America
Comes First
Are you enjoying the inflation? From food to fuel? Meanwhile, the working poor and what’s left of the middle class are trying to survive this out-of-control inflation. And no one is protesting – just crying the blues – and those politician’s love to give a “Blank Check” to other countries without any oversight. I was told “AMERICA comes first!” So, what happened? YEP! We were sold out by those we voted for, and they should be helping us in the first place. It was said promises from a politician goes through one ear then comes out the other ear! “How True!”
Orlando “Wildman” Perez
Statement by Anna Wilkins Daily at the 6/6/22 Caucus
I am Anna Wilkins Daily.
First, I want to clarify that even though I do not have any biological relatives who live in the state of New Jersey, I am not planning on moving anytime soon.
Thank you, Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to share my gratitude to this city for opportunities to service this community,
I want to extend my Welcome to the most recent council members and staff whom I have not met.
1. When I first moved here in 1967 from North Carolina, I worked briefly as a substitute teacher before I became Lab technician at Raritan Bay Medical Center where I was the only blood bank technician during the evening shift.
2. While obtaining a Master’s Degree in Urban Science education at Rutgers University I completed a one year internship teaching middle school science in Plainfield, instead of working in Plainfield, I decided to pursue a teaching position in Perth Amboy. By that time my husband and I were property owners here in Perth Amboy, and had a one year old son. So I wanted to work in the community where I lived.
During my 32 years in the science department at Perth Amboy High School, I taught courses in Medical laboratory techniques, Microbiology, Health Careers Awareness, Laboratory Animal handling, Earth Science and Biology. Each year I took the Earth Science classes to the water treatment plant and waste water sewage treatment plant for a better understanding of our environment and the relevance of the text book information.
3. My first year teaching, I was assigned to teach Medical technology, microbiology and A course in Laboratory Animal handling, I Developed, wrote the curricula for the courses in Medical laboratory Techniques, Microbiology, and Health Career awareness and explorations. There were no curriculum, teacher’s guide nor textbooks because these courses had not been taught in the Perth Amboy high school before.
In addition to teaching, I was an advisor for the Black Culture Club, and obtained a school charter and was the advisor for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America). My students competed against vocational school students in medical laboratory and career searching techniques. The last year I had 3 students who participated in the national competition in Florida where 2 out of my three came in the top ten places in the country.
Before my retirement I was the president of the Perth Amboy NJEA, selected the teacher of the year for Perth Amboy school district, Middlesex County, as well as N.J Governor’s Teachers awardee. I was selected by Princeton University as a Distinguished High School Teacher for the state of NJ and the National Science Teachers Association as the National Number 1 Exemplary High School Science Teacher for the entire United States.
I always reached out to the parents, participated in community activities, and tried to make the lessons relevant and interesting. We did not have computers during that time. I had the students do lots of research exercises that required the students to use encyclopedias, newspapers, visit both the school and local public the library. I had my classes get library cards so that we could use materials in the public library for various assignment. I took out a school subscription to one of our area newspapers so that Each week we received a classroom supply of newspapers.
It was the city of Perth Amboy and parents that afforded me the opportunity to expose students to my self-designed methods of teaching and achieve all the honors and awards as an outstanding educator. I also attended Kean University where I obtained a second master’s degree.
I was a volunteer in church and community organizations. As a member of the Perth Amboy Public Library bd of trustees, I served under 5 presidents and was the secretary before being elected president. Throughout the years and under different city administrations, we were always told that the library belonged to the city, and the trustees served in advisory capacity. Having attended various state trustees functions I was made aware of governing boards. We wrote the city administration with copies to the council when we inquired about becoming a governing board but were always told that the library was a municipal entity, and trustees were only allowed to advocate for the library, and were sternly told that we were to have nothing to do with the staff since they were civil service employees.
The library never had enough employees to qualify for the maximum amount of state funding. There were times when we would come before the council advocating for more staff.
The trustee board had no say in who was appointed to the board, hired staff, or replaced. We were told that only the city administration could hire and or dismiss staff. Thus we had nothing to do with the former director leaving.
Trustees helped initiate the plans to renovate the building. We had a committee who along with a former city administer interviewed various contractors with the architectural plans. What we submitted was not accepted by the city, and completely different plans were made. It was the trustees who started having the Taste of Perth Amboy as a fund raiser. We also had other programs to help raise funds for renovating the library.
Shortly after the former mayor assumed her seat on the board, we started getting money from the county and freeholders. The mayor as well as a former school superintendent both took their seats as members of the board of Trustees. City ordinance required a seat on the trustee board for a school board member as well as mayor. We also made copies of the Bill of Rights that are posted on the wall.
The former secretaries as well as myself when I became secretary always sent a copy of the board minutes to the council and administration.
Other Trustees started to become so frustrated at not being able to get anything we requested done that members did not apply for reappointment when their terms were up. We rarely had enough members present for the meetings to conduct official business. We tried to get the basement fixed up after it was in such a mess after the upstairs renovation. We invited members of the administration and city council to come visit our meetings. No one came until I wrote a letter expressing that we were walking into cobwebs in the basement.
The last library director abruptly left, and the library did not have a director for the last 3-4 years. We were told that it was up to personnel dept. to hire a new director.
Over the last few years Many negative things were publicly said about the library and the trustees were primarily blamed. During one of the council meetings, one of the council members said that the trustees did not attend the council meetings because “they were scared to come.”
I am happy to see that the current administration shows more interest in the library than in the past. I was happy to hear the new president of the trustees state that they are looking for a director. I wish the new members of the Library Bd of Trustees much success.
After I was appointed to the Perth Amboy Historic Preservation Commission, in addition to attending various training opportunities, I became aware of some ongoing projects. I personally made several visits before the council in an effort to get more things done in this city to recognize the importance of this being the home of the first African American to vote in the U.S. as well as other important historical events that occurred in this city. After extensive research, I was made chair of the Thomas Mundy Peterson project. The request for an archaeological dig on the land that was formerly his home was started before I became a member. Thanks to the council and administration, funds were made available to make the plaque that currently hangs on the wall of council chambers. I helped pursue the efforts to get the day that he voted recognized by the state legislatures as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day each year. I learned about Juneteenth, and as a member of organizations in other cities, our efforts were instrumental in getting it a national holiday. One of my organizations is having a Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony on Sat. June 18th here in front of city hall at 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.
I share in the great pride of this historic city.
Anna Wilkins Daily
