Ugly politics in Holmdel Following a few years of Democratic control, the Holmdel Republicans officially took over the majority of the Township Committee last week, and seemed to have reason for optimism. However, 2006 certainly started off on the wrong foot. Longtime Committeewoman Serena DiMaso was chosen unanimously as mayor last week, but that gesture of solidarity quickly gave way to party infighting at its ugliest. Longtime Committeeman Terence Wall, who did not attend the reorganization meeting, accused her of making anti-Semitic remarks in various private conversations. DiMaso strongly denied the accusations, and countered with a list of accusations and character questions. She said his attacks were motivated out of “sour grapes” for not being chosen as mayor, and called for his resignation. This incident comes on the heels of an unusual Election Day move when Wall sent out a recorded phone message to Holmdel voters attacking a Republican campaign mailer, and urging support for the two Democrats. Tense relations between Wall and the committee’s newly elected Republicans seemed a given, but things have degenerated beyond what anyone could have expected. Wall said he has a tape of DiMaso’s comments, but has so far declined to go public with it, citing legal issues. Until or unless anyone hears it, this is all a matter of he said/she said, and DiMaso should be given the benefit of the doubt. But once an accusation of prejudice is made, the damage is always done regardless of its veracity. Wall seemed oddly confident that business as usual would resume, saying, “There has been some dialogue between folks to move on. The general consensus is, ‘Point taken, move on.’ ” We doubt that. The barbs Wall and DiMaso traded over these last few days were too personal, too loaded, to pass so quickly. This could be the opening salvo of a bad feud that may consume time and effort that should be spent on the things people elected them for, like open space, taxes and municipal services. For Holmdel’s sake, we hope not.