To the Editor:
I am one of the many people in this town that would be considered out of the loop should that Rent Control Ordinance be re-introduced. I am over the age of 18 but I am not 62. I am not disabled and on social security disability, so I am one of those people that is quite concerned and for good reason.
Mr. D’Amico and his associate that he worked with to put this ordinance on paper have the nerve to present this to the City Council. They are trying to make THEM believe that because it worked in North Bergen, it would work here as well. If it is because they are trying to make these building owners keep these rentals as well as the entire buildings that they own stay up to code, why don’t they just have the Fire Department do their inspections and make them do the upgrades? They should have to go before the Rent Control Board to have them approve their rent increases the legal way. This is the way it has been done in Bayonne for years. If they don’t make the proper repairs, issue them their fines and be done with it.
This is Bayonne, not North Bergen. Bayonne is a nice quaint community that cares about who comes in and out of here. Well, at least it used to. It is a shame that City Hall doesn’t seem to want Bayonne to be a community with a voice anymore. Our mayor wants people to believe that he cares about Bayonne and that he loves the community of Bayonne where he is raising his family. Well, Mr. Smith, I don’t believe you. If you cared about Bayonne, you wouldn’t hire people from out of town. Mr. D’Amico is not someone from Bayonne. He doesn’t care about Bayonne, and he treats anyone who gets up to address an issue at the council meetings as if he is bored and bothered. He is very rude and extremely condescending. Mr. D’Amico is not from here. He doesn’t know Bayonne people at all. Why doesn’t he go back where be belongs? He should go to North Bergen and tell them what to do in their town.
Interestingly enough, we are using a health officer or inspector from where? North Bergen! Our law director is affiliated with North Bergen! I find it quite interesting that we could not find anyone in Bayonne to do this work for the city. Who else or what else is on its way over from North Bergen? Before we know it, the mayor will be from North Bergen. Who knows? Maybe we need to get rid of Mr. Smith for allowing all this nonsense to go on here in Bayonne.
Remember: this is Bayonne, not North Bergen.
ELIZABETH WEINGARD