Letter writer has his facts wrong, reader says

Iwill always respect an individual's right to speak. I would only hope one would use facts and truths as opposed to partisan politics.

Joe Lamb, once again, has given his opinion on what is going on in Brick. The transition reports that were done in Brick were not done by handpicked citizens, they were done in Brick by professionals in all areas of business and expertise and those who truly care about Brick Township. Most of them are not letter writers or active politically, just longtime residents who donated time from their lives and families.

First, the reports had nothing to do with the layoffs in Brick Township. These were done long before the current economic collapse and changes to budget rules by Trenton. The reports were not done to embarrass anyone. For too long in Brick no attention was given by mayors to the departments — they just hired friends and family and were given no direction on efficiencies.

Mayor Acropolis could have easily come in and fired every department and replaced them with political hacks as done in the past. Instead, he chose to have a transition team come in and work with department heads and try to fix the many problems of the past. Reports had sensitive information in the way of names, and it would not have been proper to release this to the public.

If Mr. Lamb really cared about Brick Township, he would ask questions about the original purchase of the Foodtown site, or the landscaper who ran a business on township property and eventually pleaded guilty in federal court.

He would probably want to know how much corruption has cost the taxpayers. He may want to know why the council of the past gave a no-bid contract to the former township attorney, which earned him over $800,000 in about a year's time. He would probably question his good friend and former mayor, Dan Kelly, why he lied three different times to the people of Brick about the lawsuit he filed against the town, the fact that he hired 17 people in town hall when he said he hired no one, or his knowledge about the Ice Palace purchase when he sat in meetings and was informed weekly by the business administrator.

No, Joe, your partisan position has allowed you to forget the corruption of the past with the Democratic Party.

Mr. Lamb, I will always respect your right to speak. The least you could do is respect the citizens of Brick with the truth and maybe, just maybe, have a more positive attitude and work together for a better Brick.
Jean Ripa
Brick