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Vacancy Filled on Zoning Board of Adjustment

PERTH AMBOY — Two candidates interviewed for a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment at the March 25, 2013 Caucus Meeting. Elias Rivera interviewed first. One of the Councilman asked him, “How did you find out about the vacancy?” Rivera said he saw it posted on the City’s website. Rivera said that he was a former realtor and now is an insurance agent.

He also said as he became older, his purpose in life was to serve others. Council President Joel Pabon said it was nice to see a new face and new people interested in volunteer positions. Pabon also told Rivera that he appreciated that he took time to come here today.

A councilman asked, “What do you view as your position as a Zoning Board Member?” Rivera answered, “To look at Zoning Laws and Variances, especially when it comes to applicants who want to locate a business in the City.”

The second candidate to interview was Ronald Ray. Ray is a 20 year resident of the City. He graduated from Edison High School and Middlesex County College where he studied business marketing and advertising. He also went to Rutgers University where he studied Psychology. Ray moved to California and received a degree in architecture and was involved in residential and apartment building projects while living there.

He eventually moved back to Perth Amboy and is presently a teacher at Woodbridge High School where he teaches architecture and design.

He has also worked on buildings in New Jersey such as New Brunswick and Montgomery High School and also on Senior Buildings in other towns. Ray said, “We need to get on board with building to build on our tax base.”

“Perth Amboy has a Low City Scope and Low Bones,” which he is concerned about. “The City has a lot of opportunities. It has magnificent Churches and is very historic and that should be cultivated.”

When it came to the public portion of the meeting, resident Reinaldo Aviles came up to speak. Aviles told the Council, “I like that fact that candidates for Board positions are interviewed at the meetings. We can see their qualifications and the reasons why they want to serve. I don’t know what candidate you will choose for the Zoning Board of Adjustment vacancy. If Mr. Ray is not chosen for the position, you should consider him to be appointed as a member of the Historic Preservation Commission.”

At the Wednesday, March 27, 2013 City Council Meeting it was announced that Elias Rivera was appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Rivera was present and stated that, “It is an honor.” His term will expire on December 31, 2013.

Ronald L. Ray was appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as Alternate #1 for a term to expire on December 31, 2014.

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