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Editor, Asbury Park Sun,

I was surprised and saddened to read quotes in recent newspaper articles that the southwest quadrant of the city has not been served by this council. As the African-American council person who resides there, I was disappointed to discover that I and my accomplishments were invisible; physical evidence to the contrary. I grew up here. My parents lived and died here. It is my hometown. I won’t allow anybody to take it away from me or render the work I’ve done for it invisible.

Let’s take a look back. In 2014, Springwood Avenue was a blank slate, nicely paved with trees. Plans were in place, and for years had been waiting to be executed. This council person led the effort to secure the gap funding needed to complete the Springwood Avenue Park, the first park of its type on the West Side. Springwood Avenue Park is a place where children play and ride bikes, seniors and families congregate, residents from all over the city come together to enjoy music, celebrate community events and share the cultures of our city.

Funding for residential and commercial development on Springwood Avenue had been stalled for almost 50 years. Working with the then Republican State Senator Jennifer Beck and the Michaels Organization, monies were secured for the Renaissance complex, affordable housing units, which are currently leasing. The first residents are expected to move in before Christmas.

The Boston Way buildings will follow shortly, adding more low-to-moderate-income housing. As a councilperson who was elected on a nonpartisan ballot, there was no hesitation to reach across party lines for assistance. When a last-minute glitch threatened to derail this project, Republican Freeholder Tom Arnone came to the rescue.

The Code/Quality of Life Committee which conducts citywide cleanups, collects and distributes clothing, listens to and advocates for residents with concerns was started by me. The committee was the impetus for the Vacant and Abandoned House Ordinances, which incentivizes owners to fix or sell dilapidated properties.

I also volunteer for the Master Plan Re Evaluation Committee, the Short-Term Rental group, the Affordable Housing Ordinance planning group, while serving as a member of Planning Board. Each of these groups serves the entire city but has special significance for members of my community on the west side.

I am not invisible. I am also a mentor for the two-year-old Community Action Network Expungement Program, a free program assisting ex-offenders in clearing their criminal records, and working with local and state officials to make our justice system more equitable.

It is important that the history of this community not be lost and is able to be shared with generations to come. To that end, as a member of the Asbury Park African American Musical Heritage Project [APAAMHP], we seek to protect and preserve the rich international musical history that grew on the west side and Springwood Avenue.

There has been an ongoing dialogue, in this city, about the divide of east from west, and now there is a proposal to divide the city in three sectors. Where do you believe that will take us? The mission of this council has been to make this the best city possible for all of its residents. Are we there? Not yet. Is there work to be done? Of course. This council has and will continue to work diligently to make Asbury Park a city where all who live here are treated equally.

I am not invisible.

Yvonne Clayton

Councilwoman, City of Asbury Park

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]

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