UPDATED STORY: Tim Lurie Says He is Running for Point Beach Mayor
Lurie gets 10 write-in votes; only needed four to run for mayor
Point Beach Councilman Timothy Lurie confirmed on Wednesday morning that he is running for mayor, which he is eligible to do because he received 10 votes as a Democratic write-in candidate in the recent primary, according to the Ocean County Clerk's office.
Lurie made a brief phone call to Patch Wednesday morning, but said he would not be able to discuss details until later in the day.
He made the call only after refusing to talk to Patch in the early evening on Monday and not returning two phone calls placed to his cell phone on Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening.
One of Lurie's running mates, Nick Mazzola, who is running as a Democrat for borough council, said on Tuesday night, "If he has enough (write-in) votes, he's running.
"We had a Democratic meeting the Thursday before the primary and he said he wants to be mayor," Mazzola said. "He said if he gets enough votes, he'll run."
When asked why Lurie had not filed as a primary candidate and run, with his name on the ballot, Mazzola said, "That's a good question. I don't know the answer. I think in a few days this will all be clarified."
In addition to battling Mayor Vincent Barrella, Lurie would also go up against Republican Stephen Reid who lost narrowly to Barrella last year.
Barrella, a registered Republican, is running for re-election as an Independent for the second consecutive year.
During the past several months, Lurie has often been at odds with Barrella, Democratic Councilman Michael Corbally and Councilwoman Kristine Tooker, especially on issues regarding proposed amusement games and special event fees for Jenkinson's.
Barrella said in a prepared statement, "I welcome the addition of Councilman Lurie to this year's race for mayor, and I am sure the boardwalk businesses do as well, as they now have two proponents running for mayor."
Barrella added, "I will continue to represent the interests of all our residents and taxpayers and not just those of the powerful few.
"In recent months, Lurie has aligned himself on council with Republican Councilmen (Jeff) Dyer and (Sean) Hennessy," Barrella said. "This has prompted many to speculate that he was preparing to switch his party allegiance for a fourth time."
Barrella said Lurie has switched his party affiliation a few times in the past.
"Furthermore, in 2006, Lurie resigned his council seat forcing a special election."
Barrella said, "I hope that if Councilman Lurie prevails in November, he will not again abandon Point Pleasant Beach."
Barrella concluded, "I am heartened by the fact that despite the active efforts of former Democratic Councilman Mike DiCiccio, now a resident of Red Bank, to drum up support for Mr. Lurie through a primary-eve, automated telephone call made to all Point Beach Democrats, fewer than a dozen Democrats wrote-in Mr. Lurie's name."
DiCiccio, chairman of the Point Beach Democratic club, could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday night.
Mazzola said, "I'm not sure if Mike moved to Red Bank, but I know he moved."
Mazzola said he's thrilled Lurie is running for mayor.
"I love the guy, I think he's a fantastic choice," said Mazzola, who said he's been attending recent council meetings.
"He always comes through with the right decisions," Mazzola said.
Lurie is an engineer and partner at DW Smith Associates in Farmingdale and received his certified municipal engineer's certificate last September.
Democratic incumbent councilman Frank Rizzo, who could not be reached for comment on Tuesday night, is running for re-election.
Hennessy is not running for re-election.
Republican newcomers William Mayer and Andy Cortes are running for council on Reid's slate.
Reid said, "Tim is a very good guy and I look forward to him running. I agree with most of his positions. I'm not running against Tim. I'm running against Barrella."
When asked what makes him a better mayoral candidate than Lurie, Reid said, "You have to look at Tim's overall voting record, not just the last few months. I have great relationships with mayors, council members, members of Congress. This mayor doesn't. And I don't think Tim does."
Reid said a lot of his political contacts are through his job as a public affairs consultant and partner in the firm of Capital Public Affairs in Princeton.
Barrella is running with former Board of Education member Phyllis Thomson and former US Naval Base Commanding Officer Captain Bret Gordon.
Kitty Stillufsen, who is manager of Red's Lobster Pot, is running as an Independent, but not on Barrella's slate.
Barrella also announced on Tuesday evening that former longtime Democratic Councilwoman Monica Walsh and current Republican Councilwoman Tooker have agreed to co-chair the Barrella, Gordon & Thomson campaign.
"Phyllis, Bret and I are thrilled that two distinguished public servants like Monica and Kris have joined our team," said Barrella.
