I have in issues with him handling both positions, especially since he is retired. So in theory he does have the time to perform both duties. I do, however, have an issue with the possibility of receiving a stipend for not taking health benefits from the BTMUA.

Correction. I do not have any issue.....

Here we go. Sometimes you just have to shake your head, and hide your wallet.

I just find it "amazing" how so many people in government have two jobs, one of which they are appointed to. Threre really are no better candidates out there for these second jobs? Too much patronage

Same old BS. Just different parties, One worse than the other. When does it stop?

Moore running the meetings should be amusing, if not embarrassing.

I attended and spoke at last night's meeting, challenging those council people voting for the selection to show the logic of why, in the face of other qualified candidates, they would appoint a sitting council member to serve on the BTMUA. It was obvious that some back room deals were made when the newly seated council president, Bob Moore, could or would not provide the rationale for the selection of Fozman other than he is retired. Being "retired" is a justification??? I supported the four Democrats when they ran because they were new and "untainted" by the politics of the past, and I don't like one party rule which is what we had. But a year into their job has proven they are no different than other politicians… self-serving. Making matters worse was Fozman's response to a question about whether he would take a stipend instead of health benefits, which was, "Not at this time". Other than Susan Lydecker, the rest of the Democrats are a disappointment. It's time to change to non-partisan government and get independents to run who will serve the people rather than themselves.

All of these guys are weasels. Did he "retire" or did his company go out of business? How is an HVAC guy with a HS education in any way qualified to run the MUA?
Look what he said during election time...I wonder if he is going to eliminate the "Cadillac" benefits for MUA employees now that he is the head.

__If elected or re-elected to council, will you choose to receive taxpayer-funded health benefits from your elected position? Why or why not?__

If elected to Brick Council, I will not take taxpayer funded medical benefits. I have a private medical plan through my company and I am trying to save Brick taxpayers money, not spend it.

The Republicans oppose our plan, but if all four of us are elected, we will be able to implement it despite their opposition. We will begin, on day one, to put in place our 6-point plan to address property taxes, which consists of these action items:

Eliminate unnecessary political jobs.
Eliminate overpriced no-bid contracts to campaign contributors.
Eliminate Cadillac benefits for MUA appointees.
Implement a plan for regular maintenance of our roads and infrastructure.
Conduct an operational audit to identify more cost savings.
No more full-time pay for part-time work.

Jim Fozman is a LIAR. Jim Fozman is a clown and the joke is on us.

How about if the council publishes the resumes of all who applied for the MUA position so the public can compare the qualifications of Fozman against others. Let's see if the selection can stand up against public scrutiny.

We should have known better. I trusted him and the rest of them so I asked for it. Guess all the others will get jobs also. Funny how when u win an election in Brick you also get a job as a party favor.

Come on folks, we are only talking $2500.00 here. If he is qualified and can give the time required and maybe "extra" time because he is retired what’s the big deal? I could understand being "upset" if he was receiving a full salary and benefits but really $2500.00? My big problem is why are these council members allowed to receive "benefits" that cost the tax payers ridiculous amounts of money? I also believe fire commissioners in the towns three districts are afforded benefits as well. Are you kidding me? Full benefits for fire commissioners who meet once a month for maybe an hour or two? How in the world is that allowed?

Jim Fozman, Bob Moore and John Ducey are all members of the Joe Scarpelli democrat Team. They wake up in the morning and think to themselves, " What can I do today in townhall to make more money for me and my family and friends.".
They are all members of the friends and family club that spend ALL their time trying to get rich off the tax payers money.

RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL,
RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL,
RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL,
RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL,
RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL, RE CALL!

It's funny that no one said a word about the Mayor sucking $55K from Brick while doing his "real job" on the TRMUA. Talk about a double dipper.

Council president Bob Moore-his wife is now working for the town in the building Dept. You cant make this stuff up. Check it out Dan Nee

I hope you morons that put these NEW people in office are getting the change you were promised! What a joke.

It's amazing how they are making the mayor look good. They must think we are very stupid.

We all went to the polls the last time, to stop the shenanigans in the Township Council. We voted for what we hoped would be our Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. What we got was Moe, Larry and Curly......back to the drawing board.

