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Editor, the Asbury Park Sun:

I am writing to urge your readers to support Mr. Gregory Hopson Sr., and his colleagues on the
Forward Asbury Team this Tuesday, May 14.

Throughout his life, Greg Hopson has answered the call of duty. Duty to his family, duty to his
country, duty to his Church. While others talk the talk, Greg Hopson has been in the community as an example of perseverance, competence and grace. As a Veteran of the Vietnam War, Greg served three years in the Navy and three years in the Army before attending Essex
County College and entering the work force. He has served two terms as president of the
Asbury Park Board of Education, fighting for our children’s education, enrichment and safety.

When Greg Hopson speaks about the long term challenges facing Asbury Park, he speaks from
a place of collaborative experience. Collaborative experience is a characteristic that many of the
candidates running may espouse, but do not possess. They may talk a good game, but Gregory
Hopson is the real deal. In most cities and towns, the city council and the school board almost
never communicate. They sometimes act as parallel authorities that never intersect. This was
true in Asbury Park as well. Gregory Hopson Sr. changed all that.

He had the foresight and the knowledge to see that in a city like Asbury Park, the School Board
must work hand-in-hand with the City Council, by improving the quality of life for all of our youth, expanding educational incentives and scholarships and setting positive role models for our children.

As Board President, he was chair of the finance committee and negotiated contracts with
teachers and superintendent with a keen eye on both the taxpayers dime and our children’s
best interests.

But, for Greg, this race is also personal: his six grandchildren all go to Asbury Park public
schools. He has mentored over 40 children in Asbury Park. He has skin in the game and
because of that, will not let us down.

Like his colleagues in Forward Asbury Park, Mr. Hopson understands that although Asbury Park has made great strides since 2001, there is more work to do. Gregory Hopson is uniquely suited to bring both financial experience, wise judgement and a collaborative spirit to the city council.

This Tuesday, I hope you’ll join with me and my wife in supporting voting for the Forward Asbury Team. Vote straight down — 1,2,3,4 and 5 for Susan Henderson, John Loffredo, Kevin G. Sanders, Gregory Hopson Sr., and William Potter.

— Pastor Lyddale Akins, 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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