Gathering planned at proposed school site

MONROE - Opponents of the proposal to build a new township high school in a section of Thompson Park are planning to hold an event at the site tomorrow.

Calling it "A Gathering to Protect Bethel Indian Town," organizers described the event as a showing of support for the preservation of the site, which they believe to be the location of the 18th-century Bethel Mission Settlement.

"As you may have seen in recent newspapers, the historic Native American village, dating back to the French & Indian War, was an important community in colonial New Jersey, and a major Indian settlement," according to a flier announcing the event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Organizers said Native Americans from the tri-state area will gather at the site "to both honor their ancestors who lived and died here, and as a show of public support for the preservation of this cultural landmark."