“I envision…a passive recreation area and a community center that will encourage gatherings or meetings.”
“…we need to build on and upgrade our character building sports programs, recreation programs…”
“I would like to re-direct the efforts of our Open Space Committee, I would like to see them develop a plan to create the walking paths that have been alluded to for years. Perhaps a bicycle path as well.” – Mayor Sheridan
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in 2009, it’s that elected officials tend to make decisions based on the best interest of their respective party or personal benefit…and not in the best interest of the greater population. Unfortunately, our town doesn’t seem immune to the described scenarios. I have been entirely disappointed with our Township Committee lately, particularly their most recent decision to distribute bonuses in the midst of a financial crisis. In 2010, I will be keeping an extremely close eye on our committee members’ words to ensure that campaign pledges are kept, and declared positions are not contradicted when it really counts. I am tired of empty promises, and will strive to make sure that there is accountability and transparency at the Township Committee table.
In the new mayor’s own words (as highlighted above), he has expressed clear interest in focusing on both active and passive recreation in our town. This is fantastic. Therefore, if you ask me, we should work on getting people on our Open Space Committee who really care about and have extensive knowledge of open space…right? So why, then, was Len Fariello NOT appointed to either the Environmental Commission or the Open Space Committee? This makes no sense to me. Len’s basically pinned as a certified tree-hugger by his opponents, and then denied the perfect opportunity to use these valuable skills, while at the same time Mr. Sheridan proclaims his agenda for focusing passive recreation areas and trails. One of the most qualified people to advise our Township Committee on how to expand and upgrade our recreation facilities was silenced by the new mayor who claims he wants to focus on open space and recreation. Go figure.
And for some reason, our Township Committee wants nothing to do with the Markow property. An amazing piece of land (that’s for sale!) that can serve and satisfy so many open space and recreation needs (again as described above by our new mayor) continuously gets shot down time and time again by the Township Committee. Hanover could gain so much by acquiring this property in terms of a green getaway right within our town, and despite numerous attempts by the Open Space Committee, the Township Committee has remained steadfast in their decision to look away. Why?! We can’t even satisfy our present needs for ball fields…can you imagine our town a decade from now functioning with the same about of ball fields and a greater population than at present? We can help alleviate the problem NOW. Or do we just not care about Hanover’s future generations and the problems they’ll face because of our current ignorance? The present cry in town is for recreation facilities. Well how do you expect to provide this if you are unwilling to seek and physically expand it? You can’t have it both ways.
People are so stressed and worried about their taxes these days that they’re failing to see what’s really important. Well guess what. There are two things that are inevitable in life…one of which is paying taxes. SO GET USED TO IT! They will always go up. And trying to escape that indisputable fact by building another house or store to increase ratables isn’t really going to amount to a permanent positive solution for anyone.
Thus far, our new mayor has shown his commitment to both active and passive recreation by quieting the voice of one of the most qualified people in town to advise on such topics. So unless he’s got someone bigger and better in mind, I’m really dumbfounded by that decision. If he really cares about said topics, he’d work on getting Len to the Open Space table. Doesn’t that just make sense?
And our Township Committee needs to wake-up to the Markow property. While I don’t have evidence yet, I am trying to find quotes by Mr. Ferramosca made during his campaign claiming that he pledges to focus on expanding our youth recreational facilities. Once I have this proof, it seems to me to be all the more reason why he’d be in favor of considering the Markow property for this purpose. It’d be a great opportunity to fulfill a campaign pledge. Because if this isn’t the opportunity he had in mind, then I hope he’s got something grand rolled up his sleeve.
I will utilize all outlets available at my disposal to keep our residents informed. I’m not writing this to play politics. I can’t stand politics. I want what’s in the best interest of our community. I want our elected officials to make decisions that are consistent with the reasons why they are in office. Because contradictions are deceitful, and thus I will strive to ensure they don’t go unnoticed. –
“I envision…a passive recreation area and a community center that will encourage gatherings or meetings.”