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Editor, the Asbury Park Sun:

With the date fast approaching for our city election, I would like to publicly endorse the Forward Asbury ticket.

Over the last 10 years that I have lived in Asbury Park, I have witnessed economic growth and revitalization in all parts of the city, defying the economic disasters that affected so much of the country.

Thirteen years ago, Cookman Avenue was almost completely boarded up. Graffiti, broken glass and sidewalks in disrepair was the look of that corridor. I sat on the beach one beautiful summer day back then with my sister, and we were almost alone on the beac. Few sunbathers, no tourists, no restaurants, no restrooms. The boardwalk was in disrepair, the pavilions boarded, with the exception of the Old Mayfair. I wondered then how that food concession ever survived. There were no parking meters that worked. They stood in the ground; some bent and crooked, a reminder of better times long ago. What would become of the iconic Convention Hall? It was so majestic, and yet so empty. It was depressing. Ocean Grove back then blocked access to Asbury Park through the Casino.

Today is a different story.

The incumbents have increased revenues and attracted businesses, developers, tourists and events. The New York Times lauded Madison Marquette for its gutsy move a few years back to continue development when the economic indicators nationally would have had them pull back and stop. The Times writer’s assessment was that brave move was part of the reason Asbury Park catapulted forward while other towns declined.

The incumbents shrewdly designed a deal with developers that allowed infrastructure rebuilding, while keeping the city from having to take on debt. Bonds were created, and the bondholders hold the risk in the unlikely event of a default, not the residents.

Our dependence on aid has decreased by millions. Revenue tax bases are up. Juvenile crimes are lower. The Springwood corridor continues development. Parks have been created.

I am confident the people of the city recognize progress. If you have opened a business in town, relax on our clean beach, pay a parking meter, or wait for a table on a weekend night in the winter at one of our many fabulous restaurants in town, then thank an incumbent by voting for them. None of the challengers can say that they have done anything close to what the incumbent team has done. And I will vote 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Forward Asbury on Election Day. Please join me.

— Jean Marie Potter, 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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