By PAUL BOOTH
The Asbury Park City Council appointed Susan Henderson to fill the vacant council seat left by the resignation of James Keady Dec. 31.
She was sworn in at the council’s Jan. 21 meeting. The term ends June 30. If she chooses, she can run for a full term in May.
Henderson, a 16-year city resident, former planning board member and president of the city’s Homeowner’s Association, has long been involved with the city concerning quality of life issues. After reading about Keady’s resignation in the newspaper, she thought it was a good time to offer her services to the city.
“I know this town very well,” said Henderson, who is 54 and a counselor in Ocean Township school system.
“I’ve always loved this city, it’s always been a part of me.”
Henderson was born and raised on Sunset Avenue in Wanamassa, lived for several years in Loch Arbour, and 16 years ago bought a home again on Sunset Avenue, this time in Asbury Park.
“Except for a few years away for college, I haven’t moved very far, just a few blocks,” she said.
Henderson was influential in organizing the Asbury Park Homeowner’s Association, which has grown from 25 members to over 250. According to that organization’s guidelines, which doesn’t permit an officer to hold two seats, Henderson will have to relinquish her role as president, a position she has held for eight years. Homeowner’s Association vice president Jim McGlynn will most likely step up, she said.
As a member of council, and a city resident, Henderson said she is happy to see improvement along the city’s beachfront and downtown areas but would like to see things get done in other parts of town as well.
“I want to to see the city move forward with Main Street and Springwood Avenue,” she said.
Henderson, who had to abstain from any voting at her first meeting, said she will be meeting with city manager Terry Reidy to get up to speed with the issues facing the council.
The other four members of council, Mayor Kevin Sanders, Deputy Mayor Jimmy Bruno, John Loffredo and Ed Johnson are expected to run as a team in the city’s upcoming May election.
Henderson indicated that she would like to include herself in the group of potential candidates.
“I would like to,” Henderson said of running in May. “I don’t think the short time I will have on council will be enough to make the type of difference I am looking to make.”
She said she hasn’t discussed running on a ticket with the other members of council, but she is open to the discussion.
“I’m glad Sue put a resume in,” Loffredo said.
“She’s very qualified, has a great record of public service, and I think she’ll be an asset to the council,” he said.
As for being perceived as a rubber stamp for the current council Henderson dismisses that notion.
“People who know me know I am not easily influenced. I make up my own mind,” she said.
“I take time to gather all the facts, and I don’t rush into decisions.”
The city’s municipal election will be held May 12. Nominating petitions, complete with a minimum of 85 signatures, are due by March 19.
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