JACKSON – The Township Council introduced an ordinance to acquire 48 acres of property for open space land preservation during its latest meeting.
The land known as Sunnybrook Estates will be taken off the housing development market if the measure is adopted and sale takes place.
Residents of the community applauded the move.
“This council has been very forthcoming concerning open space. It is probably our top priority and we’ve been talking about it since the beginning of the year,” Council President Alex Sauickie said.
“We did some last year and we promised we’d do more this year,” he noted saying the ordinance introduced concerns residential property “that would have otherwise been additional homes in town which if it moves forward will be preserved with open space funds.”
He said the town already has an open space preservation fund and that it would not impact the township. There is more than $5 million in this account.
In other news, Mayor Michael Reina noted that this year marked the 19th anniversary of 9/11. “Given what is going on now in our country it looks like these attacks are getting worse with domestic terrorism. I think this country’s proudest day since the end of World War II was September 12, 2001 when everybody came together as brothers and sisters. There was no hate that day. It was just love and support. I’d like to see us get back somewhat to that track in time.”
Call For Volunteers
Councilman Martin Flemming talked about volunteerism in the community. “We live in a town of nearly 60,000 people and it is growing all the time. Unfortunately, one of the most common items when speaking to our many volunteer organizations is declining membership.”
“Why an overall decline in volunteers is by no means unique to Jackson it would be a point of pride for our town to buck that nation-wide trend and to actually see an increase in the amount of our volunteers,” Flemming added.
Flemming said for those wanting to give back to their community “there really is a job for everybody.” He pointed out the areas of emergency services, sports, schools, libraries and mentorship programs – all of which need volunteers.
He added senior programs and food banks could also use some extra hands. “All of these programs are in dire need of more people. Somewhere in public service is a need to match your skillset or interest. Take that first step and volunteer. Nobody should be too busy not to help somebody somewhere.”
Election Update
Council Vice President Andrew Kern spoke about the upcoming election process and how it will be conducted. “Sometime between September 20 and October 5, New Jersey and county officials will mail out live ballots to every voter on their registration list.”
He added that what this is means is that “if you registered to vote when you were 18, then moved and did not reregister, your live ballot will go to your childhood home. If you have no relatives living there your vote could go into the trash or used by a bad actor who could attempt to cast it for who they want to see elected.”
Kern called for Jackson citizens to update their information before it was too late and the ballots go out. To verify your information, Kern said go to nj.gov/state/elections/election-information. He also advised Jackson voters whose address is wrong or need to register in the township to go to the clerk’s office at the municipal building, the county clerk’s office or the Board of Elections in Toms River.
Mayor Reina added, “this election will be the most important one of our lifetimes.”
“Do this right away because once the live ballots are sent out it will be too late,” Kern added.
