The front page of The Beacon (9/20/07) has a very interesting story entitled "Traffic Eyed Near School" detailing traffic problems that many of us face in Barnegat. Here are some interesting quotes from one of our fellow residents in this article...

"It's horrible...it's the traffic, the speeding, buses, you name it."

"I have complained to everyone about the issue and no one cares."

"It's not safe for her [a seven year-old child] to be playing out there."

If you think the traffic is bad now, just wait. Our current township leaders act like they didn't know a high school full of students would be located there. What will happen when a new elementary school and a huge recreation complex are also placed in this location? Without proper planning and solid leadership NOW, we all will face a steep continued decline in quality of life.

The resident quoted in this article is right -- "no one cares" -- or at least no leaders show that they care. The police are not at fault. Our police have a hard job, and they need the support of proper planning by the township so they can do their job. This is the responsibility of the Township Committee. They need to be responsive to taxpayers, and not just before an election. They should at least show us that they care. Putting up one traffic light is not enough, and the flippant comment by Township Administrator Breeden saying "When you look at the traffic situation, it's only really bad for about 40 minutes a day" is riduculous. No wonder the taxpayers feel the Township doesn't care. That elitist attitude comes through loud and clear in the Twp.'s words and actions.

The safety of all residents comes first. Someone should not be hurt before something is done. The two new committees on global warming and traffic should be able to help. Smart growth supports walking and reduces traffic. Maybe the work of these committees will make a difference. Committeeman Novak's bad jokes about cancer and traffic do little to solve our problems. Click here to read more about that. What we need is leadership.

Click here to read the article in The Beacon.