|
West Long Branch, NJ --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today through his District Aide Scott Snyder at a public meeting held by the Ft. Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority regarding redevelopment of Ft. Monmouth.
"I apologize I could not be here this evening because the House of Representatives is voting. I am pleased that the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority has begun the process of exploring options for the revitalization of the Fort Monmouth community.
"I am concerned, however, that the Army and other federal tenants at Fort Monmouth are moving ahead too hastily with various proposals without consulting with this authority. It is important for the Army to put the brakes on and not get ahead of itself in this process. Together with Congressman Holt, I have conveyed this point to Deputy Assistant Secretary Joe Whitaker, who is in charge of the land transfer for the BRAC process.
"The Fort Monmouth Authority should meet with Mr. Whitaker as soon as possible. I have told Mr. Whitaker that the Army must work together with the Fort Monmouth Authority on the land transfer process, and I would urge the committee to reinforce this in any upcoming meetings with Mr. Whitaker.
"Congressman Holt and I have urged the FBI to keep their information technology office at Fort Monmouth open indefinitely. With the current counterterrorism climate, the Fort Monmouth area serves as a prime location for an FBI information technology center because of its proximity midway between New York and Philadelphia. We would like to maintain and possibly expand the FBI's presence in the Monmouth County area.
"Congressman Holt and I have met with FBI Assistant Director Joe Ford several times and he has committed to meet with the Fort Monmouth Authority to discuss the future of the FBI office at Fort Monmouth. He will be coming to New Jersey on August 3 to discuss the current situation. I urge the Fort Monmouth Authority to convey the message to Mr. Ford that we want the FBI to stay at Fort Monmouth and we will work them into our redevelopment plan.
"Tonight, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs proposed its plan to turn the Patterson Army Health Clinic into a Veterans Haven. This plan will provide a valuable resource for veterans in Monmouth County. Creating this facility and keeping the VA clinic at this site will develop an interconnected location for veterans to receive the care that they deserve. I would like to work the Patterson Army Health Clinic into this proposal as well, so that retired military personnel can continue to receive the care they currently receive at Fort Monmouth.
"If Patterson closes, it will be difficult for the thousands of retired military personnel that live in Monmouth County to use the clinic at McGuire Air Force Base, which is over an hour away. If they are forced to use civilian doctors in the community, their out of pocket costs will increase significantly. Congressman Holt and I have requested a meeting with Colonel John Morse of the BRAC Beneficiary Working Group on Health Care, as well as the Assistant Secretary of Defense in charge of Health Affairs. It is my hope that we can work out a plan to keep the Patterson Army Health Clinic at Fort Monmouth indefinitely so that these retired military personnel can receive the health care they deserve.
"The most important task in this redevelopment effort is that of sustaining jobs in the Fort Monmouth community. Tonight, we were briefed on a proposal to reconstitute the Fort Monmouth workforce developed by the Patriot's Alliance. It is important to ensure that there is no breakage in the Global War on Terror mission, and this proposal will make this possible. It will preserve the workforce, while retaining the best and brightest workers to focus on the Global War on Terror mission. This plan is a step in the right direction towards creating a commercial C4ISR mission that will sustain many of the jobs in the Fort Monmouth community, and I urge the Fort Monmouth Authority to give it due consideration.
"I look forward to our continued work on Fort Monmouth." |
