Brick Mayor To Veto Salary Ordinance

The saga over the Brick Township Mayor's salary continues with Steve Acropolis vowing to veto the ordinance that would lower it considerably. He feels the plan has been rushed, full of loopholes and wasn't well developed.

Mayor Acropolis is against the council's measure that would lower the salary from $52,000 a year down to $15,000 for those who serve the post while also serving another full time position. Although Acropolis plans to take only $1 for the remainder of his term, he feels the governing body should have taken more time and care to craft a better plan. He's urging them to develop a bipartisan committee to examine all of their options.

Acropolis says "this panel would feature both Democrats and Republicans. Former and present leaders would be good as well as the public. There are other ways to save money and I don't think this plan works well. While I've opted to take a dollar, this plan would hurt the mayor's office for future leaders."

Acropolis had asked Council President John Ducey several questions regarding the ordinance at the latest meeting and was chagrinned about a lack of detail in his response. He tells WOBM News that they planned to pull the ordinance following a heated public comment period. Acropolis says "they had promised to revise it but it hasn't happened. It's the same thing resubmitted in the same form."

In addition, Acropolis has urged the council to stop taking taxpayer funded healthcare benefits as a way to cut cots. They have since refused. Acropolis also feels the voters should decide how much the mayor should get paid and is also suggesting putting it on the November ballot. He doesn't think it will happen though.

The council adopted the ordinance with a 5 - 2 vote.