Let's Get Hoboken

BACK TO BASICS

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A Council member, former State Assemblyman, public school teacher, cancer survivor, husband, father and lifelong Hoboken resident, Ruben Ramos is running for Mayor to get our city back to basics by delivering for the community on critical priorities like public safety, quality of life, programs for children and seniors, and housing affordability.

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A Council member, former State Assemblyman, public school teacher, cancer survivor, husband, father and lifelong Hoboken resident, Ruben Ramos is running for Mayor to get our city back to basics by delivering for the community on critical priorities like public safety, quality of life, programs for children and seniors, and housing affordability.

Join Ruben's Team

What will Ruben do as Mayor?

Back to Basics: A Cleaner, Safer, More Livable Hoboken

Hoboken deserves better.

Too many days, we walk past trash, cracked sidewalks, and parks that feel forgotten. The city talks about big plans, but what we really need is simple: leadership that gets the basics right.

Ruben Ramos has a plan to do just that without raising your taxes.

He will create a Code Enforcement and Quality of Life Division by reorganizing and retraining city workers we already have. Their job? Not just handing out tickets, but working with residents, solving problems fast, and bringing pride back to our neighborhoods.

The Problem

Trash piles up.
Sidewalks get blocked.
Small problems are ignored until they become big ones.
Police are stretched too thin to keep up.

Residents are tired of excuses. It’s time for action.

The Solution

No new costs: just smarter use of city staff.
Stronger leadership: a new Chief Code Officer focused on real results.
Faster fixes: 75% of complaints solved within 7 days.
Better communication: easy tools for you to report problems and see them get fixed.

How It Will Work

Daily patrols to catch problems before you have to complain.
Quick responses when you do report an issue.
One system to track it all, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Regular town halls to keep City Hall honest and you in the loop.

Tools We’ll Use

Mobile apps to report issues fast.
Public maps to show progress.
Clear signs so everyone knows the rules.

Why It Matters

Streets you’ll actually want to walk down.
Parks you’ll be proud to visit.
A government that listens and acts.
Real change, done responsibly, without wasting your money.

The Final Word

Fixing Hoboken isn’t about big speeches, it’s about getting the basics right.

With Ruben Ramos’ plan, Hoboken will be cleaner, safer, and stronger.

It’s time to demand better.

It’s time to see results.

It’s time to get Back to Basics.

Back to Basics: Cutting Red Tape and Supporting Small Business

Right now, opening a small business in our city takes too long, costs too much, and involves too many hurdles.

We talk about wanting vibrant neighborhoods and thriving main streets but the city makes it incredibly difficult for local entrepreneurs to get started.

Permits drag on for months. What’s allowed on one side of the street isn’t allowed on the other. Need a few indoor tables? You might need a traffic study. Want twice as many outside? No study required.
None of it makes sense. We’re pushing away the very businesses that make Hoboken feel like home.

Ruben Ramos has a plan to fix it…without raising taxes and without adding more red tape.

The Problem

Long delays just to get basic permits

Inconsistent rules depending on what block you’re on

Small business owners left to navigate it all alone

No urgency, no accountability, no one to turn to

The Solution

A new City Department focused on business support

A team of New Business Navigators to guide you through every step

Case managers for every new business to provide real help from day one

Fully funded through existing permit revenue with no extra cost to taxpayers

How It Will Work

New businesses get a case manager and a file number to track their progress

Clear, consistent rules across the city

A business support team that responds quickly, solves problems, and keeps things moving

Tools We'll Use

File tracking so applications don’t disappear

A digital portal with timelines and updates

Citywide zoning clarity so entrepreneurs aren’t left guessing

Regular office hours to connect with small business owners directly

Why It Matters

More local businesses opening…not closing

Less red tape, more energy on our main streets

A stronger, fairer local economy driven by Hoboken residents

A government that works as hard as our entrepreneurs do

The Final Word

We can’t keep making it harder for small businesses to succeed. It’s time for clear rules, faster help, and real support.

