JERSEY CITY CITIZENS’ RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES SURVEY

Executive Summary


INTRODUCTION

This Survey evaluates Jersey City’s civic health in 16 separate areas. The purpose is to assess current civic infrastructure conditions and to discover opportunities for increasing citizen empowerment and participation in local government. By discovering which components of a healthy civic community are in place and which are currently missing or could be strengthened, citizens are empowered to improve their city.

The information contained in the Survey was gathered through a combination of records requests and calls to relevant government and party officials. A special thanks to employees in the Clerk’s Office and at the Jersey City Public Schools, who were very helpful in assisting to secure needed information, and to Civic JC, who provided significant assistance in this effort.

The Survey covers areas under the control of three distinct entities: the municipality of Jersey City, the Jersey City Public Schools, and the Jersey City Democratic and Republican Parties. It reveals that Jersey City is doing a good job on four of the most essential components of civic health, is lacking nine components, and needs to strengthen an additional three.

It is important to note that Jersey City is not alone in this state of affairs, as civic infrastructure has been in decline for many years across the nation. What is important is that the opportunities for civic renovation be identified and addressed so that Jersey City may set an example of civic renaissance which will both challenge other cities and enhance Jersey City’s emerging economic renaissance.


SURVEY RESULTS

Four positive civic attributes of Jersey City are: (1) Jersey City has a procedure for citizen input at City public meetings; (2) the City website lists and keeps updated meeting dates, times and agendas for the council, planning board and zoning board meetings from January 2007; (3) the Jersey City Board of Education’s website maintains an updated list of meeting times and dates, agendas, and minutes; and (4) the Jersey City Board of Education offers high school civics classes that include the rights of citizens to participate in local government and local political parties.

Nine components of optimal civic health are missing in Jersey City. They include: (1) Jersey City political parties lack local party constitutions and bylaws that give representative power to the elected committee people; (2) local party constitutions do not provide for platform committees and guarantee neighborhood party representatives’ voting rights on party endorsements and platforms; (3) there is no City ban on political fundraising in government offices; (4) there is no municipal requirement for developers to disclose political contributions; (5) there is no regulation on public contracting to protect against “pay-to-play” practices; (6) the City lacks regulations to protect the redevelopment process against “pay to play” abuse;

(7) a public directory of appointed citizen positions is not maintained; (8) no formal and open application process exists for citizens to apply for positions on boards, commissions and authorities; and (9) adult civics education classes on local government, local political parties, citizen’s rights and opportunities for participation are not offered.

Three areas of civic health in Jersey City exist but need strengthening. Needed improvements include: (1) reducing the number of vacancies in Democratic and Republican political party committees; (2) controlling levels of campaign spending for local elections to bring them within the reach of coalitions of average citizens; and (3) reducing the number of vacancies in citizen positions on boards, commissions and authorities within the municipal government.


CONCLUSION

There is clearly a great deal of civic organization and dedication both within Jersey City’s government and in local neighborhoods and communities. The municipality of Jersey City, the Jersey City Board of Education, and the Jersey City Democratic and Republican parties now have a great opportunity to work with established and emerging citizen leaders to address inadequate civic health components.


METHODOLOGY

The survey results were compiled through a variety of methods including records requests, inquiries to public officials, a review of the City website, and other relevant original documents. Information sources and contacts with City officials have been documented throughout the process.


NOTE

This is the seventh Citizens’ Rights & Responsibilities Survey performed in New Jersey by local citizen volunteers coordinated by the Citizens’ Campaign. Newark, Paterson, Trenton, Plainfield, Hamilton, and Morristown also completed Surveys. The 16 components of civic health were developed by the Citizens’ Campaign with input from top academics, legal experts, and citizens concerned about improving the civic health of their communities. The Survey is continually being revised based on comments and suggestions from local volunteers.

The full survey can be viewed here - JC Survey in Entirety.pdf