(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 9, 2011)
SOUTH AMBOY — The attorney representing 2010 Independent mayoral candidate
Mary
O’Connor was scheduled to argue early this week before Superior Court Judge
Judge Phillip Paley, sitting in New Brunswick, that Mayor Fred Henry’s
recent appointments should not be made permanent in case she wins an appeal and
becomes Mayor.
Henry last month appointed Camille Tooker as Business Administrator, John
Lanza as City Law Director, Mark Rasimowicz as City Engineer, Terance O’Neill
as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and James Hoebich as Municipal Court
Judge. All but Hoebich held the same positions under former Mayor John O’Leary.
That is “not listening to at-least half the voters who called-for fresh
ideas in City Hall,” O’Connor said in a prepared statement. “Instead, he
(Henry) has reappointed the status-quo.”
Paley ruled last month that Henry was permitted to make permanent appoint
ments after deciding that the former City Council President had won as Mayor
over O’Connor, after reducing a Henry victory-margin from three to two votes
after hearing testimony.
“This election wasn’t decided by a mere two votes,” O’Connor said. “It
was decided by powers who found six ballots in a back room and who cannot
account for the whereabouts of 103 other ballots.”
She said that a “notice has been sent to Judge Paley requesting Henry’s
appointments be limited to interim status until after the appeal has been
heard.”
An appeal of Paley’s decision has been filed by Christopher Struben,
O’Connor’s attorney, who was scheduled to appear before Paley on Monday at 9:30
a.m. with Michael Baker, Henry’s attorney.
“I just want to make-sure that he (Henry) isn’t allowed to give anybody a
permanent position or invest them with any permanent rights because, if
there’s a new election and O’Connor wins, she shouldn’t have to govern with his
people,” Struben said.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
IF YOU SHOVEL IT, IS IT YOURS?
Crackdown On Parking-Space Reservations Follows Snow-Streets Enforcement
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
PERTH AMBOY — Everyone has seen it: a chair, a trashcan or even a
card-table placed within a shoveled-out parking-space along a street to reserve it
for the person who did the work removing snow.
Under state law, such obstructions placed along public roadways are
illegal, even-though Deputy Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz admitted last week that
local police have hesitated in the past to enforce the law without someone
filing a complaint.
The traditional method of reserving parking-spaces in snowy weather came
under scrutiny at the City Council Caucus early last week, where other issues
pertaining to snow-removal also were discussed at-length, following the
second major snowfall of the season.
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez, who lives on upscale High Street, complained
that the furniture being put-out to reserve shoveled-out parking-space along
his street “makes the neighborhood ugly.”
“Thank you,” Councilman Joel Pabon Jr. said.
“The whole area looks like a ghetto,” Pabon declared. “You look-out, and
there’s about 50 chairs, tables — even sofas.”
“I’m talking-about your prime areas — High Street, Columbus Circle, Water
Street — where there’s just single-family homes.”
“There’s a suitcase sitting in-front-of my house, but it’s not mine,”
Council President Kenneth Balut said, drawing laughter. “I make a social visit
to see my car because it’s not in-front-of my house.”
Ruiz said the Police Department’s position over the years has been one of
“live and let live,” given the fact that “there’s very-little off-street
parking” in most of the city.
“If we get a call, it’s logged-in, and we go-out and address it,” he said.
“If the neighbors deal with it among themselves, then we won’t enforce it.”
“It’s kind-of a tradition,” resident Alan Silber said during the public
portion. “If you spent an hour digging yourself out, go for groceries, and,
five minutes later, someone else parks there, it’s hard to swallow.
“So you put a chair there,” he said. “It’s a tradition. Half the
parking-spaces are gone when it snows.”
Gonzalez agreed that “we need to maintain some degree of civility,” but
added that “the problem right-now is the snow in the streets.”
City Ordinances require that all vehicles must be removed from 34
specifically-designated snow-emergency routes in order to allow snow-plows and other
removal equipment and emergency vehicles to get-through.
Along such roadways, signs are posted that state, “No Parking When Roads
Are Snow Covered.” Parking in these spaces after the blacktop is coated with
the white stuff could result in vehicles being towed.