With Ruben Ramos’ plan, we’ll make Hoboken a place where local businesses can thrive and not just survive.

It’s time to cut the red tape.

It’s time to invest in local success.

It’s time to get Back to Basics.

Back to Basics: Recreation That Works for Everyone

Kids are spending more time on screens and less time playing outside and that’s a city planning issue.

Right now, too many families feel locked out of Hoboken’s recreation system. Costs are high. Access is limited. And taxpayers are told the only solution is to spend hundreds of millions on new facilities.

Ruben Ramos knows we don’t need to start from scratch. We just need leadership that uses what we already have better.

The Problem

Not enough screen-free activities for kids

City fields and gyms aren’t easily accessible for Hoboken families

Rising costs shut out too many families

No clear calendar of programs or easy way to sign up

Too much focus on sports while other activities get ignored

The Solution

Open up what we already own: schools, parks, and city buildings

Prioritize Hoboken families for field and gym access

Fair pricing that doesn’t leave anyone out

Diverse programs: from soccer and basketball to painting and wellness

Vendors that give back by hiring from our community

How It Will Work

Expand partnerships between the City and the Board of Education

Launch seasonal programs for kids, teens, adults, and seniors

Create a central calendar and a simple sign-up system

Guarantee local residents come first when booking space

Introduce non-sports options like arts, dance, fitness, and crafts

Tools We’ll Use

A digital sign-up system that works from your phone

A public calendar of classes, leagues, and events

A community hiring policy for outside vendors

Income-friendly pricing models for full participation

Why It Matters

More active kids, fewer screens Healthier residents at every age

A city where creativity and community thrive

Recreation that brings people together and doesn’t leave them behind

The Final Word

Recreation is a core part of what makes a city livable and strong. It builds community, health, and opportunity for everyone.

With Ruben Ramos’ plan, Hoboken will get more from its recreation system without wasting money or leaving people out.

It’s time to open the doors.
It’s time to support our kids, seniors, and families.

It’s time to get Back to Basics.

Back to Basics: A Smarter, Stronger Hoboken Budget

For too long, Hoboken taxpayers have been asked to pay more and get less.
Since 2017, the city budget has grown, debt has nearly doubled, and taxes keep climbing.

Meanwhile:

Potholes multiply

Parks aren’t maintained

Parking remains a struggle

Basic services fall short

We are not getting what we paid for.

Ruben Ramos has been fighting for accountability — proposing real cuts, smarter budgeting, and voting against unnecessary tax hikes. As mayor, he’ll reset City Hall’s approach and get Hoboken back to basics.

The Problem

Taxes keep going up.

Debt has soared past $421 million.

Services aren’t improving.

City Hall spends more, while residents get less.

Hoboken doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem.

The Solution

Fix what’s broken. Fund what works. Cut what doesn’t.

No more automatic budget increases.

Every dollar must be tied to real results.

Waste and duplication will be eliminated.

Spend on services, not bureaucracy.

Prioritize parks, potholes, sanitation, and safety.

End inflated administrative bloat.

Invest without raising taxes.

Use green bonds, state/federal grants, and city assets; not taxpayers’ wallets.

Every bonded project will come with a full maintenance plan so residents know the true cost upfront.

Encourage responsible growth that funds services without overdevelopment.

Deliver value from city-owned assets.

Tap into rooftops, WiFi zones, park space, and licensing opportunities. Launch a Civic Sponsorship Office to turn these assets into non-tax revenue.

Protect Hoboken’s future, not just its present.

Mandatory cost-benefit reviews for all new spending.

Comprehensive audit of current debt and liabilities.

Long-term savings through smarter service co-location and reduced consultant use.

How It Will Work

Clear maintenance schedules for all new projects.

Transparent cost projections before taxpayer money is spent.

Smarter growth that expands the tax base responsibly.

New revenue streams through sponsorships, licensing, and public-private partnerships.

Why It Matters

Lower tax pressure for residents.

A government that delivers results, not excuses.

Infrastructure that lasts, with costs fully planned.

