273:"The upcoming election in Perth Amboy could be a referendum on Mayor Wilda Diaz... Council President Joel Pabon Sr., a Customer Service supervisor for the US Postal Service who was on the school board, ran for council with former Mayor Joe Vas in 2008. Today he is being supported for re-election by Diaz. Dianne Roman served as city administrator under former Mayor Joe Vas but she is also being supported for re-election to the school board by Diaz, who kept her on the municipal payroll. Pabon is actually calling his slate ‘the Mayor Diaz Team,’ which includes Councilman William Petrick and newcomer Sergio Diaz. Roman is running under the ‘Restoring Educational Priorities’ banner with Thomas Thor and Republican Junior Iglesia."
238:. Diaz cooperated in an investigation being conducted by federal and state law enforcement agencies relating to activities connected to former Mayor Vas's administration. Despite her affiliation with the Democratic Party, Diaz hired several Republicans to serve in her administration. In May 2010, she supported three Republican candidates for city council, including former city committee chairman Kenneth Gonzalez, and appointed another former city GOP leader, Maria Garcia, to the municipal planning board.
956:. City of Perth Amboy. p. 3. "Ordinance 1532-2010, adopted on October 27, 2010, established November Election Day as the date for Perth Amboy's Nonpartisan Municipal Elections and extended the term of all persons in office at the date of ordinance adoption through December 31 of the year of the November general election effecting their position." Retrieved November 4, 2011.
31:
325:
Christie appointed Diaz to the state's
Housing Opportunity Task Force on February 17, 2010. As a member of the task force, Diaz endorsed Republican efforts to abolish the state's affordable housing program, which was criticized by advocates for the poor. Diaz was one of only two Democrats who joined
309:
Diaz was one of several mayors who testified before a legislative committee on June 20, 2011, in support of A-4133, legislation designed to reduce municipal expenses by increasing public employee contributions to the cost of health and pension benefits and temporarily eliminating health benefits as a
265:
Throughout her re-election effort, Diaz repeatedly claimed that she reduced the city's $ 250 million debt by $ 54 million but official records show that is not true. Annual debt statements filed by the city show that five months before Wilda Diaz was elected, the city owed a total of $ 181 million,
358:
In August 2011, representatives from the
Kushner Companies made a presentation to the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency proposing a scaled-back design concept for the Landings at Harborside, a residential development set to be built along the city's waterfront, and allowing rental housing instead of
362:
In
October 2010, the city council voted to hold city elections in November instead of May, beginning in 2012. A bill enacted by the state legislature in January allowed cities with non-partisan municipal elections to make such changes in an effort to save money and increase voter turnout by having
350:
Counties in support of
Governor Christie's constitutional amendment proposal of capping real estate taxes at 2.5% (known locally as the "Cap 2.5 Amendment"). She also has received criticism for breaking her campaign promise to end the practice of granting residency waivers, which have allowed at
286:
Mayor John O'Leary to replace Vas in the
Assembly, but he withdrew from the race after allegations of corruption were publicized and the state Attorney General initiated an investigation of his business affairs. Diaz then supported Perth Amboy resident Mathias "Eddie" Rodriguez, who retired as a
252:
While running for re-election, Diaz disclosed the contents of a private e-mail from her former campaign consultant in which the political operative indelicately challenged her "lack of gravitas and intelligence". That message was exploited by the campaign, in a press conference that morphed the
366:
Diaz said the city agreed in federal court to pay fines of $ 250,000 and make $ 5.4 million in sewer improvements over 15 years to end the release of millions of gallons of sewage into the
Raritan River and Arthur Kill each year in violation of the Clean Water Act. Statistics provided by the
182:
On
November 6, 2012, Diaz was re-elected with 37 percent of the ballots cast in Perth Amboy, receiving 4,404 votes, surpassing top challenger Billy Delgado and second-tier candidates Frank Salado, Miguel Morales, Robert McCoy, and Sharon Hubberman, who had a combined 7,147-vote total. Delgado
317:
settled a $ 12 million tax appeal lawsuit the company had filed against the city seeking repayment of taxes paid from 2007 to 2010. The suit was based on an increase in the company's property assessment that occurred during the Vas administration. The settlement, negotiated prior to the
363:
local elections coincide with the general
November election; savings for Perth Amboy are estimated at $ 50,000. As a result of the change, terms of the mayor and city council members which would have expired June 30, 2012, will be extended to December 31, 2012. Diaz had supported the move.
