The following is a Letter to the Editor sent by former Brick Township Councilman Michael Thulen:
After Tuesday night’s , I went back to the Democratic Campaign website (http://www.stopacropolis.com) that is still up for all of Brick to see for themselves. The following is straight off their home page.
Said Ducey, “This November, the key issue in Brick will be fiscal responsibility. Our town’s residents are tired of the Acropolis team’s waste, mismanagement and cronyism that led to an unprecedented 24% increase in property taxes this year. The tax increase is outrageous, especially in this difficult economy.”
The other nominees on the Democratic slate echoed Ducey’s concerns. Susan Lydecker, the overall top vote getter, said, “Our town is too important to be left to politicians who care more about their own salaries and self interests than about the residents of Brick.”
Jim Fozman, a small business owner, said, “Keeping Brick affordable for our residents and small businesses is my number one priority.”
Bob Moore, a volunteer firefighter and plumbing manager, said, “Property taxes have to be kept under control. The Acropolis team has failed miserably on that front.”
After reading their advertisements and hearing these people talk through out the campaign and while they have been council people, I am outraged. These people said anything to get elected; and have either followed the exact same plan started by the previous council or have changed their language to suit their personal needs.
Waste and mismanagement:
The budget voted on last Tuesday night by the council had very little change form the year before and if the referendum increase were not already available to them there certainly would have been a tax increase this year. (Where is their fiscal responsibility?)
Self Interests:
Each of the new councilpersons has chosen form a Chinese menu what benefits or perks they will take for themselves, some take a salary, some take the health benefits, and who knows which is taking a pension. (Where is the ethical responsibility?)
Priorities:
Mr. Fozman’s first comment Tuesday night (Chairman of the Business and Finance Committee) with regards to the budget was that we have to raise taxes. Watch the video of the council meeting. (What happened to the first priority?)
Can we live with this budget, yes? Could their have been a tax cut, yes. The council has taken the million dollars from the BTMUA and put it in the surplus fund this year. This million dollars of revenue could have been used in the operating budget this year and a tax cut would have been realized without changing any of the services in the township. The Democrats have shown their stripes already, no tax increase this year and a 2% minimum increase next year. Last year during the budget season I said we would be good for a couple of years if the referendum passed, it seems predictions are coming true.
The Brick Township Council's main job and responsibility is to approve or create a budget. This is why I have watched them so closely since the new crew has gotten into office. The council president confirmed this Tuesday night stating the meetings would be cut back the rest of the year, because the main work has been done. I will continue to watch and make comments as the year continues, but I believe most of the damage has been done until budget season starts again in December of this year.
Very well written Mike. There will be many meetings that will attest to the fact that political gain controls all these new freshmen will be tossing around for their own well being.When this is finally understood by the voting public it will prove that the administration that you were associated with was correct in their protection of the citizens of Brick, "the jewel od South Jersey." I forsee the rise of improvement regarding the quality of life here in this township and also the re-taking control, delivering Brick back to people intent on furthering Brick into promanance as a township worthy of spending the rest of our lives in. I know that you love Brick Mike and so do the majority of its citizens so keep on punching. We need you and some of your loyal cohorts to return to the duties that you were falsely duped out of.
That said, I'm Republican and voted for the Democrats... I think there is waste and cuts that could be made.... the Repubs and Acropolis didn't make the necessary cuts and spend spend spend... the 24% tax increase plus the previous increases were over the top... nothing was done to cut headcount. Nobody... previous and current council has the cahones to make the necessary cuts!!! So get off your soapbox!!!
Best regards to you.
you know what is wrong.... both the Repubs.... and Dems.... taking $1million from BTMUA the past few years... All that does is increase water rates... that is a tax increase and a way to get around the 2% CAP... What I advocated was to refuse the money from BTMUA... this year and last year. That is just an example of what is wrong with council... whether they be repubs or dems... they just don't have the cahones to make the cuts!!!
Where was your "ethical responsibility" during your time in office when your political allies shamelessly promoted their own "self interests"? You sat silently during the Acropolis/Bellu quid pro quo, the Mathews housing authority hiring, the Sangiovanni board of ed hiring, the Jim Lacey BTMUA hiring, your own Rehabco personal financial gain, and many more partonage hirings & appointments too numerous to detail here. Your silence regarding "ethical responsibility" was deafening for the length time in office as a Council person. Now, all of a sudden, you found a moral compass? Where has your outrage been all these years? Dare I call you a hypocrite, or are you suffering some new form of politically connected Alzheimers? The new Council people have been in office less than 6 months. I say give them a chance to sink or swim. We (the voters) already gave you yours and I say (along with a voting plurality) you failed miserably. If after their term is up, they have not performed to our satisfaction, they too will be voted out.
Budget year 2013 should have 0% tax increase also... otherwise, vote them all out of office!!!
It's the selfserving issue stop and all should work for the Community.
As a former member of the Town Council can you tell us exactly what Juan Bellu's job entails? $150K makes him the second highest paid official in Brick. Take today for instance. What would be a normal day in his position? If you choose not to answer, do not expect anyone to take your criticism seriously. If you're not sure maybe you can call the Mayor and ask him. He did give Bellu a $50K pay increase not that long ago. "You're doing a helluva job Juanie"
Best to get their personal emails if you want responses... those going to "council@brick" go into bottomless pit. I've spoken to and/or have gotten responses to emails from Ducey and Toth.... I'm not happy with many decisions they are making... but better than Acropolis.
Although I voted for Councilman Ducey, I was extremely surprised that he knew nothing about the 2011 Referendum and the associated amount raised by the historic VOTE. Former Councilman Thulen, thank you for taking the time to attend Council Meetings and having the fortitude to voice your views. Your knowledge and understanding of key issues are important in these economic times and is duly noted.
It is my belief that when taxes are raised they will probably never be lowered again. That said as a fellow taxpayer I did everything possible to hold off the tax increases as long as possible while keeping the services the taxpayers in Brick learned to expect over the years. It was unfortunate that we hit a perfect storm last year; cuts in state aid over the years, 2% cap and a referendum that passed requiring the Brick Council to raise taxes. To answer to Mr. Meyers; Michael Jr. was 28 years old and had been involved in community service for over 10 years prior to his appointment by the other members of the council, I did not vote or suggest the appointment of my son. To answer 10%; taxes were not cut last year because the referendum passed. To answer JD; the BTMUA is backed by Brick Township, but has rate payers from several towns. If the taxpayers of Brick can take advantage of a good investment and lower their cost of government I believe it should be done.