Citizen action in South Brunswick

Here is a post from the relatively new Take Back Our Town blog, run by a new organization that seems to be an adjunct of sorts of the East Village Association. I offer it in full because it seems to address some important issues without falling into the kind of hysterical ranting that often passes for opposition.

Anyway, here is the post:

Water Concerns Should Be A Priority
Our Water Needs Protection
Commentary by Judith Kallo

I am an optimist and foresee that the Take Back Our Town meetings will attract a lot of people. During our first meeting we discussed the Senior housing problem, flood issue along the Old Davidson Mill Rd, local problems in the water distribution system, traffic on Rte 535, but we failed to discuss the most serious issue – how could we maintain the quality of drinking water in our region when we are polluting the source of water: the aquifer and priority wetlands? Our property taxes are high, so no wonder that our expectations are high. At the same time, municipalities fail to meet residents’ expectations. Economic development is good BUT it becomes an issue when regional decision support is not harmonized, local decision-making is poorly organized and interest-driven. Development site plans are sketchy and unrealistic, planning board members are voting without having the correct information and/or documentation, or without understanding the priorities.

We live in a complex world. Local decision-makers must realize that water quality issue is high priority because the human body is composed of water. Frankly, this is not a political issue; water quality is critical to our survival. It is a myth that we can “treat” the water and it will regain its original properties. It should be well understood that water related decision-making is crucial to sustain our well being. Some of us who reside here for over twenty years have learned that sketchy engineering, “state-of-the art” planning promises are unrealistic and fail to work on the long run. Water related issues should not rely upon empty promises.

Going one step further it would not be a bad idea to organize an alliance of local institutions and setup a series of presentations and discussion forums in the neighboring towns. It is essential that we characterize the role of the local aquifer and priority wetlands to make the local residents aware of their significance in local water quality issues. Local institutions, like Township governments, the Planning Boards, Environmental Committees must be aware of our current problems and that our problems are the results of bad decision-making and mistaken priorities.

Further negligence and poor decision-making will further impede water quality and drive up the cost of water within our region. This is one of the reasons why a place like the Pulda Farm becomes a pivotal issue for the residents. The Pulda Farm is a part of the regional aquifer and acts as a buffer zone to priority wetlands. The Pulda Farm is indispensable if we want to maintain water quality.

As I said, I find the tone of the post heartening, though I think it does diminish some the hard work that many on the township’s planning and zoning board put in.

I’m always concerned when disagreement is painted as something more than that — as ignorance, say, or something more nefarious. Sometimes disagreement is just disagreement, usually over goals or priorities, and that is the work of politics. Politics is about policy making, or at least it should be. And it is the job of local residents to make sure that their elected representatives focus on the policies they believe are important. If water quality is the issue — and it is over on the eastern side of town — then it is imperative that the EVA folks and this new group make the Township Council and the Planning Board understand that the township needs to make water quality a priority. You do this by banding together and by making yourself heard.

This is basically what Ms. Kallo is suggesting.

I’d offer one additional suggestion: Stay away from the political partisans. Do not allow your groups to be tied to either party. Stay independent and stay active. It will serve you well later.

South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet