Supporters of Perth Amboy Salvation Army Pastor Jose Santiago protest his impending transfer. Photos by Carolyn Maxwell.

PERTH AMBOY – 5/28/14  & 6/11/14 City Council Meetings – They came before the Council to plead for help. It was some of the volunteers, clients and Salvation Army Workers who asked the Council for their support in helping them to retain their Pastor, Jose Santiago.

One speaker said, “Jose (Santiago) is an excellent administrator and we have grown 200 percent  since he’s been here. More people have come in off of the streets. He has initiated outreach programs with group activities and volunteers. We’re a family – not just names or numbers. Some of the programs he has started are: an Angel Tree, Community Lunches and Men, Women and Youth Groups. He is bilingual. So we don’t have to have two separate services. When he says something in English, he will automatically translate it into Spanish. Everyone is welcome to come to our services. You don’t need money to put it in the collection plate. We also have a Community Food Pantry, a Winter Shelter and programs for Veterans. We sent a petition to the Salvation Headquarters in N.J. requesting them to help us to keep him. Headquarters responded that because the Pastor is single, they have to move him because they prefer to have a married couple here. Headquarters also acknowledged that Santiago has done excellent work in Perth Amboy. We are praying that you (the Council) can help us.”

A Santiago supporter protests.

The Council agreed to send a letter to the Salvation Army Headquarters to let them know  that they recognize the importance of Pastor Santiago’s work in the community.

The following week, supporters stood at the Salvation Army Perth Amboy location at the corner of State and Washington Streets. They held signs supporting Santiago and criticizing the Salvation Army for what they considered operating as a business instead of answering the needs of the community.

To add to the mix, Santiago supporters believe that sexual harassment charges that Santiago made before he came to Perth Amboy played a big role in his impending transfer. (See: A Plea for Santiago.)

Some of the same supporters came to the Council Meeting  on 6/11/14 to give an update of what happened since their first appearance at the 5/28/14 Meeting. They said that they didn’t get any response when they wrote to the hierarchy of the Salvation Army.

They again emphasized to the Council how the Pastor has welcomed people who are homeless or on drugs and has helped them.

A resident from Port Reading said, “The Pastor has brought discipline to our children. They are taking him away after one year instead of the five they normally told him.”

Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez who is an Advisory Board Member on the Salvation Army said, “Someone from the Salvation Army’s Division Headquarters needs to speak to you. I spoke to Major George about meeting with Major Berry.”

Supporters of Perth Amboy Salvation Army Pastor Jose Santiago speak before the Council.

Supporters said that they sent correspondence to Incident Commander, Major Edgar George and Major Donald E. Berry, New Jersey’s State Commander of The Salvation Army. They asked for their help in retaining Santiago.

The supporters said, “Major Berry said that he will have a meeting with them, but he will not talk about Santiago.”

They also said that Major George did respond to a newspaper reporter, “But will not talk to us.”

Virginia Lugo who is also on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army said, “I know about the positive work that Lt. Santiago has done in the Community.” She suggested that those who support Santiago contact the New York Office for assistance.