Mayor Diaz with BID Chair Barry Rosengarten
*Photos by Paul W. Wang
City Officials pose for a group photo
3/20/18
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – There was a Neighborhood Business Meeting held at Sipos Bakery, 365 Smith St., on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The Master of Ceremonies was BID Chair Barry Rosengarten. “The BID is more than just a name. They are active 7 days a week. They are part of the Clean Team. Perth Amboy probably is one of the most active business districts in New Jersey. Each business has special and distinct possibilities.”
Lissett Lebron
from PARTNER
Rosengarten then introduced Mayor Wilda Diaz. She thanked Sipos Bakery for hosting the event. “We’re working in business communication. We have a plan for the business district to rezone the area. I will keep you updated. There will be a 1-mile radius around the train station where we will start off to make improvements. We will go back before the Council in April. You can voice your support for the rezoning. State, Fayette, High Streets have been revitalized. We’ve had Target come here and they employ many residents of Perth Amboy. Duke Realty Partners have purchased BRIDGE. Two new businesses are looking to come to Perth Amboy. We’re going to have an aggressive campaign. Looking at Celotex, we have 60 acres of land. I’m so proud NJ.com featured Perth Amboy of 1 of 15 towns for restaurants. People are looking at Perth Amboy. It’s a small business community. Construction is everywhere. We’re ensuring the population is employed in Perth Amboy. We made it a point to come to the business community. We bring it to you.”
Diaz then praised Code Enforcement. “We have an entire team who is more able and willing.”
Acting Fire Chief Ed Mullen spoke next, “Over the last 6 weeks, we’ve campaigned with the Fire Safety Initiative, educating people about fire safety. If you have an old smoke alarm or aren’t sure it’s working, call 732-376-5419, the Smoke Detector Hotline. We’ll come out and check. We’re running out of Carbon Monoxide Alarms, but we might have a few left. We’re building a second fire house in the North East side of town. Fire safety is the number one priority of Mayor Diaz’s Team of Perth Amboy.”
Rosengarten added that the smoke alarms are of no cost to the citizens.
Police Captain Pardo represented the Police Department and spoke about the Community Policing Initiative. “You’ll see officers on Smith Street. We will work with the homeless community and with God’s Army Ministry to help the homeless to gain self-sufficiency. Police will be on foot, walking and bridge gaps between citizens, businesses and the Police Department.”
Pardo continued, “We are in a partnership with Woodbridge to help with the Opioid Crisis. A counselor will be able to visit a person eight times (to help him/her).”
Chief Housing Inspector from Code Enforcement Johan Delgado spoke next. “It is a very exciting time in Code Enforcement. Some Businesses were looking to expand. We want to be able to help people achieve their dreams. Code Enforcement is going to be open late. We’ll come out to you or you can come out to us. We’re there to guide you accordingly. In April, we will be open on weekends.”
DPW Director Frank Hoffman came up to speak, “The number for Public Works is: 732-826-2010. We clean the streets and plow the snow. If you have a pothole, or a streetlight (that’s out please give the number on the light), please report it. There’s a lot of redevelopment going on. We will be adding parks and promoting economic growth. Smith Street and Market Street will be paved in late June as well from Herbert St. and Rt. 35.
Lissett Lebron from PARTNER came up to speak next. “PARTNER is the nonprofit area of the Housing Authority. “There are over 100 businesses (in the Gateway). As these initiatives are taking place, a multi-agency effort empowers our residents, healthy, and safe community neighborhood. In New Jersey, the number of small businesses employ over 27,000 New Jerseyans. Think big – Shop small! The backbone of any City Economy is the power of social media and marketing. 80% of the community is Hispanic, largely and Female Head of Household. From 2015-2020. There will be a neighborhood block party in the upcoming months and a bike rodeo. We need to support the youth and encourage them to stay with us.”
Barry Rosengarten concluded the meeting promoting Sipos Bakery, citing a beautiful golf themed cake that Sipos made for special occasion. “The Fireworks will be on July 3, 2018. There also will be a Boat Parade, with more details to come. Anyone who owns a boat and wishes to participate can contact me (Rosengarten). It will be an added attraction to the Fireworks Program.”
The floor was open to questions. The Amboy Guardian asked if any trees would be planted on Market Street after paving is completed. DPW Director Frank Hoffman stated he was looking into certain trees that would be suitable, maybe Gingko or Duck Foot trees.
Neighborhood Business Meeting at Sipos Bakery
*Photos by Paul W. Wang
