READINGTON TWP. — - A group calling itself "Citizens for Readington" has distributed a mailer and is seeking signatures on an online petition, likes on its new Facebook page and followers on Twitter.
The identity of these "citizens" isn't shared on any of its
platforms, but its message "at this time" is focused on the preservation
of Solberg Airport.
Its "about us" page on its website says group members "have
endeavored to be as factual as possible, citing source documents where
appropriate." On that same page is a graphic of a pony-tailed girl whose
facial features are obscured, except for her big blue eyes, by a gas mask as she jumps rope in a meadow, surrounded by airplanes.
"Citizens" calls Township Committee candidates John Broten and Sam
Tropello "pro-Solberg" and "pro-airport." In its mailer it says that
with their "votes in hand, only one more vote is needed to achieve a
pro-Solberg pro-airport majority on the Township Committee."
In June the men narrowly defeated Republican incumbents Committeeman Frank Gatti and Mayor Julia Allen for their party's nomination for two three-year Township Committee seats.
The primary race was heated, centered on the township's longtime
efforts to prevent further development of Solberg Airport and
surrounding lands.
The Solberg Airport condemnation trial started in June and is set to
continue through the middle of October. The only date in September was
canceled; the trial is to continue the first three Wednesdays and
Thursdays in October.
A closed-door session by the Township Committee on the subject of
Solberg Aviation lands lasted more than five hours on Sept. 5, but
didn't lead to action.
The mailer was distributed late last week, titled "Learn the facts
before it's too late; Expansion of Solberg Airport will impact you."
Addressed "To Our Neighbors," it says that a "pro-airport township
committee is imminent" and "recent events could accelerate jetport
expansion."
As for what "you can do," it urges readers to "make a difference" by
spreading "the word," signing the petition, liking the group and
following it.
On the group's website,
citizensforreadington.org, it says it is a nonprofit and non-partisan
group and its mission is "informing and educating the public about
issues that affect the quality of life in our township.
"Like you, we have kids, dogs, cats, stressful jobs, and don't
particularly like politics. But we think residents should be fully
informed about issues that will change the character of our township
forever."
The petition online
asks the Township Committee to "continue its efforts to implement
permanent limits on the expansion of Solberg-Hunterdon Airport to
protect the character and quality of life in our town while enabling the
airport to continue as a general aviation airport."
At 3 p.m. on Sept. 15 it had garnered 192 of 500 signatures sought.
The group can be contacted via email to info@citizensforreadington.org, or a Three Bridges post office box.
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