Accusations And Surprise Endorsements Mark Hoboken's 1st Ward City Council Election

HOBOKEN, NJ — As one sixth of the mile-square city prepares for a runoff election Tuesday to decide who'll represent the 1st council ward, political animosities have ramped up.

On the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, everyone from a local real estate broker to a former mayor's husband weighed in this week on a tense thread about self-funding elections, and about the lack of renters among elected officials.

This Tuesday, two candidates will face off to represent the southeast corner of Hoboken, because 1st Ward incumbent Councilman Michael DeFusco decided not to seek another term.

In the race, past council candidate Paul Presinzano faces rent board chairperson Rafi Cordova. The latter has the endorsement of Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

A few dozen votes may decide the race.

Three candidates ran for that spot on the nine-member City Council on Nov. 7, but because none failed to capture a majority, the two highest vote-getters will face each other on Dec. 5.

Fewer than 1,400 Hoboken residents voted in the initial go-around. The totals from the general election were:

• Paul Presinzano, 608 votes
• Rafi Cordova (endorsed by the mayor), 539 votes
• Leo Pellegrini, 114 votes

Newest Allegations

Over the weekend, a campaign spokesman for Rafi Cordova senta statement to the press from volunteer tenant advocate Cheryl Fallick, who has endorsed Cordova and said he's the best choice for renters.

In her statement, Fallick charged that Paul Presinzano unfairly raised rents on his tenants by $75 per month starting in April 2022, a month before he would have been allowed to do so, because of a two-year rent freeze in Hoboken during the COVID pandemic.

The $75 rent increase went into effect in April 2022, and the city's moratorium was lifted in May.

Fallick wrote, "In a conversation around March of 2022, Paul told me that he was raising his tenants' rent $75/a month starting on April 1st. I told him that the moratorium was still in effect and therefore, he couldn't raise the rent at all."

Cordova's spokesperson also included paperwork submitted to the city, showing the increase was given in April for $75.

However, when asked if the city responded to the paperwork by telling Presinzano he had to cure the one-month discrepancy, or by taking any action against him, city spokesperson Marilyn Baer said, "A landlord or property owner would be subject to potential action or penalties if the matter was appealed to the Rent Control Board, and it was determined that an increase was impermissible. In this particular instance, the city did not receive a registered complaint from a tenant that the rent was increased during the rent moratorium."

The issue is part of larger situation of decreasing affordability in Hoboken, and it often falls to a tenant to bring legal action against their landlord if they believe the increase is outside of what's allowed, rather than the city enforcing its own ordinances. Tenants in rent controlled buildings have seen their rents increase by hundreds of dollars per month, in some cases.

READ MORE: Hoboken Had Highest Rent Increases Of All Cities In NY And NJ: Study

Presinzano responded to Fallick's statements by saying, "My wife and I occasionally rent out our old apartment. We began renting it a few years ago, and opened it up to the current tenants during the pandemic as a way to do our part to address the crisis. We are fully committed to adhering to all local and state laws, and have not received any notification or indication of any legal violation."

He added, "Any suggestion otherwise by Team Bhalla and my opponent is a baseless and misleading attempt to distract from the real issues facing our community. I have a great relationship with the people living in the apartment, and in fact, when they saw the nasty mailer sent by my opponent this week, they reached out asking if they could endorse my campaign."

When asked if he supports rent control, he said, "First Ward residents voted for me in the General Election because they know I am an advocate for protecting secure and affordable housing options in Hoboken. This includes programs, like rent control, which keep rents affordable for current tenants so they can stay in their homes as well as exploring programs to transition renters into proud Hoboken homeowners. There is no one-size-fits-all program. If we are going to keep Hoboken socio-economically diverse, then we are going to need a diverse array of programs to do so. I am passionately opposed to a referendum on Hoboken's rent control law because a referendum would put hundreds in the First Ward and everyone in Marine View Plaza at risk of losing their homes."

One study recently said that out of all the towns in New Jersey, Hoboken had the highest median rent increase from year to year. READ MORE: Hoboken Had Highest Rent Increases Of All Cities In NY And NJ: Study

Cordova, who oversees a board that hears appeals to rent determinations, recently proposed a series of reforms to help renters, including limiting rent increases to 7.5 percent across the board.

See the candidates' positions on rent control and other issues here:

• Read Rafi Cordova's bio and Q&A on Patch.

