George Otlowski Archives - New Jersey Globe

Richard Pucci, former Monroe mayor, dies at 78

May 13, 2025 7:55 pm

Richard Pucci, a Middlesex County Democratic stalwart who spent 28 years as mayor of Monroe Township, died today. He was 78. He began his public service career in 1972 as Perth Amboy’s recreation director, and later as business administrator, while...

Ex-Otlowski aide dies at 84

April 11, 2021 6:37 pm

Gerry Yavor, well-known to Central Jersey pol insiders as the chief of staff to Assemblyman George Otlowski (D-Perth Amboy) in the 1970s and 1980s, died on April 7. She was 84. Yavor first came to prominence in the 1950s, while...

Diaz announces bid for 4th term as Perth Amboy mayor

August 17, 2020 3:47 pmAugust 17, 2020 4:19 pm

Touting a record of fiscal responsibility and leadership during a global health pandemic, Wilda Diaz today formally launched her bid for a fourth term as mayor of Perth Amboy. “I’m proud of all the many achievements of our administration,” said...

Arline Friscia, former Middlesex assemblywoman, dies at 84

October 18, 2019 11:52 amOctober 19, 2019 11:31 am

Arline M. Friscia, who served eight years as a New Jersey assemblywoman where she sponsored a law top expand the state’s family leave law, died on Wednesday. She was 84. In 1995, Friscia unseated Republican incumbents who had captured Middlesex...

William J. Hamilton, former Assembly Speaker, dies at 86

October 12, 2019 4:28 pmOctober 13, 2019 3:11 pm

Former Assembly Speaker William J. Hamilton, Jr., a skilled legislator with a reputation for integrity and independence, died on Thursday. He was 86. A product of John A. Lynch, Sr.’s New Brunswick political organization, Hamilton served six years in the...

Monroe may be only big NJ Dem town that has become more Republican

March 17, 2019 2:37 pmMarch 18, 2019 12:06 am

The 2019 mayoral election is worth watching since Monroe (pop. 39,132) is perhaps the only large municipality in the state that is trending away from being a Democratic stronghold toward the GOP. Democrats have controlled Monroe Township in Middlesex County...

The story of Ed Patten

June 25, 2018 5:10 amDecember 27, 2021 1:55 pm

There was a time when Perth Amboy was the epicenter of power in Middlesex County politics and the hometown of Edward Patten, one of the state’s most colorful and influential politicians for nearly fifty years. The gregarious, boisterous, joke-telling Patten...