Hoboken 5th Ward Candidate Profile: Liz Urtecho

HOBOKEN, NJ — If you live in the northwest section of Hoboken, including the 14th Street Viaduct area, you're likely in the 5th Ward. (See the ward map here).

That means you'll get to vote for one of two candidates for 5th 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 Councilman Phil Cohen is up for re-election. He's being challenged by political newcomer Liz Urtecho.

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

NOTE: Got something to say? Post comments below or post letter to the editor on Hoboken Patch using these directions.

Name

Liz Urtecho

How old will you be as of Election Day?

55

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

https://www.lizurtecho.com

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

Democrat

Education.

MBA, BS Management

Current occupation, years of experience.

not currently employed

Family information, if you're willing to share.

Husband - Erik Aarts; Children - Nicole (25), Andrew (22), Emily (19), Ian (15)

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.

none

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.

I believe that the role of Council Representative must return to what it was intended and should be –that of a neighborhood advocate who listens and leads. I will be an independent voice on the City Council putting the interests of the 5th Ward and Hoboken residents first. I won’t legislate with a political agenda and I certainly won’t rubber stamp the Mayor's agenda if it does not align with the residents' needs and what is best for Hoboken.

The Fifth Ward must move forward in a new and better direction, where Council representatives make decisions based upon transparent information, public input and compromise.

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

RATS. The rat issue is first and foremost a quality of life issue related to dirty sidewalks, unenforced and outdated trash collection management, and streetery cleanliness.The City needs to have an "all hands on deck" approach to dealing with the crisis. It is a public health issue and needs to be addressed with far more urgency given the implications. The City has been slow to respond and it was with immense public pressure that they finally started to take steps to find solutions.

I documented a rat plan that outlines steps that need to be taken to solve the problem. The City has implemented some, but other points the City needs to consider are to dedicate a City rat resource, increase garbage collection and review zoning requirements for garbage storage in new developments.

I have a track record of taking action and collaborating with residents to be a part of the solution. In this particular situation, it will require bringing the community together, working with specific neighborhoods in conjunction with the City to ensure that the rat crisis does not worsen.

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?

National political issues trickle down to the local level as a litmus test of our communities values. Those values help guide us and should not distract us from dealing with the everyday needs of our community e.g. quality of life issues, pedestrian safety, open space strategy.

I voted for President Biden in the 2020 election.

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 never aspired to have a career in politics. My decision to run was based solely on my desire to help my neighbors and build community. So I pledge to remain on the Hoboken City Council for four years, and commit to being an independent, common sense voice fully dedicated to the fifth ward and all Hoboken residents.

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?

Affordability is a big issue for many residents in Hoboken and having an economically diverse community makes Hoboken a special place to live. The goal is to create a viable housing strategy that prioritizes expanding the affordable housing stock, protecting existing affordable stock, curbing unconscionable rent increases, and preventing unjust evictions and displacements. The City needs to evaluate any lack of equity in municipal services that relate to Hoboken's housing sector. This way, we ensure that Hoboken remains a place where everyone can afford to live.

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 rent control laws are complicated and it is comparable to threading a needle between renters and landlords. A few months ago, a compromise was on the table for a rent control ordinance that rent control advocates and landlords had agreed to. Even though it might not have been perfect, it was a win-win situation until the Mayor vetoed it. Further improvements to that ordinance should start with that compromise and hopefully, the next rent control ordinance gets the Mayor’s approval.

I do not support a referendum that removes the rent control ordinance.

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?

The skills and time required to effectively perform the job is reflective in the compensation package. I will take the salary, and I am not sure about the benefits. I won't approve any raises for myself in the next four years.

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?

N/A

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.

I have lived in Hoboken for 30 years with my husband, Erik, where we raised our four children. I am deeply connected to our community. I am asking for the fifth ward’s vote because:
- I am a trusted and effective leader with a proven track record of responding to issues, advocating for residents, and delivering results.
- I am an empathic listener. I won’t dismiss any concern big or small.
- I have no political agenda and want to do what’s best for the community.
- I will be an independent voice on the City Council, because we need checks and balances on our local government.
- I am a neighborhood advocate and interested in solving problems for my neighbors.
- I want to build community - I am not transactional. I won’t pick and choose which neighbors to help because it personally benefits me.

I look forward to meeting more of my neighbors in the next four weeks and hope to earn the 5th Ward's trust and vote.