Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition » civic participation

Got a Hand, Here’s a Shovel!

JDCap — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:09:05 +0000

The Hoboken Shade Tree Commission needs help on Saturday May 8th 11 AM to 2 PM! They are looking for volunteers to help prepare tree pits on city sidewalks in town. The work, which is not difficult, involves preparing tree pits for new saplings that have been donated by the NJ Tree Foundation.

We’re also seeking volunteers to adopt a sapling(s) to insure proper post planting care, thereby insuring high survival rates. Responsibilities include watering and related tree care.

Please contact James Tricarico (917) 597-7425 from the Shade Tree Commission at jamestricarico@yahoo.com to sign up! Volunteers will meet at the at the Boys & Girls Club Park located on Jefferson Street between 1st & 2nd.

QLC “Paths To Service” Event A Success.

pneshamkin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:11:50 +0000

The Citizens’ Campaign presented its “Path to Political Party Service” seminar on Thursday, March 25 at 7 P.M. at St. Matthew’s Parish Hall. This course explained how local political party committees work and prepared over 30 interested citizens for the June 8 committee elections. The course was taught by an educator from the nonpartisan Citizens’ Campaign.

It is the second of four seminars the QLC and the Citizens’ Campaign plan to host.

What Do the Local Political Party Committee People Do?

Every district of every ward in Hoboken elects both a Democratic and Republican committeewoman and committeeman. The party committees exist to represent the interests of local voters to the party, and to raise funds and rally support for party candidates.The responsibility taken on by each committee person depends completely on the level of involvement they choose. Many run for committee to promote change in local government or to help build a political platform. Others see it as an introduction to the political process or a chance to socialize with politically like minded neighbors. The local committee people also represent Hoboken at the county level by helping to choose the county party leaders.

The June election is a great chance to dip your toe in the political waters. Only a few signatures are needed to get on the ballot and, depending on your district and party affiliation, getting just a half dozen votes may get you elected .

The goal of the Citizens’ Campaign in sponsoring this event is to inspire citizens to participate in the leadership of their communities and reverse the tide of government waste and corruption.

The first seminar in the Paths to Service series was presented December 17. Click on the video below to watch.

Hoboken Call to Service from Eric Kurta on Vimeo.

QLC Announces 2009 Thanksgiving Awards for Community Service

JDCap — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:28:05 +0000

Bob Duval, board member of the QLC, presents the Hoboken Civic award to Roy Hueilbig, who accepted the award on behalf of the American Legion Post No. 107. Photo credit: John Branciforte
For the past four years, the Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition has recognized individuals and organizations who have given their time, energy and talent to help improve life in Hoboken. Join us for the fifth annual Thanksgiving Awards, Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Hoboken Historical Museum, Hudson Street at 13th Street, Hoboken, N.J.

Those being honored this year are:
Larry Henriques who receives the Community Awareness Award.
John De Palma to his family is granted posthumously the Service Award
Toni Tomarazzo is given the Civic Award
Ron Hine receives the Renee Steinhagen Public Advocacy Award
Dan Tumpson will take the Citizen Activist Award

A reception will follow the presentations. Everyone is invited to attend. Reservations are NOT required. A $5 donation will be requested at the door. This donation includes one free drink. And there will be a beer/wine cash bar with non-alcoholic beverages also available. Free parking with Museum-stamped ticket in the garage with entrances on 12th St or Shipyard Lane.

Register to Vote

paulp — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:17:56 +0000

Vote Now
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition encourages all citizens to vote in municipal and state elections.

The most important thing you can do to participate in our democracy is to vote. If you’re not registered, please sign up using the resources below.

The New Jersey Division of Elections website is your one stop shop for everything you need to know about voting in New Jersey.

How to register and where to register to vote depends on what county in New Jersey you live in. Make your voice heard and register now!

QLC Co-Sponsors “Path to Service” Seminar

JDCap — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:41:46 +0000

The Quality of Life Coalition and the Citizens’ Campaign of NJ presented the “Call to Service” forum held in Hoboken on Dec. 10, 2009.

Developed by the Citizens Campaign, a non-partisan group dedicated to rebuilding a culture of public service in New Jersey, the forums teach citizens how to gain appointments to non-elected positions on municipal boards and commissions.

Attendees at the Hoboken forum learned about the various municipal boards and commissions on which Hoboken residents may serve, the current service opportunities available, the appointments processes for each, and inside tips for seeking and gaining an appointment.

