By KEVIN G. SANDERS

SEPT. 5, 2002 - As mayor of the City of Asbury Park I have been concerned about the soul of our town. The soul I refer to, can be described as that element that people are proud of when people talk about the place they live. The soul of a community is a reflection of the town's reason for being. When Hollywood is mentioned we think of movies. If Detroit is mentioned we automatically think of cars.

The community I serve is not interested in Asbury Park being seen as just another beach town with no soul! This is a community with a rich heritage. This is a community founded upon being a great place to live and an equally great place to bring your family for wholesome fun.

We as a community took a giant step toward reviving the soul of Asbury Park this past summer of 2002. I pledged to return Asbury Park to the position of an arts and entertainment venue during the summer months. Subsequently, we were able to raise almost $30,000 toward this effort. The summer calendar was filled with noteworthy events Thursday through Sunday nights each week through July and August.

The summer 2002 menu provided the public with an opportunity to see and participate outdoors with Metro Lyric Opera, gospel music, jazz and Broadway music tribute performances. Additionally, the July 6th celebration was an opportunity to enjoy an old-fashioned fireworks display.

Perhaps the least heralded but the most exciting aspect of this summer was the cultural development and enrichment for school age kids component. We worked in the schools during the summer months. Our goal was to offer the students opportunities to learn about the nuances of theater, dance, music, creative art expression and more via first hand experiences. The help of professional artists serving as guest lecturers supplied the children with on hand artistic experience.

This summer was the best summer for arts and entertainment in the city's history. There are a lot of people to thank for the success of the summer initiative.

NBC's Today show came to town in July of this summer and helped to remind literally millions of people that Asbury Park is as important to memories of home-grown talent as Memphis is to the blues.

We are on the road to a full revival of the soul of Asbury Park. Some evidence of this can be found in the art galleries, stores and shops springing up in town. All this is happening before we have an approved oceanfront redevelopment agreement and downtown redevelopment plan.

This is a community effort. A number of collaborations have been formed with businesses, organizations and individuals. It will take the same level of commitment to keep the movement alive.

The initiative calls for the community to support more cultural activities, take part in our school programs. We also need local people developing our Asbury Park talent to the fullest potential.

Our future is in our children. Let's give them an opportunity to participate in every aspect of educational enhancement through recreation and the arts. We need to build upon the success we have had this summer and build that foundation for the children. I am looking toward community support in creating school programs throughout the year. I am looking beyond the standard recreation activities with balls and jump ropes. A grander community effort is what I have in mind. The community at large, churches, block watch groups, businesses and nonprofit organizations side by side offer an opportunity to provide:

• After-school arts programs that build upon already existing school day programs with the addition of some weekend programs
• Fun opportunities to perform and show off skills in variety shows such as spelling bees, science fairs, talent contests, game shows and quiz shows
• Starting a new and active chapter of the Police Athletic League (already in progress)
• Concerted efforts to effectively aid and guide existing programs like the Little League, Pop Warner and soccer programs
• Start a city-supervised Biddy Basketball League for boys and girls
• Develop year round fundraising activities to recruit sponsors

One sponsor has already stepped up the plate to help the City of Asbury Park achieve these goals.

The Coca Cola Bottling Company of Asbury Park, on the Asbury Circle, has proposed a cash donation to the city's recreation programs for the next five years, with other promotional items included. Coca Cola has already donated t-shirts and other assorted gifts that were distributed at Mayor's Day in Sunset Park.

I applaud them and others that will help support our efforts to enhance the horizons, test scores, esteem and mental health of our city's greatest jewels, the children of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Finally, to raise funds for the soon to be created Assemblyman Thomas Smith Scholarship Fund and recreation funds, there will be a Mayor's Ball on the 22nd of February 2003.

With the community's belief in a better tomorrow, let's secure the soul of our city as we move forward in this new millennium.