Hoboken 2nd Ward Candidate Profile: Tiffanie Fisher

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 running 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 2nd Ward 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 has dropped out to focus on her school board race.

The questions and answers from Fisher are below. You can compare them with Decker's profile and see other council 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

Tiffanie Fisher

How old will you be as of Election Day?

56

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

https://www.hoboken2ndward.com

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

Democrat

Education.

BA and MBA

Current occupation, years of experience.

City Councilwoman - 7.5 yrs; previous Commercial Real Estate Finance 23 yrs

Family information, if you're willing to share.

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.

Prior to being elected to City Council, was on Hoboken ZBA for two years

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.

To ensure the brightest future possible for our community by finishing the important work we started, bringing better focus to everyday quality of life concerns and tackling some of the biggest issues Hoboken has ever faced including:
• Completing Hoboken’s Uptown Waterfront - Finalize plans and build the new park and nature preserve on the Monarch site, ensure NYWW leaves the UDD site, and construct "Rebuild By Design" and the 2 acre Cove Park (while navigating through 2-3 years of construction).
• Continuing upgrades of our water and drainage systems to minimize damage from everyday flooding.
• Creating a culture of safety, instead of just headlines and bump-outs, so all are engaged to do their part and make our streets feel safer.
• Dealing with, and not ignoring, real parking concerns, an important QOL issue for most in Hoboken.
• Building a community center and pool, before we lose the opportunity.
• Employing simple, commonsense improvements like requiring “Construction Ahead” signs well ahead of a closed off block to help mitigate unnecessary traffic.
• Increasing enforcement of Hoboken’s traffic, sanitary, and zoning codes to help improve pedestrian safety, eliminate rats, and ensure our community is accessible to all residents and visitors.
• Doing more to address rising affordability concerns and minimize housing insecurities.
• Revitalizing Hoboken’s Housing Authority to finally improve the housing conditions of our neighbors.
• Helping our schools deal with their real estate and facilities needs before it’s too late.
• Ensuring that all future big development puts Hoboken’s priorities first over special interests and political agendas.

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

There are so many. Affordability as measured by our longer term residents. We are at a critical point where we will see increasing displacement of people who have called Hoboken their home for a long time. Rent Control is now at risk of being gutted due to Mayor Bhalla's veto of the "Compromise" ordinance earlier this year. Renters in non-rent controlled properties are seeing unconscionable increases in the 20-30% forcing them to move. And because of the lack of family sized homes, prices for three bedrooms are sky rocketing making it harder for families with multiple children to stay in town. Add to this rising taxes that make it hard for older, long term residents to stay in their home and the cost of funding significant infrastructure and school upgrades that have not yet been realized.

This is a complex issue. And it is going to take independent voices like mine, ones who are not afraid to ask tough questions, put residents before headlines and apply pressure on the administration to make changes that will better protect our residents.

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 do think national issues are relevant to Hoboken, but don't think they should be the main focus of our local, non-partisan elections. I believe we should be debating local issues that impact our daily quality of life. I voted for Biden in 2020.

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?

With Mayor Bhalla announcing he is interested in seeking higher office before the end of his term, it means the office of Mayor will be open. I do not have plans to run at this moment, but that may change if the seat is open. So what I would pledge is that I will remain in an elected position in Hoboken for all four years of my term.

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?

100%. At the very least we need labor / housing balance which means we need housing for all the types of labor we have in town. So with the demand for housing in Hoboken on the rise translating to rising house prices, we need to build more affordable housing and we need to keep rent control in place.

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?

The current rent control ordinance is not working, and the Hoboken's Department of Housing is not working. Neither tenants nor landlords can rely on the interpretation or implementation of our laws. We need to allocate more resources to the Department of Housing, which I have advocated for consistently. And we need to reset our ordinance back to the compromise to lessen the risk of rent control being put on the ballot and ultimately gutted. I will not support any referendum that weakens rent control.

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 voted no for this ordinance. Council members Russo, Cohen, Jabbour, Doyle and Falco voted yes. I do take the salary and benefits. I will not approve any raises for myself during the next four years if elected.

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?

How they handled COVID. I think the administration did a great job keeping people safe in what was one of the scariest times in our modern history. Whether you agreed with all the decisions or not, thankfully Hoboken residents fared very well through the crisis.

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

Yes.

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.

As your Hoboken neighbor, I believe we deserve a representative who embodies our shared values: someone who listens, engages, and tirelessly works for our community. We need a transparent and informative leader who can tackle both the big and small issues that impact our lives. We need a representative who isn't just a rubber stamp but an independent voice you can rely on. Someone unafraid to ask tough questions and always prioritize Hoboken.

As your current council representative, I've aimed to be that advocate for you. I have a proven record of delivering tangible results by engaging with our community, hearing your concerns, and with over 250 newsletters, ensuring you're informed about every issue that matters to you. And I firmly believe that more voices offer us the best chance for the best outcomes.

While my opponent may have the Hoboken Mayor's endorsement, 2nd Ward residents not only deserve an independent voice to put their interests first, not just follow the party line, it is what they want. I am that voice and the qualified candidate that has the experience and commitment needed to effectively address the significant opportunities and challenges we face.

As we approach the November election, I ask for your support once again. If you re-elect me, I pledge to continue being the dedicated advocate you deserve. Together, we can build a brighter future for Hoboken.