I have always been driven to stand up for people whether during my childhood as the big brother to my siblings, or as a lawyer making sure the rights of vulnerable parties were protected during the legal process. I am running because I feel it is my duty to utilize whatever talents and expertise I possess to support people, protect their interests, and make a positive impact in my community. I just retired from a very demanding legal career which I juggled for many years with raising my two children that left little time for anything else. I have always loved Asbury Park from the first moment I came here 26 years ago. I now have the opportunity to apply my passion, commitment, and work ethic, along with my advocacy and negotiation skills, to champion the interests of the residents of Asbury Park and achieve positive results for the community. I will bring a fresh outlook and approach, along with a new skill set, to City leadership to tackle the current issues facing our City, including affordability, development, neighborhood safety and quality of life, Asbury Park’s identity, and economic and civic opportunity, as described above in my priorities. I have always enjoyed working collaboratively and will bring people together to preserve the uniqueness of our City and protect its diverse and vibrant community.
My legal background will be an asset to review development agreements and negotiate terms that benefit both the City and the developers, and positively impact the community. I will use my legal skills to monitor developers' compliance and promptly seek to enter into discussions to resolve disputes and keep projects moving forward in accordance with the agreed upon terms. I will advocate for future development that aligns with the varied and balanced land uses and housing options envisioned in the City's Master Plan to ensure that all development - including the waterfront, the commercial business district, Springwood Avenue, and throughout the City - is properly guided to provide housing and community spaces throughout the City that complement the unique character of the City, welcome and support our diverse community, and preserve and celebrate the City's varied history. I will also work to ensure that development in the City utilizes our local workforce and provides for employment opportunities for our residents.
I will work to stabilize property taxes by examining the city budget for opportunities to decrease spending while maintaining quality services by utilizing competitive contracting, reviewing professional-service contracts, considering shared services, and seeking grant acquisitions, as well as analyzing debt management. The lack of affordability threatens the very nature of what makes Asbury Park so unique. I am committed to reducing the financial strain on residents by cutting unnecessary spending and optimizing the budget to ensure that living here continues to remain accessible for longstanding residents, business owners, and artists who have contributed so much to our community.
I support the City's affordable housing goals to provide balanced housing options and encourage the continued development of a variety of housing as outlined in the City's Master Plan and implemented most recently by the adoption of the Fourth Round Housing Plan. I favor the continued creation of affordable units, zoning amendments to incentivize inclusionary housing and promote affordable housing, the preservation of existing affordable units, the rehabilitation of existing housing, and the production of new units for increased homeownership opportunities.
Affordability in the City has also been significantly impacted by property tax increases resulting from the school budget. A liaison between the City Council and the Board of Education could possibly promote cooperation and collaboration through information sharing and joint meetings to discuss subjects such as the coordination of youth services, recreation, school security, and grant opportunities in order to provide the best services to our children and families in a cost-effective manner.
I will utilize my experience practicing criminal law to favor policies that reduce crime and keep our community safe, such as crime prevention strategies that include early childhood interventions, education, and social programs to support at-risk youth, as well as the availability of city services to provide support for residents challenged by substance use and mental-health issues. Public safety can also be enhanced by neighborhood watch programs and community cooperation with police to monitor and report suspicious activity. I will provide whatever support is needed to the Police Director to ensure that the Police Department has the proper resources to effectively police our community while also building and maintaining community trust.
I will work in conjunction with the Quality of Life Committee to ensure that City Hall is properly staffed to receive and effectively respond to quality of life concerns throughout the City, to include code enforcement, noise, and housing complaints. I will strive to provide residents with effective ways in which to communicate concerns to the City and to then receive timely information back from the City as to a clear plan of action that will be taken to address and resolve those concerns.
In addition to supporting the important work of the Environmental Shade Tree Commission and the Green Team Committee, I will seek to promote further sustainable urban development through innovative environmental policies to include supporting infrastructure upgrades such as permeable pavement and green roofs, and the continued upgrading of the Asbury Park Wastewater Treatment Plant, along with the adoption of a coastal resiliency plan, expanded tree canopies, and park upgrades.
I will prioritize the preservation of historic structures and encourage historic preservation to promote the City's history and maintain Asbury Park's unique character throughout the City. I will confer with the Asbury Park Historical Society and Save Our Structures - Asbury Park, and any other organizations committed to historic preservation in order to collaborate on ways to achieve such preservation. Specifically as to the Boardwalk preservation of Convention Hall, the Paramount Theater, the Casino Arcade, the Carousel building, and the Steam Plant, I will utilize my legal experience and training to review the agreements and grant documents, the resolutions, independent legal review documents, and the City's communications, along with the redevelopment plans, to advocate for the fulfillment of the Developer's legal obligations. I will also work to negotiate a plan of action to resolve any contractual disputes to ensure the proper rehabilitation of these historic buildings, so that these landmarks continue to inspire generations for years to come.
I will work to sustain, promote, and grow the City's arts and culture activities and installations that contribute so importantly to the unique character of our City through seeking local grants, utilizing open spaces, promoting local events to encourage patronage, and integrating arts into recreation programs and public workshops. Also, as addressed in my affordability section, I will seek to protect affordable live-work spaces and low-cost artist studios. Our vibrant arts community must be supported and nurtured so that it may continue to enhance the overall quality of life for City residents while also supporting cultural diversity and economic development.
I will seek to provide the necessary resources for the City's Recreation Department to expand and enhance recreational activities throughout the City for residents of all ages to foster a more connected community. Specifically as to our youth, I will work to sustain and expand programming for summer camps, sports, and mentoring and leadership programs to strengthen their physical and emotional well-being and guide them to lead healthy lives and be caring and responsible citizens. I will also promote and encourage varied community events throughout the City that bring people together to enjoy our diverse neighborhoods and to build stronger social ties throughout our community while also supporting local businesses, such as First Fridays sponsored by the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce and Westside Wednesdays (even though it is really Tuesdays!) promoted by the Asbury Park African-American Music Project.
Asbury Park's local businesses are an integral part of what makes our City so unique. I will prioritize the City's Business Development Department's efforts to support and grow local businesses by utilizing New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone program incentives, such as the half sales tax rate, tax free business purchases, and business assistance programs (facade and walkway improvements, lease subsidies, internships). I will seek further state funding (tax breaks, grants) to assist local businesses and incentivize business development. I will encourage greater opportunities for the City's local businesses to showcase and sell their products and services with more events comparable to "Made (and Sold) in Asbury Park." I also envision the provision of mentorship programs and career workshops to promote entrepreneurship and provide community members with the skills necessary to enter the workforce. I will champion policies that encourage a diverse, year-round economic base and provide the support necessary for small businesses to thrive in order to foster a vibrant economy that benefits our community. I will work to bring new business and industry to our City, including retail, healthcare, tourism, arts and culture, technology and entrepreneurship, and to create employment opportunities for residents.
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
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916 Silver Spur Rd, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274