Press Release 8/19/16

PERTH AMBOY, NJ— Mayor Wilda Diaz announced that this week Governor Chris Christie signed Bill No. S2099/A3728 into law.

“I want to thank Governor Chris Christie for signing this bill and Senator Joseph Vitale for his initiative and support to our families and children on this urgent matter. I made it clear in January that I would have no choice but to challenge the board’s resolution. We, as an administration, will not burden the taxpayers with this unnecessary expense. Our goal is to serve the public and it is in the voter’s best interest to have a November election,” said Mayor Wilda Diaz.

In January 2016, the Perth Amboy Board of Education presented a resolution to have the school board election changed from November back to April 2016.  On February 10th, the Perth Amboy City Council passed Resolution R-83-2/16, “Resolution Moving the Election Date of the Perth Amboy School Board Members to the First Tuesday after the first Monday in November” to avoid thousands of dollars in increased cost, ensure proper communication to the public and a higher voter turnout for the upcoming election.

As a result of the actions of the School Board, the City was forced to litigate the matter in court, where it was ordered by Judge Arthur Bergman to have the election in November 2016. Thereafter, in late June the Board of Education issued a second resolution to once again overturn the election to April after following all requirements for proper public notification.

The latest signing of Senate Bill 2099 will serve to maintain the local school board elections during the general elections, this year on November 8th.

For additional information about the City of Perth Amboy, please visit: www.ci.perthamboy.nj.us.