Councilwoman Fisher: Text Messages Reveal Councilwoman Emily Jabbour Prioritizes Political Wins Over Hoboken’s Flood Protection

Hoboken, NJ – Recent reporting by Hudson County View⁽¹⁾ include text messages revealing Hoboken City Councilwoman Emily Jabbour’s decision to prioritize winning a City Council election over the well-being of Hoboken residents.  The text messages were with former Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who had contacted Jabbour, along with other Hoboken City Council members, to discuss concerns regarding potential delays in Hoboken’s crucial anti-flooding initiative, Rebuild By Design.

As cited in the article:

“It is about RBD, which I’ve always known is your top priority. I continue to uphold that project as a priority and I’m worried what’s happening right now is counterproductive to that goal,” she [Jabbour] stated. “It’s also incredibly dangerous timing for the election with candidates that we need to get elected – like Marla. It makes things very difficult. I want to connect so you know I’m supportive of what needs to get done.”

Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, representative for Hoboken’s 2^nd Ward and a key figure in the Rebuild By Design initiative since 2015, responded sharply:

“What’s more dangerous than letting a town flood to win an election?” asks Fisher.  “Rebuild By Design stands as the paramount project safeguarding Hoboken residents against the devastating impacts of flooding, as shown by the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. For Emily to place her personal political agenda above the health and safety of Hoboken residents is deeply troubling.”

Rebuild By Design, a resilience project championed by Mayor Zimmer post – Superstorm Sandy, secured a $230M federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to erect a flood barrier structure protecting Hoboken, as well as parts of Weehawken and Jersey City. Managed by the NJ DEP, construction on the project recently began. However, at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony in October, both Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and NJ DEP Director Shawn LaTourette shared concerns about unresolved easements in Jersey City potentially stalling progress.

“This revelation should not come as a surprise”, Fisher continued. “Councilwoman Jabbour has demonstrated a consistent pattern of placing personal politics before the interests of Hoboken residents– she voted to weaken Hoboken’s campaign finance laws, she chose to support a cannabis dispensary backed by Hudson County elected officials instead of the thousands of residents who opposed it, and she endorses political candidates who resort to deceit for electoral gain.”

Councilwoman Fisher recently secured her third term, winning decisively with a vote of 61% to 34% against Marla Decker, the same candidate supported by Councilwoman Jabbour. This victory underscores the community’s trust in Fisher’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of Hoboken residents over political interests.

Fisher concludes with “At a time when people across the state are fighting for integrity and fair elections in New Jersey, Emily’s actions stand out as an example of what we are all fighting against.”

⁽¹⁾ Heinis, J. (March 19, 2024). Zimmer Takes Aim at Hoboken BA Over His OPRA for Her RBD Comms with Council. Hudson County View.  LINK