The new year will bring its share of challenges as Brick continues to recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.
But Brick residents will also be tasked with an additional important decision: the political leadership of the township.
First on the list will be the mayoral race.
Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis' term ends after 2013, meaning the mayoral election will be held this November.
Acropolis, through his term as mayor, has maintained an election fund account, as is common with most elected officials.
He – as well as anyone who wishes to challenge his potential candidacy – has until early April to delcare his intention to run in a partisan primary election. Independent candidates have until early June to file their nominating petitions to run for office.
There will also be three seats on the township council up for grabs this year. All of those seats are now occupied by Republicans.
Even if the GOP maintains their hold on those three seats, the council will remain the hands of the Democrats until 2015, however, since four Democrats were elected together in the 2011 election cycle.
The terms of council members Domenick Brando, Joseph Sangiovanni and Dan Toth all expire in 2013.
Council candidates follow the same dates as mayoral candidates for campaign filings.
In county politics, the terms of Republican Freeholders James F. Lacey, of Brick, and John P. Kelly, of Eagleswood, are up this year. Due to the death of Sheriff William Polhemus, there will be another sheriff's election this year, though an interim sheriff will be appointed by Gov. Chris Christie until then.
Ryan Meyers
6:28 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Why not start the year off with a vow of transparency ? I'd like to know whether Toth abused his position with the building department. Claims were thrown out there some time ago. Either go public with accusations & facts, or else he deserves an apology.
JD
10:05 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Acropolis and crew never filed an ethics complaint on Toth...
why...
because they knew it would get TOSSED out....
by not filing, this allows them all types of rhetoric in the campaign on what the attorney recommended, etc...
The state board of ethics should determine whether Toth did anything wrong (which he didn't)... not some lackey attorney of Acropolis..
Hope to see Toth run as an Independent for Mayor...
He has a better chance of beating Acropolis in the General Election versus a primary.
Ryan Meyers
10:12 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Then have the decentacy to apologize thru the same forum that you accused. I'm no big fan of Toth, but unfair character assasination is BS. Now waiting to see how the PD handles their current scandal, or will that be swept under the rug also.
BW
8:04 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Going to be an interesting year to say the least!
knarfie
9:34 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Seems like last election we just replaced incompetent opportunists with more of trhe same. Taxpayers can't win.
Sal Petoia
10:03 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Would like to see independent candidates who would have the courage to abandon "politics as usual" and put the people ahead of loyalty to political parties. Such a person would support a change back to non-partisan elections; seek an amendment to the charter to allow for term limits; a cap on campaign spending (money should not be a deciding factor in who governs us); public approval on multi-million dollar expenditures (such as the Ice Palace purchase); appointments based on qualifications instead of party allegiance; and, a council elected both "at large" and from wards so that each section of town would have representation. Regrettably, such candidates are not likely to get elected because people are too conditioned to simply vote "party line".
Mike M
1:24 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
You are absolutely right that we, as taxpayers, have seen nothing but an ineffective and in many cases dishonest government. Hard earned tax dollars need to be better managed and I can't see anything but business as usual if we keep electing mayors that come from the two party establishment in Brick. It is time to start thinking out of the box and even though it may be difficult for a third party to win the Mayor's race in 2013 it wouldn't hurt to start introducing a different choice to voters.
knarfie
2:15 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Run, Sal, run. With this atmosphere and lack of qualified candidates from both parties, this might be the year an independent could win, People are not happy with either group, All lightweights.
Sal Petoia
1:51 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Knarfie: Pretty hard for an independent to win in a partisan election. Among other factors, the money simply is not there to compete with party backed candidates. Of course, if there was wide support for an independent and real change, perhaps a write-in campaign could be successful. That would certainly send a message to the "politics as usual" crowd!
Mike M
4:53 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
@Sal: I agree with you that it would be difficult for an independent candidate to win a race for Mayor in Brick at this point but the process of establishing a strong alternative choice has to start somewhere and the write-in method seems to be the easiest and least expensive way to do it.
C
11:26 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Ba bye Acropolis!
HELP..
11:39 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
We are no better with dem's at the helm...Taxes raised and wasted tax payers money ..Frenchmens solar, Traders cove there's more...wake up bricktown...VOTERS
HELP..
4:32 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Just Thinking Sandy came to be the worst storm to ever hit the jersey shore..and Mayor and council worked as one to help all who needed help..They worked together as a team not Dem's and Republicans for the best for Bricktown...So why can't this be the correct way all the time...We need team work to help Bricktown..So remember this in November..if you want our votes...
Brick Surfer
4:38 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians! G.R.I.P. pass it on.
