http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/saveACFAS

RESPONSE TO JULY 30, 2010, ALLEGATIONS THAT THE SQUAD "PROMOTES PROSTITUTION"

July 30, 2010 -- We are very disappointed and disturbed by the outrageous and vicious accusations reported to the media by township officials yesterday. Claims that the "squad promotes prostitution" is the height of insult to the many squad members and volunteers who have served the community for the past 65 years.

In just one day, and without naming a single individual alleged to have engaged in this conduct, the Township has destroyed the squad and its members' name in the eyes of many in the community. The township's spokesperson publicly admitted that the information was released merely because the squad was asking the community for support in reinstating the squad's services at the Council Meeting on August 3. The squad, its members and our families have been made to suffer extraordinary public humiliation merely because for exercising our First Amendment rights. This conduct is reprehensible and absolutely unacceptable.

To defend our name against these vicious accusations and to hold certain township officials accountable for other unlawful conduct, the squad filed a law suit this afternoon. We hope that, by doing so, ACFAS will be able to regain the respect of those who may have believed these outlandish reports.

The court documents below extensively details the unfortunate events which have led to this very public dispute. Please take the time to read it so you can know the truth. After knowing all the facts, we hope you will stand with us in City Hall on Tuesday, August 3, at 7 p.m. to put public safety, not politics, first.

Yours in loyal and committed service,
The Avenel Colonia First Aid Squad

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AVENEL COLONIA FIRST AID SQUAD’s OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO  WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP’S MOST RECENT ALLEGATIONS

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July 29, 2010--- The Township's most recent allegations against the squad is part of the "public smear" campaign to which the administration has desperately resorted.

These allegations are retaliatory. They come just days after the Squad notified the Township it was proceeding with the suit to legally challenge the manner in which the Township suspended its services as well as other unlawful actions taken by its officials. The Township has carried out its threat to alert the media of these unsupported allegations if the Squad filed a suit or asked the public to oppose the August 3 vote permanently suspending its services. The Township is trying to intimidate the squad and its supporters into backing down.

The most recent allegations against the squad are highly defamatory. No squad members have been charged with the criminal conduct the Township alleges to have occurred. Like the criminal trespass charges which were recently sent back to municipal court for resolution, these allegations are politically motivated.

It is very disappointing that the Township's public officials will stop at nothing, including unnecessarily trying to ruin squad members' reputation and abusing the criminal process, to turn the tide of public opinion against the squad when all the squad wants to do is serve the community. It is clear the administration underestimates Woodbridge residents who ACFAS is confident will see what true motivations lie behind these most recent allegations.

Since the squad's services have been suspended, Woodbridge residents' safety has been put at risk. The Township's remaining EMS providers have been unable to keep up with the increased volume of 9-1-1- calls and other municipalities have had to respond to emergency calls. On numerous occasions, patients in need of emergency assistance have had to wait 20-30 minutes for an ambulance. In the past week, it took 20 minutes for an ambulance to respond to a patient with complaints of chest pains. Cardiac arrest patients have less than 6 (six) minutes to receive life-saving treatment and, had ACFAS been in active service, it would have arrived in minutes since the patient was less than a half- mile away. The squad's average response time is less than 5 minutes. The squad remains committed to putting public safety, not politics, first. We are grateful to the many in the community who continue to support us, even in the face of these disturbing allegations. We hope others in community will stand with us in making the safety and the welfare of residents the number one priority and we invite them to show their support August 3 or sign our on-line petition at:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/saveACFAS