Join me for a conversation with my neighbor and friend Charlene Burke, whose dedication to Jersey City spans decades. Charlene has been a familiar face at public hearings and a driving force behind the West Bergen-East Lincoln Park Historic District.

In our conversation, Charlene shares:

How her work publishing a magazine about New Jersey history sparked a deeper appreciation for preservation

The story behind establishing our neighborhood's historic district designation in 2015

Practical advice for anyone nervous about speaking up at public meetings

Why persistence matters in community advocacy

Her perspective on balancing historic preservation with neighborhood growth

The unexpected connections between her own historic home and her grandfather's Jersey City story

What I love about Charlene is her practical wisdom about speaking up and showing up—something that changed how I approach my own civic engagement. Her reminder that "one person can make a difference" offers an empowering message for anyone looking to get involved in their community.

For full show notes, transcript, and visual documentation of places mentioned in this episode, visit: https://natkalbach.substack.com

Connect with me:

Website: natkalbach.com

Instagram: @natkalbach

Email: [email protected]

Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke.