If My Poli-Sci Professor Could See Me Now...

Long, long ago, when I was in college, part of my liberal arts education included taking a couple of political science courses with Dr. Dorothy Roberts. She was legendary (or infamous) for being one of the toughest professors we would ever have, but that it was worth it to be in one of her classes. She was probably the most intelligent woman I've ever met, as well as an incredible teacher—and had a wicked sense of humor. I'm sure that it was her voice in the back of my mind telling me to stop complaining about the state of the world and get involved in the processes behind the decisions made by politicians who have an impact on my life.

Thus, her lectures about "we the people" are among the reasons for my mission, or quest, if you will, to attend as many municipal meetings as I can. The nature of the political process is such that there is no reason for anything to sneak up on us. I don't want to be caught off guard by what seems to be an out of the blue announcement—proposals and construction projects take months to go through various stages long before they ever actually get put into practice. There are zoning board/board of adjustment hearings, planning board meetings, public hearings, discussions at twp committee meetings. These meetings are where we have the opportunity to find out what the township administration is doing in "the best interest of the twp residents." I'm not sure I want someone else to decide what my best interest is, without at least hearing what they think that best interest is.

There are several issues that I am following, among them: the Essex development project that goes from Riverton Road around to Parry, and the development of the Cinnaminson Home property by Lutheran Social Ministries. The LSM people will be at the zoning board meeting this Wednesday evening. Thanks to the Sunshine Law, so will I and many of the people who live near the property. The Essex developer is supposedly going to be at the planning board meeting on the 13th. There are severe soil erosion and drainage issues at the site that need desperately to be dealt with.

The concerned neighbors of the Cinnaminson Home property will get a chance to see the site plan, and hopefully have the opportunity to ask the board to investigate the impact this project will have on an already over-burdened sewer system and how they will adress the stormwater management issues that any new impervious ground cover (buildings, asphalt paving, etc.) will create. There are statutes and laws that state clearly "that the board is under an obligation to deal with matters vital to the public health and welfare, such as drainage, sewage disposal and availability of water supply, as well as traffic circulation safety." (from New Jersey Zoning and Land Use Administration by Cox & Ross, Chapter 16-3.2) It seems to me that we the people are also under an obligation to see that the board does what they are supposed to do.

The public comment portions of the township meetings give residents the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns, and have those questions and concerns become a part of the public record of the meeting. I have raised questions about the township's environmental commission (the committee's description of their duties and purpose are at odds with the township ordinance description section 525-173 of the township code, which is available online at http://www.ecode360.com/CI0302), and why the economic development committee has only one member. Even though I was not satisfied with the answers I got, I was at least allowed to ask the questions, and have documentation of both my questions and their responses.

I urge everyone in town to be a part of "we the people." We are incredibly lucky to live in a place where we are allowed to be a part of the political process. Why bother complaining about things after the fact? Read the township ordinances, attend township meetings or watch them on the public access cable channel.Come and be a "watchdog in the watershed" with me, and maybe we can leave the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.