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The shift to a three ward, partisan form of government in Asbury Park will now rest in the hands of November voters.

According to a written notice from City Clerk Cindy Dye, the Committee for a More Equitable Asbury Park has obtained the required number of support signatures needed to advance their petition; 15 percent of the total voters who cast ballots in the last general election.

And while enough signatures were obtained to advance a second petition that calls for municipal employees to live within city limits, Dye notified the Empower Asbury Park team that their proposed ordinance was being rejected.

In citing the 1961 Milton vs Dept. of Civil Service Superior Court case, as well as existing State statutes, Dye said the petitioners push to include unclassified positions and require employees to move to the city within a year of being employed, despite allowance for certain positions and skill sets, went against State law. The decision was based on advice from Municipal Attorney Fred Raffetto and Labor Attorney Steven Glickman.

Dye’s letter made it clear that the petitioners would need to go back to drawing board; meaning craft a new petition that falls in line with State laws and gather support signatures for that new initiative.

“While we applaud the certification on the wards system, we are very disappointed that the residency ordinance was rejected,” the Committee’s spokesman Tracy Rogers said. “We included language in there that addressed which services were applicable so this is bogus. “We are submitting this to our attorney and we will be going to go court to fight this.”

Rogers said similar residency clauses currently exist in Atlantic City and Newark.

“It works,” he said. “The people in the community get the jobs first. They live in the community and support the community. Our ordinance provided a safety net, so that if we could not find a qualified person in our area there was a waiver system in place.” 

Rogers said while he will pursue an appeal, he is open to sitting down to iron out a new ordinance.

“I challenge this council, if they do hear the voice of the citizens, I challenge them to sit down with us and create an ordinance that we can all be proud of,” he said. “We need to address the deficiencies that were listed in order to bring jobs and a strong economic development to the city of Asbury Park.” 

Mayor John Moor said he would not be against meeting with the Committee to iron out a residency clause that works.

“Instead of them filing a new petition, I would sit down to see if we could come to a common ground,” Moor said. “Overall I think there is a middle ground that both parties can be happy with.”

And while he voiced disappointment that the shift in government petition will be moving forward, he said it had nothing to do with not being in support of the democratic process.

“While I’m a little disappointed the question will be on the ballot, I have no problem with the process,” Moor said. “I was adamant that we inform them of the requirements and that we help them with the process.

“The reason why I am not happy is that four years ago we were told we would have 10 years of stability,” he said. “That helped use in terms of discussions with investors, bringing development to the southwest, and it helped us with our credit rating. The potential for instability and the fact that these past four years will be for naught scares me.”  

Just two months ago, the State’s Department of Community Affairs [DCA] praised Asbury Park for its financial independence, revitalization and overall job growth, citing a 10 percent increase in new businesses, resulting in a 40 percent increase in the number of jobs available across town.

“I have no problem with anyone bringing anything forth through a petition as a ballot question but when the entire country starts looking at Asbury Park and seeing what we have been able to accomplish – getting off state aid and an improved credit rating, I have to wonder that if this fails, will there be more questions next year; when is it going to stop.”

Moor and Councilman Jesse Kendle are up for reelection in November but if the wards system is approved by the voters there would be another election in 2019, instead of in 2020. 

When asked if support for petition translates into not reaching a segment of his constituency, Moor said he has never run a campaign without a member of his ticket representing the needs of the southwest.

“In 2013 I ran alongside Myra Campbell and in 2014 I ran with Yvonne Clayton, who was born and raised in the southwest and continues to live there,” he said. “I would challenge anyone who says I do not spend much time in the southwest, from being at St Stephen’s and Second Baptist Church, to events at the West Side Community Center, the Senior Center and at Springwood Avenue Park.”

The shift in government will be addressed in two separate questions on the November ballot. Voters will vote on the three ward system, each with one council representative and the remaining two seats, including the mayoral seat, elected at large. The second question addresses the move to a partisan system, thereby sparking June primary races.

“Anyone can win an election in Asbury Park by knocking on doors, connecting with voters, and addressing concerns,” Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said. “Partisan elections don’t benefit local elections. They roll out the red carpet to political machines to control who is on the ballot and make it so candidates have to appeal to their party instead of constituents. And if the measures pass it means new elections. A big reason for development on Springwood and Ocean Avenues has been the political stability in Asbury Park.”

Rogers said the Committee will be holding forums, meet and greets, and coffee clutches to help inform the voters in coming months.

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