Hockey Club president weighs in on fliers, ads
There have been a number of political fliers and advertisements referring to the Brick Hockey Club and its involvement in the purchase of the Brick Community Center (BCC) that need clarification. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify three items.

First, in the spring of 2001, the Brick Hockey Club was contacted by Mayor Joseph Scarpelli to participate in the development of the BCC, not Steve Acropolis. The printed fliers and advertisements are incorrectly pointing to Steve Acropolis as the initial connection between the BCC plans and the Brick Hockey Club. Further, as was the case with Mr. Scarpelli, and hopefully the case with future town officials, the Brick Hockey Club will work with whatever administration is in place in an effort to make our community center a success for all Brick residents.

Second, the Brick Hockey Club is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that has served residents of Brick for 40 years. Our contribution to the community has not been tied to the political arena, but it is tied to the ice arena and the children who play there. It is true, a few of the 50 volunteers are family. Our program is founded on family and volunteers.

We do not see volunteerism as a "negative" as might be implied from the fliers or ads. Our program has roughly 50 coaches, administrators, and/or board members, all volunteering their services. The elected Brick Hockey Club board can only consist of players' parents. Once a player leaves the club, the position on the board must be turned over.

Our club, and my family in particular, view volunteering for community service as one of the highest contributions we can offer. At the end of the day, it is we who are the lucky ones, because volunteers choose to make a difference. Volunteers are the connecting thread that binds us together to what matters within, to a vision of "Working Together to Create a Healthier Community."

This year I documented over 5,000 hours of volunteer contributions and hope for the size of our program and the quality of the volunteer experience to grow in the future. My family, parents in our organization and the volunteers positively affect not only the children on our teams, but by being a positive role model, we affect kids from our entire community.

To quote George Bernard Shaw, I "am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

Third, our membership provides roughly $300,000 in revenue to the existing facility in direct ice fees. Our membership further provides over $75,000 in revenue to surrounding community centers for camps, clinics and private lessons. There are other programs for recreation, seniors, men, women, handicapped sled hockey, and others that have not been accounted for but would generate income to a BCC.

The Brick Hockey Club was and continues to be looking forward to working with Brick administrations. We are a proud family of volunteers helping our community to be a great place to live, raise children and retire. Our financial commitment is significant and is expected to grow. We can no longer ask that the Brick Hockey Club name be removed from the misleading and totally incorrect fliers. We hope, however, through this open letter that we can be afforded the opportunity to express the facts.

Bob Auriemma Jr. Volunteer and President

Brick Hockey Club

Brick

Editor's note. Mr. Auriemma is council President Stephen C. Acropolis' brother-in-law