Local change starts where we live, and today’s conversation dives into the messy, human, and fixable parts of city life. We sit down with Kristen, a lifelong Jersey City educator and athletic director running at-large, to talk about trust, safety, and housing—three pressure points that shape daily life more than any national headline. She shares why she spoke up when the community was hurting, how empathy builds social glue, and what it takes to turn schools into neighborhood hubs after the last bell rings.

We unpack a broken relationship between City Hall and the Board of Education, then get specific about coordination that actually helps families: opening school gyms and arts rooms for evening programming, building better bridges for funding, and acknowledging the state aid gap that leaves districts like ours scrambling. Safety isn’t abstract either. A high school went 18 months without a crossing guard, and we explore simple fixes—smarter recruiting, retention, and full-time cross-training—that respect both budgets and lives. Parks and green spaces also get their due; in a dense city, they are essential infrastructure for health, youth opportunity, and community.

Housing anchors the back half of the conversation. Kristen favors incentives over hard mandates to bring more affordable and workforce units online without chilling development. We discuss how supply and demand influence rent, why a 2,700-unit deficit calls for urgency, and how to align public goals with private capital to put keys in doors faster. Running at-large lets her connect ward-level needs to citywide decisions, acting as a bridge for residents who don’t feel heard. And yes, we talk turnout: early voting is open, runoffs are likely, and every ballot counts more than you think. If you care about schools, safe streets, and a fair shot at staying in your neighborhood, this one’s for you.

If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a quick review—it helps more Jersey City voters find their way to the polls.

Your hosts: @lynnhazan_ and @tonydoesknow

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A stroller at a crosswalk shouldn’t feel like a dare. That simple truth sparks a deeper conversation with Ward E council candidate and lifelong educator Ryan Baylock about how to make downtown Jersey City work for families, shop owners, and commuters without the empty promises.

We dig into a tangible safety plan that swaps vague pledges for specifics: a dedicated traffic enforcement unit with motorcycle officers, concrete curb extensions to slow turns, raised crosswalks, and leading pedestrian intervals that make crossings humane on fast corridors like Christopher Columbus. Ryan outlines how to curb Holland Tunnel cut-throughs with peak-hour turn bans and license plate readers, and why consistency—clear rules enforced daily—beats sporadic blitzes every time.

Downtown’s Newark Avenue plaza becomes a test case for compassion and standards. Ryan pairs more supportive housing and mental health step-down units with coordinated outreach, while drawing firm lines on public drug use, drinking, and sleeping in business vestibules. For small businesses, he pushes faster, predictable permits and smart parking: low-cost first-hour meters that climb to force turnover, easy signage to long-term lots, and residents-first parking on neighborhood blocks.

On affordability and taxes, Ryan avoids fairy tales. He argues for zero-based budgeting, department-level transparency, and a dedicated grant writing team to pull in state and federal funds—so if taxes can’t go down, services go up. We also talk growth that gives back: inclusionary housing targets, green infrastructure, and real community benefits like parks and school capacity tied to new development.

If you care about safer streets, a functioning plaza, thriving local shops, and getting real value for the taxes you pay, this conversation offers a clear playbook grounded in data and daily follow-through. Like what you hear? Follow the show, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review with the one city fix you want to see next.

Your hosts: @lynnhazan_ and @tonydoesknow

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What makes a neighborhood truly livable isn’t a slogan—it’s the basics done right. We sit with Ward D council candidate Patrick Ambrosi for a grounded conversation on how to bring Central Avenue back to life, deliver real affordability, and fix everyday problems like trash, park maintenance, and street safety. Patrick grew up in the Heights and has spent years fighting for open spaces; that track record shows in a plan that treats plazas, outdoor dining, and a stronger SID as catalysts for local business and weekend energy.

Housing is the heart of the debate. Patrick makes the case that affordability requires supply: targeted upzoning where it fits, inclusionary rules that actually apply in Ward D, and a community land bank that turns city-owned or foreclosed lots into attainable condos with capped prices. Instead of demonizing developers, he argues for performance-based deals that protect the public while producing the units families need. We also dig into sanitation—a topic most candidates avoid. With contracts in place and budgets tight, the path forward is tighter enforcement now and a phased move toward hybrid city services, not an overnight switch that would blow up the budget.

We talk parks and public space with the same candor: Pershing Field needs steady investment, not posts and promises. A dog run, open fields, and routine maintenance should be basic, not controversial. And when national politics spills into neighborhood spaces, consistent permitting and safety for all communities must guide the response. If you care about clean streets, walkable blocks, small businesses that survive, and a Heights where families actually want to linger on weekends, this conversation lays out a practical roadmap.

If this resonated, follow the show, share with a neighbor, and leave a quick review—it helps more Ward D residents find it and join the conversation.

Your hosts: @lynnhazan_ and @tonydoesknow

follow us on social @ltkpod!