1/19/22 Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – Councilman Tom Reilly thanked the food pantries and first responders, and all the volunteers in town. He stressed the need for volunteers in the fire department and first aid squad. He thanked everyone who came out for the Friends of South Amboy basketball event. “It was a huge success.”
Reilly then emphasized the need to address the situation with a garage (deteriorating) on First Street. “Can we please do something with that garage? Something needs to be done.”
Council President Mickey Gross thanked the public works and first responders. He then spoke about Covid-19, “Covid numbers are going down. We will get through this.” He then stated that the decision of having a live in-person meeting or electronic meeting will be up to the council. He then thanked Mark Herdman for his service to the city.
Mayor Fred Henry said, “There are some very important projects being done. The Allie Clark Sports Complex is being renovated.”
Law Director Francis Womack stated, “We can get together with Glenn (B.A. Skarzynski) for the property on First Street. Be safe.”
Public Portion:
Edward Grimes, who spoke at the 1/5/22 meeting spoke again. “I am an advocate for the Disabled Rights Act. I suffered emotional damage. We gave you emotional damage moving the ramp away. I had to take the ramp away from other Vets. I am a Christian. There are Christians on the Council. Your police station has no wheelchair access. Your B.A. says you have to wait two years for a cement ramp. We don’t need to wait. You should do what Jesus said: Put the last first. You take away their (Veterans) medicine (cannabis). Are we at war with ourselves? You criticized my mask (worn when he spoke at the 1/5/22 meeting). That ramp was there for an hour. Within an hour, a disabled vet used that ramp to get into the police station. God made that happen. Disabled Vets are not made in South Amboy.”
Mike Vintzilos spoke next. “I echo what he said here. There is no transparency in meetings. I have no idea what is going on. I don’t know who is talking. There is no wheelchair access – that is a concern. I spoke about cannabis last July (at a council meeting). I poured out my heart and soul. Cannabis gave me my life back. Why is the answer no? you are sending the wrong message. South Amboy was once in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most bars in town. You made everything to promote healthy living by not getting the life back (to veterans). At least respond, give me an answer. Nobody can give me an answer. Why is this (cannabis ban) necessary?”
Council President Gross answered, “I stand by my decision. I respect what you do. I don’t think it (the cannabis ban) sends the wrong message. We do not have as many bars as we did 30 years ago. We took hard steps to clean up our taverns. I certainly respect what you do. There is a methadone clinic in South Amboy. That is to help people get off their addiction. I certainly will bring it to the mayor and administration. There is more to building a ramp. It is not as easy as it looks. There is zoning and certain regulations. If you want, call the clerk.”
The meeting was held virtually due to Covid. It adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
