I have lived for 59 years, and for 17 of those years in Old Bridge. I have never seen such a disgrace as the Old Bridge Township Council. Its members act like children who have had their toys taken away from them. They are a disgrace to democracy, to both the Democratic and Republican parties, to this township, and most of all, to the people of this township. They should all be recalled. Maybe they should watch reruns of the meetings and see how childish they are.
Their constant bickering and petty arguing over issues and the needs of this township is strangling the process. If it is not a Democratic idea, the Democrats don’t like it, and if it’s not a Republican idea, the Republicans don’t like it. These people were elected to serve the people of the township, not their own little whims and needs. It seems that they have forgotten this. It is a simple job. If it is right for the people, do it — if it is not, don’t do it.
Let me warn the council that the people will not forget and will show their displeasure in the upcoming elections, although personally, I don’t know who would want to be part of this group.
The council has a project before it (the municipal golf course) that will generate millions in tax revenues, and its members are dragging their feet in order to get it built at a more convenient political time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this township.
Other areas of New Jersey have been very successful in this type of venture. You can rest assured Monmouth County didn’t build two new golf courses recently in order to lose money. The county of Middlesex did not buy Princeton Meadows Golf Course two years ago to lose money either.
The money generated from the golf course operation from out-of-town guest fees, food, equipment sales and customers to local businesses will be a tremendous help to future budgets, while providing township residents with inexpensive recreation. The jobs created by the construction will be good, high-paying opportunities. Upon completion of the course, local residents (caddies, starters, rangers, concession people) can fill jobs that will also be good for the local economy. In addition, the property values surrounding the course and vicinity will rise substantially, thereby creating more tax revenue.
The township is very lucky to have such a fine parks and recreation director in Thomas Badcock. He has not only worked very hard on the golf course project, he has managed to bring a great deal of outside money needed for other recreational projects into the township via county and federal grants (Geick Park, soccer fields, etc.). He is highly regarded by township residents and his peers.
I ask the council to grow up and do what it is asked to do — serve the people.
Dick Wein
Old Bridge