Letter: Director of Commerce loss a negative
Gilmour "unfailingly promoted everything Asbury"
Editor, Asbury Park Sun,
The elected officials of Asbury Park have done it again! Just when the news about Asbury had been overwhelmingly positive – the renovation of the former Salvation Army building; the possibility of a new hotel/condo on the old C8 site; the restoration of the Zombie Walk by Johnny Mac; a wonderful, lucrative summer at the beach – they have decided to eliminate Tom Gilmour’s position as Director of Commerce. Disgraceful!!
No one, other than TriCityNews publisher Dan Jacobson, has been more instrumental in the resurgence of the city than Tom Gilmour. He has unfailingly promoted everything Asbury, from its merchants, its “vibe” and its music scene. If you wanted to know what was going on in Asbury at a given time Tom was the person to ask. He was instrumental in attracting the Smithsonian music program to the city and is the founding father of the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation. How many successful businesses are located in Asbury Park because of Tom’s efforts? His weekly emails about the “goings-on” in Asbury are essential to those who want to visit the city. Tom is literally Mr. Asbury Park, NOT John Moor, Amy Quinn, Jesse Kendle, Tony Nuccio or Jacqueline Pappas (some who commented or refused to about Tom’s termination).
The elimination of the position does not appear to be a cost saving measure, since Tom’s reported salary of $85,912 will easily be equaled, if not exceeded, by the $55,000 compensation of a director of communications and …”a second position..” (according to Moor), not even considering benefits. Rather, this smacks of old school politics.
At this critical juncture of Asbury’s redevelopment, positivity and promotion are crucial. Instead, the Asbury Park City Council has decided to inject a major negative into the community. Shame on you, Moor, Quinn, et al.
David Van Buskirk, Wayside
[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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