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* WWW.AMBOYGUARDIAN.COM *THEyekl*erpapsNewPink RibbonGalaCOMUP TO 10October 12, 2016 * The Amboy Guardian .1October 15, 2016PLIMCOPIES/ ENTA1 EARYAmboy Guardiane*WCH ADDITIONAL VOL. 6 NO. 28 732-896-4446 P.O. BOX 127 PERTH AMBOY NJ 08862 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016 PARA Meeting ParallelsCouncil Meetings10/4/16(L to R) Mayor & PARA Chair Wilda Diaz, PARA Acting ChairAlan Jacobs (Mayor Diaz was late so Jacobs was appointed Acting Chair for the 10/4/16 Meeting), PARA Member and CouncilmanJoel Pabon *Photo by Carolyn MaxwellPERTH AMBOY - The connector road that the City Council has been discussing tobridge Amboy Avenue andConvery Boulevard was one ofthe discussions that took place.During the PARA ExecutiveDirector’s Report, Councilmanand PARA Member Joel Pabonquestioned whether the contract with the County had expired in 2014 regarding the portion of Rte. 35. PARA AttorneyJoseph Maraziti LLP said,“This is not a PARA project;it’s under the City.”Mayor Diaz, who arrived atthe meeting late said that thediscussion about the connectorroad started with Helga VanEckert (Former Executive Director of PARA) and FormerB.A.’s Greg Fehrenbach andJillian Barrack. “We have beengoing back and forth with theBoard of Education along withthe County about getting apiece of property that the Boardof Education owns to completethe project. I sat with the Boardof Education’s Business Administrator about the propertythat they own and we need.”Annie Hindenlang spoke next.She stated, “PARA was first involved in the project because itwas part of a property that wasowned by a business (MorrisCompanies).”Later in the Meeting a question was asked if Hindenlang isstill employed by the City. (Executive Director Office of Economic and Community DevelopmentPerthAmboyRedevelopment Agency) It wasreported that she resigned fromher position from PARA andthe City in early September.She was rehired by the City onSeptember 6, 2016 and is currently a consultant with a private company. PARA is payingher 1 until the end of the year.She is acting as a consultant tothe City. Diaz said, “Money hasbeen set aside to acquire theproperty needed for the connector road. (Between AmboyAvenue and Rte. 440).”Councilman Joel Pabonagreed and said, “We definitelyneed this road.”During the PARA Meeting,Resolution R:10:16:22 wasadded. This was in regards tothe Riverwalk Victory CenterLLC Project.There was an earlier resolution voted on this matter whichat a previous PARA Meeting.Riverwalk Victory Center isone of Developer Eddie Trujillo’s projects.The added Resolution was puton the Agenda because PARAMember Joel Pabon, who isrunning for the office of Mayorvoted on this project. It was discovered that he may have had aconflict of interest in doing sobecause his ticket for Mayorand Council is currently rentinga temporary space from Trujillo. Pabon had to recuse himselffrom discussions.At one of the Perth AmboyCouncil Meetings, PARA*Continued on Page 3Tooker Shares Good News10/5/16 Business MeetingSOUTH AMBOY - B.A. Camille Tooker was happy to report that the City passed therequirements on listed on theBest Practices Evaluation.