Shame on the old guard Republican machine and the regular Republican candidates Bob Reddington and Valerie Niess for the many lies they told during Holmdel’s recent primary campaign. It is amazing that they could reference Township Committee meeting minutes as support for their lies. Voters need go to Town Hall and read the minutes of the meetings cited. They would realize that Russell Dronne never voted to rezone the land on Laurel Avenue for Commerce Bank. The minutes actually show a vote was not taken. Commerce Bank is in the process of suing the township, because of the lack of a zoning change (Holmdel Journal, June). Why would the bank sue if the Township Committee had complied with its request?
Another lie in their literature stated that Russell Dronne almost single-handedly raised taxes 20 percent. Dronne did not work alone nor were the taxes increased that amount. All four Republicans, including regular Republicans Terence Wall and Serena DiMaso, raised taxes 16 percent. This was due mostly to the increased security needed in town and insurance premium increases resulting from Sept. 11.
Holmdel residents are intelligent people. They should not have fallen for these slick, glossy fliers that misrepresented and misquoted. All voters have the obligation as citizens to look into accusations made during political campaigns, rather than take them at face value (even if they are referenced).
As for the regular Republicans, they need to clean up their acts before the general election.
Regina Criscione
Holmdel