Kelly out as City Manager on Jan 1
Nuccio will serve as acting manager until replacement found
The incoming city council has announced it will not reappoint City Manager Jack Kelly [above] after they take office on January 1.
As a result of a change of government referendum approved by voters last year, a new council was elected this past November and various key positions have to be reappointed after January 1.
Kelly will not be one of those reappointed, according to a joint statement issued by incoming Mayor John Moor, and the four other members of the new council — Amy Quinn, Jesse Kendle, Joe Woerner and Yvonne Clayton.
“It’s a change of government. It’s an entirely new council who thought it would be beneficial to have new leadership,” said Moor, who was elected mayor in November after serving as a councilman since 2013.
Quinn, who also took office in 2013, echoed Moor’s desire for various changes in city government operations with the change of government.
“We’re interested in moving in a different direction,” said Quinn. “This is one of the several changes you are going to see in the upcoming new year.”
In an email to community and business leader, Kelly stated, “this small, historic, diverse, Bohemian community is a jewel and a fabulous place to be. I’ve been fortunate to work with all of you and wish you continued success.”
The new council intends to appoint Anthony Nuccio as Acting City Manager on January 1, the statement said. Nuccio currently serves as Director of Community Relations and Social Services and as the Deputy City Manager. His status of Acting City Manager will last for 90 days or until a permanent position is found, whichever occurs first, according to the new council’s statement.
“The new Council wishes to recognize and thank Mr. Kelly for his dedication and service to the residents of Asbury Park over the last year, and to offer Mr. Kelly their best wishes for his future endeavors,” the statement said.
Kelly replaced City Manager Terence Reidy who was not reappointed by a new council which took office on July 1, 2013. Kelly had previous served as administrator in Jersey City, as well as in other administrative posts in urban areas in North Jersey.
In Asbury Park’s form of government, the manager serves as the chief executive officer of the government, running day-to-day operations of the city. The council sets policy and provides oversight.
The full statement of the new council follows:
On behalf of the incoming members of the Asbury Park City Council, this statement will confirm that on December 18, 2014, Jack Kelly was advised that the new Council does not intend to appoint Mr. Kelly to the City Manager position under the new “Council-Manager” form of government (per N.J.S.A. 40:69A-81, et seq.), which takes effect as of January 1, 2015, following the natural expiration on December 31, 2014 of Mr. Kelly’s current term as City Manager under the City’s present “Municipal Manager” form of government (per N.J.S.A. 40:79-1, et seq.).
The new Council wishes to recognize and thank Mr. Kelly for his dedication and service to the residents of Asbury Park over the last year, and to offer Mr. Kelly their best wishes for his future endeavors.
At the Council’s Reorganization Meeting scheduled for 12 o’clock noon on January 1, 2015, the Council intends to appoint Anthony Nuccio, who currently serves as the City’s Director of Community Relations and Social Services and as the Deputy City Manager, to the position of City Manager in an “Acting” capacity for a period of ninety (90) days or until a permanent appointment to the position of City Manager has been made, whichever occurs first. Mr. Nuccio has previously served as the City Manager in a similar “Acting” capacity. Given the City’s status as a transitional aid municipality, the incoming Council has consulted with representatives of the State’s Division of Local Government Services regarding this matter, and the State has provided its consent to the incoming Council’s course of action.
The following is the full text of the email from Jack Kelly to community and business leaders upon the announcement that he will not be reappointed:
On December 31 my email address will go dark. Although difficult to make an indelible mark in only ten-and-a-half months, I’m delighted to have built on my predecessor’s accomplishments. 2014 year-end results are impressive: City Revenues are up noticeably and a substantial decrease in crime will be posted over the previous year. Groundwork is also in place for more housing starts to take place in 2015 than ever before.
Initiatives organized in 2014 should take final shape in the ensuing months. The Bangs Avenue parking garage will be properly “signed” and new gate access will provide parking to the general public seven days a week. A robust CCTV system and new boardwalk lighting will further enhance public safety and provide, literally and figuratively, the conduit for future public Wi-Fi. Considering access to the internet is both ubiquitous and necessary to compete in today’s world, Asbury Park will take the lead. The City by the Sea will be poised to be the first beachfront community to provide free internet access for beachgoers and residents of the City’s Southwest side.
The Code Enforcement Unit has been overhauled; new leadership is on track to aggressively pursue absentee landlords who contribute to blight and abandoned properties. And yes, credit cards will be an acceptable form of payment for seasonal and daily beach badges.
Finally, I’d like to give a special shout-out to those ministers participating in the City’s Chaplaincy Program as they continue to assist the City in bridging any perceived divide with the West Side community. Their work is immeasurable.
In short, this small, historic, diverse, Bohemian community is a jewel and a fabulous place to be. I’ve been fortunate to work with all of you and wish you continued success.
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