Question: Are all the resumes posted?

Additionally, like I said recently, I will never vote for anyone running for a 2nd term at any level gov't regardless of partry. Career politicians are killing this country, it's all about them and not us !!

Great move Democrats looks like you turned the ball over to the other side at the next election..........

Property tax revolt NOW !!!!!!!!

Hey maybe finally after all these years , some of you will realize that Chief Wahoo is NOT the crazy one , but speaks the truth.

There is NO difference in either gang of thiefs.

Property Tax Revolt !!

We all need to be smarter, we are the stupid ones. All the Republican vs. Democrat finger pointing comments and actions by both parties are a way of keeping us the Taxpayer fighting each other while both parties take from us. Let's wake up and form a Taxpayer party. For the record I no longer consider myself a Republican, I was never a Democrat however I did vote that way in the local election last time around.
You have to understand that they are the ones pulling the strings getting us to fight about this party or that party, yet they take from us because we are distracted fighting each other !!! TIME TO WAKE UP, let's form a TAXPAYER PARTY !!

Hey WAHOO
You sound like me...................I've told everyone the same thing only I got boooooed. How come you have changed?

This crew is worse than what we had, only probably even not as qualified, if that is possible. What a circus our government has become. All clowns. Come on Sal, it's time.

Great Job James!!!!

Dear Slippery Slope-could you offer any support to the connection you cite between Scarpelli and the current democrat councilmembers? And has any members of the Acropolis team (past or present) sought similar self-enrichment? And by no means do 2 wrongs make a right.

Folks remember they want us to fight each other... We need to look out for one another not finger point. Time for a gov't change, TAXPAYER PARTY NOW....

Simple Platform:

Do we need it.
How does it benefit the taxpayer.

I am willing to serve for benefits only! Just in case anyone cares:) Happy New Year Brick!

@Brick Living,.... #1 - seems like you think I am Vera, and I am not. #2 - They next time you choose to post, double check your punctuation or lack there of. You are another example of a keyboard warrior who is in need of an English class. Check out the Vocational School Adult Classes or OCC!!!

Hmmmm I smell a witch-hunt...........give the new Council a chance to do their best before you start casting stones. I don't particularly care for Susan Lydecker, can we discuss her sordid past?

Oh my GOD! How can this liar be on the MUA, make decisions for Brick town and also for the Brick MUA which have interlocal aggreements between each other. It did not take the Dem council long to put this fix in. Fozman is a liar as is his buddy Ducey, I voted for Ducey and will never vote for him ecer again. Disgusting is what this double dipping fool just did.

All these comments and yet not one person has said they have a copy of a document signed by Fozman stating EXACTLY what he will be receiving! hmmmmm

I am sending a letter to the attorney generals office to check and see if a sitting council member and a sitting MUA commision is ethical.

Slope-asked for support. Not to be insulted and dished more innuendo. You seem to be quite the online bully. Whatcha like in real life? Oh yeah-no answer to 2nd question about Acropolis team-self enrichment. You really need not answer. I have no time for your word games.

brick just sucks period...the schools have no water theres unrine n shit in the classroom bathrooms, the crime rate sucks its becoming like nothern nj Time to leave the armpit of the US

You mean to tell me there is no one else in a town of 85 thousand people who they could choose for this position.

Next we will have all the non assuming liberal kooks weighing in here to support this by writing..But you don't know ..he may be the best man for the job...

We are all doomed, secession now...take down goverment and start over.

Quote from JHill above: "Unbellievable that this guy is 57 years old and we are now on the hook for full Cadillac lifetime benefits for him and his family and an $80,000/year pension once he retires in 8 years."

I find it hard to believe Council members get "Cadilac lifetime benefits" or an " $80,000/year pension once he retires in 8 years"

Does anyone actually know what the Council Member benefits are? I hope they make some contribution towards their health benefits like other township workers do.

I would make a bet they hear from some govern(mental) agency soon informing them that a sitting councilperson cannot also be a commissioner run by the council in the SAME town.