“The Department of Community Affairs sends out a worksheet that we fill out to seehow well we run the City. If aCity does not score highenough, then State Aid can bereduced by 10%. We, the Cityof South Amboy scored highenough not to lose any aid. Wehad to prepare documents tocomply to some of the questions asked on the Best Practices Form.”Tooker gave one example:“We created SARA (SouthAmboy Redevelopment Agency). We had to make sure thatthe SARA Board operates theway it should. We also had tosupply an annual report ofwhat projects SARA has beeninvolved in.”South Amboy Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Angel Albanese said, “Sometimes theState Best Practice forms thatare sent out may have a reduction of questions asked beforeor different questions may beasked.”Ordinance No.15-2016 - Tosupplement Chapter 5, ArticleVIII, Section 5-71E of theCode of the South AmboyCode entitled Office of the TaxAssessor.B. A. Tooker said, “Theyneed to get this into the CodeBook. This is tax access for theCFO regarding Tax Appeals.This is required by Best Practices.”Council President MickeyGross congratulated Tookerand Albanese on the excellentjob that they do.Resolution R-156-2016 - Authorizing the Submission of agrant application to the Department of Community Affairs for Sandy Non-FederalCost Share Program.Tooker said, “It’s importantthat we apply for this. The CitySubmitted costs associatedwith damage done by Superstorm Sandy. FEMA paid for90% of the submitted cost andwe had to pay 10% of the costshared. Now we can apply forthis grant to get our 10% costback.”At the end of the MeetingCouncil President MickeyGross went around the table tosee if anyone had any com*Continued on Page 7South Amboy Tackles Parking Problems& Puppy Mills10/5/16 Business MeetingSOUTH AMBOY - BusinessAdministrator Camille Tookermentioned complaints aboutthe parking problems onO’Leary Boulevard duringspecial events. She stated,“The Police Chief, the head ofthe Traffic Safety Department,the City Engineer and the Zoning Officer decided that putting no parking signs would bethe best solution. The signs areon the corners of the street directing motorists that there isno parking up to a certain pointfrom that corner.”Councilman Donald Applegate said, “The arrows on thesigns are unclear.”Mayor Henry added to Applegate’s comments, “Thesigns should have written onthem: “No parking from hereto corner.””Councilman Reilly said,“Motorists should utilize theparking at the school and library when special events aretaking place in that area.”Mayor Henry said, “Besideswarnings, maybe cars shouldbe towed.”Attorney John Lanza, Jr. whowas sitting in for his father,John Lanza, Sr. discussed amemo regarding a resolutionpertaining to restrictions onthe sale of animals. This had todo with restricting animalshops from selling puppy millanimals. Lanza told the Council, “You can have Police issuesummons. “There are exceptions for hobby breeders.Some things fall through thecracks.”He suggested that maybe theCouncil could tweek their ordinance.B.A. Tooker said, “Therewas a resident who wanted aresolution to restrict the sale ofanimal shops from selling animals from puppy mills.” Shecontinued, “This residentwanted shops to only sell animals from shelters. We passeda resolution which was stricterthan what the State has.”John Lanza told the Council,“This should be done throughthe legislators and not locally,but the Council can send out aletter of support.”Councilman Applegate said,“This should be done underthe ASPCA.”Council President MickeyGross responded to Applegateand said, “You are 100% correct.”Council Vice-PresidentChristine Noble said, “Weshould use the State laws.”Gross agreed and said,“Those laws have been onbooks for years and let theASPCA take care of abusecases.”John Lanza concluded thediscussion, “I’m letting theCouncil know if you don’tthink the State laws are strongenough regarding animalshops selling dogs from puppymills, then send something tothem.”Perth Amboy City Council Meeting, Business 10/12/16 - 7 p.m.
