Reader blames SOS group for loss of Ice Palace site

First, I would like to thank our mayor and council for trying to do everything possible for the betterment of our community. I am deeply saddened that the community center most likely will not be part of our town.

I have lived in Birchwood Park for 21 years. I have seen many changes in our town, some for the better and some for the worse.

I smell sour grapes and bipartisan politics when it comes to the Stop Overspending (SOS) group. Yes, this is America and I do believe residents should have a say in what goes on in their community, but I can't help but think that the SOS group had underlying motives in going out and getting signatures fromresidents for a referendum on the Ice Palace purchase.

Inmy opinion, this group just wanted to make it hard on our mayor and council to achieve a positive project that would have benefited all residents of Brick - seniors, youth, the disabled, etc.

I ask you, the taxpayers, to think hard about this. Do you really believe the SOS group was looking out for us? The community center would have cost us approximately $1.05 per year, or probably nothing at all. That is a small price to pay to have a beautiful community center, like other towns have. I can only worry now about what will be placed there.

As for me, I am saddened to think we may see more stores or another strip mall; this is what we don't need. Our mayor and council only wanted to redevelop and beautify Brick, not overdevelop like previous administrations have done. It seems Brick is going backwards instead of forward, through no fault ofMayor Åcropolis and our council.

All I have to say to the SOS group is that Brick residents are not naive. You may think you have achieved your goal by stopping the purchase of the Ocean Ice Palace, but in reality you have stopped a whole community from gathering together in one place to fulfill each group's needs. Seniors, students, children, athletes and disabled people alike are now losing out on a community center.

In spite of your quest for revenge, I believe Mayor Acropolis will prevail as the true champion and leader of Brick Township that he is.
Sharon Campos
Brick