Q: Is the Holmdel Democratic Alliance (HDA) the same thing as the local Democratic club for Holmdel?
A: No. HDA is a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents who care about our town and how it is governed. HDA is particularly concerned about how our local government affects how the Holmdel grows and flourishes.
Our mission statement, found on this website's home page, states that HDA "works to promote good government for Holmdel", bringing "together citizens of a political persuasions".
Many of HDA's members -- and the current Holmdel Township Committee incumbents and candidates that HDA supports -- are active members of the Monmouth County Democrats. But some of our members are registered Republicans who put national and state politics aside to promote the best candidates for Holmdel government.
Q: Do I have to be a registered Democrat to be welcomed into HDA?
A: No, not at all. Democratic Party business for Holmdel is conducted by a separate group, the Holmdel Democratic Party County Committee, that is closely aligned with, but separate from, HDA.
Q: How did HDA get started?
A: A decade ago, some Holmdel citizens -- both Republicans and Democrats -- were frustrated with how Holmdel was governed. The Holmdel Township Committee happened to be controlled at that time by people elected on the Republican ticket. At the same time, Holmdel did not have a local Democratic club.
So these frustrated citizens formed HDA to elect officials who would be better leaders: Leaders who would take a long-term perspective when making key Township Committee decisions. Leaders who cared about economic development and environmental impact.
Q: Isn't HDA just a political arm of CILU?
A: No, and please don't believe such rhetoric!
Holmdel Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU) is separate and distinct from HDA. Many HDA members are active members of CILU. But CILU does not control or run HDA.
The concensus amongst active HDA members is that CILU is a fine organization that provides benefits to the citizens of Holmdel and its municipal government. You do not, however, need to be a member of CILU or even a supporter of CILU to be an HDA member.