Certainly happy to see Emilio’s got approval to serve dinner after dark at his little but charming restaurant on Center Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, but wonder why one planning board member had such a problem with it and could not approve it.

It’s the same board member who said Center Avenue is “a dangerous street, and the residents must maintain their sidewalks. Really? Has he even ever been on Center Avenue, know the wonderful people who live there, seen the smile on the faces of everyone who enjoys huge breakfasts and great lunches at Emilio’s? Does he know the people on Center Avenue love their neighborhood and do maintain it; they would not have moved there otherwise, or raised their families there for generations. Many remember Zoe’s and did not have any problem when that was opened in the evenings.

The planning board member spoke on how great First Avenue is for restaurants, saying it was “designed for nighttime dining.” Guess he has forgotten how many restaurants there are on First Avenue, albeit every one of them spectacular, who do not have to provide their own parking; they can simply tell folks to park in the municipal lots  Shouldn’t Emilio’s be able to do the same? It’s as close to the boro lots as some of the First Avenue restaurants. He also has the approval of St. Agnes to use their parking lot, a two-minute walk down that “dangerous” Center Avenue to the restaurant.

At the same meeting, the terrific restaurant on the corner of First and Center had absolutely no problem in getting approval to close in that lovely open deck on the second floor to allow for more diners in the winter months.  They didn’t even ask him how that would impact parking in municipally owned lots or on First Avenue.

And since it was such a busy night with an unusual number of applications being heard, the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club’s idea to put outdoor dining on top of the Galleon Room of the Shore Casino was presented, but had to be continued until the May 4 meeting.  It’s an innovative idea the architect/club member is proposing, but it sounds like there will be a lot of questions about its impact not only at the harbor, the Casino, but on the homes on Ocean Blvd. as well. Wonder if parking problems will be addressed there, too.

The Chairman certainly runs a great meeting and members ask a lot of questions showing they’ve done their homework and are familiar with what they’re addressing when they come into the meeting. They’re even polite and cordial to residents in attendance.

Past Story on Emilio’s Here

Councilman Jim Murphy, when asked what you have accomplished as a councilman? will chuckle and say, facetiously “I attend every meeting.”

Sounds like a cliché and not very contributory, but the councilman adds that when you think about it, it speaks of his dedication and commitment.

And there is no doubt of James Murphy’s commitment to Atlantic Highlands.

The councilman now serving his second term , is on the ballot in November seeking the mayoral post, vying to be the borough’s highest elected official, primarily because he thinks he’ll be good at it, will help the borough residents, and will listen to the people.

It’s also been a dream of his since he was a kid that one day he could be mayor of his hometown.

Home it is, as Murphy is the third generation of his family settled here, and is bringing his children up to appreciate the warmth, beauty, and neighborliness of the same town where he grew up.

It was Murphy’s grandparents who first discovered the borough, having arrived in this country from Ireland and eventually finding a home on Bay Avenue…” the same home where my dad sill lives,” and only two blocks away from where he lives. “When we find and appreciate something good, we don’t even have to move far,” Murphy grins.

The Murphy’s had three children, a son and two daughters ranging in age from 8 to 14, and they both believe that raising children means, between teaching them commitment and high standards, responsibility and taking the time to help others and become involved.

With his wife Molly president of the local Board of Education, and himself a councilman among other volunteer positions, the parents show their children what they mean by commitment.  In spite of his hours dedicated to municipal work, Murphy never misses one of the sports, school or recreational activities of his children.

Having faith and a strong belief in God, Murphy wants to be sure his children don’t fail in that respect as he feels he did when he was a teenager. But here he thanks Henry Hudson coach and physical education instructor Vinnie Whitehead, the long time teacher at Hudson who was one of his instructors there.  “He was Coach Whitehead then,” Murphy recalls, “and he had a great Fellowship of Athletes when I was at Hudson. He coached basketball and cross country teams, and were the Iron 7,” he recalls. But taking time to thank God for sports ability and having friends and commitments were also part of Whitehead’s influence, and Murphy credits him, along with his parents  with keeping him on the right path. Today, Murphy is an active parishioner at St. Agnes Church, and is an usher at the noon mass every Sunday.  “If it weren’t for Coach Whitehead, I would never be as close as I am to God,” he said.

Murphy also served two years on the board of education before being elected to council, and there, as now, he believed in attending every meeting, keeping abreast of everything going on, but not ever seeking change for the sake of change.  He believes his work in researching ideas before voting  in order to be fully informed is a commitment that helps the borough and ensures that things are kept in check. He quotes Presidents Reagan’s belief that “as government expands, liberties contract,” and cites that as the reason why he does not advocate introducing new rules, regulations, or unnecessary restrictions on the public.

Murphy keeps in touch with the employees of  the Public Works Department and the other committees he serves on as councilman, “but I don’t overdo it. They know what they’re doing, they don’t need any interference from me. Why would I try to change anything that’s already working so well? I just want to do right for the community. “I trust my people on the ground,” he said, “and they know I’m here and they can call me if I can help them.”

Nor does the councilman shy away from the added responsibilities of mayor in representing the borough. “I know I have value,” he said confidently, “and I know things need to be done. But I believe in transparency, in listening to the people.” He believes the current council should be more open than it is,  and should not discuss so much in executive session rather than sharing information and seeking input from the residents. He also believes in negotiating for what is best in the long run for the residents and the future of the borough.

Looking towards the November election with running mates Whitehead, his former coach, and Ellen O’Dwyer, an Army veteran  Murphy feels the three of them can work well together and enhance the town even more. .”All three of us are parents, and our children are our priorities,” he explained, noting that with that priority and desire to raise children in a small town environment, working together on council will be an asset.

Seeing himself as strong but quiet, Murphy thinks his leadership will be an asset in bringing residents together even with different opinions and priorities. He thinks he can bring a measure of compassion to meetings, knows he will not talk down to any residents, and believes that demeanor is important when representing the borough.

My strengths, the sales manager for mortgage sales and Stockton State College graduate explained, in addition to his love for the town and his desire to ensure it is a perfect town in which to bring up families, ”are in organization, running effective meetings, and always having an agenda to work on.”