Asbury Park, New Jersey incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1874, from portions of Ocean Township. The borough was reincorporated on February 28, 1893. Asbury Park was incorporated as a city, its current type of government, as of March 25, 1897.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 177. Accessed February 9, 2012. The city has seen various changes in its form of government. It had directly elected mayors under its first two forms of government beginning in 1874. In 1915, the city adopted mayor-council form of government with a commission. It reorganized under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law in that year. In 2011, it became mayor-council.
Mayors ImageNameTermPartyNotes John Moor 2014–Present Elected mayor in November 2014 after the electorate voted to change the form of government with the direct election of the mayor Myra Campbell 2013–2014 First African-American female mayor. Was appointed in July 2013 in a 3-2 City Council vote despite being the second-to-lowest vote getter, breaking tradition. Ed Johnson 2009–20135th African-American mayor. Served three terms on Asbury Park City Council. Appointed to vacancy as City Councilman in 2005, Elected City Councilman in 2005 and reelected in 2009. Appointed to Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone Board in 1998. Served as Chairman of Urban Enterprise Zone Board 1999 - 2004 rebuilding the board of directors and Asbury Park UEZ Operations. Served as Mayor during the historic start of the ongoing city-wide redevelopment of Asbury Park. Created the Springwood Avenue Advisory Committee (SAAC) and served as SAAC Chairman which developed on-going Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Plan recognized by 2008 Planning Merit Award for the Amended Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Plan and the 2008 Achievement in Planning Award from the New Jersey Planning Officials for community-based planning. Founded the Transportation Station Subcommittee charged with the repairs and upgrades to the Asbury Park Transportation Center bolstering commuter and tourism rail service to the city. Oversaw preparation and reconstruction of the city during August 2011 Earthquake, 2011 Hurricane Irene and 2012 Superstorm Sandy. Developed Sister City Exchange Program with Casalgrande, Italy hosting Mayor Andrea Rossi in Asbury Park and leading a City delegation to Italy in 2012. Honored with Presidential visit to the city by President Barack Obama in May 2013. Retired as Mayor on June 30, 2019. Entered private life as president and Founder of Ed Johnson AP International civic engagement consulting firm. Continues public service as Honorary Member and Ambassador of the Global Parliament of Mayors.Kevin G. Sanders 2001–2005 2005–2009 4th African-American mayorKenneth E. Saunders Sr.(born 17 August 1944) 1997–20013rd African-American mayor. Kenneth "Butch" Saunders was first elected to the City Council in 1996 to fill an unexpired term. Carl Williams Jr. 1996–1997 2nd African-American mayor Patricia Candiano 1994–1996 First woman mayor of Asbury Park Named mayor in March 1994 after prior mayor resigned after being charge with cocaine possession. Lost a recall election in February 1996. Dennis M. Buckley 1993–1994 Resigned in March 1994 after being charged with cocaine possessionThomas S. Smith(1917–2002) 1989–1993Republican First African-American mayor. Served on the Asbury Park Council from 1985 to 1989 and was Asbury Park Police Chief from 1968 to 1979, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed April 23, 2008.Frank Fiorentino1985–1989 Ray Kramer(August 20, 1918 – August 27, 1992) 1973–1977 1977–1981 1981–1985 Democrat In 1969, Raymond Paul Kramer was elected to the City Council of Asbury Park, the first person of Jewish descent to serve on the City Council. In May 1973, he was elected by the City Council as mayor. Elected to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1974. Ray Kramer was chosen as Director of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders in April 1976 to succeed Philip N. Gumbs, who had been appointed to the Worker's Compensation Court, and served in that capacity for the balance of the year. He again served as Director in 1979 and 1980.Minutes, Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders After serving two, three-year terms, he was defeated for reelection to a third term in 1980. In 1981, he attempted a return to the Board, but was again defeated. Kramer was elected to his third and final term in 1982, but was defeated by his Republican opponent, former County Administrator Theodore J. Narozanick. He lost a 1988 re-match with Narozanick Joseph F. Mattice 1969–1973 Frank H. Rowland 1965–1969 Thomas F. Shebell 1957–1961 1961–1965 George A. Smock II 1944–1945 1945–1949 1949–1953 1953–1957Elected mayor in 1944 to finish Mooney's term; re-elected in 1945 to a 4-year term; re-elected in 1949; re-elected in 1953. Vincent P. Keuper 1944Acting mayor after Mooney's death Clarence V. Mooney † 1941–1944 Died in office on January 13, 1944Clarence Eugene Francis Hetrick 1935–1940 (2nd term)Won after a recall election John C. Palmateer 1935 Sherman Oviatt Dennis (1879-1935) 1934-1935Hotel owner
Died March 17, 1935Clarence Eugene Francis Hetrick (1873–1941) 1915–1933 (1st term) Died October 13, 1941 William A. Berry 1914 Died March 2, 1931, age 62 Reginald S. Bennett 1912–1913 Democrat First Democratic mayor. Died June 8, 1928, age 52 Thomas Frank Appleby(1864–1924) 1908–1911 Charles A. Atkins 1906–1907 Died November 7, 1922, age 39 Frank LaRue Ten Broeck 1904–1905 (2nd term) Bruce S. Keator 1903Acting mayor. Died March 8, 1925, age 70 James Adam Bradley 1902 Died June 6, 1921, age 92 Frank LaRue Ten Broeck March 25, 1897 – 1901 (1st term)First mayor of the city of Asbury Park James Adam Bradley(1830-1921) February 28, 1893 – March 25, 1897 James Adam Bradley was the founder of the borough of Asbury Park The title "mayor" seems to have been loosely applied to the leader of the borough with both Bradley and Frank LaRue Ten Broeck referred to as such.
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