2. The Amboy Guardian * October 12, 2016If It’s Local - It’s Here!CalendarDinner DancePERTH AMBOY – The St.Ann’s Society of UkrainianAssumption Church will sponsor its annual Calendar DinnerDance on Sat., Oct. 22, 2016inAssumptionCatholicSchool Auditorium, Meredith& Jacques Sts. Enjoy a nightof dining and dancing; appetizers and a lavish buffet byPalms Plaza and DJ music byTouch of Class. Doors open at6 p.m., appetizers at 6:30 p.m.followed by a buffet dinner. Asalways, BYOB. Tickets are 40pp and can be purchasedby calling the church office at732-826-0767. Get your tickets soon!“DominicanNight” Dinnerat TrinityEAST BRUNSWICK - TrinityPresbyterian Church, 367Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, welcomes all in the community to attend a “DominicanNight Dinner” on Saturday,October 22 from 5-7 PM.Delicious home-cooked menuto include arroz con gandules,black beans, rice, pernil, tostones, picadillo, salad, flan andmore! Tickets are 12 foradults, 10 for seniors, and 6for children ages 4-12. Ticketsmay be purchased at the door.Takeout willalso be available.Proceeds benefit Trinity’s annual medical mission trip to theDominican Republic.Formore information, please callMarcy at 732-257-1594.AssumptionCatholic SchoolMeredith and Jacques StreetsPerth AmboyAdvanceED AccreditedNOW REGISTERINGPRE-K (4 YR OLD) KINDERGARTEN, GRADES 1 - 8NOW REGISTERING FOR 2016 - PTIONCATHOLICSCHOOL.NETOctober Events For AllTeen Read Week, Creepy Halloween Party, and ToddlerPlaydatesPress Release 10/4/16SOUTH AMBOY – Visit theDowdell Library of South Amboy this October and take part inTeen Read Week, Creepy Halloween Party and Toddler Playdates.Get creative this year with our“Book Face” contest in celebration of Teen Read Week October11-15. Stop in the Dowdell Library and search for a book witha face on the cover and take aselfie using the book face insteadof your own. The most creativephoto will win a prize. If youneed ideas, please ask a staffmember, we will be happy tohelp you select a book cover. Allphotos can be emailed to comments@dowdell.org Deadlinewill be on Saturday, October 15at 4 pm.Prepare to be creeped out at ourCreepy Halloween Party Monday, October 24, 3:30-5:30 pm.Children of ages can participatein our costume contest, and trytheir luck at the touch stationwhere they will have to figureout what creepy item is in eachbox! Prizes will be given out forthe best costume, and for theperson who guesses all threecreepy items! Refreshments willbe served!Looking for a place for you andyour child to socialize? Checkout our two offerings: Parent &Toddler Playdate Wednesdays at1:30 pm and Kindle Tales Mondays & Wednesdays at 4 pm.The Dowdell Library’s hoursare Monday, Tuesday, Thursdayfrom 10 am to 8 pm, Wednesdayand Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.mand Saturdays from 12-4 p.m.For more information on the Library, please visit www.dowdell.org, or contact the Library at732-721-6060 or comments@dowdell.org.
October 12, 2016 * The Amboy Guardian .3PARA Meeting Parallels Council Meetings*Continued From Page 1Member Lionel Giron read aletter that had been forwardedto PARA Members from PARAAttorney Joseph Maraziti regarding whether or not therewas a violation of the Pay-toPlay ordinance.Maraziti had to do research tosee if there was an in-kind contribution of the rental of thespace. “I questioned Mr. Trujillo on the F.M.V. (Fair MarketValue) of the space that Pabon’sticket is renting for this year’selection. Trujillo told me that itwas vacant and also the spacenext to it and the F.M.V. was 600- 850/Month. They arepaying 750/Month. There isno Pay-to-Play issue.”Maraziti also responded to anearlier question asked by Resident Alan Silber. Silber wantedto know why a PARA Memberread a letter that was sent fromthe PARA Attorney to thePARA Members at a CityCouncil Meeting. This letterpertained to a possible conflictof interest when Pabon votedon a PARA Agenda Item. Maraziti stated, “I am not in the position to tell the City Councilwhat to put on their Agenda.”At the 10/4/16 PARA Meeting, Maraziti read two letters:one dated September 22, 2016and one dated October 1, 2016related to Pay-to-Play issue.Councilman Fernando Gonzalez did not think it was appropriate that the Mayor madeimproper comments at thePARA Meeting. “It was a cheapshot that she took. A PARAMember came to a CouncilMeeting and read a