Since 2003, Hoboken’s People for Open Government has striven to promote open, accountable, and transparent municipal government, encourage active participation of residents in municipal affairs, and lessen the undue influence of campaign contributions on public policy. Recent corruption charges brought against our mayor and a sewerage authority commissioner suggest that Hoboken still has a long way to go. Efforts to open up the business of City Hall are stymied when that business is conducted at the Malibu Diner. The votes and voices of ordinary citizens are muted and diluted when exchanges of cash shape decisions that affect our taxes, our property values, and our quality of life.
Perhaps this event will further enlighten Hoboken citizens as to the continued shortcomings of our local government. If we are to make Hoboken the great city that it can be, we must demand nothing less than absolute integrity and transparency from our city officials. If we are lax in civic participation and relaxed in our standards, we allow those with self-serving agendas and questionable ethical values to take advantage.
Eric S Kurta
President, People for Open Government