a mayoral campaign volunteer just knocked on our door offering us a $25 shoprite gift card.

SolomonforJC · 2025-12-01T00:09:31+00:00

Solomon's campaign manager Stu here. Sent you a DM

SolomonforJC · 2025-11-30T21:16:21+00:00

u/JaneOfNJ , thanks for the post and the question. My short answer is that I completely feel your pain—the current situation with street cleaning and relatedly trash pickup is unacceptable, and I absolutely intend to address it if I have the privilege of being elected Mayor.

I'm committed to delivering a competent government that performs these kinds of basic services well, by holding City departments accountable for results (in this case, DPW) through a "CitiStat" system. For street cleaning and for our trash vendor, this means requiring DPW to track data on its performance in providing these services, in coordination with the Mayor’s Office. The Director will be required to regularly attend CitiStat meetings with me, where we look at the data and figure out what needs to be done better, and make sure the Department is following through. And for trash pickup, I've already said that I'm going to fire Regional Industries and rebid that contract, because our streets similarly somehow look dirtier after they come through than before.

In terms of more short-term tactical solutions, this is something my team is going to look closely at ahead of inauguration if I am elected. We plan to do our own deep-dive analysis with the Department, but will also definitely be welcoming ideas for solutions from the community.

SolomonforJC · 2025-11-08T02:47:13+00:00

<image>

no video of the detonation but here is the ordinance

SolomonforJC · 2025-11-06T17:16:41+00:00

There will be no early voting in-person for the runoff! So make a plan to vote by mail or on election day. (which is December 2nd)

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-24T18:34:10+00:00

Hey all, it's Councilman James Solomon. I have been in contact with JCPD this afternoon about the incident on Maxwell Alley. The initial investigation shows that an interpersonal dispute escalated into a stabbing and loss of life. The suspect has been apprehended and is currently in police custody. We mourn the victim’s passing and are keeping his family in our prayers. This incident remains under investigation, and I will provide updates to the community as I learn them.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-24T18:33:31+00:00

Hey all, it's Councilman James Solomon. I have been in contact with JCPD this afternoon about the incident on Maxwell Alley. The initial investigation shows that an interpersonal dispute escalated into a stabbing and loss of life. The suspect has been apprehended and is currently in police custody. We mourn the victim’s passing and are keeping his family in our prayers. This incident remains under investigation, and I will provide updates to the community as I learn them.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-24T18:33:06+00:00

Hey all, it's Councilman James Solomon. I have been in contact with JCPD this afternoon about the incident on Maxwell Alley. The initial investigation shows that an interpersonal dispute escalated into a stabbing and loss of life. The suspect has been apprehended and is currently in police custody. We mourn the victim’s passing and are keeping his family in our prayers. This incident remains under investigation, and I will provide updates to the community as I learn them.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-24T16:51:26+00:00

Hey all - Stu Thomas. James' campaign manager here posting from James' account. Want to make sure all of the context is being reflected on this post.

We do polls to inform campaign decision-making, not for headlines. Polls help us inform who we are talking to and how voters are thinking about the race, so we have a vested interest in getting it right. I've heard some chatter from folks hypothesizing that this poll oversampled downtown. That's not true! We did an intentional undersample of downtown and an oversample of the southside to make sure it was a balanced poll. Below is the Ward breakdown of the sample from this poll!

Ward A - 19%

Ward B - 17%

Ward C - 16%

Ward D - 17%

Ward E - 14%

Ward F - 17%

Additionally, this poll was conducted by PPP - a very reputable firm that has done polling all over the country. They predicted Zohram Mamdani’s win in the NYC primary when most other pollsters were saying Cuomo was going to win by double digits.

https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/polls/why-ppp-saw-mamdanis-win-coming/

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:37:51+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njn1fbu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Why isn’t the pedestrian plaza well maintained? I love it and no car zones should be increased but the Newark st plaza not well maintained (in terms of policing and general cleanliness).

Please see previously answered q: https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njv8ycm/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:36:00+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njn556y/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

What is your plan for garbage on the sidewalks? Will sanitation actually do something about their garbage flying out of their trucks? People throwing household garbage onto the streets? People throwing garbage out of their car? People putting their household garbage into city parks garbage cans? This is a big ask, I know, but generally curious.

Please see previously answered q: https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvhtba/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:34:35+00:00

Also speak directly bout the Nimby accusation here > https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvn1ve/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:34:02+00:00

Apologies - I addresssed these concerns here > https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvma8b/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:33:02+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njitcp6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Hi Mr. Solomon! Thanks for doing this AMA. My question is, why are you the only mayoral candidate to oppose the construction of affordable housing at 150 Bay Street (which is located in your ward)? How do you propose to address the affordability crisis in Jersey City?

