1. What about your background would make you a good Assemblyperson?
I have extensive career experience working in three separate worlds: private, working in healthcare, governmental as a former Legislative Aide to two Assembly people, a former Council Aide to two Councilmembers and as a current Council Aide to Councilman Yousef J. Saleh, Ward D and political experience, as Vice Chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization and the Chairwoman of the Jersey City Democratic Committee. My years of experience have given me the opportunity to understand firsthand the concerns of residents. When elected, this knowledge will empower me to advocate tirelessly for my constituents in the 31st Legislative District.
2. Have you run for office before?
I have run for the Hudson County Democratic Committee and New Jersey State Democratic Committee.
3. Some people believe that “the line” is unfair and illegal. What is your position on it?
I feel that bracketed candidates should have the ability to run together. The State Statute dictates when the ballot drawing will take place and the County or Municipal Clerk depending on the Election then draws for the Column in which the bracketed candidates will be running. This ballot drawing is a fair and transparent process and this year the Hudson County Democratic Organization Candidates will be bracketed together in Column B.
4. Can you tell us about specific causes you’ve worked on in Jersey City?
Throughout my career and as a private citizen I have supported and advocated for women’s rights, paid sick leave, AirBnB oversite, the payroll tax to help fund education, stricter animal cruelty laws, the disability accessibility committee and more. I have attended countless community meetings, council meetings and caucus meetings. At my job with Spectrum Healthcare our mission is to provide comprehensive opioid therapy to those seeking treatment, in and around Hudson County, without separation from family, community and employment. I have also worked on numerous campaigns from Presidential to local offices to get candidates I believe in elected.
5. What do you feel are the most important issues to Jersey City residents and what would you do to address them?
I feel the most important issues to Hudson County residents, because remember, I will be serving Jersey City Bayonne and Kearny are housing affordability, mass transit infrastructure, street/pedestrian safety, education, women’s access to healthcare, traffic and the turnpike widening. I will support and sponsor legislation that addresses the needs of the district.
6. Do you support the plan proposed for Liberty State Park by the Paul Fireman backed groups “Liberty State Park for All” and “The People’s Park?”
I believe that we must work with all of the stakeholders to advocate for active recreation in the park, while protecting Caven Point as a natural habitat.. I applaud Senator Brian P. Stack and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji for what they have done thus far and look forward to working alongside them when elected to find an amicable solution that works for those who enjoy Liberty State Park, which is a public space treasure for all who enjoy it.
7. Is the overall State and local tax burden on Jersey City residents too low, about right or too high?
The reality is that Jersey City property tax bills consist of several different taxes including taxes from the elected school board, the local public library, the County, the State and the Municipality. Last year the school board budget increased significantly and with the growth of Jersey City, I understand that taxes increased. I am a taxpayer myself, and never want to see taxes increase if it can be avoided, but also understand the reality of the city’s growth and as a result there is a growing demand for city services. I also believe that if the money in public education is going toward improving services for our students and teachers, that would be hard to argue against. All of that said, I believe any taxing body has a responsibility to be fiscally responsible and to be audited so that there is transparency for taxpayers. I hope your readers were aware of the NJ Anchor Program and filed for it. The deadline has passed but there is always next year.
8. Is there anything else our readers should know about you?
As I already mentioned I am a lifelong resident of Jersey City, I grew up in the Greenville section of the City and my 96 year young mother still resides in our family home on Winfield avenue. My husband Pat of 30 years and I raised our two sons in Jersey City, Alexand Gregory, a mere mile away from my childhood home. Today, Alex is a Lieutenant, Junior Grade proudly serving in the United States Navy on the USS Fitzgerald out of San Diego. Gregory is an entrepreneur in New York City’s hospitality industry. I have two wonderful stepchildren, Patrick Jr. and Heather and five adorable grandchildren: Sienna, Jaxon, Aviana, Santino and Seline.
I currently serve as the Jersey City representative on the Hackensack Meadowlands Municipal Committee, as a trustee on the Hudson County Schools of Technology and I am a former member of the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention.
I am running because I believe my life experience makes me an ideal candidate to run for the General Assembly in the 31st District . I understand firsthand the concerns of residents and will work tirelessly in Trenton to advocate for constituents in the 31st Legislative District.