Around 8 p.m. last Thursday, some residents learned the hard way about
snow-emergency routes as the plows — accompanied by police cars with sirens
blaring and loudspeakers demanding that the vehicles be removed or risk towing —
took to the streets,
Mayor Wilda Diaz rode in a Public Works Department truck and watched as
towtrucks began removing those cars which remained after the final warnings
were issued.
“I know that times are tough, and that people can’t afford to be towed,”
the Mayor said. “But our streets need to be cleared, and we gave them
plenty-of-time to move.”
City officials strongly-recommend parking vehicles in driveways or on
side-streets not designated as snow-emergency routes as an alternative to
impeding snow-plows and other removal equipment and emergency vehicles from
getting-through. During severe conditions, city lots will be opened, and
parking-fees will be suspended there and along smaller public streets to keep the flow
of traffic moving on major roadways.
City Ordinances also require that snow be removed from sidewalks for
business and commercial properties 24 hours after snow has ceased falling, and
that snow be removed from sidewalks for residential properties 48 hours after
snow has ceased falling.
Snow is removed from most sidewalks in the city in a timely fashion, but
there are always a few holdouts who risk severe consequences from both
summonses issued by city inspectors and insurance claims filed by passersby who can
sustain injuries from falls.
At the Council Caucus, Pabon brought-up the conditions at the BP
gasoline-station at New Brunswick and Madison Avenues.
“It’s a sheet of ice,” he declared.
“I’ve passed-by there, and it’s a very-dangerous situation,” Councilman
Kenneth Gonzalez added. “I’m amazed that it’s allowed to continue.”
“I can assure you that a summons will be issued tomorrow at-the-latest,”
Code Enforcement Director Edward Scala stated.
Scala said his Department has been limited in its ability to enforce
snow-removal because “the city is covered by two inspectors issuing summonses
instead of seven.”
Business Administrator Gregory Fehrenbach said that other inspectors would
be temporarily-reassigned to enforce snow-removal, including “two part-time
inspectors hired for sanitation regulations,” making “a total of six people
involved in enforcement.”
City snow-removal efforts came under-fire from several quarters, including
members of the Council itself.
Resident Gregory Pabon — no relation of the Councilman — questioned the
lack of snow-removal at “vacant buildings,” asking, “Doesn’t the bank have
an obligation to make-sure it’s shoveled?”
“If we had the staff to do it, I’d recommend that we have a list of
bank-owned properties and require them to remove their snow,” Kenneth Gonzalez s
aid.
“We could get a private entity to dig it out, and then put a lien on the
property,” Fernando Gonzalez said, “We need to get a legal opinion.”
“There’s a procedure that needs-to be followed,” Fehrenbach said. “Also,
does it take less time to issue a summons?
“It’s impossible to do what Mr. (Fernando) Gonzalez says to do without
staff,” he declared.
City Law Director Mark Blunda agreed to research the issue and report-back
to the Council.
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
PERTH AMBOY — Everyone has seen it: a chair, a trashcan or even a
card-table placed within a shoveled-out parking-space along a street to reserve it
for the person who did the work removing snow.
Under state law, such obstructions placed along public roadways are
illegal, even-though Deputy Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz admitted last week that
local police have hesitated in the past to enforce the law without someone
filing a complaint.
The traditional method of reserving parking-spaces in snowy weather came
under scrutiny at the City Council Caucus early last week, where other issues
pertaining to snow-removal also were discussed at-length, following the
second major snowfall of the season.
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez, who lives on upscale High Street, complained
that the furniture being put-out to reserve shoveled-out parking-space along
his street “makes the neighborhood ugly.”
“Thank you,” Councilman Joel Pabon Jr. said.
“The whole area looks like a ghetto,” Pabon declared. “You look-out, and
there’s about 50 chairs, tables — even sofas.”
“I’m talking-about your prime areas — High Street, Columbus Circle, Water
Street — where there’s just single-family homes.”
“There’s a suitcase sitting in-front-of my house, but it’s not mine,”
Council President Kenneth Balut said, drawing laughter. “I make a social visit
to see my car because it’s not in-front-of my house.”