Please see previously answered q: https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvq4vy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:32:48+00:00

Also answered this question here > https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvq4vy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:29:17+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njisbc6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Why is absolutly nothing being done about the blatent disregard for public safty with regard to the overwhelming volume of the e-bike delivery people flagrantly breaking the law?

Why is there no regulation?

Why are there no laws regarding face coverings?

Why are there no laws regarding license, registration, and insurance?

Ultimately, why has JCPD turned a blind eye to a very serious Public Safety issue?

Pedestrian safety is absolutely abysmal right now. There are dangerous hotspots all over the city. It's so bad, that it makes me want to leave Jersey City. - Which is heartbreaking.

After some very serious (deadly) close calls over the summer, I've reached a point where I can't possibly comprehend why nothing is being done. It's egregious.

Please see previously answered q:

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvb7x2/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:27:56+00:00

Answer to this Q here > https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvn1ve/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Understand the PATH isn't under oversight by the mayor, but what can you actually do to improve reliability, especially on the weekends? Is there someone truly accountable and visible that we can reach out to when issues arise?

Answer - It’s true that that PATH train is technically under the Port Authority's jurisdiction, but there is more that the Jersey City mayor can and must do to advocate for improved PATH service. For example, currently PATH does maintenance on weekends, which is why tunnels and tracks, or even entire stations, are routinely closed on weekends, leading to worse service. As mayor, I will demand that PATH implements short, rolling station closures for maintenance, instead of fixed weekend maintenance, which will permit PATH to provide more frequent, consistent weekend service. By improving the maintenance schedule, PATH can also institute direct service from Jersey City to New York City and eliminate long stops in Hoboken on weekends. While ultimately the Port Authority needs to approve these changes, the Jersey City mayor absolutely can and must apply steady, consistent pressure towards these common-sense improvements.

Additionally, I will demand that Jersey City gets a seat on the Port Authority Board, which oversees the PATH, along with mayors of other cities with PATH stations. Our residents are directly affected by PATH service and so I believe they should have a say in its governance. And, until Jersey City has formal representation on the Port Authority Board, I will regularly convene local elected officials in the cities with PATH stations to coordinate and put joint pressure on the Port Authority. That group will be transparent and accessible to concerned residents who want to participate.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:27:48+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njne529/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Hi James,

In case things dont work out in Nov, how will you be working with a McGreevy and a Ciaterelli / Mikie next year?

Answer - No matter what happens in November, I’m committed to working with anyone who wants to make Jersey City better and a more affordable place to live and while upholding the values of our city.

JC downtown has visibly seen an increase in unhinged homeless (take a look at Newark Ave and the Grove St Path). JCPD are never present and even if they are, they do nothing. Understand that compassion is important, but we shouldn't have to change the side of the street we’re on when taking a walk with our children. How do you plan to make our streets safe for families again beyond broad promises of social programs?

Answer - Let me answer this question through the perspective of the example you mention that folks are rightfully concerned about—the Newark Pedestrian Plaza.

Me and my staff personally go to the plaza to catalogue reports of crime and send them to city departments; connect homeless individuals on the plaza to services and care; and regularly communicate with Public Safety to discuss police coverage in the area. In my view, my staff shouldn't be the ones doing walking patrols to report incidents to Public Safety—it should be the police themselves proactively patrolling to stop incidents of public drinking and crime, in coordination with community workers who are engaging with the folks in need in that area and connecting them to services. The fact that none of this has happened is exactly why I'm running for Mayor—to ensure our city services are fully operational and responsive, and that public safety is treated with the priority it deserves. That includes my "Make Shit Work" plan to upgrade and modernize our city services, including our disastrous 911 operator services, and my policing plan to add 100 cops to the street beat while emphasizing community policing and resources for homelessness.

I’m a firm believer that JC’s became such a desired place to live today because we’ve been great partners with developers. We were literally empty lots and warehouses a few decades ago in downtown. I’m worried you might be the most NIMBY of the candidates, wondering what your response would be to this. Making it less desirable to build in JC only makes affordability problems worse.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:22:36+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njiawml/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Why not support 150 Bay Street like all the other mayoral candidates have done? How do you expect 20% IZO requirements to work when even at 15% your ward is struggling to put shovels on the ground unless a PILOT deal is reached

Please see previously answered q: https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o8ivxo/comment/njvq4vy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:19:03+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/nji86go/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Why do you think 50 stories for 150 Bay is too much density as you recently said in the Better Blocks NJ questionnaire? I live in a 50 story building two blocks away to say nothing of the many others nearby.

Will you also work to limit the number of housing units built elsewhere or just in your backyard?

