Example of Hoboken, NJ politics

One thing for sure, make sure your landlord is not Esmat Zaklama.

From The Jersey Journal

Traci Kuther is the owner of an apartment next door to Zaklama's building. The problems began in 2005 when water began seeping through her second-floor apt causing thousands of dollars in damages.

When she tried to get a plumbing inspector to take a look, the next door owner refused to give him access. It would seem that this act was not the only one that Zaklama has stopped or disputed.

Despite Kuther's efforts to remedy this situation through the city, they have not been helpful to her cause. The workers contracted to fix the water problem were not state certified and insured. Strangely enough, city officials did nothing when they were told about it.

For example, City Construction Code Official Al Arezzo allowed the workers to continue to repair the plumbing. The City Attorney, Joe Sherman, actually took the word of the construction official despite the absence of any certification and insurance.

This plus other situations dealing with health code and building violations have dragged this problem over a year resulting in thousands of dollars in legal fees.

Kuther Statement

"I have paid over $25,000 in legal fees and other expenses," Kuther said. "I have no choice, this is my home. I have to protect my family. I moved to Hoboken so we could have a beautiful home and the city is allowing Mr. Zaklama to keep his home in such a state of disrepair that our quality of living is being infringed upon."

After all this, the mayor, David Roberts, has jumped on board. Where was he before all of this? Maybe two or three news articles ago. His action? He ordered the assistant city attorney, Joseph Poganowski, to conduct an internal investigation.

Yet it seems Poganowski had prior dealings with Zaklama a few years back.

Will this problem ever get solved?

* * * * * * * * * *

The Hudson Reporter also has an March 25th article on the Garden Street housing situation. It is explains it more detail about the housing as well as the bureaucratic mess of the Hoboken City Council.

Clearly, as an anesthesiologist, he is probably paid pretty well. Why not have a good heart and attend to the residents' concerns? Imagine if he was asked if he would live in that building? I believe there was a movie where he was forced to live in one of his run-down properties for a week.