letter as ifhe was speaking for the PARABoard.”Earlier at the Meeting, theMayor had stated that becauseof the possibility of conflict ofinterest, the Attorney had to doadditional research and a revote had to be taken. She indicated that the individual shouldhave been more forthcomingabout a rental space from a developer who has an upcomingredevelopment project.Alan Silber later spoke andsaid, “Trujillo gave a contribution to Diaz that indicated itwas for 2016 election. It’s improper to try to make a statement before they vote on it.”Maraziti was stunned at Silber’s statement and said, “Ihave been practicing municipallaw for 51 years and I havenever heard that mentioned.”Silber answered back andsaid, “It was purely a politicalmove to have a PARA Memberread a letter (from the PARAAttorney at a Council Meeting). Maraziti responded back,“I resent that you said that Iwas involved in something political.”Acting Chair Alan Jacobswanted to diffuse the situationby letting everyone know thatPARA has always been nonpolitical.Resident Jeremy Barattaasked, “Who authorized thegentleman from PARA to readthe letter at the Council Meeting? Was the letter read alreadypublic?”Annie Hindenlang answered,“Yes.”Resident Stanley Sierakowskicame up to speak about the saidletter. Sierakowski told Marazita, “Your name was invoked atthe Council Meeting. Did youcompose this letter? No one isquestioning your integrity?”Samantha Diaz came up tospeak and said, “The one PARACommissioner was not forthcoming with the other PARAMembers.”Developer Eddie Trujillocame up to speak next to clearup some of the statements thatwere made in reference to theproperty rented by Joel Pabonand his team. Trujillo beganwith, “I am friends with everyone here which includes theMayor and Pabon. Pabon cameto me about four months agoabout renting that space (OnMadison Avenue for his Campaign Headquarters). I hadrented that space for 500 toanother political group. I had tocharge Pabon more because itwas a corner unit. I didn’t thinkI was breaking the Pay-to-PlayLaw. I gave you (Maraziti)leasing information for temporary renters from two yearsago. I know it’s the politicalseason. I did not make a contribution to the Mayor in 2016.You can check the records.”Resident Reinaldo Avilescame up to speak, “PARAMember Giron should havestated when he was reading theletter at the Council Meeting if10/4/16he was doing it on his own orrepresenting PARA. I don’tthink he (Giron) invoked thePARA Attorney’s name orwhether Eddie Trujillo or JoelPabon did anything wrong. Inthe letter that the PARA Attorney sent to the PARA Board, itwas stated that there might be aconflict of interest when therewas a vote on a PARA Agendaitem. When did Joel Pabonknow he was in conflict? Before or after the Attorney toldhim?”Aviles continued, “When itcomes to Robert’s Rules, theyare not always applied if aBoard has another set of rulesthat they go by. There has to becontrol of the Meeting. If aPARA Member wants to givean explanation of an action hetook, he should be allowed toanswer.”After Aviles spoke, AttorneyMaraziti said, “Robert’s Rulesof Order are optional and notrequired by municipal law.”Maraziti then went on to read aLocal Government Ethics Law.He was delighted to let peopleknow that his father is the onethat wrote that law, a fact thathe didn’t know until he lookedit up. He went on to explain,“The relationship between JoelPabon and Eddie Trujillo wasjust a lease. It’s good that thisdiscussion was held. Everything should be open and fullydiscussed. I know of at least 12projects in the works that willbring jobs to the City. All thequestions asked today werevalid. My fees are paid by thedevelopers as are the PARAEngineer’s fees. My companybills PARA 100/hour whenI’m at the PARA Meeting. TheRiverwalk Escrow came fromEddie Trujillo and my fees areMarivel Ramirez 25 YearsCommitted Leader of the Y toReceive The First Jack CeruloLeader AwardPress Release 10/3/16PERTH AMBOY – On October 19, 2016 Marivel Ramireza 25 veteran of the Y will receive the FIRST Jack CeruloYMCA Leader Award beingawarded at the WoodbridgeMetro Chamber of CommerceChairman’s Awards Dinner atthe Renaissance Hotel Woodbridge.Jack Cerulo was a lifelongvolunteer who was committed,through his time and talents, toyouth development, healthyliving, and social responsibility. When Jack supported the Y,he fulfilled his passion to helplocal children and families.Jack understood the challengesfacing families in his hometown and the responsibilityThe Y played in their lives.Fortunately, where some sawobstacles, Jack saw opportuni-ties!Just like Jack, Marivel is apositive influence and makesevery effort to engage childrenand families in the communityof Perth Amboy. She espousesthe core values of the Y andtruly exemplifies our missionto help others learn, grow andthrive. As a Perth Amboy native, born and raised, Marivelhas spent a lifetime acquiringher experience around individuals who share the same passion and love for children.