I read the column in the Medford Sun on the township’s vision for 2016 and came upon the police chief’s plan to improve the police department. Police agencies around the county know how this department has been devastated over the last few years and the chief would like to increase the number of officers and most likely improve the technology and equipment that his officers have, it may save your life some day!
I believe that in order to do this and for the chief to accomplish his goals, two things must happen:
First, get these school budgets at the regional level and local level under control. There are far too many administrators with fluffed up salaries. They need to be able to manage and supervise more with what they have. I don’t like saying this because I spent a lot of time in the school district in Evesham Township. The schools are out of control, and need to do more with less, just like the police. Stop the spending and giving into the bleeding hearts. Education is first and foremost, everything else is second.
Secondly, this town needs to get busy getting ratables into Medford. I know that everything south of Route 70 is controlled by the Pinelands commission but there needs to be a way to loosen their control on development. Without businesses and stores and tax producing entities, Medford Township will continue to be in a rut.
If development is not to be allowed then why is the pipeline going through the Pine Barrens? Why can the state demand and enforce this?
You cannot run a township this size on the backs of homeowners, you must have businesses and unfortunately it is a sign of the times.
Jonathan Wainwright
