Local Politics · Hoboken, NJ
Eight municipal contractors and Advance Realty contributed a combined $61,200 to Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour's mayoral accounts and the Team Emily council-at-large committee between October 2024 and June 2026, according to ELEC filings and OPRA disclosures analyzed by Hudson TV. On Jan. 5, 2026, auditor Wielkotz & Company gave $5,000 to Jabbour's 2029 re-election account; ten days later the City Council voted 9-0 to award Wielkotz a $154,000 audit contract under RFP 25-07. The firm's managing partner signed the C.271 Political Contribution Disclosure form on Dec. 8, 2025, but the attached disclosure sheet omitted a $5,000 contribution made to Councilman Michael Russo's runoff committee just days earlier. Hoboken repealed its local pay-to-play ordinance in December 2023, and "fair and open" contracts are exempt from state contribution limits under N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq.
Local Politics · Hudson County
Hudson County commissioners adopted two retroactive salary ordinances in 2025 raising County Executive Craig Guy's pay from $216,700 to $240,967, a 11.2% increase over roughly two years. Ordinance 178-3-2025 (March 27) set multi-year raises retroactive to July 1, 2024, while Ordinance 489-8-2025 (Aug. 14) added a "Market Rate Adjustment" on top of scheduled increases. The county confirmed it has no written policy governing whether accrued sick and vacation leave can be paid out to elected officials, despite the 2026 budget listing 92.5 accumulated absence days valued at $82,798.88 under Guy's line. Commissioner Bill O'Dea cast the sole dissenting vote on the March ordinance, citing its multi-year structure. On Oct. 22, commissioners voted 8-1 to introduce a further amendment raising pay for the county fire marshal and Board of Elections clerk, which still requires a public hearing and final vote.
Crime · Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken police arrested Andrii Gustal, 25, of Haskell, N.J., on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in connection with an Oct. 3 hit-and-run at 15th and Hudson streets that seriously injured a female pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk around 12:55 a.m. Gustal faces charges including assault by auto, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, and obstructing administration of law, plus five motor vehicle summonses; he was released on a summons after processing at Hoboken Police Headquarters. Following the crash, Hoboken's Department of Transportation and Parking installed new safety infrastructure at the intersection, with additional traffic calming measures planned for 15th Street.
Local Politics · Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken City Council approved an Employee Group Waiver Plan with Judi Rx (formerly Capital Rx) for up to $801,444 in a 7-2 vote at a virtual special meeting Tuesday. The plan covers Medicare-eligible retirees ages 65 and older, affecting approximately 329 lives identified in an audit. Council members amended the resolution to guarantee the same deductibles, co-pays, and annual limits as the city's current retiree prescription benefits, with failure to maintain those terms triggering immediate rescission. First Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano and Third Ward Councilman Mike Russo voted against the measure.
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Community brief · Hoboken, NJ
Pilates Addiction, a fitness studio chain with locations in Wayne, Short Hills, and Montclair, New Jersey, will open a new location at 921 Madison Street in Hoboken on November 8th, 2026. The studio combines classic Pilates techniques with modern intensity using Aurum reformers that integrate Wunda Chair, Ballet Bar, Reformer, and Jump Board exercises. The Hoboken location will be led by the same team operating the existing New Jersey studios.
Nearby · Local Politics · Hudson County
Hugo Cabrera, 61, was sworn in Wednesday night as North Bergen's first Hispanic mayor, succeeding Nicholas Sacco after Sacco's 35-year tenure ending effective the same day. The Board of Commissioners scheduled a 6:30 p.m. meeting expected to include the swearing-in and appointment of Nick Sacco Jr., principal of Lincoln Elementary School, to Sacco's commission seat. Cabrera inherits a $122 million municipal budget, $216.7 million in gross debt, and North Bergen High School operating at 172% of design capacity with 992 students over its 1,377-seat limit. The township's average residential property-tax bill was $8,831.07 in 2025, and the municipal levy rose 26.19% from 2023 to 2026. Voters will choose all five commissioners on May 11, 2027.
Nearby · Community News · Jersey City, NJ
The Save Our Hospital Coalition held a community gathering at Pershing Field Ice Rink in Jersey City on Oct. 27, while the city Planning Board concurrently voted that the former Heights University Hospital property at 176 Palisade Ave. qualifies for condemnation through eminent domain. Assemblywoman Katie Brennan (D-32) discussed state bill A-5185, which would increase NJDOH penalties and expand receivership powers for healthcare facilities with prior violations of closure regulations. The Planning Board's finding now heads to the City Council for further consideration before a formal condemnation plan can be developed. Hudson Regional Health closed remaining operations at the hospital in March without completing the state-mandated NJDOH certificate-of-need process.
