Holmdel residents urged to oppose ordinance at meeting I was astounded to learn that the Holmdel Township Committee has authorized the attorney to prepare an ordinance preventing employees of all levels of government from serving on the Township Committee. It is difficult to find capable candidates willing to serve on the Township Committee. Elimination of a large field of potential candidates on the basis of their employment would be a serious blow to good government. Members of the Township Committee - no matter what their employment - will be faced with issues involving a conflict of interest and will be expected to recuse themselves on such issues. The proposed ordinance was introduced by Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman and was aimed at Committeemen Larry Fink and Terence Wall. Fink is employed by the state Department of Environmental Protection and Wall is employed by Keansburg. Bateman stated that the ordinance was based on the federal Hatch Act. The Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 forbid federal employees from running for office in a partisan election but place no such restriction on employees of state or local governments. Good government depends on the character and integrity of the people we elect. I have known Larry Fink for many years and know him to be a person of excellent character and integrity. We cannot legislate good government. We can legislate against practices that lead to corruption in government, such as pay-to-play. The proponents of the proposed ordinance have refused to eliminate pay-to-play in Holmdel. The Township Committee will be holding a workshop on the proposed ordinance on June 21. Residents of Holmdel are urged to attend this meeting and let the Township Committee know their feelings on the proposed ordinance. Charles G. Morrison Holmdel