OMAR’S VISION FOR WARD 2 & BAYONNE
Our Platform
HOUSING
TRANSPORTATION
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
LOCAL BUSINESSES
PUBLIC SAFETY
INFRASTRUCTURE
PROTECT WORKERS
CITY HALL & TAXES
Improve City Hall’s Financial Accountability & Transparency
The Problem
Bayonne residents deserve to know where their tax dollars are going, but too many major financial decisions are difficult to review and understand. Long term contracts, developer tax abatements, and city spending decisions affect property taxes, water bills, and basic services, yet much of this information is still hard for the public to access in a clear and usable format.
Without strong oversight, waste can go unnoticed, contracts may not be fully enforced, and residents are left paying more while getting less. City Hall should make it easier for residents to follow the money, participate in decisions, and hold government accountable
Omar’s Plan
Implement a forensic audit to review how public money has been spent and whether major agreements, including the city’s water contract and developer tax agreements called PILOTs, have been properly followed so residents know where the money went and whether Bayonne received what it was promised.
Implement an operational audit to identify waste, improve how city departments function, and modernize services so City Hall works more efficiently and any savings can help stabilize property taxes.
Put the full detailed city budget online every year in searchable and downloadable formats such as Excel or CSV so residents can review the numbers for themselves instead of relying on a photo scanned summary.
Launch a participatory budgeting pilot with $300,000 dollars for each ward so residents can directly vote on neighborhood improvements such as parks, traffic safety, and community projects.
Adopt BoardDocs or a similar board management software so residents can more easily track City Council agendas, minutes, supporting documents, and votes all in one place. Learn more about BoardDocs here — https://www.diligent.com
Allow online and phone-in public comment at City Council meetings so seniors, working families, and residents who cannot attend in person still have a chance to be heard.
Increase Affordable Housing & Smart Development
The Problem
Bayonne is seeing major new development, but too many residents feel these projects are moving forward without enough attention to affordability, parking, infrastructure, or neighborhood impact. As more luxury buildings go up, rising rents and housing costs are making it harder for long time residents, working families, seniors, and public servants to remain in the city.
Omar’s Plan
Require all new major developments to include 15-20% affordable housing so long time residents and working families have a fair chance to stay in Bayonne as the city grows.
Build workforce housing for teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public servants so the people who serve Bayonne can also afford to live here.
Require neighborhood notice before major projects are approved by making sure nearby residents receive clear mailed notice and a real opportunity to review and comment on developments that may affect their block or neighborhood.
Demand real public benefits when developers receive tax breaks through PILOT agreements so new development contributes to housing affordability, infrastructure improvements, and stronger neighborhoods instead of only benefiting developers.
Require local hiring and union labor on major development projects so Bayonne residents benefit directly from new construction and workers are protected by fair wages, strong labor standards, and safe working conditions.
Support rent control protections for tenants so residents are not pushed out by sudden and unreasonable rent increases.
Legislate and enforce good cause eviction protections so landlords cannot remove tenants without a valid reason such as nonpayment of rent, violation of lease terms, or creating a serious nuisance.
Push for broker fee reform so the person who hires the broker pays the broker fee, instead of forcing renters to pay for a service they did not choose.
Fully Fund Bayonne Public Schools
The Problem
Bayonne Public Schools educate about 11,000 students and remain one of the most important institutions in our city. Yet the district continues to face financial pressure from state aid cuts, budget deficits, and growing needs, while recent New Jersey school performance reports have shown Bayonne below the state average in some graduation measures. These challenges are not a reflection of our students or educators. They reflect a system that has asked Bayonne to do more with less, even though every child in New Jersey is supposed to receive a thorough and efficient education.
As Bayonne continues to grow, new development also puts more pressure on our schools. More families moving into the city can mean more crowded classrooms, greater staffing needs, and higher demand for school resources, but the school district does not always receive the funding needed to keep up.
Omar’s Plan
Dedicate 10-15% of all future PILOT payments to Bayonne Public Schools so when development comes into our city, our students and classrooms benefit too instead of being left out.
Fight for more state education funding by working with Bayonne’s state legislators and the Board of Education so our schools have the resources they need to support students, retain staff, and protect academic programs.
Push for development policies that account for school impact so the city plans ahead for enrollment growth, classroom needs, and school capacity before approving major projects.
Support expanded prekindergarten and daycare access so working families have more affordable childcare options and children enter school better prepared to learn.
Create a city internship program for Bayonne High School students so young people can gain real experience in local government, public service, and civic engagement while helping train the next generation of Bayonne leaders.
Build stronger coordination between the City Council, Board of Education, and state officials so Bayonne speaks with one voice when fighting for school funding, student support, and long term planning.
Support Bayonne Businesses
The Problem
Small businesses are the backbone of Bayonne’s economy. From restaurants and barbershops to family owned storefronts along Broadway, they create jobs, keep commercial corridors active, and give Bayonne its character. But too many business owners still face a City Hall process that feels slow, confusing, and hard to navigate, especially when it comes to permits, inspections, licensing, and knowing which rules apply to their business.
Omar’s Plan
Set clear public timelines for permits, inspections, and business approvals so owners know what to expect when opening, expanding, or making improvements to their business.
Put business requirements online in plain language so entrepreneurs can easily find the forms, steps, fees, and rules that apply to them without having to guess which ordinance or department they need.
Review business registration, licensing, and permit costs and reduce them where legally and fiscally possible so small businesses are not being burdened by unnecessary city fees.
Hold regular meetings with Ward 2 business owners so City Hall hears their concerns directly and responds to the real challenges facing local merchants, restaurants, and service businesses.
Work with county and state partners to connect Bayonne businesses to grants and support programs so small business owners have better access to funding, technical assistance, and opportunities to grow.
Focus on strengthening Broadway and other neighborhood business corridors so local stores see more foot traffic, fewer vacancies, and stronger support from City Hall.
Expand Public Transportation & Mobility
The Problem
Bayonne residents rely on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail and NJ Transit buses to get to work, school, shopping, and medical appointments. But local transit planning has long focused on Broadway and JFK Boulevard, leaving parts of the city, especially the east side of Ward 2, with fewer convenient options. For seniors, residents without cars, disabled residents, and families trying to get across town, that can make everyday errands and appointments harder than they should be.
This gap is especially clear when residents need to get to places like Costco, ShopRite, Bayonne Medical Center, schools, senior housing, and major transit hubs. When reliable local transit is limited, more people are forced to use their cars for short trips, which adds to congestion in busy corridors during rush hour and shopping hours. Better transit options would make daily life easier for current residents, reduce pressure on crowded roads, and make it more realistic for families and new residents to live in Bayonne without depending on a car for every errand.
Omar’s Plan
Work with NJ Transit and state leaders to improve and expand the current #12 route that replaced the old Broadway bus so it better connects residents to key destinations like Costco, ShopRite, Bayonne Medical Center, schools, senior housing, and Light Rail stations across Bayonne.
Explore micro-transit options like Via in Jersey City or The Hop in Hoboken to see whether Bayonne can offer a free to low cost public transit option for areas with fewer transportation options, especially the East Side and other parts of the city that are harder to reach by bus.
Improve bus stop safety and accessibility so major stops have better lighting, safer crossings, benches where possible, and accommodations that make transit easier for seniors, disabled residents, and families with children.
Support transportation planning that helps seniors remain independent by improving reliable access to groceries, healthcare, and public services without requiring a car.
Use stronger local transit options to reduce traffic pressure on major roads so fewer residents have to drive short trips that add to congestion to busy driving corridors.
Improve faded street lines and road markings across Bayonne so drivers can see lanes clearly, pedestrians can cross safely, and traffic moves more smoothly on busy streets.
Explore practical ways to increase parking in Bayonne by repainting and better organizing existing street parking, identifying underused spaces for public lots, and studying where parking garages could reduce pressure in the city’s busiest areas.
Strengthen Public Safety and Responsive Government
The Problem
Too many Bayonne residents feel like getting help from City Hall is harder than it should be. Whether the issue is a pothole, sanitation problem, broken sidewalk, stray animals, speeding, poor street lighting, or a neighborhood safety concern, people deserve clear answers and timely action. At the same time, as Bayonne grows, public safety and emergency services must keep pace so residents feel safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their parks.
Omar’s Plan
Create an Office of Constituent Affairs to give residents one clear place to report problems, receive updates, and make sure requests are not ignored or lost between departments, while also tracking response times so City Hall can be held accountable when issues sit too long.
Use digital tools like SeeClickFix to help the city identify patterns in speeding, poor street lighting, unsafe sidewalks, neglected properties, and recurring quality of life complaints so departments can step in earlier before problems get worse.
Modernize the city website so residents can easily find information, complete forms, request permits, and handle routine City Hall matters online so they don’t have to call City Hall and wait on hold.
Support strong police, fire, and emergency services so Bayonne’s first responders have the staffing, equipment, training, and compensation they need to keep neighborhoods safe as the city grows.
Improve street lighting, pedestrian safety, and traffic calming in problem areas so residents feel safer walking through their neighborhoods, especially near schools, parks, senior housing, and busy intersections.
Make public safety more community focused by encouraging neighborhood events with law enforcement and increasing foot patrols during warmer months so officers are more present, approachable, and connected to the neighborhoods they serve.
Improve Parks, Green Space, & Climate Resilience
The Problem
Access to safe, well maintained parks and green space is essential for quality of life, public health, and strong neighborhoods. In Ward 2, residents have limited park space, with G. Thomas DiDomenico 16th Street Park serving as the main neighborhood park and still needing additional investment. At the same time, Broadway, Bayonne’s main commercial corridor, lacks enough trees and shade to make walking and window shopping more comfortable during the warmer months. Bayonne also faces growing heat and flooding challenges. Too many parts of the city lack the shade, drainage, and green infrastructure needed to protect residents, cool down neighborhoods, and make public spaces more usable and welcoming.
Omar’s Plan
Improve and maintain neighborhood parks, especially G. Thomas DiDomenico 16th Street Park, by upgrading equipment, seating, lighting, landscaping, and maintenance standards so families, children, and seniors have safe, clean, and welcoming places to gather and spend time outdoors.
Plant more trees along Broadway and other commercial corridors to create shade, reduce heat, encourage walking, and make business districts more comfortable and attractive, while making sure trees do not block storefront signs or windows.
Expand tree planting in residential neighborhoods, parks, schools, and senior housing so more residents benefit from cooler streets, cleaner air, and better looking public spaces.
Invest in green infrastructure and better stormwater management so Bayonne can reduce flooding, improve drainage, and better prepare for the long term effects of climate change.
Look for opportunities to add pocket parks, seating areas, and small green spaces where possible so neighborhoods with limited open space can still benefit from more greenery and public gathering areas.
Prioritize shade and cooling improvements near playgrounds, bus stops, and walking routes so children, seniors, and families get relief from extreme summer heat where they need it most.
Make climate resilience part of City Hall’s long-term infrastructure planning so road work, redevelopment, and infrastructure upgrades all help Bayonne better handle flooding, heat, and environmental stress over time.
Protect Workers, Unions, & Immigrant Communities
The Problem
Bayonne has always been a city built by working families and shaped by immigrants. Many of the people who keep this city running are workers, union members, parents, renters, homeowners, and small business owners who came here to build a better life. In Bayonne, those communities are deeply connected. When workers face retaliation, when unions are weakened, or when immigrant families are forced to live in fear, the harm does not stop with one group. It affects neighborhoods, schools, local businesses, and the stability of the city as a whole. Bayonne’s foreign-born population is about 31 percent, which shows that immigrant communities are not separate from the city’s working class. They are a vital part of it.
Recent federal immigration operations have raised serious concerns about violence, secrecy, and abuse of power. In Minneapolis in January 2026, ICE linked operations led to the fatal shooting of Renee Good and, later that month, the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti during protests over those same operations. Public officials and investigators raised concerns about conflicting federal accounts, access to evidence, and the broader use of force surrounding those raids. Omar does not support the current practices of ICE because they create fear, destabilize communities, and treat immigrant families as threats instead of human beings. In a city like Bayonne, that is not just an attack on immigrant communities. It is an attack on working residents.
Omar’s Plan
Stand with union and non-union workers alike by supporting fair treatment, strong labor protections, and the right of workers to speak up about unsafe conditions, workplace problems, or unfair pay.
Support Just Cause job protections for public workers so municipal employees cannot be fired without a legitimate reason and are protected from political retaliation or arbitrary treatment.
Protect whistleblowers and workers who report wrongdoing so City Hall and public institutions become more accountable, not more intimidating.
Support union labor and local hiring on major development projects so the jobs created in Bayonne go to working people, pay fair wages, and uphold strong labor standards.
Oppose the current practices of ICE and make clear that Bayonne should not support federal immigration tactics that create fear, separate families, or undermine public accountability.
Keep local policing focused on local public safety so Bayonne police are addressing crime and neighborhood safety, not acting as an arm of federal immigration enforcement.
Protect immigrant residents who live, work, and contribute to Bayonne so families can interact with schools, hospitals, and local government without living in fear.