Caledonia Park An Archaeological Site

Last week, I walked by Caledonia Park and noticed eight new holes. Each large hole was a footing which was drilled into the ground at a depth of over 4 feet.

As we all know, Caledonia Park is a historic archaeological site and dates back to the time of Perth Amboy’s earliest settlement.    During colonial times, our first City Hall was constructed here. And also here the Long Ferry Tavern (circa 1685) was located, which was a hub of waterfront activity. All of this dates to the very origin of Perth Amboy.

To understand the importance of the LFT, you should know that Benjamin Franklin slept here.  Lord Admiral Howe, Thomas Jefferson & George Washington also used the LFT. That makes Caledonia Park a very special historic site, as well as, one of the very few remaining 17th and 18th century archaeological sites in Perth Amboy. And Caledonia Park’s subsoil contains historic information.

In any other historic city, a professional archaeological excavation would have been performed before any footings were drilled through the historic evidence. Unfortunately, this was not done. It makes no sense to destroy our 17th and 18th century history without properly recording it for future generations.    And documenting the historic evidence is what professional archaeologists do.

To make myself perfectly clear, I am not against anything being installed within Caledonia Park. Our City can put whatever it wants there.   However, our City has an obligation to document its history.   Professional archaeology must be performed prior to any installation. Yet, our City leaders have opted to ignore this, even though it is commonplace in other historic communities. Our City leaders are literally erasing part of our rich history. That is just plain sad.

– John Kerry Dyke

The Authors of Fact and Fiction

Peekabo! I know who you are. The authors of Fact and Fiction. Hiding behind those initials are the esteemed  and competent publishers of the greatest of all weekly newspapers. It saddens me, an aging curmudgeon (Thank Dioris) to read that they have stooped to the lower level of political lynch mob in support of the hasty, stupid and very harmful decision based on fiction posing as “fact!” This reminds me of the Sayreville Superintendent who cancelled the balance of a great football team season and smearing the entire team and community with the criminal actions of a few bad guys. The result is a legal action on behalf of the innocent good guys. The greedy shyster lawyers are ready!

No one should be forced to vote or not to vote. We are above the lower countries who force people to vote or face penalties. It is especially harmful to guests like me at the Amboy Care Center Resort and to the person trying to help. How can this be regarded as proven “fact?”

This decision puts a damper on willing and helpful volunteers.

Let us deep six this shameful episode in the Contaminated bay! And Strive to be more tolerant, loving and more forgiving of each as we have always been for the past few centuries!

Meanwhile we commend Orlando “Wildman” Perez for his sage comments which in a few words said a lot. Rough and ready road! Be Alert!

Thank you for your courtesies. Very truly yours,

– Peter Book  a.k.a. Pedro Libro