A guy named Dave

credit: Hudson Reporter

We can argue about politics (and we do) but there is no dispute when it comes to the generosity of Dave Roberts, former Hoboken mayor.  

Dave's kindnesses aren't motivated by photo ops. Nope, he never asks for credit nor makes a stink when he doesn't get any, and he doesn't. Quietly and without fanfare, Dave opens his heart- and often his wallet- to help his Hoboken community. What a mensch. 

So, it was nice to see this letter published in The Hoboken Reporter, from a founder of Symposia, Carmen Rusu.  She wrote:

"The Symposia Bookstore and Community Center in Hoboken, located on its busy main drag, 510 Washington Street, is a public benefit non-profit corporation. Local residents know it as a place to browse used books or to gather for book readings, open mic events, puppet shows and conversation series. 

With the stay-at-home order in place during this 2020 pandemic, Symposia, like other businesses, has been closed to the public. However, thanks to the store’s landlord, David Roberts, patrons of Symposia can feel optimistic.

The rent, already much lower than the market rate, has not been raised by the former mayor and his family since the store moved there over a decade ago.

“Without their generous support, we would not have been able to stay in business in Hoboken and on Washington Street,” says Symposia founder Cornel Rusu of Roberts and his family. “David is doing that because he really likes to have an active community-oriented bookstore in our town. For him, this is another way of fostering community and supporting arts and education in Hoboken.”

“Now with coronavirus, he has continued to work with us,” says Symposia manager Carmen Rusu. “He wants us to survive this crisis. There is no plan to close Symposia.”

G-d bless you, Dave Roberts.  I can't tell you what Symposia has meant to so many Hoboken families, including mine, so thank you for your years of supporting this wonderful non-profit.

I will not embarrass him any further... okay, maybe I will.  Yeah, why not?

HERO FIREFIGHTER
Dave has shared stories with me about his days as a Hoboken firefighter. One was so dramatic, I asked him for a news clipping.  Instead, he shared some old memorabilia:

Yep. Dave was one of the firefighters who braved a smoke-filled second floor apartment at 833 Clinton Street on a search and rescue for two children, found in a semi-conscious state, hiding under a bed.  Imagine that. Two Hoboken kids got a chance at life because of a heroic rescue by Hoboken's Finest, including a future mayor of Hoboken. 

So, props to a very special member of our Hoboken family, a guy named Dave.