FIFTH WARD: Phil Cohen / Tim Crowell / Nicola Maganuco | Hoboken City Council Candidate Questionnaire — VOTE NOV. 5, 2019

Hoboken’s Municipal Election is Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

We asked Hoboken City Council candidates the following questions:

• You’re a candidate for the Hoboken City Council. This particular election has put a lot of focus on the role of a Council and a Councilperson, working in conjunction with the City’s Administration. How do you interpret that role?
• What are the key issues within your ward and how will you plan to address them?
• What are the key issues facing Hoboken on the whole, and how will you plan to address them?
• You are running against someone. In what way(s) do you differ from your opponent(s)?
• Why should residents in your ward give their vote to you?
• What’s your favorite Frank Sinatra song, and why?

Here are their answers, in their own words:

CANDIDATE: Phil Cohen

hMAG: You’re a candidate for the Hoboken City Council. This particular election has put a lot of focus on the role of a Council and a Councilperson, working in conjunction with the City’s Administration. How do you interpret that role?
Phil Cohen: I am running to represent the interests of the citizens of the 5th Ward.  The reason why I have knocked on over 2,500 doors is so that I can introduce myself personally to my neighbors and have them feel comfortable coming to me with their questions, concerns and problems.  I will represent them, work for them, and address their concerns directly with the City’s Administration. I believe having a good working relationship with the administration will make me a more effective representative.  When constituents have concerns about decisions of the Bhalla Administration, or problems in their neighborhood, I will directly present them and provide feedback to my constituents on how I addressed their issues. Indeed, I have already been doing so throughout the campaign, giving feedback on issues to the administration so that they can be responsive to the 5th Ward’s concerns.

I look forward to having a constructive and productive relationship with the Administration because I believe we will accomplish more working together toward our common goal of making Hoboken a better place to live, work or raise a family, than we will trying to play politics and not putting the interests of our community first.  I will always put Hoboken first.

h: What are the key issues within your ward and how will you plan to address them?
PC: Resiliency and Climate Change—As we look back at the 7th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, the most important issue facing the 5th Ward is flooding and resiliency.  As we consider any future redevelopment plans in our City, we must keep our plans for long-term resiliency included in every conversation.  I am a proud member of the Rebuild By Design Citizens’ Advisory Board, where I have served for 2 years focused on these issues. I will never lose sight of the importance of completing the Rebuild By Design project by 2022, or risk the federal government clawing back the $230 million grant we were awarded to make our community as resilient as possible to address the existential threat of climate change.

Confronting Overdevelopment—The Northwest section of Hoboken is largely zoned industrial, and needs to be updated to what Hoboken is today.  I served as a Zoning Board Commissioner for 8 years, and will stand up for projects that make sense and will say not to inappropriate overdevelopment that drives up density, congestion and overtaxes our resources, and say yes to mixed use projects that include light commercial businesses and services for our community, live/work units for our artists and cultural community, parks and open space to make our neighborhoods lively, inviting and appropriate for what Hoboken is today.  I am proud of having approved projects like the Pilsner Haus and the Gravity Vault in the former industrial zones, as well as the renovated American Legion Post 107, which includes housing for 6 homeless veterans. I am not afraid to ask hard questions of applicants and turn down development projects that are not right for our community. I am trained as a lawyer and will independently assess each proposed project and do what is best for Hoboken – always.

h: What are the key issues facing Hoboken on the whole, and how will you plan to address them?
PC: Holding the Line on Taxes—Over the last 10 years, the City of Hoboken has held the line on taxes, while our Hudson County tax rates have doubled. While the City has produced honest, responsible budgets (and generating surpluses), our County taxes are now the single largest piece of Hoboken’s tax bill. Because of our City’s strong balance sheet and fiscal care, our municipal bond rating has gone from near junk bond status to a strong AA+ bond rating. One of my highest priorities as Councilman will be to continue holding the line on municipal taxes and seeking more and better shared County services (like waste collection, road maintenance, park maintenance and infrastructure improvements) to offset the County tax burden placed on our residents.

Commitment to Open Space—As a Zoning Board Commissioner for 8 years, I observed up close the forces pushing for large-scale development. As your Councilman, I commit to fight to maximize the open space that enhances our residents’ quality of life – and for a balance between recreational facilities for our kids, and shaded park space for rest, relaxation, and reflection.

Complete our Waterfront Park—Along with everyone who cherishes pubic access to our waterfront for our families, children, visitors, and pets, I will fight to complete Hoboken’s waterfront park championed by the Bhalla Administration and the Fund for a Better Waterfront. I will work with New York Waterway and all community stakeholders to relocate New York Waterway’s planned Ferry Diesel Depot and Repair Facility to an appropriate location, such as the Hoboken Terminal at the Lackawanna Station.

Address Dangerous Intersections—The addition of timed walk/don’t walk signs, new bright stop lights, and sidewalk extensions on Washington Street have made it much safer for pedestrians in Hoboken’s Central Business District. Unfortunately, there are too many intersections in the 5th Ward that remain dangerous for pedestrians because cars simply go too quickly, threatening our families, our vulnerable seniors and our kids. I support the installation of 4-way stop signs for all intersections one block from a school.

