Hoboken Mayor Jabbour, Sworn In By Sherrill, Says, 'We Can And We Will'

HOBOKEN, NJ — After being sworn in by New Jersey Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill on Thursday, Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour gave a speech promising affordable rents, more police on the beat, and even parking.

Before a crowd of 450 people at the Stevens Institute of Technology, Jabbour also took aim at national controversies involving Pres. Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But she mainly focused on quality-of-life issues in the mile-square city, while pledging to be a "fiscally responsible and thoughtful steward" of residents' tax dollars.

Jabbour — a two-term councilwoman, married mother of two, and former social worker for the federal government — promised that Hoboken would have "an effective government."

"We're going to ask for your feedback every step of the way," Jabbour said Thursday. "Despite difficult conversations that surely we will find, I know that as we navigate those issues, the approach that works best is inherent optimism. It's part of who I am. But hope without a plan is simply not enough. Hoboken is a sophisticated and complex city. We are capable of achieving many different goals if we work together."

She added, "We can and we will focus on public safety by adding officers to walk to the beat, while also investing in social services that ensure residents get the support they desperately need...we can and we will make Hoboken more pedestrian and cyclist friendly while also acknowledging that cars, and parking those cars, remain an important part of your every day life here."

'Masked Individuals Barging Into Homes'

Jabbour also made reference to national and statewide controversies involving the Trump administration, saying she aspires for all residents to feel safe and protected, "especially now, when we are watching, on the news, the stories of masked individuals barging into homes, schools, and stores to separate families."

Jabbour, known for responding quickly to quality-of-life issues in the mile-square city, was praised by State Sen. Raj Mukherj, who said, "She's probably the most tagged person in the Hoboken Mommies group."

Along with Jabbour, three council members on her slate —incumbent Councilman Joe Quintero, Zoning Board member Steve Firestone, and teacher Caitlin Layson — also took the oath for four-year terms.

Firestone echoed the type of comments Jabbour had made in an interview with Patch, saying that while Hoboken politics has been heated over the years, the new administration intends to be welcoming and work with all groups in the city.

Firestone — whose mother served as mayor of Princeton years ago — said, to laughter, "For those who've experienced politics in Hoboken as a form of entertainment, I hope to bore you to tears with civility."

After the ceremony, guests — including former Hoboken mayors, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, Rep. Rob Menendez, and community members — headed to a reception at the Stevens Institute of Technology.

Elijah Conlin, 24, was among members of the public who attended the ceremony to see what's next for the mile-square city.

Conlin — who was born and raised in Hoboken — said he found the speech "inspiring."

"I'm really interested to find out how Mayor Jabbour will make do on her promises," he said, "and see how Hoboken responds."

Read Patch's exclusive interview with Jabbour here: 'Mayor Emily' Explains It All: What's Ahead For Hoboken?