Public officials comment on closing of Fort Monmouth Fort Monmouth jobs not transferable CHRIS KELLY staff Reps. Frank Pallone and Rush Holt (both D-N.J.) held a town hall meeting May 13 to discuss the Pentagon’s recommendation to close Fort Monmouth. It makes absolutely no sense that Fort Monmouth is on the list of base closings released by the Pentagon. The fort serves as a key and strategic part of the war on terror. Fort Monmouth leads the way in expanding communication among our forces, which leads to greater success in the battlefield. Furthermore, Fort Monmouth provides an economic boost to the county and the state. The jobs lost would not easily be transferable either to other army bases or another sector. For all of the reasons stated above I hope the fort will be one of the 15 percent or so of bases that are on the list, but don’t eventually get closed. Steven M. Clayton committeeman Monmouth County Democratic Committee Ocean Township We were disappointed to hear that the Department of Defense has included Fort Monmouth in its list of base closures. The inclusion of Fort Monmouth on this list is a terrible mistake. The work civilian and military personnel do there is critical to the missions and safety of our soldiers overseas. For decades, Fort Monmouth has been a primary source of technology innovations that we have used to protect our troops. It would be foolish to relocate while we are in the midst of a war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have reason to believe that the criteria used by the Pentagon to make this decision were flawed. Their process did not sufficiently consider the importance of the research, development and evaluation that is accomplished at Fort Monmouth. We further disagree with the cost savings report that the Pentagon used to justify the closure of Fort Monmouth. The cost of doing business is certainly greater in New Jersey than in other states, but New Jersey has more scientists per square mile than any state in the union. What we can provide here simply does not exist elsewhere. Fort Monmouth is the ideal location for a high-tech arm of the military. The base is also important to homeland security. We hope that fact is a major consideration as the BRAC committee and Congress review the Pentagon’s recommendations. Representing four of the five municipalities bordering Fort Monmouth, we know how important the base is to our business community. A Rutgers University study indicates that the base injects more than $2 billion into the economies of Monmouth County and New Jersey. Approximately 22,000 people depend on Fort Monmouth for their livelihood. Fort Monmouth draws from a strong network of local contractors who provide unique services to research and development teams there. A significant number of companies have developed out of niches created specifically by Fort Monmouth and CECOM. Their long-standing partnerships with the base can not be recreated elsewhere without causing a serious delay for projects. Our soldiers should not have to wait for new technology until a new base gets accustomed to CECOM’s mission. This week, we sponsored a resolution in the General Assembly condemning the inclusion of Fort Monmouth on this list. It was not only fast-tracked for an immediate vote, but also unanimously approved. This issue is a priority to our state because of the incredible impact it could have on our safety, our economy, and the workers at the fort. This week, we are working with Acting Governor Codey to identify state funding to assist in the effort to defend Fort Monmouth from closure. We are hopeful that by joining our state and federal leaders, we can show the BRAC Commission that Fort Monmouth does not belong on this list. We hope our constituents and residents from all over the state will join us in what we expect will be a very public fight to keep Fort Monmouth open. Michael J. Panter and Dr. Robert L. Morgan assemblymen D-Monmouth/Mercer Fort Monmouth has been a vital part of the area’s economy since World War II and is Monmouth County’s largest employer. Closing the fort would have a tremendous impact — not only for the 5,300 employees who would lose their jobs or be forced to relocate, but for the thousands of other contract workers and local businesses who depend on the fort for their livelihood. The Board of Chosen Freeholders is committed to doing whatever is necessary to reverse the decision, and joins the Save the Fort Committee and other advocates in the battle to keep Fort Monmouth open. The Pentagon had recommended closing Fort Monmouth twice previously, but it remained open after a successful lobbying effort by local and county officials and New Jersey’s congressional delegation. The fort is home to the Army’s Communications Electronics Command and the Communications and Electronics Research and Development Center. It serves as research and development center for communications, surveillance and reconnaissance systems that U.S. soldiers are using in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also is home to the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, which trains cadet candidates for admission into West Point. Fort Monmouth officials estimate that its closure would affect some 22,000 jobs once businesses that provide goods and services to the base are counted. This would be devastating to the residents and businesses of Monmouth County, particularly to the five towns surrounding the fort. The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders will be a strong advocate for saving the fort at the upcoming Base Closure and Realignment Commission hearings, which will take testimony during the summer before making a final recommendation to President Bush on Sept. 8. Thomas J. Powers Amy H. Handlin Theodore J. Narozanick William C. Barham Robert D. Clifton Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders I am extremely disappointed to see that Fort Monmouth was on the BRAC Commission’s recommendation list. The closing of this facility would have widespread detrimental effects that will be felt for years to come in the 12th legislative district and surrounding communities. Fort Monmouth is a driving force in our regional economy. Its closure would not just impact its 5,000 employees, but would also adversely affect over 23,000 people who have jobs related to Fort Operations. Moreover, hundreds of area businesses depend on the commerce generated by Fort employees for their economic well-being. The BRAC Commission seems to make their closure recommendations based on a narrow set of criteria that doesn’t take into account the quality of work coming out of a facility. Fort Monmouth has a proven track record of excellence in battlefield communications and troop safety, and has most recently developed technology to detect and disarm roadside bombs in Iraq. The Fort has shown its worth time and time again and is an invaluable asset to the U.S. Armed Forces. Fort Monmouth has been targeted for closure twice before, and in both instances it has made a solid case to remain open. Friday’s announcement is discouraging, but is only the start of a long appeals process, and I am hopeful that the leadership in the Department of Defense comes to their senses and allows Fort Monmouth to continue its mission and support our troops.” Ellen Karcher N.J. state senator D-Monmouth and Mercer The decision to close Fort Monmouth is wrong for the military, wrong for national security and wrong for New Jersey. It underscores the administration in Washington’s insensitivity to New Jersey as a security target. We will fight this decision. We will fight for our hard-working families. And we will fight to save Fort Monmouth. I have called upon Vice Admiral (Ret.) Paul Gaffney, chairman of the Governor’s Commission to Support and Enhance New Jersey’s Military and Coast Guard Installations, to help lead the state’s efforts to save Fort Monmouth. I will continue to work aggressively with our congressional delegation to convince the members of the BRAC Commission that the base’s military value far exceeds any perceived cost savings from its closure. Richard J. Codey acting governor of New Jersey We sincerely hope the Pentagon will thoroughly review this decision. Fort Monmouth is an essential member of the Monmouth County community and its closure would be a detriment to the entire area. We look forward to working with the president and our congressional delegation to protect jobs and the economy of Monmouth County. Steve Corodemus, assemblyman, R-11 As one of the military’s top research centers in the field of communications, computers and intelligence Fort Monmouth has contributed a great deal to the protection of our country. Since 1925 Fort Monmouth has been one of the regions top employers. Today, the base employs nearly 5,000 civilian workers. It is essential that we do everything in our power to protect those jobs and keep this vital asset in our county. A closure of this magnitude could have serious, long-term repercussions on the entire region. Sean Kean, assemblyman, R-11 We live in dangerous times and the importance of our Armed Forces have never been more apparent. The jobs our uniformed men and women fill have guaranteed all of us our safety and freedom. We want to work alongside our federal counterparts to make certain that any decision made is the best one for the safety of our county, state and nation. Joseph Azzolina assemblyman, R-13 This is not a decision taken lightly and we know that over the coming months our constituents will become actively engaged in the possible closing of this vital land mark. I hope that all the people of Monmouth County understand the significance of this base and its history of service to our nation, and will join our efforts to reverse this decision. Sam Thompson assemblyman, R-13