Kelly, Acropolis to battle for mayoral seat Four council seats also up in November election BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer Democratic Mayor Daniel J. Kelly and Republican council President Stephen C. Acropolis will face each other in the race for the unexpired, two-year term of former Brick Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli. Acropolis, 49, Port Drive, is a registered representative with AIG-Royal Alliance, a financial consulting firm in Toms River. He has been with the company since 1988. He is finishing up his third, four-year term on the Township Council. "I think there would be no greater job in the world than to be mayor of the town you grew up in," Acropolis said. "We are trying to continue to move the town forward in a positive direction. And with everything that has been going on, to try and restore confidence and credibility in township government." Kelly, 65, Forge Pond Road, is retired. He was appointed mayor by the GOP-dominated Township Council to replace Scarpelli on Jan. 4. "The bottom line is, it's a job that needs to be done," Kelly said. "And I think I might be the best person in the Democratic Party right now. I would like the opportunity to see if I can right Brick Township." Scarpelli resigned suddenly on Dec. 8, for what he said were "personal reasons." One month later, he pleaded guilty in federal court to accepting bribes from an unnamed developer. He is slated to be sentenced on May 29. Kelly served as the longtime Planning Board chairman until he was tapped for the mayor's seat He has said he had very little contact with Scarpelli during his time on the Planning Board and doesn't think the Scarpelli issue should figure into the campaign. "It's a daunting job, but it's a job that requires common sense, dedication and a little hard work," he said. "I have all three of those. I think I can do it." The full-time mayor's position pays $52,000 per year. Both parties also put up a full slate of candidates for the four, four-year seats on the Township Council. The position pays $8,000 a year for council members and $9,000 for council president. Republican incumbents Ruthanne Scaturro, Anthony Matthews and Michael Thulen are all seeking second terms. Scaturro, 56, Halsey Drive, said her council seat is the culmination of years of service to the township. She is a former president of the Brick Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. "I think that we got a lot of good things started over the past four years as a group," she said. "I think we have some unfinished business." Matthews, 45, Brushy Neck Drive, said the current council is concentrating on "cleaning up government." He is looking forward to a series of debates with his Democratic opponents. "I've been very positive and very excited about what we have accomplished over the past few years," Matthews said. "I'd be more than happy to have a series of debates. I will always talk to you face to face. The best way to do that is through a debate." Thulen, Linden Avenue and Brian DeLuca, 17th Avenue, could not be reached for comment by press time. DeLuca is a current member of the township Board of Education. The Republican council candidates will face Democrats Paul Panuska of River Park Drive, Anthony D'Elia of Azalea Drive, Michael Mauro of Worth Street and former Councilman Fred Underwood, who is currently chairman of the Planning Board. None of them could be reached for comment by press time. Democratic Party Chairman Michael Blandina said more people came forward with an interest in running than expected. "We decided to look for what we felt was the vision of Brick Township," Blandina said. "That's why you see some new faces. After all we have been through, both parties need some changes and we have provided that." And Blandina fully expects Scarpelli's downfall to play a part in the election. "The other side will be looking to tag them to one issue - the mayor," he said. "We are going to face the issues. We are going to move forward with a group of individuals we think can govern and take Brick Township into the next four years." Acropolis said he hopes both sides run positive campaigns. "I truly love the town," he said. "When the town hurts, I hurt. Joe Scarpelli made his own bed. You are not going to hear me say 'I told you so.' "