.
sandinmytoes
1:03 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Councilwoman Tooker is serving as the co-campaign chair for the Barrella team? How does this work? How can a seated Council member serve as a campaign chair for a seated Mayor? Isn't that some type of conflict of interest? I mean, if the job of the campaign chair is to help get the candidate elected, isn't that going to play a role in how she acts as a Council member? Specifically, what if she knows that voting a certain way is likely to jeopardize Mayor Barrella's campaign. Does that mean she is going to do what is best for the campaign rather than what is best for the voters of Point Pleasant Beach? Isn't this like putting a President of a Corporation (Mayor Barrella) on the dais with one of his managers (Councilwoman Tooker)? I knew that Tooker was a big Barrella-supporter, but it looks like she's really put his needs above those of the voters now.
Spooner
1:35 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
sand: the history of those Republican clubs there reads like issues of "Mad Magazine". . .not that the Boroughs are any better. . .Like for instance. . .this blogger here(animallovertoo-Laura) who's down on the R's now, supported this guy Schroeder(D) for Mayor last year, but worked against him when he ran for Mayor in 2002, supporting the Republican Konkus.
Another instance: when this guy O'Rourke, a Republican lost the clubs nomination for Council, he switched over to the Democrats. . .got the support of the local "Republican Chairperson" and won. . .It's more about personalities than party labels at times. . .although it's really about money and who controls the purse strings. . . the amount - where it comes from and where it go's?
sandinmytoes
1:51 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Spooner, oh, I know that the whole local party situation is a mess. I had to chuckle when I read Barrella's comments about Lurie being a "flip-flopper" and now trying to align himself with the Repubs on Council. Corbally flip-flopped too, but now that he & Barrella are buddies, I'm sure Barrella won't mention that. Plus, I figure that at least Lurie is willing to try to mend fences with others, rather than burn bridges like Barrella. But, my comment was more about how is it that one elected official on Council can serve as the campaign manager for another elected official on the same Governing Body? If the goal of the campaign chair is to get a candidate elected, then how can they serve side-by-side on the Governing Body? I know it may sound like a joke considering her past history, but at least, on the rare occasion (garbage ordinance comes to mind) Tooker has been willing to make decisions, as a Council person, that differed from Barrella's opinions. How can she do that if she's now serving as his campaign chair? Doesn't she have to worry that her decisions, as a Council person, may effect his abilities to win in November and isn't she duty-bound as his campaign chair to do what is best for HIS campaign rather than what may be best for the town? All I know is that if a Republican had done the same, Barrella would be screaming "conflict of interest" from the rooftops.
pointman
3:57 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
What a pleasant and tactful way the Mayor welcomed Councilman Lurie into the race for Mayor. Heres a question ,if Barrella,Tooker , Gordon and Thomson are members of the Republican club shouldnt they be removed for going against the party line. Same goes for Ms Walsh, should the Democrats remove her too for supporting the Mayor and not the Democrat team. Dont both of these clubs have rules about helping their foes.
Spooner
4:30 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
You mean Monica is flexing her muscles again. . . boy does she bring back memories . . .I know Vince your wondering. . .well it's just one happy family between the Boro and the Beach, with Monica's husband and his sister and her husband over here. . . up to their necks in politics. . . Vince that's just one connection. . .but we'll keep under-cover for you?
sandinmytoes
4:43 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Pointman, I love your sarcasm. Obviously, Lurie's decision to run for Mayor has thrown a monkey wrench into his campaign strategy plans. You are right to notice how Gordon & Thomson are both Republican Club members. From what I heard, Gordon went to one Republican Club meeting, reprimanded some of the members, then left. He then attended the next meeting in order to join the Club, and was accepted into the Club. Thomson recently paid her annual dues. So, there was a clear set up being staged to attack/criticize the Republican Club in this year's Barrella campaign. As for the two Clubs enforcing the rules against these obvious traitors, you must realize by now that the Barrella supporters do not follow rules and scream loudly when others try to enforce them. It used to be that, if you didn't support a Club, you just walked away and maybe joined another one. No one needed to throw you out. You knew you weren't wanted there and didn't want to be there, so you just left. With the Barrella mentality, though, it's become all about sabotage and destruction. People do things on purpose to embarrass and wreak havoc and chaos. I really fear for the emotional well-being of our town with this upcoming election. Barrella doesn't believe in winning gracefully. Everything is war to him. Maybe that's why he chose Gordon as his running-mate.
Laura
5:43 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Spooner,
I'm an Independent, Spooner, you do know what that means don't you? Unlike you, I'm beholden to neither party. I vote for the candidate that I believe will do the best that he can for the town. Bill Schroeder has really impressed me. He could have taken the usual route that the Republicans took and voted on the budget. Unlike last year when the Mayor played partisan politics with the budget, Bill Schroeder didn't.
