City Clerk Elaine Jasko next to the box which hold the names of the parities who qualify for a ballot position for a City Council Seat.

PERTH AMBOY – Petitions for those wishing to keep or pursue a Council Seat were turned in by the deadline. Those that qualified were notified. The only element missing was what would be their ballot positions for the November 4, 2014 election.

Council Candidates: Bill Petrick, Sergio Diaz, City Clerk Elaine Jasko, Council Candidates Ana Mascenik, Miguel Nunez and Fernando Gonzalez pose after the positions were drawn
*Photos by Paul W. Wang

This was decided on September 11, 2014 at 3 p.m. at City Council Chambers.

The Candidates, some of their supporters, family, friends and curiosity seekers were present to see this occur.

City Clerk Elaine Jasko explained the selection process to those in attendance. On the railing in front of Council Chambers were three index cards. Two of them had the slates of the candidates running together and one card had the name of the independent candidate, (Nunez) who was there.

The candidates were instructed by Jasko to look at the cards, but she cautioned them, “Do not touch them!”

The Perth Amboy Democrats Candidates endorsed by Mayor Diaz: Bill Petrick and Sergio Diaz were present. Running mate Joel Pabon was absent.

New Direction for Perth Amboy Slate: Ana Mascenik and Fernando Gonzalez were present. Jelmin Caba was not available.

Before the cards were placed into the box, Jasko put her hand in the box then spun it around to show that it was empty. She placed the cards in the box, spun it around, and when it stopped, she pulled out one card. New Direction for Perth Amboy qualified for the first ballot position. The second spin yielded Independent Candidate Miguel Nunez. That left Perth Amboy Democrats with the final position number three. Jasko said the results will be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk Elaine Flynn who assigns the numbers and letters to the candidates that will appear on the 11/4/14 ballot.