Reader takes issue with recent letter writer

This is in response to the Brick Bulletin letter dated Dec. 11, 2008, regarding Brick officials.

I have attended several council meetings this year and watched some on television. The writer wrote that the former mayor wanted the Foodtown site for a community center. He was correct, but when the estimates came into the new administration, it was for about $25 million to $30 million. The present mayor and council rejected it because it wasn't feasible.

The mayor and council decided the 13.34-acre parcel of land, which houses the Ice Palace, as well as other buildings, would have been a more reasonable choice. (Estimated cost would have been between $5 million to $6 million.) The town would not have had to pay for ice time for the students utilizing ice sports. Also, a senior citizen center could have been housed in one of the other existing buildings, which would have saved the township $40,000 per year as it now pays for the senior center. The owner of the 13.34 acres of land did not want to wait for a township vote. They listed the property for about $7 million.

The present mayor and council requested proposals for the vacant Foodtown property. The administration was anxious to get ratable from this site. Brick Township has a population of about 80,000 residents (100,000 during the summer months). Don't you think we should have a decent hotel and banquet hall for family affairs and weddings?

The Dec. 11 letter questioned what ideas the mayor and council have for the old vacant Costco building. That question should be addressed to the new owners who paid $18 million for eight acres of land, which houses the old Costco building.

Now if a private investor buys the 13.34-acres of land and decides to knock down the Ice Palace, for whatever reason, then the township would have to bus our students to the Toms River ice rink or end all ice sports.

The writer makes reference to putting political "cronies" in to do nothing jobs. He should be more specific and present his list to the council and mayor at an open meeting.
Alex Zecca
Brick