Ruiz said the Police Department’s position over the years has been one of
“live and let live,” given the fact that “there’s very-little off-street
parking” in most of the city.
“If we get a call, it’s logged-in, and we go-out and address it,” he said.
“If the neighbors deal with it among themselves, then we won’t enforce it.”
“It’s kind-of a tradition,” resident Alan Silber said during the public
portion. “If you spent an hour digging yourself out, go for groceries, and,
five minutes later, someone else parks there, it’s hard to swallow.
“So you put a chair there,” he said. “It’s a tradition. Half the
parking-spaces are gone when it snows.”
Gonzalez agreed that “we need to maintain some degree of civility,” but
added that “the problem right-now is the snow in the streets.”
City Ordinances require that all vehicles must be removed from 34
specifically-designated snow-emergency routes in order to allow snow-plows and other
removal equipment and emergency vehicles to get-through.
Along such roadways, signs are posted that state, “No Parking When Roads
Are Snow Covered.” Parking in these spaces after the blacktop is coated with
the white stuff could result in vehicles being towed.
Around 8 p.m. last Thursday, some residents learned the hard way about
snow-emergency routes as the plows — accompanied by police cars with sirens
blaring and loudspeakers demanding that the vehicles be removed or risk towing —
took to the streets,
Mayor Wilda Diaz rode in a Public Works Department truck and watched as
towtrucks began removing those cars which remained after the final warnings
were issued.
“I know that times are tough, and that people can’t afford to be towed,”
the Mayor said. “But our streets need to be cleared, and we gave them
plenty-of-time to move.”
City officials strongly-recommend parking vehicles in driveways or on
side-streets not designated as snow-emergency routes as an alternative to
impeding snow-plows and other removal equipment and emergency vehicles from
getting-through. During severe conditions, city lots will be opened, and
parking-fees will be suspended there and along smaller public streets to keep the flow
of traffic moving on major roadways.
City Ordinances also require that snow be removed from sidewalks for
business and commercial properties 24 hours after snow has ceased falling, and
that snow be removed from sidewalks for residential properties 48 hours after
snow has ceased falling.
Snow is removed from most sidewalks in the city in a timely fashion, but
there are always a few holdouts who risk severe consequences from both
summonses issued by city inspectors and insurance claims filed by passersby who can
sustain injuries from falls.
At the Council Caucus, Pabon brought-up the conditions at the BP
gasoline-station at New Brunswick and Madison Avenues.
“It’s a sheet of ice,” he declared.
“I’ve passed-by there, and it’s a very-dangerous situation,” Councilman
Kenneth Gonzalez added. “I’m amazed that it’s allowed to continue.”
“I can assure you that a summons will be issued tomorrow at-the-latest,”
Code Enforcement Director Edward Scala stated.
Scala said his Department has been limited in its ability to enforce
snow-removal because “the city is covered by two inspectors issuing summonses
instead of seven.”
Business Administrator Gregory Fehrenbach said that other inspectors would
be temporarily-reassigned to enforce snow-removal, including “two part-time
inspectors hired for sanitation regulations,” making “a total of six people
involved in enforcement.”
City snow-removal efforts came under-fire from several quarters, including
members of the Council itself.
Resident Gregory Pabon — no relation of the Councilman — questioned the
lack of snow-removal at “vacant buildings,” asking, “Doesn’t the bank have
an obligation to make-sure it’s shoveled?”
“If we had the staff to do it, I’d recommend that we have a list of
bank-owned properties and require them to remove their snow,” Kenneth Gonzalez s
aid.
“We could get a private entity to dig it out, and then put a lien on the
property,” Fernando Gonzalez said, “We need to get a legal opinion.”
“There’s a procedure that needs-to be followed,” Fehrenbach said. “Also,
does it take less time to issue a summons?
“It’s impossible to do what Mr. (Fernando) Gonzalez says to do without
staff,” he declared.
City Law Director Mark Blunda agreed to research the issue and report-back
to the Council.
Six Performances To Benefit Breast-Cancer Research
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
SOUTH AMBOY — Modern-day Knights do exist, as we all know. In Britain, all
manner of celebrated individuals, from scientists to politicians and
rock-stars, are routinely dubbed Knights by Her Majesty the Queen.
