Running in the Fifth Ward

To political junkies from the Fifth Ward, this year’s council race may look familiar.

“It’s a bit of a re-match,” said Scott Delea, 40, who is running for council for the third time.

Four years ago he ran against Peter Cunningham (the incumbent) and Perry Belfiore. The only thing different this year,.

Last election, Delea was roughly 50 votes short of entering a run-off race against Cunningham. But, that doesn’t mean he’s not proud of the results of that election. “We couldn’t have worked harder,” Delea said. “We did it right. We played by the rules.”

And that’s exactly what he’s planning on doing this year, running the campaign from his uptown office at 11th and Grand Streets from where he also runs his marketing company, Inflexion Interactive. Delea has lived in Hoboken for the last 12 years, founded  in 2002 and served on the board of the Hoboken Historical Museum for two years.

"This is my home," said Delea, who is a home owner. "I'm invested in this community."

Delea is running independently. And although he endorsed Dawn Zimmer for mayor in 2009, it’s not about her this election.

“I’m not running against Zimmer,” Delea said, “I’m running against Peter.”

Delea doesn’t hide his discontent with his current council presentation.

“I’ve learned that Peter hasn’t done his job and the Fifth Ward should expect better,” Delea said during a recent interview.  

Delea—who grew up in upstate New York and earned a degree from Syracuse University—also ran as an independent in 2005 for an at-large council seat. Fourth Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti also ran as an independent during the 2009 election (neither of the two won their at-large seats).

One of the beacons of the Fifth Ward is Fox Hill Gardens, the Hoboken Housing Authority’s senior building. Delea said he would like to see Fox Hill become a more integral part of the surrounding community. “Right now they’re a bit of an island,” he said.

Although former Housing Authority member Belfiore is considered the favorite in Fox Hill, Delea said he is hopeful. “I beat Cunningham in Fox Hill last time,” he said.

Delea, who said he uses a corner car every now and then, said he especially wants to focus on lowering taxes. “I have a different perspective,” Delea said, adding that Cunningham is partially responsible for the high tax increases of the last couple of years. When Zimmer ran for mayor, Delea said, she promised a 25 percent tax cut. “Where is it?” Delea asked, “it hasn’t happened.”

Delea said he would also look out for small businesses in town. Strengthening the local economy is high on his to-do list. In turn, he continued, that will increase tax revenue and help the city’s budget. As an entrepreneur and a small business owner, Delea said, “I know what the challenges are.”

If elected councilman, he said also that he would like to see the city work more closely with the Chamber of Commerce. “There’s been a distrust of business,” Delea said.

When asked about recent issues that have come before the council, Delea answered that he was disappointed with the budget process the council went through, saying it “wasn’t stringent.”

When asked what will set him apart from the other candidates compared to four years ago, Delea answered that the same hard work and dedication will get him into office. He added that the ward has grown since 2008, adding a lot of young families who may want to buy a house and settle in Hoboken.

He added that the fact that he can reach across the isle and find common ground with all council members will also give him an edge.

Or maybe it could just be that the third time is the charm?

“It better be,” Delea answered.