Earle housing would expose neighbors to security threat

As a Tinton Falls resident and copresident of Neighbors Opposed to Privatization at Earle (NOPE), I encourage fellow borough residents and other interested parties to attend our panel discussion on Aug. 12 at the Seabrook Village auditorium, 3000 Essex Road, Tinton Falls. The briefing begins at 7 p.m. sharp and figures to be well attended.

The Navy's contract with its developer to open 300 existing Laurelwood homes on federal property of Naval Weapons Station Earle (Mainside, Colts Neck) by early 2010 is not a Colts Neck-only issue, nor is it a referendum against affordable housing or a "not in my backyard" effort. NOPE is a grassroots organization comprised of hard-working, respectful, responsible and resolute residents that object to an outdated contract that, in the wake of 9/11, a debilitating cyber attack on Earle's computer network in 2001, the thwarted attack on Fort Dix in 2007 by homegrown jihadists and failed security drills at Earle in 2007, ultimately will grant civilian tenants and their visitors unrestricted access to a base with 300 bunkers loaded with high-powered munitions, and that is the largest active weapons facility in the U.S. This housing plan makes no sense, and NOPE argues will ultimately distract the Navy, which has protected Earle's neighbors well here for so long, from its true mission and does nothing to promote national defense or the public interest.

Our panel not only will detail why the Navy is exposing its longstanding neighbors to a devastating security threat post 9/11, but will address why the Navy's assumption of $3.6 million annual cost savings is flawed and otherwise passes significant financial costs (i.e. taxes, educational costs, public services) on to Earle's neighbors.

Candidly, as my NOPE counterparts well know, I was disappointed in the Tinton Falls resident turnout to our briefing at Colts Neck High School in late May, which drew more than 500 (predominantly Colts Neck) residents, but am hopeful the turnout at Seabrook will show the Navy and our elected officials that Tinton Falls residents steadfastly oppose civilian housing at Earle as well and are as concerned about the impact on their community. I hope for the kind of turnout comparable to our Board of Education's tremendous Earle briefing at Atchison School last November, when 300 attended and likely first learned of the Navy's plan, much like myself.

If you are absolutely unable to attend our panel discussion Aug. 12 at Seabrook, please consider signing our petition at www.orgsites.com/nj/nope/ or call our elected representatives (i.e., Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez, District 12 Representative Rush Holt) to express support of NOPE and opposition to the Navy's plan, and please continue to visit our Web site for further updates. Otherwise, we hope to see you there.
Bill Holobowski
Tinton Falls
Co-president of NOPE