I've attended meetings in the Beach. I have heard that Mayor Barella can be arrogant, etc. I didn't see that. I saw someone asking very intelligent questions. That was lacking in the Boro last year with regard to shared services.
I did see an arrogant Boro Attorney in the Beach last year. What town let's the Boro Attorney run the Council meeting like he's a DJ? That was incredible. I had never before seen a Boro Attorney tell the Mayor that he was only Ceremonial. What disrespect. AND didn't that Boro Attorney's wife act as a campaign manager for a Republican Councilman? There's the conflict!
Spooner
6:29 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Vince... I know your not here. . .but I just like to point out another connection. . .animallovertoo(Laura) Boro resident, stated above:"I've attended meetings in the Beach"
Not only has she attended meetings in the beach, but she saw fit to post private emails of Joe Billotti on her blog. . . I think you know who he is?
http://info.animallovertoo.com/emails/joebilottiemails.pdf
. . .and Vince. . . mum's the word. . . so don't tell anybody. . . just keep it between you and me about the Boro-Beach connections. . .
Concerned PPB Taxpayer
6:04 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Timmy is a fantastic guy who will make a great Mayor. He's smart and knows how to negotiate professional contracts for the town's engineers and lawyers. Barella's guy, Gertner cost this town thousands of wasted dollars in his first 2 years alone.
We need to turn this this sinking ship of a town back around to max productivity and efficiency...and fast! Anybody but me ever notice that...when you respectfully disagree with Dictator Barella or his Barellaistas...you are suddenly labeled as some sort of rogue dissident or placed into a group with a tagline like "the bloc"? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that Dictator Barella really wants his own "bloc" in control? That be...Tooker, Corbally, and whoever else will fall in lock step with his Hitler-style reign of terror.
Nah...I'll take the diplomat or the peacekeeper any day. Reid is good, but Lurie is great. Either one could get more done in one year, than Barella tried for in four. Timmy put the hotel-motel tax in place back in the early part of 2000. Imagine what else he could accomplish if we give him the chance!
Barella knows only one thing...spending other people's money. From where I stand... Lurie and or Reid are watching out for the taxpayer...looking around every corner for prudent savings and realistically attainable revenue sources.
George Loder
11:06 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I just started to read this site. It is good to have another outlet for the residents of PPB to voice their opinions on the up coming election. This election is one of the most important in the history of our town.
Mayor Barrella has earned the opportunity for another term. He has fulfilled many campaign promises during his first term. .
He stood firm against the hiring of a police director. Successifully defeated the planned "merger" of PPB and the Boro. Managed a tough budget by successifully negotitaing a compromise with our unions for furlough days to reduce our 2011 costs. It took 15 years..... but through his efforts the " Lakes" have been cleaned up and repaired.
There are many "Barrellaistas" in PPB... just take a look at the last election in which Mayor Barella soundly defeated the "Recall" and easily defeated Mr Reid and former Councilman Dixon on the Mayor's ballot.
Mayor Barrella spent $40,000 0f his own money to defeat the recall. He did so because he believed he was right and there are some of us who also took up that fight. In the end " No Reason...NO RECALL" easily won the field.
Mayor Barrella has done what he promised and will continue to work for the residents of PPB. There is no "Reason " he should not be given another term to contiue his good work.
The future is not about how much you like or dislike a person... it is about the results.
George Loder
Laura
8:17 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Spooner,
Mr. Bilotti is your friend not mine. Until they lowered the motel tax (for him?) he was, coincidentally, against Rogers. Amazing she gave him what he wanted and he jumped on board. Funny the two of you actually live in the Boro but always seems to send out flyers in the Beach.
Spooner
9:30 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Let's see: Aug 17, 2010 Beach Council meeting. . .
Ms. Beeden: you are violating the Open Public Meetings Act – public has never heard any of this – nothing was discussed in the Boro, Councilmen didn’t know anything until Thursday – appears that here it will be a rubber stamp – have contacted ACLU and they have requested documentation – this is like a kangaroo court...
. . .putting your two sense in other town's business. . .Was that the Beach Council you were calling a "kangaroo court"?
sandinmytoes
8:43 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Mr. Loder, welcome to the forum. Within the past year, didn't Mayor Barrella appoint you to a position with the Point Pleasant Beach Zoning Board of Adjustment? Didn't Mayor Barrella also appoint your wife to a position with the Point Pleasant Beach Planning Board? Didn't your wife also serve as Mayor Barrella's campaign treasurer?
George Loder
5:42 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
sandinmytoes,
You are right.
