The sign on the front of Mayor Russo's Washington Street headquarters proclaims, as does his developer-funded TV blitz, the slogan "Keeping Hoboken Safe, Affordable and Livable!"
Ironically, just a few doors north of the Russo campaign headquarters, McCrory's 5&10 is closing down the last "dime store" in our area and Cheap Maggie's, a Hoboken landmark, has posted "going out of business" signs. Opposite City Hall, Carmelita's Mexican Cafe has recently shut its doors.
Add these sad closings to the recent sale of artists' handout and gallery The Liquid Lounge, and the store where local artisans and craftspeople's work was featured, the Melange Gallery. How is this keeping Hoboken affordable if even Cheap Maggie's is closing?
How is this keeping Hoboken livable if you can't run into McCrory's for wrapping paper and school stationery? If the places where we drank in local artists' and poets' creativity like sodas from the vanished Schafer's Cafeteria are gone? If our talented craftspeople have no place to display and sell their unique and original wares?
Sure, we can run to the super-chains that are invading this city. But isn't that contrary to the Mayor's latest motto: "It's more than a city, it's a neighborhood?"
I, like many others who love Hoboken whether we're born here or just arrived, loved these types of establishments but all one needs to do is talk to their owners and discover the biggest reason for closing has been the high rents. That, and the lack of parking a zero tolerance by the city that chases away customers who need to double park for a few minutes. So they may load their cars with merchandise just purchased in the shops.
All the while, cars in front of Russo's so called "civic association" on Adams Street double park for hours at a time!
Hoboken is losing its small-town, unique charm faster than you can order a Happy Meal at McDonald's. Our friendly, affordable community stores and services are being replaced by a plethora of nail salons, drop-off dry cleaners. Not that we don't need some of each, but neither will replace Hoboken classics like McCrory's, Cheap Maggie's or Carmelita's. And the fight-filled, wild night clubs along First Street, which fill up the police blotters, are no substitute for the Liquid Lounge.
If re-elected I will propose the following:
Recruit a director of business development, a professional that will work with the Chamber of Commerce in promoting local small business.
Build retail parking.
Obtain grants to maintain, encourage and incubate new enterprises in Hoboken.
Create a business improvement district to subsidize infrastructure improvements and fund community policing. Never close the city's entrances.
With Dave Roberts for Mayor, Ruben Ramos, Carol Marsh and me on the City Council, there will be truth in the slogan on the city website: "It's more than a city, it's a neighborhood."
If you're tired of seeing Hoboken lose its charm, its unique qualities and diverse retail stores, vote Anthony Russo out. After all he's the "One Man" that caused all these problems in the first place.
On May 8th please elect Dave Roberts 5-A, Ruben Ramos 9B, Carol March 10B and me, Tony Soares 11B. We have solutions. But first we need to get rid of that "one" big problem.
Tony Soares
Councilman at Large
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