Asbury Park voters will go to the polls Tues., May 14 to vote for five City Council members. In this all-important race where residents will decide who will continue to lead this city by the sea into the 21st century there are 22 candidates. We endorse the five we believe best suited to serve the residents, business owners and taxpayers through their proven dedication, their leadership skills, their history with the city and their willingness to listen. But perhaps, more importantly, we believe these five, although on different tickets, can and will work together for the city’s future.
John Loffredo, who currently serves as deputy mayor, has been a council member for 12 years. He was part of the dream team put together in 2001 by Councilman Jim Bruno, who is not seeking reelection. Loffredo and his council members guided the city through a tunnel of neglect into the thriving city we see today. He and his colleagues established the Recreation Committee in the city which now offers a variety of programs for all city children. He is the founding president of the Asbury Park Homeowners Association and is a member of the Planning Board. Loffredo has worked hard for the city during his dozen years on council and deserves another term.
Sue Henderson, who is seeking her second full term, has spent many years as a volunteer in the city during the two decades she has lived there. She is co-founder of the Asbury Park Homeowners Association and is a member of both the Wesley Lake and Deal Lake Commissions. She has always made time to talk to residents about issues and concerns. She is not afraid of working hard and has shown her dedication to the city. We believe she should be returned to office.
John Moor, a city resident for more than 35 years, is a retired deputy director of public maintenance for the city with 31 years of service. He served 12 years on the Asbury Park Board of Education and currently is vice chairman of the city’s Housing Authority. He is also a trustee of the Asbury Park Historical Society. He knows the city inside and out. He is smart and knowledgeable about how the city is run and he will bring no special interests baggage to the table. He will be an asset to the city and should be elected.
Myra L. Campbell, who is seeking her first elected term, is a well-known community leader advocating for improvements and better living conditions for the city’s West Side. She served as president of the West Side Neighborhood Block Watch and is a former commissioner on the city’s Housing Authority. She was a member of the first Urban Enterprise Zone in the city and currently lends a hand at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Asbury Park. Campbell is a no-nonsense woman who always has her facts lined up before she speaks. Over the years she has shown her concern for residents by her relentless attention to issues. She is a go-getter and knows the meaning of follow-through. She should be elected.
Amy Quinn, a city resident for 12 years, is an attorney in forensic psychology. She is vice-chairman of the city’s Environmental Commission and an attorney with the community health law project. She volunteers in the Reading Buddies program at the Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. Quinn is not afraid of hard work as shown by her volunteerism. She knows how to work with people and, more importantly, will listen. We support her for council.