Joseph Woolston Brick
5:06 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2013 is going to be a political year in Brick, No it's not! Most of us have already made up our minds. Acropolis and the rest of his gang are out of there. Yes he did a great job with the hurricane and the aftermath, but have you ever heard the phrase too little too late? We know after this mess is over with, that Steve and the rest will go back to business as usual, and that's what we are afraid of. Could you imagine what the aftermath of the hurricane would have been like if Steve had been successful with getting rid of DPW? I don't want to even think about it. I'm hoping that either the Republicans talks Steve out of running again and put up someone else, or the Democrats come up with a great choice or an Independent comes along that wants to better the town and not use being Mayor to be a stepping stone. ( One can dream can't one? A politician who's not interested in power but in actually bettering the place he/she lives. What a wet dream that is!)
TRWatch
10:16 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I wonder how much personal time Acropolis used from the TRMUA when he was out front in the media during "Sandy." Don't get me wrong, he should have spent all of his time in Brick, but how much did it cost the taxpayers of Toms River.
Mike M
10:38 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
As you can see by reading the comments on this page, there seems to be a feeling that the two party system that we've seen in Brick has not worked to the betterment of the Township. Finding a "politician who's not interested in power but in actually bettering the place he/she lives" doesn't have to be a "wet dream" if we start thinking outside the box. Why not introduce the concept of a third party choice? While a victory in this year's mayor's race is very unlikely maybe a council position can be picked off and the groundwork can be set for 4 years from now.
Stop The Gluttony in Brick Township
12:15 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Joseph, are you saying that towns without a DPW will never be cleaned up? Yes, Bricktownship DPW employees did a good job, however, Brick township would still have been cleaned without them.
Chief Wahoo
8:04 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
i am looking forward to voting for Sheriff Polhemus again !!
TiredinBrick
8:18 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Current PD scandal?
Brick
9:40 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Have anyone noticed all the new hiring a at TH? Building dept the mayors own PR man a former news guy. WTH
JB
9:42 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Can u elaborate about the PD scandal. Missed that one..
Joe Dirte
12:25 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Curious.. what is the PD scandal?
can't say who
5:14 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
. Would like to know more about the PD stuff. With all the "inbreeding”. And never raising the educational bar to more than a HS or GED diplomas, we have the least educated department around (and the highest paid). And how is the PD chief related to our mayor?
oldsoldier
6:26 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Regarding Toth and Acropolis, my questions are: Why did Toth recuse himself from voting on a matter based on an outside attorney's review, if he was just doing his job as an elected official? Why didn't Acropolis use the Township Atttorney to conduct such a review? Would this not have saved us taxpayers money instead of using an outside attorney? Perhaps I do not have a clear grasp of the facts. If so, could someone help me understand what and why did that happen?
To Sal - I have to agree. Also, I fully support the ward method of electing a council. In this way, each area of our town can elect a council representative.
To Can't Say - So what are you wanting - Attorneys as police officers? I personally think our officers do a great job. As far as their pay goes - Would you be willing to risk your life every day for minimum wage? I'm sure that is not what you mean, but then, what do you think would be a fair wage to pay them?
JD
8:15 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
It's call quid pro quo...
Acropolis went all out to save Bellu's job at Brick... because Bellu got Acropolis his job at TRMUA.
HELP..
8:09 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
@Joe Woolston..Don't forget who controls the out come of everything that needs to be voted on...The AARP club..50% of Bricks population..They Like The Mayor..
Daniel Nee
11:40 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
It's nowhere near 50%, BL. Residents age 65+ is only 17% of Brick's population according to the 2010 census. Median age is 43.
Watchman
11:50 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Hey, do you ever go to a town council meetings? It's not young people constantly doing battle with the mayor.For the most part they don't even show up.And if they are to lazy to vote, whose fault is that?
Paul Pallante
8:30 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The 'AARP' club may not be 50% of the pop., but they show up at the polls and defeat every school budget...they vote, hence they are strong as a block in this town. Hmmm, maybe there is something to be learned here?
Mike M
9:42 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
@BrickGuy: There is something that we can learn from the so-called 'AARP' club. They tend to take the time to communicate with each other on a regular basis, which allows them to effectively work together to influence voting results as well as actions taken by town hall. Maybe if other groups of people could learn how to effectively communicate and work with others who share the same values and goals we can also gain some input in how things get done around here.
JD
10:41 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Approx. 20,000 people voted in the Nov. 2012 election in Brick...
I bet 50% of them were over 65..
Seniors get out to vote...
Stop The Gluttony in Brick Township
12:09 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
If a municipal employee leaves his/her job to work for the union and receives pay from the union, does he/she still receive pay & benefits from the township? Just asking...