THE SOUTH AMBOY ★★★★ SAYREVILLE Date: January 19, 2013 PRICELESS Vol. 22 Issue 4 New Councilmen South Amboy’s Sworn In At Council Sworn In By Allyson Keegan, SA Times Intern Sayreville Mayor Fred Henry had the honor of On New Year’s Day, the Borough’s swearing in three new council members to newest councilmen, David McGill and Ricci South Amboy’s board on January 2nd, 2013. Melendez were sworn in by State Assembly- With an opening prayer by Father Dennis man John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). of Saint Mary’s, the ceremony had begun Councilman Daniel Buchanan was selected with the swearing in of Donald Applegate president of the Borough Council. as Councilman first ward, Christine Noble The addition of McGill and Melendez, as Councilwoman second ward, and Suzette who succeeded Frank Bella and Nick Per- Dato as Councilwoman third ward. (See rette, both Republicans, makes the council photos on page 23) all Democrat, and they will serve with Re- In addition to the swearing in, publican Mayor Kennedy O’Brien. Mayor Fred Henry recently awarded proc- lamations to those who helped keep the city Former Postmaster On Jan. 2nd, Mayor Fred Henry awarded proclamations to those who helped keep the in order during Hurricane Sandy. Darren Dies At 96 city in order during Hurricane Sandy. Pictured (l-r) at the City Hall ceremony are Mayor LaVigne, Police Chief of South Amboy; Gerald Buchanan, 96, who served as the Henry, Christine Walczak, Captain of the South Amboy First Aid Squad; Darren LaVigne, Jamie Norek, Fire Chief of South Amboy; Police Chief of South Amboy; Jamie Norek, Fire Chief of South Amboy; Rich Johnson, Christine Walczak, Captain of The South Parlin Postmaster from 1941-78, died on Dec. Office of Emergency Management. Jerry Magee, Acting Superintendent of Public Works th Amboy First Aid Squad; Rich Johnson, 30 . He was president of NJ State Chapter is missing from the photo. Mayor Henry said that “the city of South Amboy thanks you of NAPUS, president of Raritan Valley for your countless hours of help, hard work and dedication through the destruction of the Office of Emergency Mangement and Jerry Postmaster’s Association, past president of hurricane.” (Photo/story by Allyson Keegan, SA Times Intern) Mcgee, Superintendent of Public Works were Sayreville Lions Club, where he received the recognized for their countless hours of help. Lions International 100% Award, a member The city of South Amboy would like to thank of the Sayreville Tercentennial Committee, them all for their hard work and dedication 50-year member of Sayreville K of C Council through the destruction of the Hurricane. 2061, and active in many other organizations. Gerald was also an avid reader of The South 50th Anniversary Amboy-Sayreville Times. Basketball “Songs for Announcement On Tuesday February 5, 2013 at 6:45 Sayreville” A PM at South Amboy High School on “Se- Benefit on Tap nior Night”, Coach Jim Croddick’s 1963 “Songs for Sayreville”, a benefit for NJ State Group I Boys Varsity Basketball Sayreville residents whose lives and homes Championship “Coach’s” athletic jacket were devastated by super storm “Sandy” has will be donated to the high school. March been scheduled for Sunday, Feb.17, 2013 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary. The with a bad weather date of Sunday, Feb.24, Girls Varsity Basketball Game is at 5:30 2013 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will be held and the Boys Varsity Basketball Game is at Bello’s Family Restaurant, 1 Roosevelt at 7:30 PM. Blvd. in the Parlin section of Sayreville. The purpose of the donation is to exem- Live music with The Rockdaddys, FOG, plify “school spirit”, camaraderie, and deter- The Mike Lefton Express with acoustic sets mination to go beyond in excellence/achieve- South Amboy’s new Fire Chiefs are pictured at the swearing in ceremony on Jan. 1st at City from Danny Toye and Jerry Smith and VERY ment athletically and academically. Hall. In photo (l-r) Chief Brian Kuhn, First Assistant Chief Brett Coyle, and Second Assistant The James H. Croddick Gymnasium was SPECIAL APPEARANCE by Sayreville’s Chief Mike Geraltowski. (Photo/info by Allyson Keegan, SA Times Intern) first ever garage band, Roger Johnson and dedicated on September 3, 1996 along with the new middle/high school. Mr. Croddick the Hubcaps and hosting the event will be , Fire Chiefs Sworn In was a 1946 graduate of H.G. Hoffman High Nick DeBiase of Connie’s Lounge. This will By Allyson Keegan SA Times Intern School and received an athletic basketball be a “family event” with, musical items up South Amboy’s Fire Department rang fire department, a journey in which he carried scholarship to Seton Hall University and for bid and the bands will be taking bids to in the New Year with the swearing in of the on a family tradition. Norek mentioned he is play your favorite classic rock songs. ALL new chief and assistant chiefs on January 1st, a third generation firefighter, and expressed (Continued on page 8) PROCEEDS will go directly to the Sayreville 2013. After serving an incredible ten years as his love of firefighting over the past thirty Storm Relief Fund and a portion of all pro- chief, Jamie Norek was now passing along his years. “I enjoy being a member, and I have Comedy Night ceeds from Bello’s food and beverage sales duties of chief to Brian Kuhn, first assistant met great people through the department. It’s will also go towards the fund. Admission chief Brett Coyle and second assistant chief comforting, knowing that you have someone Jan. 26 Mechanicsville Hose Company No. 1 will be $10.00 per person and $5.00 admis- Mike Geraltowski. June will mark Jamie great watching your back when you go into will hold Comedy Night 2013 on Jan. 26th sion for all children, Police, Fire, and EMT Norek’s thirty years of involvement with the (Continued on page 19) at Sacred Heart Memorial Hall, located on Personnel. So come hungry and enjoy the Main St. & Washington Ave. Doors open great food and atmosphere at Bello’s and Bon Jovi Stars At Hope Concert By Tom Burkard at 7 p.m., and the cost is $40 per person. let’s not forget our friends and neighbors A buffet, beverages (beer, wine, soda), Former Sayreville resident and rock who have been affected by the damage from entertainment (2 comedians and a DJ) will superstar Jon Bon Jovi was the top attrac- Sandy… SEE YOU THERE… For more be included. For tickets and info call 908- tion at the 6th Annual Hope Concert on Dec. info call Clem at 732-824-2019 296-4254. Seating is limited. 23rd at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. The leader of the world-renowned Bon Jovi Bishop Hughes band joined the legendary Ben E. King, Passes Away and other Jersey Shore favorites, Southside NEXT ISSUE Bishop Edward T. Hughes, 92, who Johnny Lyon, Gary U.S. Bonds, Bobby rd served as the Chief Shepherd of a half-million Bandiera (who now tours worldwide with FEB. 23 Roman Catholics in the Diocese of Metuchen Bon Jovi), and many other talented singers from 1986-1997, died on Christmas morn- and musicians. Former South Amboy resi- th ing, December 25 . He was appointed to dent, Joe Bellia, was outstanding on drums • ST. PATRICK’S DAY the position on Dec. 16, 1986 by Pope John and percussion. PARADE Paul II. Bishop Hughes maintained an active Bon Jovi was the first of the “big name” and consistent presence across the diocese performers to appear, and was excellent as • ST. PATRICK’S DAY for the past 15 years. always, very relaxed while having a great He is perhaps most known for his cel- time singing 4 songs including, “Blue Christ- ebration of Confirmation over the course mas,” “Run Rudolph Run,” “The Letter,” and DEADLINES of many years throughout the Diocese. He th will certainly be remembered for his love of “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” King, Feb. 11 celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation who was the lead singer for The Drifters for children of the Diocese and their families. JB x 2.. South Amboy’s Joe Bellia (top) from 1959-60, and went on to a successful FOR ADS CALL provides the percussion, while Sayreville’s career as a solo act, performed “This Magic 732-727-0398 OR Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jon Bon Jovi (bottom) provides the vocals th Moment,” “Spanish Harlem,” and “Under Jan. 4 by His Eminence Theodore Cardinal at the recent Hope Concert VI held at Count 732-727-1906 McCarrick. Basie Theatre. (Photo by Brian Stratton) (Continued on page 19) 2 January 19, 2013 South Amboy-Sayreville Times Talk Of The Towns Pleasant Little By Tom Burkard Mayor Henry, Mayor Henry Trivia Well, almost everyone knows that By Tom Burkard South Amboy’s Mayor is Fred Henry, and 1. Where was Stanley Bottling Works located Owen Henry is the Mayor of Old Bridge. in South Amboy? a. North Broadway b. However, last month, in a photo with the two mayors, we inadvertently identified Main St. c. South Feltus St. Owen, as Mike, and our apologies go out 2. In ’83, where was New Jersey Steel Corp. to Mayor Owen Henry. By the way, wasn’t located in Sayreville? a. North Crossman Mike Henry the outstanding rhythm guitar player/vocalist in the greatest rock band in Road b. Jernee Mill Rd. c. River Rd. St. Mary’s HS history, “The Profit$, who 3. Hoffman High’s senior class president in performed at countless high school dances ’67? a.