He's upset with mayor's terrorist remark

1/11/2005

EDITOR:

It is with great sadness and concern that I write in regard to Bedminster Mayor Robert Holtaway’s characterization of the BBBCCC as a “terrorist group” and his use of a bomb squad team to check the sites of the reorganization meetings.

Name-calling and scare tactics have become all too common among our elected and appointed officials, and it is extremely disappointing to see our local officials engage in this behavior. Such behavior aims at limiting open and informed discussion, a basic principle upon which our government was founded.

I have been a citizen of Bedminster for over seven years, and am a supporter of the BBBCCC. I am not a terrorist, nor do I suspect any of my decent, hard-working neighbors are.

I am, however, extremely disturbed at the lack of free discussion and openness between our elected officials and the citizens of Bedminster. I do not believe the citizens of Bedminster have been fully informed of all the issues and facts in relation to the State Police, Medevac and the airport. I believe that the interests of the private parties who stand to benefit from airport expansion have been given preference over the needs and rights of the private citizens.

The people of Bedminster have a right to full disclosure of the facts related to the State Police helicopter base at Somerset Airport. Mayor Holtaway’s depiction of the BBBCCC as a “terrorist group” and his misuse of the bomb squad team should not deter nor divert us from our demand for honest answers.

If we permit the stifling of discussion, then we should all feel terror over the threat to our democratic government.

DAVID KING
Bedminster Township