PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICAITON

May 1, 2006

POC: Democrat for Middletown Committee Patrick Short
Tel: (732) 796-9574

DEMS RALLY AROUND HOMEOWNER AGAINST EMINENT DOMAIN AT FREEHOLDER SESSION

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): At its
Thursday, April 27 session, Middletown Township
Committee candidate Patrick Short was joined by
Freeholder candidate Barbara McMorrow, both of whom
spoke out against the inappropriate use of eminent
domain in Middletown Township.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICAITON

May 1, 2006

POC: Democrat for Middletown Committee Patrick Short
Tel: (732) 796-9574

DEMS RALLY AROUND HOMEOWNER AGAINST EMINENT DOMAIN AT
FREEHOLDER SESSION

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): At its
Thursday, April 27 session, Middletown Township
Committee candidate Patrick Short was joined by
Freeholder candidate Barbara McMorrow, both of whom
spoke out against the inappropriate use of eminent
domain in Middletown Township.

Middletown resident Patricia Walsh, who is also a
member of the school board, resides at the
intersection of Hubbard Avenue and West Fton Street.
According to her and the county engineer, a portion of
her property is being claimed under eminent domain to
facilitate the construction of a temporary bridge to
replace a permanent bridge that will not be
constructed to either lessen or improve the traffic
flow in this well-used corridor.

Short took exception to this. “I am concerned that
this woman’s property is being taken unnecessarily,
since what the county is planning to do with this
rebuilding does nothing to contribute to a better use
for that bridge,� he said.

According to Walsh, in 1992 when the county repaired
the road there were agreements made between her and
her husband and the county about buffers and standoff
from her house. All of these are being laid aside in
favor of this temporary bridge.

“If the reason that this temporary bridge is being
put where it is comes about because Middletown is
looking to acquire the property across the street from
Mrs. Walsh’s property for use as a marina then this
should be reconsidered,� Short said.

McMorrow said, “How eminent domain is used has to be
looked at very closely, and this must only be used
where it is absolutely necessary. I just don’t think
that this case, at this point, looks like it is
necessary for the county to condemn any portion of
Mrs. Walsh’s property.�

On top of other concerns regarding traffic, the
possible construction of a new, multi-million dollar
marina and the possible abuse of eminent domain, there
are environmental concerns that Walsh raised.

“There are six varieties of endangered species that
will be affected by this project as it is currently
being laid out by the county,� she said.

Joseph Ettore, the county engineer, said the project
could take as long as “five to 10 years to build� but
Walsh has some doubt that is an accurate timeline.

Consequently, Democrats are holding a 2:30 p.m. press
conference on Thursday, May 18, to lay out their
concerns for this project, which will have a direct
impact not only on the homeowner, but also Middletown
and Red Bank.

For more information, call Patrick Short at (732)
796-9574.

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