Sometimes people wait for someone else to lead the way, but most of the time, it’s best to take the reigns in your own hands and you be the leader. If we want to improve the town, we have to do it ourselves. We just have to know how to do this.
We don’t have to look at other towns to bring people in.
Vince Mackiel is right about the Market Street Train Bridge. Other towns have their bridges fixed and train stations modernized years ago. How many train stations on the North Jersey Coastline have been upgraded more than once? It’s been three administrations where they have promised improvements. The last upgrade to the train station was one under Joe Vas where when you left the train you embarked on elevator blacktop instead of gravel on the tracks. Under Wilda Diaz, the steps were repaired.
Why are we last on the list to become handicapped accessible? The Amboy Guardian has featured a number of articles on the need for modernization of our train station.
Some suggestions:
Perth Amboy has a lot to offer if you just look. We have a beautiful waterfront – advertise it. Make the beach swimmable (We realize that is a tall order).
A suggestion from one Perth Amboy’s resident is to take the empty storefronts of Landings and bring in an Art School or College Any kind of college program (marine biology, science, etc.) would do. Any unoccupied apartments in Landings can be converted to dorms. The beautiful setting of the waterfront is a perfect place for learning.
Market Perth Amboy’s rich history. Perth Amboy is one of the ten most historic towns in the United States. We have sites such as the Proprietary House which recently was undergoing repairs, the Kearny Cottage, Ferry Slip Museum, and other historic buildings. These sites have attracted visitors from all over the world.
We have an old library. Restore what you can of the old building and keep it as a historical archive and museum. The most important part of the library is to get a qualified library director. Then we can get the grant money that other towns get the supplies of needed materials and eventually build a new state of the art library.
The YMCA has two pools: one recreational, one competitive, a gym, and exercise equipment. They offer other programs as well. It is a beautiful facility for a small monthly membership fee. Work more with the Y to encourage all ages to be more healthy.
Build a welcome center to focus on all of Perth Amboy’s assets.
It is time that the people of Perth Amboy work together: Team Perth Amboy. Stop looking to others to come save the town. We must do it ourselves. It is our town. It is our home.
An old Chinese proverb is:
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Take that first step. We’ll get there. Kudos to all who work in the city from different departments who have gotten grant money for Perth Amboy. We appreciate your efforts.
C.M. & K.M.
