Please keep me in the e-mail loop. My family and I live in Cherry Hill Estates within 100 yards of the intended Tanforan NJ Mentor group home. There appears to be a paucity of organized voices in our neighborhood, so far. That will change soon. I've been advised that our Civic Association is getting well informed and is preparing to act.
I intend to get the word out to everyone in our development.
I believe that the discourse should focus more on the concomitant risks that will come with these homes. At a minimum you should consider this: It was stated by Dr. Robinson at the Thursday evening meeting that the course of therapies will include reuniting the group home children/clients with, for example, a mother released from PRISON. Without intending to, to be sure, she has shown us what is possibly the biggest risk associated with these group homes; it is the baggage train and camp followers. The very abusers, unfit parents and or foster parents that these children were alientated from will be brought into our neighborhoods, intentionally, as a part of their NJ Mentor's program. Once these locations, our neighborhoods, are known to these offenders and risky persons, they will come back with or without permission, with or without restraining orders (for all of there ineffectiveness). This is first, last and foremost a security issue. Hammer this point home to every well-intended group home sympathizer, every NJ State official/employee, every state and every single individual local elected office holder, every reporter, neighbor and talk radio host. Do not allow this debacle to be spun in the media and and by the politicians as an regretable, embarrising, ignorant, uninformed, mean spirited, bigotted, fascitic, crude, NIMBY, Neanderthal and an overall reactionary failing of our Township residents. As much as I regret the tone and shortcomings of some of our fellow objectionary stakeholders, I see that it is only vitriol and hyperbole that garners the attention of the government authorities. Relentless pressure, intelligently, politely and forcefully applied, must continue to be applied at all levels. "All politics is local" or so I've heard time and again. All in this issue is politics. Don't just imply ballot consequences. Be vocal. Be persistent. Be smart. Be constructive. Loss of momentum will ensure a bad outcome for our neighborhoods and the Township as a whole. Tell every Township resident, in every development, that all of the Township and School district are at risk. If the results of this crisis go against our interests, whom will you hold accountable? Will you have to look to the mirror for not having done enough?
How do I access the stenographer's record? Any help is greatfully appreciated.
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Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:53 am