What may not be as-readily-known is that throughout the world, including
here in America, Knights and Dames not only exist, but they also engage in
works of charity for a variety of noble causes.
One such individual is Christopher Deibert, MOC, also known as “Don” Chr
istopher Deibert, most-notably the Director of Music Ministry at St. Mary’s
Church, Augusta Street, where he serves as organist, conducts four liturgical
choirs, a handbell choir, and the St Mary Choral Society, and Executive
Director of the renowned “Music At St. Mary’s” concert series since 2001.
On Sept. 25, 2010, Deibert was installed as a Knight in the Military Order
of the Collar of St. Agatha of Paterno. This organization, based in Italy,
has as its main U.S. focus the raising of both awareness of and funds for
breast-cancer research.
Historically, St. Agatha was persecuted and martyred for her Christian
faith and for not succumbing to the sexual advances of the Roman prefect
Quintianus. After she repeatedly refused him, she was tortured, and her breasts
were removed. The story is that St. Peter appeared to St. Agatha and cured her,
allowing for the regrowth of her breasts. She is the Patron Saint of many,
but most-notably those suffering from breast cancer.
The Military Order of the Collar of St. Agatha of Paterno (MOC) is the
premier Royal Order of the Royal House of Aragon, and serves as its
international arm of philanthropy. In the U.S., its chief endeavor is to raise funds for
breast-cancer research.
Deibert joined the ranks of the North American Chapter of this organization
(officially known as the Commandery of St. Peter Nolasco), whose members
come from as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida to participate in
charitable works.
When Deibert was installed as a Knight of Merit in the Order, he made a
quick decision that he must pro-actively promote the cause of breast-cancer
awareness, and the best way he could do that was through music. As an
accomplished organist and harpsichordist, he has performed concerts throughout New
England and the Greater New York City region, primarily at churches and
universities. So he developed a plan to perform six organ concerts in February at
six different New Jersey churches, the last in his home parish of St. Mary’s
on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 4 p.m. When asked his motivation for doing six
fairly-complex concerts, Deibert replied, “Our faith calls-upon us to give our
time, talent and treasure to corporal works of mercy. I have time and, I
believe, some talent. Using both of these, I hope to be able to generate
significant treasure via contributions, through the intercession of St. Agatha, to
continue the good works of the Order here in the U.S., and support further
breast-cancer research.
“The MOC is a fantastic charitable organization, and under its auspices, I
can do more to help raise awareness and funds for research.”
In an interesting confluence of events, the first of these concerts will
take-place on the Feast Day of St. Agatha, Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Peter the
Apostle Church, New Brunswick. The balance of the concert dates are Sunday,
Feb. 13, at St. James the Apostle Church, Springfield; Saturday, Feb. 19,
at St.Thomas the Apostle Church, Route 18 South, Old Bridge; Sunday, Feb.
20, at Calvary Episcopal Church, Summit, and Saturday, Feb. 26, at Our Lady of
Fatima Church, Piscataway.
Deibert’s ambitious program includes organ works by Bach, Mendelssohn,
Couperin, Widor and others. Donations in any amount are gratefully-accepted, but
there is a suggested donation of $20. All proceeds are to benefit
breast-cancer research.
After the St. Mary’s concert, there will be a FREE reception and a chance
to meet the performing artist.
For more information on any one or all of these concerts, call (732)
261-8979 or 721-0179.
SOUTH AMBOY — Modern-day Knights do exist, as we all know. In Britain, all
manner of celebrated individuals, from scientists to politicians and
rock-stars, are routinely dubbed Knights by Her Majesty the Queen.
What may not be as-readily-known is that throughout the world, including
here in America, Knights and Dames not only exist, but they also engage in
works of charity for a variety of noble causes.
One such individual is Christopher Deibert, MOC, also known as “Don” Chr
istopher Deibert, most-notably the Director of Music Ministry at St. Mary’s
Church, Augusta Street, where he serves as organist, conducts four liturgical
choirs, a handbell choir, and the St Mary Choral Society, and Executive
Director of the renowned “Music At St. Mary’s” concert series since 2001.
