David P. Biggy's column in the March 22nd edition of the Times Beacon entitled "Barnegat's Officials Should Pay Attention" (Click here to read the story), was a refreshing dose of truth and common sense.

Mr. Biggy obviously takes his position as a journalist very seriously, and deeply cares about the people of Barnegat...especially our children. We at DowntownBarnegat.com believe that Mr. Biggy's column is nothing short of brilliant. It is AMAZING that this column is found on the Sport's page...when on the front page, many of the stories week after week are tainted with public relations spin for whomever is currently on the Twp. Committee.

ABOVE: Our Twp. tennis courts -- unusable to anyone. Our Committee wants to turn it into a parking lot. BELOW: Our Youth Center, 1st allowed to fall into disrepair, and then taken away from our chilren completely...with no convenient replacement for downtown kids.

Truly fair and balanced journalism can make a difference. A reporter is not just a spectator. Journalists should be able to know when those in power are using them to get their message out un-challenged. The reporter has an obligation to search for the truth, and then come to a well-thought-out conclusion. Then maybe -- just maybe -- when they do their job right, the people who buy their paper will benefit.

When Mr. Biggy states "But what Barnegat needs is MORE RECREATION and BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. When are the folks in Barnegat's town hall going to start listening to at least one of its taxpayers on this issue?" That's the point, Mr. Biggy...town hall will arrogantly not listen to any of us. But you and your newspaper -- and us with our website -- can at least hold them accountable.

When the media represents public relations as news, we all lose. There was another example of great reporting in the Beacon lately...and it wasn't on the Sports page. Nicholas Huba exposed the outrageous medical insurance costs paid for by the taxpayer for some of our Twp. Committee members. Because of his excellent reporting, the Committee will cut the taxpayers a break (we will cover this story in detail at a later date).

When Committeeman Hartman proclaimed a Year of Recreation for Barnegat, we all expected things to get BETTER -- not WORSE! When our children's playground was ripped down (along with 2 baseball fields), the Twp. Committee did nothing. When our childrens' youth center was taken away by this same committee, they once again showed their committment to recreation and our children. Now, when they sit by and say nothing as a cell tower is proposed to be placed by where the Jr. Bengals practice, they once again show no real committment to recreation. Come on, WHO ON OUR COMMITTEE WILL STAND UP FOR US? WHO WILL LISTEN TO US? WHO WILL TALK TO US? WHO WILL HELP US? If our elected leaders continue to turn a blind eye to us, maybe we will have to seek help elsewhere. Maybe a media that does its job is the answer.

Mr. Biggy ended his column this way..."The residents of Barnegat deserve better." No truer words were ever written. If we continue to get better reporting like that done by Mr. Biggy and Mr. Huba, we will get what we deserve, because town hall won't listen to the people, but they will listen to the media. For now, Mr. Biggy just sunk the game-winning shot for Barnegat...he's our hero. Who's going to win the next game for us?

Read Mr. Biggy's column in its entirely by clicking here.