Letters

Too often these days, “ordinary citizens” feel completely powerless to affect even the most local of issues.

Our busy lives demand so much energy; every topic seems so complicated; and we are inundated with an endless tide of bad news about political corruption and back-room deal-making. Sadly, our common reaction is to withdraw from even paying attention to the civic affairs that, sooner or later, actually do make a huge difference to the quality of our lives. Why bother participating and speaking up if it just won’t matter?

Sometimes, it will. A number of us experienced this firsthand during the recent controversy over the proposal to build a floating helipad in the Navesink River. Neighbors met and took action: we contacted elected officials, the media, environmental organizations, and fellow citizens; met again and discussed our concerns; and attended the Red Bank Borough Council meeting on April 25 to express those concerns in public and on the record.

Although we are pleased that the proposal was withdrawn, we know that not all (perhaps not many) attempts by members of the public to influence events will see such clear results.

But it was a heartening lesson that we can have a voice — and a reminder of how things can “just happen” if we’re not even looking.

We want to thank every citizen who paid attention, our elected representatives who became involved, and this newspaper for its coverage. Our hope is that the earliest, preliminary stages of future ideas will begin with a reaching out to the communities that will be impacted.

Joan G. Bartoli

Red Bank

Take time to remember vets on Memorial Day

Again, the Red Bank Elks Lodge 233, along with other organizations, will participate in the Red Bank-sponsored Memorial Day Service at the Veterans’ Monument, 51 Monmouth St., at 11 a.m. to honor those fighting men and women who have died to protect our freedom.

It seems the only ones who remember are the ones who have fought, or lost someone in the fighting.

This is a day to show we have not forgotten even though this is a debt we can not repay. So take time out of your three-day weekend and paid holiday to show them you care.

James W Harris Sr.

Red Bank Elks Lodge 233

Mayor asks legislators to keep Hook public

Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock offers solitude, memories of days gone by, and gentle bay waters brushing the shoreline. The Hook’s Fort soothes overstressed 21st-century souls that survive their daily vehicular existence. Our last treasure has not yet been sacrificed to Jersey Shore sprawl. The Hook is an environmental awakening and a spiritual sensation available to all.

This is a personal plea to our legislators to end the National Park Service plans to convey to a private developer what is rightfully ours.

The NPS, assigned guardians of our open space, are now selling us out and our lands off. Rep. Frank Pallone has single-handedly voiced opposition here and in Washington. Other federal and state legislators, ordinarily vociferous, offer deafening silence to protecting our public property.

Normally heavily traversed, Fair Haven’s River Road (a county road) is our town’s “main street” and in summer is the east/west route for beach-goers from inland Monmouth County.

The private interests proposed for the Fort (eateries, lodgings, businesses, etc.) will transform this 1-square-mile residential heaven, of which it is my pleasure and honor to serve as mayor, into treacherous gridlock. River Road currently can be dangerous. Not long ago, a pedestrian was killed attempting to cross. The plan as presented jeopardizes the safety and well-being of Fair Haven, Red Bank and Rumson citizenry.

Taxpayers have the right to claim Sandy Hook as their own and to protest the bequest to a private entity for the next 60 years.

Our federal and state taxes purchased, maintained and preserved the Hook. Our public property is not speculative real estate.

Woody Guthrie’s “This land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York Island, from the Redwood Forests to the Gulf Stream waters, this land was made for you and me,” said it all.

For the sake of/best interest of my constituency and to protect our property, please contact your elected officials and tell them no to privatizing any part of the Hook.

Joseph J, Szostak

mayor

Fair Haven

Can residents afford another $80,000 year?

On June 21, 2002, The Hub reported that Red Bank had hired a parking manager.

Neil Burnip was recruited from Glasgow, Scotland. The Hub quoted Stanley Sickles, borough administrator: “Of all the candidates, he [Burnip] seems to have the widest array of experience.”

The taxpaying residents now have three years of Mr. Burnip’s wide array of experience at the cost of almost a quarter of a million dollars. What have we, the taxpayers, got for paying this princely sum?

His track record does not indicate any expertise or experience that would benefit Red Bank. Perhaps in Glasgow he was a hot shot, but in Red Bank his leadership and management style have been a failure.

Parking meters, absurdly high parking fines, a disgruntled business community, residents that don’t shop the downtown anymore, a failed shuttle bus service, artistic directional signs around town that are constantly hit by vehicles, rude parking agents, and unreasonable time limits on parking meters.

I would urge an inquiry into the need for a parking manager and determine why the residents have been saddled with this $240,000 for an unnecessary and frivolous position.

July 1 will mark the start of Burnip’s fourth year, and the taxpayers are looking at another $80,000 expense. By June 2006, the total three-year cost for Burnip will have risen to $310,000. Can the taxpayers of Red Bank afford this fluff position? Do we need a parking director?

The mayor and council are working on the new budget. This is the ideal time to help the taxpayers and eliminate this position.

James M. Corcoran

Red Bank