Jersey City elections are right around the corner and I wanted to offer the opportunity to get to know the candidates a little better and let people learn more about who's running to represent them.
These interviews are available to any candidate running in Jersey City and are not indicative of an endorsement or political support. If you're interested in learning more about any of the candidate's policies, please click on the links to read more.
Read on to learn more about Mira Prinz-Arey, running for Ward B City Council.
What are some of the changes you've seen in Jersey City in
the time that you've lived here? What changes would you like to see in the next
four years?
Jersey City has
really made a name for itself in the time I’ve lived here--especially downtown.
But even with our growth, there is still a real small-town feel--everybody
knows everybody. The events in the park--Six-Ward dinners, neighborhood
festivals, movie nights--have strengthened communities.
In the next five years, with regard to Ward B, I’d like to see a booming commercial corridor, a thriving arts scene, and better access to recreational programs for our kids. And we need to focus and get creative about improving public transportation, alleviating a lot of the traffic issues we have, especially along JFK Blvd.
Jersey City prides itself on being a city where small businesses can thrive, but others say the rising rents and lack of development in areas outside of downtown make it difficult. What is the small business community around you like? How do you plan to change, enhance, and/or support that community?
As part of the
leadership of the West Side Community Alliance, I have worked with local
businesses, appropriate city agencies, and council members to build support for
a creation of a Special Improvement District. In advance of the SID, we can
identify business leaders to create a West Side Merchants Association.
Councilman John
Hallanan introduced an ordinance for a West Side restaurant overlay in October
2016, a good first step towards a ‘Restaurant Row’ and spurring the local
economy here. If elected, I would push that legislation forward. I would also
work with the administration to ensure that small businesses are a priority and
with the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation to provide support and
workshops for local businesses.
The Fulop
administration has been aggressive in assisting small business growth across
the city-- expediting approvals and permits by transforming the building
department, announcing a $10 million loan program to help secure financing for
locally owned businesses, and launching a Small Business Navigator online tool
to assist aspiring entrepreneurs. I would use tools like these to help Ward B
businesses thrive.
What are your favorite restaurants in your neighborhood? In Jersey City?
Ward B has, I think, the greatest variety of food in Jersey City. If you’re looking for delicious pernil, rice, and beans, look no further than La Primicia on West Side Ave. I love the Doubles at Taste of the Caribbean. Pho 888 just opened last year and serves great Vietnamese cuisine. Rowena’s is amazing Filipino food. Honey Bakery has terrific pilaf (and the cottage cheese cookies are out of this world!). Carmine’s on Mallory Ave is a staple of the community and serves some of the best Italian sandwiches in town. And, even though it’s not a restaurant, Elio’s Bakery on West Side is a must for cakes, cookies, and breads. Or if you don’t do bread, WHOS Gluten Free just opened on Mallory--they’ve really made a name for themselves at the local farmers markets. For breakfast, you can’t beat Miss America Diner on West Side Avenue and Culver. And, of course, the Park Tavern has THE best burgers not just on the West Side, but in all of Jersey City.
What is your favorite community event and why?
My favorite event is
Lincoln Park Live: Music at the Fountain, a summer concert series I co-created
with my friend, Gaye Dunstan, as part of our group West Side Arts & Music.
We had eight live bands this past summer--everything from jazz to salsa to
rock-n-roll to zydeco--performing every other Wednesday night in
front of the newly restored Lincoln Park Fountain. Some shows featured tap and
hip-hop dancers. It’s such a family-friendly event--and it’s free to the community.
People bring picnic blankets, we have local food vendors, kids get up and
dance, we even gave out Mardi Gras beads. Not only are they beautiful summer
nights of great music, but, for me, it’s really gratifying to see hundreds of
neighbors coming out to spend time with each other.
What kind of food would you like to see in Jersey City that
you don't see a lot of currently?
I’d love for more
restaurants to use locally grown and produced food. As co-founder of the
Lincoln Park Farmers Market, I’ve worked with local New Jersey farms and it
would be terrific to support them while also eating really good (and
good-for-you) meals. Personally, I think Jersey City could use an Ethiopian
restaurant, as well as a Jewish deli (I love a pastrami sandwich and knish with
mustard!).
To find out more about all the Ward B City Council candidates, read The Jersey Journal's interviews and Ward B resident Amy Wilson's interview.
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