• Read Paul Presinzano's bio and Q&A on Patch.

New Endorsements

Meanwhile, several prominent community members issued their endorsements in the race this week, including some who hadn't spoken publicly about the council elections.

Former Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante endorsed Cordova. His letter is below.

Outgoing Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro endorsed Presinzano. Read her letter below also.

Do you want to submit a letter about the race or issues? Here's how to post it on Patch any time using these instructions.

(NOTE: You must post your letter yourself, rather than emailing it to Patch, if you want to publish it for this election cycle.)

Prior Coverage:

• READ MORE: Candidates Trade Accusations In Hoboken 1st Ward Council Election Runoff
• READ MORE: Are 25 Percent Rent Hikes Legal? Hoboken Lawsuit May Set Precedent

Ferrante's Letter:

Dear First Ward Neighbors, I trust this message finds you well. I am Ken Ferrante, your former Police Chief and a lifelong resident of our Hoboken. Today, I am strongly encouraging you to cast your vote on December 5 in the First Ward Runoff Election for Rafi Cordova.

In my tenure as Police Chief from 2014 to 2021, I witnessed firsthand the challenges our community faces. As I see it, there are two paramount issues that demand our attention in this election: maintaining Hoboken’s affordability and making the necessary investments to ensure Hoboken remains safe. There is only one candidate in this race who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to progress on these two issues – Rafi Cordova.

Rafi, a graduate of Yale University, leverages his intellect, charisma, and, most importantly, his compassion to champion the well-being of our community. He is not a politician; he is a tireless advocate for our residents, visitors, and first responders, and I am convinced that he is the leader we need for the challenges that lie ahead.

In the heart of our beautiful city lies the First Ward, with its bustling transportation hub, small businesses, and a number of homeowners and renters alike. Rafi, as the Chair of Hoboken’s Rent Leveling Board, stands committed to keeping Hoboken affordable, preserving rent control, protecting property values, and implementing sensible PILOTS, such as the one at Marineview Plaza.

Rafi Cordova's widespread support is a testament to his ability to unite people from diverse political backgrounds. When individuals who have not always been on the same team rally behind a candidate, it speaks volumes about the character and vision of that individual, and Rafi has indeed garnered support from across the spectrum.

Having closely followed Hoboken politics since my teenage years, there have only been a few times when I've felt more passionate about a candidate. Unlike those who overpromise, he delivers on his commitments without resorting to empty rhetoric. Rafi is not one to vent frustrations day after day on social media; instead, he seeks solutions. He's the advocate I want representing not only my neighbors, but also my parents who reside in the First Ward.

As your former Police Chief, I know what leadership looks like and I know what it takes to be a good Councilmember. I implore residents to mark your ballots for Rafi Cordova 1B in the runoff election on Tuesday, December 5. Your vote is not just a choice; it is a crucial step towards shaping the future of Hoboken. Sincerely, Ken Ferrante, Former Police Chief City of Hoboken (2014-2021)

Chaparro's Letter:

Dear First Ward Neighbors,

Though I'm sure you're sick of reading endorsement letters, I wouldn't be reaching out if I didn't think this was important.

As your current Assemblywoman, I will have served you for eight years once my term ends. I have worked for the City of Hoboken for the past nineteen years. I live in the First Ward and am a lifelong resident of Hoboken, a mother, a grandmother, and a dog owner.

This year, our 1st Ward Election has taken an ugly turn, and this is something I strongly dislike and is part of the reason why I'm reaching out.

There's a reason why people don't come out to vote, and it's because they believe nothing will change. But the change our community needs starts with your vote.

I'm proud to endorse Paul Presinzano to be our First Ward Councilmember.

While many promises have been made and stones thrown, I believe residents can see with their own eyes what's going on. Lying to win an election only hurts Hoboken. Our quality of life and safety are of the utmost importance, and maintaining Hoboken's affordability and government services should be an open-door policy for us.

The truth is, all this should be and can be done now! Changing the narrative to benefit Paul Presinzano's opponent won't make you unsee anything. But choosing someone who has been firmly speaking up and challenging things that don't work for our ward or city is essential. It didn't just start with this election.

We need to take those day-to-day frustrations we share when we run into neighbors on the street or read about on social media and send an independent fighter to represent us for a better quality of life.

Please cast your vote for Paul Presinzano, Column A, on December 5th.