Basking Ridge Hires PR Firm To Change Image During Islamic Mosque Litigation

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Benards Township Committee has hired a public relations agency to handle any questions and to speak on their behalf in regards to the ongoing litigation with the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge and the United States Department of Justice.

The committee awarded a contract for Litigation Support Services to Michael Turner of Burton Trent Public Affairs LLC for $45,000 on Friday.

“The facts in this case have been less than accurately represented and media coverage has been more editorial than news," Michael Turner said in an email to Patch. "This has caused understandable concern in the community. Bernards Township understands the need to engage communications professionals to serve as honest brokers of information and make sure the facts are effectively communicated — whether it be by traditional, social, or paid media, or direct communications at meetings within the community. We look forward to engaging in an open public dialogue where the truth will become evident.”

The committee met on Tuesday night in closed session with the Planning Board for a special meeting regarding the litigation. Nothing was announced after the meeting.

The ISBR filed the lawsuit against Bernards Township over the denial to allow the construction of a mosque on Church Street in March 2016.

The USDOJ filed the lawsuit against Bernards Township in November 2016 alleging discrimination after the Township's Planning Board unanimously voted down an application to build an Islamic mosque on Church Street in December 2015.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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