City Council expected to fill vacant seat Wednesday
Applicants in their own voice discuss vision and city needs
The Asbury Park City Council is expected to announce an appointment for the vacant City Council seat during its Wednesday night Regular Meeting.
The seat became vacant April 30 after Joe Woerner stepped down in order to focus on his family and the health of his son Michael.
The governing body has until month’s end to appoint a replacement, who will serve until the November election when the seat and two others become open.
Sitting council members Jesse Kindle, Yvonne Clayton, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn and Mayor John Moor were elected in 2014 after voters approved changing the form of government from a ‘weak mayor’ committee to a strong mayor-council form of government in 2013.
In November, three seats, currently held by Clayton, Quinn, and the appointee, will become open.
Applicants for the vacated seat include [in alphabetical order] Ketsia Beaubrun, Steven Brunner, Eileen Chapman, Corrine Delaney, Joe Grillo, Daniel A. Harris III, Frederick Kniesler Jr, Corey Lowell, David C. Morton, Marilyn Schlossbach, Randy C. Thompson, and Jill Van Tuyl.
From the list of a dozen candidates here are responses [in alphabetical order] from the applicants we could reach. Their comments address why they sought the appointment and whether they would seek a full term in November:
Ten year city resident Giuseppe Grillo is the Director of Development at the New Jersey Audubon. He serves as Executive Director of the Monmouth County Democratic Organization, chair of the Asbury Park Democratic Committee, and in 2014 ran for Monmouth County freeholder.
“The newest member of the Asbury Park City Council will be presented with the unique opportunity to help write the next great chapter for this city’s continued, by building upon the foundation set by this and previous councils, continuing to cultivate greater citizen participation, and addressing the diverse challenges throughout each neighborhood,” Grillo said. “With fifteen years of business experience as a principal owner of Ideal Tile, along with a demonstrated passion and proven work ethic, I would bring a unique vision to the city council that harnesses management with enthusiasm of working together towards a greater good. Our work on the City Council is not finished – nor should it be. Diverse, yet experienced voices are integral to thoughtful and collective decisions we make as a governing body. Those decisions affect everything from economic development, curbing over-development and parking sprawl, to, most importantly, preserving the cultural integrity of our city by promoting Asbury Park as the premier small city in America.”
Community leader Dan Harris is a retired educator and athletic director who has lived in Asbury Park for over 30 years. Harris serves on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, vice chairman of the Second Baptist Church Deacon Board, chairman of their Men’s Ministry, and is a member of the Christian Board of Education. 
“I know that I can contribute to the decisions made by the council,” Harris said. “As a resident of Asbury Park and the southwest quadrant I can bring a point of view that would be beneficial to the entire city. We are running out of space in reference to the development of the downtown and the beachfront areas. It is imperative that the development of the southwest quadrant involve those who have stayed through the hard times. The development of Springwood Ave should serve as a social, cultural and economic renaissance for residents as well as the investors. The southwest quadrant is loaded with absentee landlords who do not have the best interest of the tenants or the city at heart. These people need to be held accountable for their neglect of their tenants and their properties. The “Tale of Two Cities” must end. Whether I would run would be a better question. Asbury Park is known for elections that divide the city. I would be foolish to make any premature statement about an election at this time. I am more interested in taking this opportunity to help the city by being a great public servant.”
Five year resident Corey Lowell is the Keansburg School District’s Business Administrator/Board who teaches an 11- week School Finance course to aspiring School Business Administrators on behalf of the NJ Association of School Business Official. She served one term on the Asbury Park Board of Education and has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Asbury Park Toy Drive, co-chair of the Legislative Committee for the NJ Association of School Business Officials, member of the NJ School Boards Association’s Accountability Regulations Task Force, secretary of the Monmouth County Association of School Business Officials, and Webmaster for the Monmouth County Association of School Business Officials. 
“I’m applying for the open seat because I think that my skill set will be an asset to the council: experience in budgeting, knowledge of financing, and understanding of governmental policies and procedures,” Lowell said in a written statement. “I would run with existing candidates up for reelection in November if they feel that I’m a good fit with their ticket. What the City needs is continuity and cohesiveness to continue its forward momentum. The most important issue facing the City is increasing property taxes while expanding or improving various services to the residents.”
Restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach serves on the city’s Public Arts Committee and has served on its UEZ board, the state’s Restaurant and Hospitality Association, and on the Advisory Committee for the Asbury Park located Brookdale Culinary School.
“My husband [Scott Szegeski] and I feel I would be a valuable asset to the existing team,” Schlossbach said. “My commitment and knowledge of the city and the various rolls and duties of running a business could be added value to the work in progress. I feel my attention to detail and authentic communication skills could help overcome some of the hurdles the city faces. The City of Asbury is a big business and could benefit from someone who has the experience and skill set of running a business. Not being involved in City government since I was on the UEZ board, I cannot possible comment on the priority issues the city faces. I would need to get into office, assess with the existing team what the priorities are and bring my skill set to the table to tackle a strategic plan for moving forward. I would have to get to know any candidates who are running more in depth to see if we have the same goals. I am open to all conversation about the future if the candidates running would like to engage in that conversation. I am a friend and admirer of Joe’s and would hope to live up to the integrity and knowledge he brought to the city council. Having young children of my own, my heart goes out to Joe and his family. I have full respect for all the council members and city manager and the amount of commitment they engage in on a daily basis. I am looking forward to potentially being part of their team.
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