I know somebody here knows exactly what James Fozman makes totalled for both positions. Can someone tell me? Now, I personally receive $7000 per year for an "opt out" payment not to take my small business insurance plan (2 employees).
My employer chose to change plans to a hig deductible(2500 per year) meaning I pay $2500 first and then I get the 80% coverage with deductibles per year. AKA a medical savings plan. I personally can not fund my medical plan, therefore I opted out. So, only $2500 per year, REALLY??? I guess, I should feel lucky. Did I mention I still have the insurance coverage, why? Because the company only qualifies if they have at least 2 employees. Now, am I taking advantage? Or is the company using my employee status? We shouldn't worry about the $2500.

@dark angle you need Insurance...Maybe we should run and get from the Town....But we can saying we wouldn't take it and get elected then take it ...Sounds like a plan right ?

Two more cents...........I would never buy a Cadilac personally.The quality is just not there! I know this is off subject but maybe they could offer a better quality vehicle???

Just what Bricktown needs is another double dipper. Has everyone forgotten our Mayor is doing the same thing.

Wasn't the platform of the democrats to stop double dippers & cut cost?
http://www.stopacropolis.com/our%20plan.html

How does one go about returning this town to a non-partisan town council and Mayor?

The easier way is to elect people to the council who will pass an ordinance putting a question regarding a change on the ballot for people to vote on. If the people vote for change, it gets implemented. The harder way is for petitions to be circulated, much like when the referendum about the Ice Palace purchase was sought. If the petition drive is successful, the question goes on the ballot. That's the simple explanation.

While I agree with Sal, I do not have faith in the people to vote that way. This last election proved, for all the complaints of candidates, we the people were not willing to vote for the other guy. Now look at the messes we have. Yes, I would like to be proven wrong, but I believe the next election will still show us with the same people, unless they choose not to run.

The Ocean Ice Palace is a disgrace, I have a family member who plays High School hockey and have been to a few games at a few different venues. Out of all the venues I have visited in this area and also outside of this area the Ocean Ice Palace is just horrendous, it’s embarrassing. Now getting back to the “gist” of this article. Can someone please answer me why "less than" part time employees such as sitting council members, fire commissioners etc. are allowed to collect full benefits (medical coverage, prescription coverage etc.)? These council persons go to a couple of meetings a month at best, maybe 3 or 4 hours a month. If this is the norm everywhere I am going to run for one of these elected positions just for the medical benefits. How much you want to bet they also get their cell phones paid for? Some probably get vehicles or vehicle allowances as well. WHY IS THIS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?

It is a dangerous precedent to set. No Sitting Councilperson should serve on the BTMUA. Consider that Councilman Fozman will be Brando's boss and both will now recuse themselves from BTMUA votes. Should the taxpayers bankroll self-serving POLITICIANS who continually recuse themselves from key votes? Doesn't matter who the Councilperson is - it is a deleterious practice, counterproductive on all levels. Folks should petition the Council to abolish this Unethical Practice. Although the Powers that Be may ignore the People's Voice, our voices would be heard. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

can someone please explain double dipping?

To Sal - I will give you that. Yes, my view was tainted because of the county and federal elections. Perhaps this year we the people of our town can elect officias that will do what they promise, and not just take care of themselves and their friends.

To Portia - That precedent was set a long time ago. MUA's are favorite places to appoint elected officals to. I beleive because it is a low profile postion.

Just read the Press this AM and am furious! This was Moore's explanation for choosing Fozman: "We looked over the (sic) all of the resumes that we received and we thought that he was the best person for the job" "It's a critical position over there and with Jim being retired it allows him to give more time to the position." This is pure B.S. coming from people we elected to make change! I'll compare my resume any day against Fozman's, and I am retired! Talk about adding insult to injury! If Moore has the courage, he should reveal all the resumes. Wake up people…. we have to stop electing these party clowns and get independents into office who will act in our behalf instead of feathering their own nests. Party leaders are smug because they know independents don't have the finances to mount a serious campaign, but with electronic communications perhaps expensive mailers are not needed to get a message out. We need to band together to stop the "politics as usual" game!

Cannot believe it, We voted for ths clown because they/he talked about doing the opposite of what Fozman and Ducey cooked up. This is no suprise as Ducey was talking about this all along as he himself lied and took health benefits when he said that he would not. Hope Ducey or Fozman do not even consider running for Mayor as we all have their number now.

