Easter & Passover THE Blessings SOUTH AMBOY ++++ SAYREVILLE Date: March 31, 2006 PRICELESS Vol. 15 Issue 6 Pre-Parade Party St. Patrick’s Parade-A Huge Hit Developer Picked By Tom Burkard By Tom Burkard On Friday evening, March 10, a festive For NL Site The weather was Also assisting pre-parade party was held at the AOH Hall. LNR Northeast Investment of Quincy, perfect, with lots of sun McCabe in leading the Pete Kenny was the MC of the event, as Irish Massachusetts, was selected by the and blue skies, as it felt parade were Deputy dancers, and bagpipers put everyone in the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment like Florida in early Grand Marshal Claire mood for the upcoming parade. Members of Agency for its proposal on the former Na- March for the Annual Noble, her cousin, the AOH were perfect hosts, and the food tional Lead site. The company’s $1.5 billion South Amboy St. Honorary Grand Mar- was excellent as spirits were high with ev- plan for the 400 plus acre area could bring in Patrick’s Parade. The shal Jack McKeon- eryone wearing some green on this special $25.2 million a year in property taxes and big event, held on world renowned MLB night, as a tune up for the parade. other revenues for Sayreville. March 11, was by far manager who led the Honorary Grand Marshal, Jack Some of the key features of LNR’s the largest in the town’s Florida Marlins to the McKeon, a South Amboy native, who man- plans include a minor league baseball sta- history, and ran one 2003 World Series aged the 2003 World Championship Florida dium with a seating capacity of 5,500, 2,000 hour and fifteen min- Championship, by up- Marlins, and is believed to be the only man- units of housing, two marinas with a com- utes from the time setting the revered NY ager in baseball history to have won 1,000 bined 500 slips, two hotels, a canal and Grand Marshal Leo Yankees, and also games in both the minor and major leagues, basin, a promenade, an office center and McCabe and his wife won National League signed autographs for fans and party-goers retail space. kicked it off at 2 p.m. “Manager of the Year” along with New York Yankee legend, South The developer will take responsibility sharp on South Pine honors. Anna Mae Amboy’s own Allie Clark, who was Grand for the cleanup of the brownfields. Avenue, until the last O’Connor, “Irish Per- Marshal in ’82. Allie was the first player participants passed. son of the Year,” was from South Amboy to make the major The record-setting South Amboy St. Patrick’s Parade Grand also one of the leaders leagues, and happened to be McKeon’s hero Campbell Dies At 81 event featured 22 Marshal, Leo McCabe and his wife, Judy of the parade. when he was a youngster. By Tom Burkard marching bands, 12 lead the largest parade in local history. Local businesses (Photo by Brian Stratton) James W. “Jim” floats, countless march- reported heavy cus- Campbell, 81, past 5 To Run For ing groups from all over, including some tomer traffic throughout the day. The crowd commander of Benyei- from out-of-state, as well as plenty of first was estimated to be at least 50,000, keeping Sayreville Board Connors Post, Disabled aid, fire and rescue vehicles. There was also South Amboy’s parade at #2 in the state American Veterans, Five candidates will run for (3) three more candy and treats than ever before thrown behind the Belmar event. Congratulations to South Amboy, died on year seats in the Sayreville Board of Educa- by those in the parade to spectators. all who put this parade together, and those tion election on April 18. The candidates are who marched in it! Feb. 24. Campbell also incumbent Kevin E. Ciak, Ronald Van Tine, was a member of the Jill Trapp, Leonard W. Zaleski, and Heather O’Leary Praises South Amboy Luke A. Lovely Ameri- Mendoza (maiden name Sullivan). Vying can Legion Post 62, for the (1) one year seat are Donna Aronsen “A City of Volunteers” South Amboy; South Amboy VFW, served as a manager and coach in the South Amboy and Thomas W. Biesiada. By Tom Burkard Little Fellas League for Progressive Fire South Amboy has seen countless posi- our residents generously give their time Company’s team, a former member of South Sayreville Gets 5 tive changes under Mayor John T. O’Leary, both to the City and various organizations. Amboy Shade Tree Commission and served New Police Officers who has been leading the City for 19 years. The City Planning and Zoning Boards are on the Juvenile Conference Committee, as The following article is