And while local officials hope it doesn't rain on their parade,town council meetings have suddenly taken on a dark and combativetone. At issue is the performance of city manager Terrance Weldon –who is now the former city manager. "It's the same old [stuff],"according to one city official, who did not want to be identified."Just when we thought we were on a roll, this [stuff] happens."

The pending redevelopment by Asbury Partners (formerlyOceanfront Acquisitions), comprised of M.D. Sass Partners of NewYork and First New Jersey Real Property Management of Lakewood, NJ,would entail more than 3,000 oceanfront residential condos, a majorretail component, restaurants and a luxury hotel. The city wouldlease the oceanfront tract to the developer for 99 years, althoughownership of the Asbury Park convention hall and other buildingsstill has to be worked out.

Monday morning, however, minutes after completing finalnegotiations with the developer prior to presentation of the finaldevelopment plan to the city council, Weldon abruptly announced hisresignation as both Asbury Park city manager and mayor ofneighboring Ocean Twp. He cited "mistakes" he had made, which werequickly revealed as involving bribery and extortion chargespertaining to his reign as mayor of Ocean Twp.