Camden is Strong!

In a strong statement of confidence and fervor, Camden’s mayor recently affirmed to the stakeholder community that the city’s posture is quite sturdy, as a result of the continual progress being made to better the city under his administration since being elected to office in May 2021.

“I am honored to inform you that the state of our city is strong,” Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen told citizens in his annual State of the City remarks at Rutgers Camden campus May 21,2024 while discussing the city’s development efforts to improve housing, parks, and roads.

         Carstarphen, during his 57-minute remarks, thanked colleagues and his family by attributing the success of his accomplishments in reaching this point directly to them. 

“This success is a result of hard work and collaboration,”  he said. “It’s the strong partnership and the result of bonds built between residents, government, businesses, non-profits, the faith-based leaders, working to reimagine Camden and build a bright future for all.” 

Highlighting one initiative, such as the “Camden Clean Up Day,” where volunteers go to some Camden neighborhoods to spruce up and recycle trash to beautify their community, is very popular and welcomed across Camden’s communities.   He announced that the last of the illegal dumping sites would be cleared by June. Many of these locations include local parks such as Alberta Woods Park, Cramer Hill Waterfront Park, and Yorkship Square.

“I have known Victor since high school, and he has always been willing to help his community,” Camden Public Schools Superintendent Katrina McCombs said. “ I am happy to work with him and to call him my friend.”

Carstaphen explained that the city’s efforts have been keenly focused on promoting their small businesses and enhancing the appearance along the city’s commercial corridors.

“At our Camden Clean-up events; we have over 100 volunteers that come out to the events,” said Angel Fuentes, president of the Camden City Council. “City Council is with Mayor Carstarphen. We fully support his efforts.”

The Camden Special Services District’s Matching Grant Program and Urban Enterprise Zone Facade Improvement Program are two programs that offer grants up to $50,000 to qualifying businesses to cover renovations and aid in keeping establishments up to code.  

“Without a doubt, the backbone of the local economy has been and always will be the city’s small business community,”Carstaphen said.

Regarding renovations, Carstarphen’s administration has committed $5 million from American Rescue Plan federal funds to fix and improve seven parks throughout Camden to make them safer and more enjoyable places for residents to gather. 

These improvements include new benches, courts, lighting, playgrounds, landscaping, and sidewalks, according to staff reports and planning.

“What pleased me the most was his desire to see Camden succeed, and that may seem common in elected officials,” said Jacquelyn A. Suarez, acting commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. “But as someone who deals with elected officials across the state of New Jersey, I can tell you it’s not always as common.”  

Additionally, the mayor’s park improvement plan will target 26th & Howell, Whitman Square, Bradley and Ormond, Spruce Street, Yorkship Square, North Gate, and Ralph Williams parks.

“ I have followed his work in the community for months now,” said one Camden resident, who asked not to be identified. “The roads to my job and home have been repaired under his office, making it safer for me to drive on.”