Letter: Acropolis Should Heed Voters on Referendum

To the Editor:    

In reference to the Nov. 8 election here in Brick and the April tax cap referendum:

Mayor Acropolis was recently quoted saying “this election nullified the referendum.” So the mayor believes that the people’s voices have been nullified, which is the equivalent of saying "residents your voices are now VOID and your votes have no value or consequence."

Now he says in hindsight they should have made the decision to cut services. Does he understand Brick voted to keep their services? He also said we now have to look at every department and reduce the size of government. You may recall the mayor said there would be no layoffs or cuts in services if the April referendum passed. Now we must ensure Mayor Acropolis keeps his promises of no layoffs and that we keep all our services.

I heard the mayor on the radio telling the public he is directing the business administrator to craft a budget rolling back the 24 percent tax increase. Does this mean he is going to ignore the referendum results? Cut services? Lay off police and other public employees? Or is he forcing us to get private garbage collection; will we be losing the very services we all voted to keep?

The mayor is disappointed in the results of the election in which four of his Republican councilmen were swept out of office. There were many different reasons voters wanted the incumbents removed. Mayor Acropolis interprets the council election as a nullification of the referendum. That is a colossal mistake.

The people have spoken in both the referendum and this last election. The votes reflect the will of the people. We need to tell Mayor Acropolis that the voices of the people do not get "nullified” and should be given the highest consideration when making any governmental decisions in the future.

By passing the April referendum the taxpayers of Brick sent a message to the mayor and council. They said yes, we want to keep our sanitation department, and we want our police department properly staffed. Brick voters made it clear they did not want private garbage pickup and were satisfied with the services provided by the Brick workers. I have been told by the township business administrator that a layoff plan is being prepared to submit to civil service. Upon hearing the news some of my membership broke out in tears.

The T.W.U. membership will continue working hard for Brick residents; delivering services the best we can. You have voted for us, and we will not let you down. On behalf of the Brick T.W.U. membership I want to thank all of you for your support and wish you and yours a very healthy and happy holiday season!

John T. Menshon

Chairperson, Brick Section

Transport Workers Union

Local 225 Branch 4