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Politics & Government

National Spotlight 'Shines' on Bridgewater

Mosque controversy puts the township in the headlines.

The controversy over the proposed mosque and a lawsuit challenging a new ordinance that could be a roadblock to locating it in a residential area has put the township in the national spotlight.

The controversy has attracted national attention, including coverage on major television stations and numerous online forums [including huffingtonpost.com.  The Associated Press wire story was picked up by news sites around the world.

Local residents spoke out on their thoughts about Bridgewater being thrust into the national spotlight because of what some have called a “religious discrimination” story.

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Numerous attempts to get comments from mosque supporters were unsuccessful and Mayor Patricia Flannery declined to comment “on advice of counsel."

But some residents believe opposition to mosques is not unique to Bridgewater and may not affect the community in the long run.

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“Mosque concerns are not unique to Bridgewater or New Jersey,” said resident Fran Hozeny. “Mosque opposition is prevalent across the country—New York, Tennessee, California, Arizona, Illinois, Florida, to name a few—and many foreign countries as well. The same objections often greet other houses of worship as well as commercial construction projects.”

And Hozeny does not believe this kind of attention will affect the township long term.

“Do I think it is damaging to the image of Bridgewater?" she asked. "No, I don’t. Bridgewater is a diverse community. Will some people think this is anti-Muslim prejudice? Of course. Will some say, ‘hooray for Bridgewater’? Of course. There are always two sides to a story."

"Bridgewater is a proud community and has been successful in maintaining distinct residential development with a strong identity, well-established character and a desirable quality of life for our residents,” she added. “There will always be those who blatantly say this is bigotry, prejudice and bias. However, in this case, it is not."

Agreeing that Bridgewater has become “a hub for ethnic diversity,” resident Marc Steinberg said he does not think a mosque wouldn't be welcomed in town as a whole, but it is all about location.

“After attending several of the planning board meetings, a town council meeting and from what I have read in the local media, I have no reason to believe that the residents or public officials within the Township of Bridgewater would not welcome a mosque," he said. "However, [it would be better] in a location with better accessibility to main roads and highways.”

Local concerns—such as traffic, road conditions and environmental issues—are, according to Steinberg, “being overshadowed by allegations of racism derived from this lawsuit.”

"[While the ordinance change may be perceived by some to have come to the table late, in my opinion, it shows that our township is working to support the quality of life of its residents and safety within the township through prudent planning under the guidance of municipal land use laws in effect at the time," he said.

The Al Falah Center, which sought to transform a Mountain Top Road site into a mosque/daycare facility/school, has sued the township over an ordinance change that would no longer make it a permitted use on the site by requiring that certain buildings, including houses of worship, be located on roads with principal access to major highways.

The change was initially recommended by the planning board in a February re-examination of the master plan and was approved by the township council in March. As a result, the group would be required to seek a variance to use the site of the former Redwood Inn on Mountain Top Road.

The group responded in late April by filing suit, alleging that the new zoning ordinance prevents members of the Muslim community from exercising their freedom of religion.

In the event the township wins the case and the application goes forward, it would be handed over to the zoning board of adjustment. Zoning board members recently established tentative dates for the application to be on the board’s agenda, listing July 26, Aug. 16, Aug. 23, Aug. 30, Sept. 20 or Sept. 27 as possibilities.

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