Wanted: Leaders to step up with a plan

It seems that Jackson politics is in full swing with those not in power doing all they can to point out the failures of the current administration. The administration is moving forward and trying to deal with the everyday issues of running the local government. They still attribute some of the issues they are dealing with to the prior administration and not themselves.

But the issues of tax increases and gypsy moth spraying are real and won't go away. Also, undeniably, we have had a number of court decisions strike down a number of township ordinances that were passed by prior administrations. Appeals will still determine their validity and whether we hired the right or wrong attorneys to help us draft those ordinances.

Jackson is faced with numerous problems that need to be addressed. The priorities being exploding residential growth aided and abetted by developers and the Pinelands Commission, escalating taxes driven by lack of state funding and increasing student enrollment, demands for township support services particularly police, EMS and recreation and the lack of a real commercial ratable base. These issues are real. We need a carefully thought out plan to address them and then to take action.

Neither the current governing body or those positioning themselves to be elected have laid out such a plan. Civic leaders should lead and demonstrate leadership. If the governing body and all the wannabees want to demonstrate this, why don't you put your collective heads together and develop that plan with residents who also care about the future of this township.

We do know that you care because otherwise you wouldn't put up with all the abuse that you receive as well as all the hours you devote to this township - hours that you could be spending with your family. We are indeed thankful for that and do appreciate it.

However, the issues are complex enough that we need to work together, not at cross purposes to each other. We need to examine all of our options and reach a rational decision as to where to go. As of now, I have heard visions about the future but no plan to get there.

We need a plan and leaders willing to work with each other to develop such a plan. The real truth is that we are stagnating or even moving backward if we don't change. The electorate will be closely watching to see how you react to this challenge. Will you continue to blame each other? Will you call this idea too naive to be implemented and shoot the messenger? Or will you finally recognize that our issues are more important than politics and jointly confront the issues that we need so desperately to address?

Paul Mayerowitz

Jackson