Home run
It was a busy day in Hoboken, one that started in the blustery cold with the 60th annual Little League Parade and Opening Day Ceremonies down Washington Street and ended in the warm sunshine of Madison Street. I always march in the parade, and we have sponsored a team for years. Baseball is a beautiful game and I’m proud to live in the town where it was born. Our squad looks good this year as you can see by a few of the game faces in this photo. Maria Pepe was there to catch the ceremonial first pitch. It was inspiring to see a real Hoboken hero. I threw the ball around a little bit, but when the kids started making me run sprints I knew it was time to get outta there. I must admit, my arm was still pretty good, though.
We moved on to Biggie’s where I hosted a “Celebrate Hoboken” campaign party. By noon the sun was out and it had warmed up enough to take Lia Grace out for a stroll. We walked from home to Biggie’s on Madison, where we were greeted by a full house. The guys at Biggie’s have never let their fame go to their heads! They run a great Hoboken joint and are a tremendous showcase for our city. The crowd was so great. They embraced me with warmth and good cheers. Some folks were understandably upset about the negative campaign that the other side is running. “Fight back, Mike,” some were saying. “Give him a taste of his own medicine.”
I know how you feel. It’s hard to listen to some of that stuff, but I have learned one thing from getting mud slung at me for years. You don’t fight hate with hate. You fight hate with love, and I know that my family, Lisa and Lia Grace, know me and love me unconditionally. That tops anything that anyone can say or write about me. I love my community and am honored to have been elected to serve it. That comes through in everything I do. It was great to meet some new friends, too, including a couple who just happened upon our party and were soon sharing some delicious grilled hot dogs and root beer. It happens every day in the 3rd ward, where once you’re here, you’re Hoboken.