On Sept. 25, 2010, Deibert was installed as a Knight in the Military Order
of the Collar of St. Agatha of Paterno. This organization, based in Italy,
has as its main U.S. focus the raising of both awareness of and funds for
breast-cancer research.
Historically, St. Agatha was persecuted and martyred for her Christian
faith and for not succumbing to the sexual advances of the Roman prefect
Quintianus. After she repeatedly refused him, she was tortured, and her breasts
were removed. The story is that St. Peter appeared to St. Agatha and cured her,
allowing for the regrowth of her breasts. She is the Patron Saint of many,
but most-notably those suffering from breast cancer.
The Military Order of the Collar of St. Agatha of Paterno (MOC) is the
premier Royal Order of the Royal House of Aragon, and serves as its
international arm of philanthropy. In the U.S., its chief endeavor is to raise funds for
breast-cancer research.
Deibert joined the ranks of the North American Chapter of this organization
(officially known as the Commandery of St. Peter Nolasco), whose members
come from as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida to participate in
charitable works.
When Deibert was installed as a Knight of Merit in the Order, he made a
quick decision that he must pro-actively promote the cause of breast-cancer
awareness, and the best way he could do that was through music. As an
accomplished organist and harpsichordist, he has performed concerts throughout New
England and the Greater New York City region, primarily at churches and
universities. So he developed a plan to perform six organ concerts in February at
six different New Jersey churches, the last in his home parish of St. Mary’s
on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 4 p.m. When asked his motivation for doing six
fairly-complex concerts, Deibert replied, “Our faith calls-upon us to give our
time, talent and treasure to corporal works of mercy. I have time and, I
believe, some talent. Using both of these, I hope to be able to generate
significant treasure via contributions, through the intercession of St. Agatha, to
continue the good works of the Order here in the U.S., and support further
breast-cancer research.
“The MOC is a fantastic charitable organization, and under its auspices, I
can do more to help raise awareness and funds for research.”
In an interesting confluence of events, the first of these concerts will
take-place on the Feast Day of St. Agatha, Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Peter the
Apostle Church, New Brunswick. The balance of the concert dates are Sunday,
Feb. 13, at St. James the Apostle Church, Springfield; Saturday, Feb. 19,
at St.Thomas the Apostle Church, Route 18 South, Old Bridge; Sunday, Feb.
20, at Calvary Episcopal Church, Summit, and Saturday, Feb. 26, at Our Lady of
Fatima Church, Piscataway.
Deibert’s ambitious program includes organ works by Bach, Mendelssohn,
Couperin, Widor and others. Donations in any amount are gratefully-accepted, but
there is a suggested donation of $20. All proceeds are to benefit
breast-cancer research.
After the St. Mary’s concert, there will be a FREE reception and a chance
to meet the performing artist.
For more information on any one or all of these concerts, call (732)
261-8979 or 721-0179.
Public Hearing:
Liberty Pipeline
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
EDISON — The only opportunity for local residents to provide any input to
the federal agencies that can grant permits for the Liberty Natural Gas
Pipeline will be on Thursday, Feb. 10, starting with Informational Displays from
5 to 6 p.m. and a Public Forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the N.J. Convention &
Exposition Center, Sunfield Avenue, Raritan Center.
Regardless of anyone’s stand, this is the only time the local community w
ill have a chance to publicly-comment on the project, which calls for a
natural gas pipeline to be installed, starting offshore from Asbury Park, around
Sandy Hook, up onto land at Perth Amboy, and then along the NJ Transit
Coastal Rail Line through Woodbridge Township and Rahway to Linden.
A bus will be provided by Meg Gardner of Clean Ocean Action to transport
Perth Amboy residents to and from the hearing. Anyone who needs a ride should
call (732) 872-0111.
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
EDISON — The only opportunity for local residents to provide any input to
the federal agencies that can grant permits for the Liberty Natural Gas
Pipeline will be on Thursday, Feb. 10, starting with Informational Displays from
5 to 6 p.m. and a Public Forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the N.J. Convention &
Exposition Center, Sunfield Avenue, Raritan Center.
