Acropolis Will Not Seek Re-Election As Mayor

Brick Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis announced Monday morning he would not seek re-election.

Acropolis’ term expires Dec. 31, 2013.

Acropolis said that numerous issues in the wake of Superstorm Sandy  – rebuilding Brick, opposing flood maps and distributing grant funding – have collectively served as one of his primary motivators against seeking re-election.

“Rebuilding Brick should not be a political football,” Acropolis said, predicting that if he had run, the rebuilding effort would have been politicized.

 “When something like this happens, it really changes everything,” said Acropolis. “Everything is always going to be pre-Sandy and post-Sandy. Mayors, whether it's Bill Akers in Seaside or [Toms River mayor] Tom Kelaher, they’re on the ground, and it's important to have someone who doesn't have to worry about politics, especially this year.” 

Acropolis did leave the door open to seeking office in the future, saying he would potentially have an interest in serving in a county or state role, or even running again for office in Brick in the future. He also offered to remain active in Brick as a “storm czar” to help the future administration on a volunteer basis with no salary. 

Acropolis made no endorsements for who his successor should be, though he did reserve his right to run as an independent candidate this year depending on who the other candidates are. 

“I have until the afternoon of June 4,” to run as an independent, he said. “We’ve investigated that.”

Partisan candidates have until April 1 to file to run in their parties’ primary elections. On the Republican side, both councilmen Dan Toth and Joseph Sangiovanni have appeared before the party organization’s screening committee.

There was no word on who would represent the Democrats this year, or if there would be any primary challenges.

Councilman Jim Fozman, in a statement, said he believes Acropolis is not running because it is unlikely he would be re-elected.

"Everyone knows the real reason that Acropolis is not running again," he said. "The Republicans took a poll and it showed that he was unpopular and unelectable and he is being forced out. That's what happens when you raise property taxes more than any other mayor in the state."

Acropolis, however, said polls showed he would likely win if he ran.

Councilman John Ducey also took aim at Acropolis' record.

"Acropolis worked with the Republican Party Machine here in Brick to get six-figure jobs for himself and other party insiders," said Ducey. "Brick taxpayers will continue to suffer unless we elect a new mayor willing to clean up the mess Acropolis and the Republicans left behind."

But Acropolis, with his wife, mother, five children, eight grandchildren and other family members looking on, reflected on what he considers his primary accomplishments as mayor: the Sandy response, reducing the employee head count at town hall, capping French’s Landfill, investing in solar energy and investing in a bayfront park at the Traders Cove site.

If he never holds another job in public office, Acropolis said he would still be satisfied, since taking care of his family is "the best job a guy could have."

"I wouldn't rule out anything, but if that doesn't happen, I'm okay with it," he said.