Cramer Hill project foe makes a run of her dream

Camden's Carmen Ubarry Rivera yesterday announced a dream.

The 40-year-old activist officially declared as a candidate for May's City Council election.

"I want to change the status quo," Rivera said, "and give independence and power back to the community . . . I want to change leadership and empower the people."

Rivera has been a key figure opposing the eminent-domain redevelopment of the Cramer Hill neighborhood. She is running for the Ward 4 Council seat, which includes Cramer Hill and North Camden. The seat currently is held by a three-term incumbent, Council President Angel Fuentes.

She and Fuentes differ on the state takeover of Camden, which was designed to revive the struggling city. Rivera believes the takeover has failed to make life better for residents; Fuentes points to programs in the works that will benefit them.

The $1.2 billion Cramer Hill Redevelopment Plan opposed by Rivera called for the relocation of almost 1,200 families. As head of the Cramer Hill Residents Association, Rivera joined a lawsuit that stalled the plan. She also led demonstrations against the proposal.

"How many times will she make her announcement?" said Fuentes, who said Rivera had announced her candidacy before. Rivera said her first official announcement was last night, deliberately timed for the day that honors the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"I wanted to do it on Martin Luther King Day to honor one of my personal heroes who stood for dignity, equality and respect, none of which has been given to the people of Camden," she said.

Rivera, who is married with three children and works as parent coordinator at the LEAP Academy, said her platform is "Change the Leadership. Empower the People."

She promised a grassroots campaign.

"I won't have the money Fuentes has, but I'll have the support from the community," said Rivera.

Rivera said she wants change.

"I intend to win," she said. "I'm not running just to make a point. This is mine. I'm taking it."