Reader questions Ice Palace purchase math

Mayor Steve Acropolis accuses the Stop OverSpending campaign of misleading residents with misinformation when asking them to sign petitions. He also says many residents have called him to say they were "confronted" by petitioners to have them sign. It may surprise the mayor that residents do not need to be "confronted" to sign petitions. They are actually approaching petitioners, and many are calling to find out where they can sign or even get petitions for themselves to carry to friends and neighbors.

When it comes to misinformation, the mayor is a master. His press release states that "we are buying 13 acres on Chambers Bridge Road that has an operating ice rink." Then he adds, "That is it." So, an ordinance has been passed that provides for financing $9.99 million for the project that he says "That is it." Later in his same press release the mayor says that "this effort [the referendum] will effectively put an end to a community center in Brick Township." So when he says "That is it," meaning all he wants to do is buy the Ice Palace, where is the money coming from for the community center?

Acropolis accuses petitioners of "dirty politics." What, the mayor should be asked, is so "dirty" about having the people decide whether they want to purchase the Ice Palace? Isn't that what democracy is all about … letting the people have the choice? Why is he so afraid for the petition drive to succeed? Is there something going on that he and the council don't want the public to know about?

Another thing: T&MAssociates prepared a conceptual plan as to what is planned for the site. Did T&M do the plan pro bono on its own without guidance? Not likely! So someone must have given the company direction to do a site survey and prepare a plan that includes a second ice rink, a field house, a four-story parking garage and a community center and parking for over 600 cars and 15 buses. Why would anyone include all those features in a concept if there were no intent to build it? And is the cost for all of that part of the $9.99 million? Not likely, since Mayor Acropolis said so himself that that money is simply to buy the property and "That is it."

So who is misinforming whom? The mayor with a dubious plan that doesn't explain completely to the public what it is he wants and what the real cost will be, or petitioners who simply want a referendum held so that the people can decide whether the purchase should proceed? Acropolis can dodge, spin and accuse all he wants, but the bottom line is that this is a democracy where the people have the right to decide this issue.

Personally, I don't care whether it's Democrats, Republicans or independents who are behind the petition drive to put the Ice Palace purchase on the ballot. I am just thankful that there are people who are willing to contribute their time to help give the rest of us the chance to vote on it.
Kenny Greuter
Brick