I Commit To Work Hard For You—Finally, and most importantly, I pledge to work very hard for you, as your Councilman. I pledge to be available to you, and to be a world-class listener. If you would like to reach out to me, I would like to hear from you. Please e-mail me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com

h: You are running against someone. In what ways do you differ from your opponents?
PC: I’ve lived in Hoboken 33 years, and am the only candidate in the race with a proven track record of service to our City.  I haven’t just talked the talk, I’ve walked the walk.

On our most critical existential issue, flooding, I served two years as a volunteer on the Rebuild by Design Citizens Advisory Board working on resiliency issues.  On the critical question of overdevelopment, I served 8 years on the Zoning Board and seen the pressures of development up close. I am ready to stand up for projects that are good for our community, and say no to overdevelopment that threatens everything that makes Hoboken the attractive community that we love, without overburdening us with density and infrastructure headaches that only benefit developers.

I have raised my two wonderful daughters from newborns to adults here in our community.

I have never run for City Council, and am excited to bring my experience to benefit the residents of the 5th Ward.

h: Why should residents in your ward give their vote to you?
PC: I have gotten to know my neighbors knocking their doors since May.  I like them, and I want to be a good representative for them. Whether it is the seniors in Fox Hill, the young parents on Jefferson Street, the families in the row houses, the folks in subsidized housing, or the young college graduates in their first apartments, I want to be your Councilman and work on the issues that matter to you.

h: What’s your favorite Frank Sinatra song, and why?
PC: It’s got to be “Night and Day”.  Rebecca and my wedding song, from the most special day in my life, 26 years ago.

Thank you so much!

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CANDIDATE: Tim Crowell

hMAG: You’re a candidate for the Hoboken City Council. This particular election has put a lot of focus on the role of a Council and a Councilperson, working in conjunction with the City’s Administration. How do you interpret that role?
Tim Crowell: I did some research on what it means to be a good city council person and I found something that really resonated with me. It said, you need the ability to listen intently to all sides of an issue, diligently weigh all options, and have the fortitude to do not what is best for you or your friend, but to do what is best for the community as a whole. And I think that is really what I want to bring to City Council; an independent voice that will evaluate the merits of each issue and do what is best for Hoboken.

h:What are the key issues within your ward and how will you plan to address them?
TC: I have said this in debates and on the stoops, “Development will shape the quality of life in Hoboken for the next 100 years.”  It does not matter if we are talking about transportation, water main breaks, our schools, or parking.  The development that happens in Hoboken will impact all these things and we only get on chance to get it right.  There are so many development issues facing Hoboken right now; Northwest Corner in the 5^th Ward and the Hudson Yard Development.  We need to take a hard look at what is being proposed and understand how it will impact the municipal resources in our town.

Another issue people are talking to me about is the e-scooter program.  Right now, in its current form I am against keeping e-scooters in Hoboken.  We need to make significant changes if we want e-scooters to stay in Hoboken.  It comes down to the three E’s for me: Engineering, Education, and Enforcement.  Engineering, places for the scooters to be parked that do not impede pedestrians.  Education, we need teach people the proper ways to ride, like not on the sidewalks. Enforcement, if Lime can tell me a scooter is 42 feet away, they can tell us when a scooter is going to wrong way down Clinton Street.  The city has hired two enforcement officers, but is that prudent at the end of a pilot program?  I think we need to financially incentivize Lime to help us with enforcement.  If we can address some of these issues maybe we can have a micro-mobility solution that could alleviate traffic in Hoboken.

h: What are the key issues facing Hoboken on the whole, and how will you plan to
address them?
TC: I cannot tell you how many times my wife and I have mopped up our basement floor and thrown out rugs and pieces of furniture after a storm.  It is such a demoralizing thing to go through.  We empathize with anyone else who has faced this challenge.  We need to continue the good work done with Rebuild by Design and make Hoboken as resilient as possible.  Flooding is an issue that impacts everyone in Hoboken.

Another issue I’d like to mention is homelessness.  People have heard me speak about how I cook one Saturday a month at the Hoboken Shelter.  And Nick Maganuco, Phil Cohen, and I have all committed to cooking at the shelter after the election.  We need to support people that are less fortunate than ourselves.  The City’s Current Administration has created a homeless task force and I want to continue that outreach and look to improve it.

h: You are running against someone. In what ways do you differ from your opponents?
TC: I bring real estate experience from my career to Hoboken.  That does not sound as sexy as some other professions, but I have real-life practical experience to draw from when examining the developments happening in Hoboken.  We need to look at these projects through the lens of the developer and find solutions that work for Hoboken.