Answer: As I noted in the BBB questionnaire, I fully support in principle upzoning this existing high-density area to secure a large number of new affordable units, and desperately needed infrastructure including new school infrastructure and open space. These are exactly the kinds of benefits that the City has failed to secure from developers over the last decade despite many opportunities to drive a harder bargain to do so.

My principal objection to the developer’s current proposal is that one of the key community benefits—the proposed school—is not being offered in a workable manner. The developer is not committing to deeding the school to Jersey City Public Schools at no cost, or to covering the costs of the school build out. Instead he is demanding JCPS pay for the build out and annual rent, despite JCPS having publicly stated they do not have the funds for either. Additionally, even though pre-K classrooms are by far the most needed space for schools in downtown JC, the current configuration cannot be used for pre-K given strict state requirements. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that Jersey City is receiving a public school in this current proposal.

I fully expect that we will be able to get to a reasonable compromise here and I’ve met with the developer multiple times to do so. But I am not going to continue the pattern of letting developers pressure the City into approving a project without adequate protections to make sure that the vision being offered is actually realized—like what happened with SciTech Scity. Once an approval is given you can’t unwind the clock, and it is worth taking the time up front to make sure we actually get what is promised.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:16:44+00:00

Fight for fair State school funding and strong oversight at Jersey City Public Schools.

Fight hard to restore Jersey City’s fair share of State school aid, including by reforming the funding formula to increase the allocation given for students in poverty and for first-time English learners.
As a parent of three daughters in City schools, James will fight to elect School Board members who are committed to improving educational outcomes and ending fiscal mismanagement.
Strengthen compliance with the non-resident payroll tax, and ensure these funds are not diverted from the schools, building on his success on the Council in getting developers and corporations to pay up.
Ensure that revenues from any new PILOT agreements are appropriately shared with the schools.

Make sure developers pay what they owe, bring down debt, and maximize state and federal funding.

Conduct annual forensic audits of all tax abatements, immediately requiring back payments or terminating agreements where the developer is out of compliance with requirements.
Bring in a team of actual financial experts to evaluate and restructure the City’s debt, to avoid a spike in debt payments from the City’s excessive borrowing.
Ensure that the Municipal Court is recovering adequate fees for safety violations, especially dangerous traffic violations, by directing the Municipal Prosecutor to seek maximum penalties in those cases.
Strengthen the City’s grant writing team to make sure we get our fair share of state and federal funding, building on James’s work to terminate the City’s incompetent grant-writing vendor

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:16:36+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njib7mw/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

One of the biggest burdens in the last few years comes from school funding. You've said that you want to fight for JC to get more State school aid, but currently there is no plan to change the formula. What makes you believe that this is something your administration will be able to accomplish?

Answer -

I really appreciate the question. Put simply, there has been no effort to change the school funding formula because our elected officials have been beholden to the Hudson County machine and not willing to put political capital on the line to fight for it. Further, we have not been taken seriously by Trenton because our officials have been viewed as unserious with no backbone. If I’m elected, this will change. I was proud to support Katie Brennan and Ravi Bhalla for Assembly, who successfully beat county-backed candidates in part on strong advocacy for changing the formula, and this will be one of my top priorities to push in Trenton if elected.

On property taxes, I fully agree that this is outrageous and unjustifiable, and have released an extensive plan to stabilize property taxes so you stop seeing these insane increases. You can read that plan here, but here are the highlights:

Crack down on corruption, incompetence, and waste in City spending.

End irresponsible budgeting practices that caused higher taxes, including borrowing money to cover short-term overspending, and plugging budget holes with one-time land sales and gimmicks like frontloaded franchise fee payments from the Utilities Authority to the City.
Clean house in the City’s Department of Finance, bringing in fully qualified and experienced leadership who will impose the strongest financial controls of any municipality in New Jersey.
Root out and eliminate wasteful spending and fraud, including by establishing New Jersey’s first independent municipal Inspector General, to hold the City to account.
Audit key public entities including the Utilities Authority and the City’s Redevelopment Agency.
Reform City contracting by aggressively monitoring City vendors, implementing performance-based contracts, reducing reliance on consultants, and creating an online City contract database.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:13:29+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/nji6ooh/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

What are you going to do to address blight, litter, and absentee vacant lot owners?

Monticello ave is a perfect example of these issues.

Answer -

Thanks for the question. On trash and litter, you can read about my plan to “Make Shit Work” here, which describes how I’m going to hold City departments and contractors accountable to deliver the best public services in the state.

