Coleman defended against actions of Byrnes, Short Iam a 25-year resident of Middletown who chose to live in Middletown after a yearlong search for a home throughout central and northern New Jersey. My wife and I chose Middletown because of its beauty and quality of life. As a long-term resident, ardent preservationist and a respecter of the natural environment, I amglad that theMiddletown Township Committee has reappointed Judith Stanley Coleman to the Middletown Township Planning Board on which she has served for 25 years. Mrs. Coleman's adherence to the planning and development rules and regulations of Middletown and her strong advocacy for sensible development and open space has been one of the most important factors in preserving the quality of life in Middletown that I so cherish. She has devoted enormous amounts of time and energy to the work of the Planning Board. In addition to her great service to the township on the Planning Board, she has shown her dedication to Middletown and Monmouth County and its residents by the time, talent and treasure she has donated to many other causes including the Monmouth Conversation Foundation (on whose board I am honored to serve with Mrs. Coleman), the VNA and the Monmouth County Historical Society to name just a few. It is sad that Mrs. Coleman's reappointment was not unanimous and Committeemen Sean Byrnes and Patrick Short voted no to that reappointment. Mr. Byrnes' and Mr. Short's votes are clearly in error and a disservice to Middletown. Thankfully the other members of the Township Committee recognized Mrs. Coleman's value and reappointed her to the position that she has served so well. Ronald Gumbaz Red Bank