July 26 is Election Day?

Holmdel residents are facing an off-cycle election question to convert our current government from the most popular type in our county (Township Committee) to the least popular (Council-Manager). Followers of Chairman Kin Gee of the Holmdel Charter Commission accurately observed residents were fast asleep during last July’s Covid lockdown when their plot was hatched. We now wake up to a July 26 election? Something’s fishy.

The promise: a 4 year term mayor, non-partisan ballots (just like the school board election) and initiative & referendum. The effect in Holmdel: division of the people and elimination of political norms, wiping away 150 years of Holmdel tradition.

Keansburg is a nearby town with the proposed nonpartisan elections. In their last cycle, the councilman was elected to a 5th 4-year term with 202 votes in a town with 6,211 registered voters. Only 30 petition signatures, less than 1% of those registered, would be sufficient to initiate a referendum to negate standing ordinances. The 22-year mayor is also in his 5th 4-year term. Asbury Park has the exact form of government planned for us, and our current mayor longs for that same playing field. Asbury is not what we signed up for when we settled here 30 years ago. What about you?

The 5 charter commissioners contempt for the public is evident by assuming this Yes / No question, if put on our November ballot, would have been “too confusing” for you. They determined July 26th was the ideal time for this critical vote, ensuring low turnout during this popular vacation week. When voting last November, would you have imagined spending $67,000 of your tax money for this unfunded summer election? Yet, this month they anticipate memorializing into law their dream of upheaval.

During our dark days of Covid, recall the mayor telephoned you every evening. Have you heard from him lately? Yet Mayor Buontempo is “all in,” as he was observed installing the large “Vote Yes” banner on Telegraph Hill Rd near Bethany Rd. You’ve heard of “pay to play”? Colliers, our appointed township engineer, donated $800, and the township insurance broker gave $500 to the Charter Study commissioners to push this change. Do you really believe this crowd wants to deliver “power to the people”? Sounds like a “mayor for life” plan.

Holmdel remains a conservative township in an increasingly liberal state. The power hungry political operatives, lawyers, and politicians conspiring to flip Holmdel are counting on, and already benefiting from rewarding attention from Trenton and Washington. Exhibit A: Murphy appointee Kin Gee. On January 1st, our Township Committee and advisory boards would be dissolved, political affiliations outlawed, and elections held on non-traditional dates.

It’s time for Holmdel voters to wake up and stand up for your beliefs. Defend the reason why you came here and why you stay. Residents should reject this scheme of outright deception. Learn more about the players, the promises, and untold truths at saveholmdel.org. Preserve Holmdel’s values, culture and rural setting. Vote NO July 26.