Regardless of anyone’s stand, this is the only time the local community w
ill have a chance to publicly-comment on the project, which calls for a
natural gas pipeline to be installed, starting offshore from Asbury Park, around
Sandy Hook, up onto land at Perth Amboy, and then along the NJ Transit
Coastal Rail Line through Woodbridge Township and Rahway to Linden.
A bus will be provided by Meg Gardner of Clean Ocean Action to transport
Perth Amboy residents to and from the hearing. Anyone who needs a ride should
call (732) 872-0111.
Ex-Vas Aide Sentenced
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
PERTH AMBOY — Former Board of Education member Raymond Geneske, a key
political advisor to convicted former Mayor Joseph Vas, was sentenced last week
by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Wigenton, sitting in Newark, to two years
probation and a $10,000 fine in accordance with a guilty pleas he had
entered last year before the Judge.
Geneske, 75, agreed last year to cooperate with federal and state
investigators by testifying truthfully against Vas, 54, and longtime Mayor’s Aide
Melvin Ramos, 53, in federal and state corruption trials of both men.
Geneske also was sentenced to three years probation and fined $5,000 by
Superior Court Judge Frederick DeVesa, sitting in New Brunswick, after pleading
guilty in June 2009 to a charge of Money-Laundering in connection with the
former Mayor’s 2006 campaign for the Democratic Congressional nomination in
the 13th Congressional District against former Assembly Speaker Albio Sires.
Under oath, Geneske told DeVesa at that time that he solicited $30,000 from
city developer Eddie Trujillo in exchange for a promise from Vas to provide
$3.5 million in Regional Contribution Agreement (RCA) low-income housing
funds.
City employees were used as “conduit-contributors” or “straw-donors” to
hide the source of the $30,000, which exceeded the legal $2,000 federal
campaign contribution limit.
The former Perth Amboy Democratic Chairman and Board of Education member
also pleaded guilty to a parallel federal charge before Wigenton. The
probationary terms will run concurrently.
Wigenton remarked that the use of “straw-donors” is “business-as-usual”
in New Jersey political campaigns.
Geneske testified against Vas and Ramos in their federal trial last
October, but there was no state trial after Vas and Ramos accepted a plea-bargain
and received state sentences concurrent with their federal prison terms.
Federal sentencing for Vas and Ramos is scheduled for Feb. 22 and 23,
respectively.
Neither Trujillo nor the “straw-donors” have been charged by either state
or federal agencies.
PERTH AMBOY — Former Board of Education member Raymond Geneske, a key
political advisor to convicted former Mayor Joseph Vas, was sentenced last week
by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Wigenton, sitting in Newark, to two years
probation and a $10,000 fine in accordance with a guilty pleas he had
entered last year before the Judge.
Geneske, 75, agreed last year to cooperate with federal and state
investigators by testifying truthfully against Vas, 54, and longtime Mayor’s Aide
Melvin Ramos, 53, in federal and state corruption trials of both men.
Geneske also was sentenced to three years probation and fined $5,000 by
Superior Court Judge Frederick DeVesa, sitting in New Brunswick, after pleading
guilty in June 2009 to a charge of Money-Laundering in connection with the
former Mayor’s 2006 campaign for the Democratic Congressional nomination in
the 13th Congressional District against former Assembly Speaker Albio Sires.
Under oath, Geneske told DeVesa at that time that he solicited $30,000 from
city developer Eddie Trujillo in exchange for a promise from Vas to provide
$3.5 million in Regional Contribution Agreement (RCA) low-income housing
funds.
City employees were used as “conduit-contributors” or “straw-donors” to
hide the source of the $30,000, which exceeded the legal $2,000 federal
campaign contribution limit.
The former Perth Amboy Democratic Chairman and Board of Education member
also pleaded guilty to a parallel federal charge before Wigenton. The
probationary terms will run concurrently.
Wigenton remarked that the use of “straw-donors” is “business-as-usual”
in New Jersey political campaigns.
Geneske testified against Vas and Ramos in their federal trial last
October, but there was no state trial after Vas and Ramos accepted a plea-bargain
and received state sentences concurrent with their federal prison terms.
