Rift widens between former running mates Wall urged to resign after accusing DiMaso of anti-Semitic remarks BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso asked for former running mate Terence Wall’s resignation on Jan. 3 after Wall released accusations of anti-Semitism against her. HOLMDEL — Newly appointed Mayor Serena DiMaso has called for Committeeman Terence Wall’s resignation after Wall accused his former running mate of making anti-Semitic remarks. The accusations came in a press release the day after DiMaso assumed the mayoral post. DiMaso vehemently denied Wall’s accusation, claiming that it was a reaction to Wall not being named mayor, despite being the senior Republican on the now Republican-controlled committee. “This charge is outrageous and false,” DiMaso said in a press release reacting to Wall’s accusations. “Anyone who knows me knows that this is not the way I think, nor is it the way I speak.” DiMaso countered with accusations against Wall, including making doctored recordings and divisive actions in both Holmdel and the Republican Party. According to DiMaso, Wall made it clear to the members of the committee in the days before reorganization, that he wished to be named mayor. “When he realized that not one person would vote for him,” DiMaso said, “he returned to form and attempted yet another manipulation.” Wall claimed that the anti-Semitic remarks were made regarding an unnamed member of the Planning and Zoning Board, and that he was able to get those remarks on tape. He declined to produce the recording for a reporter, however, citing a possible legal issue. He also claimed that DiMaso had repeatedly referred to Jewish people as “5-3-9s,” which spells out “Jew” on a telephone keyboard. Wall called DiMaso his “former protégé,” having been running mates for DiMaso’s first committee election and their subsequent re-election last year. In the release, Wall said that he has tried to distance himself from DiMaso due to what he called the “repugnant” remarks she allegedly made. He also expressed in a subsequent statement his disappointment in fellow Republicans following his statement on DiMaso. “I have had tremendous disappointment with a very small portion of Holmdel’s longtime Republicans, who have openly expressed that ‘rallying around’ a Republican mayor is more important than exposing bigotry,” he said. DiMaso said that this was “Wall true to form, when he doesn’t get his way.” Wall has made accusations against fellow Republicans in the past, further deepening an apparent rift between himself and GOP committee members. On Election Day, he spoke on a telephone recording urging voters not to support Republicans Rocco Pascucci and Alan Bateman, claiming that Bateman’s campaign lied in a mailing sent to voters. Bateman and Pascucci were sworn in as committeemen on Jan. 2, and Wall was absent from the meeting. “This is nothing more than sour grapes from Terence Wall,” Bateman said. “He wants to be mayor more than anything, and he’ll put himself ahead of Holmdel and the Republican Party. It points to his lack of character.” DiMaso accused Wall of “a pattern of deceit and manipulation,” that spans several years and several other political races. She accused Wall of manipulating the voice of former state Sen. John Bennett, supporting Wall in a primary campaign for Assembly against Bennett’s running mates, Mike Arnone and Clare Farragher. “I was initially told of this story by Mr. Wall,” DiMaso said. “Mr. Wall even played the tape for me, laughing at how easy it was to do.” She also accused him of manipulating a tape of state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos in order to embarrass him. DiMaso claimed Wall approached Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vic Scudiery for the chance to oppose Kyrillos in his re-election bid. Wall responded by saying there is no basis of truth in these allegations. “It’s silly and false. Period,” Wall said. He said that Bennett had made a recording for Wall’s campaign for committee and was recycled for use in an Assembly race. According to Wall, the second time the tape was used, there was a disclaimer stating that this had been recorded and used earlier. Wall insisted that it was “completely him, unmanipulated.” Bateman said that Wall’s behavior proves that the committee made the right decision in choosing someone else as mayor. He also said that he would support DiMaso, whom he has known for more than 10 years. “I am aware that Serena [DiMaso] has called for his resignation,” Bateman said. “I support that.” Wall said that the committee should now move on and work for the citizens of Holmdel “without disruption.” “There has been some dialogue between folks to move on,” Wall said. “The general consensus is, ‘Point taken, move on.’ ” In regard to DiMaso’s request for resignation, Wall said, “Her request will not be honored.”