My campaign has been funded mostly by neighbors, a few friends, and my biggest donor, my parents.  Thanks Mom and Dad.  I did not take any money from a Super PAC or a Union.  My social media ads are not being boosted or reposted by anyone other than me.  I am truly an independent voice for Hoboken.  There is only one person who influences my life… it’s my loving wife, Katie.

h: Why should residents in your ward give their vote to you?
TC: My Mom reminded me of a quote that I try to live by.

“I don’t want to live in the kind of world where we don’t look out for each other.  Not just the people that are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand.  I can’t change the way anybody else thinks, or what they choose to do, but I can do my bit.”  – Charles de Lint

And that is really what I want to do.  I want to do my part for Hoboken resident and the 5^th Ward.  We need a fair and balanced government that stands behind each and every resident in Hoboken.  I am committed to being your voice on the Hoboken City Council.

h: What’s your favorite Frank Sinatra song, and why?
TC: When iTunes first came out my Grandmother wanted to know what songs were on my iPod.  I told her I could get any song she wanted.  She asked for “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra.  We shared headphones one ear for each and listened to that song together.  It’s a special memory for me that I have with my Grandmother.  “Summer Wind” is still on my iPhone and it will randomly play make me smile and think of her.

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CANDIDATE: Nicola Maganuco

hMAG: You’re a candidate for the Hoboken City Council. This particular election has put a lot of focus on the role of a Council and a Councilperson, working in conjunction with the City’s Administration. How do you interpret that role?
Nicola Maganuco: The role of a Councilperson is to be able to connect with your neighbors and understand their issues no matter what their socioeconomic background or street address in Hoboken is. It’s to represent the community they were elected from, but lead and act on behalf of all residents. It’s about putting petty politics aside and working alongside other council members and the City’s administration to move the city forward. Always keeping an open-mind and being a good listener. My candidacy introduces a new generation of leadership style to Hoboken as one of the youngest candidates running for City Council.

h:What are the key issues within your ward and how will you plan to address them?
NM: The most talked about issues in my ward are the E-Scooters and pedestrian safety. Unfortunately, the city had a botched roll-out and really put the safety and lives of our residents at risk. While they do benefit many of our uptown residents while lowering the dependency of cars I believe the administration should pause the program and reintroduce the scooters in the Spring. During the break the city should propose a thorough safety/enforcement/education plan to clearly outline the major concerns of residents and better inform riders. I am also advocating for re-painted bike lanes in distressed streets  and signs to guide riders which direction its appropriate to turn to.   The city should ultimately re-evaluate if they are the right fit for Hoboken. As for pedestrian safety I believe 4-way stop signs and speed bumps are necessary to help residents feel safer walking our neighborhood during the day and at night.

h: What are the key issues facing Hoboken on the whole, and how will you plan to
address them?
NM: Residential development broadly speaking is a key issue facing Hoboken. The effects of an increasing population has on a mile square city is as a result of overdevelopment which leads to unsustainability in the of quality of life. This includes, but not limited to public transit, educational classrooms, water mains, parking, etc. This issue is very relevant as sections of Hoboken are in the process of redevelopment (i.e. Hoboken Yard / North-End) and can introduce thousands of additional residents. As it relates to my ward the North-End Redevelopment Plan (North of 14th St / South of 17th St / West of Park Ave) is an area I would like to see predominately commercial / retail / transit oriented district . Residents have spoken for greater indoor recreational facilities such as a bowling alley and a community pool (indoor/outdoor) and greater variety of dining. I also believe another public school should be built to address our growing classroom sizes along with a 15th St Light Rail station. The next councilperson will have an integral role in determining the vision of the North-End.

h: You are running against someone. In what ways do you differ from your opponents?
NM: I am a true independent candidate not endorsed by any politician. Independent voices matter on the City Council as they act as a balance to the mayors administration. Democracy does not work effectively when politically-connected candidates, especially if supported by the mayor, “rubber-stamp” their agenda without challenging or doing what’s right for the residents of Hoboken. My campaign is also running on a public cause, which is to improve public transit. I advocate for better transit service (uptown express pick-ups, routes west of Clinton St, 15th Light Rail, etc.). We also need to put practical solutions in place to address parking woes. Promoting our municipal options (parking garages and lots) and making them more affordable. The city should also look into publishing a list of development properties that offer parking to non-residents as well. Overall I don’t believe you hear enough of my opponents vision or platform and what their solutions are in place for it.

h: Why should residents in your ward give their vote to you?
NM: Residents in my ward should vote for me if they believe in my platform. If they believe we need to see improved public transit vote for me. If they believe we need to ease the burden on parking vote for me. If they believe further development should be around growing and adding businesses in Hoboken vote for me. I’ve lived in all corners of the north west area of Hoboken I really understand the issues of our uptown residents well. The vary from flooding near 9th and Monroe to pedestrian safety issues on 13th & Willow. I believe fiscal responsibility is critical in this role too. In my professional career in finance I bring experience in balancing multi-million dollar budgets for government institutions and corporations. To ensure we hold the line on taxes and balance the municipal budget this will serve as a key skill.

h: What’s your favorite Frank Sinatra song, and why?
NM: “New York, New York“. Enough said.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
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