These days, staying connected with your community is one of the most important things you can do, especially with so much going virtual. But with everything you see on the internet, it can be hard to know where to begin and who to trust. Thankfully, in Hoboken and Jersey City, we have a long list of ways to stay up-to-date with the latest news from our government officials, communities, and agencies. Read on for all the ways to stay connected with government officials in Hoboken and Jersey City.
1. Subscribe to Newsletters and Nixle alerts
Hoboken
If you like staying in the know, Nixle alerts are for you. Written by the City of Hoboken, these official alerts cover everything, such as Covid-19 updates, flood warnings, road closures, special event announcements, and alerts for city service modifications. You can register either on Nixle’s website or by texting 07030 to 888-777 {message and data rates may apply}. The Nixle alerts will be texted to your phone or sent to your email address.
Jersey City
To get the latest news from Jersey City, you can subscribe to the city’s official newsletter. These newsletters are written officially by the city and include announcements on important city changes and events.
2. Tweet with Local Government Officials
Like everyone, elected officials keep a close eye on social media. But in Hudson County, this is especially true. Below are ways to stay in direct touch with your elected officials in Hoboken and Jersey City through official social media.
Hoboken
- Jen Giattino, city council president and six ward city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Vanessa Falco, city council vice president, and at-large city councilmember is on Facebook.
- Jim Doyle, at-large city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Emily Jabbour, at-large city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Mike DeFusco, first ward city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Tiffanie Fisher, second ward city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Mike Russo, third ward city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Ruben Ramos Jr., fourth ward city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Phil Cohen, fifth ward city councilmember, is on Facebook + Twitter.
Jersey City
- Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr., councilman at large, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Daniel Rivera, Councilman at large, is on Facebook + Twitter
- Denise Ridley, ward a councilperson, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Mira Prinz-Arey, ward b councilperson, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Richard Boggiano, ward c councilperson, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Yousef J. Saleh, ward d councilperson, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- James Solomon, ward e councilperson, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Jermaine Robinson, ward f councilperson, is on Facebook + Twitter.
- Joyce Watterman, council president, is not on social media.
3. Attend Virtual City Council Meetings
Hoboken
Hoboken City Council meets every other week at 7PM, and the live streams are broadcasted over YouTube and Facebook Live.
Jersey City
Jersey City has causes on alternating Mondays at 4PM and meetings on alternating Wednesdays at 6PM. Anyone with access to the internet can view the next livestream here.
4. Look Through City Council and Committee Documents
There are {sooooooooo} many documents to look through, and yes, they’re all public. The documents below are agendas, minutes, and videos of public government meetings, including city council meetings, zoning board meetings, planning board meetings, and more. These documents show some of the day-to-day operations of the city government, along with some of the elected official’s priorities.
Hoboken: http://hobokennj.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx
Jersey City: https://jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/clerk/2019_agendas__minutes___ordinances
5. Connect With the Official Government Social Media
Hoboken: Facebook + Twitter + Instagram
Jersey City: Facebook + Twitter + Instagram
6. Sneak a Peek at Your Government’s Finances
Hoboken spent how much on the police in 2019? {$18.1 million.} Government finances are open to everyone but be warned, these documents can be tough to decode. The city usually splits up financial documents in different ways, so glance at the key below in advance.
Hoboken: Look at your government finances here.
Budgets: Each year, the Mayor prepares a budget for the City Council. The budget shows how the administration anticipates to collect and allocate money, and the Council approved this budget.
Audits: Each year, an outside group does a comprehensive audit of the city’s financial accounts. These documents are their reports.
Annual Financial Statements: These annual reports show the balance of city financial accounts.
Annual Debt Statements: These annual reports show how much Hoboken owes in debt and whether or not the city is on track to fulfill the debt payments.
7. Download the Hoboken 311 App
Rattled by a pothole or found some graffiti? Hoboken residents and visitors can use Hoboken 311 to notify the City and receive status updates about a complaint. This is an app downloadable in the app store here for Google and here for iPhone.
8. Subscribe to Hoboken Girl’s News Roundup + Follow Our Site for Updates
Don’t miss any local news stories by subscribing to Hoboken Girl’s weekly email newsletter by filling out this form. You can also join our Facebook Group here.
BONUS: Exercise Your Right to Vote
Although New Jersey does not currently offer online voter registration, don’t worry about buying an envelope or stamp. To register to vote in Hudson County, all you need to do is to print out the voter registration form {versión en español}, fill it out, tape it shut, and drop it off in a mailbox—no postage necessary. Alternatively, voter registration forms are available at Hoboken and Jersey City Halls. The voter registration deadline for the United States 2020 election is October 13, 2020, so don’t wait!
To qualify to vote, you must be a United States citizen, at least 17 years old {although you cannot vote until you reach 18}, a resident of Hudson county for 30 days before the election, and have not been incarcerated.
