Although I have been watching the campaign from the sidelines, I can’t help but try to set the record straight. Look at all the slick Republican literature in the mail and newspapers, plus the radio ads on 101.5 and WOBM. As an aside, where does all this money come from?
In any event, the Republicans would have you believe that Dan Kelly is the previous mayor’s right-hand man. Nothing could be further than the truth. Let me explain.
Since Joe Scarpelli trusted me in matters of zoning and planning, he called me several years ago and announced that he had a vacancy on the Planning Board. He asked who would be a good person to fill the vacancy. After some consideration, I though of a friend of mine, Dan Kelly. He was intelligent, had a very logical thought process, and he had the ability to convey his thinking to others. He was not a member of a political club; if anything, he was apolitical. He was, however, active in his community and church and had a grasp on what was good for Brick. I submitted his name to the mayor.
I still remember Joe Scarpelli’s reaction, “Who is he? I don’t know him.” I assured him that Dan was the right person for the job, so, he was appointed. Does that sound like they are two peas in a pod? Dan Kelly is the same person the Republican literature would have you believe is “close to Scarpelli…closer…closest…”
Quite the contrary. Yes, Dan was appointed a member of the Planning Board. The board, however, came to see the same things in him that I did and they, not the mayor, elected him vice chairman and ultimately, chairman.
Joe Scarpelli and Steve Acropolis are consummate politicians. Dan Kelly is their antithesis, and he has more substance and ethics than Steve Acropolis will ever have. He works at being an on-the-job mayor and doing the things that are good for the township. Dan Kelly is new to the art of politics.
But what is wrong with a citizen stepping up to the plate and leading this township with common sense, rather than political opportunism and a thirst for power? Don’t forget, Dan is the candidate who advocates term limits. Dan Kelly doesn’t always say the things people want to hear, or run from photo-op to photo-op. Nor does he offer grandiose schemes that are designed to capture voting blocks and later, create problems and additional taxes. Instead, Dan Kelly will be there to make the tough decisions that will, ultimately lead this township in the right direction as we continue to make our way into the twentyfirst century.
Frederick Underwood
Former Councilman
Brick