Every once in a while a major event comes along that servesas a reset button of sorts. Politics in Americaand New Jerseyhas become a filthy business.

The conduct has been uncivilized and bitterly divisive. Atabout 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, the sudden passing of New Jersey GeneralAssembly Leader Alex DeCroce served as a moment of enormous human impact.

The usual hyper-partisan and vitriolic language in Trenton was replaced bylove, respect and collegiality by both political parties.

Gov. Chris Christie and House Speaker Sheila Oliver shared along, personal embrace. Lou Greenwald spoke more eloquently than ever before.Gov. Christie postponed his State of the State address and instead delivered apowerful eulogy in memory of Assemblyman DeCroce.

The sad reality is that it won't last. But it should servenotice about what is really important in life. Isn't it tragic that someone hadto die in order for the two political parties to come together?

Our challenges are so serious that we must come together. Weshould treat the present financial difficulties as a near life-and-deathsituation. A sense of true urgency isrequired.

In fairness, Gov. Christie has always demonstrated thisproper approach. It's time for the other political players to get into thegame. It's time to suit up for one team: the People's Team. Get to work. Solvethe problems that face the state of New Jersey.

The time for scoring cheap political points is over. This isnot about the last election or the next election. It's about doing the rightthing. Why this remains so elusive is an age-old mystery.

The self-interest of ambitious, power-hungry politicians hascontinued to come first. This is a moment of truth, whereby the citizens havethe power to reclaim our government.

We need to demand that our elected officials do the job thatwe sent them to do –

whether it's your local, county, state or nationalrepresentatives.

Here's my short list of leaders who get it. Gov. Christie,Congressman Frank LoBiondo, Sen. Joe Kyrillos, Senate President Steve Sweeney,Assemblyman Vince Polistina, Assemblyman John Amodeo, Assemblyman Chris Brown,Sen. Jeff Van Drew, Assemblyman Nelson Albano, Assemblyman Matt Milam,Freeholder Board Chairman Frank Formica and County Executive Denny Levinson.

Follow their lead. Each has shown the capacity to act in anonpartisan manner. People want results, not cheap talk. People are growing tohate politics.

Why not give the people something that they can once againrespect. How about delivering good, sound government. Why not tackle theimportant issues that can be solved.

In an appropriately held and muted swearing-in event,Assemblyman Chris Brown officially took his place in the New Jersey Legislature.

I interviewed Brown on the air the day of his swearing-in.He was understandably solemn on what should have been a very joyous day in hislife.

It is very difficult to win a seat in the New Jersey Legislature.It's harder to keep it and still harder to do a good job. Brown is poised to bea great assemblyman.

Chris Brown gets it. He knows that he works for the peopleand not the other way around. He is committed to lower taxes and for stategovernment to focus on the core functions on behalf of the taxpayers.

In other Decision 2012 news, it looks more and more likelythat Sen. Kyrillos will run for the U.S. Senate and the right to challengeincumbent Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ.

Kyrillos will be the featured speaker at my annual dinnerevent, set for Friday, April 20 at Congress Hall in Cape May. This will be avery relevant appearance during the run-up to the June primary election.

Locally, the Ventnor City Commission election is alreadyshaping up. Lifelong resident and community leader Al Battaglia confirmed on airduring "Hurley in the Afternoon" Jan. 12 that he is a candidate. KenMosca is a very viable potential candidate. He is still exploring whether ornot to run this May.

Mayor Theresa Kelly remains popular. I believe that she willseek re-election. If Kelly runs, you can expect incumbent Commissioner JohnPiatt to run.

According to my inside sources, interim Commissioner MikeAdvena remains on the outs with Kelly and Piatt.

This sets the stage for several slates of candidates. Kellyis close to unbeatable. She has retained a very loyal base of supporters. Piattsimply gets to go along for the Kelly train ride.

If Kelly and Piatt line up with Mosca or Battaglia, theticket would be a prohibitive favorite.

Harry Hurley is president of Harry Hurley Consulting andCommunications, LLC. He hosts the daily talk radio program "Hurley in theAfternoon" noon-4 p.m. weekdays on Longport Media, News Talk 1400 WONDRadio. He has hosted various programs for local television and is the editorand publisher of his news and information website, www.HarryHurley.com. Commentat www.shorenewstoady.com.