Below is Carol Marsh, Hoboken City Council President's response to that change of venue request:
"At the last Council meeting, members of the City Council and Mayor Zimmer listened to more than 4 hours of public testimony at the start the meeting regarding the planned layoffs in the police department. Everyone, even those who were not signed up to speak, was offered the opportunity to address the Council. As a result, the Council meeting did not finish until after 2 AM.
We have received a request that our next council meeting be held in a venue to accommodate up to 500 people. While it is appropriate and important that we listen to the public, we must balance the need to hear
from members of the public against the need to conduct the City’s business.
As a result, in consultation with Mayor Zimmer, we plan to provide an overflow room in City Hall to accommodate additional members of the public who may wish to attend the upcoming meeting. In order to balance the need for community input while conducting the City’s business, we plan to allow a reasonable period of time at the beginning of the meeting for the public to speak on the resolution which was tabled at the last council meeting.
We ask that the organizers of this protest identify appropriate group leaders and any other members of the community to speak as representatives during the initial portion of the meeting, perhaps giving priority to those who did not address the Council at the last meeting. As always, additional community input can be provided during the public portion of the meeting. We will work closely with Police Chief Falco, and we are confident in his department's ability to maintain a safe environment for everyone as they did at the prior meeting.
Council meetings are just one way for the public to provide input to their elected officials. For those who are not able to attend the meetings because of work or other reasons, all members of the council can be
contacted via the email addresses which are published on the city website, http://www.hobokennj.org/. Finally, public demonstrations are an important aspect of our democracy, and I have been assured that the Administration will work to ensure the safety of participants at any such demonstration."
- Carol Marsh
Hoboken City Council President
For reference here is Vince Lombardi's letter to the City Clerk dated September 8th, 2010:
"I am respectfully requesting that the City of Hoboken move the regular Hoboken City council meeting
scheduled for Wednesday September 15, 2010 from the usual City Hall Municipal Court Chambers to a larger venue to better accommodate members of the public.
I am expecting approximately 400-500 members of the community, especially senior citizens, who have contacted me wanting to attend this upcoming meeting.
It is within the best interest of the community and the city to change the location of this meeting to accommodate all personswishing to attend in a facility tat has adequate space, ventilation, air conditioning for safety and health reasons.
My recommendation fro a location that would best suit the public's health and safety needs would be that of the Wallace Primary School and auditorium/gymnasium.
Please contact me regarding this request as soon as possible. I may be reached at 201-838-7458.
Respectfully yours,
Vince Lombardi
Hoboken PBA President" ◦
