Politics & Government

Running in the Fifth Ward

Involved citizen Perry Belfiore is giving it another shot.

Perry Belfiore can’t sit on a street corner for more than five minutes before running into someone. His low full voice and boisterous laugh are unmistakable and recognizable from blocks away.

“I have always lived my life out loud,” Belfiore said recently, sitting outside at Dunkin’ Donuts on Seventh and Washington Streets, sipping tea.

Belfiore is running to become Fifth Ward councilman for the second time in a row. Four years ago, Belfiore ran against Councilman Peter Cunningham and (both of whom are running again this year).

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“I think we’re backsliding,” Belfiore said, adding that he campaigned on the same issues four years ago as he is doing today: finances and open space. Belfiore added that the council dais needs “an adult,” comparing the council to “a learner car with two steering wheels.”

When asked why people should vote for him this time around, Belfiore answered, “I don’t think Cunningham deserves a second term."

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Belfiore, born and raised in Hoboken, has a rich history of involvement in Hoboken politics. He served on the planning board from 2007 to 2010, was elected to the Board of Education three times and served on the Hoboken Housing Authority as the governor’s appointee for seven years.

Belfiore lives on 11th Street, between Bloomfield and Garden, with his wife and four children.

Belfiore said he’s mostly concerned about planning and redevelopment in town. As an example, Belfiore mentioned the municipal garage. The garage was briefly vacated last year, before a major sale of the building with S. Hekemian Group fell through. Belfiore said he’d like to see a municipal garage built uptown. One option is 15th Street, Belfiore said. He added he would like to see an entire municipal complex—which would also house the Hoboken Police Department—with parking on top. He said also that he would like to see the Multi Service Center torn down and rebuilt as a community center with assisted living on top.

“I’d like to see planning done holistically,” Belfiore said, adding that he’s tired of “this hodge podge.”

During his time on the school board, Belfiore said, one of the issues he fought for was the renovations of the Connors School. Hoboken is waiting on state funding to complete the project.

One of the most contentious issues at the moment—and one of the main differences between the council majority (critics of the mayor) and the council minority (supporters of the mayor)—is what should be done with the budget surplus.

The city currently has roughly $25 million in reserve. Of that amount, a little more more than $5 million is left in cash, according to the city. The administration has said it wants to keep a five percent cash surplus on the $101 million proposed budget. The budget will most likely not be approved before the May 10 election.

Belfiore is of the opinion that the cash surplus should be “returned” to the tax payers. Belfiore said that Hobokenites have been overtaxed ever since State Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi came to town after the state took over.

“I was against the state take over,” Belfiore said. The state took over in 2008 after the city council was unable to pass a fully funded budget.

But, although Belfiore can be a harsh critic of the administration when he speaks during public portions at council meetings, he praised some things coming out of city hall. For example, Belfiore said that Director of Parking and Transportation Ian Sacs “deserves kudos for many things,” especially when it comes to finding alternate means of transportation in town.

But, Belfiore added, “I can’t give a thumbs up for .” 

On the council, Belfiore said he would be more independent than many people consider him to be.

As far as the competition in this election is concerned, Belfiore said Cunningham is the most challenging component in the race. Besides Delea, has also thrown his hat in the ring. The winner of the election needs 50 percent plus one vote. If there is no majority on May 10, the two candidates with the most votes will enter a run off in June.

But, even if he doesn’t win, chances are Belfiore will stay involved and keep coming to council meetings.

“Elections are about ideas,” Belfiore said. “Even if you don’t win and your ideas sustain … that’s not too shabby.”  

Correction appended: An earlier version of this article stated different surplus numbers.


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