Services that actually match what you pay for.

The Final Word

This isn’t about left or right. It’s about right or wrong.

Ruben Ramos is a teacher, a councilman, and a Hoboken dad - not a career bureaucrat. He’s tired of watching families get squeezed while the budget balloons.

You deserve accountability. You deserve transparency. You deserve results.

We don’t need to raise taxes. We need to raise expectations.

Housing is the Issue. Let’s Finally Act Like It.

Hoboken’s housing crisis has been growing for years; and City Hall still treats it like an afterthought. While they talk, families are priced out, longtime residents are pushed aside, and our community loses its roots.

It doesn’t have to be this way. If we take housing seriously, we can fix it.

The Problem

Rents keep rising while protections lag behind.

“Affordable housing” promises too often end in luxury towers.

Public housing is plagued by mold, broken elevators, and outdated systems.

Families who want to stay here are forced to leave.

Hoboken doesn’t have a space problem. It has a priority problem.

The Solution

Protect Affordability Across the City.

Stronger rent control enforcement.

Real protections for low- and middle-income residents.

A citywide commitment to housing stability, not piecemeal deals.

Build Real Affordable Housing, Not More Luxury.

Tougher inclusionary housing rules that deliver results.

Faster permitting for projects with genuine affordable units.

Development that serves residents first, not developers.

Fix Public Housing. End the Cycle of Neglect.

Immediate action on mold, heating, and broken elevators.

More funding, urgency, and accountability for housing authority repairs.

Respect for public housing residents as neighbors, not bargaining chips.

Stand Up for Renters.

Close loopholes that landlords exploit to push tenants out.

Strong enforcement against unfair evictions and rent hikes.

Use every tool, from state law to local action, to protect renters.

Help Renters Become Homeowners.

Expand first-time homebuyer programs.

Open pathways to ownership for working families.

Ensure the next generation has a real chance to build a life in Hoboken.

How It Will Work

Clearer, stronger inclusionary zoning laws.

Dedicated enforcement of rent protections.

A Housing Accountability Office to track repairs, permits, and affordability.

Partnerships with state and federal agencies to secure funding and grants.

Why It Matters

Hoboken families can stay and thrive here, not be pushed out.

Public housing residents get dignity, safety, and stability.

Renters gain real protections and homeowners get a fair shot.

A community built for all incomes, not just the wealthiest.

The Final Word

Hoboken can be a place where people of all incomes live, grow, and stay. But only if we stop treating housing like an afterthought.

This is the crisis of our time and it demands action, not excuses.

Ruben Ramos will fight for real affordability, real protections, and real solutions.

It’s time to treat housing like the crisis it is.

It’s time to finally act.

Fix What’s Broken. Build for the Future.

Hoboken is running on 100-year-old pipes, crumbling roads, and incomplete flood protections. Every water main break, flooded street, and traffic jam proves it: our infrastructure is failing, and City Hall has been too reactive for too long.

It’s time to stop kicking the can down the road.
It’s time to get back to basics.

The Problem

Water mains and sewers are over a century old.

Streets flood after storms, and promised protections remain unfinished.

New development adds traffic with no real plan for cars, trucks, or safety.

Roads are patched, not paved…only to be torn up again months later.

Taxpayers carry the burden while developers profit.

Hoboken can’t thrive with failing foundations.

We need to fix what’s under our feet before we build on top of it.

The Solution

Fix What’s Under Our Feet.

Citywide replacement schedule for water mains, sewers, and utilities.

Coordinate street work so roads are opened once, fixed right, and left alone.

When the work is done: pave, pave, pave until roads are smooth and reliable.

Stop the Traffic Chaos Before It Starts.

No new development without a real traffic plan paid for by developers.

Smarter intersections, safer crossings, and better signal timing.

Dedicated loading zones to keep Washington Street moving.

Finish the Job on Flood Prevention.

Complete every inch of Rebuild by Design and other promised protections.

Invest in green solutions: rain gardens, permeable streets, smarter drainage.

