Guest Column
Robert W. Ryley
Officials acting to ensure park’s safety
I am writing to correct some misconceptions regarding the conditions of Johnson Park, Jackson.
Most residents know that Johnson Park is a township-owned facility built on a site formerly used as a dump. Dumping was stopped in the early 1970s, just about the time the federal government created the Environ-mental Protection Agency.
That conditions in Johnson Park are less than satisfactory is not a news flash. That the local administration is finally doing something about it is. For decades, parents whose children have played there have heard all the jokes and rumors about what’s buried under Johnson Park.
In the mid-1990s, the former administration spent over $60,000 trying to cover over the problem by planting grass in the park. With no functional irrigation system, the grass quickly deteriorated and your tax dollars were totally wasted. Maybe that was their way of saying they did something.
The current administration’s approach to Johnson Park reflects a refreshing change from past practices. They wanted to know before money was spent on redevelopment that public safety could be assured.
Environmental testing was authorized by the Township Committee months ago. Unlike many past administrations, this administration is doing something to gather facts, disclose them to the public and take appropriate action in the public interest to correct problems. Redevelopment will be limited to what, if anything, the professionals say is safe.
It is frustrating that some of those who have become so critical now were so silent during the 1980s and 1990s when prior administrations did absolutely nothing to investigate environmental concerns, much less resolve, the underlying conditions in Johnson Park.
Recently, one critic publicly stated that state Department of Environmental Protection representatives were not present, as required by law, when tests were performed. The innuendo is that this administration violated the law. That is absolutely untrue. People should know the facts before they speak in public.
During the last year, the Township Committee has sought out public comment and kept its promise to give the residents a real voice before decisions were made.
On the topic of recreation, residents have repeatedly expressed their desire for more facilities. At the same time, they’ve made it clear they want them located in areas that minimize impact — especially traffic — in residential areas.
The mayor and the Township Committee are working hard to meet this challenge.
The governing body of the entire township must address everyone’s concerns, not just the needs of any one league and any one section of the township. This is a tough balancing act and requires setting priorities and having a solid plan.
Together we can meet everyone’s needs in a way that everyone can also afford. The Township Committee is committed to doing everything possible to meet these objectives.
In the weeks ahead, the public will see positive things happening and a solid plan implemented to add facilities and make recreation better.
One thing that will never happen is this administration will never compromise when it comes to ensuring the public’s safety.
Robert W. Ryley is the aide to the mayor and Township Com-mittee in Jackson.