OutRAGEs!

Something troubling is happening in Holmdel—and it should concern residents regardless of party.

The Township's September 25 press release declares that RAGE "approved" a plan to run power lines through Holmdel. Yet of today's five Township Committee members, only Greg Buontempo served on the Committee during RAGE's 2016–2018 fight against JCP&L.

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So, what is the evidence?

Did the Township simply accept JCP&L's recollection of a years-old meeting involving Congressman Pallone's office? Or does it possess contemporaneous emails, minutes, presentations or other timestamped records demonstrating exactly who from RAGE approved what—and when?

That distinction matters. RAGE says the alternative ultimately submitted by JCP&L was not even among the four alternatives shown to its representatives at the 2019 meeting.

If the Township has evidence contradicting that account, residents should see it. If it does not, publicly attributing "approval" to residents raises serious questions of fairness, accuracy and potentially defamation.

Even more troubling are the coordinated Facebook posts targeting residents personally rather than addressing the facts and legitimate questions they have raised. Disagree with their conclusions. Challenge their facts. Debate their positions. But personally attacking residents for speaking out crosses a line.

Some of those now being targeted helped lead the grassroots effort that fought alongside Holmdel against JCP&L's original project—an effort Congressman Chris Smith publicly celebrated, calling RAGE "rock stars" in that fight.

Holmdel needs disagreement. It needs watchdogs. It needs residents willing to speak up.

What Holmdel does not need are unsubstantiated accusations, coordinated personal attacks, or falsehoods masquerading as facts. We can disagree without tearing one another down—and we should demand evidence before accusations are presented as truth.

We can do better.

Prakash Santhana

Former Holmdel Deputy Mayor