Brick Council Campaign Gets Personal

Republicans have taken aim at the character of Democratic township council hopefuls, accusing each of various character flaws in a flyer and full-page advertisement in a local newspaper.

The flyer, which was mailed to the homes of registered Republicans in town last weekend, accuses candidate John Ducey of taking public pensions and benefits even though he has campaigned against the practice; Susan Lydecker of having multiple addresses and financial problems over the past several years; Robert Moore of being a "phantom" who voters have never heard of; and perhaps the most serious charge - James Fozman of being convicted of a criminal offense, "constributing to the delinquency of a minor - drugs" in Somerset County.

"It's unfortunate that they're dragging us through the mud with personal attacks, but I guess when they're desperate, like they are, that's what they have to resort to," said Ducey, who emphatically stated that he does not take any public pension or benefits.

Ducey, an attorney, works on a per diem basis as a municipal prosecutor in a number of towns as part of a pool of attorneys, he said, and does not receive benefits.

"It's an absolute lie," he said of the claims in the ad.

Little solid information is known about the claim that Fozman was convicted of a criminal offense and served two years probation, as the flyer states.

Well before the flyer was released, Brick Patch performed a background check with a private firm that scoured court records dating back to 1989 on all of the candidates from the two parties. No evidence of any conviction or sentence was found for any of the candidates, including Fozman.

Fozman, initially, did not return phone calls or e-mails from Brick Patch asking about the matter. But on Thursday afternoon, he regarding the allegation.

The Republican campaign manager, Al Cartine, declined to provide Brick Patch with a copy of documentation substantiating a criminal conviction when asked.

Brick Patch did confirm via background check, however, that candidate Lydecker has lived at 12 different addresses in the past 11 years, as the flyer claims. The background check also confirmed that Lydecker had filed a joint bankruptcy with Edward Lydecker on May 18, 2010. Additionally, the check substantiated the claim that Lydecker had several judgments against her – under both her current name and maiden name – stemming from a Capital One account balance to a dentist's bill.

"These are the things people should know," said Council President Brian DeLuca, who is running for re-election, when asked about why Republicans chose to focus the tail end of the campaign on personal issues.

"These are all facts," DeLuca said. "They aren't accusations, they aren't rumors."

Ducey, who has accused Republicans of rampant cronyism and providing political allies with township jobs and no-bid township contracts, said the GOP is trying to divert voters' attention away from the issues such as recent property tax hikes.

"We're sticking to the issues. Why aren't they talking about the 24 percent tax increase? Or that taxes are up more than 60 percent in the last seven years?" asked Ducey. "The reason why is because all of those issues are in our favor, and they have to turn to personal attacks to divert attention away from that."

The Democrats have pledged to eliminate what they see as "political jobs," conduct an operational audit for the township and give Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis – who holds dual full-time positions as Brick mayor and Toms River MUA chairman – an ultimatum to work only in Brick or face a salary reduction from $53,000 to $15,000.

The Republicans contend they've shaved the township's employment rolls by 90 people, made government more efficient and have promoted recreation and public access to public lands through projects such as the Traders Cove park project.

Control of the council is at stake in the election. In order for the Democrats to wrest control of governing body – which is currently all Republican – from the GOP, all four candidates must win. Republicans will maintain a majority on the council if just one of their candidates comes out victorious.