1. What about your background would make you a good County Commissioner?
I was born and raised in Hudson County and lived here all my life (I went to college in Hackettstown from 2003 to 2007, but came home to work during the summer). I’ve been in real estate since 2015, mainly in Hudson County, and my mentor has been in the real estate business in the county for over 25 years. I’ve seen and heard from folk who are concerned about how things seem to be going in town and in the greater area. I feel that my career of working with people, understanding the community, and knowing that not every problem is caused by a single issue, would make me a good commissioner.
2. How does your background inform how you approach your job?
Is this in regards to my career in real estate? I was raised to be a good, upstanding person. The guidelines set forth by NAR, NJAR, the Liberty Board of Hudson County, and the Department of Banking and Insurance makes it pretty easy to follow the rules, do right by the client, and be fair in executing a transaction. I understand the struggles and issues that affect renters, homeowners, business owners, and new residents on the ground, while familiar with the rules set forth for developers and larger companies. When one group gets more attention than the other, then we start facing problems.
3. You’re running as a progressive. What makes you one?
To put it bluntly, I feel things need to improve and we deserve to have a government that helps everyone. I’m a progressive because the current alternative is maintaining the status quo. I’m not interested in gold shovel projects that look great in the Jersey Journal or on News12; I want to get things done and make things better for all. That’s why I’m progressive.
4. Can you tell us about specific causes you’ve worked on in Jersey City?
I’ve been supporting the Jersey City Right To Counsel ordinance specifically. It’s a good model and should be something that all renters and property owners should have access to in Hudson County. As a real estate sales associate, the eviction process is kind of the last stop renters and owners have when there is an issue at a property. And even if the renter was in the right, and the owner was wrong, that battle leaves a scar on your record as a renter that can be a challenge to overcome. This ordinance hopefully makes it easier for both parties to resolve issues.
5. What do you feel are the most important issues to Jersey City residents going forward and what would you do to address them?
Speaking with my fellow running-mates that live in Jersey City, housing affordability is a doozy of an issue. Having access to the Hudson County MLS, the prices of homes and rentals have been increasing steadily as folks are chasing after new developments to be competitive. As more people find the option of roommates to be the best way to beat the crunch, it’s causing parking density in areas to rise. As the prices of homes jump, families that hoped to buy in Jersey City are getting forced out or have to just keep renting.
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 have fond, fond memories of days at Liberty State Park. Both as a kid and as an adult who can appreciate the green space it provides. I hope every single privatization idea is laughed at and shunned into oblivion. That is a State Park for everyone to enjoy for free! Paul Fireman and the rest of the astroturfing charlatans at the ‘The People’s Park’, ‘Liberty State Park for All’, and whoever else trying to make LSP into another Xanadu style complex can kick rocks. If they’re so up in arms about getting a new sporting complex on the East side of Jersey City, why don’t they donate to make the Caven Port Athletics Complex better? Liberty State Park is about nature and open spaces, and we should keep it that way.
7. Are Jersey City property taxes too low, about right or too high?
From what I understand and have heard, it’s too high. It seems like every municipality should be doing more to find inefficiencies and waste and fixing it to maximize the dollars spent helping and improving things. Not to pay salaries to handout, no-show jobs.
8. Is there anything else our readers should know about you?
Ultimately, it’s a gimmick for the current crop of politicians that don’t want competition, like how other parts of the state run elections. It’s important for a candidates to show what makes them the right choice, and ‘the line’ doesn’t do that.