“Jack left indelible footprintsin so many of our lives. I knowthat Marivel continues to carryon his legacy of goodwill andlove for kids by her commitment and dedication,” saidSteve Jobin, President & CEO,RARITANBAYAREAYMCA.(L to R) PARA Member and Councilman Joel Pabon, PARA MemberJoel Rosa, City Engineer Thomas J. Herits, PARA Attorney JosephMaraziti*Photo by Carolyn Maxwellpaid from the Developer’s escrow account.”Lionel Giron finally was given the opportunity to speak,“My intention is that my integrity is not questioned. Therewas a possibility of a violation(Of the Pay-to-Play Law) between Eddie Trujillo and JoelPabon. We have a lot of antiquated systems (This statementwas in response to a residentstating that a lot of informationon the City’s Website is not upto date.) This is a volunteer position and no gain for me politically. I have loyalty only to mytwo daughters. In New Jersey,you have a right to address youraccusers.”Joel Pabon addressed whatwas said about having a conflictof interest, “The space that I amrenting from Trujillo, I’m paying for utilities plus rent and a 1 million insurance policy.When voting on PARA AgendaItems, there are four votes before it gets to me. I don’t thinkthe letter should have been sentout when a person was recused.”PARA Member Geri Bolanowski said, “We need to review our by-laws.”Mayor Diaz spoke after Bolanowski. She was glad that ev-eryone came out and thankedMr. Trujillo for clarifying someof the comments made. Shecontinued about how jobs andratables will offset taxes andhow every resident can benefit.She spoke about the e-portprojects and how one developerbailed out. She cited as a positive the upcoming AmeristeelProject. “I always vote with myconscience and heart. This is agood housing project (Riverwalk) for the City of Perth Amboy. Our Business Administrator Adam Cruz tried to get theletter (read by PARA MemberGiron about the conflict of interest) on the City CouncilAgenda, but the Council President said no. The Mayor thenaddressed Alan Silber and saidto him, “I think you have a rightto know why this letter wasn’tput on the Agenda.” Then theMayor addressed PARA Member Jerome and said, “You havenothing to be worried about.Because of this Board is whywe have a lot of projects goingon. Construction is going on inareas that have been blightedfor over 20 years.”After the Mayor spoke, PARAMember Joel Rosa politelyasked the audience, “If youhave any questions, please allow us to answer them.”Grand Opening of Together for Quality SchoolsHeadquarters, 297 Smith St., Perth Amboy 9/17/16*Photos by Carolyn Maxwell
4. The Amboy Guardian * October 12, 2016LOCAL PERSPECTIVEEDITORIALAmboy Guardian Perth AmboyMayoral Candidate Debate10/27/16In 2012, the Amboy Guardian held its first Mayoral Debate in Perth Amboy. At thattime there were six candidatesvying for that position. Ofthose six candidates, MayorDiaz was running for her second term.Fast-forward to 2016 andnow there are 4 candidates running for Mayor. Diaz is running for a third consecutiveterm. Sharon Hubberman whoran for Mayor in 2012 is running for Mayor once more.Councilman Joel Pabon whowas supported by Diaz in 2014when he ran for reelection as aCouncilman is also runningagainst her. Miguel Nunez whoran for Council in 2012 as anindependent is also vying forthe position of Mayor.In the 10/5/16 editorial of theAmboy Guardian we had anumber of questions posed tothe candidates. At that time because of so many activi
Joel Rosa, City Engineer Thomas J. Herits, PARA Attorney Joseph Maraziti *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell PARA Meeting Parallels Council Meetings 10/4/16 *Continued From Page 1 Member Lionel Giron read a letter that had been forwarded to PARA Members from PARA Attorney
