Senator Andy Kim Listens to Camden Residents Left Out of $6.7M EMR Deal
Article by Jewel Justice and Frank Santos
Residents of the Waterfront South neighborhood of Camden, N.J. met with U.S. Senator Andy Kim for a community roundtable after expressing frustration with Camden city officials, particularly over a surprise $6.7 million agreement announced last week without public input. The meeting, held at Camden FireWorks, an art gallery and studio space, was organized by a group of residents impacted by the Feb.21st EMR fire. Many said they have felt ignored by city and state leaders for years.
According to Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen’s announcement last week, the funds will cover a new fire-suppression system at EMR’s South Front Street facility, a reimbursement to the city fire department, and an overall investment in Camden’s Waterfront South area. At the time of the community roundtable with Senator Kim, there had not been a town hall or public conversation between residents and city officials to gather their needs from their perspective.
According to the city of Camden, an advisee group assigned to assist EMR in this investment will lead the decisions. However, the city has yet to provide details on how this working group will be elected and how they will facilitate the $4.5 million that will be paid out in 2025 as well as the $450,000 annually over the next five years.
The February fire, which was the sixth massive fire since 2016, sent toxic smoke across the South Jersey and Philadelphia region, with the Waterfront South area being most impacted.
“I haven’t slept comfortably since the fire and it is a shame that the people directly affected by the fire are being intentionally excluded from the conversations with EMR,” said Aliyah Jones, a Waterfront South resident who was evacuated during the February fire and could see the fire from her home.
Senator Kim is known to be vocal about environmental justice issues in New Jersey. In 2022, he opposed the construction of a gas power plant in Newark, arguing that it would worsen air pollution for already vulnerable residents. He also co-sponsored the PFAS Action Act to protect communities from harmful chemicals in drinking water.
“It’s clear that not only EMR, but also Camden city officials have made promises that they have not followed through with,” Kim said at the roundtable.
Residents urged the Senator to pressure Camden’s Mayor and city officials to allow them to be involved in decisions on how the investment is spent. The agreement will go to Camden City Council for a vote in 30 to 45 days which residents hope to petition against as the process unfolds.
Written by :
Jewel Justice & Frank Santos
Date Posted :
April 24, 2025