Bogus township Web site misleading

Officials worried residents will tap into misinformation

BY PATRICIA A. MILLER
Staff Writer

BY PATRICIA A. MILLER

Staff Writer

At first glance, the millstonetownship.com Web site looks like the township’s official Web site.

It’s only when the reader gets to the fine print at the bottom of the page that he or she finds out that it’s not.

And school and township officials are not happy that residents could confuse the Web site with the official municipal or school district site.

"I think if people want accurate information, they should go to the source, and the source is the school district," said school Superintendent William Setaro. "Just because it’s on the Internet doesn’t mean it’s accurate."

Millstone School District officials are in the middle of a publicity blitz for a March 9 building referendum. A series of public meetings on the referendum is being held this week at the district schools.

Last week, the entire content of the millstone
township.com Web site was devoted to the upcoming referendum. But just who is responsible for the site and the information it provides is not listed.

"This site is dedicated to the issues and concerns of the homeowners of Millstone Township," reads the top of the Web site’s page.

The site is broken down into several sections, including "referendum details," comments and a question-and-answer section.

In August, it was registered to Nick Gold of 9 Wagner Farm Lane, Manalapan.

Although the site’s author or authors agree that a new middle school is needed, it’s clear from the site’s content that they have an agenda.

The site urges residents to vote against the "ridiculous auditorium" and questions the necessity for more bathrooms at the elementary school.

"Where are the bathrooms going?" is one question on the site. Another asks, "What are the students currently doing? With all the new parking for buses, can’t they go between the buses on the wheels?"

No one from the millstonetownship.com Web site has asked the district for any information, the superintendent said.

I don’t know where they are getting any budget information or anything about it," said Setaro. "No one from any outside group has asked us to give them any information."

People have legitimate concerns about escalating taxes, the superintendent said.

"But the average citizen has to understand [that] you need accurate facts, not hype or emotion without the facts," he said.

Mayor Nancy A. Grbelja, who said that she had not seen the site, cautioned residents not to confuse it with the municipal Web site.

"There has been a tremendous amount of misinformation that is in the community, and I wish that residents would check the facts," the mayor said. "Quite often, someone goes and says something and it’s so far from the truth, it’s unbelievable."

"Certainly, the township has a vested interest in providing a quality education for students in the township," she added. "A school building program is imminent. It’s something that has to be taken care of. The children do need better facilities."

The school district’s Web site is www.millstone.k12.nj.us. The municipal Web site is www.millstone.nj.us.

"If people would like to learn about the referendum, my PowerPoint presentation’s on the Web page right now," Setaro said.

"Check with the school district and find out what the reality is," the mayor added. "I say the same thing with the township. I can’t tell you how much misinformation is out there."

Township Committeeman John Pfefferkorn also said the Web site does not represent the views of the township.

"I think the Webmaster should shut down the site, because it’s providing misleading information about our community," he said.

The referendum is an important decision for the children and the community, Setaro said.

"We’ll be having 11 trailers next year," he said. "That says something about a community and their dedication to education."