On September 17th, the US Army Corps of Engineers presented a revised list of sites for a new Army training center to members of the Middletown community. Of the four sites left on the list, one—a wilderness area near a farm on Broadman Lane—has attracted considerable criticism as a possible spot for construction of the base. Residents of the town have voiced a wide range of objections to its consideration, but the Corps has given no indication that these objections have swayed their selection process. The site remains on the list.
That a local issue of this magnitude could escape the University radar is both sad and, frankly, amazing. For a campus that prides itself on its social awareness and spirit of activism, the fact that nobody noticed the prospect of a military presence in our backyard points to a campus-wide disinterest in the affairs and well being of Middletown. This comes as a particular surprise, given that this issue touches upon principal concerns of two major on-campus student groups. The simple fact of the establishment of a local military base should raise eyebrows amongst members of the revitalized (and anti-military) Students for a Democratic Society. Environmental issues also come into play, as many in the city have suggested that Broadman Lane become a natural reserve. The Environmental Organizers Network would arguably have a few points to add to such a conversation. Where are their voices? More generally, students who ignore these issues while protesting developments on a national and international scale do a poor job of proving their commitment to action on a local level.
While the opportunity has passed to protest the establishment of the site, there is still time to keep it off Broadman Lane. Three other sites—Cucia Park, Mile Lane, and the Bysiewicz industrial area—are still up for consideration, and all three have received support from the city as safe places for a training center. Cucia Park, in particular, has attracted a large number of backers, in part due to its reputation as a haven for illicit activity. A show of student support on behalf of its selection could do much to prove campus interest in the needs and concerns of our fellow Middletown residents.
There is no reason to ignore a development that we can affect. By choosing not to engage in the debate over the military base until the last minute, we missed an opportunity to show the Middletown community that we care about their issues. Now that we have another chance to stand with Middletown residents and work toward a collective goal, we hope that more students will pay attention in the future.
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