I think Connolly Properties got the message. Yesterday, the entire Trenton delegation to the State Legislature – Senator Shirley Turner and Assembly Members Reed Gusciora and Bonnie Watson Coleman came to the Carteret Arms at 333 West State Street to deliver a letter to the building’s outgoing owners, demanding that the outstanding bill to PSE&G be paid. Members of the press also attended and heard the legislators highlight the situation in this centerpiece of quality, market-rate rental apartment housing in the West Ward.
Over the weekend there was some confusion as to whether the bill had been paid. Connolly’s management indicated as much to members of the tenants association. Monday morning, though, Reed Gusciora’s office called PSE&G, and confirmed that the “payment” made was characterized as no more than a token, which didn’t satisfy the utility and wasn’t going to stop shutoff of services. The Assemblyman, backed by his colleagues, convinced Public Service to hold off any action for one week to allow the situation to resolve. With news cameras from both News 12 and WZBN, plus this kind of attention in today’s Times, I think that Connolly will be pretty motivated to put this behind them. I thank all the legislators for putting the pressure on yesterday.
Candidates’ Night
Tonight is the first of two Candidates’ Nights for West Ward Candidates. Sponsored by the Garvey School, the evening will begin at 6PM at the Lighthouse Community Center, on Bellevue Avenue off Hermitage. Hope to see you there.