Thank you for that timely post! Like I said, heres a guy for all intents and
purposes brought the city to its knees. Vaccaro tore those two theatres down.
His construction company tore down two landmarks! Where were the Kate Mellinas,
the Jim Brunos and I don't count John because John is from Neptune! While I
lived in Neptune, I had the pleasure of seeing movies in BOTH theatres. I've
also patronized the baronet, where my kids saw the Bad News Bears, The St.
James and the Savoy on Mattison Ave. Newbies move here and think they know all
about the body politic here. Been there, done that! I observe first because I
am NOT a native but I'm sure as hell, not dumb! I remember miniature golf,
Bocce ball, the Casino with its' Carousel and if I search through some stuff, I
may find a ring from the Palace off its carousel! I have photographs from
Easters when it rained and I herded my kids into the Palace to spend those
quarters and dimes in the game room. Cotton candy, Pizza, etc. In 1975, I took
the kids to Atlantic City instead and it was a dud trip. Never went back until
the Resorts opened. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have souvenirs that have
Asbury Park stamped on them, if anyone is interested. One is a crying towel and
some salt and pepper shakers.
Sharon Boone
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Here's a Ray Kramer synopsis pulled form a google search...
"
* Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, July 8, 1992, the Kiwanis
Club of Neptune-Ocean in Monmouth County, NJ, will honor one of
the most distinguished and beloved members of our community, Mr.
Ray Kramer of Spring Lake, NJ. The occasion for tonight's tribute
to this great man is the Kiwanis Club's annual fundraising day at
the Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood, NJ. Although my duties as a
Member of this House preclude from being home in my district today
to personally join in honoring Ray Kramer, I would like to take
this opportunity to pay tribute to a man whom I consider a friend,
a valued colleague, and a role model for all public servants.
* The list of Ray Kramer's many accomplishments and leadership
activities would probably fill at least half the pages of today's
*Congressional Record*. Thus, I will try to summarize some of his
more prominent achievements. Mr. Kramer was a member of the
Monmouth County, NJ, Board of Chosen Freeholders for 9 years,
during which time he served as director for 4 years and deputy
director for 2 years he served as mayor of the city of Asbury
Park, NJ, from 1973 to 1985, having been a city councilman for 5
years prior to becoming mayor. He was the president of the New
Jersey Conference of Mayors in 1978 and 1979, and also served that
organization as treasurer, member of the board of trustees and
member of the Legislative Action Committee. He has also served on
numerous other boards and commissions at the local, county, and
State levels, bringing his unique combination of intelligence and
compassion to these public service positions.
* Mr. Kramer's accomplishments in the private sector are equally
impressive and diverse. For nearly five decades, he has been a
successful restaurateur in Monmouth County. His keen understanding
of how to make a business work has been a major factor in his work
in government. He has brought to his public policy initiatives the
results-oriented sensibilities of a businessman, and has shown an
ability to relate to the economic concerns of the working people
and small business owners who are the backbone of our economy.
* Ray Kramer has been a lifelong resident of Monmouth County. He is
a graduate of Asbury Park High School. He went on to get his B.S.
Degree in business administration at the University of South
Carolina. He subsequently served as an ensign at the U.S. Navy
Midshipmen's School at Columbia University. Ray Kramer served his
country in the Navy during World War II, attaining the rank of
lieutenant, senior grade. He is a member of Congregation Sons Of
Israel in Ocean Township, NJ, and has been its vice president for
23 years. The range of his memberships and affiliations with
benevolent, cultural, philanthropic, and public service
organizations is extensive to say the least.
* Ray and his wife Leilani have three children, Kris, Kally, and
Kasey. Ray is also the father of two sons, Jeffrey and Kevin. The
Kramer family certainly has much to be proud of, as do all of us
who are lucky enough to call Ray Kramer a friend. Through his hard
work and commitment to community service, Ray Kramer has touched
and enriched the lives of thousands of people living on the Jersey
Shore. I take great pride in joining with the Kiwanis Club of
Neptune-Ocean in paying tribute to the Man of the Year, the
Honorable Ray Kramer..........."
So from 1968 through 1985 Ray Kramer was at the very least a very
important governing official in Asbury Park. That would include the
years prior to the riots and of course afterwards. As I recall the
scuttlebutt during those years, Kramer took the brunt of the blame for
Asbury's rather rapid descent from being a vital tourist destination.
When the wrecking ball hit the Mayfair, Asbury as we knew ended. The
wrecking ball hit a number of other buildings and there was mass exodus
of long time Asbury families, many moving to Ocean Township.
So, perhaps the many legit and illegit historians of Asbury Park can
resurrect these 17 years and give us an opportunity to decide for
ourselves what really happened during this critical period in the
history of Asbury Park. Why was the Mayfair knocked down, who got that
contract, who decided knocking down the Mayfair was n the publics best
interest????
I think that if Ray Kramer were held to the standards we hold our
leaders today, he'd be in a heap of trouble.
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