On Thursday, April 26, 2006, I attended a Teen Town Hall Meeting at the Asbury Park Boys and Girls Club. The goal of this meeting was to get teens talking about the issues that impact them as residents of Asbury Park. The discussion covered a wide range of issues - from what teens want to be when they grow up, to their fears about the growing violence in our streets, to their overemphasis on material things.
I came away from the meeting with a number of insights. First, our teens are quite aware of the realities they are facing in our city. Second, our teens need some clear help and guidance from the adults in our community on everything from how to dress, to how to engage in conversation, to taking responsibility for their actions. Third, as a community, we are not investing nearly enough in the lives of our young people. This, for me, is the most critical point.
Let me be clear that when I say “invest” I do not mean money. We have seen through the failures in our City school system, that we cannot just throw money at the problems. All the money in the world cannot replace what these kids need most – our time, tough love and unconditional support.
What can you do to help? VOLUNTEER!!! We currently have a number of programs that can use mentors for our teenagers. Will it take time? Yes. Will it be challenging? Certainly. Will it be worth it? More than you can imagine.
If you are interested in volunteering to be a mentor, email me at jwkeady@cityofasburypark.com and I will connect you with one of the mentoring agencies.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Help Stop Bias and Hate Crimes
On Tuesday, May 2, 2006 I attended a workshop on bias and hate crimes put on by the Q-Spot. The presentation was conducted by Detective Dave D’Amico from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and was attended by Prosecutor Valentin, AP Deputy Chief Kinmon, AP Inspector Van Buren and about forty audience members.
The presentation was extremely informative and I highly recommend that every citizen reach out to the Prosecutor’s office or the Q-Spot and get a copy of “Help to Stop Hate” a powerful primer on bias and hate crimes. Only together can we stop these type of crimes from happening and learning the facts is the first step.
The presentation was extremely informative and I highly recommend that every citizen reach out to the Prosecutor’s office or the Q-Spot and get a copy of “Help to Stop Hate” a powerful primer on bias and hate crimes. Only together can we stop these type of crimes from happening and learning the facts is the first step.
Does Asbury Park Need Rent Control?
Over the past few months, more than one landlord in town has pulled me aside and asked, “I heard you want rent control, is that true?”
My response to this question has been that I do want to consider a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. Why? It should be no secret to anyone living in Asbury Park over the past five years that housing costs have significantly increased. This has put intense pressure on many families, particularly those families that are living at or near the poverty line (at least 30% of our citizens). My fear is that if redevelopment continues along its current course, we will be flooded with even more land speculators who will buy properties at inflated levels, hoping to flip them at even more inflated levels. The end result of this speculation cycle will be ever-increasing rents and massive gentrification of neighborhoods.
A well-crafted rent stabilization or rent control ordinance would curb this and create a more stable and healthy marketplace. Such an ordinance would show that we want landlords that are in Asbury Park for the long haul. Their profits would be steady and long-term. It would also create a more stable situation for families already living here and would create a greater abundance of affordable rental units for families that want to move to Asbury Park.
As I have researched and discussed this issue, I have heard many arguments against rent stabilization or rent control from landlords with large apartment buildings. None of these arguments have been informed by the facts. I have also heard from the smaller landlords telling me, “Jim, I put my life-savings into the old Victorian house I bought and I’m spending thousands to fix it up. We have a carriage house in the back and we rent out the apartment to help cover costs. If we’re limited in what we can charge, we won’t survive.” You don’t have to worry. Most likely, any ordinance we would consider would not impact you. Why? In most cities, rent stabilization or rent control ordinances only impact buildings with multiple units.
For those of you who feel that “rent control is absolutely wrong for Asbury Park.” Are you sure you know what you are talking about? Are you talking about strong rent control, moderate rent control or restrictive rent control? Do you know the differences between rent control and rent stabilization? Are you basing your arguments on your understanding of rent controls in NYC - controls that were put in place during World War II and are unlike ANY other rent controls in the entire country? Does the rent control you’re thinking about have vacancy decontrols or recontrols? Does the rent control you are thinking about have increases based on the consumer price index, inflation, property upgrades, a combination of these? Do you know which of the landlord’s profit streams – operating profits, tax-write offs or capital gains - rent control impact most?
What I am proposing? First, let’s get the facts on how rent stabilization or rent control would impact our community. To this end, the Asbury Park Affordable Housing Subcommittee has requested that the governing body invite Mr. Connie Pascale (Legal Services of NJ), one of the leading experts in the state on rent stabilization and rent control, to make a presentation to our community at the May 17, 2006 City Council Workshop Session (6pm start time).
Once we have the facts, then we, as a community, can consider what is best. I encourage each of you that are interested in this topic to email me any questions you would like Mr. Pascale to address in his presentation.
My response to this question has been that I do want to consider a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. Why? It should be no secret to anyone living in Asbury Park over the past five years that housing costs have significantly increased. This has put intense pressure on many families, particularly those families that are living at or near the poverty line (at least 30% of our citizens). My fear is that if redevelopment continues along its current course, we will be flooded with even more land speculators who will buy properties at inflated levels, hoping to flip them at even more inflated levels. The end result of this speculation cycle will be ever-increasing rents and massive gentrification of neighborhoods.
A well-crafted rent stabilization or rent control ordinance would curb this and create a more stable and healthy marketplace. Such an ordinance would show that we want landlords that are in Asbury Park for the long haul. Their profits would be steady and long-term. It would also create a more stable situation for families already living here and would create a greater abundance of affordable rental units for families that want to move to Asbury Park.
As I have researched and discussed this issue, I have heard many arguments against rent stabilization or rent control from landlords with large apartment buildings. None of these arguments have been informed by the facts. I have also heard from the smaller landlords telling me, “Jim, I put my life-savings into the old Victorian house I bought and I’m spending thousands to fix it up. We have a carriage house in the back and we rent out the apartment to help cover costs. If we’re limited in what we can charge, we won’t survive.” You don’t have to worry. Most likely, any ordinance we would consider would not impact you. Why? In most cities, rent stabilization or rent control ordinances only impact buildings with multiple units.
For those of you who feel that “rent control is absolutely wrong for Asbury Park.” Are you sure you know what you are talking about? Are you talking about strong rent control, moderate rent control or restrictive rent control? Do you know the differences between rent control and rent stabilization? Are you basing your arguments on your understanding of rent controls in NYC - controls that were put in place during World War II and are unlike ANY other rent controls in the entire country? Does the rent control you’re thinking about have vacancy decontrols or recontrols? Does the rent control you are thinking about have increases based on the consumer price index, inflation, property upgrades, a combination of these? Do you know which of the landlord’s profit streams – operating profits, tax-write offs or capital gains - rent control impact most?
What I am proposing? First, let’s get the facts on how rent stabilization or rent control would impact our community. To this end, the Asbury Park Affordable Housing Subcommittee has requested that the governing body invite Mr. Connie Pascale (Legal Services of NJ), one of the leading experts in the state on rent stabilization and rent control, to make a presentation to our community at the May 17, 2006 City Council Workshop Session (6pm start time).
Once we have the facts, then we, as a community, can consider what is best. I encourage each of you that are interested in this topic to email me any questions you would like Mr. Pascale to address in his presentation.
My Vision for the "Baronet Block"
There has been significant discussion at recent City Council meetings about preserving the Baronet Theater. I am 100% in support of this effort and want to share my vision for the “Baronet Block.”
I want to preserve the Asbury Lanes, the Fast-Lane and the Baronet Theater and establish this section of Fourth Avenue as an entertainment area. I would also like to amend the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan to allow for a parking deck to be built on the empty lot west of these buildings. On the first story above the aforementioned entertainment venues, I would like to have office space for the community group that will manage the Baronet, as well as affordable artist-loft apartments. This first story will provide two things. First, it will provide some affordable units within the Waterfront Redevelopment Area. Second, it will provide a necessary noise buffer between the entertainment venues and the subsequent stories. The fact that the occupants of these units will deal with noise from the venues is the trade-off for getting something affordable one block from the beach. Above these units I would like to see market-rate condominium units.
In return for Asbury Partner’s potential loss of revenue on the ground floor retail units and the first floor of affordable units and office space, I would like the City to negotiate for increased height on this or another parcel within the Waterfront Redevelopment Area.
To execute this vision, I have reached out to our City Attorney and will reach out to my fellow Councilmembers about proposing a resolution on May 17th that would direct our City staff to begin negotiating these issues with Asbury Partners.
I want to preserve the Asbury Lanes, the Fast-Lane and the Baronet Theater and establish this section of Fourth Avenue as an entertainment area. I would also like to amend the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan to allow for a parking deck to be built on the empty lot west of these buildings. On the first story above the aforementioned entertainment venues, I would like to have office space for the community group that will manage the Baronet, as well as affordable artist-loft apartments. This first story will provide two things. First, it will provide some affordable units within the Waterfront Redevelopment Area. Second, it will provide a necessary noise buffer between the entertainment venues and the subsequent stories. The fact that the occupants of these units will deal with noise from the venues is the trade-off for getting something affordable one block from the beach. Above these units I would like to see market-rate condominium units.
In return for Asbury Partner’s potential loss of revenue on the ground floor retail units and the first floor of affordable units and office space, I would like the City to negotiate for increased height on this or another parcel within the Waterfront Redevelopment Area.
To execute this vision, I have reached out to our City Attorney and will reach out to my fellow Councilmembers about proposing a resolution on May 17th that would direct our City staff to begin negotiating these issues with Asbury Partners.
The Westside is on the Move
In the past two weeks, I have attended a number of community meetings on the Westside that were focused on addressing pressing social issues in our city. The majority of these meetings were held in response to the fact that we have had two murders on DeWitt Avenue in the past seven months, both of which happened steps away from one of our community centers. There also have been three other less publicized shootings in the past two weeks - luckily none of these were fatal.
As I participated in these meetings, I was excited by the growing sentiment of residents and community leaders in these neighborhoods that they “have had enough.” They have had enough of the senseless violence, enough of the drug dealing, and enough of the growing gang problem. These feelings were most evident in the community march and rally that took place this past Saturday afternoon.
It was the 14th annual march in memory of Quiana Dees, a 12-year-old girl that was brutally murdered in 1992. Her killer has never been brought to justice. The march has been organized each year by her mother, Penny Dees. This year the march took on added meaning as Ms. Dee’s was joined by relatives and friends of Jerry Jules, Jakeema Kelly, and Saahron Jones – all murdered in our city within the past seven months.
As the march wound its way though the streets of the Westside, I felt a tremendous sense of solidarity among the marchers. I felt a growing spirit that was saying “we are ready to do the difficult work to take back our streets for our children.” As I walked with them, I was immensely proud to be one of their elected officials. The consciousness of the Westside community has been awakened, a floodgate has been opened, and its people are on the move.
As one of the organizers shared with the crowd as we rallied at City Hall following the march, “This is not an event, this is a MOVEMENT.” I wholeheartedly agree and it is a movement that each and every member of our city should support.
As I participated in these meetings, I was excited by the growing sentiment of residents and community leaders in these neighborhoods that they “have had enough.” They have had enough of the senseless violence, enough of the drug dealing, and enough of the growing gang problem. These feelings were most evident in the community march and rally that took place this past Saturday afternoon.
It was the 14th annual march in memory of Quiana Dees, a 12-year-old girl that was brutally murdered in 1992. Her killer has never been brought to justice. The march has been organized each year by her mother, Penny Dees. This year the march took on added meaning as Ms. Dee’s was joined by relatives and friends of Jerry Jules, Jakeema Kelly, and Saahron Jones – all murdered in our city within the past seven months.
As the march wound its way though the streets of the Westside, I felt a tremendous sense of solidarity among the marchers. I felt a growing spirit that was saying “we are ready to do the difficult work to take back our streets for our children.” As I walked with them, I was immensely proud to be one of their elected officials. The consciousness of the Westside community has been awakened, a floodgate has been opened, and its people are on the move.
As one of the organizers shared with the crowd as we rallied at City Hall following the march, “This is not an event, this is a MOVEMENT.” I wholeheartedly agree and it is a movement that each and every member of our city should support.
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