Acropolis Conflicts Get Worse As Cartine Housing Authority Appointment Is Declared To Be "Illegal"

Cloud Thickens Over GOP Mayoral Candidacy Of Council President Stephen Acropolis As Cartine Housing Authority Blunder Is Added To GOP Budget Scams, 234% Camp Fee Hikes, ’03 Campaign Cover-Up & Nagging Questions About GOP Ethics Lapses

Brick Council President Stephen Acropolis, a Republican, is running for mayor against Democratic incumbent Joseph Scarpelli despite a burgeoning cloud of controversy generated by Acropolis' self inflicted blunders and bad policy decisions.

Acropolis Handed Cartine Housing Authority Appointment Despite Warning From Mayor Scarpelli That Appointment Of GOP Boss Was Illegal

The Asbury Park Press, in an article headlined "Last Brick Housing Nomination Broke Law," reported that federal law requires that housing authority appointments first be offered to residents of authority housing units before outside appointments are made.

The latest Acropolis blunder involves real estate agent Allen Cartine, who was appointed February 8th to the Authority by Acropolis and the Republican council majority.

Cartine served as the campaign manager for Acropolis and two other Republican council candidates in 2003, and is the self-appointed GOP political boss in Brick.

Gilmore Wants Housing Authority Legal Gig

Cartine's appointment is intended to pave the way for a GOP majority on the housing authority so GOP County Chairman George Gilmore can be appointed as authority attorney.

Gilmore Didn't Get $50,000 Code Nod In
Brick Because Of $90,000 Fiasco In Dover

Gilmore was very nearly appointed by Acropolis as a special attorney ($50,000 cost) to make changes in the township's administrative code last year, but the appointment was killed when the council's three Democrats balked after a similar appointment in Dover Township ended in a $90,000 fiasco which has been extensively reported by OceanCountyPolitics.

Guy Ryan, attorney for the housing authority, said the agency would have "no choice" but to file suit against the township if Gary LaFetra, who lives in an authority unit and would like to serve as a board member, is not appointed to the illegal position currently held by Cartine.

Cartine's four year appointment to the housing authority was opposed by Mayor Joseph Scarpelli, who noted at  the time that federal law requires the position be offered to someone who lives in an authority unit, which Cartine does not.

"I am simply pointing out that the law is the law, and we are required to abide by it," the mayor said in February, but did not veto the appointment as a gesture of harmony.

Gilmore "Could Not Be Reached After Mrs. Scaturro Asks Him To Research Cartine Appointment Legality

The Press also reported that Gilmore was asked by GOP Councilwoman Ruthanne Scaturro to look into legal questions inherent in the controversy, but that Gilmore could not be reached to comment on the status of Cartine's appointment.

It is not known how much taxpayers money Acropolis and the Republicans plan to spend trying to force Cartine on to the authority illegally, but Ryan and township attorney Scott Kenneally do not work for nothing so there may be considerable  cost involved - even without Gilmore sending in monthly vouchers to the authority.

This article prepared for publication on March 19, 2005.