Our town needs people to do the hard work on these important boards who are dedicated to the town.
You missed one.............Sue is on the planning board as well along with the rec committee. Sue used to serve on the Enviromental commission in PPB. We are happy to volunteer our time and effort to serve the residents of PPB. I am currently serving on the Bd od Adjustment.
I guess people think my wife is good with numbers. Susan has been an excellent Treasurer. She was the past Treasurer of the PPB Republican Club as well as the campaign treasurer for the Barrella/Tooker/ Cervino campaign and of course my own campaign.
She is the Treasurer for Mayor Barrella in the up coming election.
We are both Barrellaistas.
George Loder
sandinmytoes
7:34 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Mr. Loder, I commend both you and your wife for the volunteer work that you are willing to perform for our town. But, as you admit, you are both "Barrellaistas." Don't you think that it would be best for our town if both "Barrellaistas" and "non-Barrellaistas" could be appointed to these types of boards and committees so that our town could have a fair representation of a variety of points of views? Also, I used to admire those beautiful shade trees on your property, and was saddened to see them removed. Why did you remove them? How long was it before you were able to plant new trees? One last thing, and I hate to bring this up, but now that both you and your wife are serving on boards that review zoning issues, can you tell us, once and for all, whether that third floor that you have on your house is a legal third floor? I know that a lot of hay has been made about that in the past with some pretty nasty flyers being circulated against you, and I want to give you the opportunity to finally put that issue to rest. Thank you for your time in responding to these questions and again for your dedication to the town in your volunteer service.
George Loder
12:25 pm on Friday, June 17, 2011
Sandinmy toes,
Good try and I am not even running for office. Please feel free to stop by my house so I can show you my CO for my 3rd floor.
I agree with your observation on the staffing of our local boards,The current members of all of the boards serving PPB have people appointed by former Mayors Hennessy, Pasola,Vogel and now Mayor Barrella. All of the Mayors should be recognized for their excellent choice in staffing our boards. As a town we are lucky to have such dedicated people serve our community.
Two of the trees were taken down by mother nature. I had the third one removed becasuse it was diseased. Come by my house and take a look at the beautiful red maples I purchased from the PPB Shade commission to replace my beloved pear trees. The PPB tree ordinace requires that you replace what was taken down. 3 down .....3 up
Anything elase ???
I was hoping this forum would provide an oportunity for people to discuss real issues effecting our town..........and not my house configuration and my tress situation. It is people like Sandinmy toes who try to keep our town in perpetual chaos so nothing can get done.
In full disclosure I sign my name to my posts and do not hide behind a pseudo-name.
Have a good fathers Day.
George Loder
Kristin Hennessy
7:25 pm on Friday, June 17, 2011
Mr. Loder:
I've read your posts and your recent request for "Anything Else???" With all due respect...Yes, I have one more question for you which is "a 'REAL ISSUE' affecting our town." WHY is it that during this past winter of 2011 (one of the most difficult we've had in a very long time), and EVERY previous winter as well, YOU do NOT feel the need to comply with the Snow Removal Ordinance?
The ordinance states that "ALL property owners must remove ALL snow and ice from their sidewalks within 48 hours of the conclusion of a snowstorm." However, during the entire winter of 2011, I walked my dog past your home twice daily...only to find that your sidewalks were NEVER cleared between the months of December through March.
Being a big, strong man like yourself with adequate "financial means"...I'm left wondering WHY you don't feel compelled to comply with this ordinance? Many other residents clear their sidewalks in the interest of public safety. You do realize that you reside within 1 block of the PPB High School, and your failure to clear your sidewalks of snow and ice within the required time frame puts our high school students' safety in jeopardy of being involved in a motor vehicle/pedestrian related accident while they are innocently walking to school. Additionally, any pedestrians who may be walking their pets, walking to the supermarket, or simply walking to visit a neighborhood friend may be placed in harm's way by your negligence.
K. Hennessy
TaxedenoughinPPB
9:34 pm on Friday, June 17, 2011
I'm hearing reports that there is a 25 foot pythom lerking about town. This is probably a made up scheme by Barrella to scare all the residents into a mad hysteria and to scare all the tourists from coming. Like the tourism industry isn't hurting already !! Next thing you know Chief Brody will be ringing a bell in the lookout tower yelling " shark, shark, get out of the water !"
Laura
11:28 am on Saturday, June 18, 2011
What's a lerking pythom?
blindbert
12:46 pm on Thursday, August 11, 2011
The python is motel owner that claims to reside in town.
The lerking is when he drives past all politico"s house in the wee hours to do his bed check