Round and Round Go City Managers - Who’s in Charge?

As a companion piece to the article written about the form of government and the role the city council and/or city manager play in the City; here is an editor’s opinion.

Noted in Angela’s article, the current form of government in Asbury Park is that of a Strong City Manager and of a Weak Mayor. With this type of governance, the City Manager runs the day to day operations; sets the budget for council approval; hires, fires and deals with personnel matters. While some cities and towns have had stability with their leadership position; others seem to struggle to maintain a manager, like Asbury Park in the last ten years.

Since 2013 the City of Asbury Park has had 9 city managers. This begs the question, why such high turnover in this position? What could it be about working in Asbury Park that managers resign, are fired or are not reappointed?

Nine City Managers in ten years. That is quite the track record. Note, that City Managers are “at-will” employees and the City Council are the hiring and firing authority for that position – so, is it the past or the current council which are the issue? Let’s take a peek at what has transpired over the years.

Here is a list of the last 9 city managers and their terms:

Terrence Reidy had the longest stretch, serving ten years from March 2003 – 10/31/2013. He was fired when a new council was sworn-in in May of 2013. The city council then appointed an “Interim” City Manager (the Director of Social Services) Anthony Nuccio who was interim for approximately three months from October 2013 to January 2014.

On February 1, 2014 Jack Kelly began his eleven month stint which concluded on December 31, 2014 when the City Council did not re-appoint him. Anthony Nuccio was again appointed “Interim” City Manager for 22 months from January 1, 2014 to October 27, 2015.

Michael Capabianco began his tenure on October 28, 2015 and lasted 4 years until November 30, 2019 when he resigned. The City Council then hired yet another “interim” City Manager, Donna Vieiro from December 1, 2019 to July of 2020 to fill the void left by Mr. Capabianco.

In July of 2020, the City Council officially hired Donna Vieiro as their Seventh City Manager since 2013. Three years later she resigned on December 31, 2023.

Asbury Park’s eighth City Manager, Lilian Nazzaro, came on board on January 16, 2024 staying until she resigned in January 2025.

John Hayes, the Deputy City Manager, was then appointed Acting City Manager (the ninth since 2013) following the resignation of Mrs. Nazzaro.

Mr. Hayes remains the city’s acting city manager at the time of this editorial.

Here is a look at current City Council members through the years:

• • 2013 – Present
    • John Moor
    • Amy Quinn
  • 2015 – Present
    • Yvonne Clayton
  • 2017 – Present
    • Eileen Chapman
  • 2022 – Present
    • Angela Ahbez Anderson

* Dates obtained via Monmouth County Board of Elections

The City of Asbury Park is averaging a new or interim City Manager approximately every 1.2 years. Surely, that does not provide for stability for the city, its residents, or for the many city employees.

Is there a battle for power within city hall between council and city managers? Is there a less than ideal work environment? Perhaps it’s any one’s guess – I’m presenting these facts for you to consider, absorb and come to your own conclusion.

In my opinion, something is amiss at city hall and city managers are leaving because of it.