Let us take you back in time to that eventful month. Early on in that month one thing was certain. The results of "Project Impact" were clear the homes between 49-69 Mulberry Street were to be bought out by the City of Trenton. This was the result of the Federal Mitigation study conducted since the early '20's of flooding events in this area. And the only solution they could come up with based upon insurance claims.
Then on the 16th of September 1999 Hurricane Floyd struck New Jersey. This time though not only was Mulberry Street under water but much of the City including the train station as well most northern communities.This event changed the City's Plans now instead of just 49-69 Mulberry the entire row from the old bar right down to Nottingham Way is now upon the chopping block.
As recovery was occurring the City as a gestured wanted to show it was taking effective action. They hurried the Voluntary Acquisition Program into existence. With moneys from FEMA, and the State the City hurried out assessor's to re-appraise properties in post flood conditions.
As the initial buy-out offers arrived many owner/occupants were shocked due to a clerical error that struck fear into our hearts. For the error was a paragraph that stated the City reserves the right to acquire title by involuntary condemnation!
Given the frustration and lack of trust due to hearing over the years that the City would protect us of course it is natural to hear that we could lose our properties through condemnation. With all the promises made by the City and hearing time again that the Assunpink Creek was being studied to find a solution to our flooding issues. Lack of trust and disbelief should be no shock to those whom made these statements.
Adding insult to injury the range of current buy-out offers are in the range of $32,000 to $37,000 for property and homes. Plus only half of those involved have received an initial buy-out offer.
As owner/occupants watched helplessly millions upon millions of dollars spent in the "study" of these flooding issues. That have provided jobs for others, their solution is the Creek wins and owner/occupants lose!
Through the efforts of the East Trenton Community Council; Mulberry Street Association was formed to address this issue. The Ark shown above is our logo that shall help us to a better life.
We are owner/occupants of homes currently involved in the City's buy-out and re-development plans for Trenton, New Jersey.
The reason why we have banned together to form Mulberry Street Association is because first we all share a common goal, second so far government has been the only one who has benefited from our hardship. They benefited because it meant jobs for them, first in the "study" of Assunpink Creek and now the "re-development" and or its "preservation".
These people are being paid top dollar to decide our fate. Yet none of them reside here. None of them know this area as we do. None of them had to overcome differences in times of emergency such as floods to pull together to re-build and protect each other.
None of them had to suffer the loss of precious belongings in the murky silt filled waters of the Assunpink Creek. Now that they have consumed the largest part of that fiscal pie they give us the crumbs and say here now go and find housing elsewhere!
Mulberry Street Association is here to say, no these crumbs will not do! Attend our meetings stay in touch keep informed, together we stand divided we fall this is for all our benefit.
Mulberry Street Association its officers include; Chairman, Mr. David Ponton Jr., Co-Chairman, Wesly Sokotoski, Treasurer, Mrs. Myra Rosa.
Its membership includes, The Rosa Family, The Miller Family, The Lovette Family, The Jackson Family, The Gibbons Family, The Olmeda Family, The Martinez Family, The Ponton Family, and The Sokotoski Family. Mulberry Street Association is also a member of the Trenton Council of Civic Associations.
