Press Release

“Following a weekend which saw incumbent Ocean Township Mayor Chris Siciliano threaten physical violence against a young constituent, Ocean Township politics hit another new low this week, with the widespread dissemination of an anonymous mailer depicting Councilman Rob Acerra as a blood-stained mass-murdering serial killer in a piece spoofing the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This disturbing mail-piece is paid for by an anonymous group called “Ocean Taxpayers’ Coalition.” The group’s funding sources are unknown, given that they appear to be unregistered with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

“Threats of physical violence and anonymous character assassination by way of depicting your opponent as a violent murderer are not the way elections are done here in the community of gracious living. It’s despicable,” said Councilman Rob Acerra.

“It’s unsurprising our opponents and their allies are doing everything in their power to avoid talking about their record of doubling property taxes and selling off open space to big developers,” said Council candidate Victor Ashkenazi. “I know I speak on behalf of thousands of residents when I say smearing Rob, an honorable family man who loves and fights for our community is simply disgusting, and it has to stop today.”

“I am the anti-tax candidate, period,” said Acerra. “I make no apology for being the lone no vote on a new $5 million dollar tax that the Mayor and his allies are now attacking me for in this mailer. I was also the lone vote to protect a piece of township-owned open space on Roosevelt Ave., while the Mayor and his running-mates voted to sell if off to big developers. Time and again, I have been the sole watchdog against higher taxes and shady land deals, and that’s why Victor and I need to win on May 14th. We are the only thing protecting Ocean taxpayers from higher taxes, more overdevelopment, and a government that operates in the shadows.”

“We call on Mayor Siciliano and his running-mates to denounce this vile mailer. It goes against the very fabric of who we are as a community. Let’s get back to having a civilized discussion of the issues,” Acerra & Ashkanazi concluded. “Furthermore, the group funding this anonymous hate mail needs to come out of the shadows, disclose their donors, and prove they aren’t being funded by the same Trenton party bosses and special interests we are fighting against.”

Councilman Rob Acerra and Victor Ashkenazi are candidates in the May 14th Council election on the “Ocean First” ticket (rows 8 & 9). They are running for Council to cut property taxes, preserve open space, stop overdevelopment, ease traffic congestion, and take on the Trenton politicians slashing aid to Ocean schools. Rob Acerra is seeking a second four year term on the Council, while Victor Ashkenazi is seeking his first.

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