Require all new buildings to include water retention systems.

Make Development Work for Residents, Not Just Developers.

Developers must pay their fair share for infrastructure, traffic fixes, and open space.

Protect quality of life by ensuring projects benefit the whole community.

No More Kicking the Can Down the Road.

Lead with prevention, not reaction.

Plan ahead and invest in essential upgrades before crises hit.

Pave streets properly and build a foundation for the future.

How It Will Work

A public infrastructure schedule with timelines residents can track.

Transparent funding plans tied to grants, bonds, and developer contributions.

Coordination across departments so work gets done right the first time.

Accountability measures to keep projects on time and on budget.

Why It Matters

Reliable utilities and smooth streets.

Safer intersections and smarter traffic flow.

Strong flood protections that keep homes and businesses dry.

Growth that benefits residents, not just developers.

A city built to last, not patched together in crisis.

The Final Word

Infrastructure is not flashy. It’s the foundation of everything else.

Ruben Ramos will prioritize water, streets, and flood prevention before pet projects and political promises. With planning, accountability, and real investment, Hoboken can finally have the infrastructure it deserves.

Fix what’s broken. Build for the future.

That’s how we get back to basics.

MEET RUBEN'S TEAM for council at-large

Laura Miani

for Council at-Large

Laura Miani is a 30-year Hoboken resident, parent, and community leader running for City Council-At-Large on Ruben Ramos’ Back to Basics team. A former Wall Street professional and executive recruiter, Laura has combined her career success with a passion for civic engagement, serving as a Trustee for Stevens Cooperative School and as a board member of the Air Force Academy Parents’ Association of New Jersey. Deeply committed to public safety, quality of life, and recreation, Laura is a familiar face in Hoboken’s fitness community as a member of the GC Tri Club and an avid runner, cyclist, and pickleball player. With decades of local knowledge and a dedication to making Hoboken a safe, family-friendly city, Laura is ready to bring thoughtful leadership to the City Council.

Britta Ouano

for Council at-Large

Britta Ouano is a 15-year Hoboken resident, marketing leader, and community advocate running for City Council-At-Large on Ruben Ramos’ Back to Basics team. A Villanova graduate and former collegiate athlete, Britta has built her career in marketing leadership at a major cybersecurity firm while raising her growing family in Hoboken. Passionate about making the city a better place to live for families, Britta has been deeply involved in the community as a member of the Friends of Church Square Park Association, a CrossFit Hoboken coach, and a volunteer with local dog rescue programs and the Liberty Humane Society. She is committed to improving parks and recreation programs, supporting small businesses, and ensuring Hoboken works for parents raising children here.

Alfredo “Al” Veloce

for Council at-Large

Alfredo “Al” Veloce is a lifelong Hoboken resident, rent stabilization advocate, and finance professional running for City Council-At-Large on Ruben Ramos’ Back to Basics team. A Hoboken High School valedictorian and Stevens Institute MBA graduate, Al brings strong financial expertise to City Hall, ready to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and responsibly. As a member of the Hoboken Rent Stabilization Board and co-founder of the Madeline Cooper Education Foundation, Al has been a dedicated advocate for housing affordability and educational opportunities. He’s committed to smart infrastructure investments, prioritizing public safety, and building a local government that works for everyone.

Join Ruben's Team

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let's get hoboken BACK TO BASICS.

get involved with the campaign

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Let's Get Hoboken

BACK TO BASICS

WATCH RUBEN'S LAUNCH VIDEO

HOVER FOR SOUND

TAP FOR SOUND

JOIN RUBEN'S TEAM

What will Ruben do as Mayor?

Back to Basics: A Cleaner, Safer, More Livable Hoboken

The Problem

The Solution

How It Will Work

Tools We’ll Use

Why It Matters

The Final Word

MEET RUBEN'S TEAM for council at-large

Laura Miani

Britta Ouano

Alfredo “Al” Veloce

Join Ruben's Team

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let's get hoboken BACK TO BASICS.

get involved with the campaign