Brick Candidate Profile: James T. Fozman

Profiles of the candidates for the Brick Township Council are being presented for informational purposes.

Responses are unedited.

Candidate’s Name: James T. (Jim) Fozman

Employer/Job: I am currently retired, and live with my wife Vera in our home in the Herbertsville section, where we have lived for 28 years, and raised three children. We also have six grandchildren, who we adore.

Have you ever held elected office or served as an appointee to any government board (where and when)?

It has been my pleasure to serve as a Brick Township Councilman for the past four years. I was first elected in 2011, when I ran with Mayor Ducey, and I am seeking my first re-election this year.

I currently serve as Vice Chair/Commissioner of the BTMUA. The Pannucci Acropolis Republicans have also attacked me for my service on the MUA. I’d like to make it clear - I take zero salary and zero benefits for my work at the MUA - I am a volunteer. Before our team was in the majority, part-time commissioners of the MUA, who only worked a few hours a month, took health insurance and a stipend. We pledged that we would only appoint to the MUA Commissioners who pledged to refuse the health benefits - and we have kept that pledge. The only commissioner who still takes health benefits is Al Cartine, who was appointed by the Acropolis-Pannucci team. Al Cartine voted to give Mr. Pannucci an unnecessary patronage job for over $100,000 - as Director of Customer Accounts. When the Democrats determined the job was unnecessary and eliminated the position Mr Cartine fought (unsuccessfully) to keep Mr Pannucci in the unneeded paid position.

In the last four years, I have served as Chairman of Business and Finance, DPW Committee, and the Sandy Recovery & Mitigation Committee. I want to use this experience to continue Making Brick Better.

1. Property taxes continue to be one of the biggest issues facing residents in Brick and statewide. How do you propose to manage the issue? Be specific.

Four years ago, property tax increases were out of control. You elected us to stop the reckless spending ‒ and we did. Our team has kept Brick taxes stable 4 years in a row. As a matter of fact, Brick Property taxes Increased 61% between 2001-2011 by the previous Republican Council Majority, vs only a 3% Increase between 2011-2015 by the Democrat Council Majority. I don’t ever want for any of us to have to deal with those out of control property tax increases. I served as Chair of the Business and Finance Committee, and would like to continue our efforts to reduce the size of government and keep Brick affordable. This is how we did it.

We eliminated unnecessary positions ‒ a total of 8 Political Patronage jobs were cut, saving $980,000. We slashed 12 unwarranted salaries and stipends, saving $200,000, and implemented an overtime reduction plan saving $370,000. Over $100,000 in electrical costs were saved by entering into a shared service agreement with the BTMUA.

Continuing to keep our taxes stable is a paramount issue for me and the rest of our team. I am also proud that we eliminated a “hidden tax” on our residents, in the form of the red light cameras. They did not increase safety on our roadways. They only took money out of our pockets and I’m glad that I could work with Mayor Ducey to eliminate them.

In the last four years, I have served as Chairman of Business and Finance, DPW Committee, and the Sandy Recovery & Mitigation Committee. I want to use this experience to continue Making Brick Better.

2. Heroin has become a nightmare problem throughout Ocean County. What more do you feel Brick should do to address the problem?

We have worked hard, but much more remains to be done, as the crime problem persists in our town and throughout the county and State. Much of the crime is drug-related and arises from the heroin problems in our communities. I have been helping to put together neighborhood watch programs, because community involvement is critical to stem the drug scourge in our town. This problem concerns us all, and all of us can help. I also intend to continue working on the prescription drug disposal, known as Project Medicine Drop, where our seniors and all residents can safely dispose of unneeded prescription medication. Many drug addicts break into homes looking for painkillers, so disposal of unneeded medications is another way to help. Finally, I have voted to approve strong coordination and shared services agreements between our township police department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office. Both agencies are equally important groups. Our police investigate crimes, and the county prosecutes the offenders. Sharing resources and working together is essential. As Chairman of the Business and Finance Committee, I worked with Mayor Ducey to expand the police force from 125 to 132 officers and I intend to continue my efforts in all of these areas on the Township Council.

3. There are many who feel Brick Township has become very divided in recent years. How do you propose to promote unity within the community?

