Mayor Dawn Zimmer - The Interview

Mayor Dawn Zimmer in her office

I was asked several weeks ago if I would be interested in having an interview with the Mayor from someone within the Administration. I said yes and I was able to meet with Dawn Zimmer on Thursday 7/15/2010 for about 35 minutes. Below are the questions I asked along with Dawn's answers to get a gauge where the Administration is on many key areas. I was able to drill down on some topics but wanted to cover as many main areas as possible. Here is the recap of my initial one-on-one exchange with the Mayor:
Hoboken Journal: What are some of the accomplishments this Administration has made since you have been acting Mayor on July 31st and elected Mayor in November of 2009? What are some initiatives that you can comment on that are underway that the Administration is working on currently and in the future?

Mayor Dawn Zimmer: Dawn stated she was very proud of the fact she has put together a strong team of Directors. She first mentioned Ian Sacs Director of Parking and Transportation who has been working on reducing congestion, alleviating parking, and pedestrian safety.

She touched on Hertz Connect with 230 registrations, and that it is 4 months ahead of schedule according to Hertz. She mentioned there are many pedestrian safety initiatives, 3 new bus routes, bike lanes and texting for GPS locations of buses as initiatives that are underway or in the works.

She said that her Administration is trying make Hoboken a place where people can get around and not necessarily have to drive their car all the time.

Dawn next mentioned Director Forbes and her work alongside the planning board and that they were working to change the process on how projects are done. Past Administrations just told the Director who to work with but Brandy was able to put together RFPs to select the consultants she will be working with going forward. She stated that they are moving ahead with Western Edge, Hoboken Cove, 1600 Park, 14th Street Viaduct, Southwest Park and NJ Transit projects .

She stressed that community input is a key to these projects. Zimmer added that in the fall, a review of the redevelopment process is planned to walk citizens through how that process works.

Dawn then mentioned Director Leo Pellegrini who has reduced costs while retaining services in both cultural affairs and recreation activities. Some new initiatives for the Administration will include online registration for recreational affairs and paying taxes online.

Dawn also said she is very pleased with the hire of the Business Administrator Arch Liston. Now that the B.A. is on board she feels that the Administration is well on their way towards reducing the costs for the City to operate. She stated the Administration will be making the tough choices. When the Administration was under the State Fiscal monitor she said that in many cases that their "hands were tied" when it came to cost cutting measures. Now that Hoboken is out from under the State Fiscal Monitor she said that Arch Liston is working on a plan to reduce expenses.

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