B.A. Camille Tooker’s last Council Meeting.
*Photo by Joseph L. Kuchie

Business Administrator Camille Tooker 

Retires; Stacey Kennedy Named New B.A.

By: Joseph L. Kuchie

SOUTH AMBOY – The city of South Amboy officially adopted the 2017 Budget at last Wednesday’s city council meeting.

South Amboy’s Chief Financial Officer Angel Albanese and City Auditor Gary Higgins were on hand to explain the results of this year’s budget and answer any questions the council or residents of South Amboy may have had. Higgins discussed the highlights of the budget, including a healthy appropriation cap and tax levy cap.

“You’re under two caps, an appropriation cap and a tax levy cap,” Higgins explained. “You’re $1,013,000 under the appropriation cap, which is very substantial. The city is operating properly without the additional $1 million in appropriations.”

“On top of that you have a 2 percent tax levy cap and this budget is presented at approximately $447,000 under the 2 percent tax levy cap,” Higgins continued. “You’re in full compliance with the appropriation cap and tax levy cap. The budget is in good shape and you can act and proceed to adopt if you wish.”

After a brief public portion of the hearing, the city unanimously approved to adopt the budget. Council President Mickey Gross and Mayor Fred Henry praised the hard work that the city’s government put into the process of putting this year’s budget together.

“A lot of times in government we get criticized and the words sometimes used is ‘rubberstamped’,” Gross said. “It is not rubberstamped. I want to just personally thank everyone who participated in the process. We worked hard on it…certainly it’s not a perfect budget but it’s a budget I’m proud of.”

“My administration continues to work hard for citizens of South Amboy,” Mayor Henry said. “The council has reviewed it and questioned it and they commented on this year’s budget and I want to thank them for their approval of this and the cooperation that we’ve had.”

“This is a budget that I believe that the increase is one penny on the budget, which I believe comes out to about $26 a year. I want thank especially Angel and Camille for her last budget.”

Business Administrator Camille Tooker recently announced her retirement and attended her final meeting on Wednesday. The council and Mayor Henry praised Tooker’s hard work and commitment to the city and wished her all the best in her retirement.

“I would like to thank Camille on behalf of South Amboy and definitely and mostly on behalf of myself,” Councilwoman Christine Noble said. “You were a great help to me when I first came on, thank you very much, I’m going to miss you.”

“You really don’t know how hard that she works,” City Attorney John Lanza said. “Even when she was very ill, she still continued to work on the behalf of the city and fulfill her responsibilities. It was my privilege to work with you all these years and I thank you.”

“Camille is more than just a Business Administrator…she has been a friend,” Mayor Henry said. “She has given her soul to the city of South Amboy and I can’t imagine anyone giving more than Camille has done over the years.”

Tooker thanked Mayor Henry and the council and reflected on her time in South Amboy.

“I appreciate the opportunity to come and work for the citizens,” Tooker said. “The best thing I loved about my job is I met so many wonderful people, both my co-workers and residents. You wouldn’t believe how many people have called me. That touches me because when you make a difference to a person that’s what really matters.”

Amidst the budget being approved and Tooker’s last meeting, the council also unanimously voted to appoint Stacey Kennedy South Amboy’s Business Administrator. Kennedy has served as the Secretary to the Mayor and Business Administrator since 2014.

“This position is of the utmost importance and must go to someone in whom I have complete confidence,” Mayor Henry said. “I have worked with Ms. Kennedy these past few years, I have witnessed her professionalism and confidence she has within herself. She has proven herself over and over again how capable she is to successfully occupy the office as our Business Administrator.”

“There are big shoes to fill, Camille has done a great job over the years,” he continued. “Stacey has worked not as a secretary but almost as an equal down in the office. She knows the ins and outs of everything going on and I know she will approach this in a very professional manner. I wish her well.”

“I have the utmost confidence in Stacey having worked with her for over three years,” Tooker said. “I’ve seen her abilities, I’ve seen how she handles herself, I’ve seen the knowledge that she’s garnered through redevelopment and planning board, and most importantly I’ve seen her put all that knowledge into action.”

Councilwoman Zusette Dato was unable to attend the meeting in person, but voted on the budget and appointment of Business Administrator Kennedy via phone conference. The next city council meeting will be held on June 21st at 7:00 p.m.