How Manny Rivera Answered Questions: Hoboken Election Profiles

HOBOKEN, NJ — Ten candidates are running to fill three seats on the Hoboken City Council on Nov. 2, while Mayor Ravi Bhalla is running for re-election unopposed.

Below are candidate Manny Rivera's answers to questions Patch has sent to all 10 council candidates.

Other candidates profiles are linked at the end of this story.

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Name: Manuel Rivera also known as Manny Rivera

Campaign website: None at present. I have a Facebook page: @mannyriveraforhoboken

Age as of election day: 54

Party affiliation: Registered as Democrat.

Family information: Not married. No children I also have 14 sisters and brothers as well as many nieces and nephews.

Extended family in Hoboken: Rivera, Soler, Lopéz, Marrero, Pacheco, Guzman, Moret, Santiago, Colon, and Wesling.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Where? No not aware of anyone at present time, But I have a very large family and extended family so could not say with certainty.

Educational background: Graduated from Hoboken High School, Pan America School 0f Travel as
well as courses on media, public relations and customer service training, event planning and decorating.

Occupation, years of experience: At present designated disabled American. My experience runs the gambit. I have worked in the travel industry for many years and as well as in event planning and event decorating, worked in the field of media and public relations & promotions, customer service. Presently focused on volunteer work and organizing a charitable organization Manny R Soler Giving Association.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: None.

Questions:

Why are you seeking elected office?

The willingness to serve is what drives me as well as wanting to be of service to the community.

What is the single most pressing issues facing Hoboken, and how do think you can help solve it?

I don't know if there is one and only one single most pressing issue facing Hoboken. There are multiple issues in a city with many different and uniquely diverse segments of it population, as its residence are facing so many challenges at the same time, from a deadly global pandemic to a twice in a 100 to 500 year rain storm flooding. So there are more than one. But to me I believe is affordable, Housing and ability to afford to live in Hoboken.

When elected I will work with any and all parties involved to bring fresh ideas and new energy to the city council and use ever possible tool in our toolbox to make a difference in the face of the challenges we know of and those unknown yet to arise.

Do you believe national political issues are relevant to Hoboken? During the last race, candidates cited their votes in the 2016 election. Are you willing to say whom you voted in the 2020 presidential election? Do you believe it's relevant or irrelevant and why?

I believe everything is eventually interconnected on some level. Yes, if a resident of Hoboken asks when in conversation during the campaign and its important to them. Really make no difference, The municipal election is no partisan. What the residence really want to know if you are going to work in their best interest, and what can you do to effect positive changes in their communities.

An issue that often comes up on social media discussion boards is a lack of affordable summer camp options and drop-off recreational options for kids in Hoboken, and a lack of activities for teens, especially compared to other towns, some smaller. In the last few years, parents have said they didn't get enough notice about baseball sign-ups and had to register in Union City for that
town's recreation baseball instead in Hoboken. Specifically, how would you increase low-cost recreation ( and not just sports) programming for kids teen within town especially over the summer?

It would first be important to identify where the programs are lacking or non-existent, then proceed from there. There should be a inter deportment partnership between the Recreation department (sports) and the Cultural Affairs department, where they could combine ideas on diverse approaches on projects, such as communicating better with the community, ask for community input among many other out of the box ideas, as well as sharing or combining resources when ever possible to createor expand programs for our children and teens. No one solution fits these complex issue so we should use or try to use all ideas in our toolbox.
I would help promote partnerships with the school board as well other city agencies and the private sector to plan and create summer intern programs for teens in the many different fields of interest. These programs could be communicated to the parents and guardians in advance of the summer recess as well as in the school programs such as but not limited to career days.

In regards to the sports programs, a similar approach may be equally possible. Partnership between the city and private sector that want to help the community in which they do business. When ever possible and compatible with the municipal ordinances and code. And early and continuous communication with the residence. These are just a few workable suggestions to start with.

Some believe that running for local office is only meant as a stepping stone, particularly in Hudson County. Do you plan to run for any other political office besides the one you are currently seeking? Why or why not?

For most local Hudson County politicians that maybe true, usually you are elected to an office and you work hard for your constituents gain experience and possibly seek further higher office it's usually a natural progression if you are a person who's true nature is being involved in politics 0f service to the community and the constituents who elect you. But there are some cases where it's solely driven through ambition and not the interest the constituents.

At this time my focus is on this campaign, and communicating with the residence of Hoboken and having the one on one interaction and dialogs with them. What is next only the future time will tell. But what I can say is whatever the outcome of this election I will continue to be of
service and actively involved in my neighborhood and community.

What is the best thing about Hoboken, and what is the worst thing?

There are many things that are great with Hoboken. But if you ask for one, I would say our city's accessibility, knowing one can walk around or bike to your favorite places, coffee shop, restaurants you can do your food shopping and walk to the local pharmacy all with a few blocks from each other give or take a block or two. As well as you can take a afternoon stroll through a beautiful Waterfront or park. So that's a few thing within one of best thing about Hoboken.
Well I don't like to talk badly about my home town, so I will say I have been told it is the parking situation when people come to visit their family and friends as well when they come to our shops and restaurants they can't find a parking space and the parking signs are somewhat confusing and of course they want let me forget of the parking pricing. As well as the traffic. (So I always and ever so diplomatically inform them on how accessible our beautiful city is by public transportation.)

What are critical differences between you and other candidates?

The difference between myself and other candidate is mainly that I will work for the residence of all Hoboken, and not for any one persons nor special interests. I am and Independent candidate interested in working in the best interest of the constituent, who I will represent in the council and unlike some I really want the job and truly want to do the work for the residence of Hoboken.

More Information

Hoboken's municipal elections are non-partisan, meaning the elections aren't Republicans vs. Democrats, but various individuals and slates against each other.

Links To The Candidate Profiles:

Other Candidate Profiles And Answers:

• Council Candidate Ian Rintel's Answers To Our Questions
• Council Candidate Cindy Wiegand's Answers To Our Questions
  
• Candidate Cheryl Fallick's Answers To Our Questions
  
• Councilwoman Emily Jabbour's Answers To Our Questions
• Candidate Sheila Brennan's Answers To Questions
  
• Candidate Joe Quintero's Answers To Questions

• Paul Presinzano's Answers To Questions
• Jim Doyle's Answers To Questions

Previous Election Coverage

• Hoboken Election: Jim Doyle Replaces Dini Ajmani On Mayor's Slate
• Citing 'Toxic' Hoboken Politics, Councilman Won't Run For Mayor
• I'm Running For Re-Election, Announces Mayor

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