Ducey for Mayor? Please. What area of law does he practice? He is the most unimpressive lawyer I have ever seen. If he were assigned to defend me in a murder trial, I would arrive in court with my trousers slit and my head shaved. Fozman is barely literate. Steve is actually looking better each day because of these failures.

Simply a disgrace but all too common for the greedy power-mongers to POLLUTE the process. The BTMUA was created in part to fall under the jurisdiction of the Council but NEVER intended for the Council to be a voting member (Commissioner.) This is an extremely heinious Act on behalf of those who voted for the disinegration of Separation of Powers. Surprized that Councilman Ducey, a lawyer would not fully understand the implications of such an unsound practice.

Say it isn't so. When will the corruption end? "Council president Bob Moore-his wife is now working for the town in the building Dept. You cant make this stuff up. Check it out Dan Nee" Talk about CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Imagine having to give her a directive. Unconsionable. Someone please verify. There is no way this can be true.

From 1998 to 2003 Former Councilman Kavanagh served as Council Laison to the BTMUA, while also a sitting as a Councilman here in Brick. He also served as Alternate Commissioner to the BTMUA between 2001 and 2003 while serving as a Councilman here in Brick. Former Councilman Mr Michael Thulen was appointed Laison in 2004 after a Republican majority took control of the Council in 2003.

Clear conflict of interest and challenges the spirit of the Separation of Powers! Wholeheartedly agree with the overwhelming objective non-partisan citizens comments. Bravo to Sal Petoia. Would you be interested in serving on the BTMUA at this stage of your life? Deflecting from the issues at hand will not change all that's wrong in a Sitting Councilman serving in both capacities. It is my hope that we can do better.

To those interested in non-partisan government: It's a long shot, but if we can elect three independent council members in Nov, they can work to put an ordinance on the ballot. It is possible one of the remaining four council persons could be convinced to join in which would assure passage . If the ordinance creating a referendum is passed, then the people will have a chance to vote for or against a change to non-partisan. Maybe we can get three independents who can be "write in" candidates. Like I said, it's a long shot, but not impossible. Wouldn't that be a wake-up call to politics as usual!

Sal: It is my strong belief that you should attend the next Council Meeting and request that they reconsider their Selection and appoint you to the BTMUA. Clearly, you have much to offer relative to the position. I am carefully considering your thoughts on non-partisan form of Government here in Brick Township. It may be time for me to put on MY Walking Shoes and Walk the Walk . . .

Several of you (e.g. Lori, Knarfie, Frances, Vince,) expressed interest in Brick returning to non-partisan government and questioned how it could be done. I provided an overview in previous posts, but here is more info to consider… according to the Optional Municipal Charter Law for a town whose population is 70,000 or more, 10 percent of the registered voters would need to sign a petition. Brick has over 70,000 residents. As of March 2011, Brick had 48,760 registered voters. Accordingly, we would need roughly 5000 VALID signatures for a change in government question to be put on the ballot. A change of government committee should be formed to decide exactly what form of new government should be put before the people to vote on. I have proposed a mayor council form much like we currently have, except it would be non-partisan. In addition, I would recommend that we look into having wards so that the various sections of town could have their own representative. I suggest five wards which would need to be divided so that the population in each are roughly equal. One council person would be elected from each ward. Two council persons would continue to be elected "at large", much as they are now. This would avoid any one section of town from dominating an election or the council. The committee could also look into the possibility of incorporating term limits to avoid some representatives remaining in office for life, but this may be difficult. Anyone interested?

For Dan Nee: Is this site still active? Is there a way to give this message wider circulation?

Sal: Patch could do an indepth piece on "A change of Government." Press release to the local media (radio/press.) Sal, I am carefully considering your recommendations and giving it serious consideration. Once I commit to a worthy cause I won't rest until achievement is sought.

they should meet in secret like the old mafia

Keep posting on Patch. I am telling all my friends to sign on to patch and read about what's going on. Especially returning to non-partisan government. I'm in.

Sweet, Darrell I hope you are a popular guy;)