Hoboken 3rd Ward Candidate Profile: Michael Russo

HOBOKEN, NJ — If you live in the center of the west side of Hoboken, you're likely in the 3rd Ward. (See the ward map here).

That means you'll get to vote for one of two men as the 3rd Ward council candidate — 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 Councilman Michael Russo is up for re-election. He's being challenged by political newcomer Ed Reep, who posts his views often on social media.

Neither man has gotten an official endorsement from Mayor Ravi Bhalla. Russo has sometimes voted in favor of Bhalla's initiatives, but also has been an independent voice.

The questions and answers from Russo are below. Compare them with Reep's profile. See other profiles and Hoboken news on Patch here.

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

Name

Dr. Michael Russo

How old will you be as of Election Day?

48

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

https://DrMichaelRussoNJ.com

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

Democrat

Education

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Current occupation, years of experience.

Human Resources 3 years; Doctor of Physical Therapy 22 Years

Family information, if you're willing to share.

Lisa Russo (Wife), Lia Russo 12 y.o. Daughter, Jack Russo 8 y.o. Son, Michele 5 y.o. Daughter & Michael 5 y.o. Son

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

My wife Lisa is a Democratic Committee Woman in Hoboken

Previous or current elected or appointed offices.

Third Ward City Councilman (Vice President), Hoboken Housing Authority Commissioner, Hoboken Hospital Authority Commissioner, Hoboken Self Insurance Commissioner, Hoboken Cannabis Board (Past Member), Hoboken Zoning Board (Past Member)

Why are you seeking a spot on Hoboken's City Council? Please keep these answers to 250 words.

It has been an honor to represent the Third Ward and I'm excited to be running for re-election. Hoboken is my home and I want it to be the best place to live and raise a family.

My Third Ward neighbors have seen major quality of life upgrades during my tenure as Councilman. I'm extremely proud of bringing to life my vision of a recreation and open space complex in the ward between 6th and 8th Streets on Jackson Street. This unprecedented expansion of open space is comprised of the Jubilee Center, the Jackson Street Gym, the open lawn, the playground, and the plaza behind the Monroe Center. The last piece of this vision, the new park at 800 Monroe Street, is already underway.

Housing all of our residents, is my priority. As a Commissioner of the Housing Authority and Councilman, I have the unique ability to ensure that our Housing Authority will redevelop it's properties to give Housing Authority residents the same opportunities as all other residents in Hoboken. I have also had the privilege to help Hoboken American Legion Post 107 secure additional VASH vouchers to house homeless Veterans in Hoboken and voted to begin the construction of a brand-new Senior Citizen building.

Completing these quality of life upgrades is a priority and ensuring others such as a municipal pool, indoor recreation facility, expansion of sensible housing for our middle-class and ensuring the health and safety of our residents will be the focus over the next four years.

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

Rats! This is a health crisis and needs to be eradicated. Where is the will to execute the plan? My plan is swift.
1. Temporarily remove all parklets over the winter months.
2. Temporarily remove all corner rain gardens over the winter and re-plant them in the Spring.
3. Increase garbage pick-up to 5 days a week.
4. Re-institute on street sanitation workers, formally known as "Can Men".
5. Comprehensive bait and extermination plan, including immediate extermination techniques (i.e., mechanical and electrical) and chemical fertility control methods.
6. Comprehensive identification, carbon dioxide treatment and covering of all rat burrows.
This is an "all hands-on deck" approach. The County of Hudson, Stevens, Hoboken Board of Education, Hoboken Housing Authority, North Hudson Sewerage Authority and our hospital partner, CarePoint should all be part of this effort and implement this plan immediately.

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?

President Joe Biden
Yes, national political issues are relevant on a local level. National policies may not be a direct correlation to local policies but they will effect funding for local programs. They also allow a greater understanding of someones core beliefs. Those beliefs can be used to shape local policies and will help voters to understand the direction of our city into the future.

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 have honorably served the City of Hoboken in many roles over my tenure in government. I pledge to continue that service in any and all roles, especially as the Third Ward Councilman.

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?

Yes! The city should require an increased percentage of affordable housing to include middle income housing in all future developments.
We need to complete the Housing Authority Plan in a timely fashion to redevelop its properties and include moderate income, workforce housing, and middle class housing options.
In the not-so distant future, the city should build and acquire additional properties to build more veteran housing, senior housing and emergency housing.

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?

As a tenant advocate and commissioner on the Housing Authority, my priority is to protect tenants from extreme rent increases, so Rent Control measures should be ensured for all tenants throughout Hoboken. I would not support a referendum to remove it.
Rent Control has been confused for Affordable Housing for years, due to the lack of such housing. However, the two should never be conflated. Because they often are, there are aspects of the law that need to be updated to make it equitable for both tenants and landlords. In addition, we MUST build housing for all. If we do this, we can create a law to protect our tenants and secure housing across the socioeconomic spectrum.

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?

Over the next four years, I will not vote to approve any raises for the council.

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?

Working together with the City Council to get the Municipal Garage site finalized without the use of eminent domain.

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

Yes.
Moms Leading Progress
2D Sharyn Angley
3D Chetali Khanna
4D Sheillah Dallara

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.

Its one thing to have ideas, but its another to achieve results.
I achieve results. I do it through my experience and by bridging divides.
I deliver for the Third Ward!
My neighbors know, that experience counts.
By November 7th, Vote 1E
Dr. Michael Russo
Dedicated. Proven. Leader.