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A fourth group has announced its candidacy for the 2013 Asbury Park council election.

AP Out Front consists of Rosetta Johnson, Steve Williams, Clevette Hill and Dorvil Gillis. Stephania Warren is their campaign manager. The four have collected signatures and are ready to hand in their petitions for candidacy, Warren said.

Rosetta Johnson [pictured at bottom left] is a graduate of Asbury Park High School. She holds a master’s degree in art and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Monmouth University. She also completed a certificate program in public sector labor management relations at Rutgers, Warren said.

Johnson served in President Barack Obama’s Fellow Internship program in Virginia in 2008, Warren said. She is also a director in the city’s community development department for the neighborhood preservation program.

Johnson is a grant writer for county, state and federal funding agencies for city and community development initiatives, Warren said. She designed and implemented city programs and projects for residents and has more than 20 years of experience assisting Asbury Park families, Warren said, as well as more than 30 years of community organizer experience. Johnson is an Asbury Park homeowner.

Steve Williams [pictured, top left] is also an Asbury Park High School graduate. He has a master’s degree in science and sports administration, with a concentration in economics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a minor in marketing. He graduated Kappa Alpha Phi from Delaware State University and was director of a residential graduate school hall while in school.

Williams coaches football for Asbury Park High School and Asbury Park Pop Warner teams. He also coaches AAU [Amateur Athetlic Union] basketball. He is currently director of the Asbury Park recreation academic and sports academy mentor program. He does community intervention, Warren said, and is affiliated with the Mercy Center.

Clevette Hill [pictured, top right] has lived in Asbury Park for 30 years, and has four children who were born and raised in the city. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Monmouth University in social work. She is currently in social work, as a case manager, Warren said. She’s also involved with the Nurse Association Health Group, and is an Asbury Park Homeowner.

Hill assists with the seniors of Asbury Park, as well as the youth, and has worked for and in the community for 20 years, Warren said.

Dorvil Gillis [pictured, bottom right] has lived in the city for 40 years. He was manager of Keystone Laundry and retired after 35 years. He attended Brookdale Community College and speaks three languages, Warren said. He is a member of Holy Spirit Church and “is very knowledgeable of immigration issues,” Warren said.

Gillis is also an Asbury Park homeowner, as well as a community activist for speakers of Creole in the city.

AP Out Front may bring in one more running mate, Warren said, but the ticket has four members for now.

The group’s platform is listed below, taken verbatim from their website:

• Provide leadership without hidden or special agendas, ensure commitment to the community and all residents. Will not represent personal gain or special interest. The community is always first.

• Provide more resources and funding for job training and placement

• Establish civilian review board for police using excessive force, citizens review complaints about police officers violating the rights of our youth and all other residents, like it is done everywhere else in America

• Establish re-entry programs for parolees so that they can find job opportunities through training and placement

• Increase more recreation programs for youth. Establish better programs that fit the need of our kids

• Remove blight or unfit housing for all residents. Provide safe and decent housing

• Financial accountability and efficiency for all city programs and departments

• Work with all professionals to make the city a better place to live and recreate

• Finish Springwood Avenue and westside redevelopment that the City has been working on for 35 years. Construct new houses and commercial buildings

• Work with Oceanfront Redevelopment developers to complete and insure the city as a continued destination for visitors and a place to live

• Work with finance team to level off 10 year increase of property taxes

• Provide additional funding for city recreation centers and youth programs like pop warner football, baseball, soccer, and track.

The candidates also hope to establish an anonymous tip line where residents can report gang activity, and also receive counselling. They would also provide counselling to young people who are falling into the cycle of violence, Warren said.

Election Day is May 14. All five council seats are up for grabs. The incumbents’ terms expire on June 30 and new terms will begin on July 1. City elections in Asbury Park are nonpartisan.

Petitions for candidacy are due in City Hall this Monday, March 11.

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