Louise Wilson of Montgomery Township Committee
Recent letter writers have taken aim at Montgomery’s Democratic leaders in general and Mayor Cecilia Birge in particular, saying she is not taking advantage of an offer by the county to purchase the Skillman Village property. These accusations are not true. The local Republican candidate and her party boss are misrepresenting the facts.
When the suggestion of county funding for Skillman Village open space was raised last week (in the context of a highly negative Republican campaign press release) Mayor Birge expressed some skepticism but resolved to immediately approach the county freeholders. Speaking at a freeholder board meeting, the mayor tried to determine what kind of partnership or arrangement the freeholders would consider. The freeholders refused to specify, and in fact cast doubt on whether Montgomery would receive any funding at all. They then suggested that township officials attend a future meeting of the County Open Space Advisory Committee to discuss the matter.
The county has not offered to purchase the Skillman Village property. Moreover, Montgomery officials (of both parties, dating back to 1999) have approached the county repeatedly for Skillman Village funding — at least once when Don Matthews was mayor, and again when I was mayor. While the county has never refused the requests, they have told Montgomery that the most we could expect is $1 million at some point in the future.
Now, as Peter Palmer seeks reelection to the freeholder board (running against Mayor Birge), he suggests that the county may reverse its long-standing position and open the door to a partnership — possibly a county park — and much more county funding. The idea is well worth pursuing quickly and forcefully.
Last week Mayor Birge appointed Mark Caliguire and myself, a bipartisan subcommittee of the Township Committee, to work with Somerset County to bring county funding for open space at Skillman Village. Mr. Caliguire and I will do all we can to succeed in this endeavor. A big park at Skillman Village is central to what the township has long planned. Two hundred seems like a good size.
As Montgomery works with the county to secure an infusion of dollars, we need be careful to do this right. The township should reserve some land for future civic and educational uses, at the very least, and as Township Committee candidate Keith Hovey points out, we need to understand who would pay for park amenities and maintenance, and what that means for Montgomery taxpayers, long-term.
As freeholder, Mayor Birge will bring the same keen intelligence and determination that she has shown in Montgomery, as she has fiercely protected our community’s interests and presided over the successful cleanup — on time and on budget — of the contaminated NPDC property.
As township committeeman, Keith Hovey will bring outstanding skills and knowledge, the perspective of a homeowner and taxpayer, and the kind of practical, productive, non-partisan approach that our community expects and deserves.
Please give them your vote on Nov. 4.
Louise Wilson, member
Township Committee
Montgomery

