Mount Laurel compliance shows Holmdel is not elitist

Recently, there have been articles and letters in the press that have castigated our community because of a campaign of misinformation with regard to the Phillips Park/Nike site issue.

Attacks on Holmdel seem to be very popular and words such as elitist, insensitive and affordable housing are bandied about. It is time to substitute facts for appearances.

With regard to housing, according to the most recent report of the Council on Affordable Housing, there are 53 communities in Monmouth County. Of these, 48 have Mount Laurel obligations. Only three have been certified as being in full compliance through 2003. I am proud to state that Holmdel is among those three, with a total of 1,413 units.

The issue of transitional housing at a former Nike missile site is not based on any elitist, insensitive feeling. Surely a community so sensitive to its Mount Laurel obligation ought to be able to implement its longstanding master plan to honor our veterans at this site by combining our park expansion with a trail to the Vietnam memorial and the Ramanessin Brook. Please check these facts.

Rosemarie and Robert Reddington Sr.

Holmdel

(Mr. Reddington is chairman of the Holmdel Nike site-Phillips Park ad hoc committee)