A Word from the APHA Vice-President

Hello Asbury Park Homeowners! Mark and I attended the Mayor’s Ball on Saturday and it was quite a party! Sunday night we enjoyed ReVision Theater’s awesome show “Breakup Notebook”. I recommend going to see this show – get your tickets now and you will be thoroughly entertained like you have never been before!

I wanted to share with all the members some ideas and information that I would like everyone to think about, react to and try to get involved with.

Our Porch Parties at the end of August brought about some great discussions about concerns that homeowners have in common. Code Enforcement and Crime are ongoing problems and the Executive Board of APHOA is dedicated to providing homeowners with some solutions to problems that we face. We began by creating an online submission of Code problems that you may have. These include issues of property maintenance and upkeep and things like garbage, grass cutting, etc. It is imperative that we do not ignore what may bother us in our neighborhoods. We are working to ensure good communication and action. You may submit your problem to us or go directly to Code Enforcement yourself. We can help to improve the quality of life in our city by everyone taking a good look at their block and reporting violations. We have made the Code available on our website and we are working on creating a version a little easier to understand.

Asbury Park homeowners can be the eyes and ears for the Asbury Park Police Department. Please do not be afraid to contact them for non-emergency concerns at 732-774-1300, then 0. The police want everyone to work with them to fight crime and create a good quality of life. I know that it is hard to make that call, but trust your instincts and know that you are helping your neighborhood.

Members also expressed concerns about changing the name of the organization, getting APHOA T-shirts to wear around the city, getting new members at city events and creating a positive presence of the organization by attending meetings and events as members of the APHOA. (Thank you, Randy Thompson, for volunteering to attend City Council meetings and reporting back to us.)

I attended a Communications meeting with Dr. Denise Lowe, our Superintendent of Schools. She wants everyone to have clear information and you can visit the website to learn what is going on. She welcomes communication with the people of Asbury, even if you do not have children in the schools. Everyone is welcome to attend sports events, concerts and plays.

We have wonderful sincere members with great ideas and a common passion in that they love this city! We would like to have everyone contribute their special talent to this organization in some way! Membership in this organization should be a good combination of dealing with serious issues at hand and finding solutions and opportunities for social fun. We need more members!

Our October meeting will be held on October 28. A Zombie theme will prevail and we invite members to attend as zombies. Please check the website for more information as we find the best location for this meeting and give hints on zombie makeup and attire. Please be prepared to discuss topics of concern to zombie homeowners.

Our Food Drive will begin in late October and continue to late November. Please begin to collect items that may be used and enjoyed by the residents of The Center in Asbury Park. Non-perishable food items, health and beauty items will be collected. Perishable items can be donated during the week before Thanksgiving (turkeys, vegetables, pies).

Please mark December 9 on your calendar for our evening holiday party at the Hotel Tides. We will enjoy hot canapés and a cash bar. A great opportunity to dress up a little, talk to your fellow homeowners and have fun. Watch the website for more information soon so that you can make your reservations conveniently online. You won’t want to miss it!

Planning has already started for our Spring Home Tour to be held in May. If you are interested in showing your home, garden, porch, etc. please contact me. This event is our big fundraiser for our AP High School Scholarship Fund. We need volunteers!

During the year that my husband Mark and I have lived here we have met the most wonderful and interesting people! We have had some hurdles in dealing with issues of city living but we have never been happier and more able to be ourselves. There are so many wonderful things happening here and so many more to happen! Energy, passion and ideas are welcome here! Please contact me at rrwilliams.ap@gmail.com Let’s make life in Asbury event better together.

Rita R. Williams