I believe that this November’s election will be one of the closest races we’ve seen in Upper Freehold in recent years. I also believe that its outcome will determine whether we will maintain our rural community or we will encourage our farmers to grow more housing and commercial development instead of crops, livestock, and horses.
It is with both sincere devotion to the welfare of our rural community’s future and respect for the remaining candidates that I withdrawal my candidacy for Upper Freehold Township Committee in 2007. As chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee for the past two years, I have been privileged to work with dedicated local officials and skilled volunteers and consultants. Together, we have developed the scientific research, including the nitrate dilution study and the natural resources inventory that we as a town need to protect our rural character, our working farms, our drinking water and open spaces in both a legal and sustainable way.
I strongly believe in the planning tools outlined in the proposed revisions to the Master Plan. The zoning revisions and advanced clustering provisions will preserve more acres than we could by simply purchasing land with open space funds alone. Preserved land sustains our rural character, protects our drinking water and ecosystems, and stabilizes our tax rates. The proposed revisions to the Master Plan also provide land owners, especially farmers, with flexibility while retaining land values. Retaining the land value of our farms is important because without it, farmers cannot secure the business loans and insurance they need to continue operations. We need to be sensitive to the livelihood of local farmers because without them, we cease to be a rural, agricultural community.
Given that there are a limited number of votes to be cast and the crucial outcomes of this election, I am supporting Steve Fleischacker (I) and Stan Moslowski (R) for Township Committee and ask that my supporters consider the same. I believe that both Mr. Fleischacker and Mr. Moslowski will continue to pursue policies that advance the goal of maintaining our rural character and protecting our natural resources. Although my name will appear on the November ballot, I ask that you consider me as withdrawn from the race.
It is my great pleasure to serve the remainder of my term, through 2009, on the Environmental Advisory Committee, and as a member of the Planning Board for the remainder of the year. I intend to continue as advocate for the community I have chosen as my home. I thank those of you who have supported my candidacy, and I look forward to meeting more of you in the near future. In the meantime, if you would like to contact me directly, I can be reached at [email protected]