from an exclusive staffed with volunteers, as is the Redevelop- well as the South Amboy Recreation Com- The Borough of Sayreville recently interview with Mayor ment Agency. Residents mittee. swore in five new police officers. The O’Leary, as he reflects on volunteer for the Library A Navy veteran of World War II, he addition of Louis Becker, Jeremy Berry, South Amboy, ranging from Board, South Amboy Main served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Keith Grausam, David Wilkins and Michael its rich history to the many Street Board, the South Astoria and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Popowski will increase the department’s spectacular changes it is un- Amboy Business Associa- He received several citations including the total to 89 by June. Popowski, is the only dergoing today. His fine ac- tion, the Juvenile Conference Purple Heart. Sayreville resident, and is the son of Terry complishments are many, but Committee Just to name He is survived by 3 sons, Edward and Popowski, who retired as a sergeant after he does not take all the credit a few. Actually, when you his wife Pam of South Amboy, Dr. James W. serving the Borough for over 30 years. for them, and is quick to think of the Charitable Or- Jr. and his wife Debra of Freehold Twp., and Joe Kelly, an officer for more than 30 praise those in the commu- ganizations in the City, and Commander William Campbell, USN and years, and James Novak Jr., who has been on nity that have helped along all their volunteers, you will his wife Mary of Fairfax, VA. He is also the force for 25 years have both retired. the way. see why I refer to South survived by six grandchildren. Congratulations and best of luck to all TB Mayor, I’ve heard Amboy as the “City of Vol- I will remember Jim as one of the most of the police officers! unteers”. As far as the City you attribute much of the suc- Mayor John T. O’Leary patriotic, All-American men I’ve ever cess of South Amboy to it’s is concerned, we would known. He was also a fellow manager of Senior people, Would you mind elaborating a little never have come so far with our projects if mine in the South Amboy Little Fellas Man- on that? it weren’t for the time donated by people agers Association during the early 1970’s, Redevelopment JTO Not at all Tom. As I have said like George Forrer, Jim Riehl, Judy Lecki and was truly dedicated to the youth. He will many times, the most valuable resource our and their respective boards. These volun- certainly be missed, but never forgotten. Planned City has is its people. Here in South Amboy more of this story to page 26 The non-profit South Amboy Renais- sance Corp., group announced plans for an affordable housing senior development on NEXT ISSUE Gordon Street. Leo McCabe, chairman of TH the corporation noted that the new develop- APRIL 29 ment will allow seniors the opportunity to be within walking distance of downtown South Amboy, which includes the post office, and • MOTHER’S DAY also the beautiful Waterfront Park. The Robert L. Noble Manor, named for • BASEBALL the late and beloved former city council- man, Robert Noble, who was executive di- • SOFTBALL rector of the South Amboy Housing Author- ity, and a firefighter, will be built next to McCarthy Towers in what is called Bayview ALL DEADLINES Park, a new neighborhood that will offer community facilities. The City Council TH gave the unused piece of land to Renais- APR. 17 sance for $1. The $7 million dollar project will be funded by county and state sources, as well For Ads Call as from a program that provides money through the sale of tax credits. ”Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” Jon Bon Jovi (r), mega-superstar of rock music and 732-727-0398 movies returned to his alma mater, Sayreville War Memorial High School for a visit with Noble Manor will have 40 or more students recently. Principal James Brown (l) presented him a Sayreville football jersey with or units, with monthly rents ranging from $350- number 80 on it, which was the year Jon graduated. A segment of the visit was filmed by $540. ABC-TV’s 20/20 with Ju Ju Chang, and it will be aired on March 31 at 10 p.m. 732-727-1906 2 March 31, 2006 South Amboy-Sayreville Times Talk Of The Towns By Tom Burkard Two Honest Men Charlie Koerner and Leo Ziola of South education-Director of Environmental Sci- Amboy were good Samaritans recently, as ence at Oak Ridge, TN (1974-90); scholar in they found and returned Robert Senape’s residence; independent consultant.