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To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun,

Grace and I will be voting for NICOLLE HARRIS for the Asbury Park Board of Education on April 19th.

Although it was many, many years ago, we remember when we were her age. We too had a passionate love for our community. We of course lived in racially segregated communities where our schools had disadvantages other schools did not have. NICOLLE, if re-elected, can continue to make AP Schools the best that they can be.

Young people in their education, need role models who look like them, and more importantly model seriousness, sincerity and inner security that allows them to negotiate on behalf of the education of children and young people.

I often quote the African Proverb; “WHEN ELEPHANTS FIGHT, ONLY THE GROUND BENEATH THEM SUFFERS”. Our children and young people are the “ground” beneath their adult leaders. They are harmed when adult leaders fight each other and reveal they have not mastered anger management. Negotiation is required of elected leaders rather than confrontation. NICOLLE HARRIS, we believe, should be re-elected.

Rev. Gil Caldwell

Asbury Park

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I live in Asbury Park, and I want to see schools that are better than what we have now. I just learned that our schools rank 609 out of 610 school systems in New Jersey.

We need a board that understands all of our kids and what they need to succeed. On April 19, please vote for the From the Community, For the Community: Building on Progress ticket, Rev. Derrick Grant, Nicole Harris, and James Famularo. Each of them are from Asbury Park and each of them has gotten their degrees and been leaders for progress. They know our kids and our community. They know what’s needed to help them all, whether they’re at risk from poverty, immigrant background, or because of gender and sexuality. We need people on our Board of Education who care enough to know our kids, and who can help our kids because they’re from here and are for them and our community. Vote 4, 5, and 6 on April 19.

Duanne Small

Asbury Park

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My daughter Nicolle is running for the Asbury Park Board of Education on April 19th. The polls are opened from 3-9. Nicolle is running with James Famularo and Rev. Derrick Grant. Nicolle is presently the President and James is a past President of the BOE. The ticket has a vested interest in the children and the system.

James’ son is a graduate of Asbury Park High School and presently in college. Nicolle, Derrick and James are college graduates with B.S Degrees. James holds his Master’s Degree and Derrick and Nicolle are both presently in graduate schools working toward their Masters Degrees. Derrick is a single father who is considered about the education of his children. Both Nicolle and Derrick are local ministers deeply in touch with the people who send their children to the schools. James has worked closely in recreation and mentoring our young people for many years.

None of these candidates are concerned about tax breaks which many in Asbury Park are concerned with so that they don’t have to invest in our school system. A progressive, high achieving system is a quality of life issue. So while working toward improving the school system; they are also improving the quality of life for young and old alike.

Please do two things. One get out and vote for this team on April 19th. Second, forward this announcement to your friends in Asbury Park and encourage them to get out and vote.

Dan Harris

Asbury Park

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Thank you Rev. Gil and your wife, Grace, for this thoughtful endorsement. I also support Nicolle Harris for the school board election. I have heard her speak so passionately in support of the children of Asbury Park on numerous occasions, not just during this election season. I know she speaks from her heart and cares deeply about making the education system in Asbury Park the best possible for the children.

I know there are two other positions open and am still considering who to vote for in those positions, but I wanted to at least join in giving support to Nicolle at this time.

Linda Phillips

Asbury Park

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Although I am unable to vote in any Asbury Park elections because my primary is NYC, I just want to express my support for Nicole Harris.  My support is for Nicole and Nicole only.  From my personal experience, I find that Nicole is trustworthy, dependable and a committed young person in Asbury Park.  I am inspired by her involvement in the Asbury Park community.  Her being a lifelong community member willing to give back to this great city we call Asbury Park speaks volumes to her commitment to the advancement of this community.  My experience of Nicole is that she is a progressive and open minded young person.

I don’t know enough about the other candidates running on her ticket so I cannot offer my opinion about them.  I wish all of the candidates on both tickets the best of the best toward their endeavor to win their seat on the board of education.

Conrad Nebly

Sunset Avenue

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April 19th is election day for our Asbury Park’s board of education. Please come out and support Derrick Grant, Nicole Harris, and James Famularo. All 3 are from Asbury Park, and successfully left our schools after they graduated. All 3 successfully left colleges after they graduated and came back home to improve our community by working with and for our children in local youth enrichment and athletic programs. They are dedicated and hard workers for Asbury Park. The children of Asbury deserve the best in leadership. I urge everyone in Asbury Park who cares about our youth to come out and vote on April 19^th for the From the Community and For the Community ticket.

I also want to let you know that my husband, James Famularo, is one of the guy goods in our city. We have been married for some 20 years now, and before we met, James was already active in our  community coaching Little League.  He’s a  dedicated and spirited worker.  Also, as the Assistant City Manager, James was with the city at the very beginning of the downtown and oceanfront redevelopment projects. He worked with all the of city managers as well as with John Loffredo, Kevin Saunders, and Jimmy Bruno to make it all happen, who were the original Council Members at the start.

Please support Derrick, Nicolle, and James for Asbury Park Board of Eeducation on April 19th.

Shonna Famularo

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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