Case over, city looks to future

By KIM MAIALETTI and KATHY HENNESSY
Courier-Post Staff
CAMDEN

No one rejoiced Thursday on the streets of Camden.

Instead, both those who believe justice was served and those who believe Mayor Milton Milan is innocent agreed the city must begin its next chapter.

City council President Gwendolyn Faison, expected to be named acting mayor today, said no one should be happy about a guilty verdict.

"It's not a time for rejoicing," Faison said. "It's a time for healing."

City Clerk Luis Pastoriza called it "a sad day for the city."

"There were a lot of folks who put faith in Milton Milan," he said. "The goals and aspirations of not just the Hispanic community, but the entire community, are far greater than Milton Milan."

Angelica Ortiz, a City Hall security guard, said Milan failed city residents.

"I'm glad they found him guilty," the 20-year-old said. " We thought since he was the first Hispanic mayor, he was going to do something good for the city."

Gov. Christie Whitman said the verdict proves the state must be given legislative authority to take over Camden.

"Milan's conviction further underscores the need to make dramatic changes in restoring faith to the citizens of Camden in their city's governance," Whitman said.

Colandus "Kelly" Francis, president of Camden County's NAACP, said voters must carefully select their next leader.

"It's damaging to the city's image, but it is a positive as far as Camden's ability to now move forward," Francis said. "It is now up to the citizens to select people with the proper credentials, moral character and qualifications to do the job they are elected to do."