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Editor, the Asbury Park Sun,

To me, the local Asbury Park election on November 4, 2014 is more immediately important than a national election. My and your vote will determine how issues that affect us every day will be dealt with.

EDUCATION – I want our schools to be places where our youngsters learn there is a bigger world beyond this city and obeying traffic signals is a protection rather than an obstacle; where learning to read and write are passports to success. Both Joe Woerner and Jesse “Coach K” Kendle are educators whose passionate concern for our youngest citizens is of the utmost importance.

CRIME – I want a police force that will not only apprehend criminals but will also work even harder to win the trust of the citizens of Asbury Park so keeping the peace is everyone’s job. Amy Quinn is an attorney whose focus is on helping the under privileged in order to give them a direction that will lead them away from crime and ongoing problems with the law.

BUSINESS- I want businesses to feel welcome and supported by a city hall staff that helps build them up instead of demoralizing them with inefficient and road blocking protocols and carelessness. I want a city hall that respects the time, money and hard work business owners bring to this city. Barbara Yvonne Clayton has worked in major corporations managing accounts connected to AT&T, Fortune 500 businesses. She knows how to run a business office.

QUALITY OF LIFE – I want abandoned and neglected buildings eliminated from our streets. I want our youngsters to feel like they belong and are cherished here so the need to join a gang disappears. I want all our parks to be safe and welcoming places for recreation, socializing and relaxation.

CITY GOVERNMENT – I want a mayor and city council with a vision that represents the ideas and ideals of this city and who support rather than subvert each other. I want them to look at each other with trust rather than leer at each other with suspicion. I want a government that hires personnel based on merit and efficiency and fires personnel who only show up to collect a check instead of serving the public. John Moor has the map of Asbury Park etched on his brow and his hands. As Assistant Director of the Department of Public Works he has a knowledge of the city’s infrastructure like few others do. As a one year councilman, he has uncovered and retrieved thousands of dollars owed the city.

I want the team of Asbury Together to be the next group of people to take up the challenge and responsibility of guiding our city into the future. To me they represent the qualities of public service that have historically guaranteed and enhanced success and progress of the entire citizenry. I want all this and if you want it too, vote for the entire team of Asbury Together.

—Tom Pivinski, Asbury Park

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]

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