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In the wake of last week’s tragic events in South Carolina and the city of Asbury Park, Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton opened Monday night’s City Council workshop meeting with a personal response from the five-member governing body.

“It is with profound sadness that we, the Mayor and City Council offer our heartfelt condolences to the children and extended family of Tamara Seidle,” Clayton said. “Tamara was an excellent mother, a friend to be trusted and relied on, a faithful employee, and devoted member of the Mount Carmel Catholic church.”

Neptune resident Tamara Seidle, 51, was shot multiple times on June 16 following a car chase and crash that ended near 11:26 a.m. at the corner of Ridge and Seawall avenues. Her husband, off-duty Sgt. Phil Seidle, 51, a 22-year veteran of the Neptune Township Police Department, was immediately charged with first-degree murder, second degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and endangering the welfare of his 7-year-old daughter, who was a passenger in her father’s vehicle as he gave chase of his wife’s car.

If convicted, Seidle faces a 40 to 50 minimum sentence, with no chance of parole until serving at least 85 percent of the sentence. Once released, he’d be under parole supervision for a five years, Monmouth County Prosecutor spokesman Charlie Webster said.

Tamara Seidle was laid to rest Monday.

“She was loved and will be missed,” Clayton said.

Family friends, Ian Nugent, 21, and Brian Faber, 22, both of Neptune, immediately established a GoFundMe campaign to support the couple’s 9 children, ages 7 to 24.

At time of publication, the fund has raised $25,855 of its $1million goal from 475 contributors.

On Wednesday evening nine people died in a shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Daniel Roof, 21, was charged with nine counts of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

“In response to the unthinkable tragedy in SC, we send healing energy and comfort to the surviving relatives and members of the Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston,” Clayton said. “This horrific act has demonstrated that hate cannot defeat love, and brotherhood can triumph over racism.  As a society we must reexamine both our gun control laws as well as our ability to identify and effectively treat individuals exhibiting poor mental health.”

Locally, Councilman Jesse Kendle said he and others on the City Council have met and reached out to members of the Seidle family.

“Just being there and seeing them made them feel so good,” Kendle said. “They asked me to thank each and every council member. We told them we love them and will continue to pray for them.”

Clayton said as the work of healing begins, “the responsibility to prevent and the necessity for change falls on us all.

“Most importantly, we must stand together today and every day,” Clayton said. “We must remember that what ‘unites us is greater than what separates us.”

To donate and/or leave comments of support to the Seidle family, visit http://www.gofundme.com/x5chrw.

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