Resident questions wisdom of Ocean Ice Palace buy
Where is the logic with the current administration in Brick? Two schools are being closed because of declining enrollment and the school's superintendent has stated that more schools will close next year. But the administration is pushing forward with a plan to purchase the 46-yearold Ocean Ice Palace that no one else is interested in.

The administration has not performed a proper due diligence on the Ocean Ice Palace that requires among other things three years of audited financial statements. The financial statements will tell how well the Ocean Ice Palace is operating. The reason financial statements are not available is because the Ocean Ice Palace is a older facility with old technology and equipment. Comparing the financial results of the Ocean Ice Palace with a brand new facility would strongly favor building a new facility.

Remember in August when then- Councilman Acropolis stated that it was necessary to purchase the Ocean Ice Palace before the November election because it was such a hot commodity and the property wouldn't be available if a referendum was placed on the November ballot for the Brick taxpayers to decide? This week is May.

The two readings for the ordinance to purchase the Ocean Ice Palace are taking place in council caucuses so the meetings won't be televised. Whatever happened to transparency in government?

To further complicate the financial situation, the administration provides revenue figures but revenue is not profit. Revenue has expenditures and profit or loss is the result. Based on the figures I've seen, this project will lose in excess of $500,000 a year easily.

Then there's the matter of stating that the facility will have something for everyone. On any plans this administration has presented, nothing could be further from the truth. In business we call this tactic bait and switch. The salesperson tells you that the product or service will perform many functions and when you purchase it, you find out it actually does much less.

Remember this administration telling us that they had several dozen buyers for the Civic Plaza and Foodtown sites after placing signs in front of the buildings last fall? Nothing is happening there either. Brick doesn't need to purchase more property. Carrying the Ocean Ice Palace, Foodtown and the Civic Plaza will be costing the average Brick taxpayer several hundred dollars per year in property taxes!

Keep in mind that economists are saying we're in a recession and that will have a negative impact on the community center as well. The taxpayers of Brick deserve better. Maybe what is necessary to preserve democracy is to circulate petitions to get a referendum placed on the ballot for the taxpayers of Brick to decide whether or not to purchase the Ocean Ice Palace.
Joseph Lamb Sr.
Brick