SOS conned residents into signing petitions

Thanks to Selfish Obstructive Saboteurs (SOS), a great number of Brick residents, taxpayers and people of all ages will not have the "Field of Dreams" that has been promised them for more than a decade.

By misrepresenting and misstating the facts, heck outright lying, this group convinced (as in conned) a small fraction of Brick voters to sign a petition to put the purchase as a referendum question. Why? It was their team leader, Joe Scarpelli's administration, which was fraught with corruption and overspending.

It was he who purchased the property behind the post office and the biggest white elephant of all time, the Foodtown site. He tripled his salary and gave excessive raises to favored employees. Do they not realize we will pay the freight on these raises as long as the person collects a pension?

The three words "It is political" are the only truth they spoke. The petition was motivated by politics and vindictiveness. The signatures were collected under a false premise.

The very fact that so many would affix their signatures to the petition without demanding facts is the ultimate proof that such an important decision should never be left to gullible voters. How many questioned how much a referendum would cost the taxpayers?

The prime movers of the petition are those who urged Dan Kelly to file suit about appointments. How many know that this cost the taxpayers close to $100,000 to have a judge render the same opinion I gave for free at a Township Council meeting? Watch the videotape.

Now, let us examine the misinformation. It was Joe Scarpelli's administration that was fraught with corruption and overspending. Right after I moved here, Joe Scarpelli tripled his own salary. There was no call for referendum about this. I was present at every council meeting (caucus and public) when the Foodtown property was considered and purchased.

Check the minutes of council meetings and find the proof that it was not until January or February 2004 that council President Kim Casten mentioned the possibility of having a community center there. Ironically, you will also read in those minutes Councilwoman Kathy Russell's statement that she would support Casten in effectuating the idea. No talk of a referendum or even allowing public input.

Now as to overspending - the Foodtown site cost us taxpayers more than $6 million. To demolish the building would cost us another $1 million. To build there because it is from bottom to top, and the entire breadth, it will cost $25 million to $50 million. The traffic on Route 70 is a bigger problem than on Chambers Bridge Road. That was the reason the Concerned Citizens of (St. Thomas Academy) Brick begged Joe Scarpelli to not let a ratable, Home Depot, go there, and he pandered to them and we pay and pay and pay.

I was not living in New Jersey when the property behind the post office was purchased, and therefore I will not comment about the purchase. But I was there to hear the lone Republican, Steve Acropolis, suggest selling this property to offset the Foodtown purchase. And it was sold. It became a ratable more than two years ago. It is for condos. Do you hear me, people? Brick Township does not own the property behind the post office.

The biggest lie is that we are purchasing the Ice Palace. The Ice Palace is a bonus. It is 1/13 of the entire parcel. Is it possible that a certified public accountant and a Rutgers accounting major cannot do the math - $5.25 million divided by 13 acres equals less than $410,000 per acre. That is less than the price of a liquor license in this town. One acre comes complete with a usable ice rink. Another acre has the basis at least for a much-needed swimming or therapy pool.

Sometimes people truly believe what they say. … Everyone, everywhere and of any age should heed the wisdom of Ronald Reagan, "Trust but verify." Not everyone who claims to be your friend or who claims is acting in your best interest is telling the truth. Some just have the talent to speak out of both sides of their faces.

Nan Coll

Brick