---

The New Year brought a new set of city officials to municipal hall.

A capacity crowd in council chambers Thursday witnessed John Moor sworn in as the city’s first directly elected mayor and his running mates on the Asbury Together ticket — Jessie Kendle, Amy Quinn, Yvonne Clayton and Joe Woerner — take oaths as council members.

Councilmember Amy Quinn was selected to serve as the city’s Deputy Mayor.

A sense of joy was palpable in the room, with audience members cheering, smiling and clapping throughout — a contrast to the verbal barbs thrown at former Mayor Myra Campbell and incumbents at the controversial July 2013 swearing-in ceremony. Campbell split from her running mates Moor and Quinn at the last minute to side with incumbents John Loffredo and Susan Henderson to take the mayorship. Moor, who earned the highest amount of votes in the race, had been expected to be named mayor prior to Campbell assuming the job.

The move laid the groundwork for city voters to approve a change of government referendum that brought a directly-elected mayor and staggered terms, moved the non-partisan city elections from May to November and gave the residents the power of initiative and referendum.

Although Moor’s entire slate was elected, he told voters it should remain clear they will “not rubber stamp every decision” but will move forward and learn from past mistakes.

To start the staggered terms, Jessie Kendle drew a full four year term and will serve alongside Moor who also has a four year term. Clayton, Quinn and Woerner will serve two-year-terms, after which their seats will then become four year terms. That will accomplish the staggering of the elections.

Kendle asked the voters for their patience as new members get accustomed to their posts, but promised he and his runnning mates will “be fighting every day, for every inch” of the city.

Woerner also asked the public for their patience and kindness as they work toward the vision of ensuring Asbury Park is a “beautiful city where there is opportunity for everyone.”

Clayton said she was “humbled and honored” to serve. While running for election, she sought to make this the best city for all of its residents, “and that is still my goal.”

The Asbury Together ticket on which the five council members ran is “an amazing group of people who are both passionate and smart,” Quinn said before thanking voters who “came out in droves” to vote again only 18-months after a previous city council election.

The council named Anthony Nuccio, the city’s director of social services, as the acting city manager while the council begins their search for a new city CEO. Former City Manager John “Jack” Kelly was not re-appointed when his term of service expired in December.

The change of government question was placed on the ballot by the city’s charter study commission, which spent months holding public hearings and considering various options.

Charter Study Commission Chair Pamela Lamberton was enthusiastic to watch the commission’s hard work come to pass at the swearing-in ceremony.

“I am so proud of what happened here today,” she said. “We set out so many months ago to change the future of Asbury Park and I think we did it. I’m so excited.”

————————————————————

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

---