* WWW.AMBOYGUARDIAN.COM * November 21, 2018 * The Amboy Guardian .1 COMPLIMENTARY UP TO 10 COPIES/$1 EACH ADDITIONAL THE Amboy*Weekly Newspaper* Guardian • VOL. 8 NO. 34 • 732-896-4446 • P.O. BOX 127 • PERTH AMBOY • NJ • 08862 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2018 • BOE Recognizes Outgoing Board Lung Cancer Awareness Flag Raising, Perth Amboy 11/3/18 Members Obdulia Gonzalez & *Photo by Paul W. Wang Milady Tejeda for Their Service 11/15/18 Board of Education Meeting PERTH AMBOY - The Fourth Annual Lung Cancer Awareness Flag Raising was held in City Hall Circle on Saturday, November 3, 2018. The event was sponsored by the United Messengers of Peace and led by Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe who also personally designed the flag. Fire at El Boy Restaurant, 454 State St., Perth Amboy 11/18/18 *Photos courtesy of PAFD Facebook PERTH AMBOY - (L to R) Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vivan Ro- driguez, Outgoing Board Member Milady Tejeda, Superintendent Dr. David Roman, Outgoing Board Member Obdulia Gonzalez, As- sistant Superintendent Dr. Richard Chromey *Photo by Katherine Massopust By: Katherine Massopust Outgoing Board Member PERTH AMBOY – The Board Obi Gonzalez stated, “It’s been of Education recognized out- a journey – not a destination. going Board Members Obdulia I’ve gave of myself to the com- Gonzalez and Milady Tejeda. munity. As an educator, when Gonzalez did not seek reelec- we hang up that shingle, what tion and plans to spend more we left behind is an inspira- time with her granddaughter. tion. Nine years is a long time. Board Vice President Milady I’m ready for new adventures. Tejeda will go on to serve on It was difficult, this journey. the Perth Amboy City Council. As it turned out, it was very Superintendent Dr. David hard on the way, sometimes Roman thanked the outgoing with Board Members I agreed Board Members for their ser- and disagreed. It’s sort of a vice to the Community, “These good place to be. I’m excited two outstanding human beings to have Dr. David Roman on have integrity, respect, kindness board. I’ve seen things hap- in many different ways. I want pen. I congratulated Milady. to express my thanks as they go When you see your students on a new journey. I’m a better give back to the community, it educator because of this.” reaches back to you soon. We Outgoing Board Member came before the community Milady Tejeda stated, “When and take sides. I congratulate I started this journey, I neverStephanie Márquez-Villafañe thought there would be an end (who is Board Member-Elect). of it. The Board of Education She has learned so much. I think means so much to me. I’m a -betshe is going to bring to the table ter person because of this. I’ll her youth and will grow. I walk From PAFD Facebook be coming to Board Meetings as into the sunset of a different life. PERTH AMBOY - The Perth Amboy Fire Department responded to a reported explosion at 454 State a spectator. We were trying so I’ve been really busy. It’s been Street at 04:12 on 11/18/18. Units arrived, confirmed that an explosion had occurred and reported a work- hard to move forward. Because a wonderful journey. Ken Puc- ing fire with residents above still exiting. 12 occupants were safely removed. The fire escalated to 4 of you (Dr Roman), your staff, cio has done a wonderful job. alarms and was contained to the building of origin. Two tower ladders and numerous hoselines were used the Administration, everyone I have tremendous respect and to bring the fire under control. Responding units were E-3, E-1, E-4, T-2, C-5, C-1, C-3, C-9, C-2 & C-8. in a child’s life to say I lovewas fora him as well. I’ve appre- Mutual aid from Keasbey, Hopelawn, South Amboy, Fords, Port Reading, Sayreville, Iselin & Edison part of that. When I came tociated this you all and everyone in assisted on location along with the Middlesex County Fire Marshal’s Office. Middlesex, North Bruns - country, I adopted Perth Amboythis community. They’re worth wick, Colonia & Piscataway covered the city during the incident. The fire is currently under investigation as my City. I hope to continueit.” and crews are still operating awaiting the demolition crew to bring the building down to complete extin- to give support to make things Board Member Anton J. Mas- guishment. There were no civilian injuries and there were three firefighter injuries that were all treated happen. Thank you for this love and released from the hospital. we have here.” *Continued on Page 2 Check www.amboyguardian.com for Updated Election Results 2. The Amboy Guardian * November 21, 2018 Perth Amboy Gets New Garbage