WAPPINGER FALLS, NY – A MySpace.com page has ignited a controversy and in-creased tension in the race for the 1st Ward council seat in Wappinger.

Republican candidate William Beale called allegations he posted explicit photos of teenage girls on his page on the popular networking site “outrageous.”

Beale also has been accused of corresponding with teenagers, posting links to explicit Web sites and posing as a 21-year-old.

Beale, a DJ on WSPK 104.7 FM, said the Web site is a tool for his employment and networking, and that it’s a necessity in 2006.

The volunteer firefighter is running against incumbent Democrat Robert Valdati in the Nov. 7 election.

Councilwoman Maureen McCarthy, D-3rd Ward, said constituents approached her at the end of September and asked if there was a connection between “DJ Bill Beale” of WSPK and the candidate on the campaign signs. Once it was confirmed they were the same person, the residents voiced concerns about some of the material on Beale’s Web site.

The councilwoman said she visited the page Sept. 26 and saw a photo of a 14-year-old girl wearing baby blue panties with her buttocks exposed. In addition, there were links to the Giggles.com (sex toy store Web site) and porn stars. Also, the 30-year-old Beale listed himself as a 21-year-old, she said.

Beale denies the allegations.

The photograph of the “14-year-old girl” is a 22-year-old and she set her profile to age 14 for privacy purposes, Beale said. People’s profile pictures change all the time, which “friends” have no control over. The photos appear on friends’ sites when they post messages and in the lists of a person’s friends.

According to MySpace. com, members can keep a Web page private by blocking specific members, or changing their account settings to be viewed only by friends.

Beale said the Giggles Web site is linked to the radio station Web site, not his MySpace.com site.

As a DJ on a pop radio station, Beale said he speaks to an audience of diverse ages, so he needs to appeal to a large audience on his Web page.

Beale said he didn’t set his profile age at 21, suggesting there was a glitch with MySpace.com a few weeks ago. That information could not be independently confirmed.

“I’m running for public office, why would I have anything inappropriate on my Web site?” Beale said.

McCarthy said in the weeks after she first viewed the site, she periodically checked Beale’s page and found no changes were made. That’s when she spoke out, she said.

“It’s interesting that these concerns are coming up three weeks out from the general election when the Web site has been in existence since December 2004,” Beale said.

McCarthy said she doesn’t care what political party someone is from.

“People should really know what they are voting for,” McCarthy said. “The real deal is he misrepresents himself, and he thinks this is OK.”

Beale said its unfortunate the Democratic leaders in Wappinger stooped to this.

“Let the people be the judge,” Beale said.