Join us in improving Hoboken's Quality of Life
|
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition (QLC) is a coming together, a coalescing, of various groups and individuals concerned about the air, earth and water, about the density of development, the need for open space, the lack of parking, the flooding, and the host of difficulties that militate against a good and healthy living environment in this densely populated urban city. Since 2000, we have been actively advocating for these causes. The QLC was designated as a 501c3 organization by the IRS in 2000, and all contributions to the QLC are tax deductible.
|
|
The latest news...
QLC Registers Objections to NJ Transit Plan to Acquire Union Dry Dock
NJ Transit has proposed purchasing the Union Dry Dock property on Hoboken's waterfront in order to lease it to NY Waterway ferry service as a maintenance and refueling site. The QLC believes the property should be offered to the City of Hoboken for conversion to public park space and to complete the public access to the Hoboken Waterfront Walkway.
NJ Transit's board is slated to vote on the purchase at its next board meeting, which has been twice postponed in the last week. It is now set to take place on the morning of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Monday, Jan. 15 at 9 am, at One Penn Plaza East in Newark. Members of the public may to sign up to speak out on the matter; details for attending the meeting are at this link.
QLC interim coordinator Mary Kelly sent the following letter to the chairman of the NJ Transit board:
Dear Chairman Hammer:
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition (“QLC”), a community organization comprised of various groups and individuals concerned about the need for open space, air and water quality, the density of development, busy streets and the host of difficulties that impact our environment in a densely populated urban city, implores that prior to any sale of the Union Dry Dock (UDD) land to NJ Transit you conduct open public hearings to collect information from all stakeholders, study the long term impact of this proposal and consider additional locations for NY Waterway to house their ferry maintenance, storage and refueling facility.
The current proposal to allow heavy industrial activity at the UDD site will cause increased air, water and noise pollution, significant adverse environmental impact and also impede the long desired completion of the Hudson River Walkway in Hoboken, something our citizens and leaders have fought to conclude for many years. To even consider placement of such a heavy industrial operation on this jewel, our waterfront, is simply senseless and ridiculous. Given the battles that have been waged against industrialization of the Hudson River waterfront since the mid 1970’s when we fought and won against proposed oil storage tank placements in Hoboken and Weehawken, it is incredible that this dialogue continues.
Hoboken community members, institutions, not for profit organizations, as well as municipal, county, state and federal governmental representatives have worked diligently, cooperatively, for decades to create our vibrant, walkable, welcoming and beautiful Waterfront Walkway that is a testament to all that New Jersey has to offer not just our citizens, but visitors from around the region and the world.
The decades-long cooperative engagement between and among these many interested parties should be honored as a legacy to be emulated and not disrespected by pushing through a transaction without the requisite due diligence. This sale could subject our citizens to environmental hazards, significant increased congestion, a severe diminishment in their quality of life and must not be pursued frivolously. Thank you for your consideration.
NJ Transit has proposed purchasing the Union Dry Dock property on Hoboken's waterfront in order to lease it to NY Waterway ferry service as a maintenance and refueling site. The QLC believes the property should be offered to the City of Hoboken for conversion to public park space and to complete the public access to the Hoboken Waterfront Walkway.
NJ Transit's board is slated to vote on the purchase at its next board meeting, which has been twice postponed in the last week. It is now set to take place on the morning of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Monday, Jan. 15 at 9 am, at One Penn Plaza East in Newark. Members of the public may to sign up to speak out on the matter; details for attending the meeting are at this link.
QLC interim coordinator Mary Kelly sent the following letter to the chairman of the NJ Transit board:
Dear Chairman Hammer:
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition (“QLC”), a community organization comprised of various groups and individuals concerned about the need for open space, air and water quality, the density of development, busy streets and the host of difficulties that impact our environment in a densely populated urban city, implores that prior to any sale of the Union Dry Dock (UDD) land to NJ Transit you conduct open public hearings to collect information from all stakeholders, study the long term impact of this proposal and consider additional locations for NY Waterway to house their ferry maintenance, storage and refueling facility.
The current proposal to allow heavy industrial activity at the UDD site will cause increased air, water and noise pollution, significant adverse environmental impact and also impede the long desired completion of the Hudson River Walkway in Hoboken, something our citizens and leaders have fought to conclude for many years. To even consider placement of such a heavy industrial operation on this jewel, our waterfront, is simply senseless and ridiculous. Given the battles that have been waged against industrialization of the Hudson River waterfront since the mid 1970’s when we fought and won against proposed oil storage tank placements in Hoboken and Weehawken, it is incredible that this dialogue continues.
Hoboken community members, institutions, not for profit organizations, as well as municipal, county, state and federal governmental representatives have worked diligently, cooperatively, for decades to create our vibrant, walkable, welcoming and beautiful Waterfront Walkway that is a testament to all that New Jersey has to offer not just our citizens, but visitors from around the region and the world.
The decades-long cooperative engagement between and among these many interested parties should be honored as a legacy to be emulated and not disrespected by pushing through a transaction without the requisite due diligence. This sale could subject our citizens to environmental hazards, significant increased congestion, a severe diminishment in their quality of life and must not be pursued frivolously. Thank you for your consideration.
SUPPORT USThe Quality of Life Coalition is a nonprofit organization comprising representatives from a broad range of local civic groups. Won't you help us continue to host information sessions, candidates' forums, and programs to improve our quality of life?
|
|
WHO IS QLC HOBOKEN?
Helen Manogue
Founder/Coordinator Emeritus Longtime civic activist who founded QLC Hoboken in 1999 after working with the Environment Committee in the 1980s to advocate for a cleaner, more livable city. Also serves as a board member for the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy. She is a retired bank examiner. 
Tom Chartier
Chair, Committee for a Green Hoboken LEED-accredited, licensed professional engineer, specializing in energy-efficient and sustainable building design Esther Milsted
Trustee Attorney and Head of the Public Defender's office for Hoboken Municipal Court; serves on the Board of Directors of the Hoboken Library Foundation. |
Mary Kelly
Coordinator Emeritus Retired attorney from a Fortune 100 financial services company; currently serves as board member of Elysian Charter School and Cape May Point Taxpayers' Association. 
Eduardo Gonzalez
Treasurer CFA, analyst on Commodities fund at Wall street firm; board member of Elysian Charter School, member of Hoboken Family Alliance. (On leave during election season) |
Melissa Abernathy
Interim Coordinator/Secretary Media relations and editorial consultant for nonprofits, small businesses and Fortune 100 companies; currently serves on the board of hob'art artists gallery and Hoboken Dog Association. 
Inés Garcia Keim
Trustee Airline representative and board member of the Fund for a Better Waterfront 
Shelby Smith
Trustee CRM Marketer and Inter-group Relations Facilitator, currently attending Columbia University to pursue her Master's in Urban Planning. |
DROP US A LINE
|
|
phone |
201.406.0033 |
address |
PO Box 1195 Hoboken, NJ 07030 |