In an editorial, Jersey City Heights residents Kevin Davis contends that the city is still wearing a blindfold when it comes to their government and elected officials.
At a Jersey City Council meeting on July 15th, I blindfolded myself and said “this is what it’s like living in Jersey City.” I was frustrated because I felt like citizens were kept in the dark about the likely 15% property tax increase.
As a resident of Ward D in Jersey City, I have a councilman, Jake Ephros, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Based on what I have learned from DSA documents, meeting minutes, and communications, I believe the organization’s elected official structure creates a system in which DSA member politicians are more accountable to DSA membership than ordinary constituents, and in which a relatively small group of residents enjoys access to policymaking that the rest of us do not have…