March/April Agenda Update

When I ran for office, I had a very clear platform that included making significant progress in number of areas. These areas include: public safety, recreation, job creation, affordable housing, redevelopment and improving communication between City Hall and the public.

What’s happening in PUBLIC SAFETY?
AP Police Department
As many of you know, we have had another tragic murder in our city this past month with the death of a young man, Jakeema Kelly. The investigation into this murder is ongoing. If you have any information that you feel might be helpful to our Police Department, please contact them at 732.774.1300.

This murder – the second on DeWitt Avenue in the past several months – is a stark reminder that we have a long journey in front of us. The first part of this journey is affirming as a city that this death must not be seen as simply “gang-related violence” or “just another black man killed on the West Side of Asbury Park.” The second part is continuing to marshal all available resources toward improving public safety in our city. I am optimistic that our Police Department is moving in this positive direction. The third part is addressing the root causes of violence on our streets. In an upcoming post to the blog, I will outline how I best feel we can address this issue.

Along with the work of the Police Department, we need citizens to help make our streets safer, especially for our children. To this end, a concrete action that you can take would be volunteering with our Citizens on Patrol (COP) program. If you are interested in receiving more information, please contact our Police Department at 732.774.1300.

AP Fire Department
As I wrote to you in my last communication, our City Fire House was/is not meeting OSHA standards and our firefighters cannot live on the second floor of the building until the structural issues are dealt with. It has been reported to the Mayor and Council that the necessary improvements are continuing to be made. The Council has also established an ad hoc subcommittee to research and report on the best course of action for permanently addressing this issue which will include the building of a new Fire House.

I again thank the city departments for their commitment to providing our citizens with seamless Fire and EMT services.

What’s happening in RECREATION?
Creating a Department of Parks and Recreation
A number of weeks ago, the governing body requested that our City Manager and staff research and report on the best course of action for us to take in creating a Department of Parks and Recreation. On April 11, 2006, I sent a memo to Mr. Reidy asking for an update on this research/report. I am hoping that this work has been completed and that we can begin formal discussions on this matter at our April 19th or May 3rd City Council meeting.

Biddy Basketball League
The Biddy Basketball League organized by our City Recreation Division and the AP Police Athletic League continues to be a success and the race for the championship is heating up. Just before the start of the season, in what now may be seen as a blockbuster move (smile), I was traded by Officer German’s Pistons and joined Assistant City Manager Famularo to coach the Heat. Well, the Heat are now sitting undefeated atop the league and my time spent with the coaches and the players has been wonderful.

On a less competitive note, the most exciting aspect of being part of this program is seeing all of the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. pack the gym at the Bradley Elementary School to support the players. As I commented recently in an Asbury Park Press article that was written about the league, “This is what a community is supposed to look like on a Saturday morning.”

If you are interested in helping out with the program, please contact Assistant City Manager, James Famularo at 732.775.2100.

After School Programs
The City Recreation Division continues to conduct its after-school program at the Asbury Park Middle School. For more information, please contact Cheryl Pearsal at 732-502-5747.

Asbury Park Soccer Club – Summer Program
The Asbury Park Soccer Club, which I helped to found three years ago, is now making plans for our annual Summer Soccer Program. Over the past three years, hundreds of kids and adults have taken part in this program and we hope to make this summer even more memorable. If you would like to volunteer as a coach or help manage the program (no soccer experience necessary), please contact me at jwkeady@cityofasburypark.com or 732.502.5196.

What’s happening with the ASBURY WORKS ADVISORY BOARD?
On March 15, 2006, the City Council approved my recommendation to appropriate $280,000 of funding for the Youth Summer Jobs Program from the Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund. The funding was approved with the caveat that it be used as seed money for the next three years, rather than just a one-off funding of the first year. This gives us $93,333 per year for the next three years. To fully fund the program, we will need to raise an additional $187,000 per year.

Thanks to all of the members of the governing body for making this investment in our youth and the future of our city.

To secure the remaining financing, I have made overtures to State Assemblyman Sean Kean, Vic Scudiery, Head of the Monmouth County Democratic Party, as well as three members of our County Board of Freeholders. Along with overtures to the public sector, I will also be reaching out to individuals and businesses in the private sector for funding.

If you would like to be involved in underwriting this program, below is a listing of levels of participation for you to consider.

GOLD LEVEL SPONSORSHIP
Gold Level Sponsors commit to underwriting 10 youths ($2,419 each) for a total of $24,190. In return for your commitment:
Your name will be mentioned in all press materials about the program;
Your name will be featured on our program’s t-shirts;
You will receive an official proclamation from the governing body;
You and five guests will be invited to our end-of-the-program celebration.

SILVER LEVEL SPONSORSHIP
Silver Level Sponsors commit to underwriting 5 youths ($2,419 each) for a total of $12,095. In return for your commitment:
Your name will be mentioned in all press materials about the program;
Your name will be featured on our program’s t-shirts;
You will be invited to our end-of-the-program celebration.

BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORSHIP
Bronze Level Sponsors commit to underwriting 1 youth for a total of $2,419. In return for your commitment:
Your name will be mentioned in all press materials about the program;
You will be invited to our end-of-the-program celebration.

