November 11, 2001

Short-sighted civic 'leaders'

East Brunswick may lose 14 soccer fields.  Why?  Because our elected officials are shortsighted and fail to lead.

For years I have urged that the township purchase more land for recreational purposes.  One reason was to protect our very limited open spaces.  Another was to serve our burgeoning population.  However, we were also aware that the soccer fields used by the township were on the land of a private organization and could be taken away, as is now threatened by the Middlesex County Fair Association. 

Joining me in reports to the council and mayor was the entire bipartisan membership of the East Brunswick Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.  We put together a priority for future improvements in our township's parks and recreation systems.  Our No. 1 priority then, as I believe it is now, should be to acquire more land for recreation.

I have strongly urged our mayor and council several times to add an extra penny or two to our tax base for this purpose, or to persuade Middlesex County to acquire land in East Brunswick to be set aside for recreational purposes.  All to no avail.  They thought it more important to hold down taxes -- very shortsighted.

Our leaders' vision extends only as far as the next election.

--E. Martin Davidoff

East Brunswick