Fifth Ward Councilman Michael Cricco

Fifth Ward Councilman Michael T. Cricco was first elected in May 1995 and won re-election in 1999 and again in 2003 . Born and raised in Hoboken, he has two daughters, Caitlin and Carly. Cricco views himself as a "full time independent council person", with many accomplishments to his credit: Transportation · Cricco rewrote Hoboken’s taxi ordinance for better treatment of citizens. · Took an early stand for Western Alignment of the Lightrail System. · Requested new street signage placed in Northwest end of town. · Sponsored a resolution outlawing parking of SUV’s within 15 ft of intersections. · Sponsored a resolution to revert the flow of traffic at 10th and Grand Streets back to its original direction. · Sponsoring a traffic study for the entire city. · Sponsoring a resolution for a bicycle path in Hoboken as part of the traffic study. · Spoke out against the proposed taxi cab increase. Development · Cricco sponsored a resolution to require each individual condominium owner be notified of any proposed application for development within 200 feet. · Came out early against Devils arena and helped organize a committee in opposition. · Fought to have a developer give back 10% of 477 units as affordable housing and to also contribute to a Recreation Fund for a ball field in the Northwest Redevelopment Area · Worked against the development of 24 story buildings at Hoboken’s entrance, because of the density, height and traffic. · Sponsored resolution against building 1600 Park Ave, 1313 Park Ave. and the Devils Arena. · Formed a development committee that sponsored a Blight Study that will result in a new supermarket, a location for a charter school, affordable housing and a community center. These tax-paying projects will help offset the 31% tax reduction in the northwest quadrant since 1991. · Original member of Northwest Community Advisory Panel that monitors development in the 5th ward · Worked against the development of a six-story structure at 9th and Washington Street that had no parking included. Quality of Life · Led community effort to address closing hours of a tattoo parlor, to ensure peace in. · Worked with environmental committee in planting 200+ trees throughout Hoboken Also involved in farmers market. · Battled the Film industry with a Fifth Ward meeting and proposed changes to the ordinance for a better quality of life for area residents. · Sponsored a resolution against the Millenium Towers, 2 43 story towers, with 181,000 SF of commercial space and 844 parking spaces, which would have destroyed views of the Hudson River. · Took the lead against the Henkel Chemical plant and initiated a meeting to obtain more knowledge concerning their production and future plans · Worked with Health Inspector Frank Sasso to address a major rat problem affecting the Fifth Ward, resulting in having sewers baited and continuous monitoring, with zero tolerance. · Had cobblestone street restored on 10th and Grand. · Sponsored a resolution for a farmers market. · Sponsored a Noise Ordinance, limiting car horns, jackhammers, boomboxes and bar noise. · Sponsored a resolution to have our Police Department receive noise meters and a program to have them trained in their usage to improve our quality of life. Parking Sponsored a resolution to allow citizens within a 4 block radius priority for parking spaces in the new automated parking garage at 916 Parking Garden Street. Taxes · Never voted for a single tax increase. · Voted for a tax decrease 8 times. · Cricco was the original sponsor of the budget audit review by the State of New Jersey, which has resulted in a more stable City budget. Recreation and Parks · Promoted additional parks in Hoboken, resulting in doubling the amount of park space in four years. · Served as volunteer soccer coach, baseball coach, girls softball coach, and organized a girls softball clinic. · Sponsored a resolution to designate the Hackensack Meadowlands as a federal environmental preserve, protecting the urban center for future generations. · Worked with the Hudson County Board of Freeholders to establish a Bocci Courts for Senior Citizens at Columbus Park. · Sponsored a resolution to allow dogs in Pier A Park and to lengthen dog leashes from three ft to six feet. · Sponsored a resolution to allow the city to use dog license fees to clean dog runs. · Sponsored a resolution for a new baseball field at the Henkel property and at the new Shop-rite site. · Worked with citizens to secure monies from the "Adopt-a-Lot" program for plantings on the islands on 11th Street. · Helped build a "reading nook" in Legion Park at 13th & Willow with the late John Sacci’s baseball team. Constituent Services · Sponsored several car washes for fire victims and hurricane victims. · Coordinated clothes and food drives. · Housed 3 fire victims in my home for 2 weeks. · Worked with the tenants and families involved in the sale of David E. Rue School building to make sure everyone was treated equitably. · First council person with email, have on-line citizens on a mailing list to keep them current with latest issues and events, also have voice mail, beeper - respond to constituents immediately. · Always consult constituents before voting. · Sponsored a city-wide gate sale to support the victims of terrorism and to help our own citizens deal with the anguish of the same. Personal · Member of the Holy Name Society, Sts. Peter and Paul, Hoboken B.P.O. Elks, original member of the Hoboken Quality of Life Committee. · Supported opposition and voted against a resolution to allow landlords to have a 2 year cap on rent increases.