The Ku Klux Klan and milk tainted with rocket fuel await federal employees transferring to Aberdeen Proving Ground, according to a newsletter circulated by workers unions in New Jersey.
Workers from Fort Monmouth have been outspoken about their opposition to the Base Realignment and Closure process, which ordered the closure of the New Jersey base and the transfer of its jobs to APG in Harford.
The newsletter shows a level of extreme stubbornness among a small group of workers that has resorted to scare tactics, said James Richardson, Harford?s economic development director.
New Jersey officials told Harford officials about the newsletter,which was circulated by e-mail, said Denise Carnaggio, a BRAC coordinator in Harford. It is not the first time such a newsletter has been circulated, she added.
“We are a little taken aback that someone would just go on rumor and innuendo and not qualify some of their sources,” Richardson said.
“Our point is these are intelligent people. Anyone moving to the area does their research, does their homework.”
As of March, 221 people at Fort Monmouth have volunteered to be part of the “first wave” of 340 jobs transferring to Aberdeen Proving Ground in summer 2008, Monmouth spokesman Henry Kearney said.
The seven-page newsletter, obtained by The Examiner and circulated by members of the New Jersey unions, the American Federation of Government Employees 1904 and the National Federation of Federal Employees 476, begins with a comparison of income, property, gas and sales taxes in the two states.
It goes on, however, to mention a director of Fort Monmouth?s Science and Terrestrial Communication Directorate program, who cited a presenter at APG allegedly saying that an “active KKK” exists in Aberdeen.
In addition, the e-mail cites commondreams.org, a self-proclaimed progressive news Web site, which said organic milk in Maryland is contaminated with high concentrations of rocket fuel.
“Hogwash,” Richardson responded, denying both claims.
“Those people who are negative and not wanting to come will use it as an excuse to say, ?I told you so,? because they?re bitter about the fact ? and we understand ? that this is not an easy decision for anyone.”
Of the KKK claims, Sgt. David Betz, spokesman for the Harford Sheriff?s Office, said: “I?ve lived in Harford all my life and I?ve never heard of that. That?s ridiculous.”
Richardson traveled to New Jersey to talk to federal workers last week to calm any fears that the newsletter may have inflamed.
The Harford NAACP could not be reached for comment.
The newsletter said the next report would give reasons supporting a move to Harford.
Union officials could not be reached for comment.
