Now that the clock is ticking on a brand new year, I thought I'd update you on what four of my five instant brothers have been up to and are thinking about. (Councilman John Hamilton declined to be included in this column.)

Mayor Kevin Sanders has been uncharacteristically quiet lately, but certainly not by choice. On November 5, Kevin entered the hospital for a simple, out-patient knee procedure and emerged with much more than he bargained for: a rare and serious staff infection that put him in the hospital for 25 days and led to two more knee surgeries.

"It was like a Roach Motel," he cracked. "I went in and never came back."

Kevin had to learn to walk again with the help of a physical therapist and is still receiving nine antibiotic injections a day, but he hopes to return to city hall by month's end.

What are his 2004 priorities? "I really want to clear the path for Springwood Avenue redevelopment," he answered immediately. "That's where I want to put my focus this year."

As you may know, since the early 1990s, the redevelopment rights for much of Springwood Avenue have been controlled by Asbury Shores, a company associated with developer Phil Konvitz, and a previous council extended those rights through 2010.

We are currently in litigation and negotiations with Asbury Shores and a third-party developer to jump-start housing and retail in that long-neglected area, and details will become available as soon as a potential deal is struck.

Kevin also wants to investigate how part of our first $1 million contribution from Asbury Partners, our oceanfront developers, can be put in a revolving fund to assist city residents hoping to buy affordable housing.

One of Kevin's big projects last year was the Mayor's Ball, which raised approximately $12,000 for city recreation programs, and he intends to repeat that fundraiser in 2004.

Kevin and Councilman John Loffredo have also been jointly active in the city's new Recreation Commission, and that committee helped finance initiatives including an outdoor soccer league and a bowling program last summer.

The Commission hopes to kick off a biddy basketball program in the near future, and Kevin would like to bring in sports clinics through the new Police Athletic League begun by Police Director Lou Jordan.

John agrees. "My goal has always been to develop a new city Department of Parks and Recreation," he said, asking me to remind Kevin that the 40 pounds he's lost due to illness don't count towards the 20-pound weight-loss bet the two of them started last summer. (Hey, I told you that public service was broadening…)

Asked to name his other top priorities, Loffredo said, "Oh, there's just so much - the beachfront pavilions, crime, street cleaning. I want to see the C-8 building come down; we're so close I can taste it. I want Main Street finally designated as a redevelopment zone, and I'd like to see Asbury Avenue designated as one."

"Let's be honest: things have improved vastly over the last two years, but it will be a couple more years before we see even bigger improvements."

Deputy Mayor Jimmy Bruno agrees. "This year looks like it will be a good one, with beachfront redevelopment on the horizon, the construction of a new boardwalk, and planned renovations on at least two boardwalk pavilions."

"We need to concentrate on quality-of-life issues in 2004," Jimmy added, citing safety and cleanliness as priorities. "Overall crime is down, but we still have significant issues such as drugs, prostitution and gangs, and we need more police officers. Our Police Director is on top of these issues, and I feel we should see a further decrease in crime."

"I also believe this city is cleaner than it was two years ago, but it can and will get better. Once redevelopment occurs, we're going to have to increase all city services, but the City Yard and Code Enforcement need it now."

Jimmy has also been a constant advocate for expanded recreation programs. "From pre-school to seniors, recreation is still a big problem in Asbury Park and it shouldn't be."

He is currently spearheading a drive to launch Asbury Park's first July 4th parade, and he invites people interested in serving on the committee to contact him at jbruno0001@aol.com or 732-988-3838.

Which brings us to our newest team member. "It's been eight months since I started as Asbury Park's city manager," Terry Reidy noted. "Not long by some standards; a lifetime by others."

Terry, who is currently house-hunting in Asbury Park with wife Nadine, listed several immediate challenges including the rebuilding of Springwood Avenue; building a community center for seniors, youth, and "all of us in between"; improving and implementing affordable housing with the help of the Asbury Partners donation and the Regional Contribution Agreements we've struck with surrounding communities; and hanging tough on redevelopment negotiations.

"Asbury Park is unique," he said. "We have more going for us and almost as much going against us than any other community I have served in. The negative issues are easy to identify and are mostly attached to our past. Some of the people who had the opportunity to lead lost their way, leaving land mines that explode and distract years after their tenure."

"The positive, that's another story, starting with our Junior Pee Wee football champions and extending to our entire community. The growth and enthusiasm is all around the city - the waterfront, the downtown, Main Street, the East Side and the West Side. In three to five years, most of the physical deterioration that has plagued and identified this city will be a memory."

"All of this will not happen without struggle, however. To accomplish what needs to be done, we need to build trust, and trust must first be demonstrated and embodied by the governing body and city hall. We also need to join forces with our school system and the Housing Authority. Both of these institutions are critical to our future."

"Asbury Park is on the rise. There will be many who see that and want a piece of the action, but only economic development that furthers the growth of our city as a community will be welcomed. It is up to us to be the guardians of the future by acting as warriors in the present."