Jersey City Council Candidate Profile: Denise Ridley

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City's municipal election is set for November 2 and the candidate field is full.

With election season in full swing, 24 candidates filed and made it onto November's ballot. There are nine open spots on the City Council and the race of Mayor.

Denise Ridley is running for re-election of the Ward A council seat.

Patch sent a candidate profile form to each person who met the filing deadline. We will be posting them individually through the election season. Each one is published in the candidate's own words, but may be shortened for space.

Here is Ridley's profile:

Age (as of Election Day)

38

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.A. Psychology with Spanish minor, M.A. Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Occupation

Real Estate Agent, 12 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Councilwoman (Current), Committeewoman (Current)

Campaign website

www.deniseridleyjc.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for a second term to continue the progress started in my first term. We've cut ribbons on affordable rentals as well as affordable homeownership projects in Ward A. I'd like to see more of that. We've renovated parks that have been lacking in upgrades for many years. We have more parks to repair. We've started signature programs and events such as the Annual Ward A MLK Day of Service and Annual Ward A Trunk or Treat. We have redevelopment plans that need updating. We have job training initiatives that we would like to expand on.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I would say the issue I receive the most complaints about is parking. I've added nearly 100 new parking spots to the Ward in my first term. I'd like to continue working on expanding parking in innovative ways while at the same time working on making our streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, and bikers. I'd also like to add additional transportation options.

Another major concern is safety. Ward A depends on one police station that serves more than just Ward A. At times, areas outside of our Ward need additional attention and resources are stretched thin. Working with our police department to improve resources in much needed areas along with working with the community advocates and mentors in the area are key components to help resolve issues around crime. In addition, continuing to bring job resources into those areas gives additional options other than illegal activity.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience. Ward A and the City overall is in a delicate position at the moment. We are still in a pandemic, development is expanding, and people want to feel safe.

I believe Jersey City handled the pandemic very well from the start. We were one of the first places in the country to start testing and it continues. There are multiple places to get the vaccine and we did house calls as well. We mailed masks and provided free PPE to small business owners. I'm not interested in handing something as serious as navigating a pandemic over into the hands of anyone who has not had to deal with leading 300,000 residents through that experience.

I've been a licensed real estate agent for 12 years. I am a property owner. I understand the real estate market, have experience dealing and negotiating terms with developers, and also do not want to be moved out of Greenville. With major development just recently beginning in Ward A, we need a councilperson who is up for the challenge and versed in the language of development.

Before running for City Council, I hosted events bringing together the community and the police department. We cannot police our way out of violence. It has to be a community effort. Keeping lines of communication open and bridging the gap between police and community is important. Having a Councilperson who understands tougher areas and is not afraid to go into those areas is important. You have to be able to do more than call the cops and ask them to make more arrests.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

An additional issue that I would like to work on is a branding of Ward A. When you enter Downtown, you see it everywhere. There is even an All About Downtown festival. I think that brings pride to an area and causes residents to have a deeper appreciation for where they live. At one time, Greenville was the place you wanted to live in Jersey City. It is time to bring that pride back and to make sure we are improving neighborhoods to match that pride. Along with Greenville/Ward A banners and murals, we need to get back to making the area a place where families feel safe.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Addition of parking spaces
Designation of minority developer on the largest project in the City (possibly the region)
Not only affordable rentals but also affordable homeownership projects
Work on housing projects that cater to teachers, police, and fire wages
Providing hygiene products to all Ward A public schools
Providing masks and sanitizer to all Ward A senior buildings

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be the change you want to see

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.