Things to do other than cleaning up Roebling II
Saturday, August 25, 2019. Remember this date as several local politicians deliver elbow grease to a cleanup in a city area identified as Roebling II, a smidgeon more than an acre of land slated for redevelopment.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora headlines with Assemblyman Anthony
Verelli (D-15), Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, East Ward Councilman Joseph Harrison and Sheriff Jack Kemler. With Trenton under siege by trash, transients and trepidation, these leaders chose an easy assignment that’s a waste of time and energy.
Roebling II will attract a business investor who should be responsible for cleaning up this building. Employing volunteers and some city workers or monies for this cleanup hardly seems appropriate for a municipality trying to make ends meet. Plus, there’s an amazing amount of other issues or interesting actions that offer better use of time.
Here’s nine other things these political leaders could be doing come Saturday morning.
1. Talk to residents on Hudson St. about the deterioration of their neighborhood where 40-year-old Javier Morales died in May after being gunned down while a 34-yearold woman remains in critical condition after being shot during a drive-by incident on Sunday, Aug.
18. One-Adam 12, see Lois or talk to Ed Cruz.
2. Visit Chambers Loft where residents face break ins of their vehicles regularly. An acquaintance testified that she and her boyfriend have endured three incidents. Plus, the on-site gym has seen better days after being breached by vandals.
3. Stop at the McDonald’s located at corner of Chambers St. and Hamilton Ave. for a discussion with owners Fred and Rosa Rosado. The couple remain key community contributors. The Rosados host a “Haircut Extravaganza” on Tues., Aug. 27 from 1-4 p.m.
The event hopes to deliver 50 free cuts with support from Royal Cuts, Reflections, PBA 187, Trenton PBA Local 11, Renaissance Music, D.J. Naseeb and McDonald’s. For info call (609) 331-3020.
4. Visit the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund office located at 714-716 South Clinton Ave. It’s a second consecutive reference and deserving as this organization deals with ground-zero issues involving newcomers. Trenton leaders allege sanctuary city status for undocumented residents although none of the aforementioned leaders have visited LALDEF. Get there and talk to Executive Director Adriana Abizadeh or reach out to her predecessor Maria Juega.
5. Come to Linda Apartments in the 100 block of Franklin St. where approximately 20 apartments need an immediate inspection. Mentioned this to both Mayor Gusciora and Councilman Harrison and received the same remark that the building must be inspected by the state. Then let’s have the building inspected.
6. Stop by the Mercer Cemetery. The huh or what? It’s burial ground near the Trenton Transit Center. Yes. A clean up project is underway there as local residents intend to attract history buffs and Dead Heads to a burial ground that includes Civil War fighters such as John Sweeney Hammell and John Pointon Beech. The grounds include remains of Ira Wells Wood, a U.S. congressman.
7. If the contingent visits the cemetery then they should hustle over to the Trenton Transit Center which now showcases an Auntie Anne’s pretzel business. It’s been open for about two weeks and serves all the standard pretzels, dips and beverages. The store misses out on the early-morning rush hour crowds. Gotta change the hours but nice to have one of our favorite aunts in the city.
8. The contingent could score a daily-double with a visit to Licciardello Brothers, Inc. a produce wholesaler and Italian People’s Bakery, both on Butler St. Joseph and Alex Licciardello remain key supporters of Chambersburg along with the Guagliardo family at IPB. Both businesses have a storied history in Trenton and it’s great that they remain.
9. If the city tour moves toward lunch, stop at LaParilla, Casa Blanca or Pura Vida, all new and fantastic restaurants that continue Trenton’s rich history of fantastic food fare. Think it’s time for another Trenton Restaurant Crawl.