January 7, 2026

and founder of Aleef Muhammad New Year's school. and I'm showing you a different avenue of corruption. Some people is giving money or do like this, He was also on the housing authority commission because we sat together and we worked together. and she had told me that Baez had threatened her because every year, you know, we have to recertify and Baez is what you call a resident commissioner. You have to be able to accept subsidies. And you can live in the housing authority, well, for Trump, you can live in the housing authority I said, hey, this guy ain't got a green card. So Victor said, commission, I've been looking for it that's not even, let's say, a legal alien. He can live in housing, but he can't get the subsidy. His wife or whatever could get half subsidy. So then I got another call where I found out because I ain't spoken about five years, And it says, anybody know he's the worst English And I wanted to tell him a snitch is somebody If I'm down with your corruption, I go tell. I'm more of a whistleblower than a switch, snitch. then he said, in case you got something, person maybe we can have a talk and fix it. because the fans would like to talk to you because when I was on a stakeout in Pennsylvania in New York on you, so they wanna talk to you. So he said, huh, I ain't heard from him since. So 80% of the things that I could talk about, But this to show you, he was five years. And it was funny because I was watching you when they had to give him the five years Because I asked, I said, who put him on? I put him on because this was, they told me, she said, the Hispanics kicked him to the curb. I said, huh, they said the same thing about Norma, So what I'm just saying is that that's corruption. and I said something and Victor said, oh, he came. because I had put a lot of pressure with the feds on him. and he's the dumbest and dumb person in the world. But why he was there was because he was a yes vote. I'm not turning the phone, I'm using my phone. Victor said, if you don't turn that phone back in because we turning our phones in, we all going to jail.

I want to thank the Lord for waking us up this morning blessed and our family, friends, homeless, needy, You got a 99 year old, a 93, two 80 years old, I'm gonna give a moment of silence for our son, He was a sheriff officer for many years for the county. I want to talk about Mr. Spicer coming here and how I've been here all this for years. because you were the only one that challenged him because you come in front of my building, What I did, I taped everything that I tell you. But when he spoke about 98% of the building being filled, you got six empty apartments on my floor, the same stuff that the people left that's hospitalized in the recess, stuff still on the balcony, stuff still in there, nasty stuff in the refrigerator, across the hall, the lady that died in and out of there, The COVID, everybody's coughing in here, You would think that y'all would implement the masks. Everybody was so adamant about keeping the seniors safe. but not now in a waiting or confirmation. We got a situation to me that's fire hazard. people were grown adults were putting furniture So we got cameras on each garbage, each hallway. We got cameras everywhere on every floor. My concern is that the garbage doors are being locked several times Monday to Friday, on the Saturdays, on the weekends, they should all be open. I think for me, and next was there just like that But the safety issue is that the fire extinguisher Each exit, we got fire inspectors coming in here daily. Each exit except the third, you got alarms on it. Count to 20 in your mind and it'll click. Fire department came out, told them to take the locks on. I tried to get it to the assistant manager. The things that was full been done in my apartment I need you to come back, because you saw everything. Departments that had eviction letters on it those are all departments that's not done round tree. that they rush past us, they can rent them out, Felicia Austin, everybody said they thought Was exaggerating, I wouldn't exaggerate about bodies, for all the fully mold covering removal. I wanna know how they didn't finish that work when they back, but you drop brand new floors, So I know when I come to the mic, I be targeted. It's been four years that Keisha Daniels Federal, I ask that you put the list back, Ms. Daniels. So I emailed the clerk's office this paper again. I've been bringing it down to y'all for two years. School board meetings that went to Roger Leone. It has went to the Office of Violence Prevention. It has went to the Department of Public Safety. I just wanna talk a little bit about UMDMJ real quick. It's a lot of homeless people that basically signs in and get banned so that they can have a place to stay. And then also I noticed there was a lot of foreign people but I didn't have a problem with the foreigners We watched all the Latino expanded people That was the same kind come out and call them. and you had the administrator come to me. He was like, let me see what your activism could do. and watched people go in and out while we sat there. I don't wanna put anybody was very stressing with the people that actually worked there and also the people that wanted to be serviced. It was one lady that I know was a God-fearing woman cause you could tell how scared she was, but also very prayerful and very kind to people. and also watched a mental health man not be dealt with when I know Robert Wood Johnson, Rutgers, UMDMJ We have a lot of policy that's within our community or punishes us for the things that we go through. And we know we didn't start all this stuff. We know we live in red line communities. We also know that we have a drill rat epidemic within our community in all urban communities. They shooting up DJ studios, kids are getting, that we have within our children, with our children. And nobody is doing nothing else about it. Maybe we could get some discussion started but I have been like practically begging people, we need to get along to be able to move forward, push the needle, whatever you wanna call it. And now One Hood is having something tonight. from each one of y'all offices to that meeting and make sure that they publicize the meeting. I don't have the information for the One Hood meeting the board of education, the police department, I have a problem with us really not getting to the root of what's going on with our children. the community looking at me like, what is she doing? Because I know there's so many mothers out here that's going through the same thing as me. I'm not responsible for my children legally anymore, in a world where we have elected officials and a lot of leaders that have not figured it out yet.

Someone help pull the microphone down for her. and I'm here because of the problems I'm having I went to court with them twice already. Now this time they said they terminated me. I've had my Section 8 since 611 High Street. I've never had a problem with Section 8. Getting their documents or anything else. They told me they needed more documents. They came out and inspected my apartment where I live. So they told me I had three months to move. And all of a sudden they're not paying anymore. You all came out and inspected this house. Now all of a sudden I'm terminated for what reason? Then they said we couldn't speak with your landlord. because you didn't show us your voucher, I've never had a paper voucher since I've been there, I have COPD and all this working against me. But with Section 8, it's no talking to them. And it's like they pass them up from this person They still all will get in touch with you. I've had my Section 8 too long since 6-11 And I'm thinking about, I have grandchildren at least. But with the stress that these people give to me How did I get this paperwork if it wasn't for you? And then you say, oh, you're not in the system. I don't wanna die because I don't have nowhere to go. But this is what they're forcing me to do. I need some help, please somebody help me. Thank you for your comments, Ms. Rogers. So please don't leave before the meeting's over. I wanna give God glory, honor, and praise And I wanna thank every single one of you for allowing me to come before you to speak. but many of you know me as Milagros Angels, that this is the first time ever in all the years This is the first time that I've ever come before you So I wanna give God glory, honor, and praise for allowing me this opportunity to be here today. Quintana, Anibal Ramos, and Carlos Gonzalez, because throughout the years when I've asked for help, But I'm here today because I wanna make an appeal. a ministry that's been here in the city of Newark I'm originally from New York, from the Bronx. There was drugs, alcohol, gang banging, and jail. When I came to Newark, my whole life changed. I was told that nothing good happens here. It's not true because my entire life changed here. And when I heard the voice of this man tell me, I'm gonna clean you up and I'm gonna send you back out so others can see what I've done for you so that they too can come to me in their time of need. My whole life changed since I've been here. that are on drugs, alcohol, prostitution, gang banging. Those are the people that have been helping me I asked for a building so that I can help the people. ESL, GED, computers, rehabilitation, detox. I've needed a place so that I can store the food, the groceries, the food, the toiletries, I have some receipts of the U-Haul trucks that I've rented. I have receipts for storages, my own money. I've wasted every single penny that I've had The Bible teaches me in Philippians 4.13 And even though I've gone through struggles, I've been shot at, I've been threatened, Last year I was in a hospital in a coma, in and out for three months, two heart attacks, even though I was told not to come outside to do anything, I've been out working for the people. I had a truck and even in the church parking lot, I came over several months ago to ask for help. I left these letters for every single office. Only two office answered, Carlos Gonzalez where we get 24 and 25 pallets of groceries because I'm busy paying you whole trucks and storages. There's money for galas, there's money for parties, but there is no money to help struggling nonprofits but thank you for your comments, Ms. Gonzalez. I need to address the ordinance on the record. Ordinance 6FA that was adopted today on first reading will be advertised in accordance with law or soon thereafter in the council chamber. Anything from the councilwoman, Scott Ronson? I wanted to respond to Shucks, Ms. Tucker, I think we have LaToya's number to reach out to her because she has sent us that information. So I don't know what we're going to do collectively, I've seen what she's gone through with her two children. And she is actually trying to get some help. And I would like to see what we can do collectively So again, I still Councilwoman Bays, office and LaVar. So we're going to try to do something with the system of the Health Department on many occasions, and she has done what she had to do, as you know. but I will reach out to your office, Director Katelyn, and see can I schedule a visit along with my colleagues And I believe that that particular building So I have made a couple of visits there. I met with, even the Director came to a meeting some time ago, and Katelyn has been on top of, But we do need to address for ourselves, to be clear on the issues that Ms. Lee is talking about. She's just the only one that comes to the meeting So we're not going to disregard your comments. and we will set up something to make a site visit on Raul and Gaynor after my final comments. If I could just to what Councilwoman Scott Rowntree said, Ms. Lee, because we also are in the process because those issues have been addressed with him. And we are going to do a little bit more investigation because we do understand and know your concerns. and my staff and I have been to those buildings and have addressed those issues with the management and with Director and we're doing some followup. Let me think, Councilwoman Scott Rowntree. but UMD and Jay, someone addressed what took place. And I get a lot of texts about the emergency room. I have spoken to the powers that be regarding the instance. So we are addressing right now the emergency room treatment, not just for the patients, but the homeless population. in the next couple of weeks to address that. I'll let you know when that meeting is set up. for the administration Councilman, I'm sorry. It was a commentary earlier regarding the confusion with some of the fiscal year grants that are received. I don't want to speak for every grant that's on here, is usually based on the fiscal year of the grantor. So we're not talking about the city's fiscal year. And I just want to make sure that people are aware of that because that would give you something to balance against. there was a lot of confusion over SNAP and NGA grants. Those grants, we generally receive some indication early and what the restrictions are for those funds. So that delayed the process of receiving the funds but others for other departments may be the same. They're coming with meetings for the grant recipients to further define restrictions for the use of funds. And if you have to have the meeting first grants are extended because of those early on delays. it looks like, well, why are we looking at something in 24 and now you're looking at a different year, I hope that provides some explanation for the public as to why these months and years don't always line up. Just a note to say thank you to the general public, to my colleagues last night at Essex County College. I just wanna let everyone know that the appreciation is, the children of our city, the diversity was there. And it was just a feeling of getting thank you. And the folks that were there on the council, you just got the vibes of the young people. It remind me that that Three Kings event started in this room here some 30 some years ago. And then from here, we went on to Councilman Tucker's And it has grown with the public schools and with the participation of wrapping a toy for a child, letting them know that we appreciate it. I wanna thank everyone who contribute our toys So we're gonna go visit some hospitals in the area and visit some of the children in the city. you when you see the faces about of 1600 kids that attended, that's how many kids were given yesterday, And that's the joy from the different words of the city or diversity, cause we have to learn about each other. and to my colleagues in the city of Newark. And from Councilman Kelly, Councilman Ramos. whether it's code enforcement or the courts. We've had numerous complaints filed against 255-259 Grafton Avenue, which is a one family home they're definitely operating some kind of construction They have construction vehicles parked on site We've asked the police division to ticket and have commercial and construction vehicles. And I know the fire division had recently visited the property and they've noted that most definitely I would hope that there's some kind of update from the courts as far as fines have been levied and any kind of corrective action that's been mandated. We had a few speakers who came here regarding some traffic safety concerns on Lake Street I received an email from one of the homeowners who've been here a few times and she's spoken. I walked through the area with Director Wooden. We had asked for some suggestions on traffic calming measures that maybe we can look at realistically in that area and also for the police again We have vehicles that sometimes encroach So if we can just get a report in anticipation you know, they want residential parking permit. that the city's evaluating and is looking to do in collaboration with the parking authority more regionally as opposed to just individual blocks which just pushes the problem onto the next block. The last motion on my end is that we're in the process now with state of New Jersey and some of the organizations, to the construction of the new greenway. that's gonna connect Montclair to Jersey City and the construction is actually starting along the old Conrail or Norfolk Southern line adjacent to this walkway and one of them is 879 Broadway. There's a lot to the left of that property that's right next to the greenway that's being constructed. And this particular property owner has probably like seven all kinds of debris parked on that property. and you look at the lot next to the social club that's there and the bar and the auto body place, Some of those cars are like they've been there in anticipation of this greenway project moving quickly. to see if we can work on that change to the ordinance. I have, I partner with a couple of young individuals, Saida McKnight and a few other individuals but they're doing their final casting call for the event that is to take place on July 2026. are spearheading this event that will be held council president, I'm in acting and fashion. for this year for initials entertainment, along with the New York Interfaith Alliance who will be hosting the casting call for singers plays that have been written by Pastor Mike Carr. The monologue has to be under two minutes. if you sing, prepare one measure of a song. That is for January 17th, open casting call, I wanted to know how we could assist individuals with clearing their record of minor charges. There's certain degrees that cannot be expunged, but I will be holding another expungement clinic partnering with Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker. This will be held on January 28th, 2026, This will be in partnership with Stono Public Affairs and the New Jersey Office of Public Defenders. you're free to call my office, 973-733-3103, Expressing sorrow and regret for Valerie Crump, who was a long time resident of Renner Avenue They were calling me, council president, However, we do express profound sorrow and regret She was a member of Clearview Baptist Church And then there's Estelle Renata Adams Wright who does so much pertaining to the entertainment She too is a disciple of Clearview Baptist Church. So we send our condolences to Valerie Adams And next on the list are two birthday shout outs but there's somebody in the council chambers that I gave birth to and his name is LeVar Justin. Come on, I'm wishing you a happy birthday, son, because you were born on January 7th, 19 blank. We saw some old pictures of you too when you were young. So happy birthday, son, happy birthday Harvey and to all of those born in the month of July, January rather, we wish you a happy birthday. Yes, councilman Kelly must say something real quick. I didn't, the information for Marilyn Gaynor we definitely want to send condolences to his He's just been a fixture in the city of Newark. and then met my mother and became a preacher. But we do extend condolences to his very large family and thank him, his family for sharing him with us Councilman Kelly, something real quick to add. Oh yeah, I just want to thank councilwoman Roundtree Her birthday is also today, January 7th. All right, happy birthday Tasha, happy birthday. Also the grandmother of Amira who works here now at Transcend on Saturday, this Saturday coming up. on the Bergen and Nye Street bridge project from the DOT and what is occurring and happening with that. All right, let me, I got about 30 of them. Just a couple of quick things I wanted to say. One, I just wanted to, let me say it was a pleasure she had a toys for tots as well as health and wellness event but it was actually after the last council meeting my council colleagues that were able to come and support, be there, really appreciate it. And all the amazing sponsors that helped us out from the devils to girls Academy to the Volkins pioneers, FOP, superior officers, university hospital, RWJ Barnabas, and I'm gonna get in trouble The Delta Sigma Theta, I'd get in trouble we got haircuts, we had health and wellness information I can't shout them out, got a shout out, help provide information for employment. it's about families and about trying to make sure that we can do something and help out family. We even had to haircuts if I didn't mention that before. And so I just wanted to say it was a pleasure and worked with our community to help support them I also wanted to, that might've been it. are always here to support and be here for, for the residents and for the administration