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Editor, the Asbury Park Sun:

Since Robert Legere and I moved to Asbury in 2001, we have had the privilege of witnessing and playing an important role in the revival of this city, for most of the time, under the leadership and business acumen of the current city council. Three of these public officials are running for re-election: Councilwoman Sue Henderson, Councilman John Loffredo and Councilman Kevin Sanders. We believe that they have joined forces with two extraordinary public servants in their own right, Greg Hopson Sr. and Will Potter, as the Forward Asbury Team.

As a business owner with over 40 years of experience, I can confidently say that the Forward Asbury Park ticket is the only ticket with the experience, intelligence and skill sets to continue this city’s positive momentum.

Here’s why we are strongly endorsing this ticket:

1. Under their leadership, the incumbent city council has been able to work with large and small developers (such as ourselves) to cut through bureaucratic red tape and get things accomplished… and to do it without the residents footing the bill. They are engaged, thoughtful and critical when they need to be.

2. As long time business owners in downtown, we remember when Cookman Avenue was a ghost town and the waterfront was in shambles. It takes vision to accomplish what this city council has done with both the waterfront and central business district (CBD) redevelopment. Just as in important is the fact that the current city council was quick and smart to forge a business relationship with iStar, when Asbury Partners was on the brink of collapse. Because of this very successful cooperative collaboration, iStar did not hesitate to make an even bigger commitment than their predecessor ever before them, even though the economic recession was upon us in full force.

3. Finally, just take a look at the central business district on any Saturday night throughout the year… the city of Asbury Park has clearly become THE destination for entertainment, shopping and natural beauty in Monmouth County. In fact is that the Robert Legere Companies Inc. is a perfect example of one of many diverse businesses that have invested in Asbury Park because of this council’s forward-thinking business acumen and has thrived as a result, now becoming one of the this cities largest employers.

These are only some of the reasons why both Robert Legere and I urge your readers to vote for the Forward Asbury team of Sue Henderson, John Loffredo, Kevin Sanders, Greg Hopson Sr., and Will Potter on Tuesday, May 14.

— Steven Troy, 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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