There were a number of things that came to mind in reading yesterday's article in the Courier-Post:
1. Meetings - According to this article, CH Estates had TWO (2) meetings with Brookfield only having one. In addition, these meetings were held at the CH Library for the CH Estates residents yet Brookfield was required to go to NJ Mentor offices;
2. I believe that it was said that all of the political figures were invited to attend (Platt, Lampitt, Greenwald, etc.) but no one showed/was present at the Brookfield meeting. (1) Did they attend the two CH Estates meetings?; (2) Dan Keashan of Mayor Platt's office stated for the Courier-Post that "They were attended by high-level administrators from New Jersey MENTOR and the DCF's division of child behavioral health services. Cherry Hill officials were not invited to attend, said township spokesman Dan Keashen." -- Who's telling the truth?????
3. For those who were at the Brookfield meeting w/Mentor, you will recall that I brought up the cartoon so wrongfully displayed and portrayed in the Courier-Post, how horribly it portrays(ed) everyone (both Brookfield & CH Estate) and that it basically held the residents out to dry as if they were evil, non-caring people. To that end, if NJ Mentor even attempted to put themselves out there in good faith to these proposed neighborhoods and the residents it most deeply touches, why didn't do an op-ed or a letter to the editor -- even an article disclaiming the disgusting portrayal of two groups of people who just care and are concerned about their homes, neighborhood and fellow residents -- mostly for safety reasons. While Jim Reynolds of NJ Mentor and the blond woman from the state agreed in a sidebar discussion I had with them at the conclusion of the meeting, Lisa Coscia of NJ Mentor immediately was not in agreement/"they shouldn't have to put themselves out there", etc.
Yesterday's such article was the possible "olive branch" that NJ Mentor and/or DCF could have used to their benefit as well as the benefit of a true attempt to "build a bridge" with the community(ies);
(4) Lastly, Rich Brown of CH Estates said it so well: "I think people feel powerless," said Rich Brown, a Cherry Hill Estates resident. "People just don't trust the government in any way, shape or form."
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READ THIS FROM C-P STORYCHAT ON C-P WEBSITE:
Outside of Cherry Hill this is a concern for all citizens of NJ. Our tax dollars are being spent to give a for profit company the ability to "help" our children. Whether these homes go in Cherry Hill or not, I have a problem with my tax dollars leasing 2 homes at a cost of over 1/2 a million dollars for 10 kids who may or may not wreck the neighborhood. Also I've seen how well for profits "spend" the texpayers money.
Now this company may treat the kids like gold but if you divide 1.5 million by 45 kids, thats about 33,000 a kid. Assuming a profit margin of 5% thats 31,000 a kid. Assuming 24 hour staffing plus leasing and other expenses, they're not going to offer much more than $7-10/hour. What kind of quality help are they going to get?
All in all the problem is primarilly our tax dollars going to keep a company in business. I feel sorry for residents in these towns.
Posted by: sejldc on Sun Oct 07, 2007 10:00 pm