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Citing demands of family and job, a member of the incumbent-led Forward Asbury ticket has dropped out of the race for city council.

“The needs of my job and my needs for my family and my responsibilities as chair of the Asbury Park Democratic Organization made by candidacy untenable,” said Joe Grillo [above]. “Every bone in my body wants to run, but right now my family and my jobs mean the most to me.”

The Forward Asbury ticket is led by incumbents Kevin Sanders, John Loffredo and Susan Henderson. The fourth candidate is board of education member Gregory Hopson.

If Forward Asbury is to replace Grillo, the new candidate must file a nominating petition with signatures of 85 Asbury voters in the city clerk’s office by close of business on Monday. Petitions for all candidates are due at that time.

Last year, Grillo became chair of the Asbury Park Democratic Executive Committee as well as the executive director of the Monmouth County Democratic Organization. In addition, he still works in his family’s tile business. With the recently-announced retirement of his father, Grillo said his time requirements there will be increasing. Grillo also has a four year old daughter.

All five seats on the city council are up for grabs in the non-partisan election on May 14. The term of office is four years. Incumbents Ed Johnson and James Bruno are not seeking reelection.

Three other slates have announced their candidacies:

The A-Team ticket with former councilman Jim Keady, former board of education member Remond Palmer, charter study commission member Duanne Small, Nora Hyland and Daniel Harris III.

The One Asbury ticket with Amy Quinn, Myra Campbell, Joe Woerner, John Moor and Talesha Crank.

The AP Out Front ticket with Rosetta Johnson, Steve Williams, Clevette Hill and Dorvil Gillis.

 

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