PERTH AMBOY – At the public portion of the 5/11/16 Council Meeting, Resident Dot Daniel came up to speak. She informed the Council that there was another jumper off of the bridge. “I’m very disturbed about this. I’m disappointed that this Council and administration hasn’t gotten the State to do more for that bridge (Victory Bridge).”

Dorothy “Dot” Daniel

Councilman Bill Petrick said it was the Driscoll Bridge that had the last jumper.

Daniel corrected the Councilman stating, “It’s the same body of water and our Police have to go in.” Daniel continued, “We need to make the State to do something to cover that bridge. I know you’re all decent people. Our Police and Fire Department Personnel put their lives in danger especially when they go into the waters, especially if there’s a nasty current.”

Council President Lisa Nanton answered, “Every year, we have a march on that bridge. The richer communities get better security on their bridges. We get chicken wire. This is why it’s important that we vote for the right people in the election coming up.”

Resident Ken Balut came up to speak next, “If they designed the bridge the right way in the first place, we could have saved the $20 million for that additional fencing. It was all political and [former Governor James] McGreevey was involved besides [former Mayor Joseph] Vas when that new bridge was put in place.” Balut also questioned, “When will be getting the $4 million back from [Developer Charles] Kushner?” Balut also had questioned taxes that were owed on King Plaza.

Ken Balut

Business Administrator Adam Cruz told Balut that the tax collector has contacted King Plaza Management. “They are paying the $225,000 off quarterly. Two payments have already been made.”

Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up next. He wanted to know if the Council received the Charter School contract yet. “And what was the change order on that contract?”

Council President Nanton answered, “We have not received a copy of the Charter School contract.”

Sierakowski was taken aback, “You’re voting on this and you don’t know what the contract called for?”

Gregory Pabon

Sierakowksi also told the Council that the City might be liable for the water bill of the Y when the property was located on Jefferson Street. He suggested that they should go into a binding arbitration with the Y for the money that is owed if it’s feasible.

Gregory Pabon, who is a Police Chaplain, said, “The current fencing that is on the Victory Bridge is because of the Prayer Marches that we’ve had. The Mayor was at every march. We asked State Officials to also come.”

Resident Alan Silber came up to speak. He was still disturbed that a resolution awarding $850,000 was put on as a late starter at a previous Council Meeting. “There were no press releases and no news conferences. She (the Mayor) had a press conference about the new community police.” Silber also had a question about parking spaces at the YMCA that a developer had requested. “Did any of the Council Members know who the developer was?”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “Ali Rada was the developer who requested those parking spaces.”

Silber answered back, “He was also a campaign contributor.” Silber continued, “I’m surprised that the insurance guy (Messerschmidt) and Attorney (Quinones) didn’t know who Gartland was. Maybe if we had a smoother transition between Blunda (former City Attorney) and the new Attorney (Arlene Quiniones-Perez), she would have known about Gartland. If you ignore history, you’ll make the same mistakes in the future.”

Mayor Diaz came up to speak on some of the discussions that took place. She stated that she wanted to clear up some of the facts, “The parking spaces mentioned at the Y for the developer was not designated for just one individual and currently that parking is still available. We are short on the amount of parks in the City. We have a young population and our youth sports are growing. We don’t have the money, but the County does. We had grant money to do a study that showed that we need more parks. Between the Harbortown Property and here and Middlesex College, we need more space. Would you rather just have another eyesore? I just do what’s best for the youth and the families. They’re still looking at remediation on that site (Duane Marine). Families tell me that they need facilities for sports. Artist rendering should be forthcoming in the fall. We told the Freeholders that we need more parking for the county park. The park is for the residents and the College can use it.”

Councilman Joel Pabon was absent at the 5/9/16 Caucus Meeting and 5/11/16 Council Meeting.

The next City Council Meeting is Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 7 p.m. City Hall Chambers.