JACKSON – The Township Council approved an ordinance that would require a minimum of 30% of construction labor to go to Jackson residents.
Before the council voted, the public was allowed to make comments about the ordinance which created a Project Labor Agreement. This is a contract between the owner or managing entity of a construction project and a set of labor union operating as a “job site constitution” within a municipality.
Resident Gerald Inverna said he became a union carpenter 41 years ago. “Local residents earn local and spend local. It has been a really good means of raising my family and staying in this fine town of Jackson. I hope to live here for many more years.”
Ryan Archer of Applegate Road said, “I’m a union iron worker for 32 years and moved into the town in 2001. The contractors we work for are legitimate contractors, local, keep us safe and we would like the township to consider PLAs.”
An Ocean Avenue resident and union member addressed the council saying, “if you value our lives and what we contribute to the community you must vote yes.”
Fellow union member Pete Snyder of Mary Beth Court remarked, “I make my money local. I spend my money local. I’ve done it for 25 plus years in this town. You want to bring in Project Labor Agreement you will bring in educated, trained safety workers. That is why it is very important.”
The Township Council voted yes for the ordinance. The audience stood up and applauded in response to its passage.
Special Events
Councilman Nino Borrelli said he had received some informational flyers in the mail that he wanted to share with residents from the Jackson Recreation Department. “There is always something to do for kids in our town. The summer basketball camp from grades K to 4 run April 29 to May 10 and (grades) 5-8, May 13 to May 24 and the location is Switlik Elementary School gym 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For residents it is $75 and for non-residents it is $100 visit register.capturepoint.com”
He also noted that the annual Recreation Department summer camp will once again be offered June 24-August 9 from K-8th graders at Jackson Memorial High School. To register visit capturepoint.com or callthe Jackson Recreation Department at732-928-1260.
School Funding
Councilman Mordechai Burnstein reported that in speaking with residents of the community “one of the issues I’ve gotten the opportunity to learn more about was the school funding formula. I was not able to make the Board meeting but I did get to watch (12th District) Assemblyman (Alex) Sauickie give a speech over there.”
“I encourage our residents to lobby our state all our officials both on the Democratic side and the Republican side for change because it is desperately needed. I want to thank specifically our Board of Education President (Giuseppe Palmeri) and our Superintendent (Nicole Pormilli) who took off time to go to Trenton and give speeches there lobbying for all our students.”
He said that anyone who watched the lawmakers who responded to Sauickie, Palmeri and Pormilli, “you would actually be very surprised, they were definitely not in tune with some of the issues going on in Jackson and it was actually humorous so I encourage people to get more involved and continue to make noise about our needs.”