Eric Kurta from People for Open Government and Pat Samperi also from the QLC assisted with the event, which was hosted by Our Lady of Grace in the OLG School Hall. More than fifty people attended the very informative event, which can be viewed by clicking on the video below.
For more information about the Jersey Call to Service and how you can apply for a position on a Hoboken Board or Commission, visit;
JointheCampaign.com

Hoboken Call to Service from Eric Kurta on Vimeo.

Vote for Mayor of Hoboken on Tuesday November 3rd!!!

JDCap — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:37:11 +0000

The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition encourages all Hoboken residents to vote for governor, mayor, and the ballot question on Tuesday November 3rd. The QLC also encourages all voters to make an informed decision before heading to the polls. Voting is our civic responsibility and one of the most important ways we can all participate in democracy.

We’re offering non-partisan information to help you make an informed decision on who to vote for in Hoboken’s mayoral contest – a video of the latest Hoboken Mayoral Candidates’ Forum. For the third time in 2009, a Candidates’ Forum took place in the auditorium of Our Lady Of Grace School, this time on Wednesday, October 14 featuring the seven candidates running for mayor in the November 3, 2009 election. All seven candidates participated to the rapt attention of the 250 people in the audience.

Earlier in the year there had been a council-at-large candidates’ forum and a mayoralty forum as well as a mayoral debate between the two candidates in the run off. The resignation of Mayor Peter Cammarano prompted the need for a new election and the mayoral forum. The forums are sponsored by Our Lady of Grace /St. Joseph Parish, People for Open Government, The Church @ Hoboken and the Quality of Life Coalition. The proceedings of the October 14 forum were taped and may be viewed in their entirety on Channel 78 (running alternately with city council meetings) and by using the link below.

Regarding ballot question 1, the League of Women Voters has listed both the pros and cons of voting YES. You can read their ballot analysis and decide for yourself.

Candidates Forum Set for Wed., Oct. 14, 7 p.m.

JDCap — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:37:06 +0000

Hoboken City Hall
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition invites the entire community to a forum on Wed., Oct. 14, to hear from the candidates for the special election for Mayor November 3. The forum will start at 7 pm in the auditorium of Our Lady of Grace Church’s school building, at the SW corner of Willow Ave. and Fifth St.

Come early for a good seat; the candidates forums this spring prior to the May election and June runoff were packed houses.

Look, Listen, Act I: Public Gives Feedback on Councilwoman Mason’s “NoHo” Proposal

mabernathy — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:08:36 +0000

Councilwoman Beth Mason presents her plan for a ballpark and other amenities in Hoboken's Northwest corner (photo credit Tim Carroll, Hoboken Reporter)
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition launched a new series of public forums to help Hoboken citizens learn more about proposed developments. The series, called “Look, Listen, Act,” kicked off August 19, 2009, with a presentation by Councilwoman Beth Mason on her plan for the northwest corner of Hoboken, above the 14th St. Viaduct, west of Park Ave.

Dozens of people attended the forum, held at St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church’s Parish Hall, asked questions of Councilwoman Mason, suggested other ideas, and joined in a vigorous discussion of elements of the plan. A video prepared by her team is available on YouTube: Beth Mason presents her “NoHo” plan

The Coalition will be hosting similar events for the public presentation of and comments on development plans for other sectors of the city over the next several months. These events are intended to inform and elicit your views. Hosting of these events neither implies nor indicates the endorsement by the Coalition of any plans.

Save the Palisades!

JDCap — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:59:19 +0000

Developers, with the approval of local Planning Boards, have been hacking away at the top, face and base of the cliffs for decades (recently netting has been draped over the cliff in North Bergen to prevent falling rock due to recent development). Over the years numerous citizen groups have tried to stop the gouging and drilling but were stymied due to the lack of a legal means to prevent development. That has changed.

Last year the State and Hudson County adopted new rules that provide the legal basis for protection. What we need to do now is get the rules enforced. Sorry to say, but not unexpectedly, many powerful Hudson politicians are trying to prevent that enforcement in their never-ending search for more and more taxable development. Unfortunately, as they should have noticed by now, the tax income does not cover the costs for services the municipality must bear from new development.

The decision to enforce the new rules lies with the Hudson County Planning Board and the Hudson County Freeholders. The members of these groups are undoubtedly feeling the heat. Let’s give them some relief.

* Sign the online petition.Send it to your friends.
* Contact Hoboken’s Hudson County Freeholder, Anthony Romano aromano@hcnj.us and urge that the Freeholder Board support the enforcement of the Steep Slope rules that THEY approved last year.

Thank you!