please call me at 201-647-6090 or email me at rbhalla@hobokennj.org.
The Mayor is to be congratulated on this major accomplishment towards fiscal independence in Hoboken. Now let's keep the momentum going!
Sincerely,
Ravi S. Bhalla
Hoboken Councilman-at-Large ◦
