I moved to South Amboy from Elizabeth 15 years ago because I wanted change.
One of the major things that attracted me here was the idea of raising a family in a beautiful waterfront city with a small-town feel. I was excited to relocate to a place where community spirit was active and where neighbors greeted you with a hearty hello.
I love living here and I love my community. However, I am still waiting for change.
In the time that I have lived here, I’ve heard promise after promise about how South Amboy would become revitalized, compliments of eventual economic growth, and I also heard tales about a ferry system to New York which has yet to occur.
I’ve witnessed the decline in the quality of life around South Amboy, the increase of litter on city streets and an increase in drug activity, all of which have represented the type of change that I was not expecting.
That is when I decided to get involved. I have never considered myself a “political party” minded person; however, when an opportunity presented itself to serve as an active member of the South Amboy Republican Party, I decided to join. To me, the South Amboy GOP represents much more than a polarized viewpoint of local politics; rather, it means equal representation in a community where the Democrat-ruled, single-party leadership has no choice but to face fresh, new ideas.
I am very hopeful in the direction of South Amboy because I believe the city finally has the leadership it needs waiting in the wings. Peter Pisar is this change agent and the most viable candidate for mayor for South Amboy. Peter has been very detailed in sharing his three-point plan for improvement, innovation and involvement that will move the city forward.
Peter’s ideas involve much needed economic development where residents would collaborate with business leaders to determine the direction of South Amboy’s economic future. This coalition would work together to strategically define what businesses are needed, how to attract them, how to keep them here and how to make them prosper.
In addition, Peter would focus on redevelopment the way it ought to be— not by creating more expansive townhome developments on top of existing townhomes, but by focusing on what people want, including opening a long-anticipated supermarket and finally creating a water taxi system to New York City.
Furthermore, Peter has said that solvent communities begin with the people who reside within them. There needs to be more of a focus on the creation of more programs for our young people and seniors. The voices of each and every citizen should and would be heard in a transparent manner, which also has been lacking.
Finally, Peter is a retired Middlesex County sheriff’s officer. His law enforcement background gives him the perfect background to not only understand the gravity of the drug problem but how to clean it up. Several years ago he introduced “The Pisar Plan,” his own unique set of anti-drug initiatives aimed at addressing and putting an end to the out of control opioid and heroin problem in Middlesex County. Peter has been resolute in his mission to deal with the drug issue and as mayor, he will tailor direct components of his plan to meet the needs of South Amboy.
I am still hopeful of change and I know that South Amboy can become an even better place. I encourage voters to go to the polls this November and vote for who they believe to be the best candidate. But consider this: if you don’t vote for change, then nothing changes.
Rick Taborda
Chairman, South Amboy Republican Organization
South Amboy