To become a Gold, Silver or Bronze level sponsor, please contact our Asbury Works Director, Tamara Richardson at 732.774.1143.


What’s happening with the AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE?
STARS Area
At our March 13th and March 27th meetings, the Affordable Housing Committee continued to focus our energy on the STARS Redevelopment Area. We now have significant progress on Areas 1, 2, and 3 of the plan and have met with potential developers for each of these areas.

I am still hopeful that by May, the committee will have recommendations and will be seeking approval from the governing body to move forward on these proposed projects.

Rent Control/Stabilization
As requested by the Affordable Housing Committee, Mr. Connie Pascale from Legal Services of NJ will make a presentation at the April 19, 2006 City Council meeting on the pros and cons of pursuing rent control/stabilization in Asbury Park.

Because Mr. Pascale will make his presentation during the workshop session, questions from the public will not be allowed. If you have any particular questions you would like Mr. Pascale to address in his presentation, please send them to me by Monday, April 17, 2006.

What’s happening with the SPRINGWOOD AVENUE REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE?
The SARAC had a very productive month in March. All subcommittees have been tasked with researching and then reporting their recommendations on items to be included in the plan which will eventually be submitted to the governing body. Subcommittees will report to the full committee on April 20, 2006.

I have been working specifically with the Media and Outreach Subcommittee and the Education and Recreation Subcommittee.

The Media and Outreach Subcommittee had a very successful community forum on March 31, 2006 at the Asbury Village Community Room. The event focused on educating residents about the history of Springwood Avenue. Special thanks to all of the members of the subcommittee for their hard work in making this a successful event.

The Education and Recreation Subcommittee has put together a survey to gather information on all available education and recreation facilities and programming in our city. Once we have this information, we will be equipped to advise the full committee on what types of facilities and programs we may want to establish in the Springwood Avenue corridor as part of our redevelopment plan. I also feel that this information will be very helpful to the Recreation Commission and we will be sure to pass it along to them.

What’s happening with the WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT?
Dispute Resolution Agreement
On April 5, 2006, the City Council passed a resolution in favor of the “Dispute Resolution Agreement” with Asbury Partners. This agreement was/is meant to address the following issues:

Priority of projects;
Time frames for completion;
Financing commitments;
Consequences for failure to perform.

Given the importance of the agreement, I have posted a separate blog entry addressing specific concerns that citizens have raised with me.

What’s happening to improve the SHARING OF INFORMATION FROM CITY HALL?
www.keadyreport.blogspot.com
If you are reading this, you are now on my new blog. Please send me any constructive feedback on how I can make this blog an even better resource for you. Also, please email two friends and encourage them to visit the blog.

www.cityofasburypark.com
There continues to be an increased amount of public documents available via our city website. Please be sure that you visit it regularly.

Constituent Meetings
On March 3, 2006, I had the pleasure of meeting some of my younger constituents at the Bradley Elementary School. As part of the Read Across America initiative, I visited a number of classes and read one of my all-time favorites, Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss. Both the children and the faculty were wonderful hosts and very gracious listeners.

On March 13, 2006, I met with Robert Taylor from the Boys and Girls Club to continue our discussions on how the Club and the City can better cooperate to provide a full slate of educational and recreational opportunities for our citizens.

On March 22, 2006, I attended the business meeting of the Neighborhood Preservation Project. It was a very well-run and well-attended meeting. This is one initiative that I hope we can expand to other neighborhoods throughout the city. During the meeting, members discussed topics including public safety issues, involving children with the NPP, a planned community rally and a community float for the 4th of July parade. I was given some time to field questions from committee members and I encouraged each of them to continue to come to City Council meetings so that they can be informed on pressing issues. I offer special thanks to Ms. Hazel Samuels for her work with this initiative.

On March 27, 2006, I visited the Westside Community Center to discuss the murder of Jakeema Kelly with Mrs. Susan Maynard and several community members. Mrs. Maynard shared as much information as she had at that moment and we agreed to continue communicating to develop concrete plans of action to address the violence in that area.

Coming to Your Neighborhood
If you would like me to visit your neighborhood or meet with your organization or group, please contact me at jwkeady@cityofasburypark.com or 732.502.5196.


How can I GET INVOLVED?
Please attend City Council meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. The Workshop Session begins at 6pm and the Regular Public Meeting begins at 7pm. It is important that we have as many informed citizens as possible and your participation in these meetings is invaluable.

If you are interested in helping with any of the initiatives listed above, please email me at jwkeady@cityofasburypark.com or call me at 732.502.5196 and I will be sure to help get you involved in a meaningful way.

If there is an issue you would like me to address publicly, please email your question to me and I will do my best to include it on The Keady Report blog.

To help me keep citizens informed, please send an email to at least one other person from Asbury Park and ask them to join my constituent email list by contacting me at jwkeady@cityofasburypark.com or by visiting www.keadyreport.blogspot.com. If you know someone that does not use email, please print this out and give it to them. Then, ask them to mail me their contact information at Councilman Keady ~ 1 Municipal Plaza ~ Asbury Park, NJ 97712 and I will be sure to keep in touch with them.

I look forward to hearing from you. Remember, together, we can and will make Asbury Park great again!

Peace, JWK