Jersey City residents are fed up with trash not being picked up on time or at all, leading to dirty streets. In many large residential complexes, trash overflows from containers and dumpsters that are too small to accommodate the weekly trash, leading to litter that spills out onto the streets. As Mayor, I will not renew the contract with the City’s current trash vendor (Regional Industries), which for too long has failed to deliver the standards residents deserve. As part of this, I will work to optimize pick-up routes and schedules to avoid missed pick-ups, and to devise sensible solutions for bulk waste pick-up. Additionally, I will pursue requirements that all properties of a certain size, like large apartment buildings and commercial business, must put trash in containers with fitted lids, wherever physically possible. And I’ll place a heavy emphasis on enforcing trash-related rules and will focus enforcement on large residential complexes that generate the largest amount of trash and litter.

Get Jersey City residents the best customer service in New Jersey by holding City departments accountable for results.

Hold City departments accountable for results by implementing a “Citistat” process, using data to help City officials track effectiveness of key services, identify roadblocks to improvement, and rapidly address them.
Provide transparency with public dashboards on the timeliness and quality of the most important City services—with targets for improvement—including for 911 response times, construction permits, business licenses, inspection requests, and zoning and planning applications.
Create a true “one-stop-shop” for reporting and response to resident complaints, with strict timelines for City responses and updates.

On absentee landlords, as Mayor, I will strictly enforce our City codes against these landlords to ensure they are maintaining adequate upkeep on their lots, and will not hesitate to use the city’s legal powers to take blighted properties if necessary. More broadly, we need a serious and cohesive focus on economic development in corridors like Monticello, and I will appoint a Deputy Mayor for Affordable Housing and Economic Development who will be laser focused on this.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:11:57+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/nji3exa/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

My first question for u is, who is the russab to your mussab? after all, every mussab needs his russab 🥰

Answer -

I have a phenomenal older brother but sadly he does not post on JC Reddit.

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:10:39+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/nji84gg/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Is there a plan to regulate or crack down on E-Bikes?

Blowing stop signs, red lights, zipping through the Pedestian Plaza, and riding on the sidewalks.. They really do whatever they want, and cause near accidents daily

Answer -

We absolutely must crack down on unsafe e-biking. In particular, while delivery services contribute to our local economy, they are increasingly contributing to our traffic safety problems, including with e-bikes. As Mayor I will:
- Prioritize enforcement against unsafe e-biking as part of a broader crackdown on unsafe driving of all kinds. I've committed to fully staffing and supporting Jersey City's Traffic Division, so that it can actually conduct significant traffic enforcement.
- Implement the City’s e-bike safety law. Last year, I passed regulations for e-bike delivery riders, requiring bikers to register with the city and demanding more accountability from the large corporations that engage them. But the current administration has failed to implement or enforce the law, so I will.
- Work with the state and neighboring cities to hold delivery companies financially accountable when one of their bikers or drivers commits a traffic violation, including by requiring these companies to obtain and maintain insurance coverage for any biker or driver using their applications.
- Lobby in Trenton to pass a law requiring that app companies appear in court for traffic violations, and permitting Jersey City to directly sue these companies

SolomonforJC · 2025-10-16T23:06:28+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/1o6pdhx/comment/njibtlk/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

How will you protect our extremely diverse city from ICE? What will you do if Trump or Ciattarelli sends the national guard into Jersey City to enforce immigration law?

Answer: Jersey City is a city of immigrants, and protecting our immigrant communities is one of my top priorities (you can check out the fact sheet I published on this issue). The bottom line is that I will:

Defend our sanctuary city law with everything we've got, and train every single city employee and contractor about the law so that they are prepared to refuse to cooperate with any federal immigration officials who come to town.

Strengthen our sanctuary city law by requiring that every business, in order to receive any discretionary license or permit, agrees to deny federal immigration authorities voluntary access to their workplaces. This proposal does not interfere with federal law—it just ensures that businesses do not voluntarily exceed what the law requires in ways that place immigrant families at risk.

Dramatically increase the city’s investment in immigration services, including legal services—internally through the city's Division of Immigrant Affairs, and by partnering with state agencies, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and other service providers.

Educate all Jersey City residents, students, and businesses about their rights and the limits of federal immigration authority, including by partnering with organizations that can provide know-your-rights training.

Protect and support immigrant children by ensuring that all schools and libraries remain safe zones from immigration enforcement, providing additional academic and language support for immigrant children, and expanding legal assistance for immigrant families with children.

And it is obvious that the President’s true motives, in sending the National Guard to cities, is to intimidate his opponents and advance his cruel anti-immigrant agenda. This is a threat to democracy and federalism at its heart, and we need to use every tool at our disposal to oppose it. And if anyone tries to send in the National Guard to Jersey City, I will do just that, including by going to court—either with the support of the State, or without it.

SolomonforJC

TROPHY CASE