Give credit where credit is due.
I would like to question your recent letter "Thank you for our new bus" and set the record straight on how the city obtained its new cross-town bus. The bus was obtained through the diligence and follow-through of the Roberts administration, under the direction of Carmelo Garcia, Director of Human Services.
Funding for the bus did not come by the efforts of the Russo administration through "filling our grants and all necessary paperwork," as the author asserted. In fact, the grant application, issued by the Federal Transit Administration Municipalities Grant program, languished for nearly two years before the "necessary paperwork" was completed by my division through the Director's office. The Russo administration dropped the ball on this, jeopardizing the grant award. Apparently, unbeknownst to the previous administration, the city was required to develop and revise a route plan, obtain insurance, train drivers, even develop a drug and alcohol policy that is currently implemented, among others I had to attend a three day seminar. These requirements were never addressed until the Roberts administration scrutinized the status of this application. Numerous documents have been completed and reporting of all steps have constantly communicated to Sally Stocker, the New Jersey Transit representative.
As Division Chief of Transportation for Hoboken, I would like to thank Mayor Roberts and Director Garcia for doing their due diligence in processing this important grant which provides vital transportation for our residents, seniors and disabled residents.
Joe Riccardi
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