Having said that, allow me to give you a sense of who I am and where I have been. I am 56 years old, married for 20 years, born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey from the age of three. I have a B.A from Seton Hall University in political science and a master's in public administration from Rutgers University.

Before I entered the field of public administration, I was a newspaper reporter and a first grade school teacher in the City of Paterson, the director of an alternative high school (started by students in Bergen County) and the Director of Education for Passaic County's youthful offender program (a lock-up facility).

I worked for the City of Passaic in a variety of positions from 1978 to 1983. When I left to become Vernon Township's first administrator, I was the Director of Community Development. I served in Vernon for three years and addressed some of the most divisive and political health issues in its history (the effect of microwave emissions on pregnant women).

I then went to Morristown (the county seat) as the administrator for the next nine years and then to Montclair for the past nine years.

The varied experiences of the past 25 years have prepared me for my responsibilities as manager in Asbury Park. I have worked in city, rural and suburban communities; I have dealt with all levels of county, state and federal governmental agencies, and I have negotiated and managed downtown revitalization and economic development projects.

I believe that government has a responsibility to be open, honest and responsive to the community; I have heard these values expressed by this council. Just as importantly, since no great vision can be accomplished alone, I respect and understand the value of building teams.

No municipality can thrive unless the government itself is a cohesive team. No city can thrive unless the people of the community have faith that their tax dollar is being spent wisely. It is my aim to continue and build on the foundation that this governing body has established.

Asbury Park is at another crossroad -- one ripe with possibility and success. I say another, because this city has already made an historic transformation; property values are soaring, people all over the state are buzzing and everyone is pulling for Asbury Park to make a full recovery. I am committed to staying here for the duration; my wife, Nadine, and I are making Asbury Park our home.

I will spend the first several months getting to know my new home. I believe that to be effective, a manager must understand and respect the history and culture of a community, and Asbury is rich in both.

I ask for your patience as I learn and your feedback -- always. I see constructive criticism as a gift. Please share your ideas, dreams and disappointments with me and let me know how I can improve.

I could not be more optimistic about our future -- and I am not naïve to the pitfalls that lay ahead. I promise to stay focused, work hard, listen, give honest and direct answers, respect the values of the people I serve and stay open. Together we can accomplish anything.

I am grateful to be part of the renaissance of Asbury Park and look forward to working with the Mayor and Council, the city employees and the community.