Truck If It’s Local - It’s Here! *Photo Submitted PERTH AMBOY - Perth Amboy gets a new Garbage Truck. (LtoR) Councilman Fernando Irizarry, Councilman Fernando Gonzalez, Councilman Helmin Caba, Former B.A. Adam Cruz, Council President William Petrick, Councilman Joel Pabon. New Elementary School Named 11/15/18 Board of Education Meeting By: Katherine Massopust school (on Seaman Avenue). We of our town and the stories of PERTH AMBOY – The com- had a meeting on August 14th it’s people alive. Rose Lopez mittee to name the new El- and on September 26th. Three was my 4th Grade Principal. She ementary School has come to names were nominated: Austin brought a lot of positive chang- a decision. The committee was Gumbs, Rose M. Lopez, and es to the school district.” headed by Board Member Lis- the Marcus & Rebecca Spring Board Member Obi Gonza- sette Lebron. School. Rose M. Lopez School lez said, “I knew Rose Lopez. The criteria to name the was the final vote. I would Ms. Lopez gave so much to our school was it must be named like to thank all the members community. It’s a wonderful after someone from Perth Am- and thank all who attended the choice.” boy, and the person must be de- meetings.” The Board voted unanimously ceased. Board Member Tashi Vasquez to adopt the name of Rose M. Board Member Lissette Leb- then added, “I thank the com- Lopez to the elementary school ron stated, “The Perth Amboy mittee. You realize all of the on Seaman Avenue and to report Board of Education accepted history (of Perth Amboy). It’sthe naming to the SDA (School applications for naming the new important to keep the history Development Authority). BOE Recognizes Outgoing Board Members Obdulia Gonzalez & Milady Tejeda for Their Service 11/15/18 Board of Education Meeting a while to call her Obi. When power). Thank you so much for *Continued from Page 1 she started (on the BOE), we all the times we spent together. I went through a lot of bad times. also thank Dr. Richard Chrom- sopust stated, “I want to thank People took potshots at us. A ey and all my colleagues. I wish Milady Tejeda and Obi Gonza- lesser person would pack it in. you the best.” lez. They gave their hearts and You came every Thursday once Board Members Obdulia Gon- their time. God bless you and a month. You still were here.” zalez and Milady Tejeda were thank you.” Puccio continued, “Milady presented with plaques for their Board President Ken Puc- Tejeda - we will miss you. You service on the Board of Educa- cio stated, “I met Ms. Gon- will not be forgotten. We will tion. zalez when I was a Junior inmiss both of you.” There were no presentations. High School. Before I met Ms. Obi Gonzalez then added to No one spoke at either public Gonzalez, I didn’t even know her comments, “I thank Dr. portion. Board Members Junior I had a Guidance Counselor.Vivian Rodriguez. We worked Iglesia and Jesus Martinez were (The Counselor I had the first very2 hard that year (When the not present at the Board Meet- years never showed up.) It tookprevious superintendent was in ing. Unofficial Election Results Perth Amboy City Council-At-Large Perth Amboy Board of Education Alana Cueto 2703 - 13% Danielle Brown 2168 - 12% Vincent Makfinsky 2341 - 12% Beth Lieberman 1292 - 7% Joel Pabon Sr. 4672 - 23% Stephanie Marquez- William Petrick 3998 - 20% Villafane 2656 - 14% Anton J. Massopust 2852 - 16% Milady Tejeda 4234 - 21% Isamar Payano 2314 - 13% Marilou Villacis 2237 - 11% Kenneth Puccio 3089 - 17% Damaris Ramirez 2501 - 14% South Amboy Mayor Maria Rodriguez 1446 - 8% Fred Henry 1456 - 53% Peter Pisar 905 - 33% South Amboy Board of Education Brandon Russell 397 - 14% John Dragotta 1108 - 23% David Grasso 615 - 13% South Amboy City Council-At-Large Lynn Kasics 1121 - 23% Mickey Gross 1796 - 49% Thomas Seig 904 - 19% Christine Noble 1878 - 51% Paula Taggart 1110 - 23% November 21, 2018 * The Amboy Guardian .3 WWW.AMBOYGUARDIAN.COM 4. The Amboy Guardian * November 21, 2018 LOCAL PERSPECTIVE EDITORIAL THE COMMUNITY VOICE The AR-15 is not restricted Women Who Came Together for the Common Good Constitutional as it is not an “automatic gun”. Reform You can look this up on the In- A recent letter had a list of ternet to learn why it is so popu- complaints about President lar. Its features make it excellent Trump. Trump defeated a Bush for hunting packs of coyotes or for the nomination and a Clin- feral pigs; these are not a prob- ton in the election. This pre- lem in central Jersey. vented a dynastic succession. I recommend a Constitutional That letter was wrong to claim change to prevent a dynasty. Ban the brothers, sisters, spouse Trump didn’t curb use of “AR- 15 automatic guns”.