New council will replace Asbury City Manager
Reidy pledges a smooth transition until successor is named
The new incoming council majority will replace City Manager Terence Reidy, both Reidy and one of the new council members have confirmed.
Newcomers John Moor, Amy Quinn and Myra Campbell, who ran on the One Asbury ticket, will assume the council majority after their scheduled swearing in on July 1. Incumbents John Loffredo and Susan Henderson were reelected, while incumbent Kevin Sanders lost his seat.
Moor, Quinn and Campbell last week told Reidy [above] that they want to switch city managers, and Reidy has agreed to work with them on the transition, he said.
“They want to have a new city manager,” said Reidy. “I met with all three of them. I know they ran on a theme of change. I heard through the grapevine that they want to change city managers. I met with them on Thursday and offered to work with them on a transition.”
“I’ll meet with them until they’re sworn in and then they’ll be a new council and we’ll work it from there,” Reidy said.
Councilwoman-elect Myra Campbell confirmed that the new majority told Reidy they want to change city managers.
“I’d like to thank him for his service during his tenure here,” Campbell said. “He’s certainly gotten the city from a stalemate position to moving forward.”
Still, voters were looking for a change in how the city was run, including the city manager, Campbell said.
“When we were campaigning, the voters indicated that maybe it’s time for a change in city manager,” she said.
The new council majority expects a smooth transition to Reidy’s successor, Campbell said.
“He has agreed to work with us,” she said. “We look forward to a smooth transition with him at the helm until a replacement is in place.”
Councilwoman-elect Amy Quinn declined comment.
Reidy, 66, started as City Manager on April 28, 2003. He had previously served as City Manager in Montclair.
In Asbury Park’s form of government, the city manager is the chief executive officer. The city council serves as the legislative body, with the power to hire and fire the city manager.
“What Asbury needs more than anything is stability and continuity,” Reidy said. “I will continue to proceed in my role as city manager as long as I’m here.”
The positive changes in the city during the past decade are what makes Reidy most proud of his tenure, he said.
“You take a look at Asbury Park today — the progress that we made in 10 years is unprecedented,” Reidy said. “I feel good about that. That has everything to do with effective management, continuity and stability.”
“It’s about the nitty-gritty of rebuilding this city from the foundation up,” he said. “It’s convincing people to invest here. It’s to convince people to come here. And listening to people who are here already to address their needs. I feel very good about that.”
Spurring development on the waterfront, in the downtown business district and along the Springwood Avenue corridor are among the most important achievements during his tenure, Reidy said. He also cited the rebuilding of the police department and the fire department, as well as the construction of a city park on the west side and an “exponential” increase in the city’s recreation programs.
There are many ongoing initiatives that still need to be completed, he said.
“We’re in the flow of multiple projects,” said Reidy.
“I think Asbury Park is in a good place,” he said. “Cities are never done. Cities evolve.”
————————————————————
Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook and Twitter.