Federal sentencing for Vas and Ramos is scheduled for Feb. 22 and 23,
respectively.
Neither Trujillo nor the “straw-donors” have been charged by either state
or federal agencies.
Site-Plan Changed
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
PERTH AMBOY — The City Council voted unanimously last week to
administratively-concur with changes made by Middlesex Management LLC in their site-plan
for Phase 3A of Harbortown Terrace to shift six buildings with 91 residenti
al units forward to permit public-safety vehicles to go behind them.
The Resolution was moved by Councilman William Petrick, seconded by
Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez and adopted 5-0.
Harbortown Terrace was the scene of a Dec. 19 fire that destroyed a 32-unit
building and displaced over 100 residents.
“This was the subject of a meeting with Middlesex Management last week,”
Business Administrator Gregory Fehrenbach told Council members during the
Caucus session two days earlier. “The Fire Chief (David Volk) asked them to
give some consideration to changes in their plan for the buildings between High
Street and the railroad tracks.
“In looking-at the plan, the Chief noticed little access to the rear
portion of the buildings and suggested that they shift the rear section forward to
create a fire-lane to give firetrucks an opportunity to get-behind it,”
Fehrenbach said. “That change would also provide police with better access to
the property.”
He noted that by the Council’s adoption of a concurring Resolution, the
change could be implemented with “no need for additional variances.”
Fehrenbach pointed out that “work is already done by the original plan,”
so “the developer would have to demolish what’s there to reconfigure it.”
“I predict that once this is built, a lot of kids will jump-over the
(retaining) wall,” Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said at that time. “You’re
encouraging the kids to take that shortcut.”
Fehrenbach emphasized that the agreement was “not something being-done
behind-closed-doors,” and that the four-foot-high wall was in the original plan.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the negotiation,” Petrick, a
former Volunteer Fire Chief, said.
“It was a good initiative on all their parts,” Fehrenbach said.
“That area is pretty-much covered by (railroad) tracks,” Councilman Joel
Pabon Jr. said.
An item of “Correspondence” dated Jan. 13 on the Council’s meeting-agenda
last week indicated that the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has
concluded that “the building design would have met the 1993 BOCA National
Building Code.”
PERTH AMBOY — The City Council voted unanimously last week to
administratively-concur with changes made by Middlesex Management LLC in their site-plan
for Phase 3A of Harbortown Terrace to shift six buildings with 91 residenti
al units forward to permit public-safety vehicles to go behind them.
The Resolution was moved by Councilman William Petrick, seconded by
Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez and adopted 5-0.
Harbortown Terrace was the scene of a Dec. 19 fire that destroyed a 32-unit
building and displaced over 100 residents.
“This was the subject of a meeting with Middlesex Management last week,”
Business Administrator Gregory Fehrenbach told Council members during the
Caucus session two days earlier. “The Fire Chief (David Volk) asked them to
give some consideration to changes in their plan for the buildings between High
Street and the railroad tracks.
“In looking-at the plan, the Chief noticed little access to the rear
portion of the buildings and suggested that they shift the rear section forward to
create a fire-lane to give firetrucks an opportunity to get-behind it,”
Fehrenbach said. “That change would also provide police with better access to
the property.”
He noted that by the Council’s adoption of a concurring Resolution, the
change could be implemented with “no need for additional variances.”
Fehrenbach pointed out that “work is already done by the original plan,”
so “the developer would have to demolish what’s there to reconfigure it.”
“I predict that once this is built, a lot of kids will jump-over the
(retaining) wall,” Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said at that time. “You’re
encouraging the kids to take that shortcut.”
Fehrenbach emphasized that the agreement was “not something being-done
behind-closed-doors,” and that the four-foot-high wall was in the original plan.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the negotiation,” Petrick, a
former Volunteer Fire Chief, said.
“It was a good initiative on all their parts,” Fehrenbach said.
“That area is pretty-much covered by (railroad) tracks,” Councilman Joel
Pabon Jr. said.
An item of “Correspondence” dated Jan. 13 on the Council’s meeting-agenda
last week indicated that the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has
concluded that “the building design would have met the 1993 BOCA National
Building Code.”
