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Published Date: 2012­12­25
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by Jacqueline Durett, Sayreville Suburban
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News from New Jersey: South Amboy residents support Woodbridge Developmental Center
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Three advocates for residents of the Woodbridge Developmental Center (WDC) addressed the City Council on Dec. 19 in hopes
Latest From CAPT that it would pass a resolution in support of keeping the state facility open.
A state task force has recommended the center, as well as the North Jersey Developmental Center in Totowa, for closing. More
CAPT Facts than 300 residents live at the WDC, and the task force recommends that they transition either to community group homes or to
other developmental centers.
California Psychiatric
Joanne St. Amand, whose sister Rosemary lives at the WDC, said that family members are against the task force
Technicians are licensed,
recommendations for a number of reasons, including the fact that other developmental centers are located in South Jersey, which
educated and regulated would make visits more difficult. Rosemary, 57, has the cognitive ability of a 3­ month­old, she said.
according to state law.
St. Amand also said that WDC residents have made a home in Woodbridge.
“It’s creating a very tragic situation for our individuals,” she said. “They need our help. This is a population that you don’t normally
Featured Item see. They don’t adjust to change well. They’re very fragile.”
Rickey Cobb, an analyst who works at the center, said he’s been there for nearly 30 years.
Community group homes, he said, are a fit for those with higher cognitive abilities — not for this type of population.
“I want you to understand. … that these individuals cannot defend themselves,” he said. “I’m a staff member, I have to do that.”
He said that even if he lost his job at the center, “I would just like to walk away knowing that they’re going to be OK.”
“They are your citizens; they need your help,” said Rex Reid, political representative of the American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees. “They know no other homes. The state’s plan to move residents is ill­conceived and deadly.”
He said community­placement measures in other states have been unsuccessful.
Cobb said he believes the center could close as early as November, so he hopes the council and other legislators will act quickly.
The plan the task force released in August calls for action to be taken within a five­year window.
Other municipalities, such as Woodbridge, Paterson and Totowa, have passed resolution in support of keeping the center open,
and advocates have been visiting various municipalities to garner more support.
The advocates also passed around a petition for audience members to sign, and left materials for the council to review.
The meeting was the last for Councilman William Schwarick, who is stepping down from his Third Ward role. He will be retaining
his role, however, with the city’s redevelopment agency.
“I want to thank Bill for all your service. You’ve served your ward well; you’ve served the entire city well,” said Mayor Fred Henry.
Schwarick joined the council in 2009; he was appointed to fill the seat held by John O’Connell.
Zusette Dato will be sworn in as his replacement at the city’s reorganization meeting.
“I would like to say it’s been a true honor to serve the city of South Amboy,” Schwarick said.
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