Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-06-07
RESPONSIBILITY OF CITY OFFICIALS

Now that the approaches OF the city are n an lmpaSSaoe had-
tion and business is being driven elsewhere, officials who are re-
sponsible for the outrageous situation are busy passing the DUCK
The aldermen blame the ~freeholders, and the f~reeholders blame the
tha ALDERMEN. then both try to pin it on to the State Highway
Commission. In one way or another they all manage to get out
from under. but the public continues to suffer. There IS lots OF
talk but no remedy.
As far as New Brunswick avenue and Amboy avenue are con-
eerned, the mistakes have been made. The neglect IS apparent.
The streets were deliberately cut off without any adequate detours
being provided. At the same time, State street paving drags along
and the outlook is that the work will not be finished before the
end of summer. By that time the preliminary work will be started
on the new bridge that has got to be built across Woodbridge
creek, which will block the State street route for another summer
And so our public Improvement" go on.
We often hear about the long suffering public, and while
the expression may be greatly overdone, it is still full of meaning.
rrulv the public put up with a great deal, and pay more and more
taxes in the bargain.
If the city officials would use a little of the fighting spirit that
seems to be so much in evidence whenever they get together, IN
fighting for the city instead of fighting among themselves, the
taxpayers would like it a whole lot better and the city would be
benefited instead of being injured. A real aggressive attitude
toward the Board of Freehoders for the condition that
State street is in is needed, and more determination in dealing
with the Public Service in getting its rails IN shape so that the
having work can proceed. It is so much easier to disclaim all re-
~sponsibiity when, as a matter of fact, the aldermen cannot escape
responsibility even if State street is being paved by the county.
n is ; city street. after all, and it is the duty of the aldermen to
se that the street is put in passable condition as promptly as
possible. When it takes a year or more to lay a pavement it IS
time for the aldermen to act. The least that can be done now
that Amboy avenue is closed, is to make it possible to get on and
off the creek bridge for the full width of the roadway. There
is no excuse for the congestion that is caused at that point.
Why does day after day pass with nothing being done to
speed up these matters? Is it Indifference, lack Of ability, or fear
of those who are causing the delay? The publie's patience, which
has great endurance, is about exhausted. It is up to the aldermen
10 arouse themselves and show a little more interest.
There Is some satisfaction to be found in the fact that State
Highway Commissioner JeHn together with State Engineer Sloan
visited this city today to see what could be done about the awful
detour which the city has provided for Amboy avenue. Such an
outrage cannot be ignored, especially as it is such an important
route in the state highway system. The reputation Of Perth Amboy
suffers terribly. If the city officials care anything about the clty's
reputation they will find a solution TO this problem.
And with Sheridan street and Market street about 10 be re-
paired let the aldermen not say that they were not warned before
hand about providing a suitable detour while this work IS going
on. Here is one opportunity to make good on at least one of the
eity's approaches. Let us not have d repetition Of New Bruins
wick avenue, Amboy avenue and State street.