Dear Editor:

It is with great pleasure and honor that I write this letter as the Vice President of the Hoboken Board of Education to ask for your support to re-elect me and my team on April 19th. I am a proud product of the Hoboken Housing Authority and our public school system. I have received an undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University, and I've earned a duo Masters of Science degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. I am a certified instructor with the State of NJ to train trainers, certified as a bio-terrorism and emergency preparedness instructor and a human resource manager. I share this information with a great enthusiasm and confidence not because I'm not qualified for the job, but because continuing education is everything in life. I have dedicated my life to being a public servant, but more importantly an educated, young professional whose motive operandi has been to sincerely serve the people of this great city. I always say that Hoboken's public schools are the best kept secret in town. I have the honor of serving our most precious assets, the children of this community.

Many people forgot that being a board trustee is a volunteer position, however as a parent who has two children in the public schools it is my desire to be a stakeholder in the educational process. What some don't understand is that serving on the board is a full time job. I happen to be blessed with a lot of energy, passion and enthusiasm that drives me each day to do the right thing, the right way all the time to improve this community's quality of life. I can proudly say that each night I can tell my family what I've done to make a difference and go comfortably to bed knowing I've helped those who can't help themselves either as the City's Director of Health & Human Services or as a board trustee representing the interest of children and taxpayers. What I've come to learn is that in my line of business your track record will always speak for itself, so I can admirably say that my actions have spoken louder than my words. In this Tuesday's election look at our progressive and productive results and measure us by that yardstick as we've always placed the children first.

I want to thank the residents who have recognized my efforts and particularly Rachelle for admiring my work ethics and acknowledging my leadership in last week's letter to the editor. This reminds me, I do live in Applied Housing and I'm still the President of the Applied Housing Tenant's Association. However, I do pay market rent and believe you me that I have been the best person for the job as one of Mayor Roberts' directors. By the way I don't receive any additional compensation to be liaison to the HHA or any non-profit organization. It is with great pride that I have fought for low and moderate income families and the working class of Hoboken to preserve, as well as create more affordable housing. Day in and day out I will continue to do my best no matter what hat I'm wearing.

In closing, please come out and support my team on April 19th by voting for Francis Rhodes-Kearns (1A), Jack Raslowsky (5A) and myself (6A). Remember "The foundation of every state is to educate our youth, only the educated will be set free." Benjamin Franklin.

Sincerely,
Carmelo Giovanni Garcia
Vice President of the Board of Education