THE Date: February 26, 2011 PRICELESS Vol. 20 Issue 5 Sedlak Was A South Amboy Friend To All Recieves $145K By Tom Burkard Mayor Fred A. Henry announced to- T h e day the City of South Amboy has received Borough of $145,127.79 from FEMA to reimburse the S a y r e v i l l e City for eligible expenses associated with lost one of its the March 2010 storm which necessitated most beloved the declaration of a Federal State of Emer- and promi- gency in NJ. nent residents “I would like to thank FEMA for this when Michael assistance which helps the City defray its “Mickey” Sed- costs with regard to this storm. I would lak, 86 died on also like to thank all the City Departments Jan. 21. M i c k e y who worked with the Administration and led a very-ex- FEMA to qualify this reimbursement and citing, high- file an application that brought this award to fruition.” profile life, The South Amboy St. Patrick’s marshals were recently honored with a dinner at the AOH (Photo courtesy of Janice O’Brien) The City was reimbursed for emergency starting back Hall. Pictured (l-r) Deputy Grand Marshal Jim Cleary, Honorary Grand Marshal Joseph in World War DeMarco, Grand Marshal Francis “Butch” Mulvey. (Photo by Brian Stratton) personnel expenses, as well as expenses II, when he was a highly-decorated member related to storm damage to City infrastruc- of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade ture. Additional expenses, such as shoreline Rick Sedlak proudly said that “Uncle Mickey stabilization efforts are pending and may be won 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars, and a and “Tip-A-Pint-Night” reimbursed on completion. presidential citation. He even rode on the St. Patrick’s Day is right around the off at 2:00 PM from the corner of Bordentown back of General Patton’s jeep. The general corner, so get your Irish on. The 2011 South and South Pine Avenues in South Amboy. offered him a ride as he was carrying ammo Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade “Tip-A-Pint The route will run from Bordentown Ave., 5 Bombers Win up a mountain in Europe.” Night” will be held on Thursday March 10th to Stevens Ave., turn at Main Street, and end just past at the reviewing stand on Broadway. District Titles Mickey loved participating in the Veter- at the Munck-ee Bar, 113 South Feltus Street, The Sayreville Bombers wrestling team South Amboy. The festivities begin at 7:00 It’s a long standing South Amboy tradition, ans Day Memorial Service at Borough Hall. finished third place with 143 points behind In fact, on Veterans Day 2008, the Borough PM and will run until 10:00 PM. Cost is attracting local residents, and people from team champion South Brunswick 189.5, had a special ceremony in his honor, with $20.00 per person at the door and includes throughout the state and surrounding area. and Old Bridge 176. However the Blue the unveiling of a new sign at the Mickey domestic draft beer, wine, soda, and finger Last year’s parade was canceled due to the Sedlak Center which included 2 Bronze Stars food. Entertainment will be provided by the nor’easter of 2010. This year brings hopes & Gray captured a tourney-high with five and 2 Purple Hearts. Col. DB Kelly Pipe and Drum Band. for blue skies and fair weather for its over individual champions. Congratulations to 30 marching bands, hundreds of marchers, On October 27, 2002, he was honored This year’s South Amboy St. Patrick’s Sayreville’s District Champions: (112 lbs.) and throngs of enthusiastic spectators. Just with the dedication of the Mickey Sed- day Parade will be held on Saturday March Gary Siriday, and (119) Anthony Geiger, who 12th, 2011. The city’s own Francis “Butch” in case, a rain date is set for March 26th. lak Recreation Center on Dolan Street in won their third District titles, and also (103) Mulvey and James Cleary will be serving as In addition, the “Official” South Am- Mike Bohling, (215) Christopher Raub, and Sayreville. Many local residents, family boy 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade” T-shirt Grand Marshal and Deputy Grand Marshal (Heavyweight) Tyler Carlock. and friends turned out to pay homage to the respectively, and Chairman of the Board of is now available and can be purchased by wonderful gentleman, who always put the Highgrade Beverage Companies, Joseph stopping in at the South Amboy Branch of community first as Sayreville’s Recreation DeMarco has been named the Honorary the YMCA. These beautiful, 2-color T-shirts Director. Mickey worked for over 50 years Grand Marshal. The 2011 parade is dedicated are only $10. Quantities are limited, so get with untiring, unselfish