---

Eileen Chapman was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Asbury Park City Council Wednesday night. The vote by the council to appoint her was 4-0.

“I’m deeply touched and honored in the trust and confidence shown to me by the Mayor and Council,” Chapman said. “I look forward to working with them and with the residents and stakeholders of Asbury Park to continue the vision of making our city the best place to live, work, play and create. Most importantly, I’d like to thank Joe Woerner for his service, passion and accomplishments. His shoes could never be filled.”

The seat became vacant April 30 after first-term Councilman Joe Woerner stepped down in order to focus on his family and the health of his son Michael. The term expires at the end of this year. 

Chapman [at right] is a 42-year city resident who has “seen the city thrive and I’ve seen it struggle,” she said. “I’ve raised my family here, supported the local businesses, volunteered for many committees, and supported our elections.”

The Locust Drive resident comes with an expertise in the music field and has a long history of organizing music festivals.

Currently the Monmouth University Associate Director of Performing Arts, Chapman was a founding member of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation, founding member and coordinator of Riverfest Jazz & Blues Festival, Clearwater Festival’s Entertainment Director and consultant to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.

She manages the Bruce Springsteen Special Collection at Monmouth University and is the liaison to Monmouth University’s Grammy Museum affiliation. She serves on the boards of the Asbury Park Historical Society, Asbury Angels, and is currently a member of MOCO arts marketing and Mid-Atlantic Region Archives and Music Library Association.

Chapman opened and operated the state’s first CD music store, Almost Live CD Center, in Belmar from 1986 to 2000. She was the Stone Pony’s General Manager from 2001 to 2004, and went on to manage at McLoone’s Rum Runner restaurant in Sea Bright.

She also served as a coordinator of the Asbury Park Jazz Festival, director of the award-winning New Jersey Seafood Festival in Belmar, consultant and entertainment coordinator of the Guinness Oyster Festival and former general manager of several entertainment venues including the Fast Lane. She also spearheaded a trip with a group of Asbury Park High School students to Michelle Obama’s music program at the White House.

“Our community has undergone a vast amount of growth and financial stability over the last several years,” she said. “I believe that the current Mayor and Council are successfully leading the way to a healthier and happier community.”

——————————————————————–

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---