Matey Charges Council ‘Conflict’
(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Feb. 2, 2011)
PERTH AMBOY — Local businesswoman Wilma Matey, who was on-vacation recently
when no member of the City Council voted in-favor of awarding a three-year,
$293,356 contract last week for animal-control services offered by Happy
Home Shelter Inc., which she serves as Acting Director, last week accused two
of the Councilmen who voted against it of a conflict-of-interest.
Under advice of City Law Director Mark Blunda, Councilmen William Petrick
and Kenneth Gonzalez — who moved and seconded the measure for discussion
purposes — abstained from voting on it to avoid “the appearance of a potential
conflict-of-interest.”
The Council’s three other members — Councilmen Fernando Gonzalez and Joel
Pabon and Council President Kenneth Balut — all voted “no.”
The “appearance of a potential conflict-of-interest” arose because of a
backyard barbecue held at Matey’s Water Street home.
Matey had contended that the event was a Cinco de Mayo celebration, but
resident Alan Silber countered that the party was identified as a “campaign
rally” on the website of Moving Forward Together, a campaign ticket in the May
2010 election consisting of Council candidates Petrick, Kenneth Gonzalez and
Maria Garcia.
The city’s strict “pay-to-play” regulations are now applicable to Petrick
and Gonzalez as Council members.
Last week, Matey contended that Balut and Fernando Gonzalez “have a
conflict-of-interest” and should abstain from voting on a multiplicity of issues,
including matters dealing with the Police Department, taxi-drivers and
liquor-licenses because of campaign-contributions they had received in the May
2008 election.
“You guys had pig-roasts and everything-else,” she said. “It’s not fair
that I be singled-out.”
“I don’t see any conflict whatsoever,” Blunda said.
Neither Fernando Gonzalez nor Balut went-into-detail about why they cast
negative votes, but Pabon said he voted to reject the proposal because of
“unanswered questions.”
The Happy Home proposal was submitted by Matey almost a year ago after the
Council rejected an earlier proposal by Woodbridge Township to take-over the
city’s animal-control services, as it had done for Carteret and South Amboy.
PERTH AMBOY — Local businesswoman Wilma Matey, who was on-vacation recently
when no member of the City Council voted in-favor of awarding a three-year,
$293,356 contract last week for animal-control services offered by Happy
Home Shelter Inc., which she serves as Acting Director, last week accused two
of the Councilmen who voted against it of a conflict-of-interest.
Under advice of City Law Director Mark Blunda, Councilmen William Petrick
and Kenneth Gonzalez — who moved and seconded the measure for discussion
purposes — abstained from voting on it to avoid “the appearance of a potential
conflict-of-interest.”
The Council’s three other members — Councilmen Fernando Gonzalez and Joel
Pabon and Council President Kenneth Balut — all voted “no.”
The “appearance of a potential conflict-of-interest” arose because of a
backyard barbecue held at Matey’s Water Street home.
Matey had contended that the event was a Cinco de Mayo celebration, but
resident Alan Silber countered that the party was identified as a “campaign
rally” on the website of Moving Forward Together, a campaign ticket in the May
2010 election consisting of Council candidates Petrick, Kenneth Gonzalez and
Maria Garcia.
The city’s strict “pay-to-play” regulations are now applicable to Petrick
and Gonzalez as Council members.
Last week, Matey contended that Balut and Fernando Gonzalez “have a
conflict-of-interest” and should abstain from voting on a multiplicity of issues,
including matters dealing with the Police Department, taxi-drivers and
liquor-licenses because of campaign-contributions they had received in the May
2008 election.
“You guys had pig-roasts and everything-else,” she said. “It’s not fair
that I be singled-out.”
“I don’t see any conflict whatsoever,” Blunda said.
Neither Fernando Gonzalez nor Balut went-into-detail about why they cast
negative votes, but Pabon said he voted to reject the proposal because of
“unanswered questions.”
The Happy Home proposal was submitted by Matey almost a year ago after the
Council rejected an earlier proposal by Woodbridge Township to take-over the
city’s animal-control services, as it had done for Carteret and South Amboy.
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