South Amboy mayor challenged by political outsider in 2022 election

A political outsider is challenging South Amboy's longtime mayor in this year's election.

Mayor Fred A. Henry Jr., a Democrat seeking his fourth term in office, is opposed by Republican Geraldine Bruno.

Raised in the city, Henry was elected mayor in 2010 and reelected in 2014 and 2018. He was appointed councilman-at-large in 1992 where he served until becoming mayor.

Henry and his wife, Linda, are both retired South Amboy school teachers. He most recently served as South Amboy High School’s dean of students from 2006 to 2015. Henry has three children and two stepchildren.

The mayor said he loves South Amboy and believes he has served the city well and would like to continue to do so.

"I believe that I have earned the trust of the citizens of South Amboy," he said. "My administration has stabilized taxes so that this year we had a zero percent increase. We've upgraded our ballfields with the help of our county commissioners. We've repaved almost 65% of our streets during my tenure."

Through Rep. Frank Pallone, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez and Sen. Joseph F. Vitale, the city has received almost $17 million in grants this year alone, the mayor said.

"The great connections we have made with these officials has allowed us to greatly improve South Amboy," Henry said. "Under my watch, we have improved Broadway and our beautiful waterfront walkway with new lighting and cameras to enhance the safety of our residents. Through redevelopment we will be adding two warehouses on lower Main Street and a ferry terminal all of which will be built with 100% union labor. We have added two new fire trucks and a first aid vehicle for added safety."

Henry said the city has a great mix of residential and industrial development, which are placed in areas best suited for that type of improvement.

"I and my administration have developed great relationships with state and federal officials, with the right developers, with the union trades, and with nearby municipalities," Henry said. "These relationships don't happen overnight and to change mayors at this important juncture would set many projects back and that would be a mistake. We have used a ‘Smart Growth’ development in South Amboy and have heard how some complain about overcrowding in our schools.

“I would like to submit this fact,” he continued. “In 1998 the school population was 1,141 and in 2021 it was 1,190 – a difference of just 49 students. Our schools are not overcrowded from redevelopment. There are several projects which are in the beginning stages – a new pump station, a new American Legion building, a new park at the site of the old coal dumpers (for which we received a $2 million grant to get started) and a residential project near Roswell Street. How much about these do our opponents know?"

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Henry said someone needs to attend meetings – council, redevelopment, planning board - to know what is going on and to ask questions.

"How can you want change if you've never questioned or objected to anything we've proposed?" the mayor said. "All of our meetings are open so how can our opponents be really concerned about the future of South Amboy if they don't attend these meetings and know nothing about the past or present of South Amboy? Cliches don't get it done. I have a proven record of getting things done for the residents of South Amboy and I will stand on that record and run on it! There is much more to do in South Amboy, and I believe the choice for mayor is abundantly clear and that is that I am the best choice to lead South Amboy for the next four years."

Running with Henry for two council-at-large seats are incumbent Michael "Mickey" Gross and Anthony Conrad.

Bruno has been a city resident for 37 years. She is a single mom with children who were in the South Amboy school system and played sports with the city and school leagues.

She has been active with senior, church and community functions and the Republican committee.

Bruno said she stays very involved with the past and present issues in South Amboy.

"In the 1990s, I was president of the South Amboy Little Fellas Baseball League's Women's Auxiliary, securing the beautiful stove in the concession stand which is still being used today," she said.

Bruno was a medical assistant for a pediatric practice and dermatologist office. She also was an admissions director in a nursing home, real estate sales associate for a management development company and now an aide on a school bus caring for autistic children.

Bruno said she is running for mayor because "it’s time for a change."

"Our present mayor has held a position in office in South Amboy for, I think, 30 years – 12 of those years as mayor," she said. "I think it’s time for new blood, new ideas. I think over the last 11 years our taxes have increased by 28-30% with this year having been stabilized."

Bruno added, "first and foremost I am not a politician and the No.1 1 reason I am running for mayor is to lower the taxes in our City of South Amboy, not stabilize them."

When asked why she thinks she is the best candidate for the position, Bruno said, "I may not be the best candidate, again I am not a politician, but I care enough about our town to put myself out there (throw my hat in the ring) to make sure the taxpayers and citizens of South Amboy are heard and the decisions that are made are in the best interest of all the people in South Amboy."

The top issue will be trying to lower taxes, Bruno said.

She said she will also try to curb development that is brought into the city from builders and developers through tax abatements, which can possibly escalate rising taxes.

"These abatements are given out to the builders and developers from the current administration – meaning that the developers do not pay any property taxes," she said. "They pay a fee that is set for 10, 20, 30 years. The fee does increase by 1 or 2 % every few years. None of the money from the fees goes towards the South Amboy school system."

Congestion will be another big issue moving forward with the construction of two new apartment complexes being built soon, she said.

Bruno said she will also try to increase support for all businesses in the city.

"I will run an office with complete transparency, that is allowed by law," she said. "In addition, I will have an open-door policy to give all of the citizens of South Amboy a voice, so they can be included in the decisions that impact them and the City of South Amboy. I would like to make it a city where people are willing to volunteer to make it a better city for everyone and increase support for our volunteer fire department, first aid responders and law enforcement department."

Running with Bruno for council-at-large is Peter Pedro Pisar.

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ election: South Amboy mayor, political outside face off