Fernando Gonzalez

PERTH AMBOY – There were several people employed by a small bus company who came to the 3/26/14 Council Meeting. Former Councilman Fernando Gonzalez spoke on behalf of these employees, many of whom are City residents.

F. Gonzalez said, “People claim that everything is political. I’m concerned about the City and like to help these residents resolve their problems.”

Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach told Fernando, “You came to me privately to ask me about the large amount of tickets being given to these residents employed by this company.”

F. Gonzalez replied, “These residents came here tonight because they were issued tickets. These people work very hard and our unemployment rate is very high (About 17%). One of the drivers from this bus company said a police officer approached him and said that because he was an officer, he could do whatever he wants.”

Fehrenbach said,“This was in reference to commercial vehicles taking up parking spaces of residents living in those areas.”

Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz said, “We had meetings with the operators of these bus companies and told them where they could park. We gave them a time frame to continue parking in those residential areas and even gave them an extension. Oak Street is one of the streets where there has been complaints. There are about two dozen summons pending.”

One bus company owners whose drivers has been ticketed came up to speak. He said, “I have seven passenger vans and why are we ticketed and not the bigger busses? People are coming in from other towns and not given tickets. My company got about thirty tickets.”

Councilman Bill Petrick said, “The out of town bus companies were also ticketed. I know because they told me so.”

Council President Joel Pabon told the bus company owner who spoke, “If your employees got ticketed during the grace period, you may have a good case.”