The Demise of Newark

Author’s Note
This story may appear repugnant, perhaps ludicrous, and even extremely odious, but it happened just as sure as the sky is blue and the sun shines bright. Many strong and mighty cities eventually were defeated by invading armies, by ruthless dictators, Kings and blood thirsty maniacs. Troy, a mighty city with modern day culture and fame was attacked by the Greeks because Paris, the brother of mighty Hector, took his liberties by stealing King Menelaus’s wife. Yes, she had the face that launched a thousand ships.
In spite of the motion picture, King Menelaus was never killed; in fact, soon after the Greeks defeated the Trojans after ten years of war, the good King got his wife back. Further, Achilles never entered Troy…and yes, he killed mighty Hector in mortal combat, according to the writer Homer in 70 BC. Achilles with his chariot, dragged Hector's body three times around the walls of Troy. The City of Newark’s fate such as it was, suffered its death from within. It imploded with a profound recklessness and extreme unrest: a desire to “burn baby burn…loot baby loot” and it took place without any heroes.

The Author's opinion

In spite of Mr. Booker’s heroics and his sincere attempts to restore Newark, it will never, never be called the Palace of New Jersey. This city was destroyed during the riots, it was burned to a crisp and many, many homes and in some cases blocks of homes were boarded up and still are. Streets with broken class, smashed cans, empty beer bottles, used condoms, and other garbage, clutter the sidewalks and the inner streets. How did it happen that Catholic Churches closed? St. Ann’s, St. Rocco’s, Sacred Heart and St. Antonius together with their schools have closed.

If you looked at the picture of the Mausoleum of the Gottfried Krueger family, I was escorted by an armed guard for my safety so I could take the photo. By far Newark isn’t a safe city nor was it safe when Gibson or James were Mayors. These men had nothing to work with. Famous brand name department stores left Newark. Banks moved away, Borden’s pulled out of the city and so did Breyer’s Ice Cream factory, Hooton Chocolates, Brewster Ideal chocolates, just to name a few. Numerous other production plants pulled out of the city as well. The Colonnade Apartments were supposed to be one of Newark’s great awakenings. After a near murder, and several robberies, the apartments were left to rot. Why should anyone have to live that way? Every bus that drives through Newark is subject to be robbed and the passengers mugged. I remember Newark with its five major movie theaters and the Adams Theater on Branford Place featuring live entertainment. I remember men standing outside of the Borden’s Ice Cream Parlor on Broad and Market Streets, late at night batting the breeze. No more!

No more eateries. No more movie theaters. No more taking a date to Downtown Newark. Just no more of anything, where not even the cemeteries are safe. This is the “Demise of Newark.”