Forgotten citizens
Michael Lutkenhouse
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Opinion
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Last week, Councilman Nino Giacchi gave Stevens students a proverbial slap to the face, when he stated, "Prove you're a resident of Hoboken with documents that have to be done to show that you truly are a resident." When asked why Stevens' students could not get residential parking tags. He, supported this statement by citing other cases, "[Hoboken Hospital employees] wanted to park because they work here." Councilwoman Beth Mason added "we have the same problem with teachers and the public school systems."
These narrow views lump students in with groups that are nothing more than commuters. Hoboken resident, and Stevens Student, Vershima Tivzenda summed it up best when he said "I think they should get a permit, as part of the civil services they receive as a taxpayer." In both examples that Giacchi and Mason pointed to, the individuals asking for permits were not tax payers, nor did they reside primarily in Hoboken.
The most shameful part of all this, though, is that during the debate neither council person was shy to bring up the idea of having Stevens students work with Hoboken to solve community issues; either through Senior design projects or community service. Perhaps, the issue needs to be driven home for them; how are the brothers of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, of which I am also a part of, supposed to continue to drive our elderly neighbor to get her groceries without a car? How are Greeks, most of whom live in houses which pay taxes to Hoboken, supposed to maintain their homes?
Their suggestion that Stevens students pay the $250 per month, to park at a private garage as second class citizens. This should be compared to the mere $10 a year that first class citizens have to pay. This is a shameful response from those who are supposed to be our representatives. Perhaps Stevens students should take up part time jobs instead of volunteer at places such as the homeless shelter to pay this 30,000% increase. At least then, we might be able to drive there.
These narrow views lump students in with groups that are nothing more than commuters. Hoboken resident, and Stevens Student, Vershima Tivzenda summed it up best when he said "I think they should get a permit, as part of the civil services they receive as a taxpayer." In both examples that Giacchi and Mason pointed to, the individuals asking for permits were not tax payers, nor did they reside primarily in Hoboken.
The most shameful part of all this, though, is that during the debate neither council person was shy to bring up the idea of having Stevens students work with Hoboken to solve community issues; either through Senior design projects or community service. Perhaps, the issue needs to be driven home for them; how are the brothers of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, of which I am also a part of, supposed to continue to drive our elderly neighbor to get her groceries without a car? How are Greeks, most of whom live in houses which pay taxes to Hoboken, supposed to maintain their homes?
Their suggestion that Stevens students pay the $250 per month, to park at a private garage as second class citizens. This should be compared to the mere $10 a year that first class citizens have to pay. This is a shameful response from those who are supposed to be our representatives. Perhaps Stevens students should take up part time jobs instead of volunteer at places such as the homeless shelter to pay this 30,000% increase. At least then, we might be able to drive there.