Complaints based on emotional issues rather than the facts

In the latest development in the Phillips Park controversy in Holmdel, national security needs are being invoked by Committeeman Terence Wall in his third complaint against the Monmouth Housing Authority application. As noted in the Independent, July 18, article, his complaint is being made pursuant to Title 24, HUD Section 581.6 which states that "a property located in an area to which the general public is denied access in the interest of national security will be determined unsuitable." The satellite site is surrounded by a barbed wire fence and visitors have to be buzzed in.

Since the houses in question are currently separated from the "secure" area by this barbed wire fence, the "secure" area will be no more accessible to the Monmouth Housing Alliance people than it is now to current Holmdel residents, so security is a non-issue unless one believes that the projected Monmouth Housing Alliance families will be more of a security risk than Holmdel residents.

In another complaint, Wall is concerned about propane tanks at the site. If the tanks are considered to be dangerous, why isn’t he upset about children playing at the park now?

There have been many charges and counter charges about this housing proposal. Most are based on emotional issues rather than facts. Holmdel residents deserve better than this.

Karen Slobodin

Holmdel