The Audience listens to the State of the City
Highlights Accomplishments During the Past Year
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Recently appointed Fire Chief Ed Mullen was the Master of Ceremonies at the State of the City Ceremony. He first recognized Council President Bill Petrick, Councilmen Joel Pabon and Fernando Irizarry, and Acting Police Chief Roman McKeon. Mullen then went on to say that he comes from a family of those who served in the community. His great-grandfather served 50 years with the Progressive Fire Department and his grandfather was Police Chief, and his father was Fire Chief in Iselin. “It takes teamwork to build the City up.” He urged everyone to like the Perth Amboy Fire Department’s and the Mayor’s Facebook Pages. “If you look at social media, great things are happening. New schools, businesses and parks will be opening soon. The Mayor is at the forefront on how the City is run.”
When he introduced Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, he made a comparison between her and Mayor Diaz. “They both go above and beyond their duties. Assemblywoman Lopez has been the Director of PRAHD and has worked for Wachovia Bank. Lopez has always has been involved in the community, its development, and growth. She has been recognized many times for her public service. Assemblywoman Lopez and the Mayor both advocate what is right to support their communities.”
Mayor Wilda Diaz delivers the 2019 State of the City Address
*Photos by Katherine Massopust
Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez then went up to the stage. She stated that it was an honor to be here and to serve those in her district. “It’s my pleasure to introduce our Mayor, who is an advocate for Perth Amboy. There are still challenges to address which will affect our children and residents. The City has an A1 Bond Rating which helped to stabilize taxes. Under the Mayor’s leadership, the debt was reduced by $65 million. The Mayor wants to preserve the past, but also move forward in the future. Capital improvements help bring in big businesses. Second Street Park will be a major improvement. $17 million in renovations were made at the Waterfront after the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. The Waterfront is now bolder and better. More community events are being held. Our houses of worship, businesses, and nonprofits have collaborated to make the City better. The Mayor has been a spokesperson for the City and recognizes the immense potential that it has. The Mayor has always been helpful and cooperative to PRAHD. As Assemblywoman, our bond is just as strong. The Mayor also has a strong working relationship with Senator Joe Vitale, and Assemblyman/Speaker Craig Coughlin. She is strong, persistent, a fighter, and always puts the City of Perth Amboy first.” Lopez then called Mayor Diaz up to the stage.
Mayor Diaz first presented a film that was shown behind her. In the film, she was driving around different sections of town. The first stop was E-Port on High Street. She was proud of the fact areas that were blighted for over 40 years were finally being developed or in the initial stages of development. Target Warehouse is already in place. “60% of their employees are expected to be City residents when development is finished in that area. People who will be working in those companies will also be using Perth Amboy’s facilities. Perth Amboy is my home. I grew up here, as well as my children and husband. Perth Amboy has many historic structures.” She pointed to the many business in the heart of the business district on Smith Street. One building located on Hobart Street which had been mostly vacant was turned into a mixed-use building. “Remedial work is taking place on Elm Street so that two new warehouses will be built which will be an investment in Perth Amboy.” She talked about the International Park on Sadowski Parkway which showcased flags from different countries of the people who settled in Perth Amboy and made contributions. “The Waterfront was rebuilt after Superstorm Sandy, and we now have the best views in the State.” She then recognized PARA (Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency), and the Council. “We are grateful for residents who work, live, and invest here. Each year, I reflect on our the past accomplishments. The Administration, the Council, and I recognize the opportunity, our City affords. Public safety and quality of life are important. Redevelopment took a lot of vision. It’s been 20 years since there was an overhaul of the City’s plans.” She then talked about the Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan. “We’re looking at new avenues to attract private partnerships. Some zoning changes will be used for commercial and redevelopment use. Public improvements will be made with private dollars. This will help to develop a tax base. Redevelopment is needed to control taxes.” She then talked about a new company coming in called “Gourmet Nut.” “This is a $9 million project. Another company “RealReal Inc.” will be taking up 500,000 square feet and they will employ 700 people. Perth Amboy is close to all the major highways and ports. It’s an exciting time for Perth Amboy. Our primary goals are to attract new residents who can live, work, and play here, and to feel comfortable and safe. Housing is very important. For example, a new mixed-use construction on Sayre Avenue is being built. This will add enormous value to the City. Some of the positive impacts on a community is having sustainable community programs, which will have an important economic impact on our growth. We are looking to reinvigorate our downtown. We are redoing some areas which will benefit our City towards smart growth by using mixed-market. Immigrants have started small businesses. In the past 15 months, we’ve had 16 new businesses open up. RFP’s (Request for Proposals) have been put out regarding our Train Station. We have started promoting the City and marketing our businesses by advertising on television and other social media outlets.” She then thanked Ms. Ramos from the Parking Utility who helped bring in the smart parking meters to the City. When it came to public safety, Diaz thanked the Cathedral International for providing the space on Madison Avenue for a Police Substation. “A lot of the materials that were used were donated. 9 additional Police Officers have been sworn in. Because of the increased security of the substation, crime has been reduced by 20% in that area. There has been a 50% decline in narcotics. Our Police Department has their accreditation status and the New Jersey Chief of Police said that our Police Department is a model of diversity for all Police Departments to follow. There are 105 standards listed to get accreditation. Our Police Department achieved the highest number of standards.” Diaz then thanked Acting Police Chief McKeon, the staff, Chaplains, and all the officers. “The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will have an 8-week course on how to prepare for emergencies.” She urged everyone to sign up for this course.
(L to R) Fire Chief Ed Mullen, Mayor Wilda Diaz, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez
She then mentioned the Middlesex County 200 Club who yearly recognizes officers for heroic deeds. “For the last 2 years, Perth Amboy has been Number 1 in the county. This year, Officers Donnelly and Savoia were honored. Our police perform heroic actions every day. You just don’t see them.” She then talked about the female Police Officers who organized a club called: “Women in Law.” “They work with many young women as mentors on their own time.”
Diaz thanked the Auxiliary Police Officers who volunteer their time. “Crime has decreased 5% by their presence.” She then went on to talk about the Perth Amboy Fire Department and congratulated Fire Chief Ed Mullen. “5 new Firefighters were sworn in and 3 new Captains. Some of our officers have a combined 8,000 hours of special training in all kinds of conditions including the Dive Teams and Natural Disaster Commissions. “So far this year, there have been 173 fires and 3,000 calls to dispatch. 1,000 smoke detectors have been installed at residences at no cost.”
She thanked all the volunteers who helped. She talked about some of the dangerous situations that the Emergency Services Personnel were involved in. “There was a fire at 185 Fayette St. where 8 members of a family had to be hospitalized due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Unfortunately, 2 people did not survive. Some of our emergency personnel had to be treated at the hospital. I’m proud of our bravest. They not only keep us safe, but also educate us when it comes to safety. Our Fire Department has been recognized many times and have received over 200 awards between 2017 and now. Our Dive Team has completed over 1600 hours of training.”
Perth Amboy High School Students Sing the National Anthem
She then talked about Code Enforcement. “Communications have improved as well as the response time. Residential and commercial safety are of utmost concerns and they also play a pivotal role. Our Housing and Social Services Departments help relocate people who need shelter. This past winter, there were 50 freezing nights where Housing and Social Services were needed.” The Mayor then recognized God’s Army Ministries and Renovation House who provided food whenever people were placed in these shelters.
She then talked about those who are undocumented in our community. “We’re trying to help them get funds for higher education and driver’s licenses.” The Mayor then applauded the minimum wage which will be increased to $15 an hour by 2024. “Local governments will do best to serve everyone in the community.”
She went on to talk about the Human Services Department and what they have done to provide for our residents, which will help us in our economic growth. “$10 million in CDBG Grants will help with assisting nonprofits in the community at large. We will be having the census coming up. Every individual must be counted. The more people we have in town, the more funding we will receive. I want to thank Maritza Rodriguez and Dianne Roman for spearheading the census drive. We have been very transparent, and every State has deficits. Redevelopment is important, but we need creative solutions. Our unemployment rate is 5.4% which is the lowest it’s been in 5 years. The City has had an A+ rating since 2012 and I want to thank CFO Jill Goldy for all of her help.” She also recognized the new Business Administrator, Frederick Carr, his staff, and those employees in the tax office.
Diaz then talked about the quality of life, which had improved for our senior citizens. She thanked the Office of Aging, which has 12 new programs some of which geared toward those with disabilities and our veterans. These programs provide different types of support systems geared toward their individual needs.
She recognized programs which help our students, including programs for teens and young adults. “Many people in our Recreation Department work after hours.” She wished to thank Director of Human Services and Recreation Ken Ortiz. Some of the programs mentioned were: Girls on the Run, and Unique You. “Success Bound is a program that will be held in the summertime. This will allow students to gain leadership skills to receive college credit. Team building will be an important part of that program.”
Diaz then thanked the Board of Education. “We are a City of 4.5 square miles with a lot of green space. A County Park on High Street is scheduled to be completed by 2020. There will be capital improvements which will help with our roads and utilities. Our DPW Department has been recognized by the State for its Green and Clean efforts. We’ll have more automatic garbage pickups and we have been recognized as in the top 10 of the County for our recycling efforts. I want to thank the Department of Public Works and the Green and Swim Teams. The City now has an Artist’s Registry, so those artists can showcase their work. This was through a $15,000 grant from the BID. I want to thank PARTNER’s who was also part of that initiative. The Thomas Mundy Peterson Plaque was finally placed in City Hall and the City Town Clock (on the Simpson Methodist Church on High Street) was restored. I want to thank John Dyke and Anna Daily.” She also mentioned that the Proprietary House received a $5 million grant. She noted that the NJ Coastal Heritage Trail starts in Perth Amboy. She thanked Senator Cory Booker for revitalizing it. She mentioned the bravery of every man and woman who came here. They were people of courage. “I want to thank God and my family and those who stand by me. They are my pillars. Special thanks to those who move the City forward and all my Directors. Without them, the accomplishments would have just been a dream.” She then thanked Acting Library Director Herschel Chomsky, Acting Executive Director of the BID Randy Convery, City Clerk Victoria Kupsch, and special thanks to her staff, Noelia Colon, and Jeannette Rios. She also thanked those who work behind the cameras: George Bonilla and JohnLuke. “I want to thank the Council for investing their time. None have an easy job, but we have to find common ground. It is beneficial to be fiscally responsible and to build strong partnerships, have new businesses, and low unemployment. We can overcome every barrier together. Let’s celebrate the past, but keep our eye on the future which is bright.” She then recognized Executive Director of the Housing Authority Doug Dzema, and Prosecutor Billy Delgado. “I thank God every day and it has been my honor to serve you.”