The Ducey team has always worked with all sectors of our community. The Planning Board, Zoning Board, Architecture Committee, among others, are comprised of Democrat and Republican and Independent members. Every year Mayor Ducey has made it clear to anyone who is interested in serving on any Boards or Committees, to
please send in their resumes. The Council has also made it a point in welcoming interest from anyone who wishes to serve. We are all proud of our volunteers who are committed to this beautiful community of Brick.

The proposed hotel/residential/retail has become a very hot topic, which I have been advised by our Legal professional not to comment on, because over at the BTMUA where I am a volunteer Commissioner, a vote may be taken at some point, on certain issues pertaining to the proposal. Any comment by me could potentially harm the process, and I refuse to jeopardize the residents, their families, and businesses.

However, I am happy to provide some history on this particular site. The site was zoned “Hospital Support” (HS) since the early 1980s. As part of the hospital development, the zoning was to encourage medical buildings, etc. On July 24, 2007, the site was the subject of a mixed use overlay zone – along with three other sites in town: Traders Cove, Foodtown and property behind post office. The rezoning allowed residential development on the site, when it previously only allowed commercial use. The overlay zone was part of the State approval of a town center designation. The rezoning was unanimously approved by Council at that time – Council President Acropolis, Ruthanne Scaturro, Anthony Matthews, Mike Thulen, DanToth, Joe Sangiovanni and Kathy Russell. Which is why the proposal for all of those sites have been of the mixed use type.

4. We all see what the intense partisanship has done to our country as a whole. How do you propose to work together with the other party for the good of the township regardless of what happens in the election?

I along with my Council Colleagues and Mayor Ducey, made certain of the long overdue upgrading of our Parks and Playgrounds. We increased Summerfest to 4 concerts, we started a Community Garden, a Farmers Market, Drive in Movies, Mom and Prince Dance, Bricktoberfest, the Buy in BrickProgram, Brick Teen Council Students of the Month as well as reinstating BMAC. These are just some of the programs which are bringing our community together once again.

5. If there was one program you could institute or beef up in the township, what would it be?

Reducing the crime problems in our town has been, and will continue to be, one of my top priorities on the Township Council. A strong police presence is absolutely essential. I also worked to reinstate the Selective Enforcement Team (SET), known as the Gang Task Force, with its particular focus on drug-related crimes. The SET team had been eliminated under the prior administration.

We have worked hard, but much more remains to be done, as the crime problem persists in our town and throughout the county and State. Much of the crime is drug-related and arises from the heroin problems in our communities. I have been helping to put together neighborhood watch programs, because community involvement is critical to stem the drug scourge in our town. This problem concerns us all, and all of us can help. I also intend to continue working on the prescription drug disposal, known as Project Medicine Drop, where our seniors and all residents can safely dispose of unneeded prescription medication. Many drug addicts break into homes looking for painkillers, so disposal of unneeded medications is another way to help.

Finally, I have voted to approve strong coordination and shared services agreements between our township police department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office. Both agencies are equally important groups. Our police investigate crimes, and the county prosecutes the offenders. Sharing resources and working together is essential. I intend to continue my efforts in all of these areas on the Township Council.

I am organizing a first of its kind “Neighborhood Watch” program in the Hollywood Manor section of Brick, along with a representative of our Police Department. 30 residents have signed up and are committed to working together to create an effective mechanism to reduce potential crime. If it becomes as successful as we hope, neighborhood watches across Brick, can mirror this one.

6. If there was one thing you would want the residents of Brick to know about you, what is it?

The people of Brick elected me as a member of Mayor Ducey’s team, to represent them and to create a better government, so everyone who lives, works and owns a business here, can participate in Making Brick Better. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a good listener, and I follow through with what I pledge to accomplish. We have all created an atmosphere of pride and renewed community spirit here.

I have served our town as a Pop Warner coach and Little League Baseball coach. I am particularly proud of organizing an annual volunteer effort to clean and maintain the “Freedom Square” for Armed Forces Day.

Since I’ve retired, I have more time than ever to spend on my duties as Councilman. I don’t do it because I have to, but because I want to. My wife and I are proud to be residents of Brick, and I’m proud to serve as your Councilman. When I am re-elected along with my Team, I will continue to represent everyone in Brick, and continue on the path of Making Brick Better.