Outstanding Job!
As we all know by now, a Perth Amboy patrolman name Kyle Savoia saved a man from getting hit by a NJ Transit Northbound Train on July 19, 2018 and it was recorded on his bodycam. First of all, OUTSTANDING JOB by this hero cop! This made the Daily Mail UK, which is read by millions worldwide and put Perth Amboy Police on the map. The Police Department had its ups and downs over the years, but this made our community understand what a cop has to do every day 24/7. We as a community want to thank Patrolman Kyle Savoia for his outstanding work for the Perth Amboy Police Department.
Orlando Wildman Perez
Plastic Firearms
New Jersey is trying to ban the schematics that allow a 3D printer to produce a plastic firearm. A Federal Court has ruled to allow this. No commercial manufacturer produces a non-metallic firearm since they are not durable and there is no customer demand. A 3D printer cannot produce the ammunition needed to make a firearm functional.
This controversy seems like a hoax with a hidden agenda to pass new restrictions on people’s rights. What if this was a book on building a firearm with ordinary household tools? Could it be banned from bookstores, libraries, and the Internet?
Ronald A. Sobieraj
Worth Repeating
I wrote this a few months ago, but I think it needs to be revisited. I don’t think the proposed high density zoning for downtown Perth Amboy is good for anyone. We are not New Brunswick, Hoboken, Jersey City or Metuchen and never will be. I don’t think any of the reasons or conditions have changed and the mayor is still pushing for this.
RezoningPerth Amboy
Last week my husband, Bob Sottilaro and I attended the meeting regarding the rezoning plans for the future of Perth Amboy. Several people spoke and raised important questions and suggestions. The first question or problem that came to mind was how many section 8’s would be permitted in the apartments proposed above the stores?. That also raises the question of how many children will live in these apartments and most importantly, where will they go to school? Our schools are already beyond capacity and the new schools being built will already be over crowded when they are finished. Will people with children be restricted from renting these apartments? When young people have children, they will most likely want to move out of an apartment to a house.
There was much emphasis on “millenials” and college graduates and artists. This seems unrealistic. The cost of rent was brought up as was the large amount of illegal housing where people prefer to rent a room in a private house because they can’t afford an apartment. Someone mentioned that the owners of the buildings don’t maintain them properly and only care about collecting high rents. How many millenials, artists, college graduates, young professionals are currently living in King Plaza?
Last night Perth Amboy made the news again and I watched Ed Mullen and Larry Cattano speak about the fire on Commerce Street. A resident said she didn’t realize there were 10 people in that house! Fires seem to be happening more frequently. Does the fire department have the apparatus to reach the higher stories of the existing buildings and the stories proposed on the other buildings? This also raises the question of water pressure, water pipes and sewers. Was Middlesex Water Company apprised of this plan and what was their reaction? Can the water pressure be sustained in the case of a fire? Can the firetrucks move through the city fast enough given the existing traffic problems?
Mention was made of the police with a substation at the train station. That was one positive plan mentioned.. However, a friend mentioned that there used to be a substation but it’s gone, what happened to it? Mention was made of police on bicycles and segues. I haven’t noticed a police presence anywhere except at council meetings. I used to notice cars patrolling the streets all around town. We used to have police walking the streets. One place police should be visible in in front of the library where homeless congregate.
The plan focuses on residential density. When people are jammed together, there is more aggressive behavior and problems. The high rises at Stockton and Huntington were torn down because of problems.
There is a glaring omission of the Department of Public Works in the list of representatives. This department will be responsible for handling garbage which is already a huge problem.
Parking was brought up several times. Wilma Matey and other mentioned that the deck and parking lots are not being utilized. Traffic is already a major problem. Linda Ferreira reiterated the problem with overcrowded schools and also brought up the hospital’s ability to handle more patients.
Several people mentioned that the city should fix what exists, improve education, attract stores that offer better merchandise. A suggestion was made by Stanley Sierakowski to bring in a Rutgers University Annex. He also warned that the city could use eminent domain regardless of what residents want.
BJ Torres asked “who did the study”, they should be reviewed by the council and the residents of the city should be made aware of them.
This is an enormous undertaking and everyone should consider all the ramifications this plan will bring.
Barbara Sottilaro
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