PERTH AMBOY – Governor Phil Murphy swears in Helmin Caba as Mayor of Perth Amboy. Wife, Wendy holds the bible.

Press Release 1/8/21

PERTH AMBOY – Helmin Caba is formally installed as the Mayor of the City of Perth Amboy at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021 by Governor Murphy, at Bayview Park, overlooking the harborside marina.

Mayor Caba gave an inaugural address following the swearing-in. The theme for the inauguration event is Building Community by Collaboration, Innovation and Engagement.

“I am extremely honored to have been elected the mayor of the City of Perth Amboy and to accept the responsibilities that are entrusted in me. Thank you, residents of Perth Amboy,” said Mayor Caba. 

Mayor Caba’s 100 Day Plan will be a comprehensive blueprint to demonstrate and regulate public policies on the city’s pressing needs. The plan will be broken out identifying intermediate milestones, new approaches to tackle old problems, and an engagement strategy to develop organizational capacity. “I will bring skilled, effective and innovative leadership to City Hall to implement new approaches that will build and improve upon solutions that already exist, ” said Mayor Caba.

PERTH AMBOY -Mayor Helmin Caba offers some remarks
*Photos by Alma Benavides

Inauguration Speech

January 8, 2020 Bayview Park, Perth Amboy, NJ 

Thank you and good afternoon. First and foremost, let me begin by thanking God for all his blessings. Thank you, Gov. Phil Murphy, Congressman Frank Pallone , Senator Joe Vitale, Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, City Council members, Damaris Diaz, Father John, City employees, – Thank you for your support and for joining us today. 

Although today I could say a thousand thank yous, and there are too many names to mention, I would like to thank my family, friends, supporters, union brothers and sisters, contributors, and every single person who supported me every step of the way during this journey. 

I am extremely honored to have been elected the mayor of the City of Perth Amboy and to accept the responsibilities that are entrusted in me. Through perseverance and the labor of love we have for our city, you are the reason we are joined together today. 

I want to especially thank my wife Wendy, for being the one of the greatest gifts in my life. I am grateful to God every day for giving me such a loving, thoughtful, kind, and empathetic wife like you. I would not be the husband and father to our beautiful children Adam and Audrey, that I am today without your loving support and encouragement. 

There is little doubt that this is one of the most difficult times in modern history in America. 

• A pandemic is raging. 

• A reckoning over racial injustice. 

• Local economies are in tatters. 

• Budget shortfalls are forcing tough choices. 

• And city residents are fatigued, frustrated, and frightened. 

We enter a new year that holds tremendous promise and opportunity for the City of Perth Amboy and for all who live here. 

•Together, we are making a fresh start. 

•Together, we are embarking on a journey to revitalize our historic community. 

•Together, we will meet the challenge of this moment and make our city stronger and healthier. 

Our task will be challenging at times. Among our city’s first challenges will be to rebound from the pandemic. That is why my administration will pursue federal, state and county resources and funding to assist with our recovery. 

My 100 Day Plan that will chart a new course for our City, which will include collaboration with non-profits, businesses, and state and federal partners to bring every resource to move Perth Amboy forward. 

As your Mayor, I will bring skilled, effective and innovative leadership to City Hall to 

•implement new approaches to tackle old problems 

•build and improve upon solutions that already exist 

•engage capacity development 

I will combine democracy and “meritocracy” in City Hall with merit-based hiring. We will hire professionals for their ability, experience and skill-set. 

And we will hold core competencies of 

•Collaboration 

•Communication 

•Flexibility and adaptability 

•Initiative 

•Problem-solving skills 

to be the center of everything we do. 

My administration will be inclusive and open. Many decisions will be data-driven, noting that best city ideas often result from public participation. I encourage more residents to get civically involved in our community and to share their ideas on how to move our City forward. 

To all the candidates who ran for Mayor, I thank you for your service and invite to all come together. 

To Mayor Diaz, thank you for your stewardship of our City. Let us all recommit – every single one of us – to working together to move Perth Amboy forward. 

Congratulations to the new members of City Council; thoughtful and conscientious individuals that will help make this City a better place for years to come. 

Let us restore fiscal responsibility and passionately promote opportunities for civic engagement in our community. 

This is my pledge to making our City the best it can be. 

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the City of Perth Amboy.