Legion let down neighborhood with monopole deal

My father, rest his soul, was a veteran of World War II and proud of his military service. Just days before his death, he applied for membership in his local American Legion, an organization I have always respected. The work of member veterans "still serving America" is outstanding. But today I am torn between my respect for the American Legion and my concern for my family and my community.

American Legion Post 248 is located directly behind my home in the residential town of Colonia on the edge of Merrill Park, where hundreds of children play a variety of sports year-round and picnic groves are filled with families all summer.

Last year, it came to our attention that this post was planning to lease a piece of their property to Sprint for the construction of a 122-foot cell phone monopole (taller than the Statue of Liberty from heel to head) some 200 feet from residences.

Our community was very upset and came out in large numbers to the Woodbridge Zoning Board meeting at which this issue was to be discussed. After much heated argument, including the fact that there are no conclusive reports to confirm the safety of such towers to human health, the town board denied Sprint's application. Our community was greatly relieved, and surely, at this point it was obvious to the American Legion that this tower was not welcome in our neighborhood.

Disturbingly, several weeks ago some of us received a certified letter from Sprint lawyers stating that the Superior Court of New Jersey has reversed the zoning board's decision to deny the application "and has remanded the case to the Board with the direction to adopt a resolution of approval granting the conditional use variance at the height requested for consideration of the site plan approval application."

As happens too often, commercial interests again take precedence over the health, safety and security of the individual.

The preamble of the American Legion constitution refers frequently to the organization's dedication to community, saying such things as "to promote peace and goodwill on earth … to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community … our devotion to mutual helpfulness."

The decision by those in charge of American Legion Post 248 to continue to lease property to Sprint shows absolutely no deference or respect to this community at all, and is certainly not in keeping with the organization's own constitution.

My father would have been disappointed. My community is angered - and will continue working against the growing menace of radiation in our neighborhood.

Mary Morrell

Colonia