Hoboken 2nd Ward Candidate Profile: Marla Decker

HOBOKEN, NJ — If you live in the northeast section of Hoboken, including the northern waterfront, you're likely in the 2nd Ward. (See the ward map here).

That means you'll get to vote for one of two women for 2nd Ward council — but even if you don't live there, the election will affect you. Hoboken has nine voting members on its City Council, and each one can sway a vote.

Current Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher is up for re-election. She's being challenged by political newcomer Marla Decker, who's supported by Mayor Ravi Bhalla. Patricia Waiters also filed to run, but said she has dropped out to focus on her school board race.

The questions and answers from Decker are below. Compare them with Fisher's profile and see other profiles on Hoboken Patch here.

NOTE: Got something to say? Post comments below or post letter to the editor on Hoboken Patch this way.

Name

Marla Decker

How old will you be as of Election Day?

46

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://marladeckerforhoboken....

Party affiliation, even though Hoboken elections are non-partisan:

Democrat

Education.

B.S. in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Cornell University; J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Current occupation, years of experience.

Managing Director, Litigation Finance Private Equity Fund

Family information, if you're willing to share.

Husband, 2 Sons (13 & 11 years old) & 2 dogs.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or have a government position, either volunteer or paid? Where?

No

Previous or current elected or appointed offices.

Hoboken Democratic Committee Member (2019 to present)

Why are you seeking a spot on Hoboken's City Council? Please keep these answers to 250 words or we WILL automatically truncate your answer.

First, I am running because I love Hoboken and I want to see it thrive. I believe I have the experience, skills, and passion to make an impact and improve the quality of life for everyone in my ward. Hoboken’s diversity is its strength and crafting solutions that reflect those diverse interests will be my goal. I also want to change the tone of city politics to be less about criticisms and and finger pointing to respectful and constructive dialogue and compromise. I want our ward to have an effective advocate, not an ineffective voice of predictable dissent. My background as a lawyer turned legal finance professional, community volunteer, parent and long-time resident of Hoboken has prepared me for this role!

What is the single most pressing issue facing Hoboken, and what makes you more qualified than your opponent(s) to solve it?

Our biggest challenge is that we are currently living the tale of two Hobokens – we have a newer population and buildings due to steady development, but we also have an aging city with infrastructure that hasn’t kept up – from water pipes to school buildings to police and fire stations to streets that weren’t originally designed to accommodate multi-mobility options. We have to catch up and solve for these issues, while also keeping our city affordable and not overburdening our taxpayers. I am better suited for solving for these complex challenges because I am focused on finding solutions and not on finding ways to make my political rivals look wrong. I will build relationships across and outside of Hoboken to advocate for help meeting some of our funding needs, as well as educate our residents about the issues facing us without fear mongering so we can prioritize solutions together.

Do you believe national political issues are relevant to Hoboken? Whom did you vote for in the 2020 presidential election? Do you believe it's relevant or irrelevant, and why?

I believe both national issues and the tone of national political discourse is relevant in Hoboken. To start, I want to do better and not mirror the gridlock at the national level that is currently costing our country. I am a proud democrat and the treasurer of the Hoboken Democratic Committee and I voted for President Biden in 2020, and I believe in democratic values. But I also think we can put aside national politics and solve for local issues. For example, I support national efforts to mitigate climate change, and I see that as an issue that impacts Hoboken as we suffer the increase in the frequency and intensity of storms that cause flooding in Hoboken. But we also don’t need to agree on the causes or existence of climate change to agree we need to take steps reduce flooding in Hoboken. Other local issues, like getting the rat problem in Hoboken under control, don’t relate to national politics at all.

Some believe that running for local office serves primarily as a stepping stone, particularly in Hudson County. Are you willing to take a pledge to remain on the council for all four years rather than taking any other political job or paid government position?

I already have a non-political career that I have invested twenty-five years into, and I have no intention to make my role as council person a stepping stone for a career shift. For me, this is about taking the natural next step in my side-gig as a long-time community volunteer to an elected official fighting for the same issues, and stepping up at a moment when I think we need better leadership for our ward.

Several of our readers and others have said that Hoboken is becoming unaffordable to the middle class, particularly with monthly apartment rents seeing increases between $500 and $1,000 in some cases, and other costs spiking. Yet, Hoboken boasts of being an artsy town and a diverse community. Do you think something should be done to keep a mix of people in all parts of town? If so, what?

Part of what makes Hoboken such a unique community is its embrace of diversity in all its forms. As a member of the City Council, I plan to work hard to keep Hoboken affordable and find unique projects that incentivize more affordable housing for our seniors, our middle class, and our young families who are 0looking to grow in Hoboken. We do that with a mix of smart development, protecting rent control, strong public schools, and affordable transportation options.

Do you think Hoboken's current rent control ordinance is working as is, or does it need adjustments, and what kind? If there's a referendum to remove the Rent Control Ordinance, as has been talked about in the past, would you work to keep it, or remove it?

I support rent control and I believe it is an important tool to keep our community accessible to everyone. I believe the current iteration of the rent control ordinance that caps rent increases at 5% or at the CPI (whichever is lower) is a step in the right direction and I was disappointed that Councilwoman Fisher voted against that, but I do think more investments need to be made in the Division of Housing Office to ensure that enforcement of the current ordinances is taking place.

Six weeks after the 2021 council race, a majority of council members voted to give themselves raises of more than 30 percent, bringing the part-time salaries to $35,000-$40,000 each, plus benefits. Will you be taking the full salary and benefits if elected? Will you approve any raises for yourself during the next four years if you are elected?

I do not look at being a public servant as a way to enrich myself, and if I am elected, I will not seek any additional raises and I will accept whatever salary currently has been approved by the Council. I will not elect to receive benefits as they are provided for my family elsewhere.

If you are running with the support of the current mayoral administration, what is something you think it hasn't done well in its eight years that needs improvement? If you are not running with the administration's support, what is something they've done very well?

I am proud to be running with the endorsement of Mayor Bhalla, but he knows where I stand on many issues that do not necessarily align with him. For example, I have been very direct with him that I do not believe his administration took a proactive enough approach when dealing with the rodent problem in the City.

Do you plan to vote in Hoboken's school board election in November? Which three candidates are you supporting?

Yes, I always vote in board of education elections. It is critical for our city to have a strong education system. I am proudly supporting Sharyn Angley, Chetali Khanna, and Sheillah Dallara who are experienced advocates who have the interest of our school children as their priority. I was disappointed last year when our current councilperson attacked a similarly strong slate of qualified candidates (who ultimately prevailed) as a proxy for attacking her political rivals in the Mayor’s administration.

Please feel free to share anything else you think needs to be said, but keep answers to 250 words. Note that any longer answer will be truncated. Also, if you decline to answer a question, that will be noted.

I hope to earn the vote of my second ward neighbors. I’ve enjoyed meeting so many of you, and hearing your concerns, but if I have not yet talked to you and you want to discuss topics of importance to you, please reach out to me at marlaforhoboken@gmail.com.