What You See Is What You Get

When First Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano ran for City Council in 1995, she was a reluctant candidate. But, 14 years later, she's not planning on leaving any time soon. 

"I'm not done yet," said Castellano, 61.

Besides serving on City Council, Castellano owns three buildings in town and runs a 41-year-old family-owned discount store on Washington Street.

I spoke to Castellano while she was sitting behind the cash register at her store on Thursday afternoon. During the interview multiple friends and constituents stopped by, as well as one of her tenants.  

"I'm a sitting duck," Castellano said. "They know I'm here."

Born and raised in Hoboken, Castellano—who originally went to school to become a dental hygienist—took over the family-owned store in the late 1970s. 

Castellano is the mother of two adopted sons (John, 25 and Jesse, 17) and has been married to her husband, Hoboken Police Captain Bob Castellano, for almost 32 years.

As the longest-sitting council member, Castellano has served under four mayors: Anthony Russo (her cousin), Dave Roberts, Peter Cammarano (albeit a mere three weeks) and now, Dawn Zimmer.

Castellano said she considered running for mayor herself in the wake of former Mayor Cammerano's arrest, during the special elections in November 2009.  "I had everything ready," she said, "but there were too many people running."

Besides, campaigning is expensive.

Castellano said she funds her campaigns herself, and does not accept any contributions. "What you see is what you get," she said. 

Zimmer was elected last November after serving as acting mayor after Cammerano's resignation. Castellano supported Second Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason during the mayoral elections in May 2009, as well as the special elections last November. 

Castellano said that, while Cammerano was one of her biggest adversaries on the Council, she did not call for his resignation. "I am nobody's judge and jury," she said. "The justice system will take care of him."

Castellano said that she feels as if the new council members view her as a remnant of the Roberts administration. "They treat us like the minority," she said about the old guard on the council. "But I was not a Dave Roberts person."

After all these years, she said, she is used to being part of the minority on City Council. (Dawn Zimmer's council ticket consisted of Ravinder Bhalla, Carol Marsh and David Mello. Michael Lenz was appointed to Zimmer's old Fourth Ward council seat). 

"I am used to this," Castellano said, "but somehow I got elected four times." 

Of course, an interview with a member of city council is not complete without discussing the budget. And just like the other council members, Castellano has her opinion ready. 

"Our most important job is spending the taxpayers' money," she said, "and being fiscally conservative with people's money."

Currently that process is being overseen by Fiscal State Monitor Judy Tripodi, who was brought in by the state in 2008 to help pass a budget. (Tripodi is still in Hoboken in this capacity)

In June 2008, it was Castellano—she was council president at the time—who asked the State of New Jersey for help. Former Mayor Roberts had been misinforming the council on how much money was needed to run the city and the budget was deliberately underfunded, Castellano said. Because there was no more trust between the council and mayor at that time, a third party had to be brought in. It's still unclear when Tripodi will be able to leave, seeing how no budget has been passed for fiscal year 2010 and negotiations about the police union contracts have not yet been finalized.  

"(Tripodi) is going to get the question if we're able to govern ourselves," Castellano said. "I think she'll say 'no.'" 

Another concern on Castellano's mind is a proposal from New Jersey Transit to revamp the area around the train tracks and the downtown transit terminal. As Castellano flipped through a binder with information about the project—which according to the drawings in that binder could consist of multiple high rises, with glass walls—Castellano said she is worried about this plan. 

The project was presented to the Council in 2008, but nothing has happened with it since, Castellano said. 

In her capacity as member of the historic preservation committee—which she has been on since the late 1970s—Castellano's biggest problem with the project is that it will not preserve the character of the rest of Hoboken.

The character of Hoboken is something near to her heart, and Castellano cares about her town. After all, she still feels the bad reputation the city got because of corruption of former city officials.

"I lament for my city, and the black eye we got," Castellano said.

This is the sixth in a series of interviews with Hoboken City Council members. David Mello, Michael Lenz , Ravinder Bhalla, Beth Mason and Michael Russo sat down with Patch earlier.