New Asbury Park Government Off To Rocky Start
John Lofreddo, left, Myra Campbell, center and Susan Henderson.
AsburyParkSun.com photo
The hope of a new beginning was replaced with anger today in Asbury Park when the new city council was sworn in.
John Moor, the top vote getter in the May 14 non-partisan election, was expected to be appointed mayor by his colleagues, as is the tradition. He had the 3 votes he needed on the 5 person council by virtue of his own election and that of two of his running mates, Amy Quinn and Myra Campbell who ran on the One Asbury ticket in the non-partisan election.
Then sometime over the weekend, Campbell split with her running mates and made a deal with returning council members John Lofreddo and Susan Henderson, who ran for reelection on the Forward Asbury ticket, to get the mayoral title for herself.
The mayor’s office in Asbury Park is largely ceremonial in the city’s form of government. The appointed City Manager, a full time employee appointed by the council, runs the day to day operations of the city. Asbury Park elects their entire council once every four years.
Campbell told AsburyParkSun that she made the move in order to become the first African-American mayor of the city.
“A window of opportunity that has never been opened for an African-American female in this city, and may never be opened again, was presented to me,” said Campbell, “This was an extremely difficult decision to make knowing tradition would be changed and would affect two people I’ve worked with for months.”
She said she offered her running mates alternate terms as Deputy Mayor, which they turned down. Henderson was elected Deputy Mayor by the same 3-2 marigin that Campbell received.
Moor and Quinn suddenly found themselves in the minority. Their comments about Campbell’s move are likely to assure their continuing minority status:
John Moor and Amy Quinn. AsburyParkSun.com photo
“I’m flabbergasted,” said Moor. “She knocked on doors and said we have to get rid of the incumbents, and now she cuts a deal with the incumbents.”
“I’m not surprised that Sue Henderson and John Loffredo don’t respect the will of the people of Asbury Park or the tradition of highest voter getters being Mayor and Deputy Mayor, but I’m deeply disappointed that Myra Campbell doesn’t respect the will of the people of Asbury Park either,” Quinn said in a statement.
The drama is bound to continue in Asbury Park. A losing ticket, United Asbury, has a lawsuit pending that could change the result of the election by forcing ballots that were rejected by the Monmouth County Board of Elections to be counted. Campbell and Henderson, the new mayor and deputy mayor, were the low vote getters in the official count and the most likely to lose their offices should United Asbury prevail in their suit.
The Asbury Park Charter Commission is due to make recommendations on a new form of government for the city on August 5. Members of the commission of indicated that they are likely to at least recommend creating staggered terms for council members. Should the commission issue such a report and if the city voters approve it in the November election, there will be a new election next year.
More from my site
Asbury Park Mayor Campbell Says She Wasn’t Trying To Embarrass Council Members- Asbury Park Mayor Myra Campbell Throws Council Members Under The Bus
Trial Date Set For Asbury Park Ballot Controversy
“A-Team” sues to overturn Asbury Park elections
If Asbury’s Election Goes Badly, I’ll Blame Loffredo and Quinn
Asbury Park Mayor’s First Rodeo
Humane Society Reinstates Volunteer Program
Overflow crowd urges Freeholders to save Bradley Cove
Split Ticket Wins (Unofficially) in Asbury Park
Satan’s Motorized Scooters in Asbury Park
Since the rest of the State’s taxpayers kick in about 2 dollars to run Asbury Park for every 1 dollar Asbury Parker’s kick in, shouldn’t anyone in the State be allowed to run for Mayor there?
Wouldn’t that be fair?
Let’s not even discuss the Abbott cost per pupil. That will make you angry.
Benedict Campbell and her two “Political Whores” are laughing at the rest of the voters.They all showed their true colors It’s about me , me and only me the rest of you can go to hell.Benedict is quoted as saying it’s about her “Legacy ” Hey Bitch what about the legacy of this once great city that at one time I was proud to call my hometown. I guess the next thing is we should kneel down and kiss her feet .
I’ve observed Asbury politics my entire life, and one thing remains constant:
Every election, candidates say “we have to clean up this city”
And once in office, those same candidates say “we have to clean up this city, but I got to get mine, first”
Some things never change.
Someone should tell Amy that the election is over.
The Change Of Government effort succeeds.
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
Art, why do they have non-partisan elections in Asbury Park?
to see the former jewel of the Jersey Shore, again reduced to egos and agendas ,over trying to right an ever-sinking ship… It appears that, no matter what the form of government, or number of egos running, the town can’t cut a break…The taxpayers keep throwing good money after bad, in great numbers, the developers always reneg on their deals, more gorgeous, historic buildings get run down and then demolished, and the cycle of dependence and despair goes on.. Feel that eventually, we will need the state to take it over, like a Camden, and that the few tries at revival, will again prove futile..
So being African-American is an excuse for stabbing your teammates in the back? Dr. King just turned over in his grave. What a disgrace.
Exactly Draco. When are these incompetent hacks stop with the race nonsense? No one gives a damn what race you are. That’s no accomplishment. Performance is all that matters. Frankly, with the crime, gang murders, drug dealing, illegitimacy and so on rampant in the African American community in Asbury, race is the last thing she should be crowing about
[…] election that occurred on May 14. If the suit is successful, it is possible that members of the new council that was sworn in yesterday could be removed from office and replaced by Harris and/or other members of his ticket. Two […]