Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey facts for kids

Helmin Caba is the current mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. She was elected on December 15, 2020, and started her term on January 1, 2021. She has been serving as mayor for over 4 years.

Perth Amboy is run by a special type of local government called the Mayor-Council system. This means there's a mayor who leads the city, and a City Council that helps make decisions. The people on the City Council are chosen by voters from the whole city, not just specific areas. They serve for four years, and their elections happen at different times, so not all seats are up for vote at once. The mayor also serves a four-year term, and their election happens when two council seats are also being voted on.

Perth Amboy's Beginnings

Perth Amboy officially became a city on December 21, 1784. Before that, it received a special document called a royal charter on August 4, 1718. This charter was like an official permission from the king to set up the town.

In October 2010, the City Council decided to change when city elections happen. They moved them from May to November, so they now take place at the same time as bigger elections. The first election under this new rule was in November 2012. Terms for elected officials now run from January 1 to December 31.

Leaders of Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy has had many mayors throughout its history. Here are some of the people who have served as mayor:

• Helmin Caba (born 1973): She has been mayor since January 1, 2021.
• Wilda Diaz (born 1964): She served as mayor from 2008 to 2020. Wilda Diaz made history as the first Latina mayor in New Jersey and the first female mayor of Perth Amboy. She served for 12 years over three terms.
• Joseph Vas (born 1955): He was mayor for 18 years, from 1990 to 2008.
• George John Otlowski (1912–2009): He served as mayor from 1976 to 1990.
• Alexander Jankowski: He was mayor from 1972 to 1976. He was elected after the city changed its government system to allow for direct mayoral elections.
• James J. Flynn, Jr.: He served as mayor for 20 years, from 1950 to 1970.
• Edward James Patten (1905-1994): He was mayor from 1934 to 1940.
• William C. Wilson (mayor): He served from 1921 to 1926.
• John F. Tenbroeck Jr.: He was mayor from 1918 to 1920.
• E. W. Barnes (mayor): He served in 1895.
• E. R. Pierce: He was mayor in 1893.
• Uriah Burdge Watson (1838-1919): He served in 1881.
• Eber H. Hall: He was mayor from 1879 to 1880.
• William Paterson (mayor): He served multiple terms, including 1874 to 1878, 1858 to 1860, 1856, and 1846.
• John G. Garretson: He was mayor from 1872 to 1873.
• Joseph L. Crowell: He served from 1870 to 1871 and again in 1862.
• James M. Chapman: He was mayor in 1869.
• Alfred Hall (mayor): He served from 1863 to 1868.
• Edward I. Hall: He was mayor in 1861.
• Solomon Andrews (1806-1872): He served multiple terms, including 1855, 1853, and 1849.
• Joseph D. Forbes: He was mayor in 1854.
• Theodore Frederick King, M.D. (1804-1868): He was a doctor and served as mayor in 1852.
• Lewis Compton (mayor): He was mayor in 1851.
• Lawrence Kearny (1789–1868): He served in 1848.
• Francis William Brinley (1796-1859): He served in 1847 and 1845. He also worked as the Surveyor General of New Jersey.
• James Harriott: He was mayor in 1844.
• Joseph Marsh (mayor): He served in 1834.
• James Parker II (1776–1868): He was mayor from 1831 to 1833.
• John Ratoone (1744-1823): He was a merchant in Perth Amboy and served as mayor in 1808.
• Thomas Farmer (mayor): He was mayor in 1785.
• James Parker I (1725–1797): He was the first mayor of Perth Amboy after it became a city in 1784.
• Samuel Neville: He was a royal colonial mayor in 1758.
• William Kier: He was a royal colonial mayor in 1718.