354:
A 2010 attempt by a former city employee to recall the mayor on charges of gross mismanagement, failure to stabilize taxes and lack of redevelopment in the city failed to move forward after the deadline to collect 5,546 signatures required for a recall election was not met.
269:
As the 2014 elections approached, two slates for city council and two teams competing for school board e lined up with on one side Diaz allies who were close political associates of Joe Vas and on the other side, former allies who helped her win the job in 2008.
281:
After being elected on a platform to serve as a reformer, Diaz was sworn into office in a ceremony attended by U.S. Attorney Chris
Christie. Diaz sought and won council approval of a 10% tax hike almost immediately after she took office. She agreed to support
321:
Diaz urged voters to defeat the school budget in 2009, and voters heeded the advice and rejected the budget by nearly two-to-one. In collaboration with the Perth Amboy
Business Improvement District (BID), Diaz launched a June 2011 effort to stop littering.
261:
remarked, "She called a press conference, trying to spin the private e-mails to her political advantage, while effectively calling attention to the fact that her former campaign consultant, a one-time trusted ally, thinks she's (stupid)".
183:
received 3,339 votes, Salado collected 1,678, Morales scored 1,277, McCoy got 618, and Hubberman earned 235. In 2020, she was defeated by Helmin Caba in the December 15th Mayoral Runoff election after serving for 12 years as mayor.
359:
owner-occupied units as originally planned. Diaz endorsed the plan the following month, saying "This is an opportunity to have a redesign Perth Amboy is proud of, that reflects the city's historical significance."
249:, Diaz announced that she would seek a second term as mayor. Six challengers filed petitions to run against Diaz by the September 4 deadline, but 2004 mayoral candidate Billy Delgado appears to be her top rival.
1037:
592:"“I’m the mayor who had to deal with a $ 250 million debt, which we paid down by $ 54 million,” said the mayor, who in 2008 defeated incumbent Mayor Joe Vas, later jailed for corruption."
871:
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227:
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in 1983. After graduation, she began a twenty-year career in banking, starting as a teller in a local bank and working her way up to becoming an assistant vice president at
372:
453:
894:
1047:
652:
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confidential suggestion that she not seek a second term into an "unacceptable level of misogynistic rhetoric" and daily newspapers purveyed the distortion.
1022:
476:
1027:
881:
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and transferred responsibility for ambulances to Raritan Bay Medical Center to reduce city expanses without reducing the levels of service.
535:
634:
517:
771:"Governor Christie Applauds Commission Vote To Endorse Executive Order 12, Announces Appointments To Housing Opportunity Task Force"
231:
168:
120:
615:
368:
318:
beginning of a trial, provided for a refund of $ 7.9 million and a reduction of the property assessment for future years.
912:
814:
335:
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indicate that the city discharges about 370 million gallons of sewage from homes and industrial wastewater flow into the
343:
327:
752:
331:
852:
563:
463:
987:
703:
691:
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subject of collective bargaining. The legislation was strongly opposed by public employee unions across the state.
303:
242:
192:
579:
422:
347:
783:
495:
403:
339:
965:
722:
191:
Diaz is one of six daughters of Mercedes and Antonio Soto, laborers who moved to New Jersey from their native
795:
200:
140:
109:
43:
770:
1017:
292:
208:
833:
1007:
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least four high-paid municipal employees to work without having to establish residency in the city.
