Scarpelli’s resignation was ‘black day’ for Brick

Two phrases, one a song, and the other speaks for itself, are very apropos and come to mind concerning the hidden career of Brick’s defrocked Mayor Joe Scarpelli.

Connie Francis sang a song titled “Whose Sorry Now?” and it is dedicated to Joe, while the other phrase, “If you want to play, you gotta pay,” also gives credence that honesty is the best policy. There is no other way, make book on that.

Will Joe Scarpelli now have a new change of venue, unlike the one he has had for quite a few years as the mayor? This should be interesting. The outcome could further change his venue even more. Paybacks are tough and so is the law, but we all must pay the piper for our actions.

A year or so ago, an editor of a local newspaper printed an article about me, calling me a “gadfly.” (No problem.) He was doing this because I had been writing about Joe Scarpelli and his unethical use of township tax dollars, i.e., traveling to New England in a township-owned vehicle and many other issues that I thought were not right.

Well, who was right? Did I hit the nail on the head? If I could see these wasteful tactics occurring, rather quite frequently, why couldn’t the editor see them too? I guess I look at people in a different way.

This letter is not intended to bury Joe Scarpelli by hashing over his many faults and making them public once more. I’m sure that Joe accomplished many good undertakings that benefited his constituents.

I truly do believe that in the beginning he had the well-being of Brick foremost in his mind. Somewhere greed raised its ugly head, and enticed him into becoming mindful of the need of Joe Scarpelli, instead of being mindful of the need of others, his constituents. Again, this is only my opinion.

This is a sad happening and a black day for the safest township in our nation. The good citizens of Brick do not need this adverse, negative publicity that Joe cast upon them.

My thoughts are that Joe Scarpelli is not an honorable person. He has proven this and he needs to repent his sins to the Lord and the citizens of Brick and ask for forgiveness, but will he do it? I doubt it very much.

Goodbye, Joe. Your run is over and the healing must now start today. Brick will prevail. It’s a safe bet for the town I love. We all must help.

Arthur A. Sholty

Brick