Jury Sides with Jersey's Owners for $2 Million - plus

Owners of the Jersey Apartments, a spanish style 1924 apartment building, who were prevented from completing restoration of the building because the City seized the property under its Eminent Domain rights, took their argument to a jury, which awarded them $2 million plus interest.
The City's plan is to use the land the 21-apartment building is currently occupying, on the second block of Second Avenue, for use as a possible cartway for a later phase of condo developments planned for the block behind the Jersey.
The jury award concludes years of court room battles during which the Jersey's owners, Vince Gifford, Richard DePetro, and Marshall Sigman argued against the City, while tax revenues on the 21 potential condos went unrealized.
Also during this same period, the Asbury Park City Manager, who city councilmembers lauded for orchestrating this redevelopment plan, Terrance Weldon, was charged with and sentenced for extorting bribes from developers in his dual capacity as Ocean Twp.'s mayor. Weldon was one of the first officials ensnared in the FBI's Operation Bid Rig, which made the news again this week with the arrest of 48 government officials in NJ.
Note: Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson, who took office last month, has most often voted against Eminent Domain and has frequently stated his opposition to uses such as the Jersey situation. click here for photos of the Jersey http://www.asburyradio.com/JerseyApts.htm

Sue Henderson Joins Asbury Park City Council

Sue Henderson is sworn in by council as friend Rich Gore, who is Council member John Loffredo's partner, holds bible. Henderson said she assumed Council member Jim Keady's unexpired term because if you have complaints you have to be willing to work to make things better.
Council Present: John Loffredo, Mayor Kevin Sanders, Deputy Mayor James Bruno
Recording One - Interfaith Neighbors Paul McEvily on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Recording Two - City Commerce director, Tom Gilmour, on UEZ funding for Asbury Works, etc.
Recording Three - Construction code official's hours cut back. City attorney, Tom Hastie's wife is the business manager for Robbinsville, the municipality that is sharing the contruction official with Asbury Park. [Robbinsville recently lost a Sunshine Law violation complaint filed by John Paff. In winning the case, Paff cited an appeals panel's opinion in Nevin v Asbury Park.]
Recording Four - Tax Abatement for Design Center at Cookman and Bangs
Recording Five - Parking dispute re. 711 Bangs building
Recording Six - Comments from the Public - Werner Baumgartner, who performed the duties of city historian until the waterfront redevelopment began, asks city to explain what actions have been taken against the owners of a list of sub-code buildings in city. Mgr Terry Reidy doesn't answer the question, instead relates an earlier exchange he had with Baumgartner.

Council Settles Tax Dispute, Councilmember Keady Resigns

Highlights of last council meeting of 2008 (12/17)

~The city has settled a dispute of back property taxes owed by Paramount Homes, developers of North Beach condo complex. City will realize over $560,000 in revenue, but involves a sizeable compromise: City wanted $620,000 in taxes, Paramount wanted to pay $180,000. Click here for Interview with City alternate redevelopment attorney Tom Hastie regarding this and other uncollected taxes to follow...
~One-term councilmember James Keady thanked the public for the opportunity to serve them for the past 3 1/2 years, in a farewell message so brief that it prompted Deputy Mayor Jim Bruno to call it, "too short". Despite having vowed to never vote with Keady and following through on that threat for most meetings, Bruno said despite their differences the two "saw the light on a lot of issues" of which the public was not aware. Bruno was the only elected official to make a farewell speech about Keady.

The council offered no replacement for Keady, whose term expires in July. Keady told Asbury Radio family obligations necessitated his resignation. He has had a child with his new partner, who owns a home in Pt. Pleasant. The depressed housing market has made selling the home and moving his family to Asbury Park impossible at this time.

City Manager Terry Reidy complimented Keady's service to the community. "The best decisions in government are made when there are differences of opinion; and they're best when made transparently," said Reidy, who cited Keady for having provided both in a professional manner and served well. During the public portion, several people thanked Keady for his service. Click here to hear this portion of the meeting.
~The council unanimously appointed Sue Henderson to represent the city on the Deal Lake Commission. Henderson, who served for years as the president of the Homeowners Association, has led countless community efforts, managing to rise above political factions to accomplish a great deal. She takes over the post at a time when the city continues to withhold several years' dues from the financially strapped commission.
~The city has completed the Emergency Management Plan, said Fire Chief Keddy. The State Police have approved the plan, which Keddy said will be made available for posting on the site. Asbury Radio alerted the public to the previous antiquated plan more than two years ago. At the end of the public portion, click here to listen to public portion, the Chief gives this update. Also hear Rev. Gil Caldwell, pictured above, read his letter to Keady.
~The council introduced an ordinance granting five-year property tax abatements to encourage building.
~ The City is accepting bids for vehicle repairs and dumpsters.

~ It is no longer necessary to separate paper from cans and glass when recycling! Merry Christmas!!