Dear Editor:
Coaching legend Dean Smith once said, “There comes a point in every contest when sitting on sidelines is not an option.” For my fiancé John Allen, that point was Tuesday, November 8, 2016 and like many others, John anticipated a different result but instead of just being angry, he raised his hand and joined Ravi Bhalla.
However, John has never been one to sit on the sidelines. At the age of 23, John was elected President of the Old Bridge Board of Education in central New Jersey. It is important for our municipal government and board of education to work together to meet the growing demands of Hoboken’s young population. John will dedicate his efforts to making Hoboken more than a stopover in route to the suburbs for young couples – like ourselves – who are planting their roots here.
It was John’s experience working with public schools that inspired him to continue advancing education through a career as an attorney representing and advising school districts. His expertise in education and municipal law will be an asset for our local government and his fresh perspective is not tainted by old grudges and animosity.
John also serves on the Board of Directors for Easterseals New Jersey, one of the state’s oldest and largest charities that helps individuals and families with disabilities. According to the UN, about 6.25 billion people are predicted to be living in cities by 2050 and an estimated 15 percent of those people will be affected by disabilities. John will work to ensure Hoboken remains accessible to all.
For John, smart development also means fighting to protect Hoboken’s unique charm and character. He doesn’t want to see Hoboken turn into a square mile of skyscrapers. Smart development is addressing Hoboken’s infrastructure issues, specifically flooding. As residents of 9th and Monroe, flooding personally impacts John and me. John is committed to making Hoboken more resilient and prepared for the increasingly frequent heavy rain events.
John is energetic, optimistic, dedicated and driven to stand up for what he believes in. When John and I ran for our Democratic County Committee seats, we had the opportunity to hear first hand from our neighbors about the issues that matter most to them. John gave his undivided attention, listened to every concern and acted as voice to ensure those concerns were heard by our current leaders.
John is running with Ravi because of Ravi’s experience, skills, and vision set him apart from all of the other candidates. #TeamBhalla is the only campaign that has offered detailed, thorough, and realistic policy proposals on issues including education, transportation, and open space.
I have no question that alongside Councilman Ravi Bhalla, Councilman Jim Doyle and Emily Jabbour, John possesses the leadership qualities to bring fresh perspective to the City Council and keep Hoboken moving forward. So on Tuesday, November 7, I encourage all of you get off the sidelines and vote for the team that will take a stand for you. Vote for #TeamBhalla.
Sincerely,
Tara Mullins,
Hoboken Democratic Committee Woman (Ward 3, District 5)
and 10+ year resident of Hoboken
