Perth Amboy, N.J. (August 17, 2020) – Today’s announcement that Wilda Diaz will seek a fourth term as Mayor calls into question her credibility, honesty and integrity since she promised to be a one term Mayor when she ran as a first-time candidate. She has now become exactly what she criticized – a long term office holder. Regrettably for Perth Amboy, Mayor Diaz has failed to put forth a clear and achievable vision or plan which is best illustrated by the fact that only one of her council running mates has run with her a second time. In addition, she has had a revolving door of business administrators, law directors and department directors.

Furthermore, her rational for seeking a fourth term is both ironic and riddled with mistruths for running, reminiscent of our current President’s frequent contradictions and denial despite direct recorded evidence to the contrary. The following highlight these mistruths:
 She claims to have reduced the city’s debt but her annual debt statement is $38
million greater than when she took office.
 Diaz’s claim that she stabilized taxes is another fiction over fact. The tax rate rose
from $2.177 in 2008 to $2.978 in 2020 which represents a nearly 40% increase
far from stable.
 The city’s improved bond rating is a deception resulting from increased taxes not
fiscal management. A benefit only to Wall Street and not Perth Amboy taxpayers.
 Any jobs created are being subsidized by residential taxpayers footing the bill for
outside investors who received tax abatements.

Perth Amboy voters deserve the truth. They should judge all candidates on the facts, their record and qualifications – not their campaign fictions. No one believes that Perth Amboy is better today than we were 12 years ago. What Diaz proclaimed as “United for Change” has become divide Perth Amboy for herself. Together, Perth Amboy Can Do Better!!