South Amboy Candidate for Mayor Speaks With City's Youth

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ— Peter “Pedro” Pisar, a retired Middlesex County sheriff’s officer, who announced his candidacy for city mayor last month, met with two groups of South Amboy Middle High School students within the past two weeks, giving the candidate the chance to discuss several important topics with them, including education, after-school programs, the local drug problem, and the overall direction of the city.

Peter first met with a group of South Amboy Middle High School students from the Student Council who held a car wash fundraising event on June 7th that raised $375 for the school. At that event, Peter heard from students who said that they have praise for their teachers but would like to see more Advanced Placement classes, after-school programs, and a place where students could congregate after school and on weekends.

“I am deeply encouraged by our students’ ideas and positive attitude and was equally impressed with the concern they showed for their city,” Peter said. “We all know that listening is a critical form of communication and us as parents, teachers, mentors, elected officials and political candidates need to interface and hear what our youth have to say on a regular basis.”

Peter also met a group of high school students near the waterfront area where they spent time talking with each other while enjoying a beautiful, late-spring evening. During that impromptu meeting, Peter and the young men on hand chatted about their concerns about the overall direction of South Amboy, in particular, the over-development of townhomes, vacant businesses, and the rampant drug problem that they said they felt was a significant issue in the city.

During the discussions with both groups of students, Peter listened and acknowledged their concerns and ideas and also stressed to them that “involvement” is an important cornerstone of his energetic and industrious plan to transform South Amboy. He agreed with the students about the idea of wanting to provide an after-school facility for students that would include sports and recreation, assistance with homework, anti-drug educational assistance, a STEM program, art and cultural programs, as well as vocational opportunities- all in an effort to enrich the lives of students and young people throughout the City of South Amboy.

Peter also told the students that he too has some serious concerns about the opioid/heroin and drug problems that have caused great harm in South Amboy. “The drug issue continues to sweep through communities across the country, NJ, and Middlesex County, with South Amboy being no exception,” he said. The candidate further discussed aspects of his plan to address the drug problem with the students, which he created three years ago and calls The Pisar Plan.

The Pisar Plan involves five different steps that strategically address the drug problem, including consistent engagement with medical professionals, pharmacists, law enforcement officials, educators, students, parents, legislators, community leaders, counselors, and those in recovery to better understand their needs in addressing the problem.

Peter said he believes that these individuals all need a seat at the drug conquering-table because they bring important and unique perspectives in helping strengthen education and drug awareness for not only students but for parents and teachers as well to help them better understand the warning signs.

In addition, The Pisar Plan calls for the creation of special task forces that will consist of South Amboy Police officers, members of nearby departments, and officers from the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, who will work together to strategically address criminality associated with the sale of illegal drugs and attack the root of the problem, i.e., locating, arresting, gathering intelligence, and helping convict serial drug dealers/suppliers.

Peter also discussed the idea of working closely with the police department to strengthen positive relationships between officers and young people. “Community Policing is not just a flash in the pan expression,” Peter said. “Our officers work tirelessly to protect the citizens of South Amboy and at the same time, many of the city's young people need to gain a better understanding of who these brave officers are and why they do exactly what they do. I will direct our police force to research community policing practices that have worked in other cities and customize them to fit our city's needs.”

Peter is asking that any residents who have concerns or ideas to help move South Amboy forward to please feel free to contact him either through his email address: peterfornj@gmail.com or they can visit his website, www.pisarforsamboymayor.com and his Facebook Page: Peter Pisar for South Amboy Mayor.

# # #