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Brick
Township - A former Republican candidate for Mayor said he
“warned the voters of Brick last year” that Mayor Joseph Scarpelli and
the Democratic Council would “raise taxes again in 2002" if Scarpelli
and the Democrats were re-elected.
John Barrett singled out
“deals made with township workers related to salary increases” and
“overextending our town with debt”, and said these factors would “come
back to haunt us in our local tax rate.
Democrat Administration
Also Raised Sewer And Water Rates 8.7%
The Democrat administration
also raised sewer and water rates 8.7% at the Brick Municipal
Utilities Authority, an increase roughly five times the current rate
of inflation and the highest these rates have ever been.
Barrett’s warning takes on
added significance because one of the Democrats responsible for the
higher taxes and overextended debt is Councilman Frederick Underwood
who is running against veteran Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari for a three
year term to be decided in the November election.
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Vicari |
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Underwood |
Underwood Is Nowhere To
Be Found
Underwood, who has not even
attended a freeholder meeting since becoming a candidate, and has not
issued a single issue statement since announcing his candidacy, has
engaged in no visible campaigning, giving every indication of the
usual Democrat token effort.
Vicari Campaigns Non
Stop On
Stable Tax Rate, Open Space
Vicari, however, is
everywhere, and has released a barrage of rhetoric, suggesting that
the stable tax rate and progressive open space acquisition policies
have served the residents of Ocean County well in his seven freeholder
terms.
It’s difficult to imagine
the politically comatose Underwood making headway against the Vicari
campaign, particularly since he can’t even keep taxes and utility
rates under control in Brick.
Barrett said there are “no
checks and balances” in the local government, but noted that the only
Republican elected official, Councilman Steven Acropolis, “has
continued to stand up for those in town who don’t believe government
should be in our back pockets”.
Barrett said Acropolis
“voted for no tax increases” and supported “controlled spending”.
Voters
Will Have Another Chance To Oust Dems In November 2003
Barrett also noted that
“next November (2003), voters will have a chance to right the wrongs
of the Democratic Party in Brick”, when four township council seats
will be contested, all but one (the seat held by Acropolis) controlled
by Scarpelli and the Democrats.
Barrett did not say whether
he will be among the hopefuls seeking the Republican nomination for
one of the three open council seats.
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On
Freeholder Vicari and Councilman Underwood |