devotion to genera- to the memories of the late Richard “Dick” yours today! tions of children’s sports and recreation in Cronin and Virginia “Ginny” Tierney. Both For additional information about “Tip- the Borough of Sayreville. He was always active and beloved members of the South A-Pint Night”, the “Official” parade T-shirt, St. Patrick’s Parade involved and helping those in need with Amboy Irish community, their contribu- or the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade, fundraisers or in any way he could. He was tions were immeasurable and they will be please visit http://saparade.com/, or contact March 12th very closely involved with the Sayreville sorely missed. Betty Sturgis at 732-261-7350 or rbsturgis@ Brain Injured Children, and loved to dress As in previous years, the parade will step optonline.net starts at 2 pm up as Santa Claus and bring cheer to the youngsters. “They are my pride and joy, and my personal project was to take care of Bill George Dies the handicapped.” Allie Clark, a good friend of Mickey’s Suddenly said, “He was a wonderful guy, well-liked The South Amboy-Sayeville Times and very sports-minded. was saddened to hear about the passing Through the years I got to know Mickey of Amboy Beacon newspaper editor/pub- very well, and was honored to do the longest lisher Bill George, who died suddenly on one-on-one interview that he ever granted Feb. 17. George was seen at the swear- any media. He definitely loved the military/ ing-in ceremony during the City Council veterans, all sports, umpiring, and so much meeting on the evening of Feb. 16. SA more. At his home during the interview, Times Publisher, Tom Burkard and staff he showed me his trophy room, which was Mayor Fred Henry (l) and Councilmen (l-r) Joseph Connors, Donald Applegate, and send their heartfelt condolences out to over-filled with trophies, awards, citations, Michael “Mickey” Gross are all very happy and thrilled to be serving the City of South Bill’s family at this difficult time. honors and other important artifacts from Amboy following their swearing-in ceremony at a City Council meeting on Feb. 16. (Photo his superb life. by Tom Burkard) I certainly found out everything about Henry Optimistic In Address NEXT ISSUE his love for, and involvement in sports By Tom Burkard th over the course of his lifetime, and was Following the swearing in ceremony pending, but this city and its citizens deserve March 19 surprised to see that a couple of newspapers at the City Council meeting on February that we move forward, and that is exactly had mentioned that he was a major league 16, Mayor Fred Henry began his address what I will do. “ He went on to praise his ☞ EASTER baseball scout for the Cleveland Indians and by quoting Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “The team of dedicated workers including Police ☞ PASSOVER Pittsburgh Pirates. I knew this was incor- Crisis,” which started with the words “These Chief Darren LaVigne, Jerry McGee, head rect immediately, and went to other baseball are the times that try men’s souls.” General of Public Works and his fine crew for their ☞ SPRING SPECIAL people who knew Mickey better than I, and George Washington had the entire essay efforts during the brutal snow and ice storms, they verified that he was never a pro scout. ☞ read to the troops at Valley Forge during Business Administrator Camille Tooker, BASEBALL/ However, I’m sure if he had chosen to be- the American Revolution. Henry said “In City Clerk Kathy Vigilante, Fire Chief Pat SOFTBALL come a baseball scout, he would have been no way do I want to equate what we went the best there ever was because he knew Bielak, First Aid Captain Christine Walczak through to the hardships endured by those the game inside-out, and could succeed at and President Gene Cox, Redevelopment heroes, but those famous words do convey anything he attempted to do. Director Eric Chubenko, and YMCA Direc- ALL DEADLINES a sense of what we experienced these past tor Katie McAdoo. In our final interview in December TH 2009, Mickey told me that he loved people. 3 months. We had an election, a recount, a Mayor Henry also noted that he asked MARCH 7 “I treat people the way I want to be treated, 6 provisional ballot ruling, another recount, the City Council to pass a resolution to refer with dignity.” Everyone who knew Mickey a court hearing and ruling on the entire pro- to the Planning Board an amendment of the Sedlak loved him. He was a friend to all. cess, and just recently an affirmation of my Southern Redevelopment Plan to permit the Mickey Sedlak will be sadly missed, but appointments to city positions.