Media Release
CONTACT:
Kevin
C. Rabago FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(856)
451-3407
KELLY & RILEY TEAM UP TO GET ACTION ON
VILLAS GARBAGE PROBLEM
It’s not how he wanted to
spend the morning, but with trash and garbage overflowing the complex dumpsters
into parking lots of the Bridgeton Villas Apartments, Bridgeton Mayor Albert
had had enough. Within an hour of showing up on the property last Tuesday (July
1st), trash hauler Waste Management was emptying dumpsters
throughout the complex eliminating what Kelly called a clear threat to public
health.
“I visited the property
this weekend in response to resident calls about the trash; we have our Code
Office, Police, and the Health Department involved because this is a clear threat
to public health and safety. We were prepared to do whatever we need to do to
solve this problem” said Kelly.
Beyond local officials on
scene to deal with the trash problem, Kelly asked 3rd District
Assemblywoman Celeste Riley to intervene on the State level as it relates to
any jurisdiction the Department of Community Affairs would have over the
complex as a multiple dwelling.
“The trash situation at
the Bridgeton Villas is simply unacceptable. I’m working with DCA officials to
bring as much enforcement pressure to bear as possible from their end because
residents should not have to deal with overflowing trash and inconsistent trash
removal” said Riley
After discussions with
complex management about the growing trash situation, both Kelly and Riley learned
that part of the problem stems from unpaid bills to the trash hauler.
“I found out that the main
reason the trash was not picked up was because the owners did not pay the bill.
I understand financial issues happen, but trash removal is basic stuff, it
should be one of the first things the owners take care of” Kelly said.
“For the owners, this is
the business they’ve chosen; money problems notwithstanding, they have to stay
on top of this and do whatever it takes”. Riley added.
According to Kelly,
problems with the complex and discussions with the owners, George McLoof, Jr.,
and Allyson Burzinski, has been ongoing for the last two years with minimal
success.
“Going back almost 2
years, I met with the owners and we went over a number of steps they promised
to take in order to significantly upgrade this property. Little to nothing has
happened except a lot of promises” said Kelly.
In terms of what happens
next, a lot will depend on the owners. According to Kelly, the complex
management will receive very little latitude when it comes to basic health and
safety issues.
“Through a coordinated
effort, we were able to get the trash problem resolved for these residents
today. I hope there won’t be a next time, but if there is and we have to
intervene on behalf of any public health and safety issue, we’ll look at
everything from liens to code standards declaring property unfit” Kelly said.
“Honestly, if these owners
are unprepared to do the right thing, they should simply put the complex up for
sale and be done with it rather than sucking what they can out of it and
investing little back into it at the expense of the residents” Riley said.
Kelly indicated that he
and Riley, along with code officials, police, and county health department
personnel will be watching conditions at the complex closely in the days to
come.
# # #
To learn
more about the City of Bridgeton please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com
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| Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly, Assemblywoman Celeste Riley, and on-site manager Ivy Evans discuss trash problem |
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| Assemblywoman Celeste Riley and manager Ivy Evans watch as trash haulers come on site |
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| Overflowing trash at Bridgeton Villas Apartments |
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| Overflow of trash at Bridgeton Villas Apartments |
