Mayor Hawkins appoints new members of Housing Development Corporation, Planning Board and Rent Leveling Board

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
“I have appointed two new members to the Board of the Housing Development Corporation and one new member each to the Planning Board and the Rent Leveling Board.

The new appointees were chosen under our Call to Service initiative. The volunteer positions were advertised to the public through newspaper articles, on our website and through our email newsletter.
In filling vacancies on our boards and commissions, I choose from among the most dedicated, best informed, and highly experienced Orange residents. We have opened up the appointment process so that every Orange resident, and not just the politically connected, have the opportunity for public service. We will continue to actively recruit citizens to participate in the leadership of our city.”

About the new appointees

Housing Development Corporation:
Amein Christopher Carless: Certified Project Management professional specializing in architecture and engineering. 10 years experience. B.A, Howard University College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science. Master’s candidate, Columbia University School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.

Carol Flippen: Occupational Therapist, Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey. Post Baccalaureate Major in Occupational Therapy, Kean University. Master in Public Administration and Health Management, Kean University.

Planning Board:
Antoinette C. Jones: Outsourcing and Contracts Manager, Novartus Pharmaceuticals. B.S. Douglass College/Rutgers School of Business. Juris Doctor candidate, Seton Hall University School of Law
Quote: "Being a lifelong resident of the Valley, I am very excited about my appointment to the Orange Planning Board.  I am already amazed by the changes taking place within the city, and I look forward to seeing future projects come to fruition." – Antoinette Jones

Rent Leveling Board Tenant Member:
Alysha S. Pamphile: Student, Essex County College. Experience as Collections Representative and Troubleshooter for Comcast and AT&T.
Quote: "Being an Orange resident for over 20 years, I feel it is my duty now to take part in the rebuilding of my city which has great potential to become better than it is today. I believe with the insight of a younger perspective, the rent leveling board will be able to attack all issues necessary to make positive and fresh changes throughout the Orange community." - Alysha S. Pamphile

About the Boards:
Housing Development Corporation

The Housing Development Corp Board consults, finances, plans, owns and creates housing and development opportunities in the City of Orange, NJ. The Board meets quarterly unless otherwise specified. The purposes for which the Corporation is organized are: to develop and redevelop housing and neighborhoods in the City of Orange, Essex County and the State of New Jersey; to develop economic opportunities for individuals in need of assistance;  to consult, finance, develop, redevelop, plan, own and create housing opportunities; and to engage in any activity within the lawful business purposes for which a nonprofit corporation maybe organized under the New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation Act. One major project of the Corporation is redevelopment of the site of the Walter G. Alexander public housing complex.

Planning Board

The Planning Board functions under the authority of the Muncipal Land Use Law of New Jersey authorized to exercise power with regard to: Adoption of the Master Plan, Adopted Zoning Map, Subdivision control and site plan review for permitted uses, Recommendations as to the official map of the City, Conditional use applications, Recommendations as to the zoning ordinance or amendments thereto, Review of Capital Improvement Projects, Variances under certain circumstances in connection with site plans and subdivisions, and Central Valley Redevelopment Plan. The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday night of every month at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall unless otherwise specified
Rent Leveling Board
The purpose of the Rent Leveling Board is to protect tenants from steep annual rent increases while allowing owners to receive a fair return on their investments. The process allows for mediation for rent disputes and for binding decisions regarding allowable rent increases.  The Board consists of 7 members and 3 alternates, and includes at least 2 tenants, 3 homeowners, and 2 landlords.  The vacancies are for one alternate tenant member and one alternate landlord member. The only criteria for both is that they rent and own in Orange respectively. The powers of the Board include setting rent rules and regulations, helping landlords and tenants to comply with the rent law, and conducting hearings to settle disputes. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers.
Resumes and Photo Attached