Trading residents' safety for leaf collection

It is an overused cliché to claim that the founding fathers of our great country would be turning over in their graves with the result of their creation. In fact some would claim they rest comfortably knowing that America is an evolving set of ideas and it survives and grows because of that very concept.

But I personally cannot believe that the principle of America, of a limited government that was created to provide basic services and defend the individual against a united enemy was created to provide leaf collection services.

Sadly, in Freehold Township, our elected leaders must feel strongly in favor of clean streets but not from crime. With a sagging economy, a free fall in revenues, they in their infinite wisdom decided to lay off three police officers while maintaining leaf collection services.

In fact, when I questioned Mayor (Raymond) Kershaw on why we even provided leaf service, he responded that he "doesn't want his neighbors' leaves blowing on his lawn."

Is this the America we want? Is this what we deserve, the right to blow our leaves onto the street and pay a huge amount of tax dollars so we can have clean lawns?

Township officials would like us to join in the chorus of blaming the state for the lack of state assistance. This is nonsense. The answer is simple. If Freehold Township residents want leaf collection, then the township should put out a bid to a private collector who can arrange for scheduled pickup days and individuals can pay for this service. Sounds much like garbage service, doesn't it?

Maybe township officials are just trying to scare us into higher taxes. What better way than to threaten our safety and security by laying off cops. If that scenario is too hard to accept, then you must accept that our elected officials need to be recycled for not eliminating leaf collection services over police protection.

I believe that an educated voter would reject the notion of leaf collection over police protection and that this November they will send that message to the Township Committee.

In the meantime you may want to keep those leaves on your lawn. The crunching sound of the burglar may give the remaining police enough time to respond to your call.
Joseph Mercurio
Freehold Township