546:
314:
620:
427:
408:
254:
78:
949:
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784:"Gov. Chris Christie's task force suggests 10 percent of new N.J. housing must be affordable"
980:
664:
653:"Perth Amboy Begins Transition of Emergency Medical Services to Raritan Bay Medical Center"
857:
727:
567:
234:
nomination for governor for the November 2009 general election against incumbent governor
602:
676:
175:
by a 58% to 42% margin. She was Perth Amboy's first female mayor and New Jersey's first
288:
223:
982:
Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Upgrade Sewer System to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations
580:"Mark in the Morning: Perth Amboy mayor chose to make private e-mails a public matter"
1001:
376:
296:
258:
204:
876:
819:
639:
522:
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477:"Right now, everything's about Amboy: politics converges where the rivers converge"
458:
440:
222:
On March 14, 2009, the local Republican Club honored Diaz at an event attended by
950:"General Information of the City of Perth Amboy, County of Middlesex, New Jersey"
518:"Seeking council allies in the aftermath of Vas, Diaz must contend with a friend"
266:
and the latest filings reflect that Perth Amboy now owes close to $ 230 million.
969:
917:
757:
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616:"Endorsement from Middlesex County’s highest-paid Mayor may not be an advantage"
550:
380:
283:
235:
196:
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branch office. She resigned from the bank after she was elected mayor in 2008.
723:"Perth Amboy pays nearly $ 8M to Chevron Corp. to settle property tax appeals"
246:
172:
135:
66:
954:
Departments: Business Administration: Finance: City Demographic Information
635:"O'Leary steps aside in LD 19, calls Spicuzzo to give party chair the news"
679:. New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
287:
state superior court judge, for the Assembly seat, but he was defeated by
591:
176:
30:
800:
895:"Perth Amboy's Landings at Harborside project takes new direction"
934:
Minutes: Proceedings of the Council of the City of Perth Amboy
836:
Minutes: Proceedings of the Council of the City of Perth Amboy
665:"Assembly, No. 4133 - State of New Jersey - 214th Legislature"
913:"Perth Amboy Delays Plans To Change Municipal Election Date"
245:, a three-time running mate of former assemblyman and mayor
815:"Diaz joins Zimmer in backing Christie's 2.5% spending cap"
773:(Press release). Office of the Governor. February 17, 2010.
667:. New Jersey Office of Legislative Services. June 11, 2011.
404:"Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas loses race in stunning upset"
167:; September 14, 1964) is an American former politician and
692:"N.J. Assembly passes landmark employee benefits overhaul"
199:. A lifelong resident of Perth Amboy, Diaz graduated from
753:"Perth Amboy BID Launches New Anti-Littering Campaign"
704:"Tax Appeal Agreement Costs Perth Amboy $ 7.9 Million"
512:
510:
228:
United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey
179:
mayor. She served for 12 years from 2008 until 2020.
966:
Perth Amboy accepts EPA order to end sewer overflow
853:"Perth Amboy worker begins process to recall mayor"
842:. City of Perth Amboy. January 12, 2011. pp. 2, 19.
214:She and her husband, Greg Diaz, have two children.
171:. She was elected in May 2008, defeating incumbent
146:
134:
126:
116:
93:
88:
72:
60:
41:
21:
1038:Hispanic and Latino American mayors in New Jersey
940:. City of Perth Amboy. October 27, 2010. pp. 4–7.
872:"Effort to recall Perth Amboy mayor unsuccessful"
677:"Mayors testify before Assembly Budget Committee"
443:. City of Perth Amboy. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
373:New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
687:
685:
241:On June 13, 2012, accompanied by State Senator
1043:Hispanic and Latino American women in politics
564:"Consultant calls Perth Amboy mayor 'stupid'"
398:
396:
8:
1013:American politicians of Puerto Rican descent
454:"Diaz sworn in as city's first female mayor"
496:"Report that feds, state investigating Vas"
1033:Puerto Rican people in New Jersey politics
29:
18:
968:Published Thursday, June 07, 2012 in the
870:Russell, Suzanne C. (September 7, 2010).
302:In July 2009, Diaz eliminated the city's
56:July 1, 2008 – December 31, 2020
536:"Diaz Announces her bid for Re-election"
893:Russell, Suzanne (September 16, 2011).
796:"Housing Opportunity Task Force Report"
423:"New mayor takes office in Perth Amboy"
392:
743:. City of Perth Amboy. April 21, 2009.
582:Published Thursday, September 20, 2012
326:a roster of 56 Republican mayors from
547:"Diaz Vs. Delgado Amid Crowded Field"
313:In 2011, the Diaz administration and
7:
1048:Women mayors of places in New Jersey
741:"Perth Amboy School Board Elections"
694:. New Jersey On-Line. June 24, 2011.
655:. City of Perth Amboy. July 1, 2009.
605:Published Friday, September 28, 2012
452:Russell, Suzanne C. (July 1, 2008).
14:
1023:Mayors of Perth Amboy, New Jersey
851:Shahid, Aliyah (March 11, 2010).
782:Fleisher, Lisa (March 23, 2010).
633:Pizarro, Max (August 17, 2009).
614:NJTODAY.NET (October 22, 2014).
494:Edge, Wally (October 23, 2008).
169:Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey
516:Pizarro, Max (April 16, 2010).
475:Pizarro, Max (March 14, 2009).
421:Adarlo, Sharon (July 1, 2008).
402:Adarlo, Sharon (May 14, 2008).
369:Environmental Protection Agency
16:American politician (born 1964)
1028:Perth Amboy High School alumni
1:
813:Pizarro, Max (May 26, 2010).
230:who was actively seeking the
570:Thursday, September 20, 2012
721:Haydon, Tom (May 9, 2011).
1064:
988:U.S. Department of Justice
304:emergency medical services
603:"Facts Catch Up To Mayor"
291:, who had the support of
154:
84:
49:
37:
28:
201:Perth Amboy High School
141:Perth Amboy High School
110:Perth Amboy, New Jersey
884:on September 11, 2010.
786:. New Jersey On-Line.
441:" Mayor Wilda Diaz"
315:Chevron Corporation
428:Newark Star Ledger
409:Newark Star Ledger
255:Newark Star-Ledger
104:September 14, 1964
921:. March 29, 2010.
900:Home News Tribune
554:September 5, 2012
466:on July 19, 2011.
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992:
978:
972:
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957:
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941:
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928:
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904:
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880:. Archived from
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862:
849:
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830:
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811:
805:
793:
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780:
774:
768:
762:
761:. June 30, 2011.
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732:
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462:. Archived from
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277:Record in office
232:Republican Party
107:
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89:Personal details
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54:
33:
19:
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858:The Star-Ledger
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728:The Star-Ledger
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712:. May 10, 2011.
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117:Political party
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17:
12:
11:
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991:; June 6, 2012
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289:Craig Coughlin
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224:Chris Christie
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566:Published in
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377:Raritan River
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297:John McCormac
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259:Mark Di Ionno
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243:Joseph Vitale
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205:Banco Popular
202:
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193:San Sebastian
187:Personal life
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106:(age 60)
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882:the original
877:Courier News
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866:
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835:
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820:PolitickerNJ
818:
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804:. March 2010
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640:PolitickerNJ
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523:PolitickerNJ
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464:the original
459:Courier News
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74:Succeeded by
51:
1008:1964 births
970:Star-Ledger
918:NJToday.net
758:NJToday.net
709:NJToday.net
621:NJTODAY.NET
551:NJToday.net
383:each year.
381:Arthur Kill
284:South Amboy
236:Jon Corzine
226:, a former
197:Puerto Rico
79:Helmin Caba
62:Preceded by
44:Perth Amboy
1002:Categories
387:References
336:Burlington
293:Woodbridge
257:columnist
247:Joseph Vas
173:Joseph Vas
165:Wilda Soto
161:Wilda Diaz
147:Profession
136:Alma mater
121:Democratic
100:1964-09-14
67:Joseph Vas
23:Wilda Diaz
985:from the
344:Hunterdon
328:Middlesex
209:Elizabeth
130:Greg Diaz
52:In office
42:Mayor of
371:and the
332:Monmouth
218:Politics
207:in the
801:Scribd
348:Mercer
295:Mayor
177:Latina
163:(born
150:Banker
127:Spouse
112:, U.S.
340:Ocean
379:and
346:and
94:Born
1004::
952:.
915:.
897:.
874:.
855:.
817:.
798:.
755:.
725:.
706:.
684:^
637:.
618:.
520:.
509:^
498:.
479:.
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395:^
342:,
338:,
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102:)
938:.
936:"
932:"
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861:.
840:.
838:"
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98:(
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