DePalma Farm Part III ... The Admission

In its June 5 press release, the Township quietly concedes it never formally dedicated the entire DePalma Farm to open-space protection, and its prior public messaging was misleading. As I exposed in these two articles (https://patch.com/new-jersey/holmdel-hazlet/truth-depalma-farm and https://patch.com/new-jersey/holmdel-hazlet/depalma-farm-part-ii-deception), their pledge of “any and all reasonable steps” now reveals that inaction—not statutory constraints—left 60 acres vulnerable. This admission comes at a steep price to taxpayers, since acknowledging the Township’s failure exposes them to lawsuit risk.

Voters should note that the Township’s newfound urgency stems from public pressure and politics, not principle, and demand accountability for delaying DePalma Farm’s full protection and for failing to lease it back to the family.

There is an obvious leadership vacuum, and voters must reflect on its consequences.

Prakash Santhana

Former Deputy Mayor

Please vote for Santhana and Buontempo in the upcoming Republican Primary.

Note: Unaffiliated voters are eligible to participate in the Republican Primary. Your involvement is crucial to shaping Holmdel's financial future.

Mark your calendar: early voting kicks off on June 3, 2025, and the primary election takes place on June 10, 2025.