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CLICK-ON: 2017 Perth Amboy State of the City Address

(L to R) Congressman Frank Pallone, Mayor Wilda Diaz, Greg Diaz, Judge Marina Corodemus JSC, Business Administrator Adam Cruz, Councilman Jelmin Caba

By: Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – The 2017 State of the City was held on Thursday, 3/30/17 at the Perth Amboy YMCA Auditorium. Lissette Martinez, Dep. Dir. of Human Services, Office on Aging was Master of Ceremonies. The Presentation of Colors & Pledge of Allegiance was performed by the PAPD & PAFD. The National Anthem was performed by Perth Amboy Firefighter Javier Cruz. The Invocation was given by Pastor Lance D. Nelson, New Beginnings Church Perth Amboy Police & Fire Chaplain Corps.

Click on pictures to enlarge:

Lissette Martinez welcomed everyone and introduced the Guest Speaker; Judge Marina Corodemus JSC (Retired) President of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

Corodemus  what an honor it is to introduce Mayor Wilda Diaz at this year’s State of the City. “I am honored because our Mayor could have chosen someone of her own religion and ethnicity, but our Mayor looks beyond that. The person I have come to know, by values diversity and the many roles of women in the past, present and future. She is truly a woman of faith.  She lives a life – raised two children to adulthood, brings those values to work every day.”

“Faith and existence of many houses of worship throughout the City is an example of this. Honoring diversity is not a political inconvenience, but a way of life. This Mayor; Our Mayor is also a working woman, understands hard work, responsibility and knows firsthand the need for self-respect and dignity.”

“When public service called, This Mayor; Our Mayor was elected to office. She aggressively promotes business and investment. When Superstorm Sandy hit, This Mayor: Our Mayor faced the destruction of our Waterfront and businesses destroyed or damaged.”

Corodemus then explained how Mayor Diaz saw that the Waterfront was rebuilt.

Corodemus cited Diaz’s honors and distinctions including being elected to the Perth Amboy Hall of Fame, the Latina Service Award and being featured as: “The Accidental Politician.”

“I understand what it is to be a woman in public service. We know famous and infamous male mayors. Diaz is the first woman mayor of Perth Amboy. She is the first woman elected Chair of the Urban Mayor Association. “

Corodemus ended her introduction with a quote from Pericles. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

With that, Mayor Wilda Diaz came up to the podium, “It’s good solid change and I’m happy to see it through. We are stronger, have quality of life, investors and progressing and going to get better. The Strategic Task Force – many of our ideas were brought to the table. They assisted in formulating a 4 year guide for the City’s future. Their work is a blueprint for success.”

Diaz continued, “When I first came into office, the City unemployment rate was 16%; now it is cut in half. As we continue redevelopment, I believe it (unemployment rate) is coming down – not promises – not dreams – but tangible results. The new owners of Ameristeel, North Wide Capital Partnership will remediate 92 acres of land. The company plans to restore two historic structures in a $125 million Development. We are in Phase 1 of the E-Port Building on lower State Street. The work of Code Enforcement with Developers helped to benefit the community. The general public has an opportunity to work here.”

Diaz continued, “Perth Amboy was named one of the youngest cities in New Jersey. (age of average citizen is under 25) Jobs with a good living wage is the bedrock of our City. The workforce develops key upcoming employment opportunities. A multi-agency partnership of half million dollars in grant funds will provide 300 hours of education at no charge to the City.”

“Through the diligence of the City, we will be able to make a positive outcome. This upcoming May, there will be an expungment program. I believe everyone deserves a second chance. We’re beautifying vacant areas and refining a strategic economy. It’s the third year increase in ratable base and the fourth consecutive year we’ve introduced a budget with no tax increase. Perth Amboy made a great comeback. We’re taking the City to new heights. As an urban city, we are close-knit with a dense population in a small area and addressing demand for affordable housing. We’ve made additional investments with public housing at Willow Pond. We’re planning additional projects at 500 High Street.

“I have been advocating for ADA Compliance at the Train Station since 2008. $50 million in improvements to our train station to ensure the safety for all our residents which will be done by early 2019.”

“We plan to enhance the shopping district. In 2015, 13 new small businesses opened up. The Parking Utility generated  $400,000 in a surplus. The UEZ continues to be a tool. Small business has been the backbone of the local community. It is the developer’s guide to reach a goal.  Public access to the Waterfront is the key component to economic revival. Fireworks will be back Monday, 7/3/17. A special thank you to South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry and Barry Rosengarten.”

“We took a devastated Waterfront with $10 million in damage and renovated it with the capability to resist another superstorm.”

“We’re planning to open up our beaches and our goal is to make them swimmable. Middlesex County will make the first county park in Perth Amboy. We plan to expand Rudyk Park for festivals.”

“We’ve taken a role in partnership with the YMCA, JRMC and PRAHD – to improve health. In 2016, the schools gave over 60,000 lunches to kids every summer. The DPW was awarded for the education of their youth. They have an APP to aid in recycling. The emphasis on children of our City has been the central theme of my administration. I would like thank each Board of Education Member for putting the children first with the beginnings of building a new high school. The AUL Charter School is opening its doors to 7th and 8th Graders soon.”

“The Fire Department faced over 2000 incidents in the past year. Here, 13 additional firefighters were hired with 63 firefighters on staff. We have mutual respect for all members of our community. The success of our Police Department reflects diversity. The PAPD is working on accreditation and we want to meet Best Practices. There is a 6% decrease in crime.”

“Last March, we were first to launch a City ID Program. In my opinion, serving our constituents, we will remain vigilant. The CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds are not entitlements. People with disabilities, veterans, seniors, the Office on Aging meets many of these needs.”

Diaz mentioned the loss of two statesmen: Austin Gumbs and Peter Book. She thanked the whole community. “I am proud to live here in Perth Amboy. Let us all be proud to live in Perth Amboy.”

Pastor Orlando Sanchez, Pentecostal Church of God MI, Perth Amboy